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Reasons to Adopt an Older Cat

Photo of Adopted Senior Cat Raleigh

Please don't overlook older cats in favor of kittens. There are many situations where they will make better companions, and the unconditional love you receive in return will last a lifetime.

More on Senior Cats

Franny's Cats Blog

Valentine Cats Picture Gallery

Tuesday February 9, 2010

Wow! I can't believe that Valentines Day is only five days away - how quickly time slips by. Last year I reluctantly made an exception in my "no photoshopping/picture adornment rule" by allowing tasteful, subtle frames and/or decorations for a new Valentine Cats Picture Gallery, and the response was overwhelming. One of the nicest submittals was this photo of kitties Oberon and Klaatu, demonstrating feline brotherly love.
Photo Credit: © Tammey Stubbs

You may also submit your own Valentine cat photos for my Valentine Cats Picture Gallery. Please observe the Photo Submittal Guidelines when sending photos. Other than that, the only rule is that the pictures be tastefully decorated, as opposed to garish graphics which take away from the beauty of the cats.

Chemnutra Inc. Owners Get Probation

Tuesday February 9, 2010

From DVM NEWSMAGAZINE:

Kansas City, Mo. -- A judge Feb. 4 sentenced two owners of a pet-food company implicated in the 2007 recall that is estimated to have killed about 4,000 pets to three years' probation and levied fines of $25,000 on the company and $5,000 for each of the owners.
The Millers had earlier pleaded guilty and acknowledged that they knew the labeling of the product they sold containing melamine was false and misleading. However the court felt that the $24 million related lawsuit settlement was punishment enough.

I highly doubt that my readers who lost cats and dogs in 2007 to melamine poisoning will find this brand of "justice" palatable, especially since Stephen Miller is still importing bulk ingredients (including taurine) from China, under a new company, EOS Direct. The EOS Direct registrant information clearly shows Chemnutra as the registrant.

Full Review: Feliway Comfort Zone

Tuesday February 9, 2010

Anyone who has survived the experience can testify that the challenge of dealing with territorial marking (urine spraying) by an unhappy cat is frustrating and sometimes heartbreaking. This type of behavior often results in abandonment or surrendering the offending cat to a shelter. The Feliway Comfort Zone Spray was developed by Farnam, inc. in the mid 1990s to help combat that specific behavior. Since then, the Feliway Comfort Zone Plug-in has been found valuable in combating a number of behavioral problems in cats.

I am currently using a "dual bullet" approach by using both products to help an ongoing battle of the sexes between my alpha cat Jaspurr and little Jenny, my stray-turned-housemate calico girl, who shares my bedroom with me. Be sure to read my full review for the latest information on this stand-off.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of PriceGrabber

Other Helpful Reading

Cat Training
Aggression Between Cats
Urine Spraying Success Story

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Cat Breed of the Week: Munchkin

Tuesday February 9, 2010

Although Munchkins have only recently been accepted as a breed (in TICA, but not in CFA), they have been around for decades. Munchkins can most appropriately be described as "regular cats" with short legs. Like the Sphynx cats, they foster a "love or hate" reaction at first glance, but are gaining appeal with time.

Munchkins are sometimes described as "ferret-like" in their playfulness, as they run, chase, and play with toys. They also have an endearing way of sitting up, rabbit-like, on their hind legs, a trait which gave the original Munchkin Stalingrad cat the name of "Stalingrad Kangaroo Cat." Because Munchkins may be bred to a wide number of breeds, an individual cat's personality will depend on its inheritance. All-in-all, however, they have been described as loving, sociable, and playful by Munchkin fans. Pictured here is Munchkin kitty Bubbles
Photo Credit: © Jeannie Baker

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