Cat Care

I’ve been owned by cats for fifteen years, and I still remember the first time I tried to bathe one. Let’s just say my arms looked like I’d wrestled a rose bush. And the cat was fine. So here’s the thing most people get wrong: cats are already excellent at cleaning themselves. A healthy cat spends up to 50% of their waking hours grooming. That barbed tongue of theirs is a pretty effective self-cleaning mechanism. But sometimes, a bath really is necessary. Honestly, the trick is knowing when. ...

How to introduce a new cat to your resident dog You’ve watched enough viral videos to know this can go one of two ways. Either they become best friends, curling up together within a week. Or your dog spends the next decade barking at a cat who owns the top of the refrigerator. I’ve done this dance four times now with various foster animals. And I’ll tell you straight up: the difference between success and a hissing, snarling nightmare comes down to patience. Specifically, your patience. ...

You walk into the living room and there it is, a puddle of white foam on the rug. Your cat is standing nearby, looking slightly embarrassed. Maybe a little confused. You’re worried. I get it. I’ve been there with my own cat, Milo. He was a rescue, about 2 years old, all attitude and appetite. The first time I saw him hack up white foam, I panicked. I called my vet at 9 PM like a crazy person. Turns out, it was nothing serious. But sometimes it is. ...