Category Archives: love your cat- talk about my cat

We feel you when you say “I love my cat!”  We share tidbits about my cats; plus this is where you can find out about cat breeds — maybe your cat. We really love it when people share their stories, video and photos of you and your cat or cats. Sends us photos, videos and stories about your cat to mykittycare.

cat learns to being held - and likes it!

Marnie likes being held!
photo by s.dunaif ©2017

Why does my cat purr?

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That lovely sound of a purring cat

It’s a sound everyone loves. When a cat purrs, we know it means your cat is secure and happy. But why does my cat purr?

My cat knows it’s an effective way to communicate. When I’m petting my cats and they purr, I keep petting them. Or, I let them stay in my lap. Most likely both.

Cats purr physically begins in their diaphragm and then to their larynx. A domestic cat’s purr is 26 hertz. Coincidently, or not, science has proved that a low frequency like 26 hertz is a sound that aids healing bones and tissue.

Why does my cat purr?

Another reason why cats purr: it helps them when they’re scared or injured. Cats will even go next to other pets to console them.

cat comforts sick vet

Tom comforts a vet

 

 

Humans too.

why cats purr

Vincent the cat comforts dying Luna from Anne D.

 

 

 

 

 

Cats have been known to sense a dying housemate, like a dog. Vincent, a cat, laid next to the dying dog Luna. He purred and snuggled Even a dying cat will purr, to comfort themselves, maybe to console us too.

So purring, for happiness or comfort, is another way we bond with our cats.

 

is it good to be a crazy cat lady?

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Who asks –  is it good to be a crazy cat lady?

Must be someone who doesn’t get cat lovers. Guess how My Kitty Care answers “is it good to be a crazy cat lady?”

We say of course!  But perhaps I’m a little biased. OK, I’m very biased.

is it good being a crazy cat lady?

photo by shari smith dunaif ©2015

 

How did the concept of a cat lady being crazy happen?
Maybe it began centuries ago when people believed in witches. Witches were crazed and associated with black cats, hence crazy cat ladies.

Another theory is based on cat poo with parasites called toxoplasmosis. Cats can get it by eating infected rodents; humans can contract it by handling contaminated kitty litter. One of the symptoms could be altered mental function.

In 2003, E. Fuller Torrey of the Stanley Medical Research Institute in Bethesda, Maryland his colleagues noted a link between Toxoplasma and schizophrenia – specifically, that women with high levels of the parasite were more likely to give birth to schizophrenics-to-be.

from scientificamerican.com July, 2012

More recently, UK researchers cambridge.org dispute the link between toxoplasmosis and crazy cat lady image in a July 2017 article titled “Curiosity killed the cat: no evidence of an association between cat ownership and psychotic symptoms at ages 13 and 18 years in a UK general population cohort.” It basically concludes:

“While pregnant women should continue to avoid handling soiled cat litter, given possible T. gondii exposure, our study strongly indicates that cat ownership in pregnancy or early childhood does not confer an increased risk of later adolescent PEs [psychotic experiences]

Now that we’ve dispelled the issue of our mental health, I’ill accept the `crazy cat lady‘ term because I happily confess: I’m CRAZY about cats!

So now the question remains: is it good to be a crazy cat lady?

The Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology vol.2 no.1 published research that established a benefit between cat ownership and a decreased risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke. In a 2009 article,

Conclusions: A decreased risk for death due to MI and all cardiovascular diseases (including stroke) was observed among persons with cats. Acquisition of cats as domestic pets may represent a novel strategy for reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases in high-risk individuals

 

Why it’s good to be a crazy cat lady

  • The sound of your purring cat is relaxing. Purring calms nerves and effectively lowers blood pressure.
  • Apparently, petting your cat releases oxytocin, a bonding hormone, which makes people feel less stressed, says Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist and author of “The Stress-Proof Brain.”
  • Loneliness, or feeling isolated is a factor in our health. Various studies recognize stress, loneliness and alienation as contributors to illness. Want to feel better? Having a pet, we’re partial to cats, is a fabulous way to bring love and companionship into your home,

Crazy cat ladies, crazy cat men too, may not be so crazy – cats bring love and joy, which contributes to our well-being.

is it good to be a crazy cat lady? A resounding YES!

 

should my cat sleep with me?

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Everyone likes to be cozy

That includes our cats. So should my cat sleep with me?
tuck.com says that in 2015,  Houzz, the home design site, surveyed 10,000 pet owners in 11 countries to find out where our pets sleep. The country that reported the most bed sharing with cats, is America,

  • 53% of American pet owners sleep with their cats
  • 30% in France and Germany sleep with their cats
should my cat sleep with me?

should your cat sleep with you?
photo by S.Dunaif © 2016

The American Pet Products Association conducted The National Pet Owners Survey

    • 62% of cats sleep with their adult pet owners.
    • 13% of cats sleep with children.

If you suffer from stress or insomnia, sleeping with your cat may calm you, because cats have a soothing effect on people. According to sleepeducation.org, how common is insomnia among adults?

• 30 to 35% have brief symptoms of insomnia.
• 15 to 20% have a short-term insomnia disorder, which lasts less than three months.
• 10% have a chronic insomnia disorder, which occurs at least three times per week   for at least three months.

Put your ear next to a sleeping cat: their breathing is rhythmic and relaxing. A cat has soft cozy fur and their bodies are warm. In fact, their body temperature is actually higher than humans, they average 101.5° – no wonder we love to snuggle with them.

note: Sleep experts suggest an ideal room temperature of mid sixties, so if your cat sleeps with you, perhaps adjusting a few degrees lower to compensate for the warmth from a cat, may make your sleep environment more comfortable.

Cats average 15 hours of sleep a day, but kittens and older cats usually sleep more, possibly up to 20 hours.

daytime sleeping cat

cat day sleeping
photo by shari smith dunaif 2017

Since cats are crepuscular (active during twilight and dusk) they often go to a spot where they feel safe and won’t be disturbed when they need to nap during the day. Otherwise, cats like hanging out with us, whether it’s watching TV, or having breakfast, they want to be with us. Which is great, because we want to hang out with them too. Bonding is another benefit to have your cat sleep with you. When our rescue cat Marnie slept with us, it was significant: I knew she finally felt secure and loved.

According to a small 2014 study (150 patients) by the Mayo Clinic’s Center for Sleep Medicine

  • 41% said they had no effect or even a positive effect on their sleep
  • 20% did say their pets disturbed their sleep, at least sometimes.

When you first bring your cat home, decide in advance if your cat is going to sleep in your bedroom. This is important because if you change your mind, it’ll be difficult for you and your cat. Cats are, after all, territorial, so it’s confusing for your cat. They may end up scratching and meowing at your door to reclaim their place with you. They may even howl. That’s bad for you. If your cats do sleep with you, but they wake you up in the middle of the night, don’t get in the habit of rewarding them with treats and play. Do that during the day. Cats respond well to routine, so be consistent: nighttime is for sleeping, everything else are daytime activities.

Sleep well, cat lovers!

 

why you should adopt two kittens: reason three

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Now that you have decided to adopt two kittens – YAY! Or at least maybe you are REALLY considering adopting two kittens, rather than only a single kitten.
Here’s a final word on
why you should adopt two kittens: reason three

As mentioned in previous “why you should adopt two kittens: reason one, and reason two” posts, kittens in a shelter are often orphaned. For those kittens without a mother, a sibling, or a substitute shelter pal, become very important to the development and growth of kittens. Those relationships between two kittens are a vital source for them to learn and experience life long skills.

  • Two kittens together learn how to communicate with each other
  • Two kittens together learn how to interpret signals from each other
  • Two kittens together learn about affection
  • Two kittens learn about bonding
    These are all behaviors applicable to our relationship with our cats, and are qualities we desire to share and experience with our cats.
why you should adopt two kittens
adopting two kittens, at ARF
photo by shari smith dunaif © 2017

Plus – a pair of kittens are twice the love!

Thank you Rita Del Rey, Operation Cat & Volunteer Coordinator at ARF
for the helpful information about adopting kittens.

why you should adopt two kittens: reason two

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That’s great that you want to adopt a kitten, but have you considered adopting two?

Here’s why you should adopt two kittens: reason two

Since it is not uncommon during kitten rescues for a kitten to have lost their mother, it is the siblings, if there are any, who become very important for how a kitten learns to be a cat. Or, once the kitten is in a shelter and either doesn’t have siblings, or their siblings have been adopted, they hopefully have developed a shelter pal. The significance of a shelter pal is that young kittens can form a relationship with each other that can be a substitute for a sibling.

why you should adopt two kittens: reason two
shelter pal
photo by shari smith dunaif © 2017

Sibling or shelter pal, they learn by playing together.

  • Kittens learn to gauge distance while jumping
  • Kittens learn to judge what spots are safe to land on
  • What spots are not safe
  • Develop balance while walking on anything narrow

They also learn by observing each other

  • Use of the kitty litter box
  • How to share their territory

Observation and play are both necessary ways for kittens to learn and develop skills.
And, a pair of kittens are twice the fun!