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7 Reasons why cats keep meowing
A cat’s meow is the cutest sound to a proud cat parent. But what if they meow continuously? A clowder of cats having a merry meow jamming session is bound to bring out a cantankerous neighbour with a water hose, hellbent on watering the unsuspecting cats!

A question does arise. What makes a cat to meow without a break? Are they having a health issue that needs to be checked by the vet? Well, here a few reasons for that constant meowing.
- Your cat could be in heat – This could be the reason if your cat has not been spayed. So, if a 6-month-old unspayed cat starts meowing then it is certain that they are in heat. A cat in heat meow sounds are too loud and almost appear like they are in pain. They also turn overly affectionate and have an odd swayed back position when you pet them near their bottom.
- It can be a sign of Hyperthyroidism – Hyperthyroidism is usually seen in elderly cats and have symptoms like weight loss, insatiable hunger, excessive activity and vocalisation. If your cat has these symptoms then you must take them to the vet and have them professionally checked.
- Your cat might have a loss of vision or hearing – Excessive vocalisation is a problem mainly seen in elderly cats. A slow deterioration of senses is the bane of old age. So, it not very surprising for your elderly pet to cry like a lost baby when you turn off the lights at the night. They will feel lost and helpless, especially when they cannot hear or move around the house like the used to. This is why they meow, to signal their distress.
- Senile cats meow a lot – Mental conditions like cat dementia or feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome can make your cat feel scared, helpless and disoriented. They will express their anguish and frustration by wailing, yowling and continuously meowing. Cats suffering from cognitive dysfunction will be more irritable, have altered sleep cycles, will have trouble with body coordination and may also have incontinence issues.
- Cats meow to express pain – Cats are adept at hiding their sickness and rarely show their pain. But at times when the pain becomes severe and uncontrollable they will call out for your attention. It can happen for instance, if a cat is suffering from a urinary tract infection and is unable to urinate. So, its best you take your pet to the vet if you suspect that they are meowing out of pain.
- Your cat may meow out of loneliness and boredom – Cats that are very attached to their human caregivers will meow out of loneliness or boredom when they are left alone at home. This constant meowing is more noticeable once you hit the bed and will continue until they are tired of calling out for your attention. If you suspect that your cat gets lonely then you must try to keep them occupied with games and toys. You can also consider getting another cat to give them company.
Since it is always better to be safe than sorry, you must have your pet checked by the vet to ensure their constant meowing is not due to a health condition. A vet will be able to give you more pointers on how to best handle your meowing pet.
September 8, 2018
What is the ideal age to bring home a kitten?
Who doesn’t love the angelic face of a kitten? These sweet furry balls of energy have such a charming personality as well. It is such a temptation to just pick a kitten and bring them home. In fact, that is what most people do when they see a stray kitten. But is it the right thing to do?

Ideally a kitten should stay with their mother and littermates until they are ready to start a new life with a new family. An important question to ask is what is an ideal age for a kitten to leave its mother and littermates? To understand this, first you need to be aware of the stages of kittenhood.

Stages of kittenhood

A kitten has to undergo three stages of development right from their birth till 16 weeks of age. The following are the stages.
- Neonatal stage – This stage is from birth to 2 weeks of age. The kitten is on its mother’s feed. By day 14 their eyes open and they begin to walk to explore their environment. But they are yet to learn to groom themselves. The mother and her brood must be given good care in a warm and secure environment. There should be very minimal handling of the kittens by the human caregivers.
- Early socialisation – This stage is from 3 to 8 weeks of age. The kitten starts eating solid food and learns the necessary social skills that are essential for survival. They learn to control their body functions and to use the litter box. They become more curious and they start climbing and running. A kitten is also capable of complex learning at this stage. At this stage, the human caregiver should start handling the kitten regularly and reward them with praise, treats or toys whenever they show friendly behaviour to humans and other animals. The caregiver must slowly start exposing them to new experiences that will further equip them to handle themselves better in a new environment.
- Late socialisation – This stage is from 9 to 16 weeks of age. The kitten is now capable of eating a complete solid food meal. They will continue to learn and practice social skills and social play. They start to become more adventurous in exploring their environment. The human caregiver must help them to explore the environment and enhance their social skills in a safe manner.
As you can observe from the above-mentioned stages, it is highly recommended that a kitten stays with their mother and littermates till they are 8 weeks of age before they are brought to their new home.

As the period of socialisation is from 3 to 8 weeks of age, it is best if the mother and her brood stay together along with an appropriate human interaction. If cats are not handled by humans from 2 to 9 weeks of age, then they will have poor interactions with humans and need a lot of training for them to learn to be comfortably handled by humans.

Kitten and kids

Bringing a kitten to a household with kids must be done once the kids are taught to handle them gently and kindly. Just like kittens’ small children tend to be experimental and may treat kittens as toys to play with hence the kittens might get frightened and may even turn aggressive.

The first thing to do when you bring home a kitten is to visit the vet to ensure they are healthy and to involve your children in taking care of them.
September 7, 2018
6 Superfoods you must give your cat
Are you feeding your cat scraps of meal from your dinner plate? Well, you mustn’t as certain Human foods can be dangerous for cats. Though they may pester you for titbits, you must be hard hearted to tell them not to beg. It will save them from suffering the ill effects of consuming too many fat rich foods and dairy products like milk.

While there may not be too many human foods that can be added to your cat’s daily diet there are however quite a few that you must consider as part of their regular diet. Here are 6 superfoods that you must give your feline friend to help them live healthier and stronger.
- Dandelion – The dandelion leaves and roots are known too relieve cat allergies and aids digestion. Dandelion roots are particularly good for liver detoxification. They are also very effective in curing urinary problems in cats or dogs. The dandelion roots are easily available online.
- Cranberries – The berry itself may be a tad too sharp to attract a cat’s fastidious taste buds. Which is why there are plenty of cranberry supplements available online. This nutritious super berry has antioxidant properties and promotes urinary health. Since it also has anti-cancer agents you can protect your pet’s health from adding this to their diet.
- Yoghurt – Yoghurt that is natural, plain and unsweetened is a better alternative to cow’s milk. It is rich in protein and calcium apart from being packed with probiotics. Yoghurt is easier for your cat to digest as lactose is broken during the culturing of the yoghurt and the milk proteins become limited or are removed. Serve a small portion of it to your cat and wait for a day to ensure it goes well with your cat. If they do, you can serve a small portion of it to your pet regularly. If it does not suit them, do not serve it anymore.
- Lean meat – Since cats are carnivores, leans meats are top priority for them. So, cooked chicken, beef and pork with the fat portions removed are a great way to boost their protein intake. Lean meats are a good source of iron and vitamin B. Toping the meat with rich gravies and sauces are a strict no-no. So, think again before sharing your biryani with their feline pal! Too much consumption of fat trimmings at one sitting can put them at a greater risk of developing pancreatitis.
- Fish – Fish is an excellent source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Oil rich fishes like salmon, sardines and anchovies have the right amount of omega-3s without the dreaded mercury. Size control is important here as human portions can be too much for cats. A smaller portion of it usually given as treats is the right way to serve fish to your pet.
- Eggs – Eggs contain high quality protein and are very easy to digest. They also have the essential amino acids that keep your feline buddy lean and healthy. You can serve them any way you want but ensure they are cooked as raw eggs can cause salmonella poisoning. Eggs whether scrambled or poached can be given once a week to your pet.
It really does not matter whether you serve your pet dry, canned or home prepared food. But you must consider giving them these above-mentioned superfoods as a part of their diet. Everything given in moderation will ensure that you raise a healthy and strong feline friend!

You can always contact your vet for further professional guidance.
September 6, 2018
Do kittens eyes change colour?

Kittens are born with their eyes firmly sealed. They are designed that way as nature’s method of protecting their eyes from infection and eye damage during birth. Their eyes slowly begin to open anytime between 2 to 16 days of age. Each kitten in the litter will open their eyes at different times.

Once a kitten’s eyes open they may not be able to see clearly as their vision is still developing. At this stage, they depend on their other senses of smell, touch and their mother.

The kitten’s eyes are completely open by the time they are 3 weeks old. But their vision will continue to develop over a period of several months. If their eyes are clear and not red or pink or have discharge, their vision is completely fine.

Beautiful blue eyes

At about 2 weeks of age, kittens open their eyes and they are a beautiful shade of blue. Over the next few months their eye colour will change to the colour that they will have throughout their adult life.

Most of the adult cat’s eye colours are in the colour continuum from green to yellow and yellow to orange and to copper. Breeds like the Siamese and Tonkinese have blue eyes.

During the transition period where a kitten’s eyes change from blue to a permanent eye colour, you will see flecks of different colours. The colour flecks are from the pigment cells, known as melanocytes, in the iris. Just as in the case with humans’, a cat’s eyes colour is determined by genetics.

Breeds like the Siamese will have blue eyes permanently and it is alright if they do not change colour.

If a cat’s eyes are shiny and appear healthy then they can see very well. It’s just that their eye colour was blue which can slowly change to a permanent colour or remain the same according to their genetic code. Their eyesight matures completely by the time they are weaned, that is by 8 weeks of age.

Few cat breeds take close to three months to transition to a permanent eye colour and take about a year for their eyes to darken and mature to a permanent eye colour and hue.

Health concerns when the eye colour changes

A cat’s eye colour never changes once their vision is completely developed and matured. If their eye colour changes then it is a sure sign that they need medical attention.

The coloured area around the pupil is the iris and the cornea are the clear region in front of the eye that you see through. So, a blue iris is completely normal but a blue cornea is not. A serious eye infection can make the cornea appear blue. If you notice this in your pet you must take them to the vet and have them thoroughly checked.

A healthy kitten’s eyes must be clear and bright. Signs of an eye infection are scratched eye from play or injury, eye swelling, discharge, cloudiness, continuous blinking, squinting and watery eyes.

Conjunctivitis is a highly contagious eye infection seen in cats. The most obvious sign of it is watery eyes. The cat may squint and have dark tear stains on their coat. It is easily treatable with prompt medical attention.

Uveitis is another common eye infection seen in cats. The uvea of the eye is the part that includes the iris, the ciliary body that is behind the iris and the choroid which is the middle of the eyeball consisting of blood vessels. When either one or more of these parts get inflamed it causes uveitis.

Signs of uveitis include eye redness, eye discharge, cloudiness and change of eye colour. If the disease is caught in the earliest stage treatment is easier. It requires swift medical intervention.

So, if you notice any changes in the eyes of your kitten it is a good idea to get them checked by the vet. By doing so you will be helping your kitten lead a long and healthy life!

September 5, 2018
The challenges of raising an adolescent cat
It is hard to digest the fact that your cute kitten is tying you up in knots with their adolescent behaviour. Just like human teenagers, our feline teens go through the ‘rebel without a cause’ phase. Cats often like to test their independence during the adolescent stage. Apart from this, their terrible curiosity to explore coupled with their high spirit is bound to get them into trouble. This phase poses quite a challenge for inexperienced cat parents.

When is a kitten an adolescent?

A kitten’s development can be classified into five categories:
- Neonatal period – From birth to 2 weeks of age
- Transitional period – From 2 to 3 weeks of age
- Socialisation period – From 3 weeks of age to 10 weeks of age
- Juvenile phase – From 10 weeks of age till sexual maturity
- Adolescent period – Between 6 and 18 months of age
Common adolescent behaviour problems in cats
- Predatory or play aggression – Social play is at its peak in kittens during the adolescence stage. They become high spirited and seem very energetic. They tend to play aggressively, even roughly. If they do not have a play mate your ankles are the next best thing for them! It is very easy for you to lose your cool as an adolescent cat can try the patience of a saint! It is usually during this stage that cats love to test their independence and curiosity outdoors and as a result many of them get lost.
The best thing for you to do in this stage is to bring home a pair of kittens who will give company to your pet. They can play with each other and burn their energy rather than destroying your home or hurting your poor ankles. If you would like to continue with a single cat household then you must keep them occupied with interactive toys.
- Scratching – Cats love scratching. But during adolescence, cats will have longer and stronger claws that can cause more harm than good. As they like to mark their territory and portray the fact that they are looking out for a mate they will be an increase in their marking behaviour. Which means that they will spray at inconvenient places.
You can trim their claws so that they no longer scratch. Trimming their claws followed by a tasty treat will help you get rid of the scratching problem.
- Accidents – Well, curiosity can literally kill your cat. During adolescence stage cats can jump out of doors, cupboards or windows with great ease. Sometimes they may not be so lucky. They can meet with an accident or end up having fights with other cats in the neighbourhood and come home seriously injured. They can also turn your home upside down my pulling sheets, table mats and damaging your furniture.
To avoid this, you must cat proof your home and be aware of your cat’s whereabouts.
- Romantic cats – Once your cat is in the adolescence stage they also become sexually mature. They will notice and get attracted to the opposite sex. Once they do this they will start spraying urine. This scent marking behaviour proudly states their sexual availability to other felines. A male will spray urine in particular corners of the home and the females apart from spraying will also be more vocal when she is in heat. Female kittens in heat will roll on the floor and yowl like they are in pain. They can also escape from home to hook up with other male cats and possibly get pregnant.
Spaying or neutering your pet at this stage will stop the hormones that instigate such behaviour. They will stop marking and lose their aggressiveness. They will then become more affectionate and easier to handle.

Patience is the key

Adolescence can be a trying time for both cats and their owners. Handling a teen is never easy with their changing hormones, high energy and a general shift in their attitude and behaviour. You just have to understand that is a temporary phase which they will soon outgrow. So, understanding feline adolescence behaviour and following the tips mentioned above will help you tackle your kitty’s problem the right way.

You can always contact your vet for further professional advice.
September 4, 2018
Why ancient Egyptians worshipped cats?

Egyptian civilization is one the oldest civilization in the world. For close to 30 centuries the ancient Egyptian civilization was the leading civilization in the Mediterranean world. Apart from amazing innovations in the field of agriculture and architecture this civilization was also blighted with the prevalence of natural disasters, starvation and disease. The ancient Egyptians owe allegiance to one phenomenal creature that protected them and kept the world safe, they are the cats.

In a world that had still not discovered guns, insect traps and poison, danger lurked at every corner and time. Venomous snakes hid in clay jars, rats spoilt the grains kept in the storage and scorpions and other dangerous critters tried to creep into cradles and beds. Cats were the only ones who made homes safe for people and protected them from any unforeseen hazard. So, it’s little wonder that Egyptians thought them worthy of being worshipped!

Goddess Mafdet was the first deity of ancient Egypt, whom people sought for protection against harmful creatures like snakes and scorpions. She was seen with a variety of fierce forms mostly as a woman with a head of a lion, cheetah or a house cat. As the cats could protect the home from any dangerous creatures either big or tiny, it made the Egyptians home safe thereby making the kingdom safe as well!

Later Goddess Bastet replaced Mafdet as the feline goddess. Just like Mafdet the Bastet was highly regarded as the protector of people’s homes and their lives as the cat was famous for its ability to kill snakes, scorpions and vermin. She was famously known as the “Eye of Ra”, which means sun god and they firmly believed that the Bastet watched over them and guarded the world against any invasion.

The Egyptians absolutely adored and pampered their cats. They were rightly treated as important members of the family. The Bastet’s image eventually became softer as she became the goddess of fertility, family and love. The ardent followers of the cult of Bastet mummified their cats and mourned them as deeply as they do with others human members of the family, which is strikingly similar to the way cat parents mourn their furry family members even today.

Since cats do such a wonderful job of protecting their owner’s homes from dangerous creatures and diseases they are entitled to be worshipped. Felines have fearlessly defended so many lives from falling prey to pestilence, destruction and dangerous predators, and without them civilization as we know it, might never have happened!

September 3, 2018
Why do cats cover their poop?

It’s a known fact that cats are clean creatures. They also try to keep their surroundings as tidy as possible. Their penchant for cleanliness is instinctual. Covering their poop comes as a natural instinct to them to safeguard themselves from dangerous predators and to mark their territory.

Cats bury their poop to ‘keep the peace’

Big wild cats belonging to the group of tigers, lions, jaguars and leopards will not bury their poop while they are competing to claim a particular territory. This will let other cats know that they are staking claim of that particular area. They will only bury their poop when they do not want to get any attention from predators. They will also want to protect the location of their young cubs or kittens, which is why they will want to bury their tracks.

Small wild cats, if they share their territory with big cats will bury their faeces to avoid getting attention from them. The small cats bury their poop to let the big cats know that they are not staking claim to their territory. They basically want to keep the peace and try to avoid any conflict.

Housecats also have the instinct of protecting themselves from harmful predators, which is why they will also cover their tracks. Your feline friend might view you as a dominant cat at home and will cover their poop to tell you that they are not trying to stake a claim to your place.

When do cats stop burying poop?

If your cat used to cover their poop and are no longer doing so, it could mean that they are feeling more safe and secure at home or they could be having difficulty pooping usually caused by a urinary tract infection or other diseases.

If your cat has had a bad experience with a litter box, then will not want to get back to it again and will soil outside the litterbox.

So, to solve this issue first you need to find out if they have any health problems. You must take them to the vet and have them professionally checked. If they are given the clean bill of health then you might want to experiment with different types of litter.

Cats have their own preference of shape, material and scent. If either one of the criteria is not fulfilled they will poop and run away without covering it or they might decide to soil anywhere else at home.

Kittens who leave their mother very early will not have observed her cover her poop so they will not cover after eliminating. Training with reward will slowly help your cat learn to cover their poop.

This lack of covering the poop is not really a cause for concern unless they have a health problem or are eliminating faeces outside their box. Training them to use the litter box appropriately and rewarding them with a treat when they cover their poop will help to solve the issue.

You can always contact your vet for further professional guidance.

September 2, 2018
Why does my dog shake? Is it out of fear?

Dogs are very smart animals. They rely on their senses and body language to communicate their needs and wants. The problem is that we humans depend on verbal than body language to communicate and this is why we cannot understand certain behaviours of our canine buddies.

Shaking and trembling is one behaviour that is quite commonly noticed in most dogs. But what compels them to tremble so?

An efficient blow-dry

Have you ever wondered why your pet shivers as soon as you give them a bath? Dogs that tremble when they get wet shake off more than 70 percent of water on their coat within four seconds. This is definitely a faster and a more effective way of drying their fur than making do with brisk towelling or blow dry.

To shake off stress

Shaking is not limited to only wet dogs. Dry dogs can shake too. If your pet trembles for no apparent reason then they may be doing so to relieve tension. Shaking is a symptom of stress in dogs. When your pet shakes during and after examination by a vet or when they meet a stranger, they may be doing so to release tension.

Dogs can even shake after a hug. This is because most dogs do not enjoy being hugged. So, learning to understand the symptoms of stress in your pet will definitely help them to feel more comfortable.

Shivering and trembling

Pups can shiver when they feel cold and even they are upset. Some toy and terrier breeds shiver more than other dogs. This can be due to anxiety, fear, cold, pain or muscle weakness. If you observe your pet shaking for no obvious reason, its best you take them to the vet as soon as possible to ensure its not a serious problem.

Ear problems

Dogs can easily fall prey to ear infections. Breeds like the Cocker Spaniels, Basset Hounds, Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are more prone to ear infections. The most common symptom of ear infection is head shaking. So, if your pet has been given bath and is repeatedly shaking their head, it can be due to an ear infection. It makes good sense to wipe their ears dry after each wash.

If your pet continues to shake their head, has red and inflamed ears or has an ear discharge then you must have them professionally checked by the vet.

Now that you understand why your canine pal shakes, you can accordingly help them to get warm, feel safe and give them the extra pampering that they crave for or get them the treatment for an ailment at the right time. It’s all a matter of perception!

September 1, 2018
Siberian Husky – The outgoing and mischievous one

The Siberian Husky is a thick coated and compact sled dog. It is a medium sized dog and has strong endurance, it belongs to the working group. Also known as the snow dogs, they have been raised to work in packs and to pull light loads over snow laden areas. The Huskies are friendly, appear majestic and finicky.

Origin

The Huskies were primarily a sled pulling dog for centuries in the harsh region of the Siberian Tundra. They came to America during the 1900s and became one of the most popular breeds among the Alaskan dog mushers.

The Husky is a fine sled dog as they are smaller and faster than the Alaskan Malamute. They are also highly capable of covering great distances and at higher speeds. The sibs are very friendly and outgoing. Definitely not a trait we would appreciate in a watch dog or a guard dog.

They are very independent and love to roam. The sibs rarely bark but engage in communal howling. As they are pack animals, they prefer the company of other dogs and people and tend to view smaller dogs or cats as prey.

Appearance

The medium sized Husky have almond shaped eyes that can be either blue or brown in colour. Sometimes their eyes can be of two different colours. The male huskies weigh between 45 and 60 pounds and the females weigh between 35 and 50 pounds. Rather than appearing tall the Huskies are long.

The Sibs have a thick double coat of medium length hair. They shed heavily throughout the year and blow their entire coat twice a year.

Huskies come in different colours and patterns. But they usually have white paws, faces, legs and tail tips. The most commonly seen husky colours are black and white, grey and white, copper and white or total white.

Personality

The Huskies are very friendly family dogs who are not possessive like guard dogs or are wary and aggressive with strangers or other dogs as is seen in watch dogs. Their wolf like appearance make them very attractive and so is their even temperament. Their friendly nature and love for other dogs and their unsuspicious nature towards strangers make them an ideal family dog.

But, in order to maintain their friendliness and good behaviour the huskies need regular exercise and extensive training. People who have the time, resources and commitment to do it should have this breed.

Activity requirements

The Sibs need plenty of physical activities to maintain their health. Since they were developed as sled dogs, they have tremendous level of endurance and lots of surplus energy. This means that if you bring home a Husky you are automatically registering yourself to an active lifestyle.

Huskies enjoy long walks, hikes, bike rides and jogs. They love playing frisbee and can play catch and fetch for hours.

The medium sized husky breed may look attractive for people living in apartments, but such setting does not suit them as they may get more mischievous and riotous when they enter adulthood and will need plenty of space to roam around.

Trainability

The Sibs may do very well in obedience class and come home and ignore everything they have learnt. So, this breed is vey difficult to train and can be quite a handful for first time pet parents. Huskies require gentle and firm handling by those who have leadership qualities and are able to be consistent in terms of establishing boundaries and enforcing rules.

All members of the family must be similarly trained to be consistent with the house rules and not to give in to the deceptively innocent and soft eyes of the husky! Yes, they can be quite good actors. The bottom rule is to not allow them to rule over the house and to get them to obey to the rules and you have the perfect dog.

Behavioural traits

Huskies are very good escape artists. They can foil fences, screen doors, garages and other protective devices. So, remember to never leave your Husky unsupervised at home and are safely inside when you leave them alone for a couple of hours.

This high spirited, mischievous and energetic dog can be quite a challenge to inexperienced pet parents. So, ensure that you have them trained at an early age and establish rules at home.

August 31, 2018
Can dogs eat sardines?

Are you the type who loves sea food? If yes, then we have good news for you! Fish, particularly sardines is not only good for you but also your canine buddy. If you are wondering why its good for them and about its nutrient value, then here’s what you need to know.

Though sardines are small in size they are packed with nutrition. As they are small they have lesser mercury than other large fishes, which is why people choose to eat them.

Sardines are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). The fatty acids come with various health benefits like preventing cancer, reduces inflammation, and builds a strong immune system. CoQ10 keeps the heart healthy and supports circulation. It also helps to prevent dental disease in dogs and humans. Fatty acids are also essential for brain development in puppies.

Precaution while feeding sardines to your pet

When you buy sardine make sure you buy them fresh from the market. Canned ones or the ready-made ones with added oil, salt and sauces are a strict no-no for your pet.

You do not need more oil, salt or other ingredients to feed sardines to your pet. They will cause more harm than good. Also, keep in mind that sardines must not be fed daily. It best works as an occasional treat.

How much serving of sardines do dogs need?

One sardine has 25 calories and 175 mg of omega-3 fatty acids, which is the right dose for a dog that weighs less than 10 kgs or lesser. You can give them more proportionally if you have a larger dog. If you are worried about the bones then you can be rest assured that they are safe for dogs and even provide calcium. But if you are concerned about the bones getting stuck in their throat you can remove them and serve only the meat.

If you are just starting to give your pet sardines then feed them in small quantity. First find out if it suits your pet and does not give them stomach upset.

Once you feed you pet fish they will have a pungent breath. You can feed them a little coconut oil to counteract that oceanic smell of the fish.

So, since sardines are safe for dogs what are you waiting for? Cook them and relish it with your canine buddy!

It is always a good idea to consult your vet before making any changes in your pet’s diet.

Happy Feasting!

August 30, 2018