Ingrid King's Blog: The Conscious Cat, page 155

Handmade Ceramic Cat Figurines, Ring Holders or Cake Toppers

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I periodically search for tortie items on Etsy, and when I came across these adorable figurines, I just had to share them with you.

Each ceramic sculpture is handmade and unique, created by artist Cindi Hale in her New Jersey studio.

They are formed from a lump of clay, bisque-fired, glaze-painted, then fired again.

Cindi does not use molds or casts. Each piece is original, ceramic art.

Cindi also makes custom figurines from a photo of your cat.

These ad...

New Feline Senior Care Guidelines Emphasize Partnership Between Vets and Cat Parents

For the first time since 2009, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) has updated its senior care guidelines.

The update provides updates on emerging advances in feline medicine that impact aging cats. “Veterinary professionals are encouraged to use the 2021 AAFP Feline Senior Care Guidelines to enhance their assessment and treatment of age-associated medical conditions and to provide guidance to clients so they are included in their cat’s health care team,” stated Task Force ...

Happy 4th of July

What a difference a year makes! This time last year, I wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told me we’d be able to celebrate the holiday again without having to be afraid of other people. And while I’m not quite ready to partake in any  kind of celebration that involves a crowd, I am so looking forward to gathering with friends this year.

Whatever you choose to do today, please remember that this may not be your cat’s favorite holiday because of the fireworks. Unfortunately, my state all...

Mews and Nips: Cats Might Be More Affectionate Thanks to the Pandemic

A new study suggests that the extra time humans spent with their cats has made many cats appear more affectionate. We’ve all experienced how much our cats have helped us during the long months of lockdown and isolation. The study also looked at how the human’s mental health before and after the pandemic may have impacted the changes in the cats. What I really love about this study is that it highlights the fact that spending more time with cats benefits both cats and humans. For more about the...

Remembering Ruby: That Time When Ruby Experienced Fireworks for the First Time

I am so grateful to have eight years of Ruby’s Reflections to look back on, even though of course, eight years isn’t nearly enough. We don’t realize how quickly we can forget the small, everyday things after we lose a loved one. It’s one of the many reasons why I encourage people to journal after they lose a cat and write down as many memories as they can. Capturing memories while they’re fresh in our minds is a precious gift to ourselves.

Today’s memory goes back to July of 2011. Ruby had bee...

PetFusion Makes Litter Box Management Easy

The average cat uses the litter box three to five times a day. It would make sense that something that is used so frequently on a daily basis requires that we humans put a lot of thought into it. Unfortunately, cat parents often select a litter box for all the wrong reasons – or at least for the wrong reasons from the cat’s perspective.

Litter box basics

Generally speaking, when it comes to litter boxes, simple is best. The best litter box is an uncovered box that is large enough so your cat c...

Keep Your Cat Cool This Summer

The dog days of summer are just around the corner, and cats are just as susceptible to some of the dangers of hot weather as dogs and humans. Even if your cat doesn’t go outside, you’ll still want to take some precautions, especially on those really hot days, to protect her from the heat.

The following tips can help keep your cat comfortable:

Air conditioning and fans

Many people turn up the thermostat or turn the air conditioning off altogether if they’re gone from home all day. Keep in mind ...

Cannabis for Cats

Cannabis, also known as medical marijuana, remains a controversial topic. But more people are realizing how effective it is at treating the symptoms of many human conditions, from cancer and AIDS to multiple sclerosis, pain disorders, glaucoma, epilepsy and more. Cannabis is also being used to help treat pets, including cats, and for many similar conditions, such as seizures, pain and inflammation, cancer symptoms and even behavioral problems.

In an article for Animal Wellness Magazine, I expl...

How to Recognize and Treat Arthritis in Your Cat

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Arthritis, a condition that affects as many as 1 in 3 adult humans, also affects cats. Feline arthritis is a degenerative joint disease. The cartilage within the joint is worn down, leading to inflammation, pain and decreased quality of life. As the condition progresses, the friction can wear down to the point where it damages the bones themselves. This kind of arthritis is most common and causes the most pain in the weight-bearing joints like the shoulders,...

Sunday Cat Love and Above: What a Feral Cat Taught Me About Connecting With People

Guest post by Siena Lee-Tajiri

I met Fred in 2012. He had a giant striped face, matted fur, and was as thin as a rail. He sat at the bottom of the front porch stairs but quickly darted under the orange tree when I came out. Well, you can imagine what happened next: as cat lovers, whenever we see a stray or feral, we begin worrying about them – whether they’re hungry, where they’re going to go, whether they’ll be warm enough, whether they’ll come back, whether they need to be trapped and fixed,...