Posts in Category: The Cat’s Meow

It’s reasonable to assume that training your cat to do tricks could result in the ultimate feline takeover, but that’s not an excuse, is it?

Of course not!

Cats are smart, clever, and resourceful problem solvers. Teaching them how to do certain things that aren’t exactly “cattish” is not only fun but giving them new skills expands their mental capacity. 

Delightfully Feline Skills

Who wouldn’t want a high five from a fluffy, adorable cat? Being on the receiving end of a delightfully feline “trick” is guaranteed to make you swoon. Even better than a cat that does tricks is the one that blinks innocently at you as if whatever they did was just invented by them. 

Separation anxiety in dogs is one of the most common behavioral issues affecting both pups and their people alike. Unfortunately, dogs share this diagnosis with other pets, including our sweet kitties. 

Perhaps owing to their solitary and quiet natures, cats are perceived as being less demanding of their owner’s time and attention. However, the love you feel for your cat is returned to you tenfold, thus making any episodes of isolation and loneliness that much harder for our feline friends. Separation anxiety in cats is a very real problem today, but there are ways to get through it together.

Feral cats live in colonies around the world, but when groups of homeless cats are perceived as infiltrating quiet neighborhoods they can pick up unfortunate reputations.

However, instead of seeing feral cats as unwanted interlopers, members of communities around the globe can save lives in some pretty simple, yet effective, ways. 

Not a Nuisance

Alleyways, country roads, city parks, and slow suburban streets are home to millions of feral cats. Whether they are perceived as low-level public nuisances or absolute menaces, the truth is they are at risk of infections, infestations, mistreatment, injury and more. Their populations grow quickly and without care these cats have shorter lifespans.

The way a cat looks is part of what makes them so appealing. A thick, shiny feline coat is downright splendid, and we love to run a hand from their perky ears all the way to the tail. But another feature that draws us in lines the sides of the nose, dots the spots above the eyes, emphasizes the bottom of the chin and scores the backs of their front legs. 

Indeed, cat whiskers are inexorably part of a feline’s handsome aesthetic, but they offer more than looks alone.

Most of us know that large wild cats, such as tigers, lions, jaguars, and leopards, can definitely roar. But did you know that because they can roar, they lack the ability to purr? Conversely, the domestic cats we know and love purr their hearts out, but they cannot roar. 

The fact that our feline friends purr is one more reason to love them, but that doesn’t mean the mechanism is fully understood. A closer look at why cats purr, and how they do it, may generate an even greater appreciation for these amazing animals.

Ah, cats! They are fun, playful, loving, and fiercely independent. And, they often confuse us with their antics and behavior. Whatever the personality of your cat, there’s no denying they are endlessly fascinating.

Maybe that’s why at Leon Valley Veterinary Hospital, we never tire of hearing fun cat facts, and we have a feeling you don’t either! 

Physical Prowess

The physical abilities of cats is nothing short of incredible. Did you know that:

There are loads of reasons to adopt a kitten, but you’d be right to pump the brakes if you already have a cat at home. Given abundant time, space and encouragement adult cats or aging seniors can definitely adapt to a new addition. However, their acceptance and tolerance of an interloper/new pal typically do not develop sooner than a few months. 

The best ways to introduce a kitten to your resident cat will require preparation, steadfast dedication, and a few of our go-to tips.

There are core and non-core vaccinations available for cats, and your veterinarian can help you to determine the best course of action for your pet.

Non-core vaccinations, such as those for feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are typically recommended based on lifestyle. If your cat is regularly exposed to the outdoors, these vaccines are worth considering.

What Is FIV?

Feline immunodeficiency virus affects the body’s ability to normally respond to an immune response. Similar to the way HIV can lead to AIDS in humans, an FIV-positive cat has specific challenges related to the immune system. Typically transmitted through bite wounds sustained in cat fights, proactive, effective treatment can help a cat live comfortably with FIV for some time.

A dog owner generally knows when their pup did something they knew was wrong. With tucked ears, droopy eyes, and a sad-looking scowl, their admission of naughtiness is written all over their face. But while the appearance of shame is super obvious to us, experts aren’t convinced that pets feel guilt the same ways that we do. That doesn’t mean, however, that pets don’t have their own versions of an emotional spectrum.

Cats sleep an average of 15 hours a day, but there are many that get upwards of 20 hours! When they aren’t dreaming of chasing mice, fighting rivals, or licking their chops for a taste of tuna, cats are highly alert and keenly aware of themselves. To that end, they spend up to half of their waking lives grooming themselves.

What is this fixation on grooming all about? More importantly, what can owners do to help their cats stay clean and encourage healthy grooming? Let’s take a look at cat grooming practices to get a better understanding of this important social instinct.