From garden plants to houseplants, decorative flora is a huge part of life for many people. Whether it’s a vase of cut flowers or a potted fern, plants can bring joy and beauty to your home. Unfortunately, many of the decorative species we love prevent a serious hazard to our pets. Some are toxic to …
With their engaging antics and fascinating personalities, it can be hard to stop with one cat. Many people who intended to be single cat owners end up with three, four or even more. This isn’t such a bad thing in my opinion — owning multiple cats can be hugely rewarding. The cats can give each …
To hear conventional wisdom tell it, cats are largely indifferent to humans. If they deign to recognize their owners, the story goes, it’s only because they know they can go to those people when they want something: food, comfort or protection. The truth is far more nuanced. Cats do indeed form lasting and meaningful attachments, …
Cats are capable of some breathtaking feats of athletics. There’s the “I’ve caught a nice fat vole and my owner’s coming after me” dash, the “Just heard the fridge opening” sprint, the 3 am hallway marathon and, of course, the “I was on top of this cat tree first” wrestling match. As well as these …
Despite the bad press they get as being solitary and unloving, cats can be very sweet and affectionate creatures who are capable of deep emotional connections. They show their fondness for their favourite humans in a variety of ways: waiting by the door for you to come home, rubbing around your legs or climbing into …
Cats show their affection in lots of different ways. Some are more demonstrative than others but they all have ways of expressing their attachment to you. One cat may jump onto your lap as soon as you sit down and insist on being petted. Another might prefer to perch nearby and watch you attentively. Some …
Part of being a caring and responsible pet owner is ensuring that your pet receives the appropriate nutrition. Species, age and health all come into choosing the best food for your pet. I often encounter people who assume that cat and dog food are interchangeable, if not identical; it’s widely believed that manufacturers simply cram …
It’s always difficult when a beloved cat goes missing. The worry, the stress; wondering what could have happened and how long it will be before your pet is safely home again. Fortunately, you may not have too long to wait. If your cat is chipped and wears a collar with your name and contact details, …
Feeding a cat properly is more complicated than you might think. While it’s tempting to toss a cup or two of dry food in her bowl whenever she fusses for a snack, this can lead to health problems down the line. The type and amount of food you give your cat will depend on a …
Cats can have some very odd eating habits. One of the commonest is to beg for — and sometimes steal — food intended for human. This is sometimes a problem because what’s edible for us may actually be very bad for cats. I’ve known cats who go wild for foods like yeast pate, cheese, melon …
