Happy Halloween, Cat Lovers!

 Happy Halloween, Cat Lovers!

Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31.  The word Halloween is a shortening of All Hallows Evening also known as Hallowe'en or All Hallows' Eve.

Traditional activities include trick-or-treating, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses" and carving jack-o-lanterns.

Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture. Samhain was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and prepare for winter. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead overlapped and the deceased would come back to life and cause havoc such as sickness or damaged crops.  

Masks and costumes were worn in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or appease them.

Trick-or-treating, is an activity for children on or around Halloween in which they proceed from house to house in costumes, asking for treats such as confectionery with the question, "Trick or treat?" The "trick" part of "trick or treat" is a threat to play a trick on the homeowner or his property if no treat is given. Trick-or-treating is one of the main traditions of Halloween. It has become socially expected that if one lives in a neighborhood with children one should purchase treats in preparation for trick-or-treaters. 

There is no reason our cats can't be apart of this festive day. We like to dress our pets up in costumes as well as ourselves.

*This information was gathered from http://www.halloweenhistory.org/

Cat Breeds: Ocicat

Ocicat

The Ocicat is a relatively new breed of cat that resulted from an accidental mating in the 1960’s. A seal point Siamese and a Usual Abyssinian were mated in an attempt by Virginia Daly of the Dalai Cattery in America to produce an Abyssinian pointed Siamese. One of the resultant kittens then bred back to a chocolate point Siamese. The kittens from that mating were an assortment of colours and coat patterns but one kitten had an amazing coat with gold spots on an ivory background and looked like the wild Ocelot, hence the name Ocicat. Mrs Daly continued to breed Ocicats and introduced the American Shorthair into the breeding programme, which brought the lovely silver colours and strong musculature and bone. By the early 1980’s the Ocicat was increasing in popularity and the breed gained provisional status in America and outcrosses to any breed except Abyssinian was stopped. The breed achieved Championship status in America in 1987. In 1988 the first Ocicats arrived in Britain and they have grown in popularity here as they have in the USA.

Bert

The Ocicat was named because of its resemblance to the Ocelot, a wild cat with a spotted coat. But it is not just the coat pattern that contributes to the wild look but the natural graceful lithe and agile movement that these cats show when in action. They display many similarities to the wild cats when hunting even pretend prey or when racing around for fun. The Ocicat is a medium to large cat with a well-spotted coat.

Although Ocicats have been bred to look like wild cats their temperament does not reflect this. They are very intelligent and playful, curious and friendly and never show any aggressiveness. They prefer, like all active cats, to have company and are very happy with human companions but if the humans are out at work all day another Ocicat is their favourite playmate. The Ocicat is very adaptable and they will be quite happy with an indoor gymnasium of scratching post and stairs.
 
Tune In Next Tuesday for more information on different Cat Breeds!  
 *This information was gathered from Purina.com 

The reason cats climb is...

The reason cats climb is so that 

they can look down on almost 

every other animal - it's also the 

reason they hate birds.

- K.C. Buffington

Can cats be left-pawed and right-pawed?

It is believed that only about 13 percent of the world's human population is left-handed. Genetics are believed to be primarily responsible for this trait because left-handedness can definitely "run in the family". In fact, a gene that researchers believe is responsible for left-handedness has now been isolated.

Most left-handed people are much more likely to be creative. Most left-handers are visual thinkers who excel in creative fields like art and music. They are also more likely to excel in ball sports and at tasks that involve three-dimensional thinking and hand-eye coordination.

Does "handedness" apply to pets, too? Can cats be "left-pawed" or "right-pawed"?

The answer is "YES"!

Animals have a preferred side, meaning your cat may be "right-pawed" or "left-pawed". If he is a male, studies show that he is most likely "left-pawed". If your cat is a female, she is most likely to be "right-pawed".

Studies have tried to determine common characteristics of cats and dogs based on "pawedness". Discovery News reported a study on paw use that was done on 42 domestic cats (21 male and 21 female). It found that in simpler tasks, a definite paw preference might not emerge – but in more complex tasks, a strong paw preference exists in cats based on sex.

Most female cats and dogs prefer to use the right front paw while male cats and dogs prefer to use their left front paw. But in tests of pets that had been beutered, "pawedness" could not be determined by gender (the neutered animals showed no preference to one paw over the other).

Is your cat a "righty" or a "lefty"? Here is an easy test that can help you find out. 
 You must do the test many times watching for a "repeat" pattern. Clinical trials perform each test about 100 times, but a sample of 10 to 20 tests should provide a fair indication.

Take the tube from a roll of paper towels and tape both ends into place on the floor.

Place a treat in front of the tube where your cat can easily get to it.

After your cat eats the treat, put another treat inside the tube where your cat will have to "reach in" to get it. See which paw your cat uses to get the treat.

Click on the video below to see a demonstration of this type of "testing" for Pawedness in Cats. It was done by a sixth grader as a project for a school science fair. 

*This information was gathered from www.petplace.com 

It's okay to be a cat guy. Meet the Biker Cat.

It's okay to be a cat guy. 

We would like you to meet Christopher Coppola and his Biker Cat.

"Cats always land on their feet"

Cats are amazing! They're so graceful and seem to leap and pounce with incredible skill. As a cat lover, I am sure that you are fully aware of the remarkable acrobatics that your feline friends are capable of. 

I know you have heard the saying "cats always land on their feet" but have you ever wondered why that is?

Contrary to popular belief, falling cats do not always land on their feet. In fact, every day cats sustain serious injuries from falling out of open windows, off balconies, and from rooftops. Cats do not fear heights and will often leap after a bird or out of a window only to find themselves falling through the air. 

If a cat falls a short distance, he can usually right himself and land on his feet. If he falls more than one or two floors, however, he may sustain injury. Although they can generally right themselves, the legs and feet cannot absorb the shock. Whether or not a cat lands on its feet depends on several factors, including the distance they fall and the surface on which they fall onto.

The trauma sustained from a fall of over two stories (24 to 30 feet) is known as high-rise-syndrome. High-rise syndrome is more common in built up areas. Studies done on cats that have fallen from 2 to 32 stories show that the overall survival rate is a surprising 90 percent. Strangely, cats that fall from a height under 6 stories have more severe trauma than those that fall from over 6 stories. One theory is that cats reach terminal velocity at about 5 stories, and at this point they relax, allowing a more distributed force of impact and less severe injuries. When cats land before reaching top speed, they are rigid and flexed and prepared for the landing. This results in most of the force impacting the parts of the body that hit initially. Read up on High-Rise-Sydrome for more information.

In a study from the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, two veterinarians examined 132 cases of cats that had fallen out of high-rise windows. On average, the cats fell 5.5 stories, but 90 percent survived, although many suffered severe injuries. The number of broken bones and injuries increased with the number of stories the cat had fallen – up to seven stories. Above seven stories, however, the number of injuries declined. In other words, the farther the cat fell, the better the chances of escaping injury were.

It's instinctive for both humans and animals to tense their muscles when free-falling, which makes them more susceptible to injury. When cats land before reaching top speed, they are rigid and flexed and prepared for the landing. This results in most of the force impacting the parts of the body that hit initially. However, after reaching terminal velocity, cats relax their muscles and spread themselves out like flying squirrels. This allows the impact of the fall to be spread across a larger surface area. 

Your cat may be able to survive a fall – but, then again, he might not. You never know ... and prevention is better than a visit to your veterinary clinic.

*This information was gathered from Dr. Jon at www.petplace.com

Toxic Plants: Hibiscus

It's something that doesn't usually cross our minds, but some common plants in our houses and around our gardens are in fact toxic to our furry friends.

Hibiscus

 

With their beautiful flowers, hibiscus plants can add a burst of color to your home. While they are not dangerous to humans, hibiscus plants are toxic to cats. If your cat ingests any part of the hibiscus plant, they can experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and anorexia.

You should consult your vet immediately if you have any concerns. 

Tune in next Thursday for more information on toxic plants. 

*This information was gathered from www.aspca.org/

Are cats lazy?

Are cats lazy? ... Which one of us 

has not entertained the dream of 

doing just as he likes, when and how 

he likes, and as much as he likes?

- Fernand Mery

Murphy

Cat Breeds: Norwegian Forest

Norwegian Forest

The Norwegian Forest Cat originates in Scandinavia. It is an old breed and is mentioned in Norse legend as the fairy cat and in Scandinavian fairy tales as the troll cat. The breed is believed to originate from the shorthair cats brought by the Vikings from Great Britain and longhair cats brought by the Crusaders to Scandinavia, which then mated with local farm and feral cats. The breed’s origin in the cold north of Scandinavia has meant that it is well adapted to the cold winters and is rugged and hardy. The best adaptation to the climate is the double coat, which keeps out the wind and the snow and is quick drying. It is an excellent climber and is able to reach many places that other cats could not get to. The breed was first recognized in Norway in 1930 and first appeared at cat shows in 1938. At first no cats were allowed to be exported but latterly the breed has achieved international recognition.

The Norwegian Forest Cat is a large but elegant breed with a semi longhair coat. The breed is slow developing and may not be mature until four years of age. They have large eyes and may be any colour regardless of the colour of the coat. The ears have tufts and long hair flowing out of the ears. The body is long, muscular and strongly built with solid bone structure. There are tufts of hair between the toes.

 Norwegian Forest Cats love people and thrive on human company. They are very friendly and playful and extremely intelligent. They do not like to be left alone for any length of time and are very demanding of affection. They are used to an outdoor life and are well adapted to roam outside but they can be very happy as indoor cats provided they have plenty of room to move about.  


Tune In Next Tuesday for more information on different Cat Breeds!  
*This information was gathered from Purina.com

Cat Law: Always give generously

Cat Law: Always give generously.

A small bird or rodent left on

the bed tells them, I care.

Max

Crazy for Catnip

 Is your cat crazy for Catnip?

Cats of all sizes, from domesticated tabbies to mountain lions, have been known to roll over, rub their faces, and twist their bodies in patches of the aromatic herb Catnip. Researches report that up to 70 percent of cats exposed to catnip display some type of reaction and that the level of response appears to be influenced by genetics.  Kittens don't appreciate catnip until they are at least 6 weeks old and about 30 percent of adult cats show no reaction at all. Different cats, even from the same litter, can display different responses to catnip, ranging from no reaction to total bliss to irritability.

Rafi playing with Catnip Toys

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) is a member of the mint family. The oil from catnip leaves contains a chemical called nepetalactone, the odor of which closely resembles a substance present in a female cat's urine. Researchers do not know how the stimulus works, but the depetalactone must be inhaled to reach the vomeronasal smell receptors and trigger a reaction. Most cats will rub their chins and cheeks or roll their entire bodies in catnip, while some cats lick and chew it. The effects last, on average, from five to fifteen minutes.

A pinch or two of fresh or dried catnip is enough to bring out the wild antics in your cat. It is interesting to note that this psychosexual response cannot be triggered again for at least another hour after being exposed to catnip. For some reason, cats need some time between servings of catnip to reset their senses. Offer your cats some catnip about 20minutes before bedtime. The herb should stimulate them to do enough exercise to become tired enough to sleep through the night.

Coco Playing with Catnip Toys

I recommend that you treat your cat to toys filled with organic catnip, the highest quality of this feline-favorite herb. Store loose catnip in an airtight, dry container out of direct sunlight. Do not keep catnip in the refrigerator because cold and damp will weaken the herb's potency.

You might try making a cup of fresh steeped catnip tea for yourself. For humans, catnip works as a sedative, not a stimulant, making it a perfect choice to help us fall into dreamland.

*This information was gathered from "The Cat Behavior Answer book" by Arden Moore

They See Me Rolling

Why walk when you can hitch a ride. 

At a turtles pace you can check out the views.

How important are your Cat's Whiskers?

Smudgy

How important are whiskers? After all, a cat without whiskers would be quite an odd-looking creature. These wispy strands give our cats that unique feline look. Are they just about looks though, or do whiskers actually serve a purpose in our tiny household tigers?

Our cats may no longer be fending for themselves, so using whiskers to hunt shouldn't be a necessity. It's said that if a cat's whiskers touch a mouse in the dark, the cat reacts with the speed and precision of a mousetrap. But if they're not hunting mice, they don't need them, right? As it turns out, that's not exactly the case. 

Whiskers serve as delicate sense organs of touch and are the equivalent to our fingertips. These whiskers are sensitive to vibrations in air currents: As the air moves, the whiskers vibrate, and cats use messages in these vibrations to sense the presence, size and shape of nearby objects.

Marvin

Cats have about 24 moveable whiskers, twelve on either side of his nose, arranged in four rows in a pattern as individual as our fingerprints. The strongest and thickest are in the middle rows. Small groups of whiskers are situated on other parts of the body as well: high on the outer edges of the cheeks, above the eyes, and on the back of the front legs.

Whiskers are more than twice as thick as ordinary hairs, and their roots are set three times deeper. They are connected to muscle, which allows them to be moved backwards and forwards, and the bottom two rows can move independently of the top two. Whiskers are richly supplied with nerve endings, making each an intricate receptor that allows your cat to sense even the smallest changes in the environment, such as air currents, changes in air pressure,temperature or wind direction.

Astro

 
It's a misconception that cats can see in the dark. Their night vision is better than ours, but it is the whiskers that allow him to get around in the dark. Interestingly, cats that are born blind grow longer and thicker whiskers than sighted cats and they use them to a greater extent. In fact, kittens in the womb grow their whiskers before any other hair, and at birth they are fully functional, while the ears and eyes are not.

The whiskers are the same width as your cat's body and are used as locators by judging how wide a place is before entering, consequently helping him to determine whether he can fit through small spaces. The length of the whiskers are genetically predetermined, so if your cat becomes fatter, he will lose this function.

Hunting cats can move their whiskers back and forth to collect information about the prey. For example, whiskers can reach forward to give information about the captive creature in their mouths. Your cat can determine if the prey is still alive so that he can apply an accurate killing bite. He also knows whether or not he can put the captured animal down. A cat whose whiskers have been damaged may bite the wrong part of the mouse he's attacking.

Jerry

Whiskers help protect the cat's eyes. Any touch to the whiskers stimulates an eye blink. Whiskers are so sensitive that your cat does not like to have them touched. Because they are so sensitive, whiskers can also be a bother. For example, they sometimes touch the sides of the eating dish if it is not wide enough, and your cat may stop eating rather than experience these irritating sensations.

Take time to notice your cat's whiskers. Their position are an indication of your cat's mood. When your cat is feeling affection his whiskers will point forward and down, but when he feels aggressive, they will be forward and up. When angry or threatened, they will flatten back against the cheeks, while his stalking posture will keep them forward and tense.

Shawn

Your cat's whiskers are not just a part of his good looks; they fulfill functions of vital importance by supplying sensory information about his environment and his prey and are essential to his survival. If you pay attention, you will gain a deeper respect for the amazing sensitive world of your cat's whiskers. 



*This information was gathered from an article by Virginia Wells. "Whiskers:Your Cat's Finger on the World"

Toxic Plants: Grapefruit

A common fruit plant that many of us enjoy can have completely the opposite affect on cats and dogs.

Grapefruit

Citrus fruits such as the Grapefruit is toxic to both cats and dogs. These citrus fruits have a laxative effect causing diarrhea and vomiting. Other symptons can be depression and possible photo-sensitivity. The toxic principles in these delicious fruits are essential oils and psoralens.

You should consult your vet immediately if you have any concerns. 

Tune in next Thursday for more information on toxic plants. 

*This information was gathered from www.ehow.com/

Quick Thinking

Any cat that misses a 

mouse pretends it was 

aiming for the dead leaf.

- Charlotte Gray

Mimi

Cat Breeds: Manx

Manx

The tail-less Manx cat has been known for hundreds of years and there are various stories regarding its exact origins. Probably the oldest story is that when Noah closed the door of the Ark he shut it too quickly and chopped off the tail of the cat. Another story says that tail-less cats swam ashore to the Isle of Man from the wrecked galleons of the Spanish Armada in 1588. There is little doubt that the isolation of the island allowed the tail-less trait to be perpetuated but the tail-less-ness is the result of a genetic mutation possibly caused by inbreeding British Shorthairs. The true or ‘rumpy’ Manx has only a small hollow where the tail would have been, although cats with residual tails are born. These are called ‘stumpies’, ‘stubbies’, or ‘longies’ depending on the length of the tail. The mutant gene that causes the tail-less-ness may also be responsible for other skeletal deformities and when two completely tail-less ‘rumpies’ are mated together the offspring are often born dead or die shortly after birth. The spines of Manx almost always show other deformities, sometimes the vertebrae are shorter than normal and in the lower part of the spine they tend to fuse together and they may be fewer in number. 

There is a school of thought that maintains that cats with such deformities should not be promoted or bred from but the other side of the argument maintain that the cats have bred naturally since the 1500’s and therefore are obviously strong enough to survive without human help. Despite its skeletal deformities the Manx cat is accepted and recognized by the GCCF in Britain and can be shown at all major UK cat shows.

The Manx cat closely resembles the British Shorthair in type with the obvious exception of the tail.The eyes are large and round and the eye color is in keeping with the coat color.

The Manx are good natured and affectionate and love a cuddle. They are good with children and other animals and seem to be especially good with dogs. They make ideal family pets and are very adaptable to family life. They are often more than happy to be indoor cats. 


Tune In Next Tuesday for more information on different Cat Breeds!  

*This information was gathered from Purina.com 

Colorful Characteristics

Joan Miller, all-breed Cat Fanciers' Association judge, is an expert on feline personality traits. While there is no scientific evidence to validate why cats with orange in their coats can act a little "nuts" compared to their solid black litter mates, many cat lovers agree that calicos, tortoiseshells, and female red tabbies often display extra feistiness and spunk.

Miller reports that a "theory of the orange gene" is somehow connected to personality traits. She points out that the Cheshire Cat in the children's classic Alice In Wonderland was a red tabby. And we know how nuts he was!

The orange gene is sex-linked (X) and not on the same chromosome as all the other color genes. Therefore it is possibly only for female cats, because they have two X genes, to have black and orange coat colors at the same time. Males with their XY chromosomes, can be black or orange, but not both. This means that calico and tortoiseshell cats are always female - and female cats are often not as mellow as males anyway.

Mint Spice

*This information was gathered from "The Cat Behavior Answer Book" By Arden Moore

It is a great honor...

It is a great honor when 

Cats allow us to love them.

(Celia Peterson)

Chico sharing the love

 

Rock-A-By-Baby

Cat's are extremely smart and consider themselves gods and goddess' and therefore believe humans to be their slaves, however I think in this situation everyone is a winner.

While the Cat and Baby keep each other entertained Mum is free to concentrate on making the kitties life perfect so its win win for everyone involved.

Living Longer Lives

 Living Longer Lives

Most veterinarians would say that cats are living longer lives today, and more advances have been made in the last twenty years in feline medicine than in any previous time. We know more about nutrition, kidney disease, lower urinary tract disease, infectious diseases, and senior cat health than we knew a generation ago. We have excellent vaccines available to prevent the diseases that kill kittens. We have much better treatments for common chronic diseases of middle-aged and senior cats, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism.

Alexi - 17 years young

Here at Cooinda Cat Resort, we administer all types of medication including insulin for diabetics, tablets, ointments, Creams & drops, etc. We also clean teeth, bathe wounds and administer a variety of other treatments where necessary.

Toxic Plants: Geranium

It's something that doesn't usually cross our minds, but some common plants in our houses and around our gardens are in fact toxic to our furry friends.

Geranium

Geraniums are popular flowering plants and may be grown indoors in sunny locations or outdoors in hanging baskets or garden beds. Geraniums are poisonous to cats and may cause serious adverse affects if ingested. Geraniums contain two toxic chemicals, linalool and geraniol, which makes cats very ill. Cats who ingest all or part of Geraniums may experience gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and loss of appetite.They may also experience other symptoms such as depression and dermatitis.

You should consult your vet immediately if you have any concerns. 

Tune in next Thursday for more information on toxic plants. 

*This information was gathered from www.aspca.org/

One reason we admire cats is...

One reason we admire cats is for their proficiency in one-upmanship. They always seem to come out on top, no matter what they're doing, or pretend they do.

- Barbara Webster

Bailey

Cat Breeds: Maine Coon

Tarjh

 Maine Coon

The Maine Coon originates from the state of Maine in the USA. In the 1850’s seafarers brought long-haired cats back from foreign parts and these cats mated with the local shorthair cats. The offspring were big, strongly built cats with semi long coats and brush like tails that resembled the tail of the racoon, hence the name Maine Coon. The random matings produced many colors and coat patterns. The cats developed thick dense coats to withstand the extreme Maine winters. Special shows were held for Maine Coons as early as the 1860’s, which was years before the official cat, shows began. The Maine Coon became very popular as pets but most were neutered and this did little to increase the numbers. In 1953 the Maine Coon’s popularity increased and the Central Maine Coon Cat Club was formed. The Maine Coon is now known throughout America and was imported into the UK in the 1980’s and now has Championship status at British shows.

Watson

The Maine Coon is massive in size, with powerful muscular bodies and substantial legs. The colour of the eyes maybe green, gold or copper and eye colour bears no relation to coat colour. In white cats it is possible to have blue or odd eyes.

Maine Coons have a sweet nature and are very playful and friendly. They enjoy human company. Possibly because of their humble origins they are used to sleeping rough and are often found curled up in the strangest of places. Maine Coons are noted for the delightful quiet chirping sound they make.

Tune In Next Tuesday for more information on different Cat Breeds!

*This information was gathered from Purina.com