Ingrid King's Blog: The Conscious Cat, page 400

Transmittable Diseases in Cats

Cats are susceptible to a number of infectious diseases, ranging from upper respiratory disease to Feline Leukemia (FeLV0, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), panleukopenia, toxoplasmosis and rabies. Some of these are preventable, and most veterinarians, boarding and grooming facilities require cats to be current on vaccinations. However, no vaccine is 100% effective, and regardless of a cat’s vaccination status, scrupulously clean facilities and a staff trained to understand disease transm...

Review: Five Years in Heaven by John Schlimm

Each step, whether in happiness or in sadness, is a gift. What we do with
those gifts is what makes all the difference. – Sister Augustine

Even though Sundays are usually devoted to purrs of wisdom from our feline friends via our Conscious Cat Sunday column, Five Years in Heaven: The Unlikely Friendship That Answered Life’s Greatest Questions is the kind of book that fits right in with our Sunday theme. This memoir by Harvard-trained educator, artist and award winning writer John Schlimm chr...

Mews and Nips: the Mewgaroo Sweatshirt Takes Snuggle Time to a New Level

If you’ve ever watched a (human) mother carry her baby in one of those wraps that keep the baby close to mom, yet keeps her hands free,you may have wished that something similar was available for cats. Well, now there is. The Mewgaroo Sweatshirt from Japanese retailer Unihabitat lets you keep kitty close at all times. The Mewgaroo is a hoodie with a pouch large enough to hold a cat. The pouch lets you cuddle your cat close to you, like a baby Kangaroo. The sweatshirt even has cat ears on the...

Keep These Poisonous Plants Away from Your Cats

Cats like to chew on plants. If you’re going to have live plants in your home, you must be aware of which plants are poisonous to cats. When in doubt, it’s always best to get rid of a plant. Just keeping plants of kitty’s reach may not be enough. Cats like to climb, which is why it is safer to remove toxic plants from your home altogether.

Effects of poisonous plants

The effect of poisonous plants on cats can range from mild gastro-intestinal upset to neurological damage and death. Some plan...

Ruby and the Jackson Galaxy Comfy Cocoon from Petmate

Hi everyone, it’s Ruby! I want to tell you about the cool new thing that came in the mail the other day! It was addressed to Allegra and me, but as soon as Mom took this particular item out of the box, I knew it was meant for me. It’s my own little cave! Mom said I need to describe it better than that, and she started to use all sorts of big words, so why don’t I let her tell you what it is.

Ingrid: The Jackson Galaxy Comfy Coccon is the purrfect sleeping place for cats who are cavers. Made...

Tortoiseshell Cat Prevents House Fire

When Glen and Joan Bowley of Fort Erie, Ontario adopted 8-year-old tortoiseshell Gigi two years ago, they weren’t really looking for another cat, but when a friend forwarded an email mentioning a cat who needed a new home due to a death in her family, they couldn’t get the pictures of the beautiful ginger-faced long-haired cat out of their minds. Little did they know then that one day, Gigi would save their home from a fire.

“She looked so striking in those photos,” says Glen. “At first glan...

Your Cat’s Vet Records

Your relationship with your cat’s veterinarian is one of the most important relationships in yours and your cat’s life. This relationship should be based on trust, and honest and open communication is important not only to ensure that your cat gets the best possible care, but that you understand every aspect of her care. Your vet will keep a detailed medical record for your cat.

What should be included in my cat’s record?

Your cat’s medical record should include detailed information about yo...

Zen Cats Winner

Congratulations, Betty Wells! You’re the winner of a copy of Zen Cats: Meditations for the Wise Minds of Cat Lovers!

Look for an email from Ingrid.*

*Winners are selected by random drawing. Winners need to provide a physical address to which the prize will be mailed within 72 hours of receipt of notification e-mail or announcement of winner’s name(s) on The Conscious Cat. If this information is not received within the timeframe stated, an alternate winner will be chosen.

The post Zen Cats Wi...

Happy Memorial Day

To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. ― Thomas Campbell

Today is Memorial Day in the United States, a day when we honor the memory of the men and women who have died in military service.

For many people, it’s also a day to remember all departed loved ones, and for most of us, that includes our beloved felines. I’m remembering Amber, Buckley and Feebee today. All three of them changed my life in ways I never could have imagined. I miss them every day, and I treasure the legacy they...

Conscious Cat Sunday: How to Motivate Yourself

Ever have one of those days where you just can’t seem to get yourself motivated to do anything? You’re not alone. I bet even Tony Robbins occasionally has one of those days. Whether it’s starting to exercise, or tackling a huge new project, sometimes, it’s just tough to get up and go. These motivational slumps are not to be confused with clinical depression, which requires intervention from a medical professional. I’m talking about those “blah” days that most of us face at one time or anothe...