17 Cat Memes To Make You Laugh Until You Cry
6 Things You Can Do To Help Your Nervous Cat
As a caring cat owner, you probably notice that stress isn’t only for human. When your cat suddenly refuses to use the litter box anymore, or when it spends most of the day hiding under your bed or in its safe spot rather than jumping up and down all over the house just like it used to do, or even when it keeps grooming to the point of having bald spots, it definitely means that your kid is turning into an unhappy nervous cat.
How to Help Nervous Cats
So, if you don’t know how to help nervous cats from gaining their joyful attitude again, here are 6 ways to do exactly that:
6# Help your nervous cat by keeping your expectations low
Attempting to make the cat more laid-back and feel secure around you but forcing him or her come close to you and be less shy is the worst idea ever; it would only give the reversed impact on your cat nervous system.
If it’s always been your cat’s nature to be nervous, especially if it was an untamed cat, it’s actually difficult maybe even impossible to make him become an easy-going lap cat one day. All you can do is accept your cat behavior the way it is, and be happy with whatever you can get from him, that way they will feel less pressure and become more comfortable around you.
5# Play sessions to relieve stress for cats
Playing sessions are always a good way to get close to your kitty, gain its trust an also reduce the anxiety level. For instance, Wand toys are a wonderful way to engage with your kitty in a play session from a small distance, to keep the nervous cat feel safe while stimulating its natural hunting skills.
4# Always make a high place for your cat
Cats instinctively like to be in high places; it makes them out of the way of foot traffic, and also makes them feel confident when having full sight of their territory. As a loving cat owner make sure you have indoor cat trees or perches to provide your kitty a high place to hide in when the stress attack strikes again.
3# Treat them well!
If your nervous cat behavior prevents your kid from getting the treats directly from you, it would be thoughtful of you to leave some around the house. And let’s hope that with time, your nervous cat wouldn’t mind taking them directly from your hand. Just be patient, with time and single ingredients treats, your cat will eventually get used to you and feel safe around you.
2# A nervous cat always needs a hiding spot
You can think that it’s miserable to spend its life under the bed, but your nervous cat considers it the safest spot he or she can always run to when something frightens them; The “Flight or fight” response isn’t a human reaction only, it’s also the way the nervous system of cats responds to various situations, although they mostly have a tendency to run away when something scares them. Thus, it’s important to allow them a personal safe space when they can run to and calm down, which will make them more comfortable walking around the house and discovering its corners.
1# Make them snuggle but not with you, with your scent
It’s important for your anxious cats to associate your scent with comforting things, like food, security, and affection, but when you have a nervous cat; it might be hard for him or her to snuggle directly with you. To help ease your cat anxiety you can engage with the Project Play” Comfort Cuddler” which permits your cat to snuggle with your scent without risking that you make a sudden move which might have the reversed result and add the stress on cats.
All you need to do is add a pillowcase, or a short that you’ve recently worn in the safe space you made for him or her, that way, your nervous cat will associate your scent with quiet, peace and security, even when you’re not around.
Furthermore, with each comfort cuddler you buy, a toy is donated to a cat in a shelter. Now imagine that thanks to your purchase a cat has a toy, and playful cats are always first to be adopted. With your significant move, you just saved a cat’s life!
How long do female and male cats stay in heat?
Like other mammals, female cats go through physical circles that get them ready to fertilize and breed.
This cycle is called “estrus”, or more common “in heat”. But what about male cats and how long do a female and male cat stay in heat? Keep scrolling for the answers!
Female cats in heat
Typically, all unspayed female cats (queens) experience “estrus” or, in other words, go into heat seasonally in the Spring and the Fall and may repeat multiple times a year until they are either mated or spayed.
As days are longer in Spring and Fall, the queen’s reproductive hormones are stimulated by the warmth and sunlight. In-door cats that are exposed to home light on a daily basis can go into heat anytime.
In general, the first estrus cycle starts at about 6 or 9 months of age. However, some cats can have their first estrus cycle as early as 4 months old whereas some late bloomers will have theirs at about 1 year old.
How long does a female cat stay in heat? A female cat’s heat cycles last a week on average but can vary from several days to 2 weeks. If mating is not achieved during the cycle, cats will go into heat again after 2 or 3 weeks.
There are 5 stages in the feline estrus cycle
Proestrus (1 – 2 days)
This is when female cats may be attracted to unneutered male cats but are unwilling to mate. No specific signs are shown during this stage.
Estrus (3 days – 2 weeks)
This is the heat stage when queens are ready to mate. Many outward signs such as vocalizing loudly, attention-seeking behaviors, elevating her rear end. If pregnant, the queen will go back into heat approximately 8 weeks after giving birth.
Interestrus (2 – 3 weeks)
The pause between heat cycles during the season if the queen is not bred when she stops showing mating desire.
Anestrus (2 – 3 months)
Non-breeding season with the inactive reproductive hormones and the absence of estrus cycles.
Signs that your cat is in heat
From the age of 4 – 6 months, unspayed female cats show quite noticeable signs when she enters the heat cycle.
It is normal to see your cat meowing intensively, raising her hindquarters into the air, rolling on the floor, rubbing her body against things, begging to go outside, spraying urine, licking her genitals or asking for your affection.
When you pet or stroke the cat, especially near her rear end, she will start to go into mating position or her legs will start tapping on the floor.
Some cat owners may refer the vocalizing and run away from the house to their cats being in pain, but the purpose of it is just to get attention from the toms (unneutered male cats) and show her eager to mate.
Do note that unlike dogs, cats do not develop bleed from their vaginal opening as a sign of being in heat, so if you see the presence of blood with your cat, visit your vet immediately.
What to do when your cat is in heat?
A kitten can get pregnant during her very first heat cycle, at a pretty young age.
This is truly risky for both herself and her babies because her body is not fully grown and strong enough to give birth as well as she is not mature enough to take care of her children.
If you let your kitten run outside in her first estrus cycle, she will either get pregnant or get lost/hurt. If you keep her inside, she will go back into the heat cycle again and again until she is bred or spayed.
The repetition over a long time can be unhealthy for the cat as she will periodically lose her appetize and get stressful.
With that being said, the best solution is to spray your cat if you don’t want her to get pregnant as it will end the heat cycle permanently. It is advised to get your cat spayed before her first heat cycle and not to spay her when she is in heat or pregnant due to the risk of surgical bleeding.
If you do want your cat to breed but want to avoid pregnancy at a young age, you can provide her with some toys to play with to relieve her stress or some calming herbs made only for pets.
Male cats in heat?
If you are a Mr. Fluffy’s owner, have you ever wondered how long does a male cat stay in heat? Well, one important thing to bear in mind is male cats do not go into the estrus cycle.
Instead, they are ready to mate all the time. They are just aroused when they sense the signs of female cats being in heat by smelling their vaginal or their urine spray.
Then, their behaviors could be very annoying. You can deal with your tom when in-heat queens are around by neutering him.
It is – the same with female cats – best to neuter your male cat to stop his unwanted behaviors and prevent him from mating with other unspayed females cat in the neighborhood.
Can a cat go back into heat after spaying?
Normally, female cats do not go into heat again after spaying. However, there are still some cases where your cat appears to be in heat after the surgery.
This can be caused by some ovarian tissue being left intact during surgery and these tissue releases hormones that can lead to the heat cycle.
Final words
Above is our basic on the definition of a cat being in heat.
How to notice that your female cats are in heat, how long do a female and male can stay in heat (please note that male cats do not go into heat) and how to deal with cats when they are in heat.
If you find this helpful, please like and share, thank you!
What Are Cat’s Years To Human Years?
Ever heard of the phrase “cats have nine lives?”
Cats are considered as a long-living animal, often outliving other types of pets. Despite that, significant factors such as diet, health, and their environment can have a considerable impact on their life span.
Being a valuable member of your family, all owners want their beloved cat to live as long as possible. There’s nothing more dreadful than having to say goodbye to your best feline friend.
We all know that cats age faster than humans, but exactly how long is a cat’s life span compared to humans? In this article, you’ll learn how to convert cat’s years to human years.
Physical indicators of a cat’s age
Many factors can contribute to how long your cat lives. Depending on your type of cat, domestic cats who safely live indoors may live for 12 to 15 years.
Outdoor cats without such security may live up to 6 years as they tend to roam around unsupervised. If you don’t know what are cat years compared to human years, there are a few signs to notice.
Their teeth
One indicator of a cat’s age is its teeth. When cats are first born, they grow a set of teeth at around four months. As a carnivorous creature, their teeth need to be sharp to grind food. So, to check its age, if your cat has a set of permanent teeth, you can assume it to be one year old.
If you can spot yellow stains or tartar build-up, it could indicate that your cat is somewhere between 3 or 5 years. If your cat has any missing teeth, you are dealing with a senior cat.
Muscle tone
Depending on your cat’s breed, most young cats will have more well-defined muscles since they have a higher activity level. As your cat ages, it’ll become thinner and have hanging skin.
Fur coating
Just like humans, a shiny and soft fur indicates a healthy cat. As your cat gets older, the condition of their fur worsens. Younger cats have smooth, silky coats whereas in older cats have thicker and rougher fur.
Eyes
Cats have excellent eyesight, being able to see in the dark so they can hunt. When inspecting your cat’s eyes, look to see the level of brightness and clarity of its eyes. Young cats will have bright and clear eyes with no eye discharge. Older cats will have slight cloudiness in their eyes.
Cats age compared to human years
If you’re wondering how old your cat is, calculating your cat years to human years is a good way to keep your mind at ease.
0 to 6 months
This stage is when your kitten has just started experiencing life, taking time to familiarize themselves with newly introduced things.
With a very high play drive, you can expect your cat to begin learning new traits like scratching and pouncing at objects.
It is also the time where they’ll go through a rapid growth spurt, so expect a significant increase in time. The human equivalent for your cat at this age will be 0 to 10 years old.
7 months to 2 years
As your cat shifts from being a kitten to a cat, this phase is when your cat will reach its full size and achieve sexual maturity. This stage is crucial because it’s when you start teaching your cat ways to behave.
New aggressive or playful behaviors will start to rise, let this be a time for your feline friend to explore. The human equivalent for your cat at this age will be 12 to 24 years old.
2 to 6 years
Also, considered a prime life stage, a time where they are young and healthy, it’s essential to take your cat for daily check-ups. The human equivalent for your cat at this age will be 28 to 40 years old.
7 to 10 years
You might start to notice that your cat is beginning to slow down or put on some weight. It is also the time to start paying closer attention to your cat, making sure it has the right amount of physical activity and food. This cat year converted to human years will be around 44 to 56 years old.
11 to 14 years
At this stage, your cat has reached its senior stage. You may see your cat experiencing behavioral changes. During this time, your cat may need extra stimulation to keep them happy. A good idea would be to take your cat for frequent checkups to keep an eye out for age-related issues. The human equivalent for your cat at this age will be 60 to 72 years.
15 years plus
Happily snoozing their day away, this is when your cat reaches the geriatric age. When being this old, your cat is susceptible to many illnesses and diseases. If you notice anything abnormal, you should book an appointment with your vet immediately. The human equivalent for your cat at this age will be 76 to 100+ years.
How to increase your cat’s longevity?
A balanced diet
One way to increase your cat’s life span is by feeding your cat a well-balanced and nutritious diet. Since cats are carnivores, they need a rich meat diet to get the essential protein.
Dental care
Bad oral hygiene can have an impact on your cat’s health. Not only does your cat get bad breath and infections, but the bacteria can also spread to other organs. This results in bodily damage or organ failure.
Regular check-ups
Taking your cat for regular treatment and veterinary check-ups is a must. If your cat has a disease or early health issues, the doctors will be able to detect it when it’s at a treatable stage.
Conclusion
Nothing is more heartbreaking than watching your cat leave you after having it grow up right in front of your eyes.
Cats go through life at a much more accelerated rate compared to humans. Thanks to constant researching and modern technology, new ways are developed to prevent and extend your cat’s life expectancy.
Regardless of how old they are, these mischevious creatures make our world a better place. Always remember to treat your feline friend with care, love, and affection no matter the age.
Why Do Cats Like To Sleep With Their Owners?
If you are a cat owner you may have noticed that your cat prefers to sleep in your bed rather than their own. In fact, it’s not that uncommon for them to completely ditch their own bed and spend as much time as possible sleeping with you. In this article we answer the questions Why Do Cats Like To Sleep With Their Owners?
Why Do Cats Like To Sleep With Their Owners?
Cats are very vulnerable when they are sleeping and like to find a place, or person, that they trust to sleep on. When they sleep with their owner they are confirming to you that they trust you.
While your cat does trust you they also want to keep warm and they love the heat from their humans. They also love your duvet and blanket that provide extra warmth. Your cat loves that you are a human hot water bottle for them.
There is no doubt that your cat loves you and wants to spend time with you, but they also want to tell you they love you by spending time with you. Cats don’t like to be alone – despite what people think about cats being independent.
Why Do Cats Sleep On Your Head?
Have you ever had an older relative tell you to put a hat on to keep warm? Well, there is a reason for that! You lose a lot of heat from your head. So, it makes sense that your cat would want to be where all the heat is.
It’s also the safest place for a cat to be as your head moves the least amount during the night. Whereas your arms and legs tend to be the most active during the night and potentially the most likely to disturb them.
A warm safe place is a perfect spot for your cat to feel relaxed and comforted.
Should You Sleep With Your Cat?
It’s a very personal choice whether you want your cat to sleep in your bed. Some people hate the idea and others wouldn’t have it any other way.
There are pros and cons to both, so it’s important to consider either side and see which option suits you and your cat best.
Pros And Cons Of Sleeping With Your Cat
Pros Of Your Cat Sleeping With You
Warm and Cosy – Both you and your cat will benefit from the heat of sharing a bed. There is nothing cosier than a cat snuggling with you at night.
Stress Relief – When you have had a stressful day there is nothing more relaxing than snuggling into bed with your cat and a good book or a movie. All animals are a great stress relief.
Bond with your cat – The more time you spend with your cat the greater the bond you will have with them. Cats are very loyal animals and will soon become your best friend. People tend to assume that cats are independent and don’t need a lot of time and attention, however, they can be just as loyal to their owners as a dog.
Cons Of Your Cat Sleeping With You
Dirty Feet – Cats are outside a lot of the time and can bring in all sorts of mud and dirt on their paws. They also will either be toileting outside or using a litter tray and could transfer some of this dirt onto your bed.
Cats don’t sleep through the night – Most cats like to be active at night as they spend a lot of the day sleeping. This means that you could experience a disturbed night of sleep.
Allergies – You may find that pet hair in your bed causes you to suffer from allergies. People can develop an allergy to pets that they never had before if they spend a lot of time in close contact with them.