Felines rule -- at least in this post!

                                          Catster pic

Cats and cats and cats:  my reading file runneth over!  Yes, I know we’re between NJ bear hunts, involved with myriad other animal advocacy projects and concerned about animal welfare worldwide . . . but many of us also live with cats we love and care for. 

So, some cat news and views today.

This first news brief can’t really be a surprise: “Data from recent studies show that your personality can have a serious impact on your cat’s health,” Catster online reports.  Well, of course.  

Rosey H

Like most people, most cats must prefer peace, quiet and positivism. Continuing the parallel, cats and people alike can show ill effects when subject to the opposite conditions.  

Studying cat owners’ answers to questions about their cats and themselves, UK researchers found that people “who scored high in the “neuroticism” category had cats with more ongoing medical issues, including stress-linked illness, and anxious or fearful behaviors. These cats were also more likely to be overweight.”

At “the other end of the spectrum, owners scoring high on agreeableness, extroversion, conscientiousness and openness were more likely to have cats with fewer health and behavior problems.”

Which prompts me to wonder whether those who adopt cats out should run similar tests on -- or at least warn -- about this connection to prospective feline parents.  Similarly, should veterinarians have a word with cat parents scoring high in the neuroticism category?  

Hypoallergenic cats: for real?

Sphynx                                     Shutterstock

All I needed to see in this article was the main cause for vets ending their careers -- no, not dog bites or burnout, but allergies to cats!  I confess to being skeptical about people who claim allergies when surrendering cats, but this article, written by a vet, lends support to that excuse. 

Hypoallergenic cats?  Maybe . . .

 https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/do-hypoallergenic-cats-exist-cat-allergies?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=Catster%20Ful%20List&utm_campaign=CED20190814

Shelter cat health

The good news: more and more people are adopting cats from shelters (which are the worst possible places for cats, who have abysmal survival rates in such places).  The bad news: adopters often have to wonder how healthy their chosen cat is.

A key piece of advice in Catster’s “Health Help for Shelter Cats” is to get the desired cat’s medical history, or at least the immediate history (“which shelters are ethically obligated to be honest about”).  Be alert about what diseases to look out for, and consider both the facility’s cleanliness and crowdedness.

Spotting pheromone diffusers can signal a shelter’s good intentions because use of products like Feliway can help reduce feline stress levels. 

    

                                  AlleyCatAllies pic

Given that a new pet’s health is the most important concern for adopters, this article advises what to check out and how to move your new cat into your home -- especially if resident cats are already there.  

https://www.catster.com/adoption/health-help-for-shelter-cats?utm_source=WhatCountsEmail&utm_medium=Catster%20Ful%20List&utm_campaign=CED20191002

Finally on the cat front, “Californians are leading the pack,” according to a recent Humane Society of the US (HSUS) report: a new law there stops the trophy hunting of bobcats (while another new law bans the sale of new fur products).  Go Golden State!  

‘. . . something completely different’

Next Saturday, October 26, is National Pit Bull Awareness Day.  And these poor, put-upon dogs have sure earned the recognition!  Pet a pit bull; get to know a pit bull; adopt a pit bull -- for pittie’s sake!

The Cats

by Ann Iverson

To find such glory in a dehydrated pea

on the tile between the stove and fridge.

To toss the needs of others aside

when you simply aren't in the mood for affection.

To find yourselves so irresistible.

And always in a small spot of sun,

you sprawl and spread out the pleasure of yourselves

never fretting, never wanting to go back

to erase your few decisions.

To find yourself so remarkable

all the day long.

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