Posts tagged "cat"

Cliff-Diving Dog; Anteater Antics

by Evan Jacobs (Subscribe to Evan Jacobs's posts): Feb 26th 2010 6:00PM Filed Under: Dogs, Cats, Chew on This

Rounding up our favorite animal stories, photos, and videos on the Web each week!

Hen's Dino Egg

A mild-mannered hen lays an eggs six times the normal size. Thankfully, she got an epidural. [via Dailymail.co.uk]
Fly, Dog, Fly!

An incredibly intelligent dog jumps off a 300 foot cliff and survives unscathed, ready to go again.[via Google News]
Candles for Daddy

In this video Cesar Milan speaks about the loss of the beloved and lazy Daddy, the grieving process, and plans for the future. [via People Pets]
Sky Mall Kitty

You know all the exorbitantly expensive stuff in Sky Mall for pets you never buy? Someone wrote a song about it! Warning: Not Safe For Ears [via Urlesque]
Little Orphan Ant-y

That's a strange looking dog. I see you've taught him to sit, shake, and eat ants with his spaghetti tongue?![via Pawesome]

Cooking Show Host Fired for Recommending Cat Stew

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Feb 19th 2010 11:00AM Filed Under: Cats

Ah, Italian food. Fresh pasta, sweet basil, fine cheeses and apparently... cat stew.

That last horrific item has landed an Italian cooking-show host in his own pot of boiling hot water. Beppe Bigazzi, a well-known food writer, was fired from the cooking show "La Prova del Cuoco" after telling viewers that stewed cat is a "succulent dish," the Times of London reports.

"I've eaten it myself and it's a lot better than many other animals. Better than chicken, rabbit or pigeon," the 77-year-old Bigazzi told viewers.

The show's presenter Elisa Isoardi, who mentioned her own cat Othello in protest, looked awkwardly horrified as Bigazzi explained that cat meat should be soaked in spring water for three days before cooking.

Bigazzi was suspended indefinitely from the show as critics around Italy spoke out against the idea of eating cats.

"Cats are pets protected by law," from "cruelty, maltreatment and abandonment," said Health Ministry Undersecretary Francesca Martini, according to the Associated Press. Bigazzi's stunt, she said, "hurts sensibility, which is fortunately steadily growing, of citizens toward animals."

Martini also called for the show's producers to be investigated for criminal offenses for inciting the mistreatment of animals, the Times reported.

Bigazzi is off the air (for now). With all that extra free time on his hands, though, we just hope he's not planning any dinner parties.

Guitar Cat Gets His Groove On

by Eliot Glazer (Subscribe to Eliot Glazer's posts): Feb 18th 2010 1:00PM Filed Under: Funny Animal Videos

The last time you saw a cat strum a guitar this good, its last name was Stevens.

How to Handle Matted Cat Hair

by Melissa Ehret (Subscribe to Melissa Ehret's posts): Feb 17th 2010 4:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Grooming

Wicked Cat, Flickr

Cats are meticulous creatures but that doesn't mean your pet can't use help in keeping up its coat. Certain long haired breeds -- such as the Persian, Himalayan, Maine coon, for example -- are especially vulnerable to mats and need to be groomed daily. If you fall behind, your cat can develop knots in its fur that not only detract from the animal's natural beauty but can also be painful to the cat.

The Right Grooming Tools Make a Difference
According to B.J. Fox, a prominent breeder of Persians and Himalayans in Greenbriar, Ark., one should use a professional steel comb on long matted hair, not a brush. Fox, who worked for many years as a pet groomer, prefers using a 7.5" steel fine/medium comb. A different grade may be better suited to your cat's coat.

Combing Techniques
As a pioneering breeder of chocolate and lilac Persians, Fox has seen her share of mats in her cats' hair. She offers this tip: "The end tines of the comb will be your friend if you use them properly. Start at the end of the hair shaft at the mat and hold the base of the mat so that it does not pull the skin of the kitty. Gently use the end tine of the comb to separate the mat and dislodge it so that you can begin to work it loose, little by little, until you can get to the skin."

How to Grow and Dry Your Own Catnip

by Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman (Subscribe to Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman's posts): Feb 12th 2010 4:00PM Filed Under: Cats

Maggie Osterberg, Flickr

Those glazed eyes. That feisty demeanor. And oh, the twitchy bliss. Clearly, someones been dipping into the herb again. Not that herb, but the kitty herb of choice: Catnip!

Growing your own kitty psychedelic is not only less expensive then the pre-packaged variety; it's a connoisseurs delight (at least as far as kitty is concerned). Many local pet stores now stock the live plants for your growing convenience. Harvesting and drying catnip is something any pet owner can easily do.

Harvesting Catnip
Nepeta Cataria, or Catnip, is a herbaceous, perennial herb that can be found growing in the wilds of North America. This hearty relative of the mint family is incredibly easy to grow. About the only problem you'll have is finding a place to plant it that is inaccessible to your cats! The chemical nepetalactone is what triggers the familiar and predictable response in our four-footed friends, but lesser known is the calming effect that some believe it has on humans as well. For this reason, many alternative practitioners regularly recommend catnip as a beneficial tea to soothe the nerves. Though, according to the website Drug.com, there hasn't been scientific research to support this claim.

Catnip typically grows to a height of about three feet and is ready to harvest when it's reached about a foot tall. Don't feel you must wait until any official harvest, however; pinching small quantities from it throughout the growing season will not only help the plant fill out, but is a great way to give kitty a sample of what's to come. Extra pinches can be thrown into a wide-mouthed jar and left to dry on their own.

Havana Browns 101

by Evan Jacobs (Subscribe to Evan Jacobs's posts): Feb 11th 2010 10:00AM Filed Under: Cats

Siddhis Havana Browns

The Havana brown is a cat that, like its name says, is a deep, chocolate brown, similar in appearance to a sable Burmese, but with a deeper, more mahogany coat. Like many breeds, Havana browns are of average size, height, and musculature. They should have green eyes, apple shaped heads, and large ears. Of course, their coat is their biggest distinguishing characteristic, and although there are other brown cats, none have the rich, homogenous luster of the Havana brown.

According to Wikipedia, the origins of the Havana brown are hard to pin down, but it seems to have first shown up as a man-made breed in late nineteenth century England. Most likely, it was born from a cross between a Siamese and another cat, perhaps one with a solid coat. They didn't have a name or a real breed until the 1950s, when a group of English women bred a chocolate-point Siamese with a black shorthair, and since then, they have existed as a breed and are recognized by all major cat fancier organizations.

Havana browns are curious and intelligent cats. We spoke to Carolyn Huddy, a Havana brown breeder who was present when the first Havana browns came to America, about what it's like to live with one of these mahogany beauties:

"The Havana brown is a gentle, loving breed. They are quiet cats, but will let you know when they are hungry. They love attention and give love back ten-fold. They like to adorn your lap, are intelligent, loyal, purr incessantly and have an affinity for nuzzling in your hair. This seems to be an inborn trait as every Havana brown I have known of mine and others has this same quality."

If you are interested in adopting a sphynx, it is best to do plenty of research (as always). Talk to owners, and go to a reputable adoption organization, such as Purebred Cat Rescue.

Susan Boyle's Cat Has a New Home

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Feb 10th 2010 2:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Celebrity Pets

Getty Images

Has fame already changed Susan Boyle? The singer once made headlines for being a bit of a crazy cat lady. These days she's so busy traveling the globe that she's moved her beloved cat, Pebbles, out of her house, TVNZ reports.

Susan Boyle rocketed to fame after stunning the world with her voice on the U.K. television show "Britain's Got Talent." But last summer, Boyle had a breakdown over her cat Pebbles, the Daily Mail reported at the time. After throwing a tantrum in a Liverpool hotel, in which the confused singer screamed repeatedly that she needed her cat, 48-year-old Boyle missed a concert and was ordered by doctors to get some rest.

Just look at Boyle now. These days the jet-setting vocalist is touring the world, and has moved Pebbles out of her home in West Lothian, Scotland, and into the home of a retired accountant in London, TVNZ reports.

According to that report, Boyle's mentor, Simon Cowell, helped find the cat temporary new digs, since Boyle was so rarely home. Her new caregiver, 76-year-old Pamela Eaton-Browne, gets $9 per day to care for the cat, according to TVNZ. The 11-year-old Pebbles has been living with Eaton-Browne since July, and is lavished daily with treats like premium wet food, chicken and fish.

With Boyle and her cat in the news yet again, fans are jumping to defend her. "There is no need to blow this out of proportion -- Pebbles is temporarily living with retired accountant Pamela Eaton-Browne whilst Susan is travelling all the time," notes the Susan Boyle fan site.

What do you think? Is this a case of a cat abandoned for fame and fortune, or is Susan Boyle once again the victim of media scrutiny overload?

Win a Fancy Feast Grammy Gift Package!

by Kristen Seymour (Subscribe to Kristen Seymour's posts): Feb 8th 2010 5:00PM Filed Under: Cats

taboo WireImage

Celebrity cat lovers (like Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, pictured left) got a real treat when they hit the gifting suites at this year's Grammy Awards -- posing for photos was Fancy Feast's famously fluffy white mascot.

But come on, we're talking about gifting suites. You know celebs weren't only stopping by for a quick pic with a famous feline. The stars also walked out with two luxury heart charms (one for the cat, one for her owner), a sparkling suede cat collar (perfect for the most fashionable feline), a FlipCam Mino for capturing special award-winning moments and, of course, an assortment of Fancy Feast Appetizers for cats.

This week, one lucky Paw Nation winner will win that same Grammy gift package!

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us: If your cat was a music artist, which human performer would he or she most be like (and why!).

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. EST on Friday, Feb. 12, 2010.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive a Fancy Feast Grammy gift package, including two luxury heart charms (one for the cat, one for his or her owner), a sparkling suede cat collar, a FlipCam Mino for capturing special award-winning moments and an assortment of Fancy Feast Appetizers for cats (valued at $450).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Moderncat's Modern Finds: Valentine's Day Picks

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Feb 8th 2010 4:30PM Filed Under: Cats, Photo Galleries

With so many cat products hitting shelves every week, we asked our favorite kitty-centric blog, Moderncat, to round up their faves in our column, Moderncat's Modern Finds.

Let your kitty know how much you love her this Valentine's Day with some of these cool gifts made just for her.

How to Know If Your Cat Is Overweight

by Paul Ammann (Subscribe to Paul Ammann's posts): Feb 5th 2010 4:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Health

Flickr/danperry.com

The majority of today's pet cats are at least somewhat overweight, and a large percentage is obese. Long gone are the days when an average, medium-framed adult feline weighed a sleek ten pounds. Now, the same cat typically will weigh thirteen to fourteen pounds. A disturbing number will tip the scales at a morbidly obese twenty pounds or more.

Are you concerned that your cat is overweight? Here is what you need to know:

1. If your cat is an adult female, she should weigh between seven and eleven pounds. Exceptions are purebred cats of the Maine coon, Norwegian forest cat and ragdoll breeds. Healthy females of these breeds can weigh as much as fourteen pounds.

2. If your cat is an adult male, and not one of the larger breeds mentioned above, he should weigh nine to twelve pounds. Healthy males of the larger breeds can weigh thirteen to eighteen pounds normally.

3. Even if your cat does not exceed the guidelines above, he or she may still be overweight. One way to tell is to stand your cat up on its back legs. Do you see a "waist" just below the rib cage and just above the hind legs? Cats should not be perfect rectangles or squares. They are designed to have shoulders and ribs that are broader than their hips, like an athletic human swimmer.

DeeDee and Tino's Weight Loss Blog: Vegas, Kitty, Vegas

by Laura Gilbert (Subscribe to Laura Gilbert's posts): Feb 2nd 2010 11:00AM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Health, Animal Nutrition

Getty Images/Laura Gilbert

Wherein I try to get my pets to a healthy cat weight. Catch up on past posts here.

Yes, yes, it's been a while since you last heard from the fat cats. They've been busy. As you can see, they've relocated to Las Vegas. One cross-country drive and some unpacking later, they are settling into their new routine.

Both cats have now lost three pounds each. I chalk it up to having more room in their Vegas apartment to play, plus marble floors that make toys extra hard to pin down. The commute from the bed to the food bowl is much farther here, so they naturally burn more calories. There's even talk of them soon having their own yard in which to play. (I, on the other hand, have found all six of those missing pounds since moving here, but that's a story for a different blog.)

A vet we saw in Topeka was actually worried that Tino had lost too much weight too quickly, so she upped his daily dose of insulin. A follow-up in Vegas revealed that he's maintaining nicely.

DeeDee and Tino have pretty much stuck to their two-cans-of-food-per-day regimen, but lately I've been giving in and serving them dry food when they wake me up for it in the middle of the night. To combat the extra calories, their dinner can has been downsized to one of the three-ouncers split between them.

Month 4
DeeDee: 17 pounds
Tino: 17 pounds

Five Great Natural Pet Products

by Angela Colley (Subscribe to Angela Colley's posts): Jan 29th 2010 4:00PM Filed Under: Pet Product Reviews

West Paw Design

There are several benefits to natural pet products. Natural pet foods and treats are made from organic ingredients of human-grade quality, meaning your pet won't be eating anything you wouldn't eat. Natural grooming products are made from organic materials that are safe to use, and will keep pets from getting rashes and irritations. Natural toys, collars, and leashes are biodegradable, recyclable, and have a low impact on the environment. These five natural pet products are tested and approved by pet owners and animal experts for their high-quality ingredients, safety, and enjoyability.

Wellness Pet Food
Wellness offers lines of all-natural dog and cat foods that are made to human-grade standard. Their dog food includes dry and canned formulas that have no artificial ingredients. The Wellness dog food lines are high in protein and low calories. The cat food lines include dry and canned formulas. Wellness cat food limits the risk of urinary tract problems -- one of the biggest reason cats end up in veterinary offices.

Dr. Harvey's Herbal Protection Shampoo
Made specifically for dogs, Dr. Harvey's Herbal Protection Shampoo is sulfate-free and made from organic ingredients. The Herbal Protection Shampoo is safe to use even on dogs with sensitive skin or allergy problems because it contains no artificial coloring or fragrance. Dr. Harvey's natural pet products are cruelty-free and come in biodegradable packaging.

The History of the House Cat

by Rose Martelli (Subscribe to Rose Martelli's posts): Jan 20th 2010 4:00PM Filed Under: Cats

Flickr/dcysurfer

Cats are the most popular house pets in the United States. It's estimated that Americans have as many as 90 million feline friends roaming the hallways of every one out of three homes, staking out their favorite nap spots and clawing at our furniture upholstery. Of course, we weren't the first people to enjoy their company.

As popular culture often reminds us, it was Middle Easterners -- and, most famously, the Egyptians -- who first demonstrated a reverence for the cat. In fact, a 2007 study published in "Science" states that every species of domestic cat originally descended from Felis sylvestris, a Middle Eastern wildcat whose nomenclature means "cat of the woods." (Wonder if that's also where Sylvester got his name?)

The study also postulated that the domestication of Felis sylvestris began about 12,000 years ago, just as ancient Middle Easterners were transitioning from nomadic, hunting populations to agriculturally based, stationary societies. Whereas dogs would've been helpful to hunters, cats -- and their pantry-guarding and rodent-hunting skills -- would prove instrumental to the successful storage of grains and other farmed goods. (True to what we know about a cat's nature, it is believed that humans didn't necessarily seek out cats to catch mice; cats simply showed up on their own accord where there were mice to be caught -- and, of course, eaten.)

Kitten Born Without Feet Needs a Home

by Kirsten Taylor (Subscribe to Kirsten Taylor's posts): Jan 13th 2010 5:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Pet Adoption

When a litter of kittens was born in Boston recently, all quickly found homes -- except one. Nubbins, who was born without hind feet, was surrendered to the MSPCA-Angell Animal Medical Center.

Nubbins was placed in foster care for several weeks, where he learned to walk on his malformed limbs, according to an MSPCA-Angell press release.

Now Nubbins needs a permanent home. His ideal home will be fully carpeted, since hard surfaces would be hazardous to his tender back legs. And his future adopters will need to have regular visits with a veterinarian who can keep a close eye on Nubbins' legs as he grows.

MSPCA-Angell staff are optimistic he'll find a loving home. "We care for thousands of homeless animals every year and we frequently encounter those with special needs," Meagan Rock, director of the MSPCA Boston Animal Care and Adoption Center, said in the news release.

Despite his special situation, Nubbins is a typical kitten. "This was something he was born with," Rock told Boston's WHDH News. "It's a deformity that he has and he overcomes all the time. He loves to play."

Here's hoping adorable little Nubbins finds his new home soon.

Moderncat's Modern Finds: What to Wear

by Paw Nation Staff (Subscribe to Paw Nation Staff's posts): Jan 8th 2010 3:00PM Filed Under: Cats, Photo Galleries

With so many cat products hitting shelves every week, we asked our favorite kitty-centric blog, Moderncat, to round up their faves in our column, Moderncat's Modern Finds.

Kitty is beautiful just as she is, but this collection of stylish collars and ID tags will make her feel like a fashionista. When choosing a collar for kitty, always make sure to look for a safety feature like a breakaway buckle or elastic stretch band.

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Moderncat's Modern Finds: What To Wear

Designer Ribbon Cat Collars: $11 to $13
Looking for a unique way to give your cat a little style? Check out these adorable cat collars from Pattern & Paw. These handmade collars have breakaway buckles for safety and come in a huge assortment of colorful ribbon designs. Available in three adjustable sizes.

Pattern & Paw

Moderncats Modern Finds: What To Wear

Pattern & Paw

Retro Cat ID Tag: $22
Give kitty a little retro flair with this hip flower identification tag from George. You can even have the ID tag engraved with up to four lines of information at no extra charge.

George

Puchi Glamour Cat Collars: $22
If your cat has a taste for couture, she will love these glamour cat collars by Puchi. These leather collars have a diamante crusted buckle and diamante studs all around the collar. They do have an elastic strip to keep kitty safe. Finished off with an exclusive Puchi "P" logo tag, these collars are only for the most glamorous felines.

Puchi

Enamel and Metal ID Tags for Cats: $11
These stylish ID tags for cats are not only cute, but they are quite durable, too. Made from stainless steel with enamel designs, they come in a variety of colors and styles. Each tag can be customized with kitty's information.

Cool Cat Collars

Handmade Cat Collars: $10
Is kitty's wardrobe in need of an update? Well check out these stylish cat collars from Paws 'n Tails. Available in a wide range of hip fabrics including retro/vintage inspired prints, stripes, solids, dots, florals and a whole lot more, each collar is handmade from soft fabric and has a breakaway clasp and removable bell.

Paws 'n Tails

Acrylic Cat ID Tags: $8
Are you concerned about the weight of your cat's ID tag? Then these acrylic tags are a great solution. Made from durable, lightweight material that is easy to clean, these tags come in a variety of shapes and colors and can be engraved with three lines of contact info.

Cool Cat Collars

Swarovsky Crystal Designer Cat Collars: $40
Every cat needs a little bling. And there is no better bling than genuine Swarovski crystals. These Swarovski designer cat collars are the ultimate in sophisticated glam, featuring three rows of crystals on a soft leather collar. The design incorporates an elastic stretch band for safety.

The Pet Extraordinarium

Pewter Collar Charms: $3 to $4
These adorable silver-tone pewter charms from Jake and Micah come in a variety of fun shapes including fishbones, paw prints, lucky cats, and tiny fortune cookies. The perfect touch of style to add to kitty's collar.

Jake and Micah

Adjustable Cat Safety Collar: $5
If safety and comfort are your main concern when it comes to selecting a cat collar, then these adjustable cat safety collars from National Leash may be just the thing for you. These collars are light weight and durable, made from a thin mountain climbing cord, which helps prevent rubbing and matting. The breakaway safety feature helps protect your cat from injury. Available in a wide variety of colors.

National Leash

Handcrafted Leather Cat Accessories: Collar $292; Pendant $264
Check out these exquisite handcrafted cat collars and tags from Accomplice Design. The collar is made of the highest quality English bridle leather with sterling silver clasp and attachments. The tags are created with a color pencil and pastel drawing, encased in resin and framed with sterling silver that is hand-polished to a brushed satin finish. The collars have an elastic band for safety.

Accomplice Design

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Camouflage Animals

Madagascar Day Gecko
The green Madagascar Day Gecko lives in the dry regions of forests in Madagascar and neighboring islands. They usually grow to be between four to six inches long. Their tail makes up almost half of their length.

Getty Images

Camouflage Animals

Argentine Horned Frog Reptiles
The Argentine Horned Frog, also known as the Horned Frog or Pacman Frog, originated in South America. The green and black amphibian, which can grow up to six inches long, is a popular pets and can live for as long as 10 years.

Camouflage Animals

Walkingstick
The Walkingstick takes its camouflage abilities to the next level by creating the appearance of a stick or twig to hide from predators. While they normally stand still, these insects are able to walk around as though they were a twig caught in the wind. They can be found in tropical forests or woodlands all across the world.

Camouflage Animals

Dwarf Puff Adder
Found in Nambia, the venomous Dwarf Puff Adder hides from the hot desert sun by burying itself in the sand, where only its eyes show.

Camouflage Animals

Stonefish
Often resembling a rock, the brown colored Stonefish camouflages itself perfectly in the ocean. With 13 venomous dorsal spines on its back, the Stonefish can cause tissue damage and respiratory distress, which can lead to cardiovascular shock if left untreated.

Camouflage Animals

Chameleons
Chameleons, the quintessential color-changers, can transform their skin color when their mood, temperature or the amount of light around them is altered. Their hue, which can vary from yellow and pink to brown and black, is also altered when they communicate.

Camouflage Animals

Green Anole
Often confused with chameleons, Green Anoles turn brown when they're stressed or sick. Found in the trees and shrubs of the Southeastern United States, these lizards are popular pets.

Camouflage Animals

The Eastern Wood Frog
The Eastern Wood Frog tricks competitors by changing colors to match its surroundings. Found in North American woodlands, the frog also has a dark black patch from its eye to the base of its front limb that can change colors.

Camouflage Animals