Cats

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Although cats are predators and hunt small animals, van Haaften says that cats feel comfortable when they’re out of sight and hide as a way to protect themselves.,As all cat owners know, our feline friends love hiding in small spaces. You’ve probably found your cat snuggled up in small spots ranging from sinks to drawers (even tissue boxes!), but what’s behind this behavior? Why do cats like to curl up in tiny spaces?

In This Article Signs That Your Cat Is Choking View 4 More +

If you’ve ever seen newborn kittens, you’ll notice they all start out with their eyes sealed shut. This is a natural protection designed to prevent infection and eye damage during birth. During the kitten’s first weeks of life — anywhere from 2 to 16 days old — you’ll start to see her eyes open. Each kitten, even in the same litter, will open her eyes at different times, and sometimes an individual kitten’s eyes will open days apart from each other. Once your kitten’s eyes are open, her vision still is developing, so she might not see clearly yet. During this time, kittens depend on smell, touch and their mother. By about 3 weeks old, your kitten’s eyes should be opened completely. Her vision will continue to develop over the next several months, and according to Tony Johnson, DVM, (critical care specialist) in Carmel, Indiana, if the kitten’s eyes are clear and not red, pink or containing discharge, they should be fine.

Downsize to a Tabletop Christmas Tree If you’re tired of trying to keep your cat out of the tree, go for a smaller Christmas tree that can sit on top of a table. This way the tree isn’t big enough for your cat to jump onto or climb around in. ,WRITTEN BY Victoria Lynn Arnold Freelance Writer,Ever wonder why your cat is so drawn to the Christmas tree each year?  It’s the perfect scenario, in your cat’s mind. The Christmas tree is something high to climb on that provides plenty of hiding spots and has all sorts of fun, shiny, moving things to bat at and play with.  However, this isn’t the safest spot for your cat, nor is it your preferred spot for them to hang out.  There are dangerous things that can be chewed on and potentially ingested by your cat, like the tinsel, branches and pine needles, ornaments, and Christmas lights. Swallowing any of these could be a choking hazard and potentially cause an intestinal blockage.  How To Cat-Proof Your Christmas Tree Is it possible to have both cats and a Christmas tree during the holidays with no incidents? Yes—it just might take a little planning and rearranging. Here are some ideas for how to keep your cat out of your Christmas tree this holiday season.  Try Cat-Deterrent Sprays Keep your cat away from the Christmas tree with a cat-deterrent spray. Cats absolutely hate the taste of bitter things. This is an evolutionary trait that has probably kept them safe from eating things like rancid meat in the wild. Thankfully, it can also keep them from destroying things in the house or chewing on toxic plants. If you use a bitter-tasting spray on the tree, it can help keep your cat from chewing on the branches. DIY Cat-Deterrent Spray You can make your own homemade cat-deterrent spray by following the instructions below. Ingredients: 3 cups of water ½ cup of fresh rosemary ¾ cup distilled white vinegar ¼ cup lemon juice Steps: Boil water. Add fresh rosemary to boiling water. Turn off heat, cover with a lid, and let it steep overnight.  The next day, strain the rosemary pieces out of the liquid with a cheesecloth or a sieve. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle.  Add vinegar and lemon juice. Shake well to mix up the liquids.  Let an Air-Spray Can Do the Work Try a motion- or heat-activated spray to warn your cat to stay away. These types of sprays are harmless to your cat but scare them away because of the startling burst of air. The motion-activated sprays make a hissing sound as they release air. This will also startle your cat because it simulates the sound a cat makes when they feel threatened. This is how they tell possible aggressors to stay away. If your cat hears that same sound, they will learn to stay away.  Using a motion- or heat-activated spray is recommended instead of spraying your cat with water. If you try deterring your cat by spraying them with a water bottle yourself, the cat will associate you with fear.  Plus, if you aren’t patrolling the tree 24/7, it just teaches them to get into the tree when you aren’t around. The PetSafe SSSCAT Motion-Activated Dog & Cat Spray is one of the most popular motion-activated spray cans on the market.  Use Cat Training Mats  Place a cat training mat in front of your Christmas tree. They are made to be safe to use and won’t hurt your cat. These products typically offer two settings—tonal and static—sometimes simultaneously. These settings are used to startle your cat, which will train them to stay away. Try out the PetSafe Generation 2 ScatMat.

When you imagine what your cat might be up to when you’re not home, it’s likely they’re either eating, sleeping, doing zoomies or grooming themselves. (OK, and maybe plotting.) With as much time as cats spend grooming and keeping up with their personal hygiene, it’s no wonder some of them have such a luscious, shiny coat. Our kitties nibble, bite and lick themselves as part of their regular routine, primarily to stay clean and cool, as well as to bond with their fellow four-legged friends and humans. However, it can be alarming to see them pulling their hair out, especially if it’s to the point where they’re missing big tufts of hair. So, what do you do when you notice your cat pulling hair out? And why are they doing it? We spoke to vet experts to learn why they do it, what to do about it, how to treat it and ways to prevent it.

I was one of those children who always had a great way with animals. Pets who never greeted strangers somehow ended up in my lap. This wasn’t something I worked at consciously; it just happened. Because of my way with animals (not to mention the work I do as a certified animal trainer), first-time dog owners and first-time cat owners often ask me how to bond with your dog and how to get a cat to love you. I’ve gradually figured out the “secrets,” and they are things anyone can do—even first-time dog owners and first-time cat owners. Here are some suggestions for ways to gain your cat’s affection and your dog’s trust.

Scratching is an important part of your cat’s behavior and is essential to their health and well-being. In addition to conditioning nails, “scratching is used for stretching, scent marking, visual marking and also as a displacement behavior,” says Pam Johnson-Bennett, owner of Nashville-based Cat Behavior Associates. Your kitty needs their very own scratching area, and cat scratching posts are one option to let your cat fulfill their need to scratch. So, how do you choose from the wide selection of scratchers on the market? Read on to learn how to pick a scratching post that will allow your feline friend to embrace their natural behavior and thrive at home.

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