Posts in Category: The Cat’s Meow

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!

Continue…

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?

Continue…

Documented research proves that dog owners are more outgoing and social than other people, but the reach and power of owning a cat is not as well known. Cat owners know how wonderful it is to share their home with a cat or two. While it’s fun and rewarding to have a cat, we also learn a great deal from our feline relationships.

What does this mean for our human relationships? Only great things!

Continue…

There’s something undeniably special about kittens; maybe it’s the large and inquisitive eyes, or the precious and tiny paws, or the little tails that continually twitch in the excitement of exploring a new environment. Taking care of a kitten is an exercise in playfulness and delight, to be sure.

Continue…

For all intents and purposes, it appears that it’s great to be a cat. They might eat, sleep, and play like other animals, but everything they do tips the cute-ometer. Unfortunately, cats are also excellent at finding trouble – but they don’t always land on their feet. For the times your cat comes home with scratches, bites, or other injuries, it’s vital to have a cat first aid kit to lean on.

Continue…

Of all their endearing qualities, it’s their independence that causes us to fall in love with felines. As a group, cats don’t need their owners in the same way…other popular four-legged friends might (yeah, we’re looking at you, dogs!). But what happens when an otherwise unfettered feline suddenly starts to follow you around, begging for attention? A needy cat may not necessarily set off every alarm, but any swift changes in behavior can definitely signal that something’s amiss.

Continue…

The connection we have to cats is so strong it feels almost as though they can read our thoughts, scan our moods, and even gauge how to behave based on our needs. Because the depth of feeling for cats is so powerful, it’s easy to get caught up in projecting onto them very human-like thought processes. But what really goes on in their sweet, furry heads?

With a curiosity not unlike a feline’s, we can’t help but wonder: what is your cat thinking right now? Continue…

Cat ownership is an amazing, rewarding experience, but it doesn’t always come easily or naturally. A great deal of thought, preparation, and planning is ideal prior to bringing home a new animal; however, many adoptions are unplanned, hurried, or impulsively done. A hasty cat adoption can still yield positive results, but it’s always important to face this lifetime commitment with an understanding of feline health, safety, and wellness.
Continue…