Which Team Are You On?
Last month, I told the readers of Catnip about my adoption of Tony, a young white-and-black adult male who was rescued this treacherous winter...
Traits of the devoted pet parent
According to the author of a new study on pet-owner personality types, it seems that neurotic people tend to make very good pet owners. Published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, the results indicate that of the 1,000 pet owners surveyed, the people who scored higher in neuroticism and conscientiousness also reported higher levels of affection for their cats and dogs. This likely translates into a better life for the animals, according to…
The Kittens are Coming!
It seems that the April issue of Catnip is the official welcoming gesture to kitten season - a time of year that sees animal shelters flooded with pregnant mamas and their adorable offspring. But the not-so-cute reality of the large number of cuddly kittens is that there will never be enough homes to accomodate the millions of homeless pets out there. …
Babies and Cats: How Will They Get Along?
Hes three years old, gentle as a kitten, and likes dogs, says Susan Vance (Katherine Hepburn) in Bringing Up Baby (1938), reading aloud a letter about her new pet … leopard. She muses, I wonder whether Mark means that he eats dogs or is fond of them? Bringing a kitten or cat into a home with a baby - or vice versa - is certainly less dramatic than that. Most of the time it goes smoothly…
How to Choose a Baby-Friendly Kitten or Cat
If you are thinking about adopting a kitten or cat, your best bet is to talk to people who are already handling the animal. Does she purr often, or hiss when the food bowl is put down? Is the animal easily frightened? At a shelter, a little conversation with staff or volunteers may help you come home with the most family-friendly pet there. …
Barn Cat Management
A friend of mine lives on a large produce farm off a quiet country road, and periodically someone will quietly drop off an adult cat, or sometimes a litter of kittens. Fortunately, this friend has a very soft spot for animals, so she does her best to take care of the kittens and keep them healthy and safe until she can find homes for them. …
Working Together for Pet Adoption
Not so long ago, many dogs and cats in pet shop windows came straight from puppy and kitten mills - places where dogs and cats are bred repeatedly to supply pet stores with a steady stream of animals. With too few inspectors responsible for too many sites, veterinary care, sanitation and socialization with humans are often minimal. As a result, animals bred at kitten mills and bought at pet stores are more likely to suffer from…
Cats and Coffee Talk
Purina ONE hosted the event - which offered complimentary catachino cappuccinos to customers - with the focus on educating people about cat health and cat adoption.
Helping the Local Stray Cat
Theyre in alleyways, restaurant dumpsters and campgrounds. Sometimes, they even end up living in your backyard. Theyre usually skinny, suspicious and scared. These are feral cats, reverted to their wild state, trying to survive in an often unwelcoming world.
Bathing Your Cat Safely
Do cats really hate water? It may not seem so when your cat chases a drop from the kitchen faucet. But try giving your adult cat a bath and youll likely find out his true opinion.
Dear Doctor August 2014
Letters to Tufts Veterinarians - A cat with missing teeth; Feeding a variety of cat foods; A question about vaccinations
