Lifestyle

There’s never been a better time to declare yourself a cat person. Long gone are the days when the epithet came with negative or even “crazy” connotations. In fact, the feline has risen to such a point of prominence that it’s impossible to dip into the pop culture world without hearing the endearing purr of

Dwarfism is pretty rare in cats, but there are a couple of dwarf cats who have become celebrities. Lil BUB and Grumpy Cat have showered the world in their cuteness (Lil BUB) and snarky memes (Grumpy Cat). How did they get that way? Here are the basics on dwarf cats. Lil BUB! Photography via Lil BUB’s

In my role as an emergency veterinarian I treat some very sick cats. And I also meet some cat owners who feel very guilty. They wonder whether their cats might not have gotten so sick if they had recognized earlier that a problem was developing. Although some cat emergencies come on suddenly and are anything

Recently, natural disasters have mobilized animal-loving citizens across the country. That’s epic, but there are cats in every community that need help every day. Feral cats, aka “community cats,” are those un-owned cats who do not want to live indoors but depend on people nonetheless. From Florida to California, and everywhere in between, community cats

I recently heard from a man named Alan who comes from a family of professional dog-trainers. He says he always had dogs in the house but never cats, because “family members either don’t like them, are indifferent to cats or think they belong outside where they can keep vermin in check.” The family, which uses

There have been more devastating natural disasters across the country than ever before — and they’re not stopping anytime soon. From fires in the West to hurricanes in the East and other emergency situations like tornadoes popping up in between, Americans are constantly on high alert. How to keep the whole family safe — including

You may be living with a cat who will do everything possible to avoid being within spitting distance of a cat carrier. She may be one who, as soon as the monstrous object looms into sight, disappears, hiding for days. Or she might be one of those little ones who seems to use Velcro to

Through practice, I have found out that my cats have specific preferences when it comes to where they like to be petted. There are also specific areas that they hate to be petted and will not tolerate it from me. I’m sure you’ve experienced this with your cats and have figured out the exact locations

After Hurricane Harvey’s devastating impact, the Florida area is bracing for Hurricane Irma. But disasters aren’t limited to any particular season, certain area or even natural forces. Emergencies that require you to evacuate mean you need to be prepared at any time. Being proactive is the best way to ensure that you and your cat

The internet teems with silly memes of cats swimming, surfing and even scuba diving. And, according to YouTube, there are a lot of feline Esther Williams out there. But is that really the case? Ingrid Johnson, CCBC (Certified Cat Behavior Consultant), says, “In 19 years of working with cats, I haven’t seen one who swims.”

Allergies are as mysterious as they are frustrating. Our immune systems decide they don’t like something and wage all-out war against the invader, wreaking more havoc on our bodies than the otherwise harmless substances they’re attacking. Being allergic to cats can mean reactions as mild as sneezing and itching when you touch the cat and then touch your

Even the most experienced cat caretakers can find themselves charged up on adrenalin when having to face a cat in the midst of a fit of aggression. But encountering a hissing, growling, screaming, and possibly even scratching and biting cat can strike terror into the hearts of people who don’t know how to handle a

The origins of the famous proverb, “Curiosity killed the cat,” is debated, but its meaning is universally understood. Cats are known for their curiosity, which is a hallmark of their intelligence. Curiosity shows the desire and the ability to learn, but it also can get cats into trouble, or even kill a cat. Here are

Do you sing to your cats? One of our writers sings to her cats and even makes up funny cat songs — and we bet she’s not alone. Check out her stories and advice for how to sing to your cats, plus insights from an expert on what your cats really think of your singing!  How

Call the Midwife is one of my favorite television shows, and I can hear the adamant voice of Sister Evangelina insisting that, where infant nutrition is concerned, “The breast is best!” This dictum isn’t meant to be totalizing; after all, sometimes circumstances intervene and the mother may be unavailable or unable to feed her kittens.

Does your cat have freckles on his nose? My Newton does. His freckle is actually in his philtrum, the vertical groove that runs down the center of his nose. It looks like his nose is dirty all the time, but it just that he actually has that freckle that runs right down the middle of

Ever wondered: “Why does my cat want me to watch her eat” or “Why does my cat like to be pet while eating?” Welcome to affection eating — also known as attention eating, which can help you bond with your cat. It can even save her life. A few years ago, my cat, Luna, started

I remember the first time I encountered tapeworm in cats. It was a cool autumn day when I was about 14, and my cat, Pollux, was sitting on top of me getting some love. He turned around to show me his bottom and there were a bunch of rice grain-looking things, and they were MOVING!

We love our cats, so why in the world would we expect them to cope with the harsh realities of life outside? Defenders maintain that there’s a tradeoff, but studies report that indoor-only cats live several years longer than cats who sometimes navigate life outside. Here’s more on the case for indoor cats vs. outdoor

Paws up, cat lovers! The third annual CatCon, created by Susan Michals, takes place this weekend, August 12-13 in Pasadena, California. The convention ups its game this year with a bigger venue (Pasadena Convention Center) and more cat-tastic reasons than ever to hightail it to the biggest feline pop-culture convergence on the planet. It’s nearly

A few weeks ago, my cat, Bella, knocked my pill minder off the shelf above the toilet and sent a bunch of medications that should never be taken by kitties flying all over the bathroom. I was trembling as I counted the pills, the whole time praying that the noise had scared her off and

How would you react if someone called you a crazy cat lady? These days, you might smile, feel a wave of pride rush through your body and consider it a compliment. After all, cats have taken over the pop culture world. They commandeer Internet content, revel in their role as sidekicks to music stars like

I don’t know about you, but I just love cat noses. Doesn’t matter what color, doesn’t matter what size, they’re just so cute they make me melt. I don’t even mind those cold (and sometimes damp) nose kisses I get from my cats. But there’s a lot more to your cat’s nose than you might

We all know that there is something inherently soothing, particularly during times of high anxiety, in playing or spending time with our cats. Pregnant women have tons of things to worry about during the grueling and wonderful nine-month marathon that constitutes the typical pregnancy. Stories have been circulating for years now, terror tales about cats

We’ve come a long way, kitty. Today’s cat cleaning products are more safe and effective yet fun and attractive, too. 1. Natural Cat Odor Eliminator Moso Natural. Safe for cats, Moso Natural’s alternative to air fresheners soaks up excess moisture, allergens and odors in the air. It’s filled with chemical- and fragrance-free moso bamboo charcoal