Articles & Tips of Interest

2014-06-10T06:17:03+00:00

Feline Wellness

Great articles here on health, nutrition, training and lifestyle

Do you know what's in your pet's food?

Truth About Pet Food

Little Big Cat

Clumping Cat Litter: A Danger?

Alternatives to Clumping Clay Kitty Litters

An important read if you are regularly using clumping cat litter.
An eye-opening look at your feline's bathroom!

If you are considering declawing your cat, please read these articles below.
It will only take a moment, and it will give you valuable information to help you in your decision.

Declawing

Declawing Cats: Far Worse Than a Manicure

Humane Alternatives to Declawing Cats

Why Cats Need Claws

Soft Paws - Nail Caps For Cats and Dogs

The Cats Den

Safe healthy happy habitats for cats!
Give your cat the free & easy life, a wholesome active lifestyle
in a safe cat habitat by Home of Habitat Haven, makers of The Cat's Den.

Jackson Galaxy's Catification

Catification is about creating feline-friendly environments
that cater to a cat’s natural instincts to climb, perch, rest, play, and own their space.

Tips for Socializing a Shy or Timid Cat - From One of Our Experienced Foster Homes!

In the first few days, keep your new cat in a small, private room so she can gradually get used to her new home in stages (if you don’t have another separate room the bathroom would be fine). Keep any siblings in there with her for the first day or two to help her adjust. Keep her carrier in the room with a blanket in it, she will probably spend most of the first day or two in there, she loves small, safe spaces. The more adventurous sibling will want to come out and explore the rest of his new home soon, let him, but let him go back in with the shy cat's room regularly so they can play, etc.

While Shy Miss is in her own room, routinely visit her, for example, visit her about 10 times a day for about 20 minute intervals and sit beside her and talk to her. In the beginning, it is best to visit her one person at a time, so she can bond with each person individually and so as not to overwhelm her. Reach into the carrier, or wherever she is hanging out, and let her smell you, offer her pets, words of encouragement, toys and treats. At first she will likely be stiff and unresponsive to pets out of fear, but as long as she does not run away, continue to pet her, scratch behind her ears and under her chin and she will soon be purring and rolling over onto her side, wanting more! After 1-2 weeks of doing all this she may start to greet you at the door and flop onto her side for pets when you enter the room. This is a good point to let her out of her room, but keep her room door open so when she feels scared she can retreat to a safe place.

When you let her out to explore the rest of her new home, don’t be discouraged if she runs from you when you approach her in the beginning. Wait until she has settled and laying down to approach her and carry on with talk, pets, treats, and play.

The most important thing is to actively, routinely engage her with talk, play, treats and pets, otherwise she will isolate herself.

But what a reward when she first jumps on your lap of her own accord!

6 Subtle Signs Your Cat May Be Sick

Cats are masters at hiding illnesses, so it’s not always easy to know when something is wrong.
To make matters more complicated, sometimes the signs are so subtle that they may be easy to miss or disregard.
Here are 6 subtle signs to look out for and take seriously.
Your cat’s health and life may depend on it.