Cat Lovers Blog

Pet Food Recall! Check This List

2007-03-20T07:06:55 GMT

Following a number of cat and dog deaths, a recall of more than 60 million packages of pet food has been issued by Menu Foods. More than 40 brands of cat food and 51 brands of dog food may be affected. The animals died from apparent renal failure within days of consuming the food. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is looking into the situation. Check the list of brands at the Menu Foods recall page to see if you have any of the contaminated food.

Common Cat Symptoms Could Signal an Emergency | Learn the Warning Signs

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:58:35 GMT

Some common cat symptoms could signal an emergency requiring a vet visit. Any of these could be a sign that your cat is ill or has a serious condition needing medical attention.

Litter Box Odor

Tue, 23 Jan 2007 15:27:52 GMT

Would an air purifier that eliminated litter box odor appeal to you? A reader contacted me and asked me for an opinion about cat lovers and litter box odor. He wanted to know if in my opinion, there would be "any value in offering cat-lovers an air-purifier system that would completely eliminate litter box odor." I got to thinking about it and thought I'd share my opinion. If you have an opinion, I'd like to hear about it. Please go to my contact page and let me know what you think. If I get enough responses, and the results are strong one way or another, I'll post them in the blog. My response to the reader is below... Litter comes in various forms, the most popular being the clumping clay litters. All of these products have odor neutralizers and you can get them scented as well if that appeals to your cat. The "odor" then, that we want to control is not from the litter itself, but from the waste products that the cat deposits in the box. If there is odor, then the litter isn't doing it's job. The key, therefore, to eliminating litter box odor is to properly and frequently clean the box and change the litter often enough. This maintenance is good for the health of the cat, as well as the people in the house. If you walk into a house where the cat box is properly maintained, you won't know that a cat lives there, until s/he sneaks up on you. This has always been the case in my house, so as a cat owner, I would not likely be moved by a statement like, "completely eliminates litter box odor." (I'm not talking about spraying or litter box problems where the cat is not using the box, since those are different subjects.) My humble opinion is that I doubt that the cat lover population is any more interested in air purifiers than the general population. That is to say, I don't believe that there is a significantly higher percentage of cat owners interested in air purifiers. I could be wrong, but that is my opinion. I hope that helps with your research. End of response. So, what do you think? Go the contact page and let me know how you feel about an air purifier aimed at litter box odor removal.

Halloween and Pet Safety

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 21:20:05 GMT

With Halloween comes fun for people, and problems for pets. Loud noises, strangers coming to the door, and dangerous "treats" that only humans should eat. The Humane Society has some advice for you on pet safety in and around the time of Halloween. Cats are especially in danger this time of year. Before you say "that can't be true" it is reported that some shelters suspend feline adoptions during October. This is strictly due to the danger posed to them by some people. Some rather sick people out there would choose to use cats in some ritual type behavior, and others will just abuse them because they're cats and it's Halloween. Either way, cats are tortured and slaughtered regularly around Halloween. Please keep your pets safe, and keep your cats indoors and away from harm.

The Amazing $4,000 Hypoallergenic Cat!

Fri, 6 Oct 2006 11:29:50 GMT

Got Cat Allergies? A San Diego based biotechnology company called Allerca has produced the "world's first hypoallergenic cat." According to this article, this company has successfully bred cats with mutated genes. These cats don't produce the protein that is responsible for the allergic reaction in most people. The interesting thing is the way they went about "creating" the cats. They actually did it the hard way... by selective breeding, not genetic engineering. Most cats produce a protein, known as Fel d1, that gives me an itch and a sneeze (I'm allergic). Apparently they discovered that a certain number of cats have a mutated gene that produces a protein that is less likely to cause allergies in humans. Now there are only three questions... "does that hypoallergenic model come in a tabby?" ... "do they offer financing?" and ... "can I buy stock in this company?"

Pet Health for Humans

Mon, 18 Sep 2006 02:11:41 GMT

Let a veterinarian be your guide to putting your pet first when making decisions about the health and care of your pet. You'll want to give this site a read.

Cat Portraits and Better Photos

Sun, 17 Sep 2006 17:06:41 GMT

Here's an interesting site... Illustration Online. They'll take your photos and create a pet portrait out of it. You can even have several cats drawn or painted into the same portrait. Nice! If you'd like a portrait of your cat, or you just want to learn how to take better pictures of your pets, take a look at this site.

Cat Care Essentials... The Care and Feeding of the Domestic Cat

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 19:02:45 GMT

Cat care, in the most general sense, is rather basic. Food, shelter, and proper medical care are the obvious needs of any pet.

Family Pet for 7 Years Now Someone Else's After 3 Days?!

Wed, 14 Jun 2006 11:16:57 GMT

Imagine this... you've had a cat for 7 years and it goes missing. A local shelter finds the cat but doesn't find you, and puts the cat up for adoption. You find out later that a new family has your cat, and you can't get her back! This is just pathetic. The excuse is that the new family had "become attached." Apparently there is a legal issue at work here as well that says if someone else keeps your cat for long enough, they "own" it. So by letting the new family keep the cat, the greater good is served here in what way? You've displaced a cat without any regard to the difference in care it might receive. You've torn up a family that has now "found" its lost cat, but can't get it back. The new family has had the animal for only a few days, yet they are "attached" and the rightful owners?!! Give me a break. Hey... new family... anyone who would keep a pet against the wishes of the (former) care giver is NOT an animal lover in my book. Give the cat to the family that has cared for it for 7 years.

Let's Just Declare June Cat Month, Shall We?

Tue, 13 Jun 2006 03:01:37 GMT

June is American Humane's Adopt-A-Cat Month. This is a yearly event, celebrated each June. Their web site points out some interesting facts. One of those facts is that the number of homeless cats in the United States is said to almost equal the number of pet cats. And, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals designates June as Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month. So let's just declare June cat month all the way around... and... ...adopt a cat!

Jack the Cat Chases a Black Bear Up a Tree... Twice!

Sun, 11 Jun 2006 21:29:27 GMT

Apparently, New Jersey is home to quite the fearless and powerful cat. His name is Jack, and he chased a black bear up a tree not once, but twice. Jack is an orange tabby who is apparently very overprotective of his territory, and fears no one, not even a bear. This bear feared Jack, though, that is for sure. As the story goes, Jack stayed at the foot of the tree hissing at the bear until his owner called him inside. Don't mess with this tabby, or his yard.

Worms in Cats... Common Parasites in Domestic Felines

Sat, 27 May 2006 01:14:20 GMT

Worms in cats are quite common, especially in kittens. Worms are so common, in fact, that your vet will typically test your cat annually via a stool sample.

Another Interesting Cat Fact

Sun, 9 Apr 2006 14:28:30 GMT

Here's another interesting cat fact... Have you ever seen your cat look up after investigating a smell with her mouth hanging open... they almost look like they are panting? They look quite menacing when they do that. Well, here's what that is probably all about... The Jacobson's organ in the roof of a cat's mouth allows them to "taste" smells. To use this, they open their mouths a little and look as though they are grimacing. This is called the "flehmen response" and is used particularly to find out about the reproductive status of other cats. The above is from the book What is My Cat Thinking? by Gwen Bailey. You'll find other interesting cat facts on the cat fact page.

Cuddly Kitten Day is Here!

Thu, 23 Mar 2006 13:19:22 GMT

Cuddly Kitten Day has arrived. Remember your kitten today! Remember someone or someone else's kitten too and send an ecard.

Respect Your Cat Day... Another Holiday for Cats

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:29:04 GMT

Here's yet another real holiday for cats... Respect Your Cat Day! (March 28) While I think that should be every day, perhaps on this day, you should take extra time out to play with your furry friend. An extra treat would be nice as well!

More About Cat Holidays

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:29:04 GMT

This (slightly old) article references directly what I discussed in my previous post about pets participating in holiday events.

A Holiday for Cats... Cuddly Kitten Day

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 17:29:04 GMT

Here's a real holiday, just for cats. Cuddly Kitten Day. Snuggle up to your cat or kitten and celebrate Cuddly Kitten Day on March 23. Send a free ECard to a cat lover.

Cat Holidays

Tue, 21 Mar 2006 15:39:32 GMT

Did you know that there are Cat Holidays? A couple of years ago, a survey by the American Animal Hospital Association found that 86 percent of pet owners include their pets in holiday celebrations. It was found that to varying degrees, pets were included in Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas, and Chanukah celebrations and even New Year's Eve parties. What you may not realize is that there are actually cat holidays... that is, holidays devoted to cats. Watch for my upcoming posts on two such cat holidays...

The Amazing Skeleton of the Cat

Thu, 16 Mar 2006 02:27:31 GMT

Did you know? Part of the amazing agility, strength, and grace of the cat comes from their incredible skeletal structure. Although domestic cats are much smaller than humans, their bodies actually contain more bones! Cats have 230, while people have 206, according to The Encyclopedia of the Cat by Angela Sayer and Howard Loxton.

The Somali Cat Breed... Striking Looks and Playful Intelligence

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 02:24:57 GMT

The Somali cat breed, also known as the Longhair Abyssinian, is very playful and intelligent. This is a striking looking cat, and can easily be trained.

The Loveable Ragamuffin Cat Breed... The Perfect Family Cat?

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 05:03:13 GMT

The ragamuffin cat breed is a large, loveable breed that is very tolerant of children and other pets. They have a long, silky coat requiring minimal grooming, and tend to be overweight.

The Wild Looking Ocicat... An Intelligent and People Oriented Cat Breed

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 21:44:17 GMT

The Ocicat looks wild, but actually is very sweet natured and playful. They enjoy human company, as well as the company of other cats.

The Singapura Cat Breed... Small, But Packed Full Of Personality

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 16:50:38 GMT

The Singapura cat breed is physically one of the smallest. But they more than make up for their size with their playful and affectionate ways, as well as their strong will.

The Persian Cat Breed... Familiar Face, Friendly Cat

Sat, 28 Jan 2006 21:21:35 GMT

The Persian cat is easily recognized by both its pushed in nose, and its thick, long coat. Cat fanciers know this longhair cat by its quiet, gentle, and loving nature as well.

The Manx Cat Breed... A Quiet, Tailless, Bunny Hopping Cat

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 23:35:57 GMT

The Manx cat breed is a generally quiet, yet playful cat. They are said to be almost dog-like, and even bury their toys. They can be taught to come when called, or play fetch.

The Turkish Angora... An Ancient, Beautiful, Intelligent, and Playful Cat Breed

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 17:00:55 GMT

One of the oldest cat breeds, the Turkish Angora originated sometime during the fourteen hundreds in Turkey. They are beautiful cats, and intelligent and interactive as well.

Diamond Pet Food Recall!!

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 06:11:29 GMT

I'm recycling this pet food recall news item since exposure may be greater than was thought when I first mentioned it in my blog. It is now believed that contaminated pet food may have been shipped to almost 30 countries, in addition to a number of states in the US. Both dog and cat foods are affected.

The Sphynx Cat... The Rarest and Most Unusual Cat Breed

Sat, 7 Jan 2006 22:18:45 GMT

The Sphynx cat is an odd looking, muscular, almost hairless cat breed with a fun loving nature. They are very attached to their owners and like to spend a lot of time with their families.

The La Perm Cat Breed... Unique and Intelligent

Wed, 4 Jan 2006 02:50:02 GMT

The La Perm Cat Breed has an unusual looking wavy coat, giving it a unique appearance. This breed is also affectionate and intelligent, and with barn cat ancestry, has excellent mousing capabilities.

The Koret Cat Breed... Striking Looks, Attitude, and Lucky Too

Tue, 3 Jan 2006 00:37:28 GMT

The Koret cat breed has a long history of being good luck. They also have keen senses, striking looks in coat and eye color, and an attitude to go along with it.

The Turkish Van Cat... A Rare, Independent Cat Breed

Mon, 2 Jan 2006 22:56:34 GMT

The Turkish Van is a longhair cat breed with a bushy tail, that is surprisingly low maintenance. Vans love water, and will often take a swim in a pool.

The Havana Brown... Small Size, Mighty Personality

Mon, 2 Jan 2006 17:09:50 GMT

With a playful and dog-like personality, the Havana Brown is a perfect companion for those who can give them the attention they need. Although on the small side, these little gremlins have big hearts.

The American Wirehair Cat Breed... A Good Cat for the Family

Mon, 2 Jan 2006 02:29:24 GMT

The American Wirehair cat breed started out as a barn cat. They are sociable, and affectionate toward their people. While CFA Championship Class status has been won, there are coat inconsistencies.

The American Shorthair... More Than Just an Alley Cat

Mon, 2 Jan 2006 00:24:38 GMT

The American Shorthair is a large, generally healthy cat breed descended from the European Shorthair. They tend to be mild mannered couch dwellers, but also can be excellent mousers.

The American Curl... A Quiet, and Physically Unique Cat Breed

Sun, 1 Jan 2006 21:10:18 GMT

The American Curl cat breed developed from a stray cat into a CFA Championship Class breed. Relatively small and with unique looking ears, these cats are a good choice for people who work long hours.

The Devon Rex... A Mischievous Little Monkey of a Cat

Sun, 1 Jan 2006 19:21:51 GMT

The Devon Rex is a small in size cat breed with big thoughts of playful antics on its mind. These little devils are adorable lap cats with an attitude.

The Cornish Rex... A Sociable and Very Active Cat Breed

Sun, 1 Jan 2006 01:50:44 GMT

The funny looking Cornish Rex is a fun loving perpetual kitten who loves to learn new tricks. They are also one of the few cats considered allergy friendly.

The Colorpoint Shorthair Cat Breed... Active and Allergy Friendly

Sat, 31 Dec 2005 22:54:50 GMT

The Colorpoint Shorthair cat breed is sociable, active, and allergy friendly. They tend to be very healthy and thrive on attention, all of which makes them excellent family pets.

The Chartreux Cat Breed... A Sweet, Interactive, Quick Learner

Sat, 31 Dec 2005 19:58:30 GMT

The Chartreux cat breed tends to be dog-like in its love for people. Perhaps a bit odd looking, they are intelligent and thrive on attention.

The British Shorthair... Laid Back, but Not Cuddly

Sat, 31 Dec 2005 03:12:43 GMT

The British Shorthair is an undemanding, low maintenance, independent cat. They are excellent hunters, with a tendancy to be large in size.

The Birman Cat Breed... Curious and Playful, but Laid Back

Sat, 31 Dec 2005 00:54:27 GMT

The Birman cat breed is considered sacred by some, but is happy being a house cat. They are somewhat playful and affectionate, but more laid back than their Siamese cousins.

Onions and Tylenol are Toxic to Cats!

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 17:35:54 GMT

Here's a somewhat technical article on Heinz Body Anemia In Cats. There are certain substances that will break down the red blood cells in cats. These substances are considered toxic to cats. Don't feed your cats anything with onions or anything that has been in contact with onions - garlic to a lesser degree as well. Check your pet food labels and make sure that propylene glycol is not an ingredient. And there is no safe dosage of acetaminophen (Tylenol) for cats.

The Javanese Cat Breed... A Talkative Lap Cat

Thu, 29 Dec 2005 02:25:33 GMT

The Javanese cat breed has a graceful Siamese build and a wonderful personality. A very muscular body is hidden by a deceptively fluffy coat.

I'm Still Not Blaming the Cat...

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 22:52:00 GMT

A possible link has been found between schizophrenia and toxoplasmosis. This article reinforces, however, what I've been saying about toxoplasmosis not being the cat's fault.

The Balinese Cat Breed... Elegant but Fun Loving

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 04:38:16 GMT

The Balinese is a graceful, but friendly and fun loving cat breed. An active cat, the Balinese is talkative, just like its Siamese cousin.

The Tonkinese Cat Breed... Not Siamese, Not Burmese, Just Right

Tue, 27 Dec 2005 23:24:05 GMT

The Tonkinese cat breed may be just the perfect combination of the best of two other geat breeds. If you like an attention loving and playful cat, one or two of these beauties may be just right.

Pet Food Recall!

Tue, 27 Dec 2005 02:39:51 GMT

Five cat food and 14 dog food products have been recalled by Diamond Pet Food due to aflatoxin contamination. Check the article link for details to make sure that your pets are safe!

The Maine Coon Cat... An Intelligent and Popular Breed

Sun, 25 Dec 2005 22:00:23 GMT

The Maine Coon cat breed is not only popular, but intelligent, versatile, and hardy. An excellent hunter, this cat also gets along well with children and other animals.

The Siamese Cat... Intelligent and Devoted, There Are No Finer Cat!

Sun, 25 Dec 2005 17:26:45 GMT

The Siamese cat breed has a devoted following, and they make devoted pets. These loving creatures talk a lot, crave attention and give back much to their chosen families.

The Norwegian Forest Cat... A Quiet, Gentle Warrior

Sat, 24 Dec 2005 22:07:23 GMT

The Norwegian Forest Cat is has a big, but beautiful and graceful appearance, with a hint of the wild look. Content to be alone, but very devoted, the Norwegian is a dignified animal companion.

Blog Headlines on Cat Lovers Only Home Page

Sat, 24 Dec 2005 15:04:12 GMT

You can now view the latest headlines from my Cat Lovers Blog right from the home page! Want to read more? Simply click the graphic in the upper right on the home page and it will take you to the blog or article.