Photo by Vincent Janssen by Nomi Berger Does your kitty put her paw on your mouth? Have you ever paw-ndered the reasons behind this behavior? If so, consider the following explanations. Affection: Blissfully unaware of “invading” your personal space, your cat may be putting her paw on your face as a show of true and tender affection. It’s one way of getting as close to your body as possible (faces and chests are also feline favorites), and because you use your mouth w ..read more

Photo by Nadiye Odabaşı by Nomi Berger Have YOUR favorite felines suddenly developed a fondness for eating their cat litter? If so, consider the various possible reasons for this behavior. Pica: Pica is a condition where cats either chew on or eat such items as cardboard, plants, soil, wood and yes, even cat litter. While pica can be a behavioral problem, it can also be caused by medical conditions like endocrine diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and parasitic infections. Diet ..read more

by Nomi Berger Are you taken aback by the sight of your cats showing you their butts? Although this behavior may seem shocking – even inappropriate – to you, it’s actually extremely common when your cats feel comfortable around you. Much like their canine counterparts, cats often show other cats their butts whenever they greet one another. Why? The glands located near their butts contain essential scent “information.” And felines with relaxed, loose bodie ..read more

Photo by Gabriel Grip By Nomi Berger Are you familiar with the sight of your favorite feline rubbing her face against corners here, there and everywhere in your home? Despite being one of life’s little “meow-meow” mysteries, many cat behaviorists and experts do share a few common theories about the reasons behind this behavior. Marking their territory: One of the most widely accepted theories is that cats rub their faces on corners to leave their scent on objects ..read more

By Nomi Berger Has your favorite feline lost her usual voice of late? Has she been sounding somewhat hoarse? If her “meow” is now more of a squeak, a scratchy rasp, or, worse still, total silence, the reason could be laryngitis. A cat’s larynx or “voice box” enables her to vocalize, and should some underlying condition affect her larynx, it will, of course, impact her ability to “meow” normally. Laryngitis is often caused by diseases such as u ..read more

by Nomi Berger Did YOU know that some felines fancy treats more than their food? Have you ever wondered why? If so, consider the following suggestions for this purr-ticular passion. Taste: Not only do the flavors in cat treats make them more appealing than their regular food, commercial treats usually contain flavor enhancers, thereby giving them a stronger, more tantalizing smell. Treats also vary nutritionally from cat food. Because they’re often made with more fat and calorie ..read more

by Nomi Berger Does YOUR cat cherish her privacy more than you may realize? If so, you’re not alone. Since kitties tend to sleep for much of the day, secluded hiding spots provide them with the purr-fect place to “cat nap.” Similar to cats in the wild who, for safety from prey as well as for warmth, seek out small caves or dens from which to peruse their surroundings, our domesticated cats search for little “cave-like” areas in our homes to replicate thos ..read more

by Nomi Berger All paws up, way up, for Treats 4 Paws! Now in its third year, this unique, annual October event, created by Christy Riley to honor her late, beloved son Skyler, collects monetary and physical “treats” for carefully selected local animal rescues. What originated as a word-of-mouth “reverse trick or treat” observance mushroomed into a much-anticipated Facebook page in 2023 with nearly 600 followers and growing daily. Last year, Treats 4 Paws not o ..read more

by Nomi Berger The unpleasant smell of cat spray is far too familiar to far too many cat owners! Why? Because their kitties all too often urinate outside their litter boxes whenever they feel either ill, stressed or threatened. Not only does the odious odor linger, here, there and everywhere in your home, it’s especially challenging to eliminate. Sound – or smell – familiar? If so, consider some of the following suggestions to help get rid of the scent of your own ki ..read more

by Nomi Berger   Feline stomatitis (often called feline chronic gingivo-stomatitis (FCGS) by veterinary dentists) is a complex and painful disease that causes severe inflammation of cats’ entire mouths, including the gum tissue around their teeth and their mucous membranes.   While the precise cause of this disease isn’t clear, most experts believe that it results from an abnormal and overactive immune reaction. The immune systems of cats suffering from frequent viral or bacterial infections may start “attacking” their mouths’ healthy tissue, resulting in swelling and pain. Cats wit ..read more