Cats

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Dry cat food, wet cat food, grain-free cat food—with so many diets available, how do you choose the best cat foods for your multi-cat household? If you have more than one healthy, adult cat, you can feed all the cats in your household the same food provided the food a) meets certain nutritional requirements and b) none of the cats have special dietary needs.

In This Article Signs a Stray Cat Likes You View 2 More +

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Many people don’t realize that the only difference between feral cats and domestic, house cats is the way they behave and their level of socialization, says Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies in Bethesda, MD. “Cats have always lived outside,” she explains, “and in our country, cats are in urban settings and wild settings.” But these outdoor cats are still part of the domestic species, she notes. “‘Feral’ is just a behavioral description—they’re just not socialized.” So, how do you tell the difference between a feral cat and a pet that has strayed? It’s pretty easy, according to the ASPCA. Stray cats tend to rely on humans—living close to them, seeking cat food and exhibiting friendly behavior like meowing or rubbing against legs. Feral cats, on the other hand, are more elusive, avoiding human contact and living together in close-knit “colonies.”,It’s a familiar sight in most neighborhoods: the outdoor cat. Perhaps you encounter them skittering across the street, materializing on your deck when you’re grilling or yowling in the night during a heated cat-on-cat brawl. While some of these freewheeling neighborhood felines are simply pets roaming for the day, most fall into one of two categories: stray and feral cats. Stray cats have been lost or abandoned, while feral cats are, to a certain extent, wild. The Humane Society estimates there are 30 to 40 million of these “community” cats living throughout the U.S. And while some neighborhood residents consider feral cats a nuisance, there are plenty of people and groups that implement Trap-Neuter-Return programs (TNR) that manage populations without harming the animals. These cat activists are trying to dispel the myth that feral felines are bad for communities. We’ve compiled a list of common misconceptions about these community cats in an attempt to reverse the negative stereotypes.

Cats play fighting is healthy, normal behavior. It’s centered around cats’ predatory behavior, which is why you’ll see lots of pouncing, stalking, chasing, grabbing, wrestling and bunny kicking with the back legs. But sometimes it can be a struggle to tell the difference between cats playing rough and actually fighting because both look similar. And if one of the cats takes things too far, what starts as a friendly wrestling match can escalate into a true knock-down, drag-out fight.

Some people say cats are picky eaters, but you can’t blame cats. After all, they don’t make their own food choices, we do! When selecting a wet cat food, it’s important to read the label and pay particular attention to certain ingredients—or lack thereof. Here are five things to avoid, according to veterinary experts, to help you chose the best cat food to feed your feline friend.

Digging into a stocking brimming with gifts, treats, and toys is one of the best parts of Christmas morning—especially when you can share the fun with your pets. While you can buy ready made pet Christmas stockings, nothing is going to be quite as fabulous as one you make yourself with your furry (or feathery or scaly) family member in mind. To make it easy and fast, we’ve created three downloadable Christmas stocking patterns just for you. In the shapes of a dog bone, fish and a traditional one, these are blank templates you can embellish and personalize to make your own super special pet Christmas stockings: Click here to download the dog bone stocking pattern. Click here to download the fish stocking pattern. Click here to download a traditional stocking pattern Once you’ve picked the shape you love, gather some basic supplies from a local fabric or craft store. Cozy wool, cottage-inspired ticking or luxe faux fur are just some ideas for pet Christmas stockings. Go for bold colors and patterns or stay more neutral. Repurpose an old quilt, shrunken sweater, wooly sock or pair of jeans. Make it small or oversized. Blingy or old-world elegant. Whatever suits your style and the style of your home is what will make the results pet-perfect.

Tap any stencil below to download, print, and bring your Halloween vision to life.,Halloween is all about embracing the spooky, the magical, and—if you’re a cat lover—the whiskered. This year, we’ve brewed up a brand-new collection of free cat pumpkin carving stencils to help you showcase your love for cats in a delightfully bewitching—and creative—way. From classic silhouettes to designs inspired by beloved Disney characters, these stencils—ranging from beginner-friendly cat pumpkin designs to intricate options for more experienced carvers—are easy to use and perfect for cat enthusiasts of all ages. If you’re looking for easy cat pumpkin carving ideas, this collection has something for everyone.

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