It's time to explode one of the many myths about cats: You can train them. With the right motivation--namely food--cats can learn commands like sit, come, and wave. With advanced training, they'll jump through hoops, play the piano (not very well, admittedly), roll over, spin in a circle, walk on a leash, and play fetch. There are even cats who've learned to run an agility course in competition. Why bother ...

If you’ve ever seen your furry friend playing with it, you already know that catnip isn’t just a clever name. The plant’s effects on cats have been known for centuries, evidenced by its scientific name, Nepeta cataria—the Latin “catari” means “of a cat.” But there’s plenty to this feel-good herb that you might not know. What the heck is my cat doing? Catnip and its relatives contain a chemical called nepeta ...

Lots of us get cats because we want an independent companion who can entertain herself while we’re away at work. It’s true that cats can be self-sufficient in many ways, but the sometimes surprising reality is that they need us, they really need us, to give them companionship and love, as well as to help them learn to navigate the empty hours when we’re gone. Cats in the wild don’t have this problem. They a ...

Compiling a list of superlatives is always fascinating. Keeping with that spirit, here's a list of the largest, smallest, heaviest, fastest, cat breeds. Largest cat breed By common consensus among cat experts, the Maine Coon is usually considered the largest cat breed. Males can weigh up to 24 pounds. The Maine Coon is a very old breed whose origins are shrouded in mystery. According to some, the breed came ...

Aggressive pet cats can be a serious cause of concern for cat parents. Vets define aggression as threatening behavior towards other cats or humans. It is a very common problem. Cats may be small in size but they possess razor-sharp claws and a set of powerful teeth. They are capable of inflicting painful bites and severe lacerations. This can lead to injuries to the attacked entity and your pet cat, not to ...

Cats have a very impressive vocal range that includes purrs, hisses, meows, even chirps. According to French researchers, cat sounds cover more than 60 notes and over the millennia of domestication, many of these sounds have evolved to reach out to the pet parents. We need to know what our beloved feline is trying to tell us. Because cats are highly evolved independent hunters, their need for communication ...

All cats are unique. Individual personality traits are displayed within a particular breed depending on how the cat is raised and his early socialization. But as with dogs, feline genetics do affect cat personality, behavior, and health. Many purebred cats are raised by a breeder who knows their genetic history, personality and what veterinary care they’ve had. When you get a purebred cat, you know generall ...

There is nothing more fun than life with a kitten. It’s way more entertaining than reality TV and more action-packed than a hockey game. Life with a kitten is even better if you know what to expect and how to bring him up to become a great cat. Here are some tips on getting to know your kitten and the best ways to care for him as he grows. Because of their youth, kittens are incredibly resilient, but they s ...

Lots of cats have a reputation for being shy, running to hide under the bed when guests come over, or refusing to come out of their carrier at the veterinary clinic. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be that way. Your cat might never have the open and outgoing nature of a Labrador Retriever, but he can learn to enjoy meeting people and being touched if you are able to socialize him from an early age. ...

Do you speak cat? You can, you know. Cats communicate with us loud and clear, and not just through meows, mrrps and purrs. A cat’s body is so flexible and expressive that it could be considered a form of living sign language. From head butts to tail posture, everything a cat does can be perfectly understood—if you understand felinese. The endearing head butt or face rub is more than just a friendly greeting ...