October 16: National Feral Cat Awareness Day

What can you do to help?

What happens when a city becomes overpopulated with feral cats? Euthanasia is the leading cause of documented death for cats in the United States, according to Becky Robinson, the president of Alley Cat Allies. This organization is calling attention to the plight of feral cats on October 16 - National Feral Cat Awareness Day - to remind people of the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program, amongst others that are more humane than trapping and killing homeless animals. Besides, it's a lot cheaper than "putting them down". 

What is a feral cat?

 

"Feral" literally means "gone wild". It is either a domestic cat that was lost or abandoned and has since reverted to a wild state, or it was born to a stray or feral mother and has had little to no human contact. Feral cats live outdoors in groups, or colonies, that form near food sources and shelter. They can survive pretty much anywhere - and you will find them pretty much anywhere. 

What is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)?

 

It is a program that neuters feral cats after they have been trapped, then releases the cats back to their colonies. Once trapped, the cats are evaluated, vaccinated, and sterilized. A sterilized cat will have a "tipped" left ear, meaning part of the ear was painlessly removed while under anesthesia. After they are released back to their colonies, feral cats are usually fed and monitored by designated caretakers. According to PAAWS Project, TNR is the only method that is proven to be humane and effective at controlling feral cat population growth. 

Can you tame a feral cat?

 

Typically, feral cats are not suited to living indoors with people. But can they be tamed? You can try, but it is completely up to the cat whether it will warm up to humans or not. The difference between a feral cat and a stray? Feral adults are not used to living amongst humans, so they can be difficult - if not impossible - to tame. But cats that have strayed from home can usually be re-socialized and placed in adoptive homes. 

If you are interested in helping create awareness for Trap-Neuter-Release, there are several steps you can take. For example, you can spend October 16, National Feral Cat Awareness Day, trapping feral cats and have them neutered. Or you could volunteer or donate money to a local organization that participates in TNR, such as PAAWS Project. Not only is TNR a humane way of dealing with overpopulation of wild cats, but it is a lot cheaper than having them euthanized.

Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

Benefits of Brushing Your Cat's Fur Daily

How often do I need to groom my cat?

The amount of grooming your feline companion requires depends on a number of factors. For example, indoor cats require more frequent nail trimmings, since outdoor kitties tend to file and sharpen their claws on rough surfaces outside the house. And long-haired cats need to be combed and brushed more often than the short-haired breeds. 

However, there are several benefits to brushing your cat's fur daily...

1. Brushing your cat's fur daily will prevent matting

 

Prevention is more effective than the cure, and it will keep you more sane when it comes to removing tangles. If your kitty is prone to matted fur, it may be a good idea to comb, and then brush, it daily. Doing so will help avoid matting of the fur, thus saving you the trouble of trying to remove the mats and tangles once they have become a problem. 

2. Brushing your cat's fur daily will give her a soft, smooth coat

 

I brush my Siamese kitten Loki's fur every morning, and she is the softest kitty I've ever petted. Without all the loose hairs on her body, her coat looks sleek and shiny. As it does with people, shiny hair makes our feline friends appear healthy and vibrant. 

3. Brushing your cat's fur daily means less shedding

 

No one likes to sit on a hair-covered sofa, so try to keep the hair loss to a minimum. Daily brushing may not help her avoid shedding altogether, but it sure does help. I like to use a slicker brush on my cat. If your cat has long hair, you may want to try combing it first. For short-haired kitties, run the brush against the direction of hair growth to remove even more more loose fur. 

4. Brushing your cat's fur daily reduces hairballs, and sometimes helps avoid them altogether

 

My Loki has never coughed up a hairball, which I believe is due in part to her daily brushing sessions. Brushing removes a good amount of loose fur, keeping the amount of hair she is able to swallow while cleaning herself to a minimum. 

5. Brushing your cat's fur daily means more bonding time for the two of you

 

It's strange how my kitty loved to be brushed when she was just a fuzzy little thing and suddenly started running away every time the brush came out. After she was spayed, Loki calmed down, and suddenly loved having her fur brushed again. You should hear her purr now! She rolls onto her back sometimes so I can brush her tummy, and even rubs her face against the handle. 

Not only does brushing your cat's fur daily provide great health benefits, but it brings you two closer together. Brushing every few days or even once a week will suffice. But even if your kitty doesn't require daily grooming, she will likely grow to love your special time together, as long as you make it a pleasant experience. I know my Loki enjoys the special attention she receives every morning. 

Note: This article was previously published at Yahoo! Voices and the rights reverted back to the author when the site closed.

13 Questions to Ask a Cat Breeder

by Tonya Mickelson

Are you looking for a reputable breeder to buy your new kitten from? Whether you are buying a cat, dog, horse or even a rabbit, you should always make sure the pet you are buying is coming from a good, ethical breeder. The following list of questions should give you an idea of what to look for when interviewing a cat breeder. The breeder should happily provide you with the answers. 

1. What is the price? Responsible breeders set their prices higher due to the quality equipment they use, vet expenses, quality food, and proper training. It may take a while to find the right cat breed for you, but you need to find one that has what you are looking for and is within your budget. 

2. Is there a deposit? A deposit is usually required if the kitties haven't been born yet or if they are not ready to go home with you for a while. 

3. Why did you choose to breed this pair? Good breeders think ahead and consider pedigrees, as well as other factors before they breed their cats. 

4. Where are the kittens being raised? Also, find out what kind of training they will receive before being adopted. Another important question is whether they have been socialized around children, household sounds, and other experiences prior to bringing them home. 

5. Have they been checked by a veterinarian? They should have been checked at least once. 

6. Are they currently on any medical care? Breeders should have a written record of wormings, shots, microchipping, and any other procedures that have been done. Ask to see the paperwork before the breeder shows you the kittens to prove that they can produce verifiable documents. 

7. What kind of food are they eating? You will want to either use the same brand of food or slowly switch if you plan on using a different brand of food. 

8. May I see the parents? If your kitten has not been born yet, you may also want to see other offspring they have produced, as well. If it has been born, ask to see the whole litter so you can see how they interact. 

9. What steps have been taken to decrease defects? Ask what health issues are prone to the breed and what steps will be taken if your cat comes down with one. A good breeder has a contract stating what happens if health problems occur or if the cat doesn't display the temperament you were looking for. 

10. What is the life expectancy? You will likely have this cat for anywhere from seven to twenty years, so it is good to know how long you can expect to have it. 

11. Are you registered with a registry? A cattery is not pedigreed if it is not registered. Also, ask if they are a member of a breed club, as they will have had to sign a code of ethics and go through peer reviews. 

12. How long have you been breeding? Breeders tend to come and go and a longer breeding experience shows good problem management. 

13. Do you have references? Most references are only given if they are positive. 

The breeder should show patience and confidence in answering your questions since they should have been prepared to answer them. Also, was the breeder interviewing you? Reputable breeders providing healthy kittens should be selective about where they are placed.

How to Care for Your Siamese Cat

Siamese cat care tips

by Tonya Mickelson 

Is a Siamese cat the right pet for you? It is a cat that is favored by many, with its blue eyes and elegant coat. The Siamese cat, however, is quirky and particular. If you have decided that this is, indeed, the right pet for you, there are a few things you will need to know about caring for a Siamese cat. 

Play with him often

If he doesn't receive adequate attention, he will demand it using typical Siamese quirks. He may constantly interrupt what you are doing until he gets what he wants and he may even become destructive if he doesn't receive the attention he deserves. Play with your Siamese cat to avoid your belongings becoming destroyed and give him enough room to run around.

Click to learn more about Siamese cats and anxiety

Socialize him with other pets

A lonely cat is an unhappy cat. If he doesn't have any other pets as playmates, your Siamese cat may become very unhappy and may even become destructive. If you aren't able to get any other pets, schedule play dates with other cats so he can have some friends to run around with. 

Provide a constant supply of food

It is recommended that your Siamese cat always have access to dry food and fresh water. Change the water several times a day, since hair and other things can collect in the bowl. If you need to go away for a while, consider using self-feeding and watering products or having a friend come over to check on your cat's food and water supply. 

Groom him regularly

Grooming is usually not a problem with Siamese cats, as they have smooth, fine hair. You may brush his fur occasionally to help with shedding and to prevent hairballs. You probably won't need to bathe him often, though, unless his fur is especially dirty from being outside. 

Keep the litter box clean

This is one of the most tedious and important chores in caring for your Siamese cat. Place your cat's litter box in a private area of the house and clean it out once a week. Litter should be scooped at least once a day, though, to keep it fresh and to encourage your cat to keep using it. 

Finally, remember to visit the veterinarian regularly to get the required shots. To keep your cat's teeth healthy, brush them and feed him plaque fighting treats. And, to prevent hairballs, brush your Siamese often.

Siamese Cats and Anxiety

I'm going to tell you a secret, but you have to promise not to tell anyone. Okay, here goes: I get very anxious around strange people, and even more anxious around other animals (besides my Morkie sister, Mila).

We get visitors occasionally, and it really freaks me out. I don't mind as much when people come over, but when they bring DOGS...I have a full-blown anxiety attack. Is that a Siamese cat thing? Or, just a cat thing? I'm not really sure, because I don't really know any other cats. (Let's keep it that way, please!)

I try my best to keep those dogs at bay, and most of the time, it works. But if they get too close, they are bound to get a swat on the nose and, if necessary, a hiss. Once, I even had to growl at a dog that wouldn't leave me alone!

Here's my deepest secret: When people stay overnight at our house, I get so anxious that I feel the need to poop on the bedding after they leave. My mom and dad usually try to wash bedding right away, but last weekend, they tossed the used sheets down the laundry chute and it was just waiting there in the basement for me to get rid of that 'stranger' smell. Boy, when my parents realized I'd been using the dirty laundry instead of my litter box, they sure were irate! But I blame them for leaving the dirty bedding in easy access.

Does your Siamese cat suffer anxiety?

1. Watch for signs of stress. It may be excessive grooming, meowing, pacing, hiding, scratching, changes in eating habits, and of course, urinating or defecating in places other than the litterbox.
2. Determine the cause of your cat's stress. Take note of any patterns that might be causing your pet to show these signs of anxiety.
3. Eliminate or reduce the stress. Take care of physical stressors, such as fleas or long claws. Eliminate boredom by giving your cat plenty of toys - and spend time interacting with your cat. Reduce environmental stress by turning down loud music.
4. Finally, never yell at your cat. This will only confuse him or her, and will cause even more anxiety.

Of course, there will always be unavoidable stress that needs to be managed. Make sure your cat is happy and well-fed, and make sure to give him or her plenty of attention. Reward good behavior with treats. Keep the litter box clean.

If you are unable to control the anxiety, you may need to visit your veterinarian to discuss possible treatments for your cat's anxiety.

Good luck!

Paws and kisses,
Loki

Owned by a Cat

Cats like to think we own our humans, not the other way around. This is especially true of us Siamese cats. Don't come to us...we'll come to you when we're good and ready.

If you have ever been owned by a cat, you'll enjoy this story by Vicki D. Messer, who is owned by a Siamese cat named Baby.

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Have You Ever Been Owned by a Cat?

"...The first time we saw her, she was just a tan colored streak running across our backyard. She didn't bother to slow down and see whether or not we were friendly. She just ran as if her life depended on it. A week later, after returning from a shopping trip, she was sitting peacefully in our driveway."

--continue reading--

Siamese Cat Names from A to Z

Loki may not be a traditional Siamese cat name, but it's a pretty great name, if I may say so myself. You say you're looking for a Siamese name for your cat? Oh, alright, here's one for each letter of the alphabet. Okay, most of the letters. Plus, I'll even tell you the meaning of each name.

A: Arun (Dawn)
B: BunMa (Fortunate)
C: Chai-Lai (Lai=Beautiful)
D: DokMai (Flower)
E: Erawan (Indra's Elephant)
F: FaYing (Celestial Princess)
G:
H: Han (Audacious)
I: Indra (A Hindu Deity)
J: Jonas "Yo-nas" (?)
K: Kannika (Jasmine-like Flower)
L: LepMuNang (Lady's Finger)
M: Mai (Silk)
N: Nai (Mister)
O: OnChoi (Suppleness/Gracefulness)
P: Phi Phi (Province in Thailand)
Q:
R: RakReh (Dahlia)
S: Sawet (White)
T: Tuksin (a Thai given name)
U:
V:
W: Winai (Discipline)
X:
Y: Ying (Female/Feminine)
Z:

Do you know any traditional Siamese cat names for the remaining letters? Please share in the comments.