August 18th, 2011
10. Margay
The Margay is a solitary, nocturnal cat that is only to be found in the most remote parts of South American rainforests. It is highly adept at climbing and spends almost all of its time in trees – they can climb head-first down trunks and can swivel their ankles 180 degrees. Living among treetops with as much ease as primates and birds, the Margay has even been seen hanging from branches with one foot.
9. Serval
This medium-sized, slender cat shares a lot of traits with the Cheetah. They have the longest legs of any cat species (relative to their body) and have quite a small head with large oval ears. They have been known to leap 2-3 metres in the air to catch birds flying over head. Found mainly in Africa’s grassy savannahs, they do not stray into arid desert regions.
By Sinéad. Posted in Cats
August 2nd, 2011
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The 31st annual Cork Cat Club Show is taking place on Sunday the 25th of September in the Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, Co. Cork. Owners of the most beautiful cats in Ireland can enter their pet to be crowned the best of their breed or as the Best in Show. Your Household cat will not be left out as there is also a title for the loveliest Non-Pedigree – you can email the Cork Cat Club for more information and to check eligibility.
Come along on the day to mingle with fellow cat enthusiasts, chat with breeders and get advice from experienced professionals. The gathering is not just for cat owners, but cat admirers too – the show will feature the rarest and most exotic breeds the country has to offer.
This year, the Cork Cat Club is introducing a new competition section for Pedigree Pets. This is so as to include cats that although are registered as Pedigrees, do not fully match the Standard. They will be judged by their general appearance, condition and temperament. By adding this category, the Cork Cat Club hopes to introduce newcomers and to include more people in the world of cat showing.
For those thinking of entering, please note:
The Cork Cat Club welcomes members from throughout Ireland and meet every month in Ballinlough, Cork. They strive to promote the welfare of all cats and to encourage breeding of the highest standard.
Membership forms can be found here. Visit their forum to join in the community spirit.
By Sinéad. Posted in Cats, Events, News
July 22nd, 2011
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Pet Expo returns for its 5th year on Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of October. Held in the RDS, it offers families and animal lovers the chance to meet with adorable pets, wonder at more exotic ones and chat to professionals about health and care.
Pick up a treat for your dog in the Barks and Spenders shopping mall, enter your furry fashionista into the Petchums.com ‘Best Dressed Dog’ Competition or bring along your well-socialised pooch just for a mingle.
The Pet Expo is not just for dog lovers however, and has all sorts of pets covered. Fans of other animals can get interactive with remarkable creatures in the Worlds of Cats, Fish, Birds and Reptiles. Kids will especially like the cuddly critters to be found in the Small Furry Friends Corner. The folks from Newbridge House & Farm will also be there with their flock of more traditional farm animals.
New for 2011 is the Pet Adoption Area. Here, visitors can meet potential new additions to their families and learn about what pet adoption entails. Pet Expo strives to promote responsible pet ownership and the health and welfare of all animals.
With a wealth of indoor and outdoor animal exhibits and special entertainment just for kids, Pet Expo 2011 makes for a great family day out.
Tickets are €10 per adult, €6 for children and seniors, while Family tickets start from €30. They are available at the door or can be pre-bought from the Pet Expo 2011 website shortly.
Check out how we got on at the Pet Expo in 2010 and 2009!
By Sinéad. Posted in Cats, Dogs, Events, News, Pet Care
July 8th, 2011
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1. Why is my cat marking its territory?
As feline-lovers will know, cats are extremely territorial creatures. Have you ever noticed your cat rubbing its cheek against you? This is them marking you with their scent to let other cats know that you are ‘taken’. Things get annoying for cat owners when they begin to take their territory marking too far. Defensive tomcats are especially prone to ‘spray’ urine around their environment – which is very different to normal urination.
Cats often spray if they are experiencing stress – has there been a change to their routine or a new addition to the household? Are they feeling threatened by other cats in what they see as their turf? The spraying should stop once they get used to the new circumstances or if the cause of their stress is removed.
Neutering of cats will usually stop their tendency to mark their territory.
2. Why does my cat have a runny nose?
Runny noses in cats are not uncommon and can occur for a number of reasons. Discharge from just one nostril could mean a blockage in the nasal cavity, caused by dust, pollen, or grass. This is usually not a cause for concern and will probably sort itself out.
Things get more serious when there is fluid coming from both nostrils – mites, infections, allergies and the cold can cause this and are all quite treatable. Owners should take immediate action if they notice a bloody discharge from the nose as it could be an indication of a nasal tumour.
3. Why does my cat vomit?
Although it is quite upsetting to see your cat vomiting, there is often nothing to worry about. It can oftenlook and sound like a graver problem than it actually is. In a lot of cases, a cat vomiting will be a good thing – it means that their body is getting rid of something that the naughty cat really shouldn’t have eaten or that they are just coughing up a fur ball.
If the vomiting lasts for more than 48 hours or if it contains blood, a trip to the vet is in order. It could be a sign of something much more serious such as a viral infection, a blockage in the digestive system, kidney disease or cancer.
4. Is my cat too fat?
There are a few ways in which you can check if your cat is too heavy. A cat of a healthy weight should have the following characteristics:
If your cat fails any of these quick checks, there could be a weight problem. Overfeeding is of course the main cause of feline obesity. You probably know yourself if you are guilty of over-indulging your pet and will know that you really should could down on treats and large portions. Obesity will greatly reduce your cat’s lifespan, so please do not spoil your cat with food.
Your vet will be able to give you more diet advice specific to your own cat.
5. Why has my cat stopped grooming?
Cats are known for their meticulous grooming habits. They love to stay clean, but they also groom to stimulate circulation and regulate body heat. If you notice that your cat has changed its usual clean-freak tendencies, you will know that something is up.
Signs that your cat has stopped grooming can be spotted quite easily. Their coat will become greasy or coarse rather than silky. There might be knots and matted parts on their fur and their paws can become stained. Healthy cats will never smell bad or leave food particles on themselves.
Common causes of the cat’s lack of interest and ability to groom are old-age, obesity and illness. Arthritis, pain or simply too much body weight will make it difficult for them to get to those hard-to-reach parts of their body. Owners should help their cat out by combing and petting their fur – this will also help absent-minded cats to remember the grooming process.
If you can’t determine a reason for the cat’s less than pristine appearance, your vet should be able to pinpoint the cause, allowing you to properly deal with the problem. You should try to make lifestyle changes or have the cat treated for possible illness if their grooming is affected.
By Sinéad. Posted in Cats, Pet Care
June 22nd, 2011
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Have you ever seen something like this before? This cat gets caught barking by its owner, then carries on meowing as if nothing weird has happened! I always knew cats were up to something when our backs were turned! Maybe him and Standing Cat are in on this together…
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