There’s a reason that “fighting like cat and dog” is a popular phrase. The two species are famous for not getting along, to the point where their antagonism has been turned into a proverb. This can be a big problem for a loving pet owner who just wants their pets to get along. There’s nothing …
Caring for multiple animals in the same home can mean preparing for all kinds of interactions, some of them highly surprising. It’s important to be ready to handle anything that might arise, from fights and friction to anxiety and fear. Fortunately, most multi-pet homes reach some kind of equilibrium, with animals getting along — or …
I used to really love incense. I burned a different fragrance every day as a teenager, filling my room with perfumed smoke. I found it delicious, calming my mind and helping me to relax. All that stopped in my 20s, when I discovered that my incense habit might be affecting my asthma. I switched to …
Vinegar has lots of uses around the home. I use it for descaling in my kitchen and bathroom; the acidic nature of vinegar means that it reacts with limescale to remove it (very effectively, I might add). It’s also great for de-scaling kettles, although you have to wash them out carefully afterwards unless you want …
“Don’t let cats eat human food” is a good rule of thumb, but it can be hard to prevent your cat from occasionally grabbing a food item from time to time. In some cases, this is a cause for concern, as a lot of our food really isn’t good for cats at all. Some foods, …
I’m not sure why my domestic shorthair is so fixated on syrup. I’ve owned cats with odd cravings before: there was the one who would beg for frozen peas, the one who absolutely loved plain yoghurt, and several who had to be forcibly dissuaded from trying to eat plastic grocery bags. My American Shorthair will …
It’s natural for your cat to be interested in whatever food you’re eating. Cats are colony-forming animals and in their feral state, they’d be looking to other cats for guidance as to which food sources were safe and tasty. If you, the human caregiver, are eating something, your cats will assume that it’s good for …
Cats can be confusing. Even though I’ve had them both for years, my British Shorthair and American Shorthair still surprises me sometimes. Just when you think you’re getting to grips with all the nuances of kitty communication, you’ll suddenly find yourself confronted with a new wrinkle that you just don’t understand. Most cat owners know …
Why Does My Cat Rub His Face on Me Then Bite Me? Read More »
Cats have a dreadful habit of trying to eat things that they really should not be eating. Rubber bands, plastic bags, paint — and, of course, whatever you’re eating. There are lots of things in human food that are very bad for cats. Some things, like onion or garlic, might be immediately poisonous. Others might …
Cats can be disconcerting creatures. There are the famous (or notorious) midnight activities — those times in the small hours when your cat randomly decides to get up and tear around the house. There is the apparently random screaming for no obvious reason. There are the bouts of fixed staring at a point on the …
As much as we all love our cats, it’s fair to say that some of their little habits are less than desirable. There’s the notorious 3 am stampede, the occasional bouts of property destruction, the chewed-up clothing, the pre-prandial screaming fits — and, of course, spraying. Cats are territorial creatures, and one of the ways …
Curling up with a fuzzy, purring friend is one of the joys of being a cat owner. There’s nothing quite so calming and relaxing as leaning back in your armchair while your cat dozes on your knees. Not all cats are lap-cats, of course, but some absolutely love to go to sleep on your lap. …
One of the trials you face as a conscientious pet owner is keeping “people food” away from your fuzzy companion. Many of the foods we enjoy every day with no ill effects can make a cat or other animal very sick indeed. Even if they don’t immediately result in symptoms, human foods are often an …
