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  • A Cat Lover’s Guide to Going ‘Green’

     

     
    Just because you’re driving around Nissan Leaf that gets 100 miles per charge, or have an organic garden in your backyard and solar panels on your roof doesn’t mean you should stop exploring more ways to reduce your carbon footprint. (And for the rest of us, it isn’t too late to start either.) There are plenty of things you can do as a pet owner to show your furry “little ones” that you care about the environment. After all, it’s their planet, too.
     
    Reduce.
    It might seem obvious, but buying cat food and other pet products in bulk sav …read more

  • A Cleaner, Greener Home for You and Your Cat

    Breathe Easier Knowing Your Home is Toxin Free
     

     
    You may be surprised to learn that of all the toxic environments your cat will be exposed to in its lifetime, your home is the most dangerous.
     
    The typical modern home has more chemicals, gases, and natural toxins than anything your cat is likely to come across while roaming the neighborhood, yet most pet owners are blithely unaware of the dangers being posed by such seemingly innocuous products like air fresheners and furniture polishes.
     
    Just as humans can fall ill as the result of sensitivity to chemicals, ani …read more

  • Acupuncture for Cats

    The Holistic Science Behind Acupuncture for Pets
     

     
    By Diana Waldhuber
     
    Acupuncture for your cat? It’s not as strange as it might sound at first, especially if you’ve had no experience with the treatment. And no, kitty will not look like it is part of a Dr. Frankenstein experiment.
     
    The ancient Chinese treatment arose from the belief we all have energy cycles that move through our bodies and keep us healthy. When one of the energy points becomes blocked, the person, or animal, would become ill or diseased. Unblocking the energy point through the act …read more

  • Eco-Friendly Cat Litter

     

     
    What smells if you don’t change it, is thrown away when your “baby” is done with it, and is often made from clay? If you answered cat litter, you probably have some furry feline leaving you smelly presents ever few hours.
     
    Traditional cat litter, first introduced in the mid-1940s, is made from clay, which is then dried and pelleted. The clumping characteristics of the litter, meanwhile, is derived from the type of clay used — sodium bentonite, a type of clay made from volcanic ash.
     
    As with all clay, sodium bentonite must be mined. But it is t …read more

  • Exercising with Your Cat: A How-To Guide

     

     
    Do you worry that your indoor cat is not getting enough exercise? While it is true that cats have the evolutionary advantage of a high metabolism that works even as they lounge around (see lions in the wild), they do still need some physical activity to keep them from a sedentary life of sloth and eventual obesity.
     
    Unlike dogs, cats cannot be hitched to the end of a leash and taken for a stroll around the neighborhood — well, some can, but they need to be trained from kitten-hood. It may take a little imagination, along with some trial and error, but you can

  • Four Common Home Remedies for Your Cat

     

     
    More people are turning to natural remedies for both themselves and their pets. While nothing can replace the expertise of your local vet, there are many natural remedies to combat common cat ailments. Below you will find several popular holistic methods — all of which can be done from the comfort of your own home.
     
    1. The Itchy and Scratchy Show
     
    The causes for itching are many, including fleas, dandruff, or even allergies. But regardless of the cause, itchy cats make for rude unfriendly pets. Help out Scratches the Cat and make it a soothing dip of rosemary …read more

  • Holistic Medicine and How it Can Help Your Pet

    Keeping Your Pet Healthy, Naturally
     

     
    Like its owners, a pet’s health can also benefit by eating healthier foods and finding the right medical care when it is needed. However, this medical care need not always be traditional in nature.
     
    For example, acupuncture can be used to relieve pain and strengthen the body’s immune system; herbal medicines can serve to enhance nutrition, improve body synergy, and as a remedy to ailments when nothing else works; and homeopathy can treat the deepest constitutional causes of your pet’s diseases.
     
    petMD’s Yahaira …read more

  • Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds

     

     
    Want to adopt a cat, but suffer from allergies? Maybe you’ve tried coping by taking antihistamines, and have a HEPA air filter in your home. You may have even heard the term “hypoallergenic pet” but not know it applies to cats.
     
    Some feline breeds exist that are considered “hypoallergenic,” or produce fewer allergens than others. Cats produce pet dander, but the culprit for the estimated 10 percent of the population allergic to cats may be a protein present in feline saliva.
     
    Technically, there are no 100 percent hypoallergenic domest …read more

  • Natural Cat Litter: What’s the Difference and Should You Switch?

     
    If you are like most consumers, then you want choices when it comes to your cat litter — perhaps even “greener” choices. That’s right, long gone are the days when you could only choose from a handful of litters to assist you in discarding Kitty’s little “indiscretions.” Visit your local pet supply store today and you’re likely to find several brands of environmentally safe cat litters. So which ones are the most popular and why?
     
    First, if you are worried about giving up your precious clumping litter, don’t. Like their clay- or silicon-based counterparts, …read more

  • Non-Toxic Pest Control: A Green Alternative

     

     
    The use of poisons as a way to eliminate a rodent infestation is an ongoing concern for pet owners, but cats are especially at risk of an accidental and possibly fatal ingestion. Whether in the home or at a boarding facility, the use of potentially lethal pest control methods is a seriously safety consideration for the wellbeing of the pet. However, there are greener alternatives.
     
    The Conventional Route
     
    First let’s look at some of the more common types of rodenticides used, all of which are potentially lethal to cats.
     

  • Ten Herbs to Improve Your Cat’s Health

    Herbs for Common Cat Ailments
     

     
    If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, a balcony, or even just a sunny window sill, then you can grow your own herb garden. Herbs grow easily, are delicious, and certain herbal cat remedies are not only adored by your kitty, but can also be very good for her health (not to mention yours), and useful for treating certain ailments she might have.
     
    Even if you don’t have a green thumb, herbs tend to be easy to grow and are worth the minimal effort. And a bonus: you can grow some for your own cooking pot, too.
     
    Catnip
    …read more

  • The Cat or You? Coping with Pet Allergies

    Allergic to Cats: One Woman’s Story
     

     
    “When my doctor told me my itchy, swollen eyes and stuffy nose were an allergic reaction to my new cat, Munchkin, I was shocked. And then he told me it was either my health or the cat!”
     
    Jenny, a 31-year-old receptionist, is not alone in her tale. With approximately one-third of all people allergic to pets, this problem is more common than you might think. While it’s rare to be told, “You need to find your pet a new home,” it can happen.
     
    Jenny, however, refused to take it lying down. “I …read more

  • Why Do Cats Eat Grass?

     

     
    Whether you have an indoor or outdoor cat, one thing is for certain: your feline friend has probably nibbled on grass on more than one occasion. While it might seem like strange behavior — especially when your cat throws up afterwards — there’s really nothing to worry about. Not only is there no evidence to suggest that grass will harm your cat, but many experts theorize munching on those long green blades can be beneficial for your cat.
     
    Carnivorous Rex
     
    Cats regurgitate when they eat grass because they lack the necessary enzymes to break d …read more