More Kitty Facts!

This information was obtained from Kitty Flix plus my own two cents.  First one deals with your cat's fur standing straight up.  What does that mean?  The suggestion is to see if ALL of the fur is standing up.  If it is, your cat is frightened and not likely to attack.  However, if the stripe along its spine is standing up and the rest of the fur is laying down, be concerned about your kitty attacking. 

 In either case, there are some steps you can take to calm down a disturbed cat:

1. For one, make sure your cat is in a secure area where it can't run off.

2. Next, try speaking to your kitty in a soothing tone.

3. Get on your kitty's level by staying low to the ground. This way, it won't feel as intimidated by a tall human towering over it.

4. Once your kitty has calmed down a bit, give it some time to relax even more. Eventually, you can try stroking the bridge of its nose.

5. Feed it some tuna! Kitties prefer wet, smelly food, so this will make it happy. (Not with mine, unfortunately.)

6. Continue speaking soothingly to your kitty and eventually let it get to a higher place so it feels more secure. Remember: a little patience goes a long way!

The next topic might be kind of weird, but Kitty Flix thought it was important.

 A Cat's Urine Does What?!

Ever heard the "myth" that a cat's urine glows under a black light? Turns out it's actually a known fact based in science!

A kitty's urine contains phosphors, which react with the UV rays in a black light, converting the energy it emits into "visible light."

Why do we think you should know this? While you can always smell it when kitty has an accident, you CAN'T always see it. With a black light, you can find and eliminate the odor, decreasing the chances that kitty will go in the same spot (as they tend to do)!

 You are NOT the father! Or are you...?

Did you know that within a litter of kitties, individual kittens can belong to different daddies? The technical term for this phenomenon is "superfecund," and occurs in dogs as well.

While humans aren't superfecund (thank heaven!), according to Greek myth, twin brothers Hercules and Iphicles were. The sons of Zeus and Amphytrion, respectively, the twin boys were both mothered by the mortal Alcemene.

Now, when you see a litter of kittens that look NOTHING alike, you'll know why!

Cats love catnip!  Kirby has a play mouse that contains catnip.  He rolls around with that and has a good time.

 The catnip "high" explained

Also known as "catswort" or "catmint," catnip contains a substance that is thought to release cat pheromones -- meaning your kitty is feeling hot and bothered, and is ready to mate!

But its effects are only seen in two-thirds of cats, who inherit a gene that causes them to exhibit the typical effects of rolling around, nipping, scratching, and drooling.

Interestingly, cat nip works on the big cats, too! We're talking mountain lions, bobcats, cheetahs... you name it.

What does your kitty like to eat?  Be careful what you feed them.  Here are some suggestions.

Veggies, cheese, eggs, cooked meat and fish are the top kitty-safe humans foods your feline will enjoy.

Go easy on the dairy, though, as many cats are lactose intolerant. Start with small portions to avoid an upset stomach.

Other foods like onions and garlic; grapes; caffeine and chocolate; fat trimmings and bones; and raw meat and fish can have adverse effects on your kitty's digestive system.

Here's something that I need to remember!

A typical 10-pound indoor cat only needs 180-200 calories of food a day. Their lack of physical activity means they can survive on very little, and overeating can lead to obesity.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 54 percent of pets are obese. Obese cats are at risk of developing diseases like diabetes, so keep your kitty's diet in check!

The last topic is sleeping with your cat.  Since I have allergies, my doctor keeps asking me if the cats are allowed in my bedroom.  Of course they are!!  But, it can cause problems for some people.  You have to decide yourself whether you will be comfortable or not.  I take allergy shots to help me with this problem.

 According to WebMD, as long as you don't mind being disturbed at night, it's perfectly safe and healthy to sleep with your cat.

Those with allergies and asthma beware! Letting your kitty in the bedroom can wreak havoc on your sinuses. Allergy shots and an air filter can help ease the sneezing and watery eyes.

Hope this information was useful and entertaining.  More later.  Have a good one!