Cats

After the massive tornado that struck south Oklahoma City and Moore, Okla., some pets have found their humans, but many are still missing. Local rescue groups are frantically trying to search and rescue any lost, injured and scared anima...
After the massive tornado that struck south Oklahoma City and Moore, Okla., some pets have found their humans, but many are still missing. Local rescue groups are frantically trying to search and rescue any lost, injured and scared animals and provide them shelter, food, warmth, love while trying to reunite them with their humans.Post a lost or found pet here.Here are some of the local rescue groups that you can send your help to:1 Day Ranch [Facebook]Edmond Animal Welfare [Facebook]Oklahoma Humane Society. Here is their OK Humane Disaster Relief FundText REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief, donate online, or donate by phone at 1-800-RED CROSS.Rachel Hilton holds stray kittens she found in the debris of her parents’ homeKay James cuddles with her cat in the rubble of what used to be her home.Maeghan Hadley, of the One Day Ranch pet rescue, saves a kitten from under the rubble of a mobile home, near Shawnee, Oklahoma. [Full story here]Andi, one of the lost cats. More missing cat via Moore Oklahoma Lost and Found Animals. Another list from Edmond Animal ShelterPhotos via Caller and Moore Oklahoma Lost and Found Animals. Oklahoma Tornado Pet Rescue Continues & How You Can Help, originally appeard on LoveMeow.com
29 minutes ago
From Home Again: Urgent, please share. For all of those affected by the tornado in Oklahoma City, or those who know folks who may have been in the storm’s path and have lost pets that are microchipped – please call us at 1-88...
From Home Again: Urgent, please share. For all of those affected by the tornado in Oklahoma City, or those who know folks who may have been in the storm’s path and have lost pets that are microchipped – please call us at 1-888-466-3242 to report your pet missing and make...Read more »
about 3 hours ago
Cats love laundry baskets. (Duh.) My Phoebe was born with fresh-laundry detection skills. She can be anywhere in the house and as soon as I place a basket of the good stuff on the floor, she's all over it. Even if there's no warm laundry...
Cats love laundry baskets. (Duh.) My Phoebe was born with fresh-laundry detection skills. She can be anywhere in the house and as soon as I place a basket of the good stuff on the floor, she's all over it. Even if there's no warm laundry to be had, my cats openly pledge unconditional love to the basket. Share this image Phoebe likes to play musical laundry baskets. function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) Personally, I don't see the big deal about baskets. The pile of clothing itself is far more comfy than folding myself up like a won ton in a plastic container. Trust me, I tried. Share this image I think warm laundry feels just fine without a basket. But then again, I'm not a cat. function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) Cats, on the other hand, somehow find a multitude of reasons why they think baskets are just plain awesome. Here are six of them: 1. Peep holes Share this image Photo by candycanedisco"> Photo by candycanedisco"> "I see you eating a second cupcake." Photo by candycanedisco function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) Cats are pretty sneaky, and the holes that usually line the sides of laundry baskets are the perfect little windows for kitties to keep tabs on the goings-on in the house. This is how they know we've left our pizza and glasses of water unattended. 2. You see nothing Share this image Phoebe: "I'm invisible." function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) Cats think tall baskets make them invisible. The funny part is, they don't realize the whole basket is usually covered with holes, so they really aren't hiding much at all. We won't tell them that, though. I often open the closet door and find Phoebe sitting in the basket just like this. Sometimes she's even sitting in complete darkness. Why? Cats are so weird. 3. Close quarters Share this image Photo by Patrick Hoesly"> Photo by Patrick Hoesly"> "A little privacy, please." Photo by Patrick Hoesly function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) Laundry baskets provide the perfect hideaway for clandestine cuddles. Cats love tight spaces and a cozy plastic love nest is just begging for up close and personal feline-to-feline fondling, bathing, and catnaps. At a friend's house, I once saw three cats chillin' in a rectangular laundry basket. When I approached them, they exited that thing like clowns piling out of a tiny car. Cue circus music! It was high-larious. 4. Expandable lounge area Share this image
about 3 hours ago
The April edition of Our Rainbow Friends has been posted ~ please stop by and visit these many friends who sadly crossed the Rainbow Bridge last month, all loved and all lost.  Please visit Our Rainbow Friends and leave a comment for tho...
The April edition of Our Rainbow Friends has been posted ~ please stop by and visit these many friends who sadly crossed the Rainbow Bridge last month, all loved and all lost.  Please visit Our Rainbow Friends and leave a comment for those who have touched your heart, it would...Read more »
about 4 hours ago
We’ve all heard about tortitude, snobby white cats, and universally loving tabbies -- but just how true are these behavioral expectations? I suspect that they’re really not as true as most people think, and I know that stereotyping cats ...
We’ve all heard about tortitude, snobby white cats, and universally loving tabbies -- but just how true are these behavioral expectations? I suspect that they’re really not as true as most people think, and I know that stereotyping cats based on the color of their fur does more harm than good. How many people turn away from adopting a black cat or an orange tabby female because of what they think they know about how “those cats” act? Here’s a run-down of eight common kitty stereotypes. Share this image Orange tabby cat by Shutterstock"> Orange tabby cat by Shutterstock"> Orange tabby cat by Shutterstock function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) 1. Ginger cats are more friendly than others Maybe it’s because of Garfield the cat, or maybe it’s because people just seem to know more orange cats (whether they’re straight-up orange or orange tabby) and associate them with good experiences, but lots of people think ginger kitties make the ideal family pet. Share this image Once Kissy overcame her deepest trauma, she was a sweet and loving companion who loved to curl up with me after a long day. function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) 2. But wait! Ginger cats are also thought of as more aggressive and flighty I’m guessing this belief is a corollary of the stereotype that red-haired humans are hot-tempered and moody. Those poor ginger females are apparently in a constant state of PMS and ginger males are like the guys that get in huge fights every time they go out to a bar. Totally miserable roommates, right? Share this image Rosie says she's not arrogant, she's just misunderstood ... and a little shy. Photo by JaneA Kelley function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) 3. White cats are snobs Blame that cat food commercial with the white Persian eating gourmet food out of a crystal bowl for this one. Some research has revealed that white cats tend to be more timid than cats of other colors, and if you were a shy kid like I was, you probably got called a snob because your fear of approaching people was mistaken for arrogance and condescension. Share this image Calico cat on a roof by Shutterstock"> Calico cat on a roof by Shutterstock"> Calico cat on a roof by Shutterstock function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) 4. Torties and calicos are stubborn and temperamental Ah, this myth rears its ugly head again. The truth is that people who think a cat is going to have a certain temperament will approach that cat with the expectation of that behavior. And then there's the classic “Texas Sharpshooter” logical fallacy -- finding a pattern to fit a presumption -- which causes people to chalk up perfectly normal cat behavior to “tortitude." Share this image Too bad
about 5 hours ago
Yes, one more shot of my contest photo:Hmm. She didn't even pose me! Yet there I am, in the middle of the blanket design. Divas just know, don't we? I rarely give away tummy shots, and this is one that mommy caught by accident. She loo...
Yes, one more shot of my contest photo:Hmm. She didn't even pose me! Yet there I am, in the middle of the blanket design. Divas just know, don't we? I rarely give away tummy shots, and this is one that mommy caught by accident. She looked over and there I was!They will be posting finalist photos later today, so check back for more info. If I am not a finalist, well, you did get a good belly shot, right? And some nice shelters will get help.Check back for more info.QUINN
about 5 hours ago
Hey kitties…it’s me…Wally.  So the mom is home and sorta recovered from BlogPaws now.  She says the BEST thing about BlogPaws was meeting the peeps of our blogging furiends that were there, too.  We won’t mention ...
Hey kitties…it’s me…Wally.  So the mom is home and sorta recovered from BlogPaws now.  She says the BEST thing about BlogPaws was meeting the peeps of our blogging furiends that were there, too.  We won’t mention all of them here because there were so many and we don’t wanna miss someone. Not only did the mom meet lots of peeps, she also got to meet some kitties and woofies that were there.  Here’s just a few.  We apologize for the poor picture quality…the mom shoulda gone to the photography session that was offered at BlogPaws.     This is Disco and Coco from Curlz and Swirlz. Hey Wally??  Is that a cat toy on Coco’s head? Nah, Ernie…it’s a hat…but it would be fun to play with, dontcha think? This is Norman…a French herding dog and the newest member of the Natural Balance Pet Foods team.  See that bike behind him?  He can ride it! See?  There he goes! I guess all that bike riding wore Norman out. This is Odilia…a blind kitty from Tails of the Foster Kittens.  The mom says being blind sure didn’t stop Odi from having fun!  She was playing and running around and everyone loved her! Triscuit…a foster kitty at Random Felines…charmed the pants off of everyone! Yes!  This is a real woofie!  Doesn’t he look like a stuffed toy?  And check out the bling he’s wearing!  The mom wanted to borrow that collar! The mom says there were lots of other woofies and kitties and ferrets and rabbits…and even baby chicks (lunch!)…at BlogPaws. Does this mean we can go next year, Wally? Uh…probably not, Ernie…not unless you wanna spend lots of time in the evil PTU. NO WAY!  I’d rather stay home and have pizza! Hey, kitties…make sure you come back tomorrow because we’re gonna have a little giveaway!
about 7 hours ago
Sometimes I wonder if I’m living with a bunch of idiots. Two idiots, to be exact: my gray tabby, Bubba Lee Kinsey, and my calico, Phoenix. They are probably my favorite living things on this planet, but if Phoenix was human, I suspect ...
Sometimes I wonder if I’m living with a bunch of idiots. Two idiots, to be exact: my gray tabby, Bubba Lee Kinsey, and my calico, Phoenix. They are probably my favorite living things on this planet, but if Phoenix was human, I suspect she’d be a ditzy cheerleader. Bubba would be a refrigerator-sized meathead occupying the corner stool at the local dive bar. Share this image Bubba Lee Kinsey is smart enough not to be amused by my penchant for selfies. function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) I am, however, judging them by human standards. It is probably unreasonable, due to the language barrier, for me to expect my kitties to understand the phrase, “But I’m TIRED!” when they wake me up to be fed at 5 a.m. I’ve also got to consider that evolution and not sheer persistent lunacy is at play when they act scared of the vacuum cleaner even though it has never hurt them. That’s why I decided to give my cats a few intelligence tests that are more on their level. I know the entire notion of whether these mysterious, aloof beasts can even be tested for intelligence is up for debate, but I still thought it would be a fun experiment. Here are the results. Share this image Is Bubba Lee Kinsey smart enough to find the treats after I've hidden them? function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) Test 1: kitty vs. blanket Since there are not many cat-specific intelligence tests out there (apparently these creatures defy logic and explanation), I adapted this one from a test intended for dogs. I figured it would still be valid since both are intended to test spatial reasoning and problem solving. (Please note that I use the term “valid” loosely, as the primary purpose of these tests is entertainment at the expense of my cats.) First, you need a blanket and an unsuspecting cat. Share this image Bubba Lee Kinsey has no idea what awaits him. function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) Make sure the cat is awake and alert, then cover her with the blanket and time how long it takes her to puzzle her way out. The first time, I covered Phoenix with a full-size blanket, which proved to be too much for her. After about 45 seconds, I felt bad and had to help her. Fair enough, I thought -- after all, I always panicked when I got caught beneath the giant parachute in elementary school gym class. So, the second time I folded the blanket in half. And Phoenix curled up underneath it and started purring. Share this image Phoenix failed this particular test. function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) Well, that can’t be good. To be honest, though, burrowing under the blankets of my freshly made bed is one of her favorite pastimes. Bubba Lee Kinsey, however, found his way out within ten seconds. Good job, Bubba! Share this image
about 9 hours ago
Queen Munchkin here,Princess Boots and I both decided that we wanted some morning attentions from Bob so we came into the computer room. Princess Boots got to him first, so he picked her up, held her like a baby and gave her cuddles unti...
Queen Munchkin here,Princess Boots and I both decided that we wanted some morning attentions from Bob so we came into the computer room. Princess Boots got to him first, so he picked her up, held her like a baby and gave her cuddles until she asked to get back down. Then he picked me up, sat me in his lap and gave me pets and kisses and cuddles and hugs!*smile*
about 10 hours ago
About a month ago, I wrote about spaying and neutering cats. My conclusion was that there was no simple answer to the question of when or even whether cats should be altered. A commenter accused me of obfuscation and derided me for not p...
About a month ago, I wrote about spaying and neutering cats. My conclusion was that there was no simple answer to the question of when or even whether cats should be altered. A commenter accused me of obfuscation and derided me for not providing a "clear-cut thesis." Her idea of obfuscation on this cat-health issue was my idea of honesty -- there was no clear-cut thesis because providing one was impossible amongst so much contradictory data. Today's column touches on an equally difficult concept regarding cats and health: vaccines. If you are looking for a simple answer, prepare to be disappointed. Vaccines are complicated, and no honest and knowledgeable person can make them simple. In fact, in the realm of vaccines, claims of simplicity are a sign of either ignorance or deceit. Anyone who doesn't acknowledge that the matter is complex either doesn't understand it or is lying to push an agenda. About 25 years ago, vaccines were simple. Give every cat every shot every year and you couldn't go wrong. Or so the thinking went. But in 1991, investigators at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine noticed that cats were developing aggressive cancers called sarcomas between their shoulders. This area happened to be the spot where cats most frequently received vaccines. Further studies established a probable causal link between vaccines and these so-called vaccine-associated sarcomas. Share this image Vet immunizing a cat by Shutterstock."> Vet immunizing a cat by Shutterstock."> Vet immunizing a cat by Shutterstock. function changeWidth(obj) { if(parseInt($(obj).parent().width()) > parseInt($(obj).width())) { $(obj).parent().css({'width':$(obj).width()}); } if(parseInt($(obj).width()) This discovery shocked the world of veterinary medicine. It caused a great deal of soul searching in many vets, and it caused a significant rift between the soul-searching vets and the vets (most of whom were older, and most of whom are no longer practicing) who frankly didn't care. I know more than one colleague who quit a job in part because her boss insisted that she recommend every vaccine for every cat every year. Above all, remember that the subject is complex. I have twice seen leading experts on vaccination nearly come to fisticuffs when debating vaccine frequency in cats. But is there some way to tease out some clarity in this situation? Although there is no simple answer when it comes to vaccines and their frequency, there are some guiding principles that can be used. 1. Some vaccines are more important than others In my mind, there are really only three vaccines that should be considered for most cats: rabies, FVRCP (which protects against deadly panleukopenia, and also may help to prevent certain respiratory diseases), and leukemia. The coronavirus vaccine (which may offer some protection against feline infectious peritonitis) may be considered for cats in rare circumstances. Other vaccines, such as those against Bordetella, FIV/feline AIDS, and ringworm (which is off the market at this time) appear to offer minimal benefit or efficacy. 2. Even the important vaccines might not be appropriate for all cats Elderly cats are not at significant risk of panleukopenia. Indoor cats are not at risk of feline leukemia. 3. Timetables have changed After a lengthy battle, the proponents of annual vaccination for cats are in full retreat. Most reputable organizations (such as the American Animal Hospital Association and many vet schools) recommend vaccination every three years at most. However, this is just a guideline; actual vaccination schedules must be individually tailored. Share this image Kitten gets vaccine by Shutterstock."> Kitten gets vaccine by Shutterstock.">
about 11 hours ago