The Uniqueness of Cats
Do you think your cat loves you too much? Ive lived with numerous cats over the course of my life, and each came with a specific and unique personality - there were a few that were perfectly suited to playing with a child, happily enduring the dress-up sessions and the staged horse races (Tip: Johnny West was always a better rider than Malibu Barbi). …
Feline Autonomy
While the stereotype of the cat being independent and uncaring about relationships with their people has largely been debunked, recent research does show that adult cats do appear to be fairly autonomous -even in relationships with beloved people - and not necessary dependent on others to provide a sense of protection. Dogs, on the other hand, do appear to perceive their owners as a safe base.
Grooming Dos and Donts for Mats in Cats
When it comes to mats, we just want to get rid of them. Lynn Paolillo, certifier and head instructor at National Cat Groomers Institute of America, Inc. shares a few important dos and donts to successful mat removal. Dont reach for the scissors: Never try to cut the mats out with scissors. Matting can pull skin inside the clumps and a cat can be easily cut with sharp equipment. Even a trained cat groomer will still…
Cats with Mats in Their Coats: What to Know
Cats are known as naturally fastidious animals, and their meticulous hygiene habits make them a favored pet for many people and cultures. Cats come equipped with their own built-in grooming accessories: the barbed tongue combs out dead loose fur while saliva is a cleaning agent; the front paws become a loofah to clean around the face and ears; the incisors, the tiny front teeth, tease out tangles and remove debris; and the back paws replicate…
Readers Voice Concern Over Spay/Neuter Issue on Cats
In the August, 2015 issue of Catnip, we published an article entitled, "How to Raise a Healthy Kitten." Some readers were concerned by the following paragraph that quotes Michael Stone, DVM, clinical assistant professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
Regarding spaying or neutering, he says that these procedures are advisable for the vast majority of cats. However, he adds: "Although they may be safely performed as …
April 2014 – Full Issue PDF
April 2014 - Full Issue PDF
Time to Make a Plan for my Cat
It is Autumn in the beautiful Hudson Valley, and Im starting to dismantle and clean up my expansive summer garden to prepare for the impending upstate New York winter. I have lived in this new house for close to a year now, and I truly cant believe how quickly time passes.Like the readers of Catnip, I live with cats of various ages and different backgrounds - but the same reality exists for all of them. What would happen to them if something happened to me? Its a sobering thought (probably morbid to some), and just like many people, …
Dear Doctor: October 2015
Frankly, I have a feeling that this is not feline acne. I suspect your cat has idiopathic facial dermatitis of Persian cats, also known as Dirty Face Syndrome. It is seen most commonly in young Persians and Himalayans and is thought to have an inherited basis. It is characterized by a dark greasy exudate that adheres to the hairs. The muzzle, around the eyes, and the chin are the most commonly affected areas. Concurrent waxy ears and ear infections are common.
Estate Planning and Your Pets
We plan for so many happy life events like birthday parties, graduations and weddings, yet we frequently postpone planning the major life event we all face - our death and distribution of our earthly possessions. Simply put, life happens despite our best-laid plans (or lack of planning). We like to think our family or friends will take in our pets and love them the same way we do - but that is not always the…
Ten Urban Feline Legends or Fact?
In past centuries, people invented fanciful explanations for cats mystifying behaviors. Modern science and common sense have debunked such notions as supernatural cats conspiring with witches. We know that cats have only one life, not nine. And black cats dont cause future bad luck by dashing across our paths. But urban legends persist. Thats because old wives tales may include partial truths, or rely on an inaccurate and coincidental cause-effect notion, says Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, veterinarian…
