About Cats
Fri Jul 8 23:45:37 EDT 2011
Home: http://cats.about.com/
Feed: http://cats.about.com/b/index.xml

Grain-Free Dry Cat Foods -

Have you become concerned about the excess carbohydrates in many dry cat foods? Do you have a cat who has become excessively overweight, or a diabetic cat? Many commercial cat foods are laced with corn, disguised in many forms, and a number of cats are allergic to corn. Grain-free dry cat foods have been developed to meet the needs of cats like these. The one pictured (Young Again Zero Carb Dry Cat Food), has even eliminated all carbohydrates, such as potatoes, a common filler in dry cat foods.
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy

Check out this short list of grain-free dry cat foods. If you have tried another, you may review it by using a fill-in-the-blanks form.

Additional Reading:

• Food Fit for a Cat
• Fat Cats
• The Importance of Food to Your Cat's Health

Grain-Free Dry Cat Foods originally appeared on About.com Cats on Thursday, July 7th, 2011 at 11:38:32.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Photo Credit: © rsowders

Cooter is a seven year old polydactyl cat who lives in Hawaii. He was a three-time loser at the shelter because of his biting habits, but that didn't daunt his fourth (and happily, last) adopted family. According to his adopted dad, Rsowders, "Cooter will do almost anything for treats. Cooter is such a ham bone we keep the camera handy and have a ton of pictures of him doing all kinds of crazy stunts." This week's Cool Cat Photo came from the Funniest Cat Pictures Show and Tell gallery.

Funniest Cat Pictures | Your Funny Cat

Cool Cat Photo of the Week: Cooter Tricks 4 Treats originally appeared on About.com Cats on Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 at 11:48:50.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

As a result of a serendipitous genetic accident, the first American Curl kittens were born to "Shulasmith," a longhaired black stray with unusual ears, had been rescued by Joe and Grace Ruga in Lakewood, CA in 1981. Like the Scottish Folds, Curls are born with straight ears. Curls' ears begin to curl very tightly at three to five days, until at about six weeks they start gradually unfurling. At twelve to sixteen weeks, their ears have more-or-less reached their permanent state of "curl."

Curls have sweet dispositions; intelligent and curious, they are extremely attuned to their human families. hey are great pets for families and people who love kittens, as they keep their kitten-like behavior through their adult lives. They adapt readily to children and other pets, and keep their kitten-like personalities well into adulthood.
_{Photo Credit: © Chris Hondurus/Getty Images}

If you are fortunate enough to share your home with a American Curl cat, you are invited to post your own photo story about life with an American Curl.

About the Breed | Submit Your Story

Breed of the Week: American Curl originally appeared on About.com Cats on Tuesday, July 5th, 2011 at 02:57:35.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Photo Credit: © iStock Photo/Michael Pettigrew

When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary. . ." Thus, the moving words of the Declaration of Independence, penned by John Hancock on July 4, 1776 set forth the standards by which the United States of America lives today. But what does Indendence Day have to do with cats, you ask?

The earliest cats known to history were wild, independent as all get-out, and subsisted on snakes and rodents who destroyed grain in fields and food storage areas, which was a staple of the Egyptians' diet. Gradually, the Egyptians recognized the benefit of having cats in close proximity, and brought them into their hearth. The human-feline relationship developed over the centuries into the human-feline bond, and today, we acknowledge that bond by accepting our pet cats as beloved members of our family.

Our cats have retained their independence within our homes. They rule our hearts with fur-clad fists. With the flick of a tail they can reduce us to slaves, and we accept our slavery willingly, as the price of their company. When we domesticated cats, we took on the responsibility for their care. They need no longer to forage fields and granary for mice and rats; instead, we provide them with wholesome food, clean water, shelter, and play to keep them from boredom. They no longer need the "independence" of outdoor living: the independence to be hit by speeding vehicles; injured or killed by dogs, other cats, and predators; the independence of scouring through alleys and garbage cans for food, to be picked up and disposed of in animal shelters. In my opinion, it's an uneven trade: They owe us for longer, safer, happier lives, but we owe them much more, for the lifelong unconditional love only cats can give.

Independence Day and Cats originally appeared on About.com Cats on Monday, July 4th, 2011 at 15:22:08.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Photo Credit: © Lessandra

Suzi is a beautiful 4.5 year old Calico girl, who made her first appearance in the Life With a Calico Cat Show and Tell Gallery. Lessandra wrote,

"Suzi is a one-person cat but sociable enough that she likes being downstairs when there is a lot of activity going on. No matter where she is in the evening she always comes down to get me when it's time for bed. And in the morning she is sure to stand over me and meow me awake! Her health has been excellent, thank goodness."

All the Cats of the Week for July, 2011, will be calicoes, so if you are fortunate enough to live with one of these sassy lassies, you may post her photo and story using this form.

Cat Picture of the Week: Suzi originally appeared on About.com Cats on Sunday, July 3rd, 2011 at 14:46:53.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

On Monday, June 27, 2011, Nestle Purina announced the voluntary recall of certain dry cat foods because of possible salmonella contamination. All bags had the "Best by" date of August 2012.

• Cat Chow Naturals Dry Cat Food 6.3 lb.
• Friskies Grillers Blend Dry Cat Food 3.15 lb.
• Friskies Grillers Blend Dry Cat Food 16 lb.

For more information, and instructions in case you have purchased these foods, refer to the Nestlé Purina announcement.

Nestle Purina Recalls Dry Cat Foods originally appeared on About.com Cats on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 at 20:53:03.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

The 4th of July, Independence Day in the U.S., is the most traumatic day of the year for cats. If you live in the U.S., unless you pack a tent, hiking boots, and your cat, and take off for the high country, it is unlikely you'll spend a fireworks-free 4th of July. As with many of our traditional holidays, people tend to forget the meaning of "Independence Day," but concentrate their celebration on "bombs bursting mid-air" and barbecues.

Must Reads:

Top Reasons to Keep Cats Indoors
Natural Remedies for Stress in Cats
Bach Flower Remedies
Minimizing Stress and Anxiety in Your Cat

4th of July Survival Kit for Cats originally appeared on About.com Cats on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 at 14:33:22.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Gloriya is a breathtakingly beautiful longhair calico cat, shown with one of her new kittens. She lives in Qatar, where she was acquired by Shaji Johnson before giving birth to a litter of kittens. Shaji had emailed me last weekend, asking questions about Gloriya, specifically, what breed she might be. Since Gloriya was the first cat Shaji had ever cared for, I sent her links to several articles, including the online course on kitten care.
Photo Credit: © Shaji Johnson

The Cool Cat Photo of the Week will continue each Wednesday, with photos I'll select at random from one of the many Show and Tell galleries on this site. Please do not email photos to me directly.

Related Content:

• Cat Colors and Color Patterns
• Domestic and Mixed Breed Cats
• Calico Cats Profile
• Kitten Care Online Course

Cool Cat Photo of the Week: Mother and Child originally appeared on About.com Cats on Wednesday, June 29th, 2011 at 13:47:20.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

The American Bobtail originated about 40 years ago with found cats having a natural bobtail. It is a powerful looking cat, strong and robust, as befitting its heritage, and has a definite look of a wild bobcat. Despite its wild appearance, the American Bobtail is described as extremely intelligent, kind, and devoted to its human companions. The magnificent American Bobtail shown here is Catalons Camouflage, a short hair brown spotted male.
_{Photo Credit: © Catalons American Bobtails}

See also: The Wild Look in Cats

Brag About Your Cat

About the Breed | Submit Your Story

Breed of the Week: American Bobtail originally appeared on About.com Cats on Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 at 12:00:58.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

In 2002, littermates Jaspurr and Joey came into my home and my heart. I had searched for several months for two kittens, and one of them had to be red. With the passing of our beloved Shannon in July of 2001, it was the first time since our marriage that we had not had at least one "Sunshine Boy." Because our remaining cat, Bubba, was a very spoiled senior cat, it took a lot of convincing before my husband would agree to the possibility. I finally convinced him that with two kittens, they could keep each other company, and Bubba would not feel threatened or annoyed.

That was only one of the 10 reasons why two kittens are better than one. If you're one of those diehards who need more proof, see the Two Kittens Picture Gallery.
_{Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy}

It is still June, the Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, and if you're hungering for a kitten to enrich your home and your life, consider all the reasons why you should adopt two kittens instead.

10 Reasons Why Two Kittens Are Better Than One originally appeared on About.com Cats on Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 at 11:57:26.

Permalink | Comment | Email this