How To Kitten Proof Your Home

Jonas JurgellaLeave a comment

Getting a kitten is an exciting experience, there are not many things which are cuter than a young kitten. However it is important to be aware that there are few things which are more destructive than an inquisitive young cat!

kitten-proof-home

Cats cease to be kittens at about one year old, however it may take significantly longer than that for any mischievous behaviour to stop…and with some cats it never does, so it is essential to ensure that your house is fully prepared for your new arrival and remains cat proof long into the future.

Kittens love to chew everything, string, plants, clothes, wires and a whole lot of other things too.

While some destruction is perhaps an inevitable consequence of getting a kitten here are a few tips to ensure that your kitten is safe in its new home and hopefully doesn’t do too much damage!

Restrict Your Kitten To One Room

When you first get your kitten they will be eagerly exploring every inch of their new surroundings. At this early stage it is crucial to ensure that you limit your cat’s freedom. Restrict your cat’s movement to one room.

This will make it much easier for you to ensure that you can make the room safe for your kitten, it will ensure that you always know what your kitten is and it will allow you to observe how your kitten interacts with items.

This is particularly useful if you notice your kitten has a particularly strong desire to scratch your leather sofa or chew your cushions then you can take steps to avoid this happening in the rest of your house.

Unplug It

Electric cables can be nice and chewy and kittens may enjoy having a good bite of any exposed cables if they are a bit hungry. It is important to make sure that if you are not using an electrical item you take steps to unplug it so that there is absolutely no danger of your kitten getting electrocuted!

kitten-wires

Put Fragile Things Away

This is for your good as much as your cats, kittens love climbing on things such as your mantlepiece and think its is great fun to knock your vases and ornaments off. There is also a danger that any broken shards may cut your kitten, so move all ornaments and breakable things to a cupboard well out of your kittens way!

Know Your Plants

Cats love to nibble plants, usually this doesn’t do them any harm but there are a lot of plants which can be poisonous to cats, some of these are holly berries, poinsettias and lillies. If you are a houseplant aficionado make sure you do your research before your kitten arrives and get rid of any hazardous plants.

Check Small Spaces

Cats love to snuggle up into tight cosy spaces, unfortunately that may sometimes mean that they sneak into places where they really shouldn’t be including, washing machines, tumble dryers and behind your fireplace.

Make sure that before you use any of these households items you know exactly where you kitten is before you turn them on!

Bonding with a Feral Cat – How to Make Friends with a Feral Kitty

Jonas Jurgella19 Comments

PART 1

There are many reasons that you may want to gain the trust of a feral cat, but the process is not as easy as you may think. Before proceeding, you should be aware of the high probability that your feline friend will never allow you to touch it. These animals are not quick to trust, so you will need to be very patient in order to succeed in bonding with them.

bonding with a feral cat

First, let’s clarify exactly what we mean when we refer to cats as “feral”. This designation is often confused with “stray”, but the two terms are very different. A stray is simply a domesticated cat that has become separated from its home for one reason or another. A feral cat, conversely, looks just like a domestic cat, but has not experienced human contact. Its behavior will be similar to that of a raccoon or other wildlife.

cat tipped earAside from behavior differences, you may be able to identify a cat as a pet if you see a collar or a well-groomed coat. Feral cats, on the other hand, can sometimes be identified by a missing sliver of ear. The “tipped” ear indicates that the cat has been spayed or neutered by a volunteer group, then released.

Before attempting to befriend a feral cat, be sure that you understand what you’re getting yourself into. You should be aware of some potential problems and risks associated with welcoming an untamed animal onto your property.

Just like any wild animal, feral cats will defend themselves if cornered. Moving too quickly with one of these cats could result in being scratched or bitten. Wounds from cats often become infected, hence the term “cat scratch fever”.

Stray and feral cats may carry a disease called Feline Leukemia Virus. This fatal disease cannot be detected by sight and is contagious to non-vaccinated cats.

Feral cats may also become territorial over their newfound retreat, and urinate, scratch vertical markers, or even chase away “intruders” as a result.

Now that you’re aware of the dangers of cozying up to a feral cat, it’s time to get to work. The first step is to create a place that will seem attractive to a feline friend. Feral cats are focused on survival, so they will surely seek out food, water and shelter.

Choose an area within your property that will serve as your hangout spot. This needs to be a quiet space that you can monitor from inside your home. You’ll need to be able to spend hours at a time in this spot, so comfortable outdoor furniture or a camping chair is a plus. Whatever the item is, it should be introduced to the area from the beginning.

Start leaving food and water in your designated area while no one is home, at least 50 feet away from the door (and your chosen seat) if possible. While dry cat food will often do the trick, you may want to consider a more fragrant food to attract cats more quickly. Some feline favorites include canned cat food, baby food, canned tuna in oil, sardines, and of course, catnip.

feral cats feeding

Once the cat smells food and realizes that the coast is clear of predators, he will most likely drop by for a bite. This will put your house “on the map”, and in Kitty’s daily routine. Keep in mind that by leaving food out unattended, you could attract other wildlife that may not be so desirable.

Continue to leave food out for the cat for 3 to 4 days, allowing him/her to acclimate to the space with no human interference. After this time is up, you can add yourself into the equation. Begin putting food out only while you are home, but inside, so that the cat can smell you.

After allowing the cat to eat with you on the other side of the door for a few days, try doing the same, but with only your screen door (weather permitting) separating you from the cat. If the cat appears to accept this routine, it is time to sit outside while he eats.

BONDING WITH A FERAL CAT PART 2

Don’t be surprised if the cat doesn’t show up for food on this day- he is unsure of your intentions and is probably watching from a distance. The key is to be patient. Spend a few hours in the chosen area, doing your best to look non-threatening. This means that you should be still and quiet, even if you don’t see the cat. It’s also very important that you do not go looking for it at this point. All you’ll do is scare it.

After a few days of this routine, your feral friend should gain some confidence. If he does approach the food with you in the area, you’re doing a great job! If and when the cat approaches, you’ll want to continue exactly as you were, almost as if you don’t see him. This shows the cat that you aren’t a threat.

feeding a strayFor each of these steps, you must settle into your space before the cat arrives, and remain there until he leaves. Any movement can scare your new pal away for good. You should only move the bowl closer every few days if the most recent progress has been accepted. If the cat stops showing up, or is visibly afraid, slow the process down until he seems comfortable. Follow this pattern until the cat reaches 10 or so feet from your chosen sitting area.

If, at any point, you don’t see your feline friend for a couple days, withholding food for up to 48 hours may leave him desperate enough to give you another chance. You shouldn’t let him go hungry any longer, nor should you ever withhold water, as this may cause Fluffy to look elsewhere.

cat slow blinkOnce you’ve gotten into the routine of sharing space with the cat, the best way to improve the relationship is to understand body language. There are plenty of resources on cat communication, focused primarily on eye, ear, and tail movement. You can even try to communicate trustworthiness to your kitty companion by slowly blinking at him. In the cat world, this is a way of acknowledging an acquaintance while expressing that you are not a threat.

Many feral cats will not let their human caregivers get within reach of them, even after months of companionship. This does not mean that they do not share a special relationship. You may continue to bond with your feral friend for years to come by simply enjoying each other’s company. Some cats may even play with a laser pointer- just be sure not to move too quickly!

Bonding with a feral cat can be extremely rewarding. Earning the trust of a wild animal is an honor that not many people have had the fortune to experience. The process can be tedious and frustrating, but with an abundance of patience and understanding, you can do it!

feeding feral cats

Removing Cat Urine Stains and Odor

Jonas JurgellaLeave a comment

cat-urineHaving a pet is one of life’s greatest joys, but your belongings can sustain damage from sharing your home with a cat. Many pet owners even become accustomed to the smell of their own home, and don’t notice the same scent that is offensive to their guests. If you’re a cat owner, it’s important to know how to get rid of urine stains and odors before they start to impact your personal life.

Before you can find the best way to remove stains and odors, you’ve got to know what kind of mess you’re dealing with. Is it on fabric or hard wood? Is it a new mess, or has it already dried? We’ll delve into each type of stain and how to best handle them.

The easiest mess to handle is one that is machine washable, so we’ll start there. Any sort of fabric, like clothing, sheets or pillowcases can be a target for your cat. If you find that your cat had an accident on your clothes or sheets a few days ago, put the dirtied items in a pile and cover them in baking soda. This will lift some odor by absorption.

Next, place the items in the washing machine following normal instructions. In addition to detergent, add two to four cups of white vinegar as well as a scoop of baking soda. Try to keep the load small, so that the items are fully agitated during the wash cycle. For good measure, follow-up with another rinse cycle, using water only. Repeat this cycle as necessary.

If you’ve found machine washable items that have been recently urinated on, follow the same instructions, but skip past the initial baking soda step, and right to the washing machine. The less time the items have to soak, the easier it will be to clean.

Unfortunately, we aren’t always so lucky as to have our cats pee on machine washable items. If you’re cleaning up a mess on carpet or upholstery, you’ll need to treat the stain by hand. Many cat owners swear by the power of white vinegar and baking soda. If the stain is old, start by sprinkling baking soda on the carpet. If the stain is new, use a clean paper towel to blot away as much of the excess urine as possible. Be careful not to rub it in any further!

Next, use a ratio of 3:1, water and white vinegar to saturate the soiled area. Again, use a clean and dry paper towel to blot of excess liquid. Once dry, sprinkle baking soda on top, then vacuum after about 15 minutes.

rocco-roxieIf this is not effective, or if you are one of many who are just as offended by the smell of vinegar as you are of cat urine, try an enzymatic cleaner. Rocco and Roxie Odor and Stain Remover is an affordable and increasingly popular product with pet owners. Like several other popular brands, it uses a particular bacteria to actually break down the ammonia crystals which cause odor. Whichever product you choose, be sure to read the instructions carefully!

If you are attempting to remove cat stains and odor from hardwood, the solution is not so easy. It is recommended that you stay away from chemical products for this, as the same compounds that often destroy the odors may also destroy wood. A more gentle solution is to spray a generous amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution onto the wood and immediately wipe it. Repeat daily until the problem is resolved. If the scent seems to be set deep into the wood, you may have to resort to sanding and resealing it.

cat-pee-uvUnfortunately, cat owners may experience the horror of smelling urine that they are unable to locate. In this case, you can unleash your inner CSI tech and use a blacklight to find the source of the foul odor. UV blacklight flashlights will help quickly resolve this problem, and can be purchased for as low as $10 on Amazon. Just use the flashlight in a dark room and look for a glowing area.

The best way to prevent the accidents and odor from coming right back is to understand why they’re happening in the first place. “Accidents” are typically not at all accidental, but are the result of a behavioral or medical issue that needs to be addressed.

If your cat is repeatedly urinating in the same area, especially after the addition of a new family member (human or animal), you are most likely experiencing territorial behavior. Also consider your litter box maintenance habits. If you have recently changed litter type or cleaning habits, your cat may respond negatively. Try reverting back to your last litter brand or cleaning the litter box more often.

If your cat is urinating in a variety of spots, you’ll want to get him to the vet as the cause may be health-related. Urinary tract infections are a common cause of urination outside of the litter box. Incontinence is also a possibility, especially as your cat gets older.

Hopefully, you do not need to use these tips very often, but when the time comes, use common sense. Make sure that any cleaning products you purchase are safe for your pets and other family members. Try your best to understand your cat’s motivation so that this cleaning process does not become ritual.

peeing-cat

Caring for a Pregnant Cat

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Just like humans, cats needs to remain calm and healthy during pregnancy in order to deliver healthy offspring. While the cat gestation period only lasts nine weeks, their care requirements have a surprising number of similarities to that of a pregnant human.

caring-for-pregnant-catBefore making special arrangements, it would be wise to ensure that your cat is actually pregnant, and not just overweight. Aside from the obvious weight gain, darkened and enlarged nipples are another giveaway.

Once you’ve confirmed that your cat is pregnant, it’s recommended that you take her to the vet to make sure there are no issues or complications. Using ultrasound technology, your vet should be able to tell you how many kittens are expected and approximately when they’re due.

Start mixing kitten food into your cat’s regular diet. Overall, you should be feeding her at least 25% more than usual, depending on the size of her litter. Kitten food provides extra calories and nutrition to help the fetal kittens grow. Just like any diet change, you’ll want to avoid doing this too abruptly to avoid digestive issues. As always, your cat should have access to fresh water at all times.

As is the case with pregnant humans, your cat may exhibit unusual behaviors during this time in her life. She may show signs of discomfort, as well as increased appetite, and even a stronger desire for attention.  Use common sense and cooperate with her, as much of this behavior is instinct-driven. If she wants more food, feed her. If she’s feeling affectionate, pet her!

As the due date approaches, introduce a whelping box in a safe and familiar area. This is simply a box with blankets and or towels, providing your cat comfort and security while giving birth. It should be open on top, but ideally not out in the open, where she may feel vulnerable. Giving birth is messy business, so any materials added to the box should be easy to wash or okay to dispose of.

Once you’ve set up the box, draw your cat’s attention to it by providing affection or treats. Do this a few times, and gauge your cat’s comfort level. If she doesn’t seem to enjoy spending time there, you may want to rethink its location. Placing a cat’s favorite blankets, or something that smells like her, may also help her feel at home.

Around the nine week mark, the day will finally arrive where your cat goes into labor! All cats are different, but a common sign is seeing your cat panting and nesting in blankets. She may also groom herself much more than usual. On this big day, you need to keep your home as quiet and stress-free as possible. This means no visitors or strange smells, like cleaning products, if you can help it.

It is completely normal if your cat goes into labor somewhere other than your whelping box, no matter how accepting she seemed earlier. Some cats will even start making their own nest, often stealing items like dirty laundry from around the house.

While it is ideal to let your cat handle the birthing process on her own, you should be aware of the normal stages so that you may intervene if necessary. Despite the common misconception, your cat will not abandon her kittens if you touch them. The most important thing is that the newborn kittens are safe from falls or suffocation when they finally arrive.

Now that you’ve made it through the ordeal of caring for a pregnant cat, it is time to begin the journey of raising her kittens! This is a fun and heartwarming experience, but it is to be taken very seriously. Be sure to do your reading before the kittens arrive- nine weeks will pass before you know it!

cat-with-kittens

Top 5 Gifts For a Cat Lover

Jonas Jurgella4 Comments

Being a cat lover (myself) I surely know the best gifts that will thrill any cat lover at any time. In this post, I ventured to showcase the top 5 gifts that all cat lovers should actually try out. Number 1 in my list is obviously irresistible…

Gift 5: Try some Cat Literature…

Literature is the main all-time gift for a cat lover (or a prospective cat lover). If you doubt if cat literature is really important, then you ought to ask yourself how you managed to read this post even. Luckily, there are thousands of good cat literature out there and you can easily tap one for yourself and a friend even on the internet. Top on this list, is the “Crafting with Cat Hair book” by Kaori Tsutaya. You can have this book from Amazon at a price of just $10! This book will teach you how to play with the cute cat hair and with time you may actually become the “purr cat hair consultant” in your estate. …Sorry, I am just kidding.

barfed-on-your-bed
If you are buying it for a kid, you can try out the “Sorry, I Barfed on Your Bed ” book By Jeremy Greenberg. This too goes for just $10. In addition, you can also download videos and documentaries as well. As cat lovers, we love everything that teaches us on cats.

Gift 4: Some cat attire can work magic!

There is no doubt about this. If you have checked Amazon lately on recommended cat gifts for cat lovers, close to 80% of their recommendations are purely based on attires. So, they got the cute JJMax feminine socks which goes for $13, the Feline Chiffon scarf that goes for $5 and even the awesome Home-X Cat Print Apron which goes for just $13.

Gift 3: Acquire some cat cutlery too

Now, this is the best gift for mum and dad if they too love cats. The last time I checked my kitchen, I still was the “Best Cat Dad Ever” since my coffee cap was printed so. There are a couple of other such cups out there like the “Local Woman Named Cat Mother of The Year” both of the two going for just $13. You can as well get a set of gift caps here.

Gift 2: The Scrotch Jumbo lint rollers

lint-rollersIf you always carry your cat anytime you get to the house, I am certain you may have gotten irritated by the fur remains on your clotting every time you do so. The pack of Lint Rollers will help you to clear car fur from your clothes and you will be clean always. This pack goes for just $29 only.

Gift 1: The SureFlap pet door

sureflap-cat-doorAre you tired of chasing after your cat every evening? Would you like to tame your house from the entry of those annoying neighborhood cats? The SureFlap doggie is a smart cat dodging exit that identifies your cat and only opens the door for your cat while keeping off all others. This door can also be set to limit even your own cat, let’s say you would like to curfew your cat from going to play with other cats at night, you will only need to change a few setting and your cat till have to figure out a different exit or just remain. The SureFlap mini door goes for a significant $100ish. If you got some bucks to use, please go ahead and get it. It’s worth the cost.

 

 

What Do Cats Eat And Drink In The Wild?

Jonas Jurgella1 Comment

When cats are in the wild, they usually follow a particular eating habit where they feed on small amounts of food throughout the day.

cat-wild-eating-huntingAll animals living in the wild believe that food is the ultimate survival resource. When it comes to cats, this fact is evident because they have to hunt in order to feed and live. According to animal experts (who have studied about wild cats for long), these animals feed on a variety of different item depending on the geographical location.

With that being said, this post will go ahead to highlight what cats eat and drink while in the wild.

Small rodents and birds

According to research conducted by scientists who have examined the faces and stomach contents of most wild cats, these feline friends mostly feed on small rodents such as mice, rats, hares and rabbits as well as small birds such as sparrows and robins. According to deeper research, cats also feed on larger prey such as moles, squirrels and bats. When a cat is hunting in the wild, the degree of success is impacted by the level of experience, the body size/mass, the season and the availability of prey.

Insects and reptiles

Although this may appear somewhat insignificant, the truth is that most cats feed on insects and reptiles in large quantities in order to get full. Insects such as spiders, grasshoppers, cockroaches and lizards come with essential nutrients that are not found in any cat foods sold locally.

Puddle water

Cats are very interesting creatures. Since they’re known to be wild creatures, cats mostly search for water which has accumulated in potholes, manholes and small puddles around the garden. The reason why cats enjoy drinking natural water over “processed” tap water is due to their sensitive sense of smell which detects water preservatives such as chlorine and fluorine. A cat’s sense of smell is 14 times higher than humans meaning the water that seams odorless to us is quite irritating to cats on the other hand.

Cats eat fresh prey

Similar to the rest of the feline family, cats also feed on fresh prey which they’ve hunted by themselves. This principle classifies cats among the cleanest animals in the wild. To add on this, cats usually consume the entire prey they’ve hunted such as skin, feathers, organs and bones. Something else you need to know about the feeding habits of cats in the wild is that they don’t eat plants such as grains, vegetables or fruits. This means that when feeding your cat, you have to avoid adding large amounts of grains and plant substances to their meals.

Final thoughts 

Cats enjoy feeding alone while in the wild. Quite different to how we treat them, cats mostly hunt and feed 10-15 times a day. When it comes to drinking water, cats prefer drinking natural rain water which has accumulated in small pools around the garden.

 

Cat meows – Understanding the most common ones

Jonas Jurgella2 Comments

cat-meowsHave you ever wondered if this meow is any different from the last one your cat threw your way? Most cat owners can brag that their pets make so many different sounds depending on occasion and meaning that they could write a book about it. And, while some cats are more vocal than others, it’s a certifiable fact that they have a rich and versatile “manner of speech”. Out of all domestic animals, cats possess the widest range of vocalizations, second only to birds in this regard! So, next time you hear your cat making noises, pay better attention to the nuances of the sounds, because they are not simple noises, but actually clear indications of your cat’s emotional state of mind.

Meows – The most common of all cat sounds, meows are a particularity reserved for humans as they are not used by felines to communicate between themselves. Generally used by cats when they desire their owners’ attention, food or for people to open a door for them, meows can also be a sign of loneliness or illness in some cases. It’s very important to observe the tonality and frequency of these sounds. It might be a simple “Hello! Welcome home!”, but it can just as well be a sign of something more serious which would require a trip to the vet.

Purr – Rarely will you hear this sound in a conjuncture other than the instances cats are blissful and content. Purring is their way of showing that they are pleased and happy. Every once in a while the reasons might differ and purring is used by cats to comfort themselves when they are lonely or distressed. As long as you pay attention to their posture, you can clearly differentiate between a normal purr and a warning sign.

Hiss – Most commonly produced when a cat feels threatened or unhappy with something, hissing is the clear signal that your cat is upset! Whether directed towards your or another animal, your cat is clearly stating his displeasure.

Chirps, Trills, and Chirrups – These birdlike sounds are produced by cats when they are excited about something or happy. They can direct them towards you if they want your attention or if they want to show you something they consider important.

Chatter – If you hear your cat chattering its teeth while longingly staring out a window at a bird then you can be sure of the fact that your pet is trying to show both its predatory excitement and frustration due to its inability to get to the prize.

Scream – People often make terribly loud noises when they fight and cats are no exception to the rule! Usually punctuating a brutal bite or a paw scratch, cats deliberately scream when facing off their foes.

All these sounds are essential to better understanding how your cat feels, what it wants or what it intends to do. Body language is important, but cat owners should familiarize themselves with their pets’ “language” if they wish to live in harmony with their furry companions.

What Do Cats Hate?

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Does your cat show obvious dislikes? This is one of the key questions that cats’ parents should ask themselves every time they see their pets behaving weirdly. You see, whenever cats are upset about something, they reveal it through their behavior because as you know, they can’t speak out their grievances like we do. Cats, unlike all other pets you can think of, are the most common and the easiest to manage. These pets come with relatively low maintenance and in addition to that, they’re adorable, hilarious and very playful.

cats-hateSimilar to humans, cats have their own lists of likes and dislikes. Before judging the “cruel” behavior of your pets, its wise if you can ask yourself some of these simple questions; Did you remember to clean her litter box? Are there some odors/scents your cat hates? Have you made sudden changes in the house? Or are you ignoring her? To learn more about our best feline friends (BFFs), this post will reveal some common dislikes about cats.

Cats hate being ignored by their parents/owners

Quite different to what most cat haters believe, cats are not solitary pets, but they need to be treated with love and affection for them to grow. According to most cats’ parents, these feline friends really enjoy our companionship and through giving them our attention, a strong bond is created. Speaking out of experience, my cat usually enjoy disrupting me while working online forcing me to take multiple short breaks to brush her hair and make her feel loved.

A dirty litter box

One major problem faced by most cat owners is litter box avoidance by their pets. How often do you flush your toilets? After every use right…As normal humans, we can’t use a stinking toilet whatsoever. Now, a cat’s sense of smell is 14 times higher than humans. Due to this fact, if your cat discovers that its litter box is dirty and stinking, it will look for alternative locations to “poo” such as a basket or at the corner of the carpet.

Stinking food

There is a big difference between cats and dogs. While dogs relish eating rotten food, cats usually turn their mouths back whenever they detect odd smells in their meals. Stinking cat food doesn’t only smell awful but it has a number of harmful toxins which affect the health of your cats. To keep your cats healthy, you need to check the type of food you’re feeding your cats with and always remember to store them in the recommended room temperatures.

Taking medication

One of the most irritating things cats hate is being pilled. According to statistics, giving your cats tablet medication is quite dangerous as compared to liquid antibiotics because most capsules rest on your cat’s esophagus (which eventually causes esophagitis). Therefore, to avoid such irritation, it’s advisable that you give your cats medication coated with cheese, cream or anything else you believe your cat will enjoy feeding on.

Conclusion

Apart from the ones mentioned, there’s a list of other things cats dislike about humans and nature as well. One of the most common we didn’t mention is getting wet. If a cat accidentally gets into contact with water, it really gets infuriated or even hate you in case it finds out you did it on purpose. Other things include being held too tightly, seeing strangers or being punished for petty mistakes.

Polydactyl Cats – Special Cats

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polydactyl-catsNormally, a cat has got just 18 toes: 5 of them are on each of the front paw while 4 of them on each of their rear paw. Polydactyl cats are a special type of cats that have extra number of toes on one or more of the paws. This trait is a genetically influenced anomaly called polydactyly or hyperdactyly.

There are several other things that escape the eyes besides the added figure which make these cats special and certainly interesting. In this edition I ventured to research and compile a few things you didn’t know about Polydactyl cats. So, are you ready to learn? In 5, 4, 3, 2 …1

#1: Polydactyly/hyperdactyly is a dominant and harmless mutation

Besides giving you an extra job when trimming your cat’s nails, this condition is certainly harmless and it does not make your pet weak or disadvantaged in any way. As a matter of fact, most people often find polydactyl cats attractive as the extra paw often takes after a thumb and this makes them even more playful and interesting to play with.

This trait is also a dominant trait. Thus, if just one of the parents has this condition, then close to half of the offspring will have the trait. So, if you really want to have one in your home, you will only need to get one of the parents with hyperdactyly and give it a try.

#2: Maine Coon has the highest number of polydactyl cats

Polydactyly is a common trait in Coon with just about 2 in every 5 cats in Maine Coon having the trait. Some researchers have also linked Maine to have been the cradle origin of the trait in America. On a keen examination, this state often experiences adverse cold temperatures and snow in its northern interior annually. This extended paw makes it easy for the cats to glide through ice (much like a kitty-snowshoe). Once more, this condition becomes so advantageous again.

#3: What is the highest number of toes ever recorded for a cat?

A Canadian kitten by the name Jake is the Guinness World Record holder for having had 28 toes. It had 7 toes of every paw which were perfectly functional; each of them complete with a claw, pad and a bone structure. Do you have one with more than that? Why not share it with us?

#4: Did you know that Polydactyly was a sign of good luck too?

In the ancient times, cats with many paws were thought of by the sailors to be a sign of good luck. These pancake-footed cats were thought to possess an upper hand when hunting mice and the sailors claimed their feet were also adapted to swimming as they could easily balance through water. Thus they were more preferred and reared in most Western Europe regions where most of them survive even to date. Do you think they still are?

 

How Do Cats Show Affection?

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Cats, just like other pet species have multiple unique ways of communicating with their owners. Since most people expect these adorable creatures to respond the same way as dogs, we often miss those precious moments which we could otherwise have spent playing and building a strong bond with our loving cats. Having recognized this fact, this post will highlight some of the most familiar ways your cats try to show affection.

Slow eye blinks

cat-eye-blinks
Slow eye blinks are the equivalent of I love Yous

One special way your cat will reveal that he’s comfortable and relaxed with you is through blinking the eyes. Although most pet parents don’t understand this love sign, it’s one of the most common ways your cats show affection. You’ll notice that when your cat is close to you, it seems to close its eyes halfway while blinking slowly. Also known as cat kisses, this sign requires you to reciprocate so that you can build and strengthen your relationship with your cats.

Wagging the tail

Just like dogs, cats also show their affection through their tails. There are several signs cats try to convey their emotions using their tails. For instance, when your cat is tense or scared, it will puff out the fur on the tail. On the other hand, if he’s happy, relaxed and comfortable with your company, he will either flick the tip of his tail or wrap the entire tail around your arms or legs while standing or resting beside you. Most pet parents have revealed that this is one of the most inspiring ways that cats show how much they love and care for the people around them.

Exposing the tummy

Similar to the rest of the cat family, cats have a special way of revealing what’s in their minds. When a cat is cautious and uncertain, it tends to tuck his/her limbs under his body then wrap the tail all around the body. On the other hand, if you wish to know how much love your pet cat has for you, you’ll notice that he’ll willingly lie comfortably beside you while exposing his tummy. This sign is very rare because cats always stay ready for any uncertainties. Therefore, if your cat is willingly ready to expose his limbs and belly while relaxing right next to you, you should count yourself lucky, trusted and loved.

There are so many other ways that cats show affection to those pet parents they love. Some of the other ways we didn’t mention include: giving you love bites, grooming you, following you and cheek rubbing. Make sure you pay attention to your cats, so you can recognize and understand how much these pets love and care for you.