Best Animals of 2018 Pt. 2

TGIF

Why Cats Have Trouble Losing Weight down.

Why Cats Have Trouble Losing Weight

 down.

Ellyce Rothrock  |  Feb 18th, 2019

Why do so many cats struggle to lose weight … and keep it off? Let’s take a closer look at five issues your kitty may encounter when she tries to slim down.

Helping cats lose weight — and keep it off — is challenging. Most pet parents humanize their companions, which also means they mistakenly equate food with love. Don’t replace playtime and quality bonding with food and excess treats, says Ernie Ward, DVM, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Both overfeeding and excess treating are huge contributing factors to the problem of overweight and obese pets, but there are other reasons why owners struggle to help their cats lose pounds.

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Cat Gods & Cat Goddesses From Ancient Cultures

6 Cat Gods & Cat Goddesses From Ancient Cultures

aneA Kelley  |  Feb 19th, 2019

You might know that the ancient Egyptians worshipped cat gods and cat goddesses, but have you heard about the Polish cat god who barked like a dog?

uthor Terry Pratchett said, “In ancient times, cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” When you hear this phrase, do you automatically think of ancient Egyptian cat goddesses and cat gods? Probably. Do you think of any other cultures when it comes to cat goddesses, cat gods and worshipping cats? Probably not. But don’t worry, I’ve been guilty of this misconception, too: For many years, I believed that the ancient Egyptians were the only ones who revered, praised and even worshipped cats. But as I began exploring world mythology, I found that there’s a lot more to cats, deities, and miracles than I first thought.

Beyond all the folklore about beckoning cats, helpful cats, temple-guarding cats, prophets being kind to cats, and cats serving as omens and familiars, there are a tales surrounding cat goddesses and cat gods that we rarely hear about. Here are six tales about cat gods and cat goddesses that you might not know.

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Meet Xeli, the Airport Therapy Cat

Annie Butler Shirreffs  |  Feb 19th, 2019

Xeli is a certified therapy cat at Denver International Airport. Here’s how she’s working to ease anxiety and provide kitty cuddles for worried travelers.

Here’s a little confession: I’m terrified of flying. And I know I’m not alone. If you’re a nervous flier and happen to be flying out of Denver International Airport, keep an eye out for Xeli. She’s a therapy cat who puts travelers at ease by giving their moods a little boost, as well as relieving their tension and anxiety. Xeli is part of the airport’s Canine Airport Therapy Squad (CATS) — made up of more than 100 certified therapy dogs — that is, until Xeli joined as the first feline. She volunteers for two-hour shifts (with her human companion). You’ll recognize her by her blue, plaid Pet Me vest.

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