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 […]

  by Nomi Berger   If you approach grooming your cat’s nails with trepidation, hopefully these seven suggestions will help you succeed — quickly and comfortably.   (1) Choose your clippers carefully: There are three tools available to you — tiny scissors with claw-shaped trimming edges, a clipper with a “guillotine” blade that slides across […]

by Nomi Berger   The best way for your kitty to live all nine of her lives, happily and healthily, is through the prevention of needless accidents. Being hit by a car: Even if yours is an independent outdoor cat, there are steps you can take to ensure she stays safe. If financially feasible, and […]

    by Nomi Berger     Abyssinian Not one to laze about, the Abyssinian keeps moving as she eagerly explores her indoor world. She’ll even allow herself to be leashed and walked by her owner if it means further investigation of the world outside. A great fan of both people and bird watching, adept […]

  by Nomi Berger As fascinating as felines are, and as fanciful as some features seem, these chosen fifty prove that sometimes facts are stranger than fiction.   Cats are North America’s most popular pets: 88 million cats compared with 74 million dogs. The most popular pedigreed cat is the Persian, followed by the Maine […]

    by Nomi Berger   When is a cat’s nip more than a nip? When it’s a bite, intentional or not. And bites to the hand can often be serious. Studies have shown that a shocking 80% of cat bites, even those that don’t bleed, become infected. The hand is one of the worst […]

      by Nomi Berger   A frightened feline may lash out at a person for a variety of reasons. The following are the most common: Fear Induced Aggression is easy for us to identify if we can recognize the cause of the fear. Sometimes, the cause is not obvious. Timid cats may be […]

      by Nomi Berger   While fetch is a game most commonly associated with dogs, cats have also been known to enjoy playing fetch with their owners. The Siamese, for example, are felines famous for their love of fetch, but any kitty has the capacity to learn how to retrieve provided her owner […]

    by Nomi Berger   For cat guardians who may have felt their favorite felines have, for too long, played second fiddle to their canine counterparts when it comes to intelligence, a new day could be dawning. The notion that dogs are more intelligent than cats has recently been called into question. A team […]

    by Nomi Berger   Does your cat come to you when you call her name? Does she run to the door when you arrive home and call out to her or does she simply yawn and go back to sleep? For cat owners curious enough to see if they can train their cats […]

    by Nomi Berger   Whether a trip in the car or a trip to the vet, a cat carrier is usually involved. And most felines are famous for fleeing the scene at the mere sight of them. But fear not, furry friend fanciers, there ARE ways to nip this particular “scaredy cat” scenario […]

    by Nomi Berger   The feline world’s worst kept secret is out — cats are crazy about cartons. From snug shoe boxes to capacious cardboard containers. If the question regarding this curious obsession is “why?” the answer is twofold: warmth and security. Not only do all things boxy provide cats with calm and […]

    by Nomi Berger   Inquiring minds want to know: What is spraying and how do you keep your place smelling springtime fresh? Quite simply, spraying is when your kitty leaves a small amount of urine on any surface in your home. Not always noticeable to the naked eye, these tiny spots are certainly […]

    by Nomi Berger   Clumping or non-clumping: that is the question. Although it’s a question usually answered by your own cat, consider the advantages and disadvantages of both. Clumping cat litter is designed to allow urine and feces to be easily removed without having to empty the entire litter box. While most brands […]

    by Nomi Berger   Nothing spells satisfaction and contentment more than a pooped and played out pussycat. And since exercise relieves stress and boredom, improves circulation and builds muscle tone, there’s no better way to coax out a cat’s instinct to stalk and chase prey than by having them “work out” with toys. […]

    by Nomi Berger   There’s no mystery behind the mystery as to why most cats crave catnip. An alluring plant with colorful flowers and heart-shaped leaves, catnip contains a chemical that, when inhaled, has a stimulating effect on them. Usually their behavioral response and experience are pleasurable, leading them to purr contentedly, rub […]

    by Nomi Berger   Do you often find more water ON the floor than IN the water bowl itself? Does your cat play with the water, bat at the water, dip a paw in the water, and lick off the droplets? If so, here, according to some cat behaviorists, are the most common […]