Happy Wednesday Furiends!
The Human is getting a bit psycho in my humble opinion. She awoke to this scene at the beginning of the week as she looked out the bedroom window.

So what’s so crazy making about a snowstorm in late February? Well, it it turns to rain for the next few days it does seem to drive The Human crazy. But this is what life is like in the Inland Northwest and since we felines are indoor kitties, the weather affects our lives very little (unless it’s summer and we get to take a stroll in the garden or sun ourselves on the upstairs deck.

Still, we understand The Human’s struggle and until she calms down a bit we’re going to keep a low profile, put our paws together and pray for spring!

That’s what’s been going on in my neck of the woods. Meow at me in the comments and let me know how things are going for you!

5 questions you need to ask yourself before you get a cat

My Human likes this quote from In the words of Sigmund Freud, “Time spent with cats is never wasted.” There are a lot of you humans who feel the same but then there are some who have no clue as to the intricacy and complexity of the feline mind and purrsonality. I liked this article as it blows up a lot of the wrong thinking some humans have about us felines so, if you know someone who wants to share their life with a cat, please have them read this article! Paws up to the human who wrote the tips below!

5. Early socialization

Cats need extensive socialization to ensure they can thrive as a pet and form a close relationship with their humans. Habituation to people and other animals — as well as to different sounds, objects, and physical contact — has to be done by the age of seven or eight weeks. This places a huge responsibility on cat breeders and cat shelters, as kittens must not be taken from their mother until at least eight weeks old (ideally ten to 12).

During this time they build up their strength and immunity from feeding on their mother’s milk and learn to play and use their litter tray under her guidance.

Check that the kitten is still with its mum before you agree to adopt or buy and that they have reached the appropriate age before you take them home.

4. Training and stimulation

Cats are independent animals and like to do what they want when they want. So, you will need to teach them not to jump up onto kitchen surfaces and any other places where they might not be welcome. This is best done when they are young but adult cats can also be trained to some degree too. If you invest the time, you will make your own life easier and your cat’s life happier.

Generally speaking, most cats are perfectly content in their own company for several hours a day. But just as with dogs there are some cats who suffer from separation-related anxiety, which can lead to behaviors such as inappropriate urination or an unusual level of vocalization.

If you are going to be away for long periods of time every day then you will need to make sure they have stimulation. You might consider getting two cats from the same litter, rather than one. Or a cat flap. Or maybe even a dog. Cats and dogs can form close bonds, but you’ll need to be careful about how you introduce your cat to a new canine friend – here also, socialization at an early age is key.

3. Nutritional and medical needs

Cats are supreme and opportunistic hunters, which can lead to pressure on their prey species, as well as on you as an owner to prevent such killings.

Be prepared to put some effort into finding cat food that meets their approval as cats can be very picky eaters. You may even want to consider the type of bowl you feed them from as cats sometimes suffer from whisker stress.

You will need to have them microchipped at a young age and vaccinated annually — and the choice and optimal time to neuter will require some thinking through.

2. A suitable environment

Be sure that you can provide a living environment that suits your cat’s character.

Cats are considered semi-solitary animals. They can benefit from being adopted with a same-sex animal from the same litter. But if you already have an older cat that is used to a quiet life, you may cause considerable upset by adopting a new little kitten or bringing in another adult cat.

Cats enjoy human company but like to choose who they mix with.insta_photos

Cats are highly agile and live three-dimensionally, which means that they like to sit in high places, jump and climb. They also inhabit an olfactory world, which may come with a need to encounter interesting smells. Be prepared to adapt your home accordingly, as these are important behavioral needs and they cannot be persuaded not to do them.

1. Pedigree or rescue

Adopting a cat from a rescue center can be an incredibly rewarding experience – and can also make it easier to find a cat that is a perfect match.

Choose the cat for its character, not just its looks. Individuals differ widely in personality and temperament, including friendliness, boldness, and likelihood of aggression. It’s important to find a cat or kitten who fits perfectly with you and your living conditions.

If you opt for a pedigree kitten, find a breeder that invests heavily in socializing the kittens. Choose your breed carefully as they have very different characteristics — some are more lazy and mellow, others more vocal and demanding. Be aware though, that some breeds may be prone to hereditary issues that can cause serious health issues.

Last but not least comes the fun part of deciding what to call your new kitten (an older rescue cat will probably have a name already). Cats learn their name very quickly — just make sure you choose something you’re happy to shout out loud when calling your feline friend in for the night.

*Note-Lily, Oliver and I all had names given by the shelter we came from but The Human prefers to observe us and then give us our forever name.

Cats Peek Out from Shirt Pockets in Hiroko Kubota’s Clever Embroideries

Oh my whiskers, those Japanese feline loving folks are so artistic! Last week I featured a Japanese artist who carves whimsical cat figurines and this week I bring you an artist that does wonderful and realistic.

Since we felines are known to squeeze ourselves into tight spots, artist Hiroko Kubota  decided to illustrate this by stitching feline likenesses into shirt pockets.  She’s not taking international  commissions at this time, but you can stay updated on her work on Instagram.

Guy Makes His Cat A Tiny Collar Camera To See What He’s Up To Outside

This feline has a generous streak and likes to collect garbage around the neighborhood and deliver it to his humans. Gonzo’s humans were curious as to what Gonzo was  up to so they made a tiny camera, attached it to his collar and found themselves fascinated by Gonzo’s world. He was busy doing a lot more than collecting garbage.  Keep up with Gonzo on TikTok: https://thedo.do/GonzotheCat.

Cats and dogs may protect owners from memory loss in later life

Well there you go. Scientists say pets could protect you humans from memory loss in later life.

Owners of animals including dogs, cats and rabbits were found to have held on to more of their cognitive abilities when tracked over six years.

For the study, researchers tested more than 1,300 people with an average age of 65. 

Fifty-three per cent of them had pets and almost a third of this group had owned their pet for more than five years.

The participants were asked to recall a list of ten words, both immediately and after five minutes. 

They had to count backwards from 20, and backwards from 100 by subtracting seven from each number.

The study found that, after six years, long-term pet owners saw less of a fall in their average score on these tests than those without pets.

There is increasing evidence that stress can lead to cognitive decline and experts believe pets may help you humans to stay mentally sharp by reducing stress. 

Those with dogs benefit from regular walks as exercise is linked to a healthier brain, however, if you have a cat stroller, like The Human does, you can still get a nice walk in with your feline.

The authors do say that people with better thinking skills may simply be more likely to have pets, as they can deal with their multitude of demands.

The University of Michigan Medical Centre study, which is not yet published, was presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology.

Dr Tiffany Braley, who led the study, said: ‘Prior studies have suggested that the human-animal bond may have health benefits like decreasing blood pressure and stress.

‘Our results suggest pet ownership may also be protective against cognitive decline.’

‘While this US-based study linked owning a pet with some protection in memory and thinking decline, it can’t tell us if these are long-term benefits, or whether owning a pet has any bearing on dementia risk.

Cats, inmates take care of each other at Lincoln County Iowa Detention Center

Now this just warms my heat. Jill, a year-old black-and-white cat, found abandoned at a soccer field in North Platte now are full time residents of the “H” unit at the Lincoln County Detention Center — one of eight cats living with inmates there.

“She likes to roam around (the pod),” said Matthew, an inmate in H unit. “She can tell when you need someone. It’s kind of nice having her in here, something other than just people.

“She’ll come lay in your bed and go play in your cell and your sinks. She loves it. She’ll sleep in anybody’s cell. She’ll sleep on my sink because I have a handicap room. She’ll turn my sink on and play in the water.”

Felines have been part of the Lincoln County Detention Center for the past decade. One cat is housed in each unit except for two pods where the inmates are considered to be higher behavioral risks.

The cats remain in the units with the inmates through each day except for a short time when detention center staff are making medication rounds. “But they eventually want to go back in (to the pod),” Ball said.

 “I had some concerns just about the basic care of the cats,” Ball said. “Just (questions) if the inmates would take ownership of them. But the cats take ownership of (the inmates), and the inmates definitely take ownership of the cats. They take good care of them. It gives them a responsibility, a purpose.”

The cats also simply provide companionship.

Nemo, a 10-year-old tabby, is the longest feline resident of the detention center. Nemo was one of the first cats brought into the detention center, a donation from the North Platte Animal Shelter in 2012.

“It gets to the point where the cats usually will bond with one or two inmates and sleep with them for comfort.

“Inmates who are having a bad day will pet the cats,” Ball said. “It’s a kind of a soothing, emotional release for them to be able to care for the cats. An emotional purge.”

 “We’ve seen units where a new (inmate) has come in and the other inmates didn’t think they were being nice enough to the cat,” Ball said. “They were ringing and talking (to staff) saying, ‘He needs to go. He’s not nice to our cat.’”

Lil’ Cody Park is the newest feline resident. The 7-month-old gray medium-hair cat is named after the place where he was found abandoned.

Lil’ Cody Park has a neurological disorder that affects coordination. In other words, he is a wobbly cat. He is housed in a female inmate worker unit.

“He is very playful and since he has been inside here, he has blossomed,” Ball said. “He acts like a cat as much as a wobbly cat can.”

Ball has had offers from detention center staff members who are interested in taking Lil’ Cody Park home with them for good. It’s not the first time she has received inquiries about adopting one of the facility felines.

“When I brought Jill in, I had a lot of staff members say, ‘Can I take Jill?’ I said. ‘You’ve got to talk to the guys in ‘H’ if they are willing to let her go.’ They didn’t let her go, because she is still here.”

Now that’s a pawsome program, what human isn’t made better by living with a cat?