Oct 28 2007
What about this? A cat gets on the bus and gets off at the same stop every day.
It seems to know where it is going- there is a fish ad chip shop at that stop although no-one has verified that this is the reason it gets off here.
Oct 26 2007
Have you ever seen a cat enjoying a catnip plant? We planted one in our garden a couple of years ago and Alfie loves it. Luckily only one neighbourhood cat seems to have discovered it, and as he is a senior cat Alfie stands back for him! But when I am with him he relaxes and concentrates on the cat nip experience. What is it that makes catnip so much more exciting than say mint? Our mint is growing right next to the catnip but all he does is sniff it. The catnip sends him into a paroxysm of delight. He eats it, he sniffs it, rubs it on his fur. If I pick it for him he almost scratches my hand in his eagerness to get hold of it. Only 60% of cats enjoy catnip and I am glad that mine is one of them. Strangely Australian cats do not have the gene for it but New Zealand do.
“When cats sense the bruised leaves or stems of catnip, they may roll over it, paw at it, chew it, lick it, leap about and purr, often salivating copiously. Some cats will also growl and meow. This reaction only lasts for a few minutes before the cat loses interest. It takes up to two hours for the cat to “reset” after which it can come back to the catnip and have the same response as before. Young kittens and older cats are less likely to have a reaction to catnip.” (Wikipedia) The part that cats find irresistible is thought to be actinidine. ( Wikipedia)
Catnip is a small hardy perennial plant with gray-green serrated leaves that smell a little like mint. The plant thrives in a moist, well-drained soil and can be raised from seed, cuttings or by dividing the mature plants. Either they can be planted out in a sunny yet sheltered spot in the garden or you could put them into pots.
Other plants that also have this effect on cats include valerian. I discovered this by accident when I was taking a couple of valerian tablets to help me sleep. Alfie went crazy and searched everywhere around me frantically for the source of the delicious odor! When he found it he had to get at it! If your cat is around when you take valerian wear gloves-you have been warned!
If you want a gift for your cat this Christmas why not plant catnip in your garden or in a pot if your cat is an indoor cat?
Oct 22 2007
Do you keep your cat indoors? I know that this is a controversial topic, especially in the USA. I just found out why cats are kept inside here and it all seems to spring from a very successful campaign waged by the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) in 1997.
ABC said that“free-roaming cats are exposed to injury, disease, parasites and collisions with cars, and can get lost, stolen or poisoned. Cats can also transmit diseases and parasites such as rabies, cat-scratch fever and toxoplasmosis to other cats, wildlife or people. “
But you know I can’t help thinking that taking advice about cats from a bird fancier may be a little unsafe.
As well as killing birds cats keep down the population of small animals that also damage bird life, like rats and mice which take bird’s eggs. Ok I am not saying that this equals out because I have not seen any research on it so far.
But I do know that you can get cat collars that warn a bird when the cat pounces. These collars emit a sound and flash a light so the bird is warned and can take off in time. We are using this type of collar which I bought from my vet, and it seems to work.
Liberator collars consist of a battery , a small microchip printed circuit and an audio-visual alarm triggered by the cat launching itself at a bird.
The collars are fitted with a timer to cut short audio output on such occasions as when a cat is scratching around its collar, triggering the alarm.
You can get them here:
I can’t find a supplier in the USA probably because so few cats are allowed out that demand is low.
I know that there are places where a cat might be in danger from roads. I still think the cat would prefer to live a shorter but happier life.Being in prison only able to watch the world from a window in not kind to cats.
Maybe just don’t have a cat if it is unsafe where you live. Maybe get a dog, a rabbit, a pet mouse or some other type of pet. Don’t mean to offend you but I think we should not deny a cat the freedom to live a happy and natural life. Would you want to be kept in prison?
Oct 20 2007
Are you interested in starting a blog? Anyone can do it, gone are the days when you needed an agent and a publishing contract. Now we can all add to the babel! Whether anyone reads what we write is up to us. If it is interesting it will be read.
“Who’s There” by Seth Godin is not an ebook about how to write better or how to follow the traditional conventions about formatting and building a blog. It’s not designed to sell you one service instead of another, either.
Instead, he says’ I divide the blog world into three groups and turn my attention to one. And in particular, I try to sell you hard on how building a blog asset can have a spectacular impact on you, your career, your organization and your ideas.”
Wow, these simple little blogs could be great! I doubt my cat health ramblings will come up to scratch though. Seems I need to take all this more seriously.
If you are ready for that, download Seth’s book
How I found this from Seth is rather odd. I searched Google for “cat blogs” and there it was, but when I got there there was no mention of cats at all! Don’t know how Google got it so wrong.
Oct 19 2007
Do you like looking at videos of cats and kittens? Here is new one showing a mother cat with her litter of kittens. Its really cute.
Oct 16 2007
How many cats is too many? I guess you might answer that its one more than you have in your house, or maybe you say that you can’t have too many. But what might your cats answer? We can’t say for sure but here are some tips for a harmonious feline household.
For more cat care information download my free ebook.
Oct 11 2007
If there is one reason to have an indoor cat that I could live with it is avoiding having a wet cat cuddle up to me in the middle of the night!
It has been raining hard for 24 hours and Alfie is not an indoor cat. He loves to go out and spends most of his time outside. We live in a rural area and there is plenty of safe land for him to roam. But when it rains he is quite put out. I am sure he thinks it is my doing.
In the night he gets under the covers and presses all four cold paws against me to warm them. These little cold patches wake me but not for long- he soon warms up and I doze off again to the sound of his loud purring. Such a sweet sound.
But the next day the rain continues and he is impatient for it to stop. I watch him hide under the overhanging tussock grass. But the rain is too penetrating and grumbling loudly he soon crashes back through his cat flap. He hops up and sits on my desk, soaking wet and wanting attention.
I can’t resist him!
Oct 06 2007
Are you tired of cat hair on the counters, footprints on the windowsills, and rumpled pillows? If so, you may want to consider giving your cat his own resting spot. In fact, to truly make your cat happy, you may need to provide him with several cat beds in different areas.
There are so many different types and styles of cat beds that finding one that blends with your décor should not be too hard. You can look for colorful cat beds in fun pet prints that add a touch of whimsy to the room or you can shop for cat beds with plenty of designer elegance, instead. Of course, your cat will be more concerned with how the bed feels than what it looks like.
Cat beds often have fleece pillows to keep them feeling cozy. These beds may be oval shaped with high sides or they may actually be completely enclosed to form a cozy nest bed. Cats enjoy being able to snuggle up in a secure spot, which is why so many of them manage to squeeze inside sofas or other odd spots to nap.
Some nest beds are even heated to add more warmth. If you have a cat that spends time on the porch or in other chilly areas, you may want to consider providing him with one of these beds.
If your cat sheds hair on the furniture, a nap mat is a useful option. Place the nap mat where your cat usually sleeps and simply store it away when company comes. The cushions beneath the mat will be cat hair free.
A cat perch, which is a padded shelf, is another popular piece of napping equipment. Attach the cat perch to your windowsill so your cat can look out the window and dream of stalking the wild birds he sees as he naps.
When you buy a cat bed, don’t be surprised if your cat ignores it completely for a while. If he refuses to explore the bed, you may want to add a catnip toy to the bed to attract his attention. Placing the bed in a cat friendly location will also make it more appealing to your cat. Cats do not care to nap at ground level. Instead, position the cat bed on an end table or platform that is a few inches off the floor. Also, be sure the bed is not in an area that receives heavy traffic. If your cat feels as though he can never let down his guard and relax, he won’t want to nap in his bed.
Of course, if you have several cats, you may need a napping spot for each cat. If you don’t want three or four cat beds in your home, you may want to shop for the kitty version of a play gym, the cat condo. The cat condo allows several cats to nap in elevated spots. To get the most value for your money, look for a cat condo that has climbing areas and a place to sharpen claws in addition to napping spots.
Save 5% on your first order at Only Natural Pet Store! Coupon code CJ15.
Oct 03 2007
Not sure about this but my daughter a fellow cat lover emailed it to me.
CAT DIARY
Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat,
while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.
Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.
In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a “good little hunter” I am. B*****ds!
There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of “allergies.” I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.
Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my
tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow — but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.
The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My
captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now…
The Cat!
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