Cats

Do you feel like you have a “mean cat”? When your sweet housemate turns sour, attacking feet, swatting, or even biting, it’s rarely a sign of malice. Rather, cat aggression is a form of communication, often signaling an unmet need or underlying medical issue.   By recognizing subtle shifts in body language, you can give your cat the space they’re asking for before their behavior escalates. Changing a few things at home and taking your cat to the vet for any new or sudden behavior changes are the first steps toward a better relationship with your cat.  

Yes! In most instances, it’s safe for cats to eat grass, and it’s indeed a very typical behavior—even for indoor cats, says Cristy Brusoe, certified cat behaviorist and founder of Cat Training by Cristy in Tampa Bay, Florida.   While grass doesn’t provide the nutritional value that their regular food does, cats might instinctually chew on it for a variety of reasons, Brusoe adds.  And even though eating grass is generally harmless, there are times when it can be unsafe and might warrant a veterinary visit. ,Q: My kitty eats grass whenever we go outside for walks or hang out on the patio. She seems to love nibbling on blades of grass any chance she gets—it’s as if she savors every bite! Why do cats eat grass? And is it normal?  A: Yes, it’s totally normal for cats to eat grass. Typically, cats enjoy eating grass because it’s instinctual, mentally stimulating, and tasty, among other reasons.  We talked with experts to learn more about this herbivorous grazing behavior, including why cats do it, when it might be a concern, and how to prevent it. 

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Persians’ personalities precede themselves. Few owners of these gentle cats report bad behavior, instead citing serene temperaments and dignified demeanors. They grace homes with their calm presence, showing off their unsurpassed beauty at any chance they can get. “They do tend to be — as a whole — a more laid back, gentle breed than others,” Cook Henry says. “I wouldn’t consider Persians to be a feisty breed. But that’s not to say that they don’t have individual or quirky personalities, because they do.” Despite their passive personas, Persians are cats after all, and they can display normal feline behavior gone wrong, such as, jumping on the counter, play fighting and furniture scratching, which can frustrate any pet owner. You can correct these bad habits, however, if you address them when your Persian is a kitten or young cat. You can then be assured of a harmonious life with your little angel.

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In case you didn’t know, it’s Mother’s Day! As fellow pet lovers, we’re sure you’ll agree that pet parents are pretty legit in their parental roles. Even though there are differences, dog lovers and cat lovers alike have some of the same rewarding (and not so pleasant) job duties to perform day in and day out. You take your four-legged kids to the doctor for checkups, worry over them when they’re sick, spend quality time with them, snuggle them on the couch, send them off to daycare, wonder if you’re feeding them the right food, clean up after their poorly timed messes, and protect them from all the dangers that they are oblivious to. Needless to say, it’s a pretty important relationship you have with your pawed-bearing family members. So for Mother’s Day, why not take the time to celebrate this close bond by planning a fun-filled day for you and your pet(s)?

Kittens are born with their eyes closed, and the fun increases when their eyes open at 10 to 12 days of age. At that age, vision will be a bit blurred. Cats tend to be farsighted, but are very sensitive to motion. Your cat’s vision will gradually improve over the next few weeks.

It’s common for local animal shelters to offer cat adoption discounts for the furry felines in their care, especially around holidays like Halloween. But are pet promotions always a good idea? Yes, says Becky Robinson, president and CEO of Alley Cat Allies, an animal advocacy group based in Bethesda, Maryland. “Alley Cat Allies advocates for all cats, and for the relentless marketing of cats throughout the year, including seasonal promotions,” Robinson says. The group has participated in and supported a variety of adoption events for cats waiting for a forever home. So with Halloween just around the corner, now could be a great time to welcome a sleek, onyx-colored kitty into your home.

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