Understanding Cats

As we know, all cats are different, and how much they meow varies from cat to cat – some don’t make much noise at all, while some just love to chat. Similarly, some pet parents love ‘chatty’ cats, while some prefer a quieter kitty. Excessive meowing can mean different things to different pet parents, so it’s important to know whether your cat is just naturally talkative or if … [Read more...] about Excessive Meowing and What it Means

I’m sure your cats are like mine - they like to sleep, a lot - so when we see them yawning it’s easy to assume that they’re tired, bored, lazy or all of the above. Cats’ amazing physiology means that they can open their mouths much wider than us mere mortals can, so when your cat yawns you’ll get a really good view of the inside of his mouth in all its glory. One thing that is … [Read more...] about Why Do Cat’s Yawn?

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘the cat’s whiskers’ used to describe something that’s extraordinarily good, and when you realise everything your cat’s whiskers do, you'll understand why! Cats’ whiskers are twice as thick as their normal hairs, three times as deep and connected directly to their nerve endings, which makes them extremely sensitive. It’s not only the long … [Read more...] about Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?

‘But his voice has been heard on the roof When he was curled up by the fire. And he’s sometimes been heard by the fire When he was about on the roof’                   T.S.Eliot, ‘M. Mistoffelees’, from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, 1939 You may have your very own Mr … [Read more...] about Why Do Cats Hide? Dangerous Cat Hiding Places

We’ve all been there, it’s the middle of the night and you’re happily dreaming in the ‘land of nod’, only to be woken up by a crazy cat running laps around your duvet, meowing like mad, and only pausing to bat your nose with his paw. Although cats are nocturnal by nature, today’s domestic cat can adapt to our daily patterns; here are some ways that you can avoid the night-time … [Read more...] about Is Your Cat Keeping You Awake at Night?

If your cat likes to drink from the toilet, you’re probably wondering WHY? Why would a cat choose to drink toilet water when there’s a fresh bowl of water available to him? There are actually a number of reasons why your cat might prefer drinking from the toilet, so let’s discuss them, and look at what you can do to curb this behaviour. 1.   Water … [Read more...] about Help! Why Does my Cat Drink from the Toilet?

The bond between cat and pet parent is a wonderful thing, but what happens if it goes a step too far? Like dogs, cats can suffer from separation anxiety if they become over-attached to a human family member or even another companion animal. So, what should you do if your cat has separation anxiety? When Separation Anxiety Occurs Separation anxiety in cats most commonly … [Read more...] about How to Deal With Separation Anxiety in Cats

It’s common knowledge that dogs have pack structures and social hierarchies, but what about cats? Consider a group of big cats, such as lions, and how they live in the wild, ‘The Lion King’, anyone? Domestic cat families are no different. Although cats have individual personalities and social graces, and some cats seem to prefer a solitary lifestyle, you’ll certainly be able to … [Read more...] about Who’s the Boss? Cat Family Hierarchies

The domestic cat as we know him today is believed to be a descendant of African wild cats, and with the big cats such as lions and tigers often exhibiting similar behaviour to our beloved pets, it’s time to ask just how close is the link between them? In 2013, a scientific study discovered that tigers and domestic cats share over 95% of the same genes. Cats remain very close … [Read more...] about What Traits Have Domestic Cats Inherited From Wild Cats?

You’re sure you put that hair tie down somewhere, but now you can’t seem to find it. You turn your back on your dinner plate for a minute and there’s suddenly less food on it. You always seem to have one sock missing from a pair, where do they all go? If this sounds familiar, you may have a cunning cat burglar in the house. Why do cats steal things? How can I stop … [Read more...] about Kleptomaniac Kitties: Cats That Steal