by Nomi Berger
 
Are you taken aback by the sight of your cats showing you their butts? Although this behavior may seem shocking – even inappropriate – to you, it’s actually extremely common when your cats feel comfortable around you.
 
Much like their canine counterparts, cats often show other cats their butts whenever they greet one another. Why? The glands located near their butts contain essential scent “information.” And felines with relaxed, loose bodies and their tails pointing straight up indicate that they’re friendly.
 
Cats often display their affection for their fellow felines by rubbing their bodies against each other, beginning with their heads and ending with their tails. Your cats will also rub against you if they like or love you, and since, once again, they’ll begin with their heads, they’ll, quite naturally, end with their butts facing you.
 
Cats show you their butts to reassure you that they’re not a threat, that they mean you no harm, and have no intention of attacking you. This is in direct contrast to agitated or aggressive cats. Why? These cats won’t turn their backs to you. Their posture will be stiff and their hair will be raised, making them look larger. Some may crouch instead and flatten their ears, while others may vocalize their agitation by growling or yowling.
 
Being observant and watchful creatures, cats won’t turn their backs on people they’re leery of or don’t trust. Therefore, if your cats’ butts are facing you while they’re either lounging or sleeping, it’s a clear – and welcome -- sign that they truly trust you.
 
Experts at attracting their owners’ attention, contented cats will show you their butts as their way of “asking for” a much-appreciated and much-enjoyed scratch above their tails. Pair that with an especially strong and positive response on your part, such as a loud laugh, and they’ll learn that showing you their butts is an effective way to get your attention. If, on the other hand, you’d prefer that they didn’t persist in this behavior, do NOT reward it with either a scratch or a laugh. As an added deterrent, redirect your cats’ focus by simply walking away or by distracting them with one of their favorite toys.
 

by Nomi Berger
 
Did you know that the position of your cat’s tail affords you a valuable insight as to her frame of mind? But do you know the various positions her expressive tail can assume and what they may mean? If not, paw-lease read on …
 
When your cat’s tail is upright, this indicates that she’s feeling social and confident. Should she approach you in a friendly manner with her tail up, it’s an open invitation for you to pet her or play with her.
 
When your cat’s tail resembles a hook or a question mark, standing upright with a curl at the end, this again indicates that she’s happy and is approaching you amicably for attention. Although you may be tempted to pet her curly-tipped tail, most cats prefer being petted around the facial glands on their cheeks, next to their ears and under their chins.
 
When your cat drops her tail below the level of her back, she’s either anxious or frightened. If, however, her tail is tucked between her legs, she may be truly terrified or in terrible pain.
 
When your cat assumes that iconic “Halloween” pose with her back arched and her tail puffed, she’s clearly been startled or frightened by a sudden perceived threat such as the sight of other animals outside, visitors to your home or an unexpected, loud noise. A cat’s hair stands on end (piloerection) in order for her to appear larger than she is. Should she assume this defensive position around you, she’s letting you know that she wants to be left alone. Should you attempt to interact with her while her back is arched and her tail is puffed, she may perceive your approach as a threat and become aggressive.
 
When your cat is sitting or lying down with her tail wrapped around her body, she may be either frightened or defensive, in pain or feeling ill. Rather than trying to interact with her, look around you for any possible sources of stress. If you find none, and she sits or lies down with her tail curled tightly around her body for more than a few days, bring her to your veterinarian for a thorough examination and evaluation.
 
When your cat thrashes her tail or thumps it on the ground, she’s clearly annoyed, irritated or angry because this is known as a distance-increasing behavior. Example: if you’re petting her and she begins thrashing her tail or thumping it on the ground, she’s “telling” you to stop. If you don’t, this can lead to her hissing, growling, swatting or even biting you.
 
When your cat swishes her tail from side to side slowly, she’s most likely focused on a toy or some other object in your home and is preparing to pounce. Since “predatory” behavior such as stalking and pouncing is an excellent source of enrichment for her, sit back and allow her to “pursue” the object of her fascination.
 
When your cat quivers her tail, it indicates that she’s especially excited to see you or one of her feline companions. If, however, she quivers her tail while holding it straight up in the air and backing up against a vertical surface like a wall, a door or a piece of furniture, she may be urine marking.
 
When your cat wraps her tail around you, it’s her way of “hugging” you and letting you know that she’s extremely eager to interact with you. Could any gesture be more paws-itive or more purr-fect than this?

By Nomi Berger
 
Are you familiar with the sight of your favorite feline rubbing her face against corners here, there and everywhere in your home?
 
Despite being one of life’s little “meow-meow” mysteries, many cat behaviorists and experts do share a few common theories about the reasons behind this behavior.
 
Marking their territory: One of the most widely accepted theories is that cats rub their faces on corners to leave their scent on objects. Cats use scents to communicate (they have scent glands located around their cheeks), and so, when they rub their faces on objects, they leave behind a scent for other cats to detect and decipher when they sniff those scents. Because rubbing their faces against flat walls may be uncomfortable for them, cats will opt for rubbing their cheeks against the corners of walls and pieces of furniture which provide them with the best, most secure grip.
 
A form of greeting: When your cat feels purr-fectly at ease around you, trusts and likes you, she will characteristically begin rubbing her cheeks against you as soon as you return home after being out – whether for a few minutes or a few hours. This leaves her scent on you, in the same way that all cats mark their territory. Meow about a wonderful way to be greeted! What more paws-itive gesture could there be than having YOUR favorite feline let you know that you’re HER favorite person.
 
Asking for attention: Always keenly observant, kitties are astute enough to know what behaviors most attract their owners’ attention. It therefore makes purr-fect sense that if you pay attention to your cat whenever she rubs her face against you, she’ll continue doing so, reinforcing the feelings of reciprocal affection. She may even begin rubbing her cheeks against you when she’s bored, hungry or lonely.
 
Relieving stress: The simple act of rubbing their faces against corners, objects or people feels both comforting and relaxing for cats in search of stress reduction. If your kitty’s feeling anxious and chooses to calm down by this form of self-soothing, she’ll rub her cheeks against you, her person and protector, acknowledging that your home is her home as well, where she’ll be safe and secure -- fur-ever.

By Nomi Berger
 
Has your favorite feline lost her usual voice of late? Has she been sounding somewhat hoarse? If her “meow” is now more of a squeak, a scratchy rasp, or, worse still, total silence, the reason could be laryngitis.
 
A cat’s larynx or “voice box” enables her to vocalize, and should some underlying condition affect her larynx, it will, of course, impact her ability to “meow” normally. Laryngitis is often caused by diseases such as upper respiratory infections (URI’s or “cat colds”), calicivirus or rhinotracheitis. There are also other conditions that can cause her sudden voice loss, including: inhaled irritants (e.g. dust and/or smoke), a blockage in her larynx, an object lodged in her throat, paralysis of a laryngeal nerve, hyperthyroidism, a growth in her throat, eosinophilic granuloma complex and cancer of the throat.
 
Besides “losing her voice,” some of the symptoms she may also exhibit include: a dry, harsh cough that may seem painful, noisy breathing, a lowered head when standing, an open mouth, difficulty swallowing, high-pitched or raspy breathing, an increased or obvious effort to breathe and noticeably bad breath.
 
Should a virus or “cat cold” be the culprit, you may also notice that your cat has watery eyes, a discharge from her eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, a loss of appetite and a lack of energy.
 
Should your cat exhibit any of the above-mentioned symptoms, please bring her to your vet for a thorough examination, diagnosis and, ultimately, a treatment plan. Bear in mind, though, that a sore throat can also cause breathing difficulties and the inability to eat -- both of which still require immediate vet care.
 
If, for example, your vet detects a buildup of fluid in your cat’s larynx, a diuretic may be prescribed for her. If she’s showing visible signs of pain, your vet may prescribe a mild painkiller to help ease her discomfort. If there’s a foreign body lodged in her throat, surgery may or may not be required to remove it. Then, once the object is removed, she should be able to merrily “meow meow meow” again. If her laryngitis is caused by eosinophilic granuloma complex, your cat may be treated for parasites since this condition is often an exaggerated immune response to insect bites. Corticosteroids or steroids may also be prescribed for her.
 
Increasing the moisture in your home through the use of a humidifier or a vaporizer is one of the best ways to help your cat feel more comfortable as she recovers from laryngitis, whatever the cause. Gently clean away any eye or nasal discharge from her face using a warm, damp cloth throughout the day. Cleanse and soothe her watery eyes by applying a saline solution with gauze pads to them, especially if her condition is the result of a “cat cold.”
 
Consider boosting her immune system both by improving her diet and by adding various, specific supplements to it – again, following the recommendations of your vet.

by Nomi Berger
 
Did YOU know that some felines fancy treats more than their food? Have you ever wondered why? If so, consider the following suggestions for this purr-ticular passion.
 
Taste: Not only do the flavors in cat treats make them more appealing than their regular food, commercial treats usually contain flavor enhancers, thereby giving them a stronger, more tantalizing smell. Treats also vary nutritionally from cat food. Because they’re often made with more fat and calories, they’re ever so much tastier, appealing to most felines’ instinctual desire to feast on nutrient-dense foods. Think cakes, cookies and chips for people and you’ll get the picture!
 
Texture: Designed to paw-lease even the most finicky feline when food textures are involved (some cats only eat kibble or wet food while others eat everything), the texture of treats varies from liquids and mousses to chewy and crunchy. If your cat is highly selective about what she puts in her mouth, experiment with various textures of treats until she’s not only satisfied but is happily raising her paw for more treats, paw-lease!
 
Relationships: Many cats relish offering a treasured toy to their owners as a token of their affection. Think of it as your favorite feline’s form of “gift giving,” reinforcing the fact that she feels safe and comfortable in your presence. Therefore, when you feed her treats, you’re not only strengthening the bond between the two of you, you’re giving her something deliberately designed to appeal to her senses in return.
 
Treats, however, aren’t formulated to meet the nutritional needs of any cat and they certainly aren’t meant to be a major part of your cat’s diet. In fact, treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of her daily caloric intake although keeping that level closer to 5% is ideal. Therefore, when given to your kitty in moderation, most treats can be considered safe for her.
 
If your cat is on a special diet or suffers from some medical condition, she may need special treats. Before giving her any treats, always speak to your veterinarian first. And NEVER overfeed treats, even to a healthy cat. Why? Because overfeeding your cat on a daily basis will ultimately lead to obesity. It can’t be stressed often enough that obesity is linked to such serious conditions as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.
 
Understandably, most commercial cat treats can negatively impact your cat’s weight if she’s on a vet-prescribed diet to shed some excess poundage. Once again, speak with your vet about the most appropriate treats for her. Vegetables low in calories and high in fiber, such as broccoli and green beans, can serve as healthy alternatives provided that your cat will eat them.
 
Should your cat need to lose weight but turns up her nose at the vegetables, ask your vet to help you calculate the appropriate caloric intake for her each day. This way, you’ll know how many treats she can have in combination with the food that she’s eating. Then, before you purchase any packages of treats, check their labels to determine how many calories each treat contains. A three-calorie treat allows you to “treat” your cat to more of them throughout the day than a single treat that contains, e.g., a fattening 45 calories.

by Nomi Berger
 
Does YOUR cat cherish her privacy more than you may realize? If so, you’re not alone. Since kitties tend to sleep for much of the day, secluded hiding spots provide them with the purr-fect place to “cat nap.”
 
Similar to cats in the wild who, for safety from prey as well as for warmth, seek out small caves or dens from which to peruse their surroundings, our domesticated cats search for little “cave-like” areas in our homes to replicate those same feelings. The smaller the space the better, since they prefer having their backs to the wall, ensuring that they’re not only tucked safely out of sight but ever so comfortable and cozy in their tiny “camouflaged” sanctuaries.
 
Some cats enjoy roaming around underneath your blanket or throw while you’re watching TV on the couch. Others enjoy seeing a bedspread or comforter being shaken into the air and then floating back down onto the mattress when you’re making your bed in the morning. They relish running underneath it, roaming around in the dark with the bedspread or comforter pressing lightly on top of them like the largest, most pleasantly reassuring of cocoons.
 
And speaking of cocoons. “Cocooning” typically refers to the act of cats wrapping or covering themselves in anything from towels and blankets to articles of clothing and sheets of decorative tissue paper. Not to mention squeezing themselves into extremely tight boxes or even tighter cloth bags. Not surprisingly, cocooning affords them the feeling of safety and security, relaxation and restfulness, inviting them to drift off into satisfying and refreshing slumber.
 
As caring, conscientious and committed cat owners, you, therefore, play a vital role in fostering your own favorite felines’ natural instincts to “cave,” to “cocoon” or both. Ensure then, that you provide them with a variety of cozy hiding places tucked away unobtrusively throughout your home, be it an apartment or a house, that will greatly enrich their lives and your lives in return.
 
Doing so creates an environment that acknowledges, even honors, their innate need for security and autonomy. Whether you purchase any of a wide assortment of commercial cat tunnel beds, cat cocoon bed caves and cat caves or create your own hideaways from tents made of plush blankets or a series of cardboard boxes, you will be successfully strengthening the bond between your kitties and you. Expect to be rewarded for your efforts with ample purrs of pleasure and adoring licks of loving delight!

by Nomi Berger
 
All paws up, way up, for Treats 4 Paws! Now in its third year, this unique, annual October event, created by Christy Riley to honor her late, beloved son Skyler, collects monetary and physical “treats” for carefully selected local animal rescues.
 
What originated as a word-of-mouth “reverse trick or treat” observance mushroomed into a much-anticipated Facebook page in 2023 with nearly 600 followers and growing daily. Last year, Treats 4 Paws not only raised $1,125.00, it received cat and dog supplies of every description, several hundred pounds of kitten and cat food and treats, and puppy and dog food and treats – all of which were distributed to four rescues and one shelter.
 
Please visit the official Treats 4 Paws fundraiser Facebook page to like, share and follow this charity event. But most importantly, please consider making a monetary donation or purchasing some of the many items listed there under “Featured.”
 
As Christy candidly admits, “I enjoy going ‘hard’ for this event. It’s definitely a labor of love, consuming every ounce of my energy and filling two rooms in my house. I especially enjoy doing whatever I can to secure donations of all kinds for local rescue groups. It truly does take a village!”
 
Quoting The Cat’s Meow Rescue, one of last year’s recipients: “The Treats 4 Paws October donation drive has been a wonderful way to get the community involved in supporting local animal rescue groups including TCMR. Not only does this humanitarian event help provide the kitties in our care with food and essential supplies, the monetary donations collected have helped us to pay our extremely high vet bills.”
 
Included again this year, The Cat’s Meow Rescue is joined by Regard 4 Life Animal Rescue, Hope for Pets Rescue, Yellow Brick Road Rescue - Longview arm, Animal Protection League and Rosie the Rehabber.

Who, then was Skyler? Born on October 6, 1998 and gone too soon on July 4, 2019, Skyler was the soul of empathy and compassion who was particularly passionate about the fall, holidays and animals. Raised in a pet-loving family with animals of all kinds, he made it his mission as a Cub Scout to take care of them since they couldn’t take care of themselves. He even organized several donation drives to collect pet supplies for the local animal shelter.
 
A gifted musician, he played drums, piano, guitar and bass, mostly by ear, but he read music as well. Highly intelligent with a wide range of interests, he not only loved the writings and thoughts of such visionaries as Stephen Hawking and Neil deGrasse Tyson, he loved cooking, playing baseball and basketball, swimming and riding four-wheelers.
 
In 2022, three years after his passing, his mom, who wanted to stay involved in Halloween and missed children stopping by to “trick or treat,” hosted what was then called Christy’s Reverse Trick-or-Treat. Running from October 1 to October 31, the event is devoted to helping animals. She creates a GoFundMe account (the link will be posted on FB the morning of October 1), cleans out several rooms in her house to store the items she receives, festively decorates her yard and sets up a “donation area” at the end of the walkway.
 
She accepts cash, all animal-appropriate items, gift cards and deliveries from Amazon, Chewy and Walmart, to name a few. Her “event” address this year is Treats 4 Paws, 104 Larkspur Street, White Oak, TX 75693. On weekdays Christy, who works outside the home, will check the donation box in the morning, at 6PM when she returns, before going to bed, and as needed over the weekend. (In case of inclement weather, she asks that donors message her on the FB page to ensure she’s home beforehand).
 
She will faithfully photograph and meticulously record everything she receives and post the exciting results, along with her appreciative “thank you’s” on the Treats 4 Paws FB page and two other social media platforms daily throughout October. She will close the GoFundMe account and remove the designated donation area on November 1.
 
The grand finale: All of the money and donations will then be distributed among 2024’s six extremely fortunate and exceptionally grateful animal organizations!
 
As for 2025? Stay tuned.

by Nomi Berger
 
The unpleasant smell of cat spray is far too familiar to far too many cat owners! Why? Because their kitties all too often urinate outside their litter boxes whenever they feel either ill, stressed or threatened.
 
Not only does the odious odor linger, here, there and everywhere in your home, it’s especially challenging to eliminate. Sound – or smell – familiar? If so, consider some of the following suggestions to help get rid of the scent of your own kitty’s spray easily and effectively.
 
Purchase a blacklight: Cats re-spray in places bearing the smell of their urine -- around doors or windows if there’s an outside stressor or on any new, unfamiliar items. After tracing the odor to one particular room, use the blacklight to pinpoint the spray (the phosphorus in dried urine will make it glow neon green or yellow under UV light) by darkening the room and sweeping the light over the floor, baseboards and walls in search of spray patterns. You might even have to look inside closets, behind furniture and, yes, among piles of clothes! Once you locate the spray pattern, mark its perimeter so that you’ll know precisely where to clean.
 
Use an enzyme cleaner: Unlike many cleaners that simply mask the scent, active enzymes in this cleaner break down the compounds causing the odor. By eliminating the smell completely, it keeps your kitty from picking up the scent again and leading her to re-spray that area. Shake the bottle, saturate the spot, and let it sit for between 10 and 15 minutes, allowing the smell to slowly dissipate. More severe stains, however, will require several applications before all of the urine is removed.
 
Sprinkle baking soda on the stain: While it doesn’t clean fresh stains completely, it’s a simple remedy for removing the smell. Use paper towels to soak up as much urine as possible, sprinkle baking soda over the spot and leave it there for 30 minutes or until the area’s dry. Once it’s odor-free, suck up the baking soda using a wet-dry vac with a HEPA filter since standard vacuums may be damaged by the baking soda’s fine powder.
 
Try a mixture of vinegar and water: As a quick fix for fresh urine on walls, hardwood floors and/or carpets, mix one part distilled white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle. Blot the offending stain(s) with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible and saturate the stain(s) with the prepared mixture. Wait a few minutes, blot the area thoroughly with more paper towels and allow it to air dry.
 
Set up a “spray station”: If your cat stubbornly “insists” on spraying, use two litter boxes, setting one inside the other at a 90-degree angle, thereby creating an L shape. Fill the bottom box with litter and put the vertical section against the wall where your cat sprays. As she grows accustomed to using this makeshift “station,” you can gradually move it to a more discreet area of your home. While it may not resolve the issue, it will make cleaning up after her easier.

by Nomi Berger
 
Feline stomatitis (often called feline chronic gingivo-stomatitis (FCGS) by veterinary dentists) is a complex and painful disease that causes severe inflammation of cats’ entire mouths, including the gum tissue around their teeth and their mucous membranes.
 
While the precise cause of this disease isn’t clear, most experts believe that it results from an abnormal and overactive immune reaction. The immune systems of cats suffering from frequent viral or bacterial infections may start “attacking” their mouths’ healthy tissue, resulting in swelling and pain. Cats with weakened immune systems due to FIV or FeLV infections may also be more prone to developing stomatitis.
 
The earliest symptoms of stomatitis in your own kitty are: a foul odor eminating from her mouth, often accompanied by excessive salivation and/or drooling; she isn’t grooming herself as often; she may drop food from her mouth or cry out while she’s eating. Some cats’ mouths become so painful that they’re hesitant to eat and may avoid food to the point where they begin losing weight.
 
Should you notice any of these symptoms in your kitty, bring her to the vet immediately for a thorough examination. A diagnosis of stomatitis is based primarily on her medical history and her symptoms. Blood and urine tests will look for some underlying systemic disease that may be responsible for her inflamed gums and oral tissues. Dental x-rays will determine if there’s any damage to the tooth roots and other supporting structures.
 
The first step in treating your cat (most often, no specific underlying cause can be identified) is a complete oral health evaluation of her mouth and the removal of all plaque and tartar under general anesthesia. The deposits of plaque and tartar are removed with ultrasonic scaling followed by polishing of the tooth surfaces. It’s essential to meticulously clean the tissues beneath the gumline in order to remove any accumulated plaque or tartar. Afterwards, the gingivitis should subside, although some cats will require frequent dental cleanings to help keep their mouths as healthy as possible.
 
Treating your kitty at home involves brushing her teeth and using either chlorhexidine rinses or gels to manage the disease. Your vet may prescribe pain medications, broad-spectrum antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory medications for her. If she’s hesitant to eat in the first few days following this procedure, your vet can prescribe an appetite stimulant for her. If she’s accustomed to eating hard kibble, feed her canned food instead and keep her on a softened diet while she’s healing. Once the gum tissue has healed, she may be willing and able to eat kibble again.
 
If, however, at some point, several or all of her teeth need to be extracted, she can still do very well – provided she continues to have routine dental evaluations and treatments. Once her mouth is free of pain and inflammation, not only will her appetite improve so will her attitude and, most importantly, her quality of life.

by Nomi Berger
 
Toe tufts, sometimes known as toe “floofs,” are bits of fur that grow between a cat’s toes. Typically found on cat breeds with medium to long coats (examples: Balinese, Cymric, Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats, Persians, Ragdolls and Somali), these bits of fur extend past the cat’s paw pads.
 
As to the purpose of toe tufts: It’s posited that historically they helped provide cats in the wild with much-needed traction and protection. And similar to the hair on the rest of their body, long hairs between a cat’s toes help to protect their feet from the cold and any harsh surfaces that may cause painful abrasions on their paw pads.
 
In most cases, you don’t have to trim your cat’s toe tufts unless these errant wisps of fur are causing her such problems as:
 
Irritation: The tufts are too long and are making your cat uncomfortable. Sometimes the fur tickles, irritating her and forcing her to lick or pull at the hair in search of relief. This behavior can escalate into a compulsion that may cause other issues, in which case, the wisest course of action IS to trim those tufts.
 
Debris collecting: A guaranteed “magnet” for such things as kitty litter and human hair, dirt and dust, your cat’s toe tufts should be trimmed to keep her from tracking any and all unwanted debris throughout the rooms of your home.
 
Slipping and sliding: Overgrown toe tufts may cause your cat to slip and slide as she makes her way across whatever kind of flooring you have in your home: from vinyl and linoleum, stone and hardwood to ceramic tile, porcelain tile, marble and laminates. Not getting the proper traction on the floor is a safety hazard, and a slight fur trim is highly recommended.
 
Matting: Because mats are particularly painful and can lead to skin infections if not addressed in a timely manner, trim your cat’s toe tufts to help keep her healthy and happy. Using a pair of scissors, carefully snip the longer hairs until they no longer cover her paw pads. You won’t have to shorten them further unless there’s obvious irritation between her toes. In that case, consult your vet on the best way to treat her.
 
Alternatives to trimming your cat’s toe tufts include:
 
Carpeting: While not to everyone’s taste, and especially problematic if you suffer from allergies, carpeting, or at the very least, area rugs are excellent anti-slip and slide options for cats with toe tufts.
 
Grippable furniture: If you have tall cat trees or wall-mounted shelving, jumping onto and off them can be particularly dangerous for a cat with toe tufts. To reduce the risk of her slipping and falling, add grippable pieces of furniture like a strategically placed cushioned stool or covered chair close to those areas to literally act as cat “safety nets.”