Why Do Cats Roll Over Into Their Backs But Not Let You Touch Their Bellies?
It’s common knowledge dogs love to have their tummies rubbed when they freely lay down before you and roll onto their backs. But, if you’re also familiar with cats, you know that when they roll onto their backs with their bellies exposed, rubbing the belly will most likely result in bleeding. So why do they do this? advertisement An expression of trust Cat behaviorists will likely answer that it’s a sign of trust when cats roll over and expose their bellies. That is true, indeed. But is it also a request to rub their bellies? The fact that your cat
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Meet the Sparkle Cats: Domino
Here at Sparkle Kitty, we have an entire family of furry, lovable kitties, and we’d like you to meet them all! This week is featuring Domino! Domino is a domestic shorthair who was adopted at the Arizona Humane Society by his mom along with his brother Gremlin, September 2016. Let’s learn a little more about Domino: advertisement Domino’s Favorites Domino loves running around and playing with his brother Gremlin. Dom and Grem have been together since birth and are inseparable. Domino is bigger than Gremlin, but he’ll sometimes let him pin him down to be polite, of course! Domino also loves his human toddler brother Logan but doesn’t like it so much when Logan screams “CAT!” We’re working on it! Domino also loves treats, lots and lots of pets, and chasing any prey he can find, even when it’s just a reflection on the wall. He often hides from new people at first, but then he’s quick to make new friends. He’s one brave kitty! advertisement Domino’s Least Favorites Vacuums. Oh boy, does Domino hate vacuums. Adoption Saves An essential part of Domino’s story is his mom found him at an animal shelter. He and his brother came from a family who was hoarding animals, and they needed a healthier home. They’ve been part of a growing family, and they’re treasured members of that family. Unfortunately, approximately 860,000 cats go unadopted every year, and they need your help to give them a loving, safe home. Visit your local pet shelter or read more from trusted sources such as the ASPCA for more information about adopting.
7 Tips for a Cat-Friendly Holiday Season
Holiday time is family time, and our pets are part of the family. The holiday season is best celebrated with our best feline friends around. However, kitties can get too excited as they see a tree being put up, decorations hung up, and delicious food cooked in the kitchen. Keep these tips in mind to ensure a holiday celebration that is safe and enjoyable for everyone—including your cats. advertisement 1. Anchor your tree securely. The more beautiful you make your tree, the more attractive it becomes in the eyes of your cat. Secure it to a post or a solid base so your cat doesn’t knock it down. 2. Choose holiday plants wisely. Live plants always spice up homes for the holidays but consider what plants to get if you have a cat around. Poinsettias, holly, lilies, and amaryllis are toxic to cats. 3. Keep candles away from your cat. A candle’s bright flickering light will no doubt capture your kitty’s attention. So place your candles somewhere your cat can’t reach to avoid fire accidents. 4. Hang lights and electric cords in a high place. Shiny objects and stringy things especially entice cats. So never place your holiday lights low on the ground where your cat can access them. 5. List the foods your cat can’t have. There’s nothing wrong with extra treats for your cat during the holidays, but it could be a disaster if a guest feeds him something toxic. Avoid serving foods that are unsafe for cats and remind your guests not to feed your cat. If you’re looking for extra special treats for your kitties, check out our favorites! advertisement 6. Don’t go overboard with the costume. A bulky reindeer costume or a heavy elf hat can make your cat feel stressed. If you must dress up your cat for the holidays, go for simple light accessories instead. 7. Take lots of pictures! It’s always a good idea to slow down and capture life with family and friends. Try a fun photo shoot with Santa, or pose your kitty with the elf on the shelf. Pets are valuable family members, so it is only fair to treat them with extra care and love during the holidays. Remember our tips when preparing for your holiday celebration, and you can enjoy the season knowing the whole family will be safe and happy.
How to Prepare Your Cat When You’re Expecting Your First Child
As a cat owner expecting your first child, there are several steps you can take to get your cat ready to greet a new, small, and vulnerable member of the family. Here’s how you can have a smoother transition so your baby and cat can live safely and harmoniously together. advertisement Acclimating Your Cat to the New Family Member If your cat is used to being the only recipient of your care, then they will need to get used to the fact that they have to share their carer’s attention and space with a little one. To get them used to living with a baby before the baby arrives, introduce some recorded baby sounds in the house, which may include loud crying and screaming. Gradually get your cat used to the sounds so that they remain calm when the baby makes noises. Introduce baby smells like baby lotion, shampoo, powder, and products that you intend to use on the baby. The more familiar the baby smells, the less threatening the cat will perceive them as. Make sure the cat learns which areas of the house are off-limits by putting sticky tape on areas that will be solely for the baby. Placing double-sided tape around the areas like the crib or playpen will teach them to avoid such areas. advertisement Things to Watch Out For Always make sure that the cat is healthy and hygienic before and after the baby arrives. Supervise every interaction between baby and cat so you can watch out for potential dangers like cat’s scratches and bites, potential ingestion of cat hair, or suffocation. Your special attention and patience are needed to create a safe environment for both your baby and cat to develop a friendship.
Weird Cat Facts
Cats are cute and charming creatures that many people consider as part of their families. But do you know that there is more to cats than just purring, jumping, and chasing mice? We’ve compiled 10 weird cat facts that are just as interesting as our furry friends. advertisement 1. Cats are 95.6% tiger. Well, at least in terms of the DNA they share with their jungle ancestors. This is also the reason why they have similar behaviors, including pouncing, scent marking by scratching, prey stalking, and chinning among others. 2. Cats use their whiskers to feel the space around them. These facial features help them determine if a space is big enough for them to fit in. This is why you shouldn’t even think about cutting your cat’s whiskers! 3. Cats can taste scents in the air. Referred to as flehmen response, the action of cats ‘tasting the air’ has something to do with identifying subtle chemical markers or pheromones. 4. Cats walk like giraffes and camels. Observe how when they walk, they move their right feet first, followed by their left feet. No other animals walk the same way. 5. Cats are crepuscular. They are most active — and can be the noisiest — during dusk and dawn. 6. Many cats are lactose intolerant. Despite the popular belief that they like milk, food with dairy substances can actually cause them pain or discomfort after ingesting. 7. Female cats can get pregnant as young as 4 months old. Keep that in mind if you plan on spaying your female kitten! advertisement 8. Cats can tell you if they want to play. Just observe your pet’s tail. If it’s in the shape of a question mark, she is probably asking, “Want to play?” 9. Cats can feel threatened if you make direct eye contact with them. They view eye contact as an act of aggression that can make them feel intimidated. Similarly, this is the reason they out-stare each other to resolve conflicts. 10. A cat’s yawn has a deeper meaning (than just feeling sleepy). Cats yawn when they want to end a confrontation with another animal. It’s like a way of shutting the other creature out and giving them the “talk to the hand” gesture. Cats may have weird behaviors at times, but it is these unique and interesting things they do that make them more lovable to humans.
What is Ringworm in Cats and What Can I Do About It?
Ringworm is a zoonotic infection that can transfer from cats to humans and vice versa. The fungus that causes ringworm can infect various animals and it can be quite an annoying condition when your indoor cat gets afflicted. Here’s everything you need to know. advertisement What is Ringworm in Cats? Dermatophytes are a group of microscopic fungi that cause ringworm. Contrary to what the name suggests, ringworm is not caused by worms. Ringworm is characterized by red ring marks that go around the inflammation on the skin. The fungi feed on skin, hair, and nails. For cats, the most common areas of infection include the face, ears, forelegs, chest, and feet. Symptoms of ringworm in cats include bald spots with some lesions; rough deformed claws, ashy dandruff, and frequent grooming and scratching of an area. Cats can catch ringworm when they get in contact with other infected animals or humans, or from spores that are living on surfaces like bedding, carpet, furniture, and others. advertisement What To Do When You Suspect Your Cat has Ringworm? Ringworm in cats is often confused with other skin conditions like flea allergy or dermatitis. It’s important to get your cat diagnosed as soon as you observe a symptom. Do not try home remedies or anti-fungal medication before you are sure that your cat’s condition is ringworm. Your vet may prescribe oral or topical medication that you need to consistently adhere to if you want the best result in the shortest amount of time and prevent reinfection. Your cat will potentially remain contagious for about three weeks after medication so ensure to keep the environment clean to decontaminate the surroundings. Keep them isolated with minimal contact during this time. With some time and patience, your cat will recover completely.
Do Cats See Color?
If you’re wondering if your beloved cat sees the colors of the world just like you do, then you’re like the many scientists who have researched cats’ color vision. Here are the results of various studies. advertisement Cats’ Color Vision Cats and humans have three types of color-sensitive cells in the retina called the “cones”, however, the number of cones differs significantly between humans and cats. Since cats have fewer of these cells, their color vision is not as rich, vibrant, and saturated as that of humans. Scientists argue that a cat’s color vision can be compared to that of a color-blind human. A theory suggests that cats only see shades of blue and gray and other colors like pink and red are perceived as green while purple appears like blue in the eyes of the cat. Other researchers suggest that cats also see shades of yellow, similar to members of the dog family. advertisement Other Properties of Cats’ Vision To compensate for their lack of range in the color vision department, cats have stronger motion and night vision, both qualities they need when hunting prey. They also have a wider visual field of 200 degrees as opposed to the human’s 180 degrees. In terms of visual acuity, cats are nearsighted. Images from more than 20 feet away will appear blurry in their eyes. Learning this information about how your cats see the colors of the world can help you provide them with more stimulating toys and games that they will enjoy. Colorful toys are not as interesting to them as moving toys that engage their vision and their instincts. Furthermore, it can help you protect them and other creatures when you understand that their bodies are built for hunting and capturing anything that moves especially in low light environments.
What Can I Do If My Cat Is Aggressive?
Surveys suggest that most people get cats because they expect them to be the calm and cuddly pets the media makes them out to be. However, the truth is that no two cats are the same, and some felines may be just a tad bit more irritable than others. Unfortunately, most cats who end up in the shelter are cats who have been given up by their owners for being too aggressive. But all cats can become gentle kitties if only all owners take the time and patience to understand their combative behavior as well. advertisement Signs that Your Cat is Aggressive Before getting into the to-dos of dealing with an aggressive cat, first, you should know what the warning signs of cat aggression are: Your cat has dilated pupils. The hair on the back of your cat’s neck stands up. Your cats’ whiskers and ears are directly pointing down or straight out. Your cat flashes his tail. Your cat is constantly hissing and growling. Your cat backs up and crouches in an attempt to look as big as possible. advertisement Tips on Managing Cat Aggression If you are convinced that your cat is exhibiting aggressive behavior, you can effectively calm him down by following these tips: Provide them with a safe space. Even if your cat gets along with your other pets, he still needs some alone time. Get him a cat condo or his own shelf where he can retreat to. Have your cat checked by the vet. Aggressive behavior can be a warning sign for an underlying health condition especially if your kitty has always been gentle and sweet and has suddenly become combative. Keep your voice down. Yelling does not work on cats, unlike dogs. Experts say that cats don’t respond to anything negative so your best shot at calming your pet down is calming down yourself. Small kids shouldn’t play with cats unsupervised. Most cats are not very tolerant of ear-pulling and skin-pinching and can respond aggressively. Save your cat from the stressful situation and prevent trips to the ER with your kids by keeping them away from your pets. If none of these tips seem to be working on your feline friend, don’t hesitate to ask help from a professional to understand your cat’s needs and health better.
Is Running Water Better for Cats?
Like humans, animals have their own preferences when it comes to food, water, and daily lifestyle. This is rooted in natural animal instincts that they may have carried with them as they evolved as a species. Our feline friends are no exception to this. You may have noticed that your cat would rather drink from faucets instead of the clean water you provided him with. Why do cats do this, and should you do something about it? advertisement Why Do Cats Love Running Water? You may be convinced that your cat is just too stubborn about drinking from his water bowl, but your pet isn’t the only feline who refuses to drink from still water. And they have their reasons too: 1. It is in their nature. Domestic cats have evolved from wild cats who live in Africa. As hunters, cats have a sharp sense of smell and can even smell water. They can tell if any impurities are present; hence they have developed the instinct of sourcing clean, fresh water, which usually comes in the form of running or flowing water. 2. Their whiskers collide on the sides of the bowl. Cats have long whiskers that may not entirely fit inside their water bowl when they bow down and take a sip from it. This is uncomfortable for them, so naturally, they prefer running water. 3. They have poor close vision. Felines can’t see very clearly up close, so they usually end up dipping their noses into the water when they drink from water bowls which they can find annoying and disorienting. They prefer water they can see and sense better than still water. advertisement What You Can Do About It It’s clear that your fur baby’s preferred way of drinking is through running or flowing water. No, that doesn’t mean you need to keep your faucet running 24/7 just to provide him with a water source he likes. Invest in a pet drinking fountain instead and your pet is guaranteed to be the happiest little feline on the block!
What Should I Do If My Cat Brings Me Dead Animals?
Remember the first day your cute little harmless-looking feline brought home a dead squirrel? Or was it a dead bird or mouse? All pet owners can surely relate to the horror of realizing their adorable and cuddly pet is not as innocent as they think. Randomly finding dead animals in your home can be disturbing but don’t condemn your cat just yet. There is actually a reason behind why he brings you dead animals, and it might just melt your heart. advertisement What Does It Mean When Your Cat Brings Dead Animals? When cats bring you dead animals, it is a manifestation of their prey-catching behavior and has nothing to do with being hungry. So don’t think that your cat is unsatisfied with the food you give because the reason they hunt vermin and birds is primarily instinctive. Cats enjoy the hunt and chase, so they simply cannot resist the urge to hunt for prey. But why do they bring it to you? Felines are pack animals. Most cats, especially females, want to share their bounty with their family as a way of nurturing them and teaching them how to survive in the way they know best. Simply put, your pet cat considers you his family, so he brings you his catch to share it with you and ensure your survival. advertisement How to Deal With It Because cats have a natural prey drive, it is senseless to try and suppress their urge to hunt. Instead, you can redirect this behavior into an activity that will still satisfy his instincts without giving you a heart attack. Get your pet a mentally stimulating toy to satisfy his prey drives such as feather wands, laser pointers, remote-controlled mice, and the like. And don’t forget to give your pet more playtime so he can release all the energy he is craving to burn.
Why Do Cats Pant?
Dogs pant all the time, so there is no reason for pet owners to be alarmed when they see their dogs panting. But what are the odds that you catch your cat panting? Unlike dogs, it is quite unusual to see a cat panting as they are usually in a very calm and relaxed mood. This doesn’t mean, however, that cats don’t pant at all. Like many other animal species, cats also pant from time to time, and as a pet owner, it is important that you know when it becomes a medical emergency. advertisement Is It Normal for Cats to Pant? The short answer is yes. Heat exchange in humans is very different from that of animals, especially cats. Unlike us, our feline friends can’t sweat through the pores all over their bodies. Instead, these sweat pores are concentrated on the pads of their paws, where they experience minor sweating. Sometimes, this sweating is not sufficient in releasing heat from your cat’s body, so they need to pant to aid the heat exchange process. It is important to remember, though, that cats don’t pant consistently and certainly don’t pant the way dogs do. advertisement Other Causes for Panting in Cats Here are potential reasons your cat pants excessively. Your cat is stressed. Traveling or being in a pet carrier can induce stress in cats. Make sure to remove your pet from a stressful situation to reduce panting. Your cat can be manifesting a sign of a heart issue. Young cats can have genetic heart conditions, such as cardiomyopathy, that may develop as they age. Senior felines are prone to heart problems too. Your cat may have a respiratory disease. Cats may not be getting enough oxygen, so they breathe through their mouths to get more air. Take them to the vet at once if you suspect this. Your cat could be overexerting himself. Kittens can become overly active and play too much that they become out of breath. Help your cat calm down and encourage him to take a break from playing. Seek veterinary attention immediately if your cat struggles to breathe and if his tongue turns into hues of blue or purple.
