Kitty Contemplations
How to choose a kitten from a litter
It’s a big deal, choosing a kitten. My very first cat lived to 23. If all goes well, the kitten you choose today could end up becoming the other half of one of the longer relationships you will have in life.
What is feline hyperesthesia syndrome (or twitchy cat disease)?
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome (FHS) is the strangest cat disease you’ve probably never heard of. This post is to explore what we know about FHS, what research has been done to explain this disease so far, and what veterinarians are doing to diagnose and treat it.
What to do about a finicky cat
The frustration of presenting can after can of gourmet food to a cat who won’t even try it, is real. The expense is real, too. “Just eat already!” you want to say to your picky cat. It’s easy to feel like your finicky cat is trying to manipulate you. But the idea of a finicky cat is really a myth. Read to find out why.
The Abyssinian cat
Forget everything you ever heard about the Abyssinian cat. It's not an ancient breed and it doesn't come from Abyssinia. But this is a fantastic cat: intelligent, active, and friendly. Gorgeous, too!
Why do cats stretch so much?
When they're not eating, playing, or sleeping, cats are stretching, right? Wrong! Cats don't stretch - they pandiculate! Read to find out all about pandiculation and cats in this post!
Are all white cats deaf?
Are all white cats deaf? Are all blue-eyed white cats deaf? The simple answer is, "no," but the full answer to this question is fascinating.
Should I put a costume on my cat this Halloween?
In short, no. Don't put a costume on your cat. Read to find out why.
Why do cats loaf?
Maybe you call it cat bean, or cube cat, or turkey cat. You might call it hovercat, or potato cat, or sphinx cat. Kitty unit, tugboat, bread cat, and meatloaf, are not uncommon either. Or maybe you don’t even have a name for this thing your cat does. But I know you think it’s cute.
Should you toilet train your cat?
It’s the stuff of dreams, isn’t it? Having a cat, but never having to see, smell, or clean another litter box for the rest of your life? Toilet training a cat sounds like a great idea that isn't. Read to learn why you should never train your cat to use a toilet.
Can my cat drink milk?
Why do we associate cats with milk? We really shouldn't. Mammals (like cats and humans) just weren't designed to drink milk in adulthood. Read why cats seem to really crave milk, and why we shouldn't feed it to them no matter how much they beg.
The Turkish Angora cat
The Turkish Angora is a stunner. And also a bit of a handful! Read to learn more about this special cat, and the twists and turns that took the Turkish Angora from ancient history, to near extinction, and to the cat some of us are privileged to know today.
How to care for and feed your foster kittens (part 2)
This post is Part 2 of a two-part series about kitten fostering. This one digs into the day-to-day, nitty gritty of caring for motherless kittens.