Behaviour & Training

Choosing a cat bed can be difficult. And, of course, finding the right cat bed is important. You want your kitten to be cosy, warm and happy when they are sleeping—and you want the cat bed to be a space that they can call their own. All owners must make this decision at some point: the trick is to watch your cat’s habits and choose a bed accordingly. We’ve put together a guide to choosing the best cat bed for your cat so that they feel happy, pampered and can sleep like the royalty they are. Types of cat beds Because cats love to curl up and sleep wherever they can, there are many different kinds of cat beds available in the market. Do not worry about which one is the best – there is no the ‘best’ cat bed. Instead, choose one that would suit your cat’s preferences and daily habits. Below are a few options for the types of cat beds you can find. Pads/Cushions This type of cat bed is a cushion filled with soft and comfortable down. There are various fillings for this kind of cat bed – such as fleece or high-fibre polyester – but as long as it is plush and comfortable, it does not really matter! Pods This new style of cat bed is gaining popularity. Cats seem to like curling up with these egg-shaped pods, which are usually made of plastic or hard fabric and lined with something soft and cosy. Window perches If your cat’s favourite place is the window and they like to fall asleep in whatever sunlight they can find or you find them dozing in front of the view, then a window perch cat bed is the best cat bed. These cat beds attach as perches on the window and allow your cat to sleep in her favourite spot.

It's not pleasant if you have a cat who often seems to bite you. Learn more about the reasons why cats bite and the best ways to stop it with our guide and tips. It’s not uncommon for cats to bite. There are many reasons as to why a cat might suddenly start biting, seemingly unprovoked. It’s important to understand that cat-bitingis rarely done out of aggression, and if it is, it doesn’t mean your cat is ‘bad’. Cats are natural born predators, and as such seemingly aggressive actions such as biting, pouncing and clawing make up a large part of their play. Allowing and encouraging an outlet for this natural instinct is important for felines, but there is a fine line between engaging in stimulating play and encouraging or even causing aggressive behaviour. Learn more about the reasons behind why cats bite in order to help to stop any unnecessary biting.

Cats make wonderful pets, and whilst most of their behaviour makes us laugh and smile, some of their actions can seem confusing and sometimes even a little anti-social! For example, cats spray urine, which can seem unpleasant if it happens inside your home. If this is an issue, the best way to tackle this issue is to understand your cat’s behaviour, then address the cause.

It’s no secret that cats love to scratch. This is a natural urge, and should not be discouraged. Yet many new cat owners can be at a loss when it comes to how to prevent their cats from scratching the furniture or tearing cushions with their claws. The answer is, of course, a scratching post – a post dedicated to your cat’s scratching habits that she can make her very own. In this article, we will offer you a guide on how to choose the best scratching post for your cat. What is a scratching post? A scratching post is usually a vertical wooden post covered with different kinds of material. This material offers resistance to your cat’s claws, which makes the process of scratching satisfying for them. Scratching posts come in different shapes and sizes. Some scratching posts are simple vertical pillars on solid wooden bases. Others can be shaped as cactuses or castles – anything you can think of, in fact. They can also have horizontal platforms attached to them at varying levels for your cat to climb and rest. Today, scratching posts do not actually have to be posts. There are wooden frames with your cat’s favourite scratching material in their centre. These can be attached to the wall at a height your cat can reach, allowing her to scratch away to her heart’s content.

Playing games and spending time with your cat is an important part of being a cat owner. Playing with them is not only a fun form of exercise for both of you, but it also helps to keep your cat stimulated. Take a look at our five fungames for catstoget ideas for keeping both you and your furry friend entertained for hours. 1. Games for catswith bubbles Bubbles aren’t just for kids; they make for a great game for cats too! Bubbles come number one on our list because they are so much fun for both you and your cat. Remember that you should buy bubbles that are pet-friendly. Not all bubble fluid is safe for pets, somake sure you’re buying products that are designed for cats. Most cats try to pounce on the bubbles once they land; this is because their unpredictable movement can appeal to a cat’s natural hunting instinct. Some cats even jump in the air and try to catch the bubbles before they land! 2. Chasinggames for cats A love of chasing things is ahunting behaviourthat your feline friend loves to live up to. That’s one of the reasons a mousetoyis so much fun for them to play with. There are lots of types of toys you can use like the‘mouse on a string’ toy, or make your own with anything that dangles. To kick things offwavethe mouse in front of your cat. This should gain their attention and get them ready to take part. Once they are interested, start dragging the mouse slowly on the floor - your cat should either start chasing the mouse or begin to try and pounce on it. Lastly, move around the room while pulling the mouse along the floor, as this will get your cat moving and encourage them to exercise. You could also try dimming the lights when you play; after all, cats naturally prefer to hunt at night. 3. Using a cardboard box As many owners know, cats love to hide either under (or inside) a whole range of household objects. Boxes are no exception, and they can provide your car or kitten with hours of fun. All you have to do is place your box on the floor and watch as your cat investigates. Most cats will try and go inside the box; once inside, why not run a toy along the floor in front of the opening to the box? This will encourage your cat to pounce out of the box and try and catch the toy. If you are going to play this game make sure you use a toy on a string, so your feline friend won’t accidently scratch you when trying to grab the toy. Find outwhy cats love boxesso much with our fun article.

Cats have captivated the hearts of humans for many years, we’re obsessed with these fluffy critters and this kitty love has seen many famous cats crop up. From Grumpy Cat – the living oxymoron, to Lil Bub the perma-kitten, find out who made our list of the top 10 most famous cats. There’s just something about cats, isn’t there? Their magical toe beans and saucer-like eyes have captivated humans across the globe throughout history and we just can’t get enough of them. Cute cats fill our screens and this, combined with our obsession with their adorable fluffy faces, has seen the rise of famous cats. From Instagram influencers that have us tapping the like button to famous cats in movies that are more worthy of an Oscar than most celebs, these kitties are the star of every show.

Your cat probably has lots of quirky habits, which is one of the many reasons they’re so much fun to be with. But sometimes their behaviour can surprise you – maybe yours has been scratching and clawing things you don’t want them to, for example, or shredding an innocent pair of curtains. However, some of these behaviours can pose a danger to people, such as aggressive-related behaviours, for example. Aggressive cats can not only cause serious injuries to people, but they can also transmit diseases that can lead to a serious health problem (i.e., cat scratch disease). Cats use aggression for many reasons, such as catching and killing prey, defending themselves and their territory, deterring competitors, out of fear, or because they are ill. As cats are predators, aggression is an integral part of their behaviour when they are hunting. However, it is important to note that hunting and other forms of aggression are neurophysiologically very distinct. Additionally, during play, they may exhibit hunting-like behaviours that can trigger challenging moments with the family. For all these reasons, it is crucial that if your cat displays aggressive behaviours, you consult with your vet specialized in behavioural medicine as soon as possible. Hopefully your cat shouldn’t show aggression towards you at home, but if they do there are certain things you can do to understand any issues.

Our cats seem to spend most of their lives asleep, so it's only reasonable for us to wonder, do cats dream? Find out what your feline thinks about when they drift off to dreamland with Purina. Cats are known for being notorious nappers. They seem to spend most of their lives asleep, either curled up on our laps or hidden in their favourite secluded place. It may surprise you to learn that they sleep twice as much as humans and on average spend around 15 hours per day asleep, but for extremely tired cats this can easily be up to 24 hours. With so much time spent resting, it’s reasonable to assume that they dream and have nightmares just like we do. But is that true? Keep reading to discover whether cats do dream and what it means when your cat twitches in their sleep.

Sprinkle some catnip near to your kitten and you’ll notice a sudden change in behaviour. Find out more about this plant and why it’s got such an effect on your fluffy feline. Here is all you need to know about cats and catnip. Catnip seems to be adored across the feline kingdom with both big and small cats falling head over heels for this plant’s allure. But what is catnip and why do cats like it so much? Does it have any effect on us humans? And is it safe or not? We’re unravelling all the catnip mysteries below.

As the craziest of years begins to draw to a close, people’s thoughts turn to Christmas - and while this year it might look a bit different, there is comfort to be found in traditions and making the festive season as special as possible for the whole family. If you’re a cat owner, Christmastime can be a stressful and dangerous time. Luckily, there’s lots of things you can do to make sure your cat’s happy and safe this festive season, keep reading to find out more. Christmas is such an exciting time of year, but unfortunately all the twinkling lights and merriment can be hazardous for your cat. From climbing the Christmas tree to the stress of visiting family members and hazardous treats that may turn out to be harmful, cats and Christmas can sometimes be a real recipe for disaster. But it doesn’t need to be! When managed with a bit of extra care, the holidays can be a time of fun and happiness for both you and your four-legged friend.

Everyone's heard the saying 'cats always land on their feet', but is there any truth in it? Keep reading to find out how they manage to do it and the amazing science behind it. Everyone has heard the saying ‘cats always land on their feet’ and that this ability means they can survive falls from incredible heights. Some people think it’s due to cats’ incredible balance, and others secretly think it’s magic. It’s a phenomenon that has certainly puzzled scientists for centuries! But is it true, or simply an urban myth? Keep reading to find out if cats always land on their feet and how they do it.

As humans we love music, but do our cats feel the same? Find out how your furry friend feels about music and the research behind it with Purina. We all like to make our pets happy, and we’ve all seen those adorable You Tube videos of our favourite superstar kitties rocking out on the piano! Listening to music can provide mental stimulation, a sense of contentment, or even just a relaxing background vibe—for humans! So it makes sense that we would want to share one our favourite pastimes with our pets—but do cats like music? And are they getting anything out of listening to it?