Photo by Lucas Pezeta by Nomi Berger   Does YOUR favorite feline companion enjoy licking the carpet? If so, have you ever considered the paws-ible reasons behind this behavior?   1. It “tastes” good: Because cats have a highly developed sense of smell, spilled drinks or food may have attracted your cat to the carpet and she’s simply licking up the residue. But if you want to deter this behavior, you have three options. The first is to distract her with a toy. The second is to spray the carpet with a cat-safe deterrent that will, quite literally, repel her. The third is to have your c ..read more

by Nomi Berger   Curious as to whether it’s safe for cats to crunch on celery? The short answer is “yes.” But, as with everything edible, it’s safest in moderation.   Chock-o-block full of fiber, celery helps keep your cat’s digestive tract healthy. Because it’s nearly 95% water, celery is an excellent way of both hydrating your cat and combating paw-tential constipation. Celery also contains such vitamins as A, C and K and various minerals, including folate, iron, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Not only do these assorted nutrients help keep her skin, hair and coat shiny and healt ..read more

by Nomi Berger   Does the sight of your kitty shaking her head and scratching either one or both of her ears have you worried? If so, the likely culprit is an ear infection.   Not only are ear infections (otitis externa) uncomfortable and painful, they make the ear canals extremely sensitive. As a result, cats will shake their heads and scratch their ears in an effort to remove the debris and fluid from their ear canals. Their ears will often become red and inflamed, develop an offensive smell, accompanied most often by a yellow, brown or black discharge.   While an infestation ..read more

by Nomi Berger   If YOUR favorite feline finds drinking from the toilet a paw-leasure, have you ever wondered why? And how to break her of this less than sanitary habit?   Cats don’t “consider” it a toilet. To them, it’s a giant water fountain in the bathroom! And so, drinking from this particular water supply seems purr-fectly reasonable.   Because toilets are typically made of porcelain, they work best at keeping the water cool – which felines, naturally, favor. While some cat water bowls may also be made of porcelain, the majority of them are made of stainless steel, plastic ..read more

Photo by Pragyan Bezbaruah by Nomi Berger   The problem of cat overpopulation is a global one and requires a solution on a global scale. But like every journey that begins with a single step, this particular journey must begin with every cat owner in every community, town and city in the country. Those conscientious owners who act responsibly by spaying and neutering their cherished family pets.   Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is the surgical removal of a female cat's ovaries and uterus, while neutering (castration) is the removal of a male cat's testicles. To minimize discomfort and ..read more

Photo by Gustavo Fring by Nomi Berger   Addison’s disease or hypoadrenocorticism is the result of decreased hormone production in the cortex (outer part) of a cat’s adrenal glands. While rare in cats, hypoadrenocorticism is most common in middle-aged cats and seems to be equally common in males and females whatever their breed.   Located close to the kidneys, the adrenal glands are a pair of small glands, each of which is comprised of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. These glands produce two vital hormones: cortisol, a stress hormone, and aldosterone, a hormone that regulates th ..read more

by Nomi Berger   As you deck the proverbial halls this season, please keep your favorite feline fur-iends in mind. Any changes in their regular routine – a home suddenly filled with new scents, sounds and strangers -- may send even the most sociable cats scampering for safety.   Be conscious of and careful about the plants you bring into your home. Despite their obvious beauty, holly, mistletoe and poinsettia are toxic to cats and should be kept out of reach, while a single leaf from any form of lily is lethal. The oils of a Christmas tree can irritate their mouths and stomachs, cau ..read more

by Nomi Berger   When dead skin cells accumulate on a cat’s skin, hair follicles or coat, it’s known as a condition called seborrhea, or simply put, dandruff.   Presenting as small white flakes or flecks that appear throughout her fur or attached to her skin, they may be visible in specific areas -- most commonly at the base of her tail or hind end – or everywhere on her body. Oftentimes these flakes are accompanied by such skin irritations as redness, scabbing or lesions.    The most common causes of cat dandruff include: · Allergies: from fleas and food to genetics an ..read more

by Nomi Berger   Millions of cats go missing each year, and statistically, those without microchips have less than a 5% chance of being reunited with their families. Cats with microchips, on the other hand, are more than twenty times as likely to be returned to their owners.   Even the most vigilant owners can’t always keep their cats safe. While most indoor cats tend to remain inside, many may escape if someone opens a door at the wrong time or if they push through a loose window screen when something outside catches their eye. Being unfamiliar with their new surroundings, they, qu ..read more

by Nomi Berger   It’s that time again. For goblins and ghosts, pumpkins and pranks, and things that go bump in the night. But as responsible cat guardians, please ensure that your cherished companions aren’t innocent victims of Halloween’s fun and frolics.   Consider the following suggestions to keep your cats safe not sorry.   1. Keep candy out of reach of your cats. Chocolate, especially dark or baking chocolate, can prove toxic for them. Candy containing the artificial sweetener, xylitol, can also cause dire problems. If you suspect that your sweeties may have ingested somet ..read more