Why Is My Cat Scared of Her Toys?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: My cat is approximately 5 years old. I adopted her from the ASPCA over a year ago. She seems to be afraid of her toys — the ones with little stuffed animals or feathers hanging from sticks — and runs away when I try to play with her. She prefers to pounce on my arm and grip it, play biting it. How can I make sure she is getting enough stimulation and exercise without sacrificing my arm? ~ Maureen Siouxsie: This is an odd situation, Maureen, but we think we can help. We cats do love to play, but there’s a right way and a not-so-right way to play…
Should I Trim My Cat’s Burned Whiskers?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: Last night I found my 18-year-old cat, Pinky-Boy in front of our space heater, and his whiskers and “eyebrows” are now severely burnt from standing that close. He’s going blind, so maybe he just didn’t realize where he was. I know the space heater seems like a safety hazard, but we have three other cats, and nothing like this has ever happened before. But yes, the heater is now out of reach from Pinky. Anyways, back to my question: can I cut off the burnt edges of his whiskers? I know that whiskers are very sensitive, but because they are so burnt, could the ends be cut? Thank you so much! ~…
Why Are My Male Cats Mounting Each Other?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I have two male cats. They are brothers but from different litters and this started when they were younger (well on my male cat’s part anyway). My male cat is always trying to “hump” my sister’s male cat. I thought it was because he wasn’t getting to go outside as much as he wanted and so I allowed him to stay out as long as he wanted and hoped that it would help but he does even more so now. I mean he is literally (or so it seems) trying to mate with the male cat. I know that having him fixed might help a little bit but I…
More Than Meets The Camera: An Interview with Jackson Galaxy
We’re so very excited! Yesterday we got to interview the awesome Jackson Galaxy, star of the Animal Planet series My Cat From Hell, whose second season premieres Saturday, January 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific. Ooh, that’s four days from now! Our tails are twitching with anticipation! But there’s a lot more to Jackson than his TV show. He’s a musician, author, entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for stray and feral cats. Check out our conversation with America’s favorite cat counselor. The Paws and Effect Gang: How did you get into working with cats? Jackson Galaxy: It was kind of accidental. I started working at the shelter because I was working as a musician…
My Cat Chirps When She Watches Birds. Why?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I am a very new cat owner. Actually, I was adopted by a pregnant 2-year-old California Spangle six months ago. She was not that far along, so I had the pregnancy terminated and had her spayed. Her name is Faith and she is now a house cat and is doing great. Being a “dog person” all of my life, this is my first cat and I am very happy. Here is my question: When Faith is on my enclosed porch, which has many large windows, she looks outside and watches the many birds on the ground. She has just begun making short, low volume, chirping sounds as she is watching the birds eat seed on the…
My Deaf Cat’s About To Get Me Evicted. Help!
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I have a 6-year-old deaf white cat that meows excessively and loudly throughout the day while I’m at work. While I’m at home she rarely meows, and when she does, it’s early in the morning, not at night. I give her lots of love and attention, plenty of food and water, and I’ve bought her all kinds of toys. I have found that she isn’t interested in the typical cat toys, but she loves shadows, so I have bought toys with lights and movement. I’ve done all kinds of research and tried everything I can think of, but nothing seems to keep her from crying all day. I live…
How Can I Stop My Cat From Yowling?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I have a 9-month-old male cat. He’s been an inside cat since I got him — other than a few overnight outings when he’s gotten out an open window or a door left open half a minute too long. My only problem with him is his yowling. His meows vary from a normal meow to a deeper-toned one that almost echoes in the hall. I leave a window open for him so he can enjoy the outside world even though it reaches -40 outside during the winter. I’ve bought him every toy imaginable, keep his bowls filled and his litterbox clean. I also give him as much attention as…
