cat care

Why Is My Cat Shaking Its Head and Scratching Its Ears?

The first time Clementine went on a dramatic ear-scratching spree, I assumed she had a bit of dust in her ear from rolling around like a tiny gremlin under the bed. Twenty minutes later she was head-shaking so hard her collar jingled like a maraca. That is the moment my foster-coordinator brain...

Remove Cat Urine Smell from Carpet and Upholstery

I have fostered a lot of kittens who arrived with zero opinions about personal space and one strong opinion about peeing exactly where the softest thing in the room happens to be. And if you have ever cleaned cat urine out of carpet at 2 a.m., you already know the frustrating part: you can get the...

How to Introduce a Cat to a Dog

I have a soft spot for the cat who shows up to foster care with a note that says “doesn’t like dogs.” In my experience, what they often really mean is: this cat has never been introduced to a dog in a way that made them feel safe. If you want your cat and dog to share a home peacefully, your goal...

Why Is My Cat Sneezing?

The first time my tortie, Clementine, went on a sneezing streak, I panicked. Was it a cold? An allergy? Something stuck in her nose? Then I realized I had just swapped to a very dusty clay litter and used a strongly scented cleaner in the bathroom. One litter change and a good airing-out later, her...

Why Does My Cat Have Diarrhea?

I have cleaned up more “mystery puddles” than I care to count, both in kitten foster rooms and in my own house (Clementine once left me a very pointed message next to the litter box after a new treat experiment). Diarrhea is common in cats, but it is not something to ignore, because cats can...

Why Is My Cat Vomiting? Common Causes and When to Call the Vet

I have cleaned up more cat puke than I can responsibly count. Some of it was harmless scarf-and-barf from an overenthusiastic eater, some of it was a classic hairball on the rug at 2 a.m., and a small handful of times it was my cue to call the vet right away. If you are staring at a fresh mess and...

How to Bathe a Cat at Home

I have fostered a lot of cats who arrived wearing their life story in their fur: kitchen grease, flea dirt, litter box mishaps, and once, an impressive streak of something sticky that I never did identify. If you are staring at your own cat thinking, “You clearly need help,” you are not alone. The...

How to Give Your Cat a Pill at Home

The first time I had to pill a cat on my own, I was a kid in a foster bathroom with a spicy little tabby kitten and the absolute confidence of someone who had no idea what she was doing. The kitten disagreed. Loudly. If you are staring at a tiny tablet and a large cat-shaped opinion, I get it. The...

Maine Coon Care Guide: Diet, Grooming, and Health

Maine Coons have a way of taking up space in your home and in your heart. They are famously social, often dog-like in their interest in “helping” with daily routines, and they come wrapped in a glorious coat that makes people assume they are high maintenance. The truth is a little more nuanced:...

7 Ways to Stop Your Cat from Waking You Up at Night

If your cat treats bedtime like the opening act and 3 a.m. like the main event, you are not alone. Cats often lean crepuscular, meaning they tend to be most active at dawn and dusk. Some cats shift more nocturnal or diurnal based on your household schedule, but the underlying point stands: when you...

Raw Food Diets for Cats: Pros, Cons, and Safety

I have a soft spot for nutrition rabbit holes, and raw feeding is one of the biggest ones in cat care. Some cat parents swear their cat’s coat got glossier overnight. (For what it’s worth, true coat changes usually show up over weeks, not hours, because skin and fur need time to respond.) Others...

Interactive Toys vs. Puzzle Feeders for Indoor Cats

Indoor cats are brilliant little creatures trapped in a world of walls, schedules, and snack cabinets. When we take away the natural rhythm of hunting, climbing, stalking, and problem-solving, we have to replace it on purpose. Otherwise you get the classic greatest hits: 2 a.m. zoomies, countertop...

What to Expect at Your Cat’s Annual Vet Checkup

If your cat seems perfectly fine, it can feel a little strange to book an annual vet checkup. I get it. Cats are masters at looking okay even when something is brewing under the surface. A wellness visit is your chance to catch small issues early, update prevention plans, and get a reality check on...

7 Proven Strategies to Get a Picky Cat to Eat Their Food

If you live with a picky cat, you already know how personal they can make mealtime feel. One day they inhale a food like it is the best thing that has ever happened to them, and the next day they look at it like you served them a sock. Before we jump into the fixes, one safety note from years of...

Senior Cat Health Checklist: Arthritis, Kidneys, and Diet

If you live with a cat who is in the double digits, congratulations. You have officially entered my favorite chapter of cat parenting: the senior years. Depending on who you ask, “senior” can start somewhere around 10 to 12, and some cats act youthful well past that. Either way, older cats are...

Do Cats Need Vitamins?

If you have ever stood in the pet store aisle staring at “immune support,” “skin and coat,” and “calming” chews, you are not alone. Supplements are everywhere, and they can sound so reassuring, especially when you are trying to do right by a picky eater , a senior cat , or a rescued kitty with a...

Feeding Senior Cats

If you live with a senior cat, you have probably noticed the “little” changes first: a nap that lasts longer, a jump that looks more carefully calculated, a coat that needs more grooming help, or a suddenly picky appetite. Nutrition cannot stop the clock, but it can make those golden years far more...

Litter Box Training a New Kitten

Bringing home a new kitten is pure magic until the first mystery puddle appears. Take a deep breath and put the paper towels down for a second. Most kittens are naturally inclined to use a litter box, and when accidents happen, it usually comes down to setup, access, or stress, not “spite.” In...

Siamese Cat Vocalization: Why They Yowl and How to Manage It

Siamese cats do not just meow. They commentate. If you share your home with a Siamese, you have probably heard everything from sweet little chirps to a dramatic, room-filling yowl that sounds like your cat is narrating a soap opera. As someone who has worked with a lot of “unadoptable” cats in...

Feeding Guide for Sphynx Cats

Sphynx cats have a reputation for two things: being little heat-seeking cuddle bugs and acting like they are hungry all the time . In most homes, that second part is not a personality flaw. It is biology, plus a bit of cat theatrics. Sphynx cats are not truly hairless (most have a fine peach-fuzz...