Humor
Naming Your Cat
With all apologies to T.S. Eliot, the naming of cats is not all that delicate a matter.
But some thought should certainly be given to it. Giving the cat a foolish or ugly name on
the spur of the moment because it sounds funny is no way to start a relationship. It
encourages a careless and disrespectful attitude toward the cat not only in yourself, but in
other people as well. A bad name encourages a bad attitude toward the cat. Fortunately,
coming up with ... Read More »
Cat Behavior
Cat Behavior
More Oddities
In my previous article on cat behavior, we discussed some interesting and unusual
behavior displayed by the family of cats that live on my farm. That was only the
beginning. These cats seem to delight in unexpected behavior. I thought I would share a
few more gems with you.
There are three female cats on my farm. They consist of matriarch, Patch, and two
of her daughters. There have been other female cats on the farm, but I have been able to
find new ... Read More »
Let’s Go For A Walk!
Why should dogs have all the fun? Many indoor cats would love to go outside and
enjoy the sun but it is often far too dangerous to let them simply wander about as they
please. Busy roads, large dogs and careless people are hazards many of us don't want our
cats exposed to. So why not teach him to walk on a leash?
But cats don't walk on leashes! That's the sentiment many people have when the
idea is first introduced. It's true that some ... Read More »
Indoors vs. Outdoors
Should you allow your cat outdoors? Is it better and really safer to keep him indoors?
There's really no easy answer to this question. Many vets agree that when a cat is kept indoors for prolonged periods of time, he gets used to having a roof over his head and when he's outside in the vast "nothingness" of open sky, he can actually get very frightened. Some indoor cats sneak outside only to race back to the house, scared and confused.
Your ... Read More »
Always Reward
There is something about a cat's personality that won't always connect a punishment or aversion with the lesson you're trying to teach. When a dog messes on the carpet you can rub their nose it and they get the hint - that mess doesn't belong there. But if you try to punish a cat or use aversion to keep them from doing something, they rarely make the connection between that mess on the carpet and your actions. Instead, they may ... Read More »