Behaviour & Training

Whether you’re a first-time cat owner or have a long-term feline friend, there will be times where you wish you knew what your cat was thinking. Understanding Cats’ Body Language Although cats might seem hard to read, there are ways to tell what they are thinking and what mood they’re in just by studying their posture and body language. You’ll be able to tell some of your cat’s more obvious moods from its facial expressions, vocalizations, and tail movements but there are subtler gestures that you have to watch out for. Cats can feel happy, sad, afraid, relieved, and even frustrated. The key to a good relationship with your cat is learning how to recognize these emotions.

Travelling can make your home-loving felines uncomfortable. Some trips are unavoidable so it’s important to make the journey as safe and stress-free as possible for your cat. Most cats are home lovers, so travelling anywhere else with them can make them stressed. When travelling with cats it’s important to know how you can make your feline friend feel comfortable. We’ve put together some cat travel tips to help everything run smoothly. Cat car travel Taking a road trip with your cat can seem like a fun bonding activity but it can trigger your cat’s anxiety for travelling. When travelling by car, remember to keep your cat inside a cat carrier so it’s less likely to run around and escape through open car doors or windows. Make sure your carrier is strong, secure, easy to clean and large enough for your cat. You can buy a plastic, wire mesh or wicker basket. Don’t use a cardboard box as it will get flimsy and fall to bits if your cat urinates in it. Although it seems kind to get the biggest carrier available, some cats actually prefer to feel snug and too big a space could make them feel insecure. This will also free up space for your cargo! Make sure to introduce the new carrier to your cat in advance so that it can familiarize itself with it. When your cat is familiar enough with its carrier, you’ll have no problem containing it when the trip starts. A good way to acclimatise your cat to a carrier is to leave it open on the floor. Soft bedding, yummy catnip treats and familiar scents will make it inviting and pleasant. Airline-type plastic carriers can be disassembled, inviting curious cats to jump in and explore. When you’ve organized a cat carrier, you’ve already taken the first step towards a safe journey with your cat.

If you have an indoor cat or one with limited outside access, a litter tray is essential. Find out how to toilet train a cat or kitten with this helpful guide. Your cat’s natural instincts will usually find them wanting to go to the toilet outside, but many cats like an indoor litter tray too. It’s usually best to start with cat toilet training from a young age, but older cats can still be taught and may even find it beneficial as their joints are stiffer and they lack the same energy to go outside. If you’re new to cat potty training this guide to tell you everything, from what you’ll need to start to how to toilet train a cat. Getting the perfect tray For kittens, ensure you use a low-sided plastic tray at first for easy access. When they’ve grown a bit, you’ll want to swap to a larger and deeper tray to give them enough room to turn around and prevent kicking up and scattering the litter all over.

As a proud cat owner, you are probably used to the dailycat meowingand purrs your cat shares with you. But did you know that cats communicate with other cats is mainly via scent, and cat meowing is reservedonlyfor humans? Cats don’t meow at each other, only at humans, and meowing is a learned behaviour. Different meows mean different things too! Catsgo to all the trouble to communicate with usbecause they have something important to say. To help you decipher, here are the top reasons whycatsmeow. Why do cats meow? 1. To greet you If you’re used to a shortcatmeowing just ascome home, congratulations – your cat actually noticed you were missing. A bit of affectionate petting and a few warm words are expected in return. Ah, the joys of being a cat owner! 2. To get your attention Cats also meow sothey can get your attention for play, petting or some nice treats. So if your cat keeps brushing up against you while meowing, chances are you’re needed for some spoiling time. Have fun! 3. To get food If your cat won’t stop meowing at certain times, it’s a good idea to checkif the food bowl is empty. However, don’t fill up the bowl straight away – wait until your cat stops meowing before getting the food out. Otherwise your cat will learn that they can meow and get fed, so they’ll do it more. 4. To tell you they’re unwell Unfortunately,somemeows arenot always easy to address, especially if the pitch and the frequency are unusual. If your?cat is meowing at night, they might be trying to tell you there is something wrong. In fact, many illnesses from?kidney disease?to?urinary tract problems?or arthritis can have your kitty meowing for help. If you notice anything unusual about the sounds your cat is making, it’s better to visityourvet to rule out a possible illness. On the other hand,it can be very difficult toread a cat’s body language and they often hide signs of pain, just because they are not meowing doesn’t mean they are100% ok. Ifyou have an older cat, watch out for a common culprit – Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. Symptoms include confusion and meowing at night, so make sure you discuss this with your vettoo. 5. To indicate stress If you notice extra cat meowing, think about any possible disturbances or changes in your cat’s environment. A new house, a new pet or a new baby can set off alarm bells. So be mindful of any changes and try to put your cat at ease by offering them more attention and some nice quiet time.

Cats seem to do all of their best hunting at night. Many cat owners are familiar with being woken up with little gifts – such as a mouse or possibly even a sock – or the hyperactive run around the house many cats have in the middle of the night. These night-time antics pose the question: can cats see in the dark? Many people believe that felines are nocturnal and so can see in the dark perfectly, but it may surprise you to learn that cats are actually crepuscular. This means that generally they’re more active around dawn and dusk. So, if they’re not actually nocturnal, how good is cat’s night vision really? Keep reading to discover the secrets behind your four-legged friend’s intelligent eyes. Can cats see in the dark? The short answer is not exactly. Where it’s been widely thought that cats have their own built-in set of night vision goggles, they actually require at least some level of light to see. However, they only need one-sixth of the amount of light that humans do and can see in very low light. Their eyes are intelligently designed According to Caster, the reason cats’ night vision is so excellent is because of the intelligent design of their eyes. They possess a curved cornea and large lens, and in low light their pupils can dilate to full circles to allow in maximum light.

As your cat ages, their sleep patterns might change. Older cats may sleep more, with their energy levels simply decreasing with age. Other times, senior cats might sleep more during the day, saving their energy for evenings and nighttime explorations. While you might find this a little disruptive, it's a natural shift in their sleep cycle. Learn how to understand these sleeping patterns and create a cosy sleep haven to ensure they get the rest they need. Common Changes in Older Cats' Sleep Patterns

There’s no doubt about it, cats are super popular pets (if not the most!) – we all know it. But besides the love and companionship they offer, did you know that for owners, there are actual physical and mental benefits of having a cat? They’re cute, they’re quirky, they’re fun to watch and play with, and they’re just a joy to have around. Having a feline friend can do wonders for your wellbeing, so if you’ve ever thought about adding a cat to your family, there’s no time like the present. Check out some of the reasons why owning a cat can be a life-changing experience!

Cats are the masters of the internet, and it probably very often happens that you come across different photos of them displaying very human-like facial expressions. Grumpy cats, happy cats, sad cats – they’re just like us, you might think. But are their facial expressions really the same as ours - can cats smile, or laugh, or look sad? If you’re the proud owner of a feline, you know that there’s more to the way they show their feelings and communicate with you but even though they might have facial expressions that seem to resemble smiling or laughing, these expressions are not necessarily connected with the way they feel.

Choosing the best name for a new feline friend is not always easy. You’d want something that’s unique and suits your cat very well. If you recently became the owner of a big cat, like a Bengal, or a Maine Coon, we have some big cat names for you to consider. There’s no right or wrong when picking a cat name and with the plethora of name options out there, you’re sure to find the one that’s best. Short or long, funny or not, Disney- or movie-inspired, we’ve got you covered. Check out some of the best big cat names and pick the one that’s most suited to your furry friend.

Some cats enjoy being taken care of in a domestic environment, others require constant attention on top of that, and then there are farm cats. They are one of the most independent and self-reliant types of domestic animals. Give them a loving home and free reign over a back yard, a barn, or, of course, a farm, and they will be in their element. If you’re thinking about adopting a barn cat, we’ve put together a short guide on what to expect. Read on to learn more about the process of adding an outdoor, independence-loving feline to your household.

Whether you’re looking for help with training or to entertain your feline friend, cat apps are the perfect solution for this. But it can be hard to know which cat apps are suited for your dear feline, which is why we have a list for you. Check it out below!

Need a bit of name inspiration for your ginger kitten? Choosing a cat name for your furry friend can be difficult. After all, you want something that perfectly fits their looks and their personality! Don’t worry, we have a list of orange/ginger cat names to help you make this important decision. Take a look!