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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 […]

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

Cats have all kinds of fun and adorable little traits. The ways they try to communicate with us can be hard for humans to understand sometimes, despite the best efforts of both parties. One trait that many cats have is trying to “talk” to you by meowing back when you talk to them. Not all

Dealing with waste is, unfortunately, part of being a cat owner. Unless your cat comes to you house-broken, there’s often a bit of a learning curve while they master the mysteries of the litter box. If you buy a properly reared kitten from a responsible breeder or adopt a mature cat who was previously owned

Some cats are more talkative than others. My American Shorthair is fairly vocal, but my British Shorthair tom is a fairly tight-lipped fellow (although he’ll let me know if he’s displeased about something). My domestic shorthair rescue kitty doesn’t make a lot of noise unless I’m late with her food. Many cats are endowed with

Cats have a number of delightful traits. There’s the affectionate nuzzling, the playful antics, the cosy lap-time snuggles. Unfortunately, some of your cat’s activities may be much less appealing. Accidents outside the litter box are just part of being a pet owner, and they’re something we all get used to. Some cats, though, develop the

Feline affection can appear, at times, to be rather fickle. One minute you’re having fun with your cat, and the next minute you’re trying to gently detach four sets of claws from your arm and rescue what’s left of your fingers from a tiny, snarling mouth. Often, this behaviour change seems to come out of

Most cats benefit from regular grooming. That doesn’t just mean brushing or combing, but taking care of your feline friend’s teeth and claws, too. Unfortunately, cats are often reluctant to participate in some or all of these activities. Many cats absolutely hate to have their paws handled, and some will panic and become quite aggressive

Feline vocalisations come in a range of forms. They range from the tiny, piping cry of a new kitten to the full-throated meow of a hungry adult. There’s the angry hiss and the three-a.m. yowl, the inquisitive “prrt?” and the rumbling, contented purr. Some cats sound almost human when they meow, while others sound like