by Nomi Berger   Arthritis, also known as osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, causes pain and inflammation in a cat’s joints. Although fairly uncommon in felines, arthritis tends to affect the elbow joint when it does strike-but many joints can be afflicted. Felines suffering from arthritis may show overall stiffness, swelling of […]

      by Nomi Berger   Cats’ eyes, so large and so lovely, can also signal injury or illness. Consider the condition called Anisocoria, where the pupil of one eye is larger than the pupil of the other eye. Odd sized pupils occur for a number of reasons and may or may not be […]

  by Nomi Berger   Of the numerous skin disorders discomfiting to your cat and distressing to you, the most common are Feline Alopecia, Eosinophilic granuloma, and Miliary dermatitis.   (1) Alopecia, the technical term for bald spots, causes extreme itchiness and results in affected cats biting at their hair. The reasons behind it range […]

  by Nomi Berger   Have you noticed a change in the color of your cat’s eyes? Does her vision seem impaired? If so, cataracts may be the cause. Although sometimes considered a problem that affects only seniors, age often isn’t the main factor. Others include inflammation from an injury or eye infection, diabetes mellitus […]

    by Nomi Berger   People like to talk about the funny quirks that cats have, but did you know that cat owners have a lot of quirks too? Yes, it’s true! You are likely doing a few things that are driving your cat absolutely crazy. Are you guilty of any of these?   […]

  by Nomi Berger   Are you surprised when you return home to find that your cat has urinated on your sofa or shredded your favorite shirt? Are you receiving complaints from your neighbors that she yowls or mewls all day? Although an underlying medical condition may be responsible for some of these behaviors, the […]

  by Nomi Berger   Like people, pets deal with stress in their own particular way. Fear can turn any cat into a fraidy cat, instinctively triggering the fight, flight or freeze response in them. And while some fear-induced behaviors are acceptable and manageable, OVERLY anxious cats require assistance from their caring cat guardians in […]

  by Nomi Berger   Looking for a cat whose mellowness is “music” to your ears? Then, consider the following breeds that are known for being especially quiet, mild-mannered, and easy to get along with.   Abyssinian: Famous for her love of heights, she will be fur-ever appreciative of having access to one or more […]

    by Nomi Berger   For those pondering the how and why of that phenomenon known as purring, numerous theories abound. As for how: Most experts now believe that purrs are created by the laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscles in combination with a neural oscillator in the brain. A message from the neural oscillator to […]

  by Nomi Berger   Is your cat one who’s never met a treat she didn’t love? Does she meow at the mere sound of a bag crackling, shaking or opening? Does she salivate at the scents wafting her way? Does she purr in anticipation of a tasty dream about to come true? Then yours […]

  by Nomi Berger   There are more cats than dogs in Canadian homes and yet they visit a vet far less often than their canine counterparts. Why? Because our prescient pusses can sense what’s coming and both dread and detest the entire process of GETTING to the vet. Some kitties become so stressed that […]

  by Nomi Berger   All too familiar with frisky felines waking you at 4 AM? Whether it’s to play, snack or cuddle, what’s endearingly amusing during the day is emphatically annoying at night. But then, cats’ internal clocks aren’t humans’ internal clocks, and being nocturnal by nature (they’re most active from middle/late evening until […]

    by Nomi Berger   Cats with extra toes are called polydactyls, a name derived from two Greek words: “poly” meaning “many” and “daktylos” meaning “digits”. While the majority of cats have 18 toes, with five on both front paws and four on both back paws, it’s not unusual for a large number of […]

  by Nomi Berger   There’s long been a stereotypical depiction of cats by diehard dog lovers, who consider canines social and eager to please while finding felines aloof and openly independent. There are, however, several pussycat breeds that defy ALL stereotypes, causing both puzzled dog devotees and cat caretakers to pose the question, “What […]

    by Nomi Berger   Walking your indoor cat on a leash not only allows her safe access to the outdoors, but it also provides her with physical exercise and mental stimulation. Whereas some indoor cats much prefer to remain where they are, still others are “hot to trot.” If your indoor cat is […]