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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Tips on Driving Cross-Country with a Cat
Whether it’s taking your pet to the vet, traveling for a vacation to the countryside, or moving to a new home across the borders, cat owners will experience driving with their cats as passengers at least once. While road trips sound exciting to humans, it’s not exactly the same for felines. Being away from their home turf, especially for the first time, can be very stressful for cats and may cause them to act strangely inside your car. It’s not only bothersome to see your cat acting weird but, more importantly, it is dangerous to drive with a restless cat onboard. Don’t worry because we have curated the top hacks for cat owners to ensure a smooth ride filled with nothing but happy memories for you and your best bud to share forever. advertisement 1. Make sure your cat’s vaccinations are up-to-date. Before taking your cat on a cross-country road trip, make sure to visit the vet and check if his vaccinations are still valid. Some states will require you to provide certifications that your pet has been vaccinated for rabies, distemper, and viral infections, to name a few. 2. Register a microchip online. Just in case the worst happens, you can easily locate your cat using its registered microchip. Otherwise, it would be almost impossible to find him, especially when you are not in a familiar area. 3. Pack your necessities calmly. When you’re stressed, cats can tell right away and will start to feel stressed too. Make sure to keep positive energy while packing, don’t miss your cat’s feeding time, and pet him a lot to assure him that everything is okay. advertisement 4. Choose the right pet carrier for your car. Carriers will not only keep your cat still throughout the ride, but they will also secure him safely. Make sure to choose one that is compatible with your car model, fits your cat’s size, and is soft and comfortable enough for long hours of driving. Soft ones like these are especially recommended for nervous kitties who could hurt themselves on a hard carrier: 5. Bring comforting smells. Your cat may start to feel homesick just a few hours after leaving home. Bring an old blanket, stuffed toy, or anything that smells like home to relieve your pet’s anxiety and stress levels. There’s nothing a little planning and lots of love can’t fix. As long as you stick to this guide, you and your fur baby can get through that big cross-country trip together, and he’ll be back to his old happy and playful self in no time.
Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?
Chances are you will observe your cats sleeping more than you will find them awake throughout the day. That’s because cats generally sleep an average of between 12 to 20 hours a day. Should this cat behavior concern you? Cats are mostly nocturnal animals that are active mainly at night and asleep for a significantly long period in the day. Experts believe that cats, although domesticated for a long time, have retained their primal feline instincts of creeping about in the dark and pouncing on a target prey like their large feline relatives, such as the lion. advertisement Possible Reasons Cats Sleep Frequently The cats being nocturnal only partially explains why they are asleep mostly in the daytime. There are several reasons why cats sleep more than they are actively awake. 1. They may be conserving energy. Most cats may be up at night acting as a predator hunting real or imaginary mice and sleeping it off or resting during the day. They save up for the burst of time when they do the most hunting. 2. They may be bored. Animals, including cats, sleep more when there’s nothing to do. It has also been observed that cats are affected by the weather. On a rainy day conducive to sleeping, cats will tend to sleep more. 3. They may be stressed. When cats are stressed or scared, their coping tools are hiding, being less active, or sleeping more. One of the reasons cats may be stressed is if they get anxious when you are gone. 4. They may be sick or uncomfortable. When in pain, sick, or not feeling well, cats may spend most of the time under the bed or somewhere high up where they may be less active and be sleeping. Sometimes, cats just take a short breather or a “cat nap.” While their eyes may be partially or completely closed, their tails and ears may occasionally be moving, ready to spring into action with the presence of external stimuli. advertisement What You Can Do as a Cat Owner Cats are sociable and highly adaptable. Make sure you make the most of their time. As a pet owner, you can adjust the level of interaction with your cats or their activities. You can modify your pets’ sleeping habits so that they can spend more time with you. You could also change your pets’ feeding schedule to which they will adjust their sleeping patterns. What may seem like oversleeping with your pet cat is not a cause for alarm. Be concerned only when you notice your felines’ sleeping pattern deviates significantly from what’s normal for their age.
Common Reasons Why Cats Scratch
If you’ve been living with a new cat for a while, you’re probably no stranger to scratched-up doors, furniture, and carpet around the house. Scratching is part of your cat’s primal nature, so there’s always the possibility of your cat scratching people, including you. advertisement Why Do Cats Scratch? Cats scratch for different reasons. Learning why they do this behavior may help you on how to deal with this common problem. For one, scratching is a form of exercise. Cats scratch things to stretch and strengthen their muscles. Another common reason is that they are marking their territory. Cats leave their scent on scratched surfaces to signal other animals of their space. Scratching is also their way of honing their nails or relieving their anxiety. Lastly, cats may scratch people when they feel threatened. advertisement How to Stop Your Cat’s Unfavorable Scratching The best way to stop your cat from scratching your furniture or other parts of the house is to first understand your cat’s scratching behavior and preferences. Look at the frequently scratched surfaces and find an appropriate alternative with a similar texture. If your cat likes to scratch wood, find a large enough scratching post made of wood and place it right next to the surface they normally scratch. If they like to scratch horizontally, get them a mat that mimics the surface of the carpet they scratch. If you have more than one cat, make sure they each have at least one post or mat each. To avoid getting scratched by your cat, always watch their behavior when you’re playing. A hint of aggression on their demeanor means that they want to be left alone. Scratching is a normal and healthy habit of cats. You can’t completely stop them from doing it, but you can make it more favorable for you, your home, and your cat. By understanding why they engage in such behavior and how to deter them from causing destruction, you can have a more harmonious life with your cat.
Should I Be Worried if My Cat Bites Me?
Cat biting can be a problem for a lot of cat owners; sometimes, it can be enough reason for cat owners to surrender their pets. It is important to understand the reasons why cats bite to have a peaceful coexistence with your pet and avoid these painful bites that can ruin a lovely cat-owner relationship. Here are the most common reasons your cat bites you: advertisement They’ve had enough. When you’re playing or petting your cat, you can sometimes notice that one minute they are purring and enjoying the attention; the next minute they are trying to bite you. The bite indicates that they are overstimulated, and they want to be left alone now. If you are paying attention to your cat while you’re playing, you’ll notice signs that they are about to bite, such as dilated pupils, flattened ears, twitching of the tail, stiffening of the body, and they are staring at your hand. When you notice these warning signs, stop immediately. They are playing. Kittens usually bite their owners’ ankles or hands as a form of play. Most young cats do this to play aggression with their siblings. This is when they learn what’s acceptable and what’s hurtful. In the absence of siblings, kittens may turn to their human owners for this type of learning and stimulation. advertisement They are anxious. When your cat is scared, stressed, or in pain, they may bite to express their emotion. This often happens in the vet, on a long car ride, or in any situation that makes them feel threatened. They want your attention. Soft bites or nips may indicate that your cat wants your attention, especially if they’ve been conditioned through experience that biting is rewarded with more attention. Don’t punish your cat when they bite; rather, you should know your cat’s body language, respect their need for space, and manage their unwanted behavior. The right reaction when they bite will solidify the trust and bond between you and your furry companion.
Why Do Cats Meow?
Meowing is your cat’s way of communicating with you. Interestingly, cats don’t meow to get other cat’s attention. Their meow is solely for their owners and other humans. Meowing is innate in young cats to get their mother’s attention when they are hungry, cold, or hurt. As they mature, cats would naturally outgrow meowing as they have less vocal forms of communicating with other cats. However, domesticated cats retain their meow as they learn that this gets humans’ attention. Cats have a variety of meows based on what they want to communicate. Here are some of the reasons why they get meow: advertisement As greetings. Cats meow at their owner when they come home or when they see you in the house. They meow just to say hi and be friendly. To seeking attention. Cats meow because they want to play, be petted, stroked, or talked to. They want your attention, and meowing is their way to do it. To ask for food. When they are hungry, when someone walks to the kitchen, or when it’s mealtime, cats meow to remind you to feed them. To asking to open doors. Cats who want to be let in or out of the house will meow incessantly by the door or window. To express negative emotions. Meowing can be a sign that your cat is stressed, agitated, lonely, or scared. advertisement To signal confusion. Older cats that start to suffer from cognitive dysfunction start meowing aimlessly due to the disorientation they feel. To find a mate. Cats don’t exactly meow to find a mate; rather, they yowl to signal other cats that they are receptive. Over time, you, as a cat owner, should understand the different types of meows your cat makes so you’ll know how to best address their concerns. Understanding your pet is key to keeping them healthy and happy and having a harmonious relationship between cat and owner.
Cat Grooming
One of the greatest assets of a cat is its tongue. Their unique tongues are covered in hundreds of flexible backward-curved spines called “papillae.” These structures can store and release saliva on the fur, making self-grooming truly enjoyable for all felines. As you may have already noticed, cats lick almost anything, including themselves, their young, their turf, and even you. Why do cats even exhibit such adorable yet perplexing behavior? advertisement Why Cats Lick Themselves Cats are notorious for taking long naps multiple times a day, and believe it or not; they can spend up to half of their waking hours grooming themselves. Felines are naturally equipped with the implements to groom themselves—barbed tongues, flexible forepaws, and sharp teeth—so they don’t really need much help from you or professional groomers. Mother cats lick their young right after birth to clean them and provide them with comfort, coax them to suckle, and stimulate them to urinate and defecate as needed. At only four weeks old, kittens will start grooming themselves as well as their littermates in a mutual grooming behavior called “allogrooming.” Licking is instinctual to cats. Hence, owners should take caution in grooming their feline friends using other tools as most cats don’t find it enjoyable or even tolerable and might end up responding aggressively. advertisement Why Cats Lick You If cats already spend so much of their time licking themselves, why would they take even more time licking you? Here are the possible reasons why: Your cat accepts you as a member of her family and is nurturing you in the best way she knows—keeping you clean through licking. Your cat is establishing her territory and making it known to other cats that you belong to no one else but her. Your cat is licking you to show her affection. Consider licking as your cat’s version of petting you. Your cat may be feeling anxious hence, licking compulsively. Pet, cuddle, and give her more attention to reduce her stress and soothe her back to her old self. If it makes you happy that your cat licks you, then you should have no problem. But if you don’t enjoy it, you might want to establish a no-lick zone by giving her a kitty massage or distracting her with a new catnip toy. Never punish or reprimand your cat for doing something that comes naturally.
Why Do Cats Eat Grass?
You may have noticed on a few occasions your cat nibbling on grass. You may also be disturbed if sometimes your pet throws up afterward. Should this cat’s practice be a concern to a cat owner like you? Let’s learn the reasons behind this strange cat behavior. advertisement Reasons Cats Eat Grass There is no evidence to suggest that grass will harm your cat. Many experts theorize that munching on those long green blades can be beneficial for your cat. 1. Seeking to boost its health Your cat may graze on grass for its health benefits. Grass contains folic acid, an essential nutrient for a cat’s bodily function, and assists in the production of hemoglobin which helps boost oxygen through the bloodstream. 2. To induce vomiting Cats lack enzymes to break down much grass, so your cat may be eating grass to induce vomiting and clear out indigestible materials from its stomachs, such as hair, fur, and feathers. 3. To ease bowel movement Your cat’s predatory instincts may be allowing it to hunt small animals such as mice and birds. These preys have little bones, feathers, and fur, not all of which can pass through a cat’s digestive tract with ease. Cats eat grass to use as a natural laxative that counteracts any case of indigestion. 4. To relieve sore throats Some even believe cats eat grass to relieve sore throats. All in all, eating grass is not a bad thing for your cat. advertisement What Cat Owners Can Do You should make sure your pet cat won’t graze on anything that may have been sprayed with chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides, or fertilizers. All your household plants should be of the non-toxic variety. You may also want to buy a small tray of grass just for the cat. This will give your cat an alternative to the outdoor grass and landscaping.
How Did Cats Become Domestic?
How Did Cats Become Domestic? Almost all animals that humans care for as pets nowadays—dogs, birds, and cats—were once wild species that wouldn’t even dare to go near humans. However, thousands of years of evolution have proved that humans and animals can not only coexist but even share special bonds that last a lifetime. The Felis Catus species, the modern-day domestic cats, has been traced by scientific research to have come from Felis silvestris, a species of wildcats still residing in Africa, southern Asia, and Europe up to this day. The research also revealed that cats might have been domesticated some 12,000 years ago in the Near East. advertisement Agriculture Brought Humans and Cats Together For thousands of years, humans and felines simply coexisted as there was no real need for interaction between the two species. All this changed when humans started settling in agricultural communities in the Fertile Crescent of the Near East. Humans grew and stored grains as food, but this, in turn, brought lots of mice into the communities. This appeased the cats as mice were an easy-to-hunt food source for them hence commencing a beneficial relationship between felines and humans. Humans started keeping cats to control mice infestation in the farms and storage houses while cats enjoyed the unlimited source of prey they got. advertisement Cats Choose Humans, Not the Other Way Around House cats who have arisen from wildcats are not “domesticated” the way dogs, and other animals were. Genetic analysis shows that the DNA of modern-day domestic cats, including their form and behavior, is nearly identical to that of wildcats. Simply put, pet cats remain perfectly capable of surviving in the wild, and some even revert to a feral existence as it is in their nature after all. But even when cats are good on their own, years of living alongside humans have made them consider humans as trustworthy companions. Hence, they choose to stay as pets.
Top 5 Cat Cafes in the United States
A cat cafe is basically a cafe, restaurant, or dining place where there are cats present. Essentially, you can order coffee, chat with a friend, or work on your laptop while your pet wanders around, plays or naps in the cafe. If you are looking for the best cat cafes in the country, here are some notable places to visit with your fur baby. advertisement Crumbs & Whiskers in Los Angeles, California Located on Melrose Avenue in LA, Crumbs & Whiskers is a by-appointment-only cafe where you can choose to stay for 15 minutes or 70 minutes. It is one of the most popular cat cafes in the country because it is common to see celebrities with their cats in there, such as Jennifer Garner and Drew Barrymore. Give Purrs a Chance in Berkley Springs, West Virginia Give Purrs a Chance is a non-profit cat adoption center and cat cafe operating since May 2017. At present, the center has adopted out about 500 cats into homes. Featuring Victorian architecture, this two-story cafe is known to be the largest cat cafe in the US. Eat, Purr, Love Cat Cafe in Columbus, Ohio Eat, Purr, Love is located in Central Ohio, offering delicious coffee and baked goods while you sit back and relax with a book or board game. While reservations are recommended, the cafe also accepts walk-in customers with their fur babies. advertisement La Gattara Cat Café and Boutique in Phoenix, Arizona This relaxing café gives you a chance to play cards or board games, read books, or go to one of their many events such as cat yoga. La Gattara is a non-profit organization with adoptable kitties that took their inspiration from the original cat café in Tokyo. Pounce Cat Cafe + Wine Bar in Charleston, South Carolina Cat cafes don’t serve coffees only. At Pounce Cat Cafe + Wine Bar, you can enjoy the soothing effect of a glass of wine, especially if paired with cat cuddles! Since the place serves wines, only customers 12 years old and above are allowed. So, the next time you’re traveling across the country with your cat, you know which cat cafe to visit.
What is Feline AIDS?
Feline immunodeficiency virus or cat FIV, more commonly known as “feline AIDS,” is a retrovirus infection among cats. It is called cat FIV or AIDS because its effects are similar to that of human HIV, except it specifically affects felines. advertisement Understanding Feline AIDS This viral infection, first detected in the US in 1986, works by targeting a cat’s white blood cells, damaging its immune system. This three-stage illness progressively weakens the immune system of felines, making them vulnerable to secondary infections. Feline AIDS, like HIV in humans, is contagious. The virus can be passed on from one cat to another when: An infected cat bites a virus-free cat. Outdoor cats are more vulnerable to FIV as they may be involved in territorial disputes with infected cats. An FIV-positive mother cat passes it on to her kittens. Neutered or spayed cats have a lower chance of contracting the infection. The blood of an infected cat is transfused to an uninfected feline. The virus can invade the body easily through blood cells transferred during a blood transfusion. Unfortunately, FIV-positive cats may have the virus inside their bodies and are already damaging their immune system for years before it can be detected. The first stage of FIV is usually characterized by a lack of symptoms making it hard to diagnose pets with the virus. advertisement Common Symptoms of Cats with AIDS Once the infection progresses into the 2nd stage, infected cats will start manifesting these symptoms: Respiratory problems Poor skin and coat condition Urinary tract infections Recurrent fever Appetite loss Lack of appetite Mouth and gum inflammation Constant diarrhea Persistent eye problems Seizures Behavioral and neurological changes FIV-positive cats in the active or second stage may still recover completely with proper veterinary care. Once the infection reaches the third stage, however, there won’t be a cure. This third stage is known as the “AIDS stage,” where felines typically develop chronic illnesses or cancers. Cats with feline AIDS can still live a good quality of life for years as long as they receive constant veterinary care and live indoors.
