Ingrid King's Blog: The Conscious Cat, page 454

Fascinating Facts About Your Cat’s Tongue

Have you ever wondered why your cat’s tongue feels so rough when she licks you? That sandpaper sensation is what makes the tongue a perfect tool for grooming and consuming prey.

In a recent article on Answers.com, I explored some of the fascinating facts that make the cat’s tongue one of nature’s purrfect designs. Click here to read the full article.

The post Fascinating Facts About Your Cat’s Tongue appeared first on The Conscious Cat.

Don’t Take Cat Bites Lightly

It can happen even with the most loving, docile cat: an overexcited cat nips her guardian while playing, or accidentally bites her guardian’s finger while accepting a treat. In more extreme cases, redirected aggression can cause a cat to lash out at her guardian and cause severe damage. And of course, most of us will pet stray cats we meet along the way, but not all seemingly friendly cats remain friendly after being approached by strangers. Regardless of how a cat bite happens, it is not som...

Paw Prints at Owl Cottage Winner

Congratulations, Sue Brandes! You’re the winner of a copy of Paw Prints at Owl Cottage by Denis O’Connor!

Look for an e-mail from Ingrid*.

*Winners were 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. If this information is not received, an alternate winner will be chosen.

The post Paw Prints at Owl Cottage Winner appeared first on The Conscious Cat.

Conscious Cat Sunday: Taxes, Gratitude and Cats

‘Tis the season. Many of us are working on our taxes, which, depending on your record keeping system, can be a delight for your feline assistants. After all, what’s more fun than diving into a shoebox full of receipts and watching them fly all over the place?

I spoil the fun for Allegra and Ruby by not using a shoebox system. My bookkeeping software, along with a pretty well organized file system, makes tax time about as painless as it can get, but every year, there’s still that moment, when I...

It’s Our 5th Anniversary, and We Have a Giveaway to Thank You!

Today is our 5th blog anniversary! This is a huge milestone for Allegra, Ruby and me, but this day really belongs to you, our readers. Without you, we wouldn’t be here, and we appreciate you so much for reading, commenting, and sharing every day.

1,662 Posts, 46,201 Comments and 2 Million Page Views

Since March 1, 2009, we have brought you 1,662 new posts. 46,201 comments attest to the fact that The Conscious Cat is so much more than just a blog: we’re a community. To date, the site has garnere...

SwiPets Pet Hair Removal Glove Winner

Congratulations, Cheryl Young! You’re the winner of a SwiPets Pet Hair Removal Glove!

Look for an e-mail from Ingrid*.

*Winners were 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. If this information is not received, an alternate winner will be chosen.

The post SwiPets Pet Hair Removal Glove Winner appeared first on The Conscious Cat.

Review: The Cat in the Window And Other Stories of the Cats We Love

If you enjoy cat stories, this book is for you. The Cat in the Window, edited by Callie Smith Grant, features an uplifting collection of stories about cats in all their multifaceted glory.

From the cat who lives in a fourth-grade classroom and becomes a teacher himself to the cat who offered comfort in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the stories in this book will warm your heart. There are cats who mend hearts, and cats who save lives. Some of the cats in the book are pampered indoor cats,...

How to Help Nervous Cats

While most cats are initially wary of unfamiliar noises, people or events, they eventually adapt as they get used to the stimulus. Nervous cats remain anxious. A nervous cat is in a constant state of anxiety. This level of stress can lead to physical illness, especially lower urinary tract disease.

Helping your cat overcome her nervousness will not only make her more confident and comfortable, it will also improve her health. Unfortunately, working with nervous cats can be challenging, as cats...

Art Inspired by Cats: Meet French Artist Raphael Vavasseur

Raphaël Vavasseur’s unique cat paintings captured my attention on Facebook, and I wanted to learn more about this talented artist, and where his inspiration for these stunningly gorgeous paintings comes from. I’m delighted to introduce you to Raphaël and his art today.

Raphaël Vavasseur spent the first 25 years of his life in Paris, France, where he also went to graphic design and art school. He eventually interrupted his studies and focused on creating and becoming self-taught in both compute...

Do Your Cats Talk, and Do You Talk Back?

One of the primary ways cats communicate is through body language, but they also express themselves vocally. And most cat’s vocal expressions go far beyond just “meow.”

Even though I have no scientific evidence, in my experience, when it comes to being talkative, tortoiseshell cats have most other cats beat. Buckley was one of the most vocal cats I’ve ever come across. She hada range of expression from an almost silent meow to a very loud, demanding cry that almost approached a scream. I often...