Cat

2022 - 8 - 13

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Inc.com"

Here's Why a Cat Bed Is the Most Important Accessory on My Desk (Inc.com)

A pet can lower your stress, encourage you to take a break, and even help you connect with colleagues.

I have a beanbag chair and a flying parrot mobile from Bali in my office for the same reason. Which means that having cats hanging around in my office provides me with a little hit of joy whenever I need it. If you have a pet and you work from home, does your pet get to keep you company while you're working? Pets are the perfect office companions for me because they counteract that loneliness, but they don't talk to me or expect me to talk to them. I think it also explains why some people have been really intrigued when I've told them there's a cat bed just out of sight of the camera. I think this is why people so often react with a smile or a laugh when one of my cats pops their head into the video frame. But there's no doubt that many, many people find it calming to have pets around, which is why they sometimes travel or go out with emotional support animals. Now I pick up the cat and set them in the cat bed, where they can watch me work and get petted when I'm not typing. Many of us struggle to provide ourselves the ideal work from home setup, and I've certainly worked hard on mine over the decades that I've been working at home. In the past, I would pick up the cat, reposition my legs and set the cat down again, which was awkward and didn't help that much. Often, one of them is sitting on my lap, but to make that work, I have to partly sit cross-legged in my office chair. Other than your computer, what's the most important item on your desk, or in your workspace?

Signs of pain in cats: How do you know if your cat is in pain? (PetsRadar)

Our furry family members can't tell us when they're in pain or feeling unwell. And any vet will tell you that their job would be a lot easier if the pets ...

If you think your cat might in pain, you should take them to see a veterinarian right away. By keeping an eye out for signs of pain in your cat, you can make sure your kitty is as comfortable as possible. Once the vet has determined the cause of the pain and prescribed treatment, you might need to care for them at home. If you have an older cat who's getting a bit stiff from arthritis, you might find it tricky to decide whether they're in pain. Although deciding to have your pet put to sleep is a horrible decision, it's the kindest thing you can do. On the other hand, some cats become more affectionate and open to touch when they are in pain or unwell, just like many humans who might also want a cuddle when they're sick or suffering. A cat in pain might seem to be squinting or frowning. And if your feline appears out of sorts to usual, our guide to depression in cats can help you spot the warning signs. You can use these pointers to find out whether they might be in pain. Cats who are in pain may not want to be touched. That way, you can get the help you need and make sure your cat isn't suffering in silence. And any vet will tell you that their job would be a lot easier if the pets they were treating could talk!

Horrified urban explorers find mummified cat inside abandoned ... (Mirror.co.uk)

The pair were shocked to find a mummified cat, possible the property's last occupant, curled up as though asleep on the bed that could have once belonged to ...

“A few people were horrified by the view of the mummified cat.” “Most people were amazed by the discoveries in the house, especially the cat which brought a lot of reactions and discussion. Viewers were astonished by some of their finds but some were reluctant to come across the mummified cat. “The house is located on a really busy street, there were a lot of cars driving past so it was risky to enter. They were thrilled to be able to access the property and provide an insight into its history as a shop. They said: “We found the house by searching online on google maps, we saw the outside of the house was in really bad condition and it looked abandoned, so we were excited to check it.

From the lap curl to the Superman: What your cat's sleeping position ... (Derbyshire Live)

A healthy adult cat spends an average of 16 hours a day snoozing, whilst kittens, senior cats and those with health problems may need even more rest.

Cats sleep with their eyes half-closed and half-open when they may sense a threat – which can vary from imminent danger to a trivial annoyance. Regardless, this is a very relaxed cat sleeping position that lets her enjoy some rest while keeping watch over her kitty kingdom. This sleep position is a sign of an extremely relaxed, very content cat who’s very comfortable in her environment. Similar to the Tum Cat’s belly-up position, this popular pose sees your cat expose the most vulnerable area on her body – her stomach. Whatever the reason, if her head is covered, chances are she doesn’t want to be disturbed. A healthy adult cat spends an average of 16 hours a day snoozing, whilst kittens, senior cats and those with health problems may need even more rest.

Why do cats tuck their paws in underneath their bodies? (Wamiz.co.uk)

As cat owners, you may wonder why cats tuck their paws in, making them look like a loaf of bread. Here's why they tuck their front paws and turn themselves ...

There may not always be an obvious reason your cat likes to sit like a loaf of bread. If you see anything like this, it's a good idea to get your cat seen by the vet as soon as possible. When a cat tucks their paws, it can show that they don't feel they will have to defend themselves. While cats may sit in the loafing position because they feel comfortable and relaxed, this doesn't necessarily mean they want to be disturbed. You can tell they are not in an entirely relaxed state by their twitching ears and their eyes opening occasionally to look at the source of the sounds. The term cat loaf, cat loafing or just loafing, has become increasingly popular online as a way to describe a cat sitting with its paws, and sometimes even tail tucked under its body, forming a loaf-like shape.

Your Weekend Cat (John Scalzi's Whatever)

I had the Midjourney AI art generator give me a few pictures of a cat in a library, in the style of Gustav Klimt. This was my favorite, ...

Vet signs up to 'pay-as-you-can' cat neutering scheme to help ... (Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

CAT OWNERS in Bradford can now benefit from a 'pay as you can' neutering scheme to help with vet bills.

A spokesperson for Sage said: “There is already a large population of unwanted cats filling the re-homing centres of both local and national cat charities to unprecedented levels. The charity raises funds to help pay the vet bills by running a charity shop in Keighley, as well as generous donations from members of the public. CAT OWNERS in Bradford can now benefit from a ‘pay as you can’ neutering scheme to help with vet bills.

From a chatty cat to lonely Bearded Dragons — your pet queries ... (The Sun)

HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions.Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com,

If you’re outside in the middle of the day, find a tree that’s casting shade and place your pet there to get an evenly lit image. He says: “If your pet is acting funny or is under the weather, or you want to know about nutrition or exercise, just ask. It makes a HUGE impact, changing perspective and visually immersing you in your pet’s world. If you are indoors during the day, face your pet toward a big window. “She once shouted at a lady who was passing: ‘Do you want to go upstairs? Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years. Kaylee, who is a star speaker at The Photography Show and The Video Show 2022 next month, said: “It’s possible to get amazing pet photos with nothing but your mobile – it just takes patience, a bit of effort . . . and some bribery!” Try a squeaker or kazoo and say phrases like: “Do you want a walk?” to dogs. MOST of us struggle to get the perfect pet portrait and now Paws and Claws reveals how – using your mobile phone. HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions. KARA the parrot is the star of the cafe where her owners work – and even tells customers to eat up. Sean says: Burmese are just chatty cats in general, so I suspect this may be boredom or seeking attention from you now your other cat is gone, because there is one less “being” in the household to interact with.

Meet Gravy the dog and Gnocchi the cat: why pet owners have gone ... (The Independent)

Oat, Tofu, Plantain... is there no foodstuff that doesn't seem to suit our favourite animals? Katy Harrington talks to pet owners to find out why we've ...

My grandma would’ve probably never thought to name her pet Sushi or Tofu but in 2022, it’s all the rage.” Ludick has seen examples of a kitten called Boba (after the Taiwanese milk tea made with tapioca) and a chihuahua called Jellybean among the more unusual choices. “My grandma used to name all her dogs after herbs and spices, Pepper, Cinnamon, or Basil, etc, but it has definitely become increasingly more popular as the modern food scene has become more interesting. In Coren’s research he has also seen that while a dog might be given a more formal assigned name (Dancer or Odin), the owners will still often revert to calling their pet by foodie nicknames. For example, a child might be referred to as Cookie, Biscuit, or Honey. My own daughter has the nickname Pumpkin. A colleague of mine in Montreal refers to his daughter as Mon petit chou which translates to my little cabbage.” According to a 2022 database survey from pet store Rosewood Pet, Honey took the top spot for the most popular food-related pet name, with a mix of savoury and sweet names making up the rest of the top 10. Tianna took inspiration from delicious Jamaican foods and ingredients when it came to naming her cats. A database of 17,000 names from Animal Friends Pet Insurance found that Honey and Cookie came out on top again – but the longer list (with 82 food-related names in total) showed pet owners getting a bit more adventurous. Sofia is the proud owner of two black cats. A call-out on Twitter found even more pet owners embracing the trend. Flapjack. Shortly after, my friend called to tell me about her recent engagement – her partner proposed by attaching a ring to a little pouch around the neck of her cat, Oat. Their other cat is called Prune. On holiday, doing the typical dog-lover thing and sharing pet pics with a fellow tourist, I was shown photographs of an adorable puppy named Fig. Then I saw a plea on social media from an animal shelter trying to find a home for an abandoned young dog. Among the list, micro trends start to appear. Oat, Tofu, Plantain... is there no foodstuff that doesn’t seem to suit our favourite animals?

Is it time to end cats' right to roam? (The Guardian)

Pet cats kill songbirds by the million, as well as other wildlife. But how much of a threat do they really pose, and should they be kept indoors?

“And it’s really enriching the life of the cat as well.” “Cats are one of the biggest welfare issues – if not the biggest welfare issue – for wildlife in this country, in terms of the number of individual birds and animals affected, and the length of time many will suffer before they die,” he says. Instead, Cats Protection recommends a dusk-till-dawn cat curfew, along with SongBird Survival and the RSPB which hopes it will be a “win-win”. Cats and birds are most active at dusk and dawn. The numbers of animals involved in badger culls and foxes killed for sport “pale into insignificance” in comparison, he says. “While we know that cats do kill large numbers of birds in UK gardens, there’s no evidence this is affecting decline in the same way that these other issues are,” said a spokesperson. That said, cats do take birds in good shape, and Robbie McDonald says evidence from the US shows that large numbers of cats can have population-level impacts. In the UK, he says: “I just categorically say there is no evidence of an impact.” A large 2019 study found that the number of garden birds killed by cats in France and Belgium has increased by more than 50% in 15 years, alongside an increase in those countries’ pet cat populations. “The kneejerk reaction is that they must be having some sort of impact – they’re killing millions and millions,” says Baker. However, numbers can be deceptive. The problem, Pirie says, is “the sheer number” of domestic cats. “The evidence is so clear,” says Marra. “I’ve analysed it every way possible.” But cats are prolific hunters of wildlife in the UK and Europe too.

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