So Much Love to Give: How Communities Can Help Feral Cats (and Strays!)

Homeless cats don’t have easy lives. They suffer through weather extremes, dangerous battles over territory, traffic, exposure to contagious diseases or parasites, and terrible mistreatment from people and other animals. They never know exactly where the next meal is coming from, or whether they’ll have a warm, dry place to sleep. 

Stray cats are those that were, at one point or another, family pets. Whether they became separated or were abandoned, stray cats can be rehabilitated and re-homed. Feral cats, on the other hand, have never been dependent on human care and rely only on their survival skills. With more than 70 millions homeless cats in the U.S., how can communities help feral cats as well as strays?

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Disaster Planning For Cats

Natural disasters are some of the scariest and most damaging phenomena out there. Since they happen with little or no warning, they often cause chaos and confusion if not planned for in advance.

If pets are a part of your family, it’s important to include them in the family disaster planning and preparation. Cats especially require some specific thinking as you plan how to keep them safe in the worst case scenario.

The team at Cat Care of Vinings wants to help give you the knowledge and skills to make disaster planning for cats a breeze. Let’s get started!

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The Real Deal: What it Means when Cats Knead

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.

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A Quick Guide to Feline Behavior: What Does It Mean When Cats Hide?

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.

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Do You Have Doubts About Boarding Your Cat? Let’s Dispel Them.

Boarding your cat can be a great alternative to a pet sitter

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.

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Owning a Cat Improves Your Human Relationships in Wonderful Ways

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!

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Kitten Care: The First Three Months

kitten careThere’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.

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Your Guide to Fourth of July Cat Safety

cat safetyThe Fourth of July is typically a day of fun; fireworks, cookouts, swimming, hanging with friends and family, and all the things humans love. For cats, however, this particular day (and night) is wrought with risk. Loud noises, confusion, and separation from the family combine to make it one of the scariest days of the year.
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A Purr-fect Match: The Keys to Successful Cat Adoption

cat adoptionCat 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.
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Do You Have a Cat Safe Yard?

It’s the perfect time of the year to enjoy the dappled sunshine and flower-scented breezes. This is when nature comes alive again, and the instincts to play, frolic, and explore wake up from a long winter’s snooze.

While some felines prefer to enjoy spring from the comfort of a window perch, others simply can’t wait to get outside and explore in their very own cat safe yard. But what does that look like, exactly?
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