Posts in Category: The Cat’s Meow

Cat owners are lucky to be able to closely observe feline behavior every day. We’re in awe by their reflexes, impressed by their accuracy, and inspired by their cleverness. However, one of the cutest, sweetest things that cats do is knead.

Also called “making biscuits” or “working the dough,” this action consists of rhythmically pressing their front paws into a warm, squishy surface (like your lap!). Knowing why cats knead may help their owners understand – and appreciate – the wonders of this feline behavior.

Since their domestication nearly 12,000 years ago, cats have long been considered creatures of myth and mystery. From being worshipped in ancient Egypt (a cat cemetery with more than 3,000 cat mummies was discovered!) to being viewed as a symbol of liberty during the Roman Empire, the housecat has had a wild ride through history.

Even in this age of modern technology, many cat myths still abound. Let the team at Cat Care of Vinings debunk some of today’s most common cat myths.

When cats hide, they aren’t simply waiting for you to seek them out. Instead, cats sniff out quiet, dark, seemingly inaccessible places so they can go it alone – especially if they are in ill health. But why do they do this? How can cat owners help? Paying extra close attention to the subtle art of feline behavior is a good place to start.

February is National Cat Health Month; and while we focus on cat health every day, we wanted to take advantage of the spotlight to showcase this often-misunderstood feline behavior.

Our cats are seemingly independent, self confident, and poised. Their natural instinct to take great care of themselves is one of the attributes we love best about them. But, make no mistake: our kitties need us for companionship as well as to ensure they get the care they need and deserve.

One place we may not think about on a regular basis is our cat’s mouth. After all, who wants to take a look inside there, with all those sharp teeth? But regular cat dental care is of one of the best ways to keep our feline friends healthy, inside, and out.

When it comes to Atlanta veterinary care for those of the feline persuasion, we believe there is nowhere better to turn to than Cat Care of Vinings. Our sincere passion for cats and their care is difficult to match, as is our love for sharing it with cat fanciers near and far.

Over the past few years, we’ve seen our blog’s readership grow faster than fluffy kitten, and we are sincerely grateful that so many of you have turned to our cat care blog time and time again to find the reputable cat health information you and your pretty kitty deserve.

So, without further ado; we offer you…

Many cat owners believe that their cats are better off at home instead of a boarding facility, since felines are incredibly territorial. However, despite every last effort to ensure their safety and wellbeing, accidental injury or sudden illness can happen while you’re out of town. Sure, a friend, relative, or neighbor might pop in for daily meals, litter box duties, and attention, but unless your cat is being closely monitored in your absence, calamity can occur. Boarding your cat with us is the best solution!

The Difference

The primary reason why cat owners ultimately decide to board their cat instead of hiring a cat sitter is medical care and attention. Veterinary hospitals provide consistent monitoring of daily health and wellbeing, and we know when something is “off”. Our trained staff can address any needs that pop up in your absence.

Additionally, cats that depend on medication, subcutaneous fluid therapy, or specialized diet can have all their needs promptly addressed by a caring, professional staff.

It is good news is that humans are living longer, healthier lives. But the great news is that our cats are living longer, healthier lives too! Our feline companions used to be considered “getting up there” at around age 10 or 12 years of age.

Now, according to Cornell University Feline Health Center (CFHC), that figure needs to be adjusted downward to 6 to 7 years of age. According to CFHC, the idea that one human year equals seven cat years is incorrect: a 10-year-old cat is really closer to 53 in human years, and a 15-year-old cat is more akin to a person aged 73! Continue…

While crate training cats may seem counterintuitive to many, it is one of the smartest things you can do as a cat owner. Why? Simply put, a crate-trained cat is a cat that is ready for action. Whether that action is a trip to see your veterinarian, making a cross-town (or country) move with the family, or an emergency evacuation, having a cat that is comfortable with going into, and hanging out in, his or her crate is a plus.

Luckily, cats naturally love cozy, semi-enclosed spaces such as cardboard boxes, baskets, and other den-like areas. Even though this may seem hard, it really shouldn’t be too much of an adjustment. The goal is to accustom your cat to the idea of “the crate.” Simply, make it a safe and comfortable place that is part of daily life.

Crate Training Cats 101

If possible, we recommend that you start crate training your cat when they are still a kitten. If you are crate training an adult cat, the same general procedures apply, but may require a bit more patience on your part. Continue…

Here at Cat Care of Vinings, we often talk about heartworm disease with our clients–there are so many myths out there regarding its incidence, prevalence, and prevention. It sounds complicated, but it is actually very simple.

First things first, unless your furry kitty friend lives literally without ANY possible exposure to even one mosquito, your baby is at risk. Mosquitoes carry heartworm disease and pass it from dog to cat to cat to dog and so on. The best way to protect your cat or kitten is with year-round preventative measures EVEN when indoor-only.

Heartworm disease has been diagnosed in all 50 states in cats, and risk factors are impossible to predict. The truth is that all cats are at risk, regardless of their life-style. Multiple variables, from climate variations to the presence of wildlife carriers, cause rates of infections to vary dramatically from year to year—even within communities. Nothing truly freezes or dies in the South East to end the life cycle of mosquitos and give us a well-deserved break!

Furthermore, heartworm disease in cats is NOT treatable, difficult to detect, life-threatening and very preventable. Signs of overt heartworm disease in our feline friends rarely manifests until very late; this makes a diagnosis difficult. This seems all “gloom and doom” but truly, the bottom line for cats and heartworm disease is prevention,  prevention, and more prevention!

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You know that moment when you and your cat are really gelling together? In that single instant, you might be reading, snuggling, playing, or simply hanging out in the same general space at the same time; it’s like you’re almost the same as the other. It’s not uncommon for cat lovers to sometimes feel…feline-ish. It’s only fair to assume that cats might also feel a bit human from time to time, right?

All this could be universally accepted except for one thing: cats hate water. While people shower in it, wash their hands, and swim through it on a regular basis, cats look on in abject disgust. But why?

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