Did You Know That Cats Are Really Bad at Catching Rats?

Cats are good at so many thing — napping, chasing laser pointer dots around the room, napping, eating, and napping, just to name a few — but apparently they’re really, really bad at catching rats. A new study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution explains just how terrible they are at doing one of the things they’re supposed to be good at.

As Wired reports, researchers led by Michael Parsons set up shop at a waste disposal facility in New York City in the hopes of studying urban rats in their natural environment. The original plan was to catch and release the rats and then study their behavior so that they could come up with more efficient ways of curbing rat populations. That’s when the cats spoiled their party… well, sort of.

Not content to just throw in the towel, the team decided to observe how the rats interacted with a group of feral cats which had made the facility their home. The felines, which are well-known as rodent hunters, would surely make life difficult for the rats, right?

Apparently not.

Using cameras to document the happenings inside the dump’s walls, the researchers found plenty of instances of the cats and rats being in the same place at the same time. They recorded over 300 instances of both cats and rats within close proximity of each other.

However, only 20 times did a cat actually attempt to hunt its rodent prey, and almost never actually followed through. In fact, only two rats were killed during the entirety of the observation period. Most of the time the cats just kind of watched the rodents from afar or ignored them completely.

But while the cats were clearly not adept at killing the rats, they did affect how the rats behaved in other ways. When the cats were present, the rats were more careful about their movements, sneaking around rather than trotting out in plain sight. This, as it turns out, does more harm than good, since stealthy rats are harder for humans to control and eliminate.

Feral cats have proven to be troublesome pests in their own right. In Australia, cats which hunt birds are such a massive problem that huge “cat-free zones” are under construction that will serve as a haven for bird populations to recover.

Coming up with new ways of controlling rats in urban environments is certainly a noble effort, but cats are apparently not the answer.

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‘High-Rise Syndrome’ In Cats: They Don’t Always Land on Their Feet -Breaking the Myth

It is often said that cats always land on their feet – and indeed they do have a complex righting reflex that naturally kicks in as a cat falls, allowing it to orientate itself to land on its feet. However, the fall needs to be high enough to allow the cat to twist, but not too high to cause serious injury, and the cat’s legs need to be able to absorb the shock of the fall. With high falls the jaw often hits the ground and is broken, and other severe injuries can also occur. Older or less agile cats may also not be able to right themselves in time.

To read more on this story, click here: ‘High-Rise Syndrome’ In Cats: They Don’t Always Land on Their Feet:- Breaking the Myth

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I Cannot Figure Out Why My Cat Begs For Water From the Sink, So I Asked 2 Vets

My cat Elvis is very particular about the water he drinks, almost never drinking from the water dish my two other cats use. Instead, whenever I brush my teeth, he sits on the counter waiting for his cup of bathroom tap water. Recently, he's started begging to drink water straight from the tap. He'll jump into the bathtub to lap up the water after someone showers. My dad has even gone so far as to figure out that Elvis's preferred drink is a blue bowl of water from our fridge, microwaved for one minute to warm it up, and set down for him on the floor right next to his scratching post.

To read more on this story, click here: I Cannot Figure Out Why My Cat Begs For Water From the Sink, So I Asked 2 Vets

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Meet Smoothie, The World’s Most Photogenic Cat

 

As you can see from these pictures, Smoothie knows how to pose for the camera. Then again, it’s pretty easy for her. After all, while most of us have a best angle, EVERY angle is Smoothie’s best angle! With 175k followers and counting, Smoothie is the cat that Instagram was made for, so head on over to her popular page and join her legion of worshippers. As it says on her site, “Sometimes you just need a Smoothie in your life”. We couldn’t agree more.

“This gorgeous kitty has a coat of fur that is luxuriously long and fluffy. When she sits up tall, her legs are hidden behind all that floof. With that bushy tail strutting about, she turns herself into a foxy kitty.“

To read more on this story, click here: Meet Smoothie, The World’s Most Photogenic Cat

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All the Essentials Your Cat Actually Needs, According to Vets

(CNN) —  

Crazy about a cat? Smitten with a kitten? Congratulations on the new addition to the family. “Cats are unique creatures,” says Chris Menges, a veterinarian in Austin, Texas, working in digital pet care delivery. “Yes, they can be more aloof than dogs, but interacting and communicating with your cat can provide one of the deepest human-animal bonds that is seen.”

Job one of cat parenthood is finding the right veterinarian. “The saying ‘You have nothing without your health’ is applicable not just to us but to our pets as well,” notes veterinarian Rachel Barrack of Animal Acupuncture in New York City. “You need a veterinarian who you feel comfortable discussing your concerns with.”

To read more on this story, click here: All the Essentials Your Cat Actually Needs, According to Vets

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The Humane Rescue Alliance Monthly Outdoor Adoption Events! (Washington, DC)

Looking to adopt, but can’t do it today? The Humane Rescue Alliance, 1022 M Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003-3616. You can join them on the first Saturday of every month for an outdoor adoption event at their M Street location. PLEASE SHARE!

Todays Event:

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Cats Are too Socially Inept To Be Loyal

Cats may be too socially clueless to understand when someone is not being nice to their owners.

In the cat world, there's a saying that you should keep your humans' friends close and your humans' enemies … just as close. That's the takeaway of a new study that shows that cats, unlike dogs, will gladly accept food from people who are not nice to their owners. 

While dog lovers may rejoice at the chance for another study suggesting dogs are more loyal than cats, the conclusion is not that simple. It might not be that cats are disloyal; rather, they may be too socially clueless to understand when someone is not being nice to their owners, according to the new study, which was published in the February issue of the journal Animal Behavior and Cognition.

To read more on this story, click here: Cats Are too Socially Inept To Be Loyal

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Feline Mystery Solved in Maryland as Giant ‘Ghost Cat' Finds Loving Home

A neighborhood in Olney, Maryland, was wondering if a wild lynx was on the loose — but one family soon learned this “Ghost Cat” was ready for a loving home. News4’s Molette Green reports.

To see video, click here: Feline Mystery Solved in Maryland as Giant ‘Ghost Cat' Finds Loving Home

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Two Cats Are First U.S. Pets to Test Positive for Coronavirus

The animals appear to have mild symptoms and likely caught the virus from their owners. And there’s no evidence pets can pass it to humans.

The first pets in the United States, two cats from New York State, have tested positive for the virus that is causing the worldwide pandemic, the Agriculture Department and the Centers for Disease Control announced Wednesday.

The cats, from different parts of the state, are showing only mild symptoms and are expected to be fine.

Testing positive does not mean the cats have the same illness that people have. Nor does it mean that the cats can pass on the illness to people. And tests for pets are not the same as those for people, so no humans missed out on testing because the cats were tested.

To read more on this story, click here: Two Cats Are First U.S. Pets to Test Positive for Coronavirus

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Cats Can Infect Each Other With Coronavirus, Chinese Study Finds

Feline transmission to humans not shown but infected pet owners warned to be careful

Cat owners may wish to be more cautious about contact with their pets, as a study from China has revealed Covid-19 can be transmitted between cats.

The team, at Harbin Veterinary Research Institute in China, found that cats are highly susceptible to Covid-19 and appear to be able to transmit the virus through respiratory droplets to other cats. Dogs, chickens, pigs and ducks were found to be unlikely to catch the infection, however.

To read more on this story, click here: Cats Can Infect Each Other With Coronavirus, Chinese Study Finds

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Cataracts In Cats: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments

If you’ve noticed a change in your cat’s eye color or their vision seems impaired, you may suspect cataracts of being the cause.

Cataracts are sometimes viewed as a condition that only affects the eyes of seniors, but this is not the case with cats. In fact, age is generally not the main factor when cats develop them, and it’s more rare for cataracts to appear in cats than in dogs.

You should always take your cat to the vet if you notice abnormalities when it comes to their eyes. Here’s what you should know about cataracts in cats.

To read more on this story, click here: Cataracts In Cats: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments

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Could My Pet Be Allergic to Their Food?

Just like people, cats and dogs can have food allergies, too. And like humans, those allergic responses can range from itchy and irritating to severe and dangerous.

Food allergies in pets can begin at any age. They can start even if your cat or dog has been eating the same food for months or years.

If your pet has a food allergy, you may notice:

Itchy skin: Also known as allergic dermatitis, this is the most common type of allergy in pets. Irritated, itchy skin can happen anywhere on your pet’s body. In cats, it often happens on the head and neck. In dogs, it often happens near the:

To read more on this story, click here: Could My Pet Be Allergic to Their Food?

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Feline Vision Problems: A Host of Possible Causes

In most cases, early diagnosis and treatment can keep a cat from losing its eyesight, but it's important to look for signs of trouble and ensure your cat gets regular check-ups.

Cats have developed several unique vision features during their evolution that enable them to see clearly indoors and out. Unfortunately, these finely-tuned feline eyes are vulnerable to injury and a wide variety of diseases that can dramatically impair a cat’s eyesight or, in some cases, render a cat partially or totally blind.

"We see cats that are either blind or going blind several times a week," says Thomas Kern, DVM, associate professor of ophthalmology at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. "Most of these animals have eye disease as a primary disorder—they have no other health problems. And most of them are middle-aged or elderly cats whose vision loss has been progressing for years."

To read more on this story, click here: Feline Vision Problems: A Host of Possible Causes

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Comedian Zoltan Kaszas’s Breakdown Of Why Cat’s Are Better Than Dogs

There are thousands of comedians in the world. Every topic has been explored for it’s comedic possibilities from a thousand different perspectives. We’ve ALL been around animals in one form or another through our lives. But there are just some people who retell their tales with a hilarity that draws others to them. Their side-splitting perspectives are just better displayed from the stage. And for comedian Zoltan Kaszas, 33, his daily antics with his cat have provided him with a truly unique view into the lives of animals.

However, Zoltan Kaszas’s standup routine of “Why Cat’s Are Better Than Dogs” has garnered MILLIONS of views on YouTube! 

To read more on this story, click here: Comedian Zoltan Kaszas’s Breakdown Of Why Cat’s Are Better Than Dogs

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If You're Thinking About Adopting a Cat, Here's Exactly How Much It'll Cost

If you're looking into adopting a cat, you're in for all the snuggles, special moments, and catching your new feline pal getting into nooks you never thought possible. Life will be so much sweeter – but it also comes with a multitude of costs and expenses. For some, cats might seem much more low maintenance than other pets, which can be true. That being said, the yearly costs of having a cat should be examined before adopting, that way, you avoid unpleasant surprises when presented with initial adoption fees, and the eventual veterinary expenses, food costs, and more. Having everything laid out beforehand will make the entire process of getting a cat much smoother, and you'll steer clear of upsets throughout the years as you focus on enjoying your furry friend.

To read more on this story, click here: If You're Thinking About Adopting a Cat, Here's Exactly How Much It'll Cost

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These Giant Cats Have Taken Over A Woman’s Farm, And These Photos Are Proof

Along with freezing cold winters, a small Siberian village outside of Barnaul, Russia, is also known for a high population of cats. The growth of resident felines is such that one local farmer, Alla Lebedeva, has started referring to her property as “Catland.”

In an interview with Design YouTrust, Lebedeva revealed that she and her husband Sergey are partially responsible for the town’s swelling number of feline residents. “How many do we have now? To such a question I usually answer ‘a million, maybe more,’” she said.

The Lebedevas started feeding this especially large, furry breed when they realized how efficient Siberian cats were protecting their other farm animals.

To read more on this story, click here: These Giant Cats Have Taken Over A Woman’s Farm, And These Photos Are Proof

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What To Know About Cat Vaccinations

Cats don’t actually have nine lives, so you need to do what you can to protect them. The key? The right vaccinations. Shots protect your cat from diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. They can also strengthen their immune system.

Whether you have a kitten or an adult cat, your vet can help you figure out which vaccines are best and how often your kitty should get shots. It usually depends on their age, overall health, and lifestyle. The vet will also think about how long vaccines are supposed to last and how likely your cat might be to come into contact with a certain disease. Also, many local and state governments have laws about vaccines like rabies.

To read more on this story, click here: What To Know About Cat Vaccinations

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Why is My Older Cat Refusing to Use the Litter Box?

DEAR JOAN: One of my cats is a 15-year-old male that was feral. We’ve had him a good long time in the house, and, finally, after 10 years, he isn’t spending most of his time under a bed because there was a noise.

He has never had a problem holding everything until he could sneak out to the litter box in the dark and do his business. Then all of a sudden about two months ago he started peeing on the bath mat in one of our bathrooms. This was usually at night.

We started keeping the door shut, but he then started using the carpet in my office as his private commode, both peeing and defecating on it sometimes. I tried using some repellent that contained methyl nonyl ketone (didn’t want coyote pee smell, too) on the carpet with little or no effect on his behavior. I ended up discarding the carpet and now keep the door closed.

To read more on this story, click here: Why is My Older Cat Refusing to Use the Litter Box?

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Man Shelters 300 Dogs From Hurricane Delta In Mexico Home

LEONA VICARIO, Mexico (AP) — As the dangerous Hurricane Delta closed in on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Ricardo Pimentel opened his home — to about 300 dogs.

There were plenty of other critters too: Dozens of cats were harbored in his son's room; his daughter's room served as a refuge for chicks, bunnies and even a hedgehog; a patio became a haven for a flock of sheep.

Not surprisingly, the house smelled terrible, he says. But it was worth it: All survived the storm.

To read more on this story, click here: Man Shelters 300 Dogs From Hurricane Delta In Mexico Home

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Hypothyroidism is a Condition That Can Affect Cats and Lead to an Array of Serious Health Issues

Detecting, Diagnosing, and Treating Underactive Thyroid Low thyroid hormone, or hypothyroidism (not to be confused with hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid), is a condition that can affect cats and lead to an array of serious health issues if it goes untreated. Though hypothyroidism is relatively rare in cats and affects many key aspects of a cat’s metabolism, it is usually manageable.

Low levels of hormones produced by the thyroid are usually the result of treatment for a far more common condition, hyperthyroidism. As such, most cases can be treated by simply adjusting the treatment regimen for the original condition so that the cat is producing thyroid hormones within the normal range.

Other causes of this condition include a reaction to radioactive iodine treatment, an iodine deficiency in the diet of the cat, a side effect of taking methimazole that results in the reduced production of thyroxine, the removal of either or both of the cat’s thyroid glands, a thyroid tumor or a tumor in the immediate area of the thyroid, and a variety of other autoimmune diseases.

Symptoms of Feline Thyroid Hormone Deficiency

Producing insufficient levels of thyroid hormones can have various effects throughout a cat’s metabolism, and many of these effects are undetectable at home. Symptoms of thyroid hormone deficiency in cats can include:

• A thinning of the coat
• General muscle weakness
• Hair loss
• Weight gain due to slowed metabolism
• Lethargy
• Sleeping more than usual
• Loss of appetite
• Pale gums
• Hypothermia
• Constipation
• Dry skin and dandruff

Diagnosis of Thyroid Hormone Deficiency in Cats

In most cases, diagnosing low thyroid hormone levels is as simple as running a few tests to determine the hormone levels in the blood. However, in some cases a veterinarian will need to perform a variety of other tests in order to arrive at a conclusive diagnosis. These tests can include:

• A urinalysis
• Blood tests, sometimes including a complete blood count
• Chest x-rays or abdominal x-rays

Treating Thyroid Hormone Deficiency in Your Cat
Treatment for this condition in cats usually depends upon what the vet determines to be the underlying cause. As mentioned above, the overwhelming majority of hypothyroidism in cats is caused by treatment for hyperthyroid, in which case a simple adjustment of medication generally clears up the issue. In cats where other underlying causes are to blame, treatment for the condition can vary from surgery to remove tumors, to supplemental thyroid hormones.

If the cat has had their thyroid glands removed, then treatment will be needed for the remainder of the cat’s life. Medication typically has a positive effect on the condition following the first six weeks of treatment, but ongoing monitoring of the condition may be required for the life of the cat.

Prognosis for Cats Dealing With Thyroid Issues
Hypothyroidism can be prevented in many cases where treatment for hyperthyroidism is the cause. If the cat is seen regularly and has its hormone levels monitored, adjustment of medication can be completed proactively. In other cases, where the thyroid glands have been removed or are no longer functioning, medication and monitoring can allow for the cat to live a normal life.



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