Oct 27, 2020
We all know cats will chew on anything, especially plants! Read on to learn more about 10 plants dangerous to cats.
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We all know cats will chew on anything, especially plants! Read on to learn more about 10 plants dangerous to cats.
10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Cats
1. A cat’s first year is equal to that of 15 years of human life
By the time your cat reaches age 1, the growth that has occurred is equal to 15 years of human growth. By the time your cat reaches age 2, your cat has equaled the growth of 25 human years. After the age of 2, your cat develops more slowly and grows about 4 to 5 human years every year
2. Male cats tend to be left-pawed while female cats tend to be right-pawed
If you don’t know the gender of a cat, pay attention to which paw they swipe with. If they swipe with their left paw, they’re most likely male. In one study, 73% of cats show a clear paw preference when reaching for food.
3. Cats developed meowing to communicate with humans
Meowing is not an innate language for cats. They actually learned to meow in order to communicate with humans. Cats recognize that the only way to communicate with humans is through verbal communication.
4. Cats purrs can heal bones
Cats purr at a frequency of 25 to 150 hertz which is the frequency needed to promote bone health and repair. Purrs can also improve bone density, help with swelling and pain, and help with muscle growth and repair.
5. Cats sleep between 12-16 hours per day
Wild cats spend most of their time preserving their strength sleeping when they are not hunting. Although indoor cats don’t hunt like wild cats do, this evolutionary trait has continued to carry down through generations.
6. A cat’s nose is like a human’s fingerprint
Like a human’s fingerprint, each cat’s nose has a pattern that is unique to each cat. The ridges and bumps of the nose form a unique nose print.
7. Cats can taste scents in the air
Cats have an extra organ that allows them to taste scents in the air. Cats may use this “extra sense” when gauging information about a cat that isn’t present. They simply stick their tongue out and are able to learn important information about another cat without the other cat being present.
8. Cats can jump 5-6 times their height
This is measured from the ground to their shoulders. The average height of a cat is 30 centimeters which means a healthy adult cat can jump between 150 centimeters and 180 centimeters.
9. Cats can run around 30 mph
Cats can run around 30 mph over short distances. To put this speed into perspective, the average human can run up to 22 mph. Cats have very muscular legs as well as a flexible spine that arches and straightens as they run which gives them great speed.
10. Cats can rotate their ears 180 degrees
While humans only have 6 muscles in their ears, cats have 32 muscles in each of their ears which allows them to rotate them 180 degrees. Due to these muscles, cats are able to swivel and pinpoint the exact source of a noise.
Conquer the Carrier
Bringing your cat to the vet can be a stressful experience- for both you and the cat. Most cats run in terror at the first sight of a carrier making it very difficult for you to get your cat to the vet in the first place. Many people think cats are born with an innate fear of carriers but that’s just not true. If you only bring the carrier out for vet visits, your cat learns to associate the carrier with an unpleasant experience. It’s time for your cat to learn to love the carrier. It will make vet visits easier for everyone involved!
The first step to getting your cat accustomed to a carrier is placing the carrier in one of your cat’s favourite spots. Take the cover and door off the carrier, or if it’s a soft carrier, leave all the openings unzipped to allow your cat to venture in and out freely. Having the carrier out all the time will take away that negative association your cat has that a carrier = vet visit.
Make sure to make the carrier as comfy as possible for your cat. Place a blanket or one of their beds inside. You can also place a comfy sweatshirt of yours in the carrier. Your scent will make your cat calm and comfortable.
Now it’s time for treats and food! Give your cat a treat whenever they are in the carrier. Make sure to only give treats to your cat if they are in the carrier. Your cat will become even more comfortable with the carrier if you feed them while they are in the carrier. By associating food with the carrier, you are teaching your cat that a carrier is a safe place for them to be in.
After your cat is comfortable spending time in the carrier, it’s time to practice closing the doors. Once your cat is inside the carrier, close the door then give them their treat. It’s important you only give your cat a treat if they are calm. You can also place their food in the carrier and close the door when your cat is eating.
It’s time for the final step! When your cat is accustomed to being in the carrier with the doors closed, pick up the carrier then place it back down gently. Continue doing this until it becomes a pleasant experience for your cat. You can take some walks around your house or the block with your cat in the carrier once picking it up and putting it down become a breeze. Make sure to continue with this routine regularly. By doing this, your cat will associate a vet visit with the carrier every one time out of ten instead of every time.
By following these steps, your cat will learn to conquer the carrier in no time!
Why Does Your Cat Meow at You?
Cats actually don’t meow at other cats, only at humans. Cats have learned that they can’t communicate with humans the same way they do with cats. Humans can’t decipher a cat's facial expression nor their complex body language. Cats realize that the only way to talk to you is through speech, so they create their own way of talking to you- meowing. In other words, cats created their own speech in order to manipulate you! It’s the only way they get what they want.
Kittens create a high pitch mew in order to get the attention of their mother. After a few months kittens stop meowing all together. This is when cats use their means of communication with other cats. When a human is in the picture though, a kitten will learn either through observational learning or trial and error that non-verbal communication does not work. They might notice that we only communicate verbally and thus use verbal communication themselves or they might attempt communicating with us the way they communicate with other cats and when they go ignored they will adapt to communicating verbally.
It’s important as a cat owner to understand that when your cat meows at you, they are trying to tell you something. It’s up to you to decipher what their meows mean and act accordingly. Here are some different type of meows to look out for:
Short Meow: “Hello!”
Multiple meows: “I’m excited to see you!”
Mid-pitch meow: a plea for something, “I want food!”
Drawn out meow: demand for something, “Let me out now!”
Low-pitch meow: you’ve done something wrong, “Don’t touch my belly again!”
High-pitch meow: anger or pain, “You stepped on my tail!”
If you notice your cat is constantly meowing, you should bring them into the vet to get looked at. Your cat may have a medical condition that is causing your cat to be stressed, thus eliciting lots of meows. Pay attention to your older cats, as they are more prone to kidney disease and overactive thyroid, both of which causes excessive meowing.
The Lowdown on Belly Rubs
You come home from work and your cat greets you at the door. All of a sudden, she rolls on her back, exposing her gorgeous belly! You take this as an invitation for a belly rub, a rare occurrence. You bend down and place your hand on her belly. The next thing you know, you’re pulling your hand back in pain. What could have gone wrong? Turns out, a cat showing you her belly isn’t an invitation for a belly rub. It’s important to recognize how your cat feels about belly rubs and why they are showing their belly in the first place.
Why Cats Show Their Belly
A cat can show their belly for several reasons. One reason is that they are defending themselves. In the wild, cats roll on their back to fight off predators. By doing this, all their claws and teeth are ready to attack and defend their vital organs. You can tell if your cat is in defensive mode if they are licking their lips, flattening their ears, and making agitated noises.
On the other hand, a cat who shows you their stomach can mean that they trust you. It’s a sign that they are safe and comfortable around you. When a cat is showing they trust you, they may purr and look very relaxed. Your cat may also be in a playful mood when they show you their belly. This doesn’t give you an invitation for a belly rub though!
If your cat is unspayed, she might be showing her stomach as a sign of frustration and affection to her mate. It would be best to stay away until she settles down.
Why Some Cats Don’t Like Belly Rubs
Giving your cat a belly rub can be very suspenseful. Will she attack or will she love it? Some cats love belly rubs and some hate it. If your cat loves it, she’ll allow you to continue rubbing her belly. If your cat doesn’t like it, be prepared for scratches and bites. If your cat rejects belly rubs, don’t take it personally.
There are two reasons why some cats don’t like belly rubs. One is that the sensitive organs are located there. Your cat feels uncomfortable having you so close to those organs so they act defensively. Another reason is that the hair follicles on the belly and tail are sensitive to touch. Touching your cat in these places can be overstimulating to your cat.
If you know your cat doesn’t like belly rubs, it’s best to just avoid that area. Instead, focus on the chin and cheeks. Cats love being pet in these areas because the scent glands are located there. By petting them on the cheeks, your scent is being mingled with theirs. This develops a sense of trust between your cat and you. Maybe if you build up enough trust, your cat will allow a belly rub!
3 Things Your Cat Could Be Allergic To
April showers bring May flowers! But do you know what May brings? Allergies! Since May is National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month, this post will look at the most common things your cat could be allergic to.
Cats develop allergies when their immune system becomes overly sensitive to foreign substances called allergens. If your cat has developed an allergy you will notice some symptoms. The most common symptom is itching of the skin, either in one spot or all over. Your cat may also develop respiratory problems in relation to their allergy which may result in coughing, sneezing, wheezing, and discharge from the eyes or nose. Lastly, your cat may develop digestive problems which can result in vomiting, flatulence, and diarrhea.
Fleas
The most common allergy in cats is flea allergy. Most times, a cat will have a mild reaction to flea bites; however, some cats develop a severe reaction, just from a single bite. When a flea bites a cat, its saliva is injected into the skin. An allergic reaction happens in response to the proteins or antigens present in the saliva. This will cause a cat to severely scratch itself, leading to large amounts of hair loss.
When the weather begins to warm, make sure you apply flea prevention monthly to prevent any fleas from biting your cat. If your cat does get a bite from a flea and is showing symptoms of an allergy, corticosteroids can be used to block the allergic reaction and give immediate relief.
Food Allergies
Most times a food allergy develops from the protein component of the food (e.g. beef or chicken). Vegetable proteins such as wheat and corn can also cause an allergic reaction. If your cat is showing any previously discussed symptoms, she may be having an allergic reaction to food.
In order to tell if it is a food allergy that is causing symptoms, your vet will perform a food allergy test. This test lasts eight to twelve weeks. During this time, your cat will be on a hypoallergenic diet or elimination diet. This means that your cat will stop eating the food you usually give her and instead eat a food she hasn’t eaten before (e.g. duck instead of beef). It is essential that your cat is fed the new food exclusively during this test. No treats or other foods will be permitted as this can invalidate the test.
If your cat’s symptoms improve during this time, it means that a food allergy was the cause of her symptoms. Now you know not to feed your cat certain foods and instead opt for a new hypoallergenic diet.
Inhalants
Anything that is inhaled fits under this category, including pollens, dust, and ragweed. Usually, cats that have an inhalant allergy are allergic to several allergens. Depending on how many allergens your cat is allergic to and if they are seasonal allergens or not, your cat may show symptoms year round. Sometimes, as with humans, the allergy is seasonal so your cat may exhibit symptoms for only a few weeks.
There is no cure for this type of allergy and frequent relapses occur often; however,there are ways to treat the allergy once your cat begins to show symptoms. One way is through the use of corticosteroids which will improve the health of their skin and hair. A few more treatments include antihistamines, immunosuppressive drug therapy, and desensitization with antigen injections or allergy shots.
How to Tell if Your Cat Has Asthma
Did you know May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month? Did you know your cat can have asthma? In this article we’ll discuss how to tell if your cat has asthma and what you can do about it.
Asthma in cats is much like asthma in humans. When a cat is having an asthma attack, the passageways to their lungs thicken and constrict, making it hard for the cat to breathe. The lungs may also discharge mucus into the passageways, making the cat cough or wheeze. While the majority of the time the symptoms are mild, there are cases where asthma can be life-threatening for a cat. As a cat owner, you need to be able to recognize the symptoms of asthma in order for your cat to be properly treated.
Here are some symptoms of asthma in cats:
Coughing and wheezing
Squatting and rapidly breathing, gasping for breath (Fig.1)
Open mouth breathing
Blue lips and gums
Throwing up foamy mucus
Laboured breath after exertion
Lethargy and weakness
Fig.1
If your cat exhibits any of these symptoms, be sure to bring your cat to the vet to determine if your cat has asthma. It’s important to note that asthma-like symptoms are present if your cat has heartworm, respiratory infections, and lungworm. Your vet will first rule out if your cat has any of these before checking for asthma.
Causes of asthma in cats:
Cigarette smoke
Pollens
Molds
Dust from cat litter
Perfume
Household chemicals
Aerosol sprays
Certain foods
Pre-existing heart conditions or illnesses
Parasites
Extreme stress
Obesity
In most cases, your cat will exhibit symptoms of asthma within moments of exposure of the trigger. It’s important to figure out what the trigger is so you can properly treat your cat.
Treatment
There are a few medications your vet may prescribe to your cat if they have asthma. One such medication is corticosteroids which is the primary medication to treat feline asthma. This medication reduces the inflammation of the airways and comes in oral, inhaled, or injectable forms. Another way to treat your cat is through bronchodilators which expand the airways that are constricted. These don’t treat the underlying asthma but can be used with corticosteroids. Bronchodilators are also available in oral, inhaled, or injectable forms.
Medication is important; however, it’s just as important to alter the environment around your cat to reduce any triggers. Once you know what the trigger is, you should do your best to eliminate the trigger from your cat’s environment. This will reduce the likelihood of your cat having an asthma attack.
Can Cats Catch Coronavirus?
Recent news of a tiger at Bronx Zoo in New York testing positive for coronavirus has taken the Internet by storm. This news has cat owners around the world worrying for the safety of their pets. But is this actually cause for alarm?
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently posted a new study in the journal Science that shows that cats can become infected with coronavirus and can spread the coronavirus from cat to cat via respiratory droplets. Although this may seem alarming, animal health experts say there is no cause for alarm.
It’s important to note that the virus is mainly a human virus, spreading much more easily and quickly from human to human. Dr. Scott Weese from the Ontario Veterinary College says, even though the coronavirus is a predominantly human disease, we can’t ignore these findings. The fact that cats can contract the coronavirus should be a reminder for people to put in place the same protective measures with their pets as they do with other people.
This will definitely be hard for many of us! Cats especially do whatever they want and go wherever they want to go, even if that means trying to cuddle with their owners during a pandemic. The next time your cat tries to cuddle with you, try to refrain from having your face up close to theirs and make sure you wash your hands after you pet your cat.
Since the coronavirus can be spread from cat to cat, if you have an outdoor cat, it would be wise to keep your cat indoor during this time. Your cat might not like it, but in the end he might thank you for it.
So even though you might be worrying about the safety of your cat, remember that the coronavirus is predominantly a human disease and that the chance of your cat contracting coronavirus is very slim.