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Why Cats Have Trouble Losing Weight down.

Why Cats Have Trouble Losing Weight

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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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How to Stop a Male Cat from Spraying Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS Spraying is communicative behavior male cats engage in for a variety of reasons. As the urine emitted in spraying is pungent, and can cause stains to furniture and carpets, spraying can be a problem for many cat owners. If your cat is spraying, there are a variety of ways to correct the issue.

How to Stop a Male Cat from Spraying

Co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Spraying is communicative behavior male cats engage in for a variety of reasons. As the urine emitted in spraying is pungent and can cause stains to furniture and carpets, spraying can be a problem for many cat owners. If your cat is spraying, there are a variety of ways to correct the issue.

Know the difference between spraying and urinating. Spraying, or urine marking, is communicative behavior that can be caused by a variety of factors. Urinating, however, is usually due to need and can often be attributed to a litter box issue alone.

• Spraying marks are found on vertical surfaces as a cat sprays by backing up into an object. They also have less volume than simple urinating.
• The urine emitted during spraying will smell stronger as the cat releases certain chemicals to send messages to other cats.^[1]
• Spraying is more common in un-neutered males, multiple cat households, and in households where there have recently been changes.^[2]

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Train Your Kitty to Walk with a Cat Harness and Leash

Sandy Robins  |  Feb 20th 2019

A cat harness and leash allows you to enjoy the outdoors safely with kitty in tow. We've got a few pro tips on how to train a cat to leash up.

Training a cat to walk on a leash enriches her lifestyle by safely allowing her to enjoy the sights and sounds of the great outdoors. It’s also an excellent way of revving up her exercise routine. There’s no question that a cat’s personality plays an important role in deciding if she’s game for a fresh-air challenge and being strapped into a cat harness. An adventurous cat will probably embrace a cat harness and the walks that follow, while skittish scaredy-cats may resist, preferring the view from the kitty condo instead.

And, it goes without saying that it’s easier to introduce a cat harness to a kitten than to an adult cat. Either way, patience is key. Cats do everything at their own pace.

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Your Cat Meowing at Night? Reasons Why and What to Do

Angie Bailey  |  Feb 5th, 2019 

What can you do about a cat meowing at night? And why do cats meow at night in the first place? Here's how to get a good night's sleep with your cats.

night's sleep with your cats.

’s after midnight, and you wake up to your cat meowing. This scenario presents a couple of complications: 1) your cat’s indicating she has needs that aren’t being met and 2) you’re losing precious sleep. What to do? Thankfully, there are a few possible solutions, but let’s first look at some reasons for a cat meowing at night.

Why is your cat meowing at night?

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