Cat Wellbeing
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Do indoor cats need outside time? Why does my cat refuse to go outside?
The indoor versus outdoor cat is a hugely debatable issue amongst cat owners. We’ve previously explored the advantages and disadvantages of both options in our article ‘Should I let my cat outside at night? Indoor or outdoor cat’. It really is a personal decision, and factors such as where you live, your cat’s personality and what they are used to are all factors that cat owners consider when making this decision. We have a rather unique arrangement whereby one of our cats, Misty, is an outdoor daytime cat. She is let out in the morning and returns early afternoon. Misty is then kept in the safety of the indoors overnight.…
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Where should my cat sleep? Where do cats sleep outside?
We all appreciate a good night’s sleep. Everything feels and works so much better after a peaceful night of good quality uninterrupted sleep. Which got us wondering. Do cats feel better after a good night sleep? Is the location and type of bed a factor that enhances the quality of their life? This article will explore the how and the why of ensuring the best sleep for cats. Where should my cat sleep? There are several factors to consider when deciding where is best suited for your cat’s dedicated sleeping area; Somewhere Warm The position of their bed, or indeed any of their resting places, needs to be away from…
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Can cats get fleas from mice? Homeopathic & natural remedies for cat fleas
Just hearing or saying the word fleas can cause us to start itching! It’s no wonder that as cat owners we will therefore do everything we possibly can to prevent our cat from catching fleas. Despite their tiny size, just a few millimeters in length, fleas can cause a great deal of discomfort causing bites and irritation to the skin. They also carry other parasites such as tapeworm. Therefore, avoiding fleas is a priority for cat owners. But where do fleas come from? How do cats get them? Can cats get fleas from mice? The short answer is Yes, cats can get fleas from mice. Cat fleas are one…
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Why do cats have tails? Do cats like their tails stroked?
We love seeing our cats walking around at home, tails high up, coming up to us and rubbing against our legs. But surely there is more to a cat’s tail than this cute strut and tail swishing. A cat’s tail, often referred to as a fifth limb, has many important functions. The tail is a sensitive part of the cat and is very reactive. The tail of a cat is useful for the following roles: Communication Balance A sense of touch For safe landing For hunting Tail for communication Cat language is a combination of tail position, facial expression, vocal and scenting messages. Like in many other species, the…
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Do I need to brush / groom my cat? An introductory guide
Cats are very clean animals and seem pretty self-sufficient when it comes to grooming. But with so many cat grooming products on the market, clearly designed for pet owners to help their cats with grooming, it raises the question if this is something that we need to help our cats with? So, do we need to brush our cats? The short answer is YES, we do need to brush our cat in order to help them with their grooming habits. It is easy to assume that cats do not need any assistance in keeping their fur clean and tidy as they seem to spend a great deal of time grooming…
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Has my cat eaten her kittens? And helpful ways to support a mother cat
Before Misty, our cat, had her kittens, this question would never have crossed my mind let alone trying to find answers to it! But our cats do like to test us at times as I’m sure many of you will agree. Misty had a smooth, unaided birth and all seemed well with Misty and her two beautiful little kittens. They were safe in their caravan (yes, the cats have their own special caravan!) and all three were settled and happy. But, a few days later, we went into the caravan one morning and the kittens were nowhere to be seen. We couldn’t hear them, couldn’t find them and we searched…
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How fast can a cat run? What is a cat running wheel?
We’ve seen both our cats running at what seems to be extremely fast speeds. Sometimes it seems for fun, and other times they are running back to the safety of the indoors. Whatever the reason it certainly sparked our curiosity as to how fast can a cat actually run? A domestic cat can run as fast as 30 miles per hour (48 kilometres per hour)! This is not a speed they can maintain for a long time, more a short spurt of speed. A cat can usually run at their top speed only for a minute or so before needing to stop. To compare this with how fast a human…
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Creating the ultimate cat friendly garden – 10 top tips
Whether your cat is allowed to roam freely outdoors, or has outside access on a harness, or you are looking to fully secure your garden so your cat can access without wandering away, there are many things that can be done to ensure your garden is a safe haven for your cat. Many of these things are simple, inexpensive and easy changes or additions. They will enhance the garden experience for your cat. By ensuring most of these are included in your garden, there is a greater chance that your cat will be happier within the garden boundary and less likely to wander further afield. The top ten tips for…
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Can cats see close up? Can cats see In the dark? Can cats See color?
We give our cats some tasty treats every now and then, but it seems bizarre that even though the treats are right in front of them they can’t see them! They certainly can smell them because their noses start twitching and they immediately try to locate the treat. But it is their sense of smell that seems to lead them to their treat rather than their sense of vision. Is it a myth that cats can see really well? Can cats see close up? Despite been super hunters, cats cannot see very close objects. There is a limit to a cat’s near vision. Cats have rather large eyes in relation…
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Can cats sense a storm? And how to keep cats calm if they are anxious
If only cats could talk! Sometimes their behaviour seems strange and out of character for no apparent reason. And then in hindsight we ponder, was it because of this or that? And that is precisely how we’ve noticed our cats before a storm. Before the skies darken, before the wind starts howling, the cats are curled up safe and sound. Misty has often come home early from her outdoor adventures or has seemed particularly keen to return to the safety of the indoors. Coincidence, or can cats indeed sense that a storm is on its way? Can cats sense a storm? Cats behaviour in changing weather conditions has been observed,…