• About
  • Articles
    • Animals
      • Bees
        • Bees Used for Landmine Detection
        • Honeybee Facts
        • How to Help Endangered Bees
        • Loss of Bees Threatens Global Food System
        • Plants That Attract Bees
      • Birds
        • Bird Expressions Gallery
        • How to Attract Birds to Your Garden
        • Hummingbird Feeders
        • Hummingbird Gardening
        • Plants That Attract Birds
          • Plants That Attract Bluebirds
          • Plants That Attract Buntings
          • Plants That Attract Bush Tits
          • Plants That Attract Cardinals
          • Plants That Attract Catbirds
          • Plants That Attract Chickadees
          • Plants That Attract Doves
          • Plants That Attract European Robins
          • Plants That Attract Finches
          • Plants That Attract Grosbeaks
          • Plants That Attract Hummingbirds
          • Plants That Attract Jays
          • Plants That Attract Juncos
          • Plants That Attract Mockingbirds
          • Plants That Attract North American Robins
          • Plants That Attract Nuthatches
          • Plants That Attract Orioles
          • Plants That Attract Pine Siskins
          • Plants That Attract Sparrows
          • Plants That Attract Tanagers
          • Plants That Attract Thrashers
          • Plants That Attract Thrushes
          • Plants That Attract Titmice
          • Plants That Attract Towhees
          • Plants That Attract Warblers
          • Plants That Attract Waxwings
          • Plants That Attract Woodpeckers
          • Plants That Attract Wrens
        • What to Put in Bird Feeders
      • Butterflies
        • Butterfly Gardening
        • Butterfly Plants
        • How to Make a Butterfly Feeder
      • Cats
        • Big Cats and Small Wild Cats
          • Chinese Public Supports Tiger Trade Ban: 2008 Poll Shows Majority in China Against Legalizing Tiger Products
          • How to Help Endangered Wild Cats
          • How to Reduce the Risk of Cougar Attacks
          • Rare White Lion Cubs Born
          • Social Structure of Feral Cat Colonies
          • The African Black-Footed Cat: Felis Nigripes, One of the Smallest Wild Felines in the World
          • The Endangered Florida Panther
          • The Endangered Scottish Wildcat: Efforts to Save the Tiger of the Highlands
          • The Rarest Wild Cats in the World
          • White Tiger Facts
          • Why Lions Have Manes
          • Why Tigers Are Endangered
          • Wild Cats of Canada: the Bobcat, the Lynx, and the Cougar
        • Cat Breeds
          • 10 Unusual Cat Breeds
          • Abyssinian Cat Breed Profile
          • American Bobtail Cat Breed Profile
          • American Curl Cat Breed Profile
          • American Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • American Wirehair Cat Breed Profile
          • Balinese Cat Breed Profile
          • Bengal Cat Breed Profile
          • Birman Cat Breed Profile
          • Bombay Cat Breed Profile
          • British Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Burmese Cat Breed Profile
          • California Spangled Cat Breed Profile
          • Cat Breeds That Get Along Well with Dogs
          • Chartreux Cat Breed Profile
          • Chausie Cat Breed Profile
          • Colourpoint Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Cornish Rex Cat Breed Profile
          • Donskoy Cat Breed Profile
          • Egyptian Mau Breed Profile
          • Exotic Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Guide to Cat Breed Personality Traits
          • Guide to Cat Breeder Terminology
          • Guide to Cat Coat Colours, Patterns, and Markings
          • Guide to Cat Fur, Face, and Body Types
          • Himalayan Cat Breed Profile
          • How Many Cat Breeds Are There?
          • Javanese Cat Breed Profile
          • Korat Cat Breed Profile
          • Kurilian Bobtail Breed Profile
          • LaPerm Cat Breed Profile
          • Maine Coon Cat Breed
          • Manx Cat Breed Profile
          • Mythical Cat Breeds, Frauds, and Hoaxes
          • Nebelung Cat Breed Profile
          • Norwegian Forest Cat Breed Profile
          • Ocicat Breed Profile
          • Oriental Shorthair Cat Breed Profile
          • Persian Cats: What Prospective Adopters Need to Know
          • Peterbald Cat Breed Profile
          • Pixie-Bob Cat Breed Profile
          • Ragamuffin Cat Breed Profile
          • Ragdoll Cat Breed
          • Russian Blue Cat Breed Profile
          • Savannah Cat Breed Profile
          • Scottish Fold Cat Breed Profile
          • Siamese Cat Breed
          • Siberian Cat Breed Profile
          • Singapura Cat Breed Profile
          • Snowshoe Cat Breed Profile
          • Sphynx Cat Breed Profile
          • Tonkinese Cat Breed Profile
          • Toyger Cat Breed Profile
          • Turkish Angora Cat Breed Profile
          • Turkish Van Cat Breed Profile
        • Cat Care
          • Adopting a Cat
          • Alternatives to Declawing
          • Are Poinsettias Toxic to Cats and Dogs?
          • Bad Breath in Cats and Dogs
          • Best Cat Toys
          • Can I Give My Cat or Dog Aspirin or Tylenol?
          • Cat Aggression Treatments
          • Cat Boarding Kennels: How to Choose the Best
          • Cat Fences and Enclosures
          • Cat or Dog Sprayed by a Skunk: How to Remove Skunk Odour
          • Cat Urine: How to Clean It and Get Rid of the Odour
          • Children and Cats
          • Clingy Cats: How to Reduce Separation Anxiety
          • Common Cat Allergies: Substances That Cause Allergic Reactions in Cats
          • Disaster Preparedness for Cats and Dogs
          • Do Cats Always Land on Their Feet?
          • Feliway for Cats
          • Foods That Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs
          • Free and Low-Cost Spay-Neuter Clinics
          • Halloween Cat Sacrifices: Real Danger or Urban Legend?
          • How to Brush a Cat’s Teeth
          • How to Cat-Proof a Home
          • How to Encourage a Cat to Be More Affectionate
          • How to Give a Cat a Bath
          • How to Groom a Cat
          • How to Help Fat Cats Lose Weight
          • How to Introduce a Dog to a Cat
          • How to Introduce a New Cat to a Resident Cat
          • How to Keep Cats and Dogs Safe During Winter
          • How to Play with a Cat
          • How to Prevent Cat Conflicts in Multicat Households
          • How to Prevent Hairballs in Cats
          • How to Protect Your Pets from Pet Thieves
          • How to Remove Glue, Paint, Oil, Varnish, Gasoline, Tar, or Grease from Cat Fur
          • How to Start an Animal Shelter
          • How to Stop a Dog from Attacking a Cat
          • How to Stop Cats from Catching Birds
          • Hypoallergenic Diets for Cats and Dogs
          • Indoor Cats: Can They Be Happy?
          • Living with Cat Allergies
          • Microchipping, Tattooing, GPS, and Collar ID for Cats and Dogs
          • Moving with Cats
          • Myths About Spaying and Neutering
          • Natural Anxiety Remedies for Cats and Dogs
          • Natural Flea Control for Cats and Dogs
          • Onions Are Toxic to Cats and Dogs
          • Pet-Friendly Cleaning Solutions
          • Pet-Safe Plants
          • Plants Toxic to Cats and Dogs
          • Propylene Glycol Antifreeze Safer for Pets
          • Reasons to Keep Cats Indoors
          • Retirement Homes for Cats and Dogs
          • Spaying and Neutering Facts: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
          • The Benefits of Play Therapy for Cats
          • The Declawing Information Page
          • Tips for Finding Lost Pets
          • Travelling with a Cat
          • Your Life Can Improve With the Right Pet
        • Cat Charities
        • Cat Expressions Gallery 2
        • Cat Facts
          • Ailurophobia: Fear of Cats
          • Are All White Cats with Blue Eyes Deaf?
          • Are Cats and Dogs Colour-Blind?
          • Black and White Cat Facts and Photos
          • Black Cat Facts and Photos
          • Black Cats Less Likely to Be Adopted
          • Calico and Tortoiseshell Cat Facts and Photos
          • Can Cats See in the Dark?
          • Careers with Dogs and Cats
          • Cat and Dog Adoption and Euthanasia Statistics
          • Cat Coat Colour Linked to Temperament
          • Cat Colour Gallery
          • Cat Myths Debunked
          • Cat Statistics
          • Cat Statistics: How Many Cats Are There?
          • Cat Years and People Years
          • Cats and Dogs Hurt by Recession
          • Debunking Anti-Cat Arguments
          • Declawed Cats More Likely to Be Surrendered to Shelters
          • Descriptive Terms for Cats
          • Do Cat People and Dog People Have Different Personalities?
          • Do Cats Dream?
          • Glossary of Cat Words
          • Health Benefits of Cat Ownership
          • How Do a Cat’s Senses of Smell and Taste Compare to Those of a Human?
          • How Fast Can a Cat Run?
          • How Long Cats Live
          • How Many Hours Do Cats Sleep Each Day?
          • How Powerful Is a Cat’s Hearing?
          • Hypoallergenic Cats
          • Impacts of Cats and Dogs on the Environment and Wildlife
          • Naturally Occurring Cat Breeds, Cross-Breeds, and Recent Mutations
          • Negative Cat Stereotypes Debunked
          • Neoteny – Why Adult Cats Retain Kitten Qualities
          • Polls Show Large Majority Against Declawing Cats; Majority Also Favours Anti-Declaw Laws
          • Reasons to Adopt an Adult Cat
          • Reasons Why Cats and Dogs Are Surrendered to Shelters
          • Study: Owning a Cat Cuts Heart Attack Risk by 30%
          • Tabby Cat Facts and Photos
          • The Social World of Feral Cats
          • Tortoiseshell Cats Are Nearly Always Female
          • Which Animals Hunt Cats?
          • Which Are More Intelligent – Cats or Dogs?
          • Which Are More Popular, Cats or Dogs?
          • Which Cat Breeds Are the Most Intelligent?
          • Which Make Better Pets – Cats or Dogs?
          • White Cat Facts and Photos
          • Why Are Female Cats Called Queens?
          • Why Are Male Cats Called Toms?
          • Why Do Cats Have Whiskers?
          • Why Do Cats’ Eyes Glow in the Dark?
        • Cat Food and Nutrition
          • Can You Feed a Cat Dog Food? Can You Feed a Dog Cat Food?
          • Can You Feed Cats Tuna Made for Humans?
          • Cat Food Overview: Wet Food, Semi-Moist Food, Dry Food, and Raw Diets
          • Health Risks Associated with Vegan Diets for Cats
          • High-Carbohydrate Diets Are Bad for Cats
          • Homemade Cat Treat Recipes
          • How Much Food Does a Cat Need? How Much Should You Feed a Kitten?
          • How Often Should You Feed Kittens and Adult Cats?
          • Is It Safe to Feed Cats Milk?
          • Is It Safe to Feed Cats Raw Eggs?
          • Natural Diets for Cats, Home-Made Cat Food
          • Should You Feed a Cat Wet Food or Dry Food?
          • Vegan and Vegetarian Dogs and Cats
          • Veterinarian Statements on Vegan and Vegetarian Diets for Cats
          • What to Feed a Kitten
          • What to Feed a Pregnant Cat
          • Why Cats Are Natural Carnivores
          • Why Cats Need a High-Protein Cat Food
          • Why Won’t My Cat Eat?
        • Cat Health
          • Abdominal Swelling/Bulging Stomach in Cats
          • Aggression as a Sign of Illness in Cats
          • Arthritis in Cats
          • Bobcat Fever (Cytauxzoonosis)
          • Can I Get Toxoplasmosis From My Cat? Do I Need to Give up My Cat if I Get Pregnant? Do Cat Parasites Really Affect Personality?
          • Cat and Dog Symptoms: Third Eyelid Showing
          • Cat Coughing, Dog Coughing: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat Drooling: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat Having Accidents Outside the Litter Box: Medical Causes
          • Cat Howling: Why Do Some Cats Howl, Especially at Night?
          • Cat Limping, Dog Limping
          • Cat Not Grooming/Dull Coat/Dry Skin in Cats
          • Cat Symptoms Overview
          • Cat with Blood in Stool: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat with Blood in the Urine: Causes and Treatments
          • Cat with Red Eye or Eyes
          • Cat with Sores and Bald Patches/Hair Loss in Cats, Dog with Sores and Bald Patches/Hair Loss in Dogs
          • Cat-Related Health and Safety Myths
          • Cats Reduce Risk of Kids Developing Asthma
          • Causes of Breathing Problems in Cats
          • Causes of Increased Appetite in Cats
          • Causes of Itching in Cats and Dogs
          • Causes of Weight Loss in Cats
          • Charities That Help with Vet Bills
          • Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) – Kidney Disease in Cats
          • Constipation in Cats
          • Dental Diets for Cats
          • Depression in Cats
          • Diarrhea in Cats and Dogs
          • Endocrine Diseases in Cats: Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism, and Others
          • Essential Fatty Acid Supplements for Dogs and Cats
          • Eye Discharge/Runny Eyes in Cats and Dogs
          • Feline Calicivirus (FCV) in Cats
          • Feline Epilepsy: Cat Seizures/Convulsions
          • Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
          • Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (Cat Herpes or Cat Flu)
          • Fever in Cats and Dogs: Causes and Treatments
          • FLUTD in Cats: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
          • Fundraising Ideas to Pay Large Vet Bills
          • Glucosamine-Chondroitin Supplements for Dogs and Cats with Arthritis
          • Heart Disease in Cats: Cardiomyopathy, Endocarditis, Myocarditis
          • Heartworm Infection in Cats and Dogs
          • Holistic Cat and Dog Care
          • Hookworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Human Pregnancy and Toxoplasmosis
          • Illnesses That People Can Catch from Cats
          • Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Cats
          • Intestinal Worms in Dogs and Cats: Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention
          • Is Catnip Addictive or Dangerous?
          • Loss of Appetite in Cats
          • Lungworm Infection in Cats and Dogs
          • Poisoned Cat: Symptoms and Treatment
          • Required Vaccinations for Cats and Kittens
          • Ringworm in Dogs and Cats
          • Roundworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Signs of Pain in Cats
          • Skin Lumps and Bumps in Cats and Dogs
          • Sneezing and Nasal Discharge in Cats and Dogs
          • Tapeworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Using Pumpkin to Treat Constipation and Diarrhea in Cats and Dogs
          • Whipworms in Cats and Dogs
          • Why Cats Pull Out Their Fur: Psychogenic Alopecia in Cats
          • Why Cats Vomit
          • Why Does My Cat Drink So Much and Pee So Often? Causes of Increased Thirst and Urination in Cats
        • Cat History
          • Cat History: Cats in Ancient Egypt
          • Cat History: Cats in Warfare
          • Cat History: Famous Ship Cats
          • Cat History: From Wild Cats to Domestic Pets
          • Cat History: The Black Plague
          • Cat Superstitions, Myths, and Proverbs
          • Famous Cat Lovers
        • Cat Psychology, Behaviour, and Communication
          • Can Cats and Dogs Be Friends?
          • Do Cats Feel Love and Other “Human” Emotions?
          • Do Cats Have Psychic Abilities?
          • Do Cats Like Music?
          • Guide to Cat Communication: Vocalizations and Body Language
          • How Smart Are Cats?
          • The Flehmen Response: Why Cats “Grimace” with Their Mouths Open
          • What Causes Cats or Kittens to Eat Dirt, Kitty Litter, or Plastic, or Lick Photographs?
          • Why are cats afraid of cucumbers?
          • Why Cats Fight
          • Why Cats Purr: How Purring Speeds the Healing Process
          • Why Do Cats “Sulk”?
          • Why Do Cats and Dogs Eat Grass or Houseplants?
          • Why Do Cats Go Crazy for Catnip, Valerian, and Mint?
          • Why Do Cats Gravitate to People Who Fear or Dislike Them?
          • Why Do Cats Have Accidents Outside the Litter Box?
          • Why Do Cats Hiss?
          • Why Do Cats Knead or Paddle with Their Paws?
          • Why do cats love boxes?
          • Why Do Cats Make Chattering Sounds When They See Birds Through a Window?
          • Why Do Cats Play with Their Prey?
          • Why Do Cats Play with Water?
          • Why Do Cats Roll on Their Backs to Greet People?
          • Why Do Cats Rub Against Things?
          • Why Do Cats Scratch Things?
          • Why Do Cats Suddenly Make Mad Dashes Around the House?
          • Why Do Some Cats and Dogs Eat Soap?
          • Why Do Some Cats Attack When Being Petted?
          • Why Do Some Cats Become Anxious or Phobic?
          • Why Do Some Cats Like Shoes, Socks, Feet, Bleach, or Chlorine?
          • Why Do Some Cats Prefer Dirty Water to Fresh Tap Water?
          • Why Does My Cat Pee on the Bed or My Clothing?
          • Why Some Cats Suck on Fabric, Wool, or Hair
        • Cat Training
          • Can You Train a Cat Not to Hunt?
          • How to Encourage a Cat to Use a Scratch Post
          • How to Keep Cats off Counters and Furniture
          • How to Keep Cats out of Plants
          • How to Leash-Train a Cat
          • How to Litter Train a Kitten
          • How to Stop a Cat from Attacking a Dog
          • How to Stop Cats from Fighting
          • How to Train a Cat or Kitten
        • Famous Cats
          • Cat Called to Jury Duty
          • Cat Placed Under House Arrest
          • Cat Record Breakers
          • Cats That Have Adopted Animals of Other Species
          • Christopher the Guardian Angel Cat
          • Cloned Cats
          • Colby Nolan – The Cat with an MBA Degree
          • Famous Cats: Cats with Jobs
          • Famous Cats: Feline Entertainers
          • Famous Cats: Great Feline Achievements
          • Giant Cat Prince Chunk Finds Loving Home
          • Hero Cats
        • Foster Kitten Photo Diary
          • Adult Cats Acting as Foster Parents
          • Bif and Buddies
          • Casper and Cadence
          • Chilly and Lilly
          • Five New Furballs: Serenity, Quest, Sherpa, Coda, and Cayoosh
          • Foster Kittens: Farley and Friends
          • Foster Kittens: Jenga, Eclipse, Valhalla, and Callahan
          • Foster Kittens: Max, Zack, and Roxie
          • Foster Kittens: Sage Bounces Back
          • Foster Kittens: The Dynamic Duo
          • Foster Kittens: The Fab Five
          • Foster Kittens: The Fantastic Five
          • Foster Kittens: The Fluffasaurus Rex and Friends
          • Foster Kittens: The Great Kitten Storm of 2012
          • Foster Kittens: The Saga of the Little Savages
          • Foster Kittens: The Space Crew
          • Foster Kittens: The Tumultous Triad
          • Gizmo’s Gang
          • Sir Shady, the Earl of Grey, Princess Fluffington and the Countess Hissyfit
          • Tesla and Tyax
          • The Checkerboard Kittens: Picatso, Pablo, Catisse, and Catson
          • The Comeback Kittens
          • The Foster Fosters
          • The Friendly Five
          • The Greatcoat Kittens
          • The Hoarder House Kittens: Rowdy, Scrappy, Ally, and Cory
          • The Lake Kittens: Duffey, Alta, and Skaha
          • The Mini-Me Kittens
          • The Star Wars Kittens
          • The Sunshine Kittens
          • The Sunshine Kittens: Golden, Raya, and Sola
        • Kitten Fight Club Gallery
        • Pet Product Reviews
          • 10 Pet Insurance Providers Ranked: Complete 2018 Comparison Guide
          • Reviews of Corn-Based Cat Litters
          • Reviews of Paper-Based Cat Litters
          • Reviews of Pine-Based Cat Litter
          • Reviews of Silica Crystal Cat Litters
          • Reviews of Wheat-Based Swheat Scoop Cat Litter
          • Save Money on Pet Supplies with Groupon Coupons
        • Pet Therapy
          • Animal-Assisted Therapy Providers
          • Pet Therapy Resources
          • Prison Cats
        • Pregnant Cats and Kittens
          • Answers to Frequently Asked Kitten Questions
          • At What Age Can Cats Start Having Kittens?
          • Can a Litter of Kittens Have More Than One Father?
          • How Can You Tell if a Cat Is in Heat?
          • How Long Does a Cat’s Pregnancy Last?
          • How Many Kittens Can Cats Have?
          • How Old Should Kittens Be When They’re Adopted Out?
          • How to Care for Cats During Pregnancy, Labour, and Birth
          • How to Care for Orphaned Kittens
          • How to Safely Remove Fleas from Kittens
          • How to Socialize a Kitten
          • Kitten Development and Care: Birth to 2 Weeks
          • Kitten Development and Care: Week 13 and Up
          • Kitten Development and Care: Weeks 3 and 4
          • Kitten Development and Care: Weeks 5 and 6
          • Kitten Development and Care: Weeks 7-12
          • What Are the Signs of Pregnancy in Cats?
          • When Do Kittens’ Eyes Change Colour?
          • When Do Kittens’ Eyes Open?
          • Where to Adopt Kittens
          • Why Are Kittens Born with Blue Eyes?
          • Why Do Mother Cats Move Kittens?
          • Why Does a Male Cat Bite a Female’s Neck While Mating?
          • Will Handling Newborn Kittens Cause the Mother to Reject Them?
          • Will Tom Cats Kill Kittens?
        • The Cat Expressions Gallery
      • Dogs
        • 7 Great Ways to Care for Your Pet Dog
        • Amazing Dogs
          • Dogs Detect Cancer in People
          • Ginny – the Dog Who Rescued Cats
          • Seizure-Alert Dogs
          • Specially Trained Dogs Assist People with Parkinson’s Disease
        • Dog Care Articles
        • Dog Facts
          • Are Pit Bulls More Likely to Attack Than Dogs of Other Breeds?
          • Canine Aggression: What Causes Dogs to Attack?
          • Dog Breeds That Get Along with Cats
          • How Long Do Dogs Live?
          • How Old Is My Dog in Human Years?
          • The Effects of Pit Bull Bans: Does Breed-Specific Legislation Reduce Dog Attacks?
          • Which Dog Breeds Are Most Likely to Attack?
        • Dog Health Articles
        • Dogs and Cats
        • Miscellaneous Dog Articles
      • Nutritional Health for Your Rabbit Friends
      • Predators of the Heart
      • Sharks
        • How to Reduce the Risk of Shark Attacks
        • Shark Finning Endangers Marine Ecosystems
        • Sharks Rarely Attack
    • Fitness
      • Can I do cardio and strength training on the same day? Should I do cardio or weights first?
      • Exercise Enhances Learning Ability
      • Fitness Resources
      • How Much Exercise Do People Need?
      • How Often Should I Change My Workout Routine?
      • How to Get Motivated to Start Running
      • Strength Training
        • Does Strength Training Cause Women to Bulk Up?
        • How Do I Get an Abdominal ‘Six-Pack’?
        • How Long Should a Strength Training Workout Be? And How Can You Tell if You’re Overtraining?
        • How to Start Strength Training
        • Sports and Bodybuilding Supplements
        • Strength Training for Weight Loss
        • Strength Training Health Benefits
        • Strength Training: Can I train successfully on a vegetarian or vegan diet?
        • Strength Training: Do I need to go to the gym, or can I get good results working out at home?
        • Strength Training: How can I get really big (without steroids)?
        • Strength Training: How Long Should I Rest Between Sets?
        • Strength Training: How Many Days a Week?
        • Strength Training: How Many Repetitions?
        • Strength Training: How Many Sets?
        • Strength Training: How should I warm up and cool down? And should I stretch before and after workouts?
        • Strength Training: Should I Do a Full-Body Workout or a Split Routine?
        • Strength Training: Should I Use Free Weights or Machines?
        • Strength Training: What should I eat before and after my workout?
      • Stretching Techniques
        • Basic Stretching Techniques
        • PNF Stretching
        • Risky Stretches That May Cause Injuries
        • Stretching for Sports and Flexibility
      • Weight Loss
        • How to Reduce Fat in Your Diet
        • Probiotics for Weight Loss
        • Why Most Dieters Fail
    • Food and Nutrition
      • Antibiotics in Food and Farming
      • Coffee
        • Is Coffee Harmful to Your Health?
        • The Health Benefits of Coffee
      • Cooking Tips
        • 10 Tips for Healthier Baking with Whole Foods
        • Cooking and Baking Ingredient Substitutions
          • Baking Substitutes: Dairy Products
          • Baking Substitutes: Eggs and Mayonnaise
          • Broths, Juices, Alcoholic Beverages, Sauces, and Condiments
          • Cooking and Baking Substitutions: Herbs and Spices (Including Onion and Garlic)
          • Fat Substitutions: Low-Fat and Vegan Options
          • Raising Agent Substitutions
          • Substitutes for Flours, Other Grains, and Bread Products (Including Gluten-Free Options)
          • Substitutions for Chocolate, Raisins, and Peanut Butter
          • Types of Sugar, Liquid Sweeteners, Natural Sugar Substitutes, and Low-Calorie Sugar Alternatives
            • Liquid Sweeteners / Sugar Substitutes
            • Low-Calorie and Calorie-Free Sugar Substitutes
            • Types of Sugar and Sugar Substitutions
        • How to Choose, Store, and Prepare Garlic
        • How to Choose, Store, and Prepare Onions
        • Low-Fat and Fat-Free Baking Substitutes
        • Meat Safety
        • Slow Cooker Cooking Tips
        • Slow Cooker Safety Tips
        • Tips for Baking Bread with Whole Wheat Flour and Other Whole Grains
      • Food Facts
        • An Apple a Day: The Health Benefits of Apples
        • Anti-inflammatory Foods
        • Aphrodisiac Foods
        • Artificial Sweeteners Cause Weight Gain and Health Problems
        • Battery Cage Chickens
        • Best Natural Sources of Calcium
        • Chocolate’s Health Benefits
        • Egg Labels: Free-Range, Organic, and Omega-3
        • Food and Beverage Caffeine Contents
        • Health Benefits of Tomatoes and Other Lycopene-Rich Foods
        • How Long Baked Goods, Dry Ingredients, Canned Goods, Condiments, Fruits, Vegetables, Meats, Eggs, and Dairy Products Keep
        • How much protein do I need? Will eating too much protein make me fat?
        • How to Store Fruits and Vegetables
        • How to Tell if an Egg Is Bad (Do Bad Eggs Really Float?)
        • Leafy Green Vegetables Protect Against Osteoporosis
        • Natural Food Sources of Probiotics
        • Nutrition Guidelines for Fitness: Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Fats
        • Nutrition: Free Range vs. Battery Cage Eggs
        • The Best Antioxidant Foods
        • Whole Grains for Health
      • Herbs and Spices
        • Basil Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Black Pepper Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cardamom Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Chili Pepper Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cinnamon Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cloves: Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Cumin Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Dill Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Fenugreek Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Ginger Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Mustard Seed Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Nutmeg Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Oregano Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Parsley Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Peppermint Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Rosemary Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Sage Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Tarragon Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Thyme Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
        • Turmeric Health Benefits and Cooking Uses
      • Recipes
        • Cheddar and Chive Cornbread
        • Fast, Easy, Delicious Custard Pie
        • Free Gingerbread House Templates and Recipes
        • Healthy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
        • Herb Bread (Bread Maker Recipe)
        • Honey-Sweetened Berry Pie Recipe
        • Honey-Sweetened Challah Bread (Bread Maker Recipe)
        • Pumpkin Muffin Recipes
        • Slow Cooker Swiss Steak
      • Supplements
        • How Much Vitamin C Should You Take?
        • Should You Take a Probiotic Supplement? Probiotic Health Benefits
        • Vitamin D Facts and Natural Sources
        • Vitamin E Facts
        • Zinc Facts
      • Tea and Health
        • Green Tea Aids Weight Loss
        • Health Benefits of Caffeinated Tea
        • How to Increase Tea’s Health Benefits
    • Gardening
      • 10 Ways to Create a More Environmentally Friendly Garden
      • All About Basil: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking with Basil
      • All About Chives: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Chives, Storing Chives, and Cooking with Chives
      • All About Mint: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking with Mint
      • All About Sage: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Sage, Storing Sage, and Cooking with Sage
      • Beets: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Beets, Storing Beets, and Cooking with Beets
      • Carrots: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Growing, Storing, and Cooking
      • Causes of Cracking in Tomatoes
      • Choosing Containers for Container Gardening
      • Composting FAQ
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Metaphorical Platypus

Foster Kittens: The Fantastic Five

Five Kittens

The Fantastic Five Pose for a Photo Op

Our current batch of foster kittens at the time of this writing have, though no fault of their own, been more work than usual. Picked up in a random sweep of ferals living in horrible conditions, this group originated from multiple litters and their mothers’ whereabouts are unknown.

Terrified Kitten

Terrified Katerina

Kitten Looking Up

Katerina Becomes More Trusting

When the kittens first arrived (we originally brought home four), we assumed that the biggest challenge would be Katerina, a very resistant feral with silky black fur, a kinked tail, and enormous frightened eyes. She was so hissy in her carrier that I wondered if I should put on oven mitts to take her out, but she turned out to be a gentle soul. She hissed, spit, and even lunged to try to make herself appear tough in an attempt to scare people away, but she didn’t really want to hurt anyone (a prominent theory on hissing is that cats do it to mimic snakes, which tricks predators into believing that they might be poisonous) .

Two Black Kittens

Katerina Poses with Her Brother Wookey

When kittens are terrified, they tend to look angry, so poor Katerina got saddled with the nickname Happy Fun Cat after one of the original lolcats on ICanHazCheezburger.com. This classic lolcat was a beautiful black feline with large angry eyes. The photo, in which she looked ready to attack, was accompanied by the caption: “Do not taunt happy fun cat.” Although this feral foster kitten’s official name is Katerina, she was often called HFC as a nickname during her first couple of weeks with us, which was actually quite unfair as she was not at all aggressive.

Black Kitten Looking Up

Katerina Has Developed an Elongated Siamese-Style Body

When the kittens were let out of their large starter cage and given a run of our office, we found that Katerina had a nasty limp. She had been quite adept at hiding this from us, which is unsurprising, given that cats have an instinct to conceal injuries that would make them vulnerable to predators. Katerina couldn’t put her weight down on the paw and was obviously in pain.

Black Kitten

Katerina Shows off Her Siamese Face Shape

Kittens often injure their legs and develop a bit of a limp for a day or two, and it’s usually not serious (though it’s always worth getting checked out just in case). However, Katerina was already on the mend by the time we discovered the limp and was putting weight on the paw by the end of the day. We don’t know if someone hurt her deliberately or if she was injured in a feral trap and then spent many hours in pain and panicking until people came for her. Either way, her extreme phobia of humans was understandable.

Kittens Eating

The Kittens Form a Flower Shape While Eating

Katerina definitely shows signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (research indicates that cats can suffer from the same anxiety-related issues as people; their moods and emotions are regulated by the same neurotransmitters and they respond to cat-sized doses of human psychotropic medications). However, she gets calmer and happier each day that she’s with us.

Cat with Kittens

Resident Cat Smokey Washes Foster Kittens

Katerina has made slow but steady progress. She now enjoys being petted and doesn’t mind being picked up, though she’s quick to revert to feral mode when startled (and she’s very easily startled). We pick her up and hold her a lot, as this is the best way to help a scared feral overcome her phobia of people.

Kitten Hugs a Cat

A Foster Kitten Hugs Resident Cat Sage

Katerina now makes spontaneous social overtures toward us. For example, she will choose to play or sit near me even when she has a full run of the house and she’ll often stretch out her little paws and wiggle them when petted. She even comes to me for attention and talks to me with a real meow (when she first arrived, she was so timid that her meows were silent). She’s also begun to purr when touched and comes when called by name.

Sick Kittens

Sick Foster Kittens

Katerina will probably always be timid with new people, though I suspect that she’ll be a very loving cat for one special person, couple, or family, because she’s already showing signs of being a very affectionate, sweet little girl. She’ll need to go to a home where people will be gentle and calm with her.

Sick Kitten

Still Sick, but on the Road to Recovery

I believe that Katerina has some Siamese in her lineage, given the way that her body has been elongating as she grows. Her lower face has become increasingly narrow and she’s developing a slender, leggy shape. She’s also very sensitive, intelligent, and athletic, traits associated with the Siamese temperament and physical profile.

Amber-Eyed Kitten

Hadron, Fully Recovered

The biggest challenge in the litter turned out to be Hadron, a little gray cat that went downhill rapidly with what appeared to be a severe bout of hypoglycemia, a potentially fatal health problem that afflicts some kittens when they leave their mothers. He developed neurological problems and a severe lack of coordination, and was soon too weak to stand or even sit up. Within 24 hours of onset, he couldn’t even focus his eyes.

Gray Kitten

Collider Poses

Another gray kitten that had been swept up with a group of ferals now staying at the The Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Association (VOKRA) headquarters had developed similar symptoms, so we were pretty sure that he was Hadron’s brother (nobody knew which kittens were related, which made it impossible to keep all the siblings together after the initial collection). This new kitten, which we named Collider, was not as sick as Hadron, but still quite weak and uncoordinated.

Russian Blue Kittens

Hadron and Collider Together

VOKRA had recently picked up a large group of ferals living in terrible conditions (one kitten at the site was found locked alone in a birdcage and covered in maggots; she has been cared for at VOKRA headquarters and made a full recovery). VOKRA volunteers were overwhelmed with medical emergencies as a result of this feral sweep and didn’t have the resources to care for two more very sick kittens, so VOKRA’s coordinator asked if we could take Collider home with us to care for the brothers and medicate them together. Because we had experience injecting fluids and giving medications, we were the kittens’ best chance for survival.

Tired Kitten

Sleepy Hadron

Kitten Showing Tongue

Collider Sticks out His Tongue

No matter how experienced you are and how well you take care of your kittens, sometimes kittens die and there is nothing that you can do to prevent it. I really thought that the law of averages had caught up with me and I was finally going to lose one; Hadron was so sick it seemed impossible that he could survive. We gave him supplemental fluids, injected into the scruff of his neck (he cried during this painful procedure but never held it against us, snuggling into our arms afterward for comfort). We gave him medications every few hours and I rubbed food onto his teeth and dripped water into his mouth at 20-minute intervals to get some nourishment and extra fluids into him.

Hadron wanted to live and he let me know that every time I checked on him. Scarcely strong enough to roll over, he would wiggle his toes at me and purr whenever I petted him or his brother moved near him. When I placed his limp little body near the food dish and held his head for him (his neck muscles were too weak to hold it up himself), he ate as much food as he could manage. Having his brother nearby seemed to lift his spirits.

Kitten Playing

Hadron Plays

Collider was sick too, though he wasn’t at death’s door like Hadron. However, he needed some fluid injections, medication, and rest as well.

Kitten and Clouds

Hadron Rests

Within 24 hours, the boys started showing promising signs including sitting up and eating by themselves, though I still had to place Hadron’s head at the edge of the dish so that he could rest his cheek on the rim to eat. Three of the boys’ feral colony mates were in a large cage next to their “sick bay” carrier and the two little patients were showing a lot of interest in the others so we decided to let them mingle to see what would happen (we’d originally kept the boys separate to monitor their food and fluid intake).

Merging the kittens turned out to be the right decision. Whenever they saw the others eating or drinking, the little grays would stagger over to the dishes and do likewise, though they were still so weak that drinking was a challenge. They often ended up choking on and snorting their water unless I held their heads for them.

Kittens in a Cage

Whirlwind and Wookey in a Cage Shortly After Arriving

Eventually the grays were drinking on their own and eating plenty of food. We had been adding so much water to the food to keep them hydrated and avoid the need for further painful injections that the other kittens were complaining about the cuisine, doing a litter-box-style scratching dance next to the plate to inform us that the food tasted like crap.

Fluffy Kitten

Wookey Poses

The grays soon began to play with the others, though they were still weak, wobbly, and quick to tire. Hadron, who had been the sicker of the two, often fell asleep on his feet, literally, but his play sessions grew longer and longer and both boys began to develop strength and muscle tone. Soon they could pounce and climb and were indistinguishable from the others in terms of health and energy.

Kitten in a Vase

Wookey Sits in His Favourite Vase

Hadron and Collider are incredibly sweet kittens, very loving, affectionate, and quick to purr. They love being held and cuddled. Hadron seems particularly grateful for our efforts to keep him alive during the dark days. When I’ve held him for awhile and he’s ready to go and play, he’ll first climb up, hug my neck, and kiss my nose or cheek before scampering off. Collider is also a hugger; he’ll often engage in stealth hugs, charging toward me, standing up to hug my leg, and then taking off at warp speed (the boys are quite feisty and energetic these days).

Kitten with Security Blanket

Hadron Spends Quality Time with Blanket Mommy

The grays show signs of having lost their mother too early. They spend a lot of time attempting to nurse from a fluffy blanket on the sofa that we’ve nicknamed “blanket mommy”  (fabric and wool sucking behaviors indicate that cats were parted from their mothers too early; ideally, kittens will spend at least 12 weeks with their mothers, and most will do poorly if they lose them before 8 weeks of age).

Kitten on a Scratch Post

A Foster Kitten Uses a Scratch Post on a Cat Tree

Hadron and Collider also suffer from digestive issues from time to time, a common problem among kittens that leave their mothers too early. These occasional bouts of diarrhea (which thankfully end up in the litter box and not on the floor) can be stopped quickly by adding a little pumpkin puree to their food (this works for both constipation and diarrhea in cats and dogs; if using this remedy, be sure to buy pure pumpkin, not pie filling, which contains ingredients harmful to pets).

Despite these minor issues, the boys have very good prospects for adoption. Their lineage is most likely Russian Blue, and gray kittens tend to be very popular with adopters (UPDATE: the boys were adopted on July 28, 2013).

Kitten on the Bookshelf

Collider Rests on a Row of Magazines

Wookey, the third boy in the Fantastic Five group, is fluffy, energetic, and unintentionally hilarious. When he first arrived, he looked like a Tribble with a tiny face and little stubby legs, yet he was surprisingly spry, athletic, and energetic for such a puffball. He’s also a real complainer who will kick up a fuss if the cuisine isn’t to his liking or there’s a single turd in the litter box (he’ll eat the food and use the box regardless, but only after a big show of dramatic floor scratching and squeaky outrage). On the plus side, he’s a fastidious little guy. Some long-haired kittens have trouble keeping their fur clean, but Wookey’s is always pristine, which is probably why he finds mess so distressing.

Posing Kitten

Whirlwind Poses

Wookey is an affectionate, sweet little guy who begs to be picked up and enjoys lap sitting. He loves people and other cats, a little too much at times. When he first met our three resident adult cats, he strutted right up to them and began rubbing against them as though they were all old friends. After a few scoldings for being overly familiar, he learned to tone it down and was soon accepted into the colony.

Black Kitten

Wookey Sits on a Cat Tree

A playful cat with a tendency to get underfoot and be occasionally launched as a result, Wookey is only ever lazy during midday because it’s not nice having that much fur during the warm season. He tends to sprawl on his belly with his feet stretched out in all four directions during the hottest part of the day, trying to create as much surface area as possible in order to cool down.

Kitten Paws

Whirlwind Shows Her Paws

Wookey also likes to pack himself into a small glass vase, squashing his body into a cube shape. He spends so much time in his favourite vase that friends have asked if he’ll need to be repotted when he grows larger.

Kitten Wearing Feather Boa

Whirlwind Tolerates a Cat-Sized Feather Boa

With the intense heat this year, overheating has been a serious concern. Wookey is good at taking a rest during the hottest part of the day, but the others will often play until they’re panting in an attempt to cool down. We’ve had to wrap them in damp towels on a few occasions to cool them off when they’ve over-exerted themselves in 30-degree temperatures (nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit). During one barbecue we held on a smoking hot summer day, the kittens’ play grew particularly enthusiastic and some of our guests had to be put on kitten cooling duty.

Resting Kitten

Whirlwind Looks Thoughtful

Kitten Eyes

Whirlwind Is Curious About the Camera

Whirlwind (Whirly), the group’s fifth member, is the perfect kitten, and therefore gets less attention than the others. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and Whirly never squeaks. Her litter box and grooming habits are perfect, she took to the scratch post right away, she was friendly and happy right from the start (she purrs as soon as anyone touches her), and her health has been consistently excellent. We try to make sure she gets her fair share of attention, but she’s such an easy kitten that she sometimes gets overlooked.

Two Kittens

Wookey Looks Uncharacteristically Serious While Hadron Shows His Belly

Black cats are the least likely to be adopted (especially short-haired black cats), despite research showing that they tend to have the best temperaments (and Whirly is certainly proof of this). This puts Whirly at a disadvantage for attracting potential adopters via her picture on the site. Hopefully some lucky person will notice her profile on the VOKRA website and bring her home.

*UPDATE: Wookey and Katerina were adopted together and Whirly was adopted as a companion for a coworker’s young male cat.

For more foster kitten profiles, see the main Foster Kitten Photo Diary page. Visit the main Cats page for information about cat psychology, behavior, communication, training, feeding, and pregnant cat and kitten care.


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