Cats

There are plenty of benefits to owning an indoor cat. Keeping your cat inside all the time is a much safer option, not to mention that it keeps their coat clean and dirt-free. If you are training your outdoor cat to make your indoor living space their permanent home, there are helpful steps you can take to make the transition easier. Introducing alluring incentives such as a cat tower, cat scratching post and cat toys for indoor cats can help keep your cat satisfied while living indoors. They will make sure your feline friend is a happy cat by providing stimulation and activities that will help keep them healthy and entertained. Here are some tips and tricks on how to teach your outdoor cat about indoor living.

In This Article What Is Heat in Cats? View 1 More +

Imagine how you would feel on a super hot day if your body couldn’t sweat. “Cats have a limited ability to sweat,” says Adelman. “They have sweat glands on their paw pads, but other than that they do very little sweating.” Instead, during hot weather, the evaporation of saliva left over after grooming can actually help cool them down.,You probably already knew that your cat is a fastidious groomer, but did you know that cats actually spend between 30 and 50 percent of their waking hours grooming themselves? “Grooming includes anything like licking, scratching or nibbling,” says Beth Adelman, a cat behavior consultant. “They also shake and sneeze to clear their nasal passages, which some consider grooming as well.” While the frequency with which your cat grooms herself might not come as a surprise, there are probably some other fascinating facts about cat grooming that you didn’t know. Here are a few:

Whether you’re taking your cat to the vet or jet-setting off on your next vacation with your furry feline in tow, cat backpack carriers will let them travel in style. The best cat backpacks will be of high-quality, machine washable and have air holes, breathable mesh and safety features. Below, you’ll find Chewy’s best-selling pet carrier backpacks that have been road-tested by our customers’ cats and come highly-rated by Chewy cat parents, like you. So grab one of these top picks for your feline friend and hit the road.

In the same way you take safety measures in your home for babies and toddlers, it’s important to know how to cat-proof your house when you’ve got a curious kitten poking around, sniffing things out, scratching, and biting whatever they can find.   “Kittens are inquisitive and do not know better at this point in their lives,” says veterinary behaviorist Wailani Sung, MS, PhD, DVM, DACVB, FFCP, based in Walnut Creek, California. “They will be exploring and getting into all kinds of mischief.  Kittens are at the phase in their life where they are going to try things out and learn from those experiences, so pet parents need to help the kittens so they don’t get seriously injured or fall ill.”   We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on kitten-proofing a house to help you keep cats safe in your home.  ,Kittens! Yes, they are the cutest creatures to ever grace this Earth. But if there’s one thing we know about these little fluffballs, it’s that they are as curious as can be—and will get into just about anything. So if you’re a new kitten parent, it’s important to know how to kitten–proof your home to ensure these cuties stay out of trouble.  

Opening a can of tuna is the fastest way to make a cat come running. But can cats eat tuna? The answer is yes, they can. But even though cats love it and would likely prefer it over their own cat food, it’s not always the best choice for your cat’s health. A little bit of unsalted, unseasoned tuna here and there likely won’t cause issues, but you don’t want to be feeding them too much. We spoke with two veterinarians about the benefits and risks of tuna, and how you can safely feed it to your cat as a treat. Expert input provided by Dr. Christine Klippen, DVM, DABVP, emergency and critical care veterinarian at the Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C.; and Dr. Leslie Sinn, DVM, ACVB, CPDT-KA, founder of Behavior Solutions in Ashburn, Virginia.

On the go with your cat in tow? Whether traveling by car or plane, you’re going to need a cat carrier. The best cat carriers will keep your pet safe and make it easy to load and unload your precious cargo. Even cats who only leave the house to go to the vet still need a secure way to get there. “If you had a fender bender on the way to the vet, a cat could easily be injured in the car without a safe travel carrier,” explains Dr. Sandra Mitchell, DVM, DABVP (feline), owner of All Creatures Veterinary Services in Bangor, Maine. Another reason to own one: Say there’s a fire in your home—you’d want a carrier that’s ready to go so you could load your cat quickly, Dr. Mitchell notes. Your travel cat carrier needs are going to be slightly different, depending on whether you’re taking your pet across the country or strolling to the park to get some fresh air. We break down the different types and what to consider before you buy so you can be sure to pick the best cat carrier for your fave feline.

While most cats are more than happy to be a bit — what should we call it — aloof, there are some breeds out there that actually love nothing more than a good snuggle with their owners. If your own favorite breed isn’t spotlighted, no hissing, please — this is by no means a conclusive study. It’s simply a roundup of breeds that “tend to go out of their way to snuggle right into your heart,” says Cheryl Hogan of The International Cat Association (TICA).

Suckling is a natural instinct left over from your cat’s early days snuggling up to mom and nursing. “When kittens are nursing, the act of suckling on their mother provides them not only with nutrition, but also comfort and security,” says Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, a California-based veterinarian. Some cats stop suckling once weaned, while others continue to do so into adulthood, sucking on soft objects—such as blankets, T-shirts or even their pet parent’s fingers—in lieu of mom. Many times, it’s accompanied by “kneading” and purrs.,Long after kittenhood, some adult cats continue to suckle, and the behavior can be perplexing (and maybe even distressing) to pet parents. While unusual to us humans, suckling is actually a completely normal behavior among cats and is rarely a cause for concern. However, if you would like to discourage the habit—or simply learn more about your four-legged feline friend—it helps to understand the motives and meaning behind this behavior. To increase your kitty IQ, read on for everything you need to know about suckling in cats, from why it happens to how to stop it.

The cherry head red-footed tortoise is a type of tropical land tortoise that can reach 9–14 inches long.   With proper care, these tortoises can live ​​from 50 to 80 years.  ​​​Tortoises are best for those who have experience owning reptiles. ,Cherry head red-footed tortoises have red-orange patches on their head and legs. If you’re thinking about getting a cherry head red-footed tortoise, make sure you have everything ready to give them a long, healthy life.