Puss in Boots Packs Positive Cat Messages—and Fun

We took our daughter to see Puss in Boots during the Canned Food Film Festival this weekend, in which you can get free movie tickets in exchange for canned goods. It seemed as if the festival itself were smaller than usual, which is too bad since we usually raise a lot of cans for the food pantry. The staff seemed pretty cranky, too, which was weird. Anyhow, the movie itself was very enjoyable, and I’m glad we went to see it. (Spoilers ahead.)

It had a male lead, with mostly male characters—go figure—but we had a couple of female protagonists and a main female villain, too, which was cool. The female cat was powerful and clever, which was very welcome; however, she did use “feminine wiles” to get what she wanted, which I didn’t like. I also didn’t like how Puss kept mentioning what a good lover he was, which wasn’t that appropriate for a kids’ film. All of that said, I still enjoyed the movie quite a bit.

There weren’t really any deaths (save for Humpty Dumpty, who was shown alive at the end—so you never know), and most of the “bad guys” redeemed themselves at the end, which I love because life is not black and white, and I don’t like the common portrayal of the evil villain versus the good guy as being end-all, be-all because that’s not how life really is. Kids learn that people are just bad or good, which isn’t true; there’s both qualities in all of us, and I love it when the antagonist makes amends much more than when he/she gets locked up or killed.

The movie is also filled with funny sequences—particularly regarding cat behavior!—and will make most children smile. In our group of five, I know we all laughed aloud several times. But one thing that surprised me about the movie was a message that was in it about declawing cats.

I have always been against declawing cats because that’s their last line of defense. What if you die, or there’s a fire, or you are otherwise separated and your cat has to fend for him or herself, catch food, and survive in general? Those claws are needed! In the film, the female cat has been declawed by her previous owners, and she speaks about how confused it left her, how she didn’t know what she did wrong to lose her claws. Puss empathizes with her and calls cat people crazy. That’s not necessarily true (well, not all of the time!), but I did like how they stressed how cats need their claws throughout the film, and how it impacted this cat. I hope a lot of cat lovers (and future ones) took this message home and to heart after the film.

The Sophisticated Siamese

Known for their unique coloring and propensity toward being very chatty, the beautiful Siamese makes an excellent pet and is considered to be one of the most outgoing breeds of cats in the world.  The beautiful colors of their eyes and their unique markings makes them even more desirable.

Siamese bond closely with their families and make a great lifelong companion.  Going against the normal cat behavior of being aloof and indifferent, Siamese are similar to dogs in their devotion and love for their people.  When you come home from work, your Siamese may very well beat the dogs to the door to greet you!

Our neighbors have two Siamese cats, and I get a kick out of watching everyone go for a walk.  In addition to something like four dogs, they always have at least one of those two Siamese walking up and down our long driveway with them.  Sometimes the cats will stop and wait for their people to turn around and begin heading back, but they love to be part of the action and go out every time their people walk.

Siamese are very social, but they are also extremely intelligent.  This gives Siamese a more human-like personality and can make them very entertaining to be around.  They can learn tricks, love to play and be active, and especially love to snuggle up next to their people for a long snooze.

If you are looking for a fun, entertaining and intelligent pet, look around for a Siamese to add to your family.  You will never lack for entertainment and cuddles.

Choosing the Purr-fect Cat for Your Home

Being a cat person, I am not picky about which kitties live in my home. Instead, I let them choose me. All of my current purr-balls were strays that showed up on my doorstep. It is almost as if I have a sign that says "Homeless Kitties Welcome" hanging on my back porch.

For the rest of the world, however, picking the purr-fect cat for your household can be a challenge. When you see all of the cute, furry faces that need a new home, how will you know which one will fit in best with your family?

Personality

The first thing to consider when looking for a new cat is its personality. Some kitties are very outgoing, while others tend to be quite shy. There are cats who love to play, and cats who would rather spend their free time curled up in your lap. For multi-pet households, you need to find a cat who can quickly adapt to other animals. If you have children, you need one that can tolerate rough playing. Take the time to meet a few cats before you make a decision.

Gender

After finding a kitten that you adore, the gender is the next priority. Male cats tend to be more aggressive and outgoing. Female kitties like to be cuddled and petted. Of course, this is a generalization, and not all cats follow this pattern. Spaying and neutering will make both sexes more relaxed. I recommend bringing home a female cat to a house that already has a boy kitty, and vice versa. In my experience, it is more difficult to socialize two girl cats than it is to introduce males. They tend to be cattier - pun intended.

Type

In the world of cats, there are two main types - long-haired and short-haired. For first time cat owners, I always suggest choosing a short-haired kitty. They require a lot less grooming and maintenance. If you own a long-haired cat, you need to brush your feline friend on a daily basis. Failure to do so will result in hair balls and matted fur.

Age

Sure, kittens are cute little balls of fluff, but older cats make great pets as well. Kittens require extra play time, and they are more curious. They will get into everything under the sun, so only choose one if you have the time to teach and monitor it. Older cats are more set in their ways. They need less training, and they will provide years of purring and love to their owners. Be aware, however, that it is harder to introduce an older cat to another adult kitty.

The next time you are on the market for a new furbaby, take the time to consider these factors. I also urge everyone to find their next pet at a shelter. You will be making a new friend and saving a life at the same time.

Are Longhaired Cats Smarter?

"So, what is it about longhaired cats?"

Growing up, we had a wide variety of cats.  They would come and go because we lived in an area with lots of strays, so there always seemed to be a new face prowling around.  As a result, I got to know a lot of cat personalities.  There was Mama Kitty, our longhaired black cat who was not only very smart but friendly and beautiful too.  Her son, Seth, only lived to seven before succumbing to kidney failure.  He was longhaired and black too.

As a teenager, my first true love gave me Junior, who was renamed Ju-Ju by my toddler niece.  He was short haired and uncut, so he spent his time picking fights and jumping on the counter to tear into loaves of bread.  He ran off one day and was briefly spotted several years later, living wild on the farm.  After Ju-Ju, Seymour became my best friend and the sweetest, smartest cat I have ever known.  He lived to be a teenager, but lost a battle to cancer.  Did I mention he was longhaired too?

After I moved out on my own, I had a few cats through the years.  Most of these had short hair and short brains.  As I recall all of the cats who influenced my life the most, it seems to me they all have one thing in common – long hair.  Sure, we had several shorthaired cats through those years, and almost without exception, they were problem cats who didn’t use the litter box, jumped on the counter, or met untimely deaths by cars or coyotes.

So, what is it about longhaired cats?  Is it just my luck?  Are shorthaired cats more feral and closer to their wild ancestors?  What’s the deal, cat people?  Why are all the best cats longhaired?

Cats vs Dog

Can Fluffy and Fido Really Get Along?

As the Crazy Cat Lady, I never fathomed having a dog in my home. That all changed one faithful afternoon, however, when the most pathetic rat terrier mix was found wandering the streets. After exhausting all options, I was never able to locate the owner of this dog. All of my kitties were strays, so it was only appropriate that I add a stray pup to the mix as well.

After bringing in a dog, I was worried about how my cats and the pooch would get along. I was afraid that the super hyper pup would try to harm the kitties. Would my cats try to attack her? Would the dog want to have them for lunch? I knew that it was going to take some hard work to teach these enemies to coexist.

During the he first week of living with the dog, I kept her and the cats separated at all times. The dog stayed in her room whenever the cats were free and vice versa. Being super smart creatures, the cats knew that there was a dog in their presence, but for the most part, they just continued on with their routine.

Soon, I began to realize that I could not live in an environment where the two species were kept separated. The kitties were quickly realizing that I was only enticing them to my bedroom with treats just to release the hound. I couldn't leave my pup in the back room away from human interaction too much. They had to finally meet.

The meeting...

When I finally decided to let the cats and dog come face to face, I kept the dog on a leash. That way she would not be able to attack my beloved felines. To my surprise, however, the dog was WAY more afraid of the cats. I guess I should mention that she is much smaller than all of the cats. She cowered away, and the cats soon made their dominance clear.

Once I felt comfortable that no one was going to devour the other, I took the dog off of her leash. All she wanted to do was sit on the couch - away from the cats. No blood was shed. PHEW!

Fast forward to a few months later, and things are still going well. I have one cat that will actually play fetch with the dog. He runs so much faster than the pup. The other cats will kick the dog off of the couch when they want my attention. At night, the cats are allowed to roam free, while the dog must retire to her crate. When I leave the house, I lock up the dog in her room to avoid any problems, although I do not think anything bad would happen. The cats are still the main creatures in my house, but it is nice to see them accept this wild pup into their habitat.

Now, if I could only get the dog to use the litter box...

What the Cat Tastes

If your cat can’t tastes sweets then why is he always licking cupcakes?

It is true, cats cannot in fact taste sweets. In fact, cats are the only mammal so far studied that is not been able to tastes sweets. Maybe this is why dog treats come shaped like biscuits and cookies but cat treats usually do not. Cats don’t get to taste the lovely flavor of sugary syrup thanks to the specie’s lineage of sole meat eaters. Other mammals like bears enjoy veggies and greens along with their kill while some animals only eat plants. Cats evolved from a line exclusive meat eaters who had no need for sugar tasting taste buds and thus today cats are truly only

interested in lapping up bacon fat, devouring tuna and maybe even catching a mouse or two if it fits into their busy schedule of napping in the sun.

In and of itself, cats not being able to taste sweets isn’t really a problem except that not all cat food manufacturers are savvy to the fact and still put sugary starches into their cat food thinking cats will like it. However, cats don’t really care for these ingredients and instead it does them damage by making them gain unnecessary weight. It is one thing to gain weight after enjoying the holiday season filled with pot roasts and cookies but it is totally different to gain weight without getting anything tasty from the mix. Cats have evolved to live on proteins, not sugary carbohydrates. So give your cat a break and aim for protein rich cat food, your kitty’s waistline will thank you.

Claws and Furniture Not Getting Along? Try Nail Clippers

One of the most infamous traits of cats is their amazing ability to completely destroy even the toughest upholstery on couches and chairs throughout the home.  It can be very easy to spot a home with cats in it by simply looking at the sides of furniture.  We had a blue rocking chair that was shredded up and down the back corners by those needle claws.

f your home is suffering ill effects from having sharp-clawed cats, there is an alternative to completely removing the claws.  You can easily, painlessly and inexpensively clip their toenails to keep them from damaging your household items.  A set of cat nail clippers will run you less than ten dollars, and will more than pay for itself in preserving your furniture.  Clipping your cat’s nails is not painful, either, so you do not have to feel bad about the quick trim job.

In addition to being quick and painless, clipping your cat’s nails will not render him or her defenseless against outdoor threats like declawing can do.  Your fearless friend will also be able to easily hunt as before and be able to use his claws the way he naturally does.

If clipping toenails is not the solution for you, you can always invest in a cat tree, which is basically a roll of cardboard covered in carpet that your cat can claw and climb on to his heart’s content.  You can get a basic model with a single stand on it for around $20-30, or go all-out and get an elaborate floor to ceiling cat tree with multiple levels and hidey-holes for upwards of $100.

Whether you de-claw or provide a cat tree, there are alternatives to having your furniture destroyed when you own cats.

Cat Toes

It is easy to get caught up in how cute and funny your cat’s toes look but there is more to their paws than just cuteness.

It might surprise you to know that most cats have five toes on their front little paws and just four toes on their hind paws. This imbalance is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about but there are also cats with the condition of extra toes known as polydactyl. If you are looking at your kitty’s paws right now and discovering for the first time that she is a polydactyl, have no fear, this condition is no harm to your cat’s health but there are some extra ways you can care for your unique cat’s feet.

The most common case with polydactyl kitty feet is that the cat has an extra two on her back paws evening out the ratio to ten toes in back and ten toes in front. However, it isn’t unheard of to have a cat with up to 8 toes. In fact, it is a common enough condition that there is a nickname for it: “Boston Thumb Cats”. Maybe Boston is rampant with 8 toed cats.

All fun aside, if you do discover an extra toe or two on your kitty be sure to take a little extra time when you are caring for her feet and nails. Sometimes the nail on the extra toe will grow crooked or hooked and can dig into your cat’s foot making her cranky and uncomfortable. Be sure to keep her nails trimmed and watch for any abnormalities in her walking. The majority of the time polydactyl cats have absolutely no problems.

The Rules of the Litter Box

Its about litter, cleaning, and having enough room!

Cats are known for being finicky creatures, so it is no surprise that many of them are extra picky about the condition of their litter box. In order to keep Fluffy from doing her business on your carpet or *gasp* in your bed, the potty has to meet her particular standards. No two - or in my case five - cats are alike. Once you learn how to make your picky, furry friend happy, you can avoid messes in the future.Rule #1 - Pick the Right Litter

Kitty litter comes in many shapes and forms - clay, scoopable, paper and even crystal. Now, selecting the right form of litter may sound easy, but with cats, nothing is ever that simple.

Clay litter is the original. It is somewhat difficult to scoop, and it does not control odors very well. It is the most inexpensive type on the market, with some bags only running a few bucks. Most cats quickly take to the clay, but I find that it does not work well in a multi-cat home. It just gets stinky way too soon.

Scoopable litter is my current fave. Both solid and liquid waste clump easily, so you can simply scoop the boxes on a daily basis. They can be scented, which some cats despise but others do not mind. The litter pieces are very tiny, and they are always tracked around the house - be prepared to vacuum frequently.

Paper litter has never been successful in my house. The cats refuse to use it. Some owners, however, do prefer it over the other types. It is often made out of recycled paper, making it a greener choice. It does an alright job soaking up urine, but does not work as well on solids.

The crystal litter has always intrigued me. I've used in the past. The blue crystals soak up the urine, and they turn green when it is time to change the litter box. With a house full of cats, however, the price is too high to justify buying on a recurring basis.

Rule #2 - Clean the Box Frequently

It always amazes me to hear people complain about their pets having accidents outside of their litter box, only to find out that the box is a filthy mess. Each time we use the toilet, we flush - I hope! I cannot imagine having to walk through my own waste several times a day. In my household, the litter boxes are scooped morning and night. If I don't, then one picky kitty will pee right by my dining room table.

As the litter gets low, replace it with fresh product. Once a month, the box needs to be completely emptied, rinsed and scrubbed. Nobody wants to walk into your house and smell cat poop.

Rule #3 - Have Multiple Boxes

As I have already stated multiple times, cats are super picky. They like to have more than one potty selection when nature calls. Some cats will do number one in a designated box and number two in another. For crazy cat lady households, like mine, with more than one kitty, the rule of thumb is to have one more litter box than number of cats. This is the best way to make everyone happy. Plus, they don't have to wait in a line to go.

My cats prefer open top boxes, but I think that is simply because they too fat to fit inside the other kind. Litter boxes with lids give cats more privacy, so go with that model if you have a shy kitty.

These basic rules are easy to follow. By simply giving your kitty a clean box with lots of options, you will not have to scrub avoidable accidents out of your carpet or furniture ever again.

Airport Fiasco Ends in Tragic Death for Jack the Cat

In a story that has outraged many across the country, Jack the cat has succumbed to the ill effects of being lost in the John F. Kennedy International Airport for several weeks after a baggage handler inadvertently caused his pet carrier to tip over, spilling unfortunate Jack out to freedom in the large New York airport.

Jack wandered the JFK airport for two months, and was finally discovered just over two weeks ago.  He was wounded, malnourished and in rough shape when he was found, despite food and water dishes being placed throughout the airport.  To its credit, American Airlines hired a pet detective in an attempt to find Jack, but he proved elusive.While many people are quick to lay the blame on American Airlines, there were many factors involved in Jack’s escape and ultimate demise.  The baggage carrier set his crate on top of another, and when it tipped over, the crate separated.  Unless there is more to the story, it seems to me the crate should have been made a little sturdier.  Also, they put out food and water, hired a professional to help locate Jack, and offered to pay his vet bills once he was found.

While it is a sad tragedy and my heart goes out to owner Karen Pascoe, I don’t think there is any blame to be laid.  Sometimes terrible things happen at the fault of no one.  While I am quick to hate when it comes to corporations, I think American Airlines did all they could in this situation.

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