-
Should I let my cat outside at night? Indoor or outdoor cat?
This subject can be contentious, for us it was an easy decision because we weren’t even planning on having a pet, let alone one that lived in the house. So when we rescued Misty we set her up in the garden room/shed, after the initial 7 weeks of getting her acclimatised to us and vice versa and making sure she was fit and healthy we gradually let her out during the day, supervised at first, but it soon became clear that it was impossible to contain her within our garden boundary. Whilst our daughter agonised at letting her out (and still does), we took this decision early on because we…
-
Why Does My Cat Meow? Understanding Cat Communication
Have you ever wondered what your cat is trying to tell you? Ever wondered how they communicate with each other? Cats are excellent at expressing their feelings and communicating their emotions very clearly to each other, and to humans. Here is your ultimate guide to cat communuication
-
Can cats help with anxiety? How having a cat can benefit us!
Various studies over the years have shown that owing a cat can indeed reduce stress, promote calmness and increase positivity which will contribute to reducing anxiety. Can cats help with anxiety? The short simple answer to this question, is YES! Cats can help with anxiety as well as our general health and well-being. Spending just 15 to 30 minutes of time with your cat can promote a feeling of wellness and calmness. What a beautiful way to lower stress levels and reduce anxiety by purely spending quality time interacting with your feline friend. How does a cat help with anxiety? So how exactly does owing a cat help with anxiety?…
-
Do cats eat newts? Tadpoles? Frogs? Butterflies? Ladybirds?
Now that our wildlife pond in the back garden is established, it is truly a joy to see so many different birds, animals and insects using the pond daily – and living in it! Happy that our pond was safe for our cats (see out article ‘Are ponds safe for cats?’), we were now faced with the opposite dilemma – would the new pond inhabitants and daily pond visitors be safe from our cats? Hunting is a natural instinct in all cats. Before cats were domesticated about 10,000 years ago, hunting was a means of survival. Being carnivores, hunting meat for food was critical to their existence. To the domesticated…
-
Is it ok to use second-hand items for your cat? Cat tree? Scratching post? Food & water bowls? Cat bed? Cat carrier?
Becoming more environmentally friendly is becoming a key factor in many of our lifestyle choices. We have already touched upon many ways we can become a more environmentally friendly cat owners in the article ’10 ways to become a green, environmentally friendly, eco friendly cat owner’. The article covers topics such as eco-friendly cat litter, making your own cat toys and upcycling objects for your cats to use and enjoy. In this article we will specifically explore whether it is okay to use various second-hand items for your cat. Using second-hand items can be cheaper and sometimes free items may be available. It produces less waste but will our cats…
-
Welsh names for cats! And their meanings! Enwau Cymraeg i gathod!
Choosing a name for your kitten or cat is as important as choosing a name for your child (in our opinion!). Their name often describes their look or personality. Choosing a name that has special cultural connections can be an important factor too. Here we have compiled a list of our favourite Welsh names for your cats, together with a brief explanation of the meaning of the name or its origin. Firstly, a list of the finest Welsh names for the male cats. Welsh names for male cats Abel A beautiful biblical name, Abel was the second son of Adam and Eve. Alffi A shortened version of Alfred.…
-
Best toys for kittens. Our top 9 toys for kittens!
Kittens have so much energy and they love to play! This can be a combination of play time with you, and time when they entertain themselves. It is important that kittens are provided with a stimulating and safe environment, to be entertained and to have their natural instincts satisfied. Spending a little time every day playing games with your kitten will boost your relationship and is a great way to get to know and understand each other better. Other benefits of play time with your kitten includes: Exercise for your kitten, helping their bones and muscles to develop and grow strong and healthy It can be a great tool for…
-
Can a cat and tortoise live together? Fish? Hamster? Mice? Chickens? Sheep?
Can a cat and tortoise live together? The short answer is, yes, cats and tortoises can live together. However, it is highly recommended that care and precautions are taken to ensure safety for both species. Cats and tortoises are not natural enemies, but neither are they naturally friends. There is likely to be an element of curiosity, wariness and they may simply just not know what to make of each other. Kittens are known to be very agile and playful and will investigate anything and everything that twitches or moves. Seeing a tortoise peeking its head from its shell will be an invite for an inquisitive kitten. A kitten could…
-
What is a Tomcat? And 9 other Tomcat questions answered
What is a Tomcat? A tomcat is a domesticated male cat. Specifically, they are sexually active adult male cats that have not been neutered. Because of this, they will roam in search of a female cat in heat. They will not hesitate to encroach on another male’s territory to seek a female to mate with. They will also not hesitate to fight if needed, to win the attention of a female. The name ‘Tom’ is believed to have been associated with young male kittens as far back as the 1300’s. But the term ‘Tomcat’ became widely used and recognised from 1760 onwards. It stems from a cat character in a…
-
Why do cats follow strangers?
Throughout my childhood I didn’t have a particularly close bond with cats. Having been brought up on a farm, there were always cats around, enjoying themselves keeping the mice population under control and coming in when it was cold to have a nap by the warm fire. I enjoyed their presence and company, but nothing compared to the bond I have developed with cats in my adult life. The journey from rescuing an abandoned kitten to today where it seems I am a fairy godmother to all stray cats is bizarre – but a truly beautiful one. But is there a reason for this? Why do cats seem attracted to…
-
Why does my cat follow me on walks?
I love starting the day with a brisk walk – fresh air, a walk amongst nature, what better way to kick start the day. But……if I’m not careful, I have a little friend who is keen to join me on my walk – our cat, Misty! This is completely fine if I’m just strolling around our garden or pottering outside but is it wise to allow my cat to follow me on longer walks? Why do cats follow their owners? Cats will follow their owners for various reasons: For attention What better way to get someone’s attention than to simply follow them until they do notice you! Whether it’s play,…
