Author: Cheryl Lock

If you’re a cat owner, you’ve probably been guilty of leaving your cat alone for an extended period of time—but there are some good reasons why you shouldn’t do it, according to the experts. “Sadly, there are many people who decide to get a cat rather than a dog because of the perceived convenience of being able to leave the pet for days at a time,” says Pam Johnson-Bennett, certified cat behavior consultant and best-selling author. As for why cat owners think leaving a cat alone is okay, Johnson-Bennett has a few theories. “Because cats use litter boxes and don’t have to be walked outdoors, it leads many people to believe that their cats will be fine alone for the weekend or longer,” she says. “Many cats are free-fed, as well, meaning dry food is left out in an endless supply. Add to that the myth people believe that cats are aloof and independent, and you have the perfect misguided recipe for cat parents leaving Fluffy in an empty home with a mountain of food, a big bowl of water and access to the litter box.” If you’ve left your cat alone before and she’s been totally fine, that’s lucky, because there are a few risks you should be aware of, says Johnson-Bennett. For starters, when you leave your cat alone, you have no way of knowing if a medical or emergency issue arises. “The cat could have problems in the litter box, or get injured jumping down from an elevated location,” says Johnson-Bennett. “What if the cat gets sick? Depending upon the length of the cat parent’s absence, the litter box may not be clean enough for the cat to use, and even self-cleaning boxes can malfunction or get jammed, leaving the cat confused about where to eliminate.” There is also a big stress factor and confusion that the cat can experience when left alone, Johnson-Bennett adds. “Cats are creatures of habit, and when cat parents are gone overnight or for several days, it may leave a kitty stressed and frightened,” she says. So, what’s a pet parent to do when vacation time comes? Here are a few good options:

While decoding cat speak can feel impossible at times (Why did he just twitch his tail? What’s that glare about?) cats are actually quite good at giving us clues into what they’re thinking and feeling. “It can be difficult to understand cat behavior or moods, but with some basic knowledge of feline natural history, practice acknowledging body language, and personal experience, owners can become aware of what their cat may be communicating,” said Melissa J. Sigala, behavior and training specialist for the spcaLA.

9 Easy-Going Cat Breeds

The Maine Coon cat is one of the largest domestic cat breeds available. Maine Coon’s tend to be friendly and people-oriented, and can weigh anywhere from 9 to 18 pounds.,Big or small, super furry or hairless—whatever size, shape or style our cats come in, we love ’em all. Still, in an effort to get to know all the different types of cat breed available, we thought we’d take a look at some of the large cat breeds out there. After all—what’s not to love about a large cat that gives you more to snuggle with?

Purring. It’s one of the sweetest sounds to a cat parent’s ears: the subtle, methodical vibration that comes from our cats when we’re playing or relaxing with them. But what exactly is a purr, and is it always a good thing? We checked in with some experts to find out more about the feline sound we’re all so familiar with.

The Persian breed is probably best known for their long-flowing, luxurious coats and their sweet and gentle personalities. That’s probably why they’ve been the No. 1 breed in popularity for the Cat Fanciers’ Association for more than 30 years. Their long coats require indoor, protected environments, along with daily maintenance including a daily run-through with a comb to eliminate tangles and hairballs.,While most of our feline friends have some kind of fluff factor to them (except, you know, the hairless kinds), it’s a given that certain breeds of cat are fluffier than others. Grooming is an integral part of taking care of our feline companions. It’s important to teach our cats as kittens to get used to a comb or brush, and to groom our cats frequently – depending on the length of their coat – to prevent hairballs. Proper grooming sessions are also a great opportunity to inspect your cat’s coat and skin for any changes, scratches, abscesses or disorders. Finding your cat’s favorite place for grooming – like your lap or favorite spot on the floor – will make things infinitely easier for the primping sessions, too. We consulted with the Cat Fanciers’ Association to find out which breeds of cat are actually known to be the fluffiest. If you’re planning on bringing home one of these five breeds in the near future, you better go out and buy a FURminator.