Lifestyle

Some of the most profoundly heartbreaking moments of my cat-caretaking life revolve around being unable to tell how much pain my beloved friends were suffering. Even though I know cats are very good at disguising their pain, I can’t help but guilt-trip myself sometimes over this health issue, because as a person who’s lived with

Seven years ago, Jacquie Navratil was serving on the board of directors of an animal rescue organization in her Los Angeles neighborhood when she realized something: There were so many cats that needed help — but there were also many community members who wanted to help but didn’t know how to get started. “I noticed

One of the most common distress calls I receive is from cat parents upset about their cat’s destructive claws and how to stop cat scratching. While we humans may feel like our cats must secretly hate us (why else would they ruin our brand-new designer sofa?!), they’re really just following their natural instincts when they

Often, my cat behavior consultations have a theme. A few weeks ago I had a run on cats who were upsetting their people because they were hanging out on kitchen counters and lounging on computer keyboards. The theme of last week’s consultations was how to stop cats from scratching furniture. One consultation stands out. Shelly

I’m a big advocate for spay/neuter. It’s a crucial part of the equation for reducing the number of cats killed in shelters, and having your cat spayed or neutered improves cat health, reducing the chances of injury and disease. But a lot of us encounter cat pregnancy at some point, whether through working at a

Was your cat stung by a wasp? Let’s check out one question from a Catster reader about a cat being stung by a wasp — and look at how to handle a cat who’s been stung by a bee, snake and spider, too, while we’re at it: A cat dressed as a bee might be

Sterling “TrapKing” Davis’ mission, as his website says, is “to change the stereotypes of not only men in cat rescue, but also bridge the gap in communication between black communities and animal rescue/local shelters.” Sterling brings the work of TNR to some of the poorest neighborhoods in Georgia’s cities, bringing together advocates from a variety

What do crazy cat ladies, haggard airline travelers, insane people, and gardeners have in common? For them, today, March 17, should be a day of revelry and celebration. I’m not talking about St. Patrick’s Day. (Although I admit I simply can’t let mid-March pass without slamming back a cold green one.) I’m talking about the

Savvy cat guardians know that to stop cats from scratching furniture, one must provide correct stimulation and alternatives for scratching. Cats love well designed scratching posts, and the placement of such alternatives to furniture can make all the difference. I’ve done this, and my cats don’t bother my new furniture at all. Cats are also clever

We’ve got longhair and shorthair aplenty, we’ve got hairless and munchkins galore, you want tabby stripes, we’ve got 20 …. But today, we’re introducing you to not one, not two, but six fluffy cat breeds that will leave you itching for a pet, cuddle or all of the above. First, What Makes Fluffy Cat Breeds

Making an outdoor cat shelter is a project that saves cats’ lives. When John Medaglia built his home on a wooded street in rural Long Island, he didn’t realize the property was already inhabited. As a lifelong animal-lover, he was undaunted to find free-roaming cats settling in under his porch. He strategized on the best

Training a cat to walk on a leash enriches her lifestyle by safely allowing her to enjoy the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. It’s also an excellent way of revving up her exercise routine. There’s no question that a cat’s personality plays an important role in deciding if she’s game for a fresh-air

Author Terry Pratchett said, “In ancient times, cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” When you hear this phrase, do you automatically think of ancient Egyptian cat goddesses and cat gods? Probably. Do you think of any other cultures when it comes to cat goddesses, cat gods and worshipping cats? Probably not. But

As a cat lover and an art lover, I was intrigued when I heard about artist Gretchen Kish Serrano and her custom pet portraits. Her pieces combine her creativity with inspirations from classic artists. These vibrant works of art are not only beautiful, but they honor the bond her clients share with their pets. She

No one ever thinks a natural disaster will actually hit their home — and a lack of preparedness can make the tragic devastation all the more damaging. As the guardian of a cat, you have a duty of care to take crucial steps to secure your pet’s safety ahead of time. Here’s an overview of

Love cuddling with furry felines but curious about their naked counterparts? Prepare to have your appetite sated with this crash course on hairless cat breeds. A word of warning: by the end of this article you’re definitely going to want to add one of these hairless cat breeds to your feline family! 1. Bambino A

For indoor cats, windows provide hours of entertainment and mental stimulation — vital to keeping your cat happy and healthy. It’s really easy to create a special space near a window for your cat to enjoy the view. You don’t have to have any special skills or spend a lot of money — just pick

Looking for a way to celebrate our feline friends in January? Here are some fun January 2019 cat events. All Month: Workman Publishing 2019 Calendars Check out this and other fun 2019 calendars from Workman Publishing Do you have your 2019 calendar yet? Workman Publishing has 34 new titles joining its best-selling lineup that are

Many of us begin the new year by creating a list of resolutions — which last at least until January 27. All (mostly) kidding aside, the new year feels like a clean slate, right? It makes sense to dream and set goals, and why wouldn’t cats want to do the same thing? They’d probably change

We all love showing off a gazillion pictures of our cats on our phones these days. Unfortunately, many of those photos are terrible. This comes to a head during the festive season, when you’re guaranteed to receive at least one holiday card starring a photo of a friend or relation’s cat who winds up looking

Sometimes a cat shows up in your neighborhood or on your doorstep, and it’s obvious that the cat is feral. There’s no way you’re going to lure the cat inside or touch her, and the best you can do is feed her, and hopefully, implement some TNR. The large gray area with free-roaming cats, however,

Christmas is a magical time of year, but it isn’t always the best holiday for cats. There are lots of dangers, from tinsel and ribbon to poisonous seasonal plants like poinsettias. And, for many homes, Christmas trees are the centerpiece of the season, but they too can be a lot of trouble for cats. Here

The holidays are here. As we start planning the festivities, let’s not forget about our cats. We like to indulge our cats just as much as we like to indulge — or in some cases overindulge — ourselves this season, but when it comes to our furry friends, it’s important to keep in mind what’s

I love the holidays. I’m one of those people who cranks up the Christmas music, bakes cookies, and does all that general cheeriness business that irritates the hell out of some people. I don’t care — I’m a loud-n-proud Christmas dork. I do draw the line at egg nog, though… yuck! Another part of the holidays

Instead of purring, many cats would say “bah humbug” about the holiday season. More than anything else, cats disdain unpredictable change. Cats don’t have calendars or explanations for what the holiday season means. And if they did, I suggest most cats would become like bears and hibernate throughout all the holiday commotion. “We have to

It may be a cats’ world and we just live in it. But when it comes to brick-and-mortar pet stores, there’s a noticeably stronger focus on that other species: You know, the one that claims to be man’s best friend — the dog. Perhaps it’s because dogs are indiscriminately eager to please and thus make

Looking for a way to celebrate our feline friends in December? Here are some fun December 2018 cat events. All Month: Workman Publishing 2019 Calendars Check out this and other fun 2019 calendars from Workman Publishing. 2019 will be here before you know it! If you don’t have your calendar yet, we’ve got you covered.

How would you feel if you were 12 inches tall and suddenly your home was filled with blithely stepping feet or hordes of small children who run around screeching, trying to “play” with you? Or maybe after your people spend hours cooking something that smells like it should be for you, they take that food

While there are no hard statistics about senior cats in shelters, we know anecdotally that senior cats spend a longer time in shelters than younger cats. Many end up there because they’ve been given up by their family or their guardian has passed away. Why Adopt a Senior Cat? Cats are considered senior between the

Stashed prominently on my pantry shelf is a can of pumpkin ready to dish out at the first signs of digestive upset in my cat, Casey, or my dogs Kona and Cleo. For as long as I can remember, canned pumpkin has been the recommended go-to food to ease mild constipation or diarrhea. But good