Catster

Some types of music are less aggravating for your cat and can even help him relax. Pitch range and tempo are important factors; in my experience, cats prefer slower tempos and music without too much thumping bass or shrieking treble.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

A teaspoon of nonfat, unsweetened yogurt once a day can help to restore those important intestinal flora and get your kitty’s plumbing working properly again. Because most of the lactose in milk is converted to lactic acid in the fermentation process, cats can generally eat it without problems.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Gentle petting, like stroking a kitten’s back with one finger, is okay, but don’t pick up the kittens until their eyes are open. Monitor the mother cat’s body language for any signs of stress. If she demonstrates tension or anxiety, it’s time to back off.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Protozoa can be hard to detect with the standard test for intestinal parasites, but if your cat has long-standing, foul-smelling diarrhea, it’s worth asking your vet to dig a little deeper. Standard dewormers don’t kill protozoa, so your vet will need to prescribe special medication to treat the infestation.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Many latently infected cats actually become free of the virus after a few years, but others become persistently infected. Cats that test positive should be retested 12 weeks later to confirm the diagnosis.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Even after kittens reach the age of seven weeks, keep exposing them to these stimuli to maintain their socialization.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

But you don’t have to start a huge international movement to help shelter cats enjoy the holidays. Instead, just go to your local pet store and buy some toys and goodies and bring them to your local animal rescue. The kitties will thank you!

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Getting a cat for Christmas may unconsciously reinforce the idea that cats are toys rather than living beings. Instead of putting a kitten under the tree, bring your child to the shelter to choose the cat he or she wants.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Although there’s no cure for most elderkitty illnesses, if you’re able to find the problem before it shows, you can improve your cat’s quality of life in the long term.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Unlike those of humans and dogs, cats’ jaws can move only in an up-and-down motion. The lack of side-to-side movement makes it impossible for cats to grind food, which is why they usually swallow kibble whole instead of chewing it.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.