The leaves on the trees are starting to change colors, the acorns and walnuts are dropping from the trees, and the leaves are now readily beginning to fall off of the trees. The flowers have all but faded away, except for the chrysanthemums and pansies on our front porch. The air is cool and crisp. The grass seems to be damp with dew each morning, with a slight frosty sheen on the colder mornings. The cool breeze and the colder weather are even starting to make these old bones creak, though I won’t admit it out loud.

As for my kitties, they are feeling the weather change, too. However, they seem to like it getting cooler.

Momma Kitty is spending more time inside of our garage by taking advantage of her heated cat bed. Since daylight is becoming more scarce, she is spending more time sleeping and lounging around inside of the garage area that she likes so well. However, during the daylight hours, she is up and at it. When the sun peeks through the clouds, she always seems to find the right spot to sun herself. She will explore the bushes, trees, and faded flower beds. The berries are falling from the bushes, acorns and pine cones are plentiful, and leaves can even provide some extra entertainment for her this time of year.

This time of year also brings extra excitement and interest to the rest of her kitty family as well.

Mice, chipmunks, and squirrels are more active, preparing themselves for the colder season that is right around the corner. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always bode so well for the smaller critters, because Rusty is an expert hunter and seems to thrive during this time of the year. Just the other day I was outside preparing the kitties’ wet food for the evening.

Related: Catster Tips: How to Keep Your Cat Safe This Fall

On most nights, Momma Kitty and Rusty will come running as soon as they smell it, but they seemed to be preoccupied with something. As I went in for a closer look, Rusty made a run for it while proudly displaying a freshly caught mouse. I never have understood why he prefers a mouse over his favorite food. I guess I’ll leave that one for the feline behaviorists and natural instincts to explain.

I make sure to keep a close eye on my ferals especially during this time of year. It’s easy for them to lose track of what they should be doing and spend more time investigating things and areas that may lead to trouble. With Halloween right around the corner, there are more potential encounters with people that an outdoor feral cat should avoid. There are also some hidden environmental dangers like mushrooms, rodenticides, antifreeze, and other poisons that can be hazardous or even deadly if consumed by a cat.

For now, I think I’ll put my favorite cozy hoodie on and go outside to spend some time with my kitties. In a couple of months, neither of us will want to leave our heated beds.

Do your cats know when autumn arrives? Share your stories on Catster!

The post Cats in Fall: Do Yours Act Differently When Autumn Arrives? by Tim Link appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

I’ve heard it said many times that there’s nothing better than a little fun in the sun. Of course I usually hear it from someone trying to sell me a new boat, motorcycle or a family vacation package.

However, for me, it’s definitely true. I love the sunshine and will come up with any excuse I can get to get outside and enjoy the sun. Well, anything except yard work or home repairs. Even with the extreme humidity we experience during the summer here in the South, I still prefer the heat of the sun over being inside at a desk.

My cats are the same way and perhaps more so when it comes to basking in the sun. They spend a lot of extra time outside when it is a sunny day. They often are up and about as soon as the sun rises and will come back for food and rest only when the sun has set.

They will even take advantage of the warm summer evenings to lie outside, and try to use the outside house lights and streetlight that shines on the driveway to get a little extra light exposure. Even while resting on a nearby fence or under a tree or bush they will find the exact spot the sun is shining through to gather some rays. They make sure to get as much exposure to the sunshine as possible each day, as if they were hoarding it for the upcoming winter season when there aren’t as many sunny days.

On most days, you will find Momma Kitty alternating between various locations to sunbathe. She will lie under her favorite cherry tree, which allows the sunshine to creep through on the side that has fewer branches. After an hour or so in that location, she will retreat to the garage for a little food, water, shade and to rest in one of several cat beds. After a couple of hours of resting inside, she will proceed to the raised garage door. She will then stick only her head outside to observe the activities at the neighbor’s house and get some sun on her face. Little by little she will move forward to expose the next half of her body to some sunshine. Eventually, her entire body is back outside in the sun and she’s lounging without a care in the world.

We have all heard that it is good for the mind, body and spirit to spend some time in the sunshine each day. Collecting the vitamin D that the sun provides can make you feel good, more vibrant, alert and alive. As long as you don’t overexpose yourself, it’s all good. I figure that if it’s good for me then it very well should be beneficial for the cats. However, I’ll admit I’m not an expert in this field. I wanted to find out more about the health risks associated with my cats getting too much sunshine. So, I did a little research and asked an expert.

According to Catster contributing writer and emergency vet Dr. Eric Barchas, DVM, cats do not need to go outside to produce vitamin D. Sunlight is not involved in vitamin D synthesis in cats. It does, however, contribute to sunburn and skin cancer. For this reason, I always recommend that you check with your cat’s veterinarian for specific treatments and needs of your cat.

As I look out the window of my office at another wonderful sunny day, I have the overwhelming desire to get outside for a while and enjoy the sunshine. Perhaps I’ll walk over to the cherry tree and spend some time with Momma Kitty. As long as I don’t block her from sunbathing she would be happy to have some company. It’s always better to enjoy fun in the sun with friends and family. Kitty family included!

Do your cats love the sunshine? Share your stories in the comments!

Check out these other great articles on Catster:

• Let’s Talk: Do You Have Trouble Brushing Your Cat’s Fur?
• Let’s Talk: Do Your Cats Like Cold Weather?
• Can We Please Talk About the Insanely Weird Places Our Cats Sleep?

Featured Image Credit: Masarik, Shutterstock

The post Do Your Cats Love the Sunshine? by Tim Link appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

It’s official. Spring has arrived! According to my official 2014 desk calendar, spring was actually supposed to start a few weeks ago. However, the winter season decided to extend itself by sharing freezing rain and below freezing nightly temperatures for a few extra weeks here in the South. The flowers and bulbs were still not making an appearance. Even my cats stayed inside more to take advantage of our warm garage and their heated beds.

Then, out of nowhere this week, spring finally arrived. The flowers are now in full bloom, the bees, wasps and other crawling creatures have seemingly come out of the woodwork, and our cars have a modest yellow dusting of pollen on them. Even my cats have shown signs of being more playful and enjoying life.

Do cats get spring fever?

I think everyone enjoys the first signs of spring. Outside of the increased sneezing from allergy attacks, I know I do. It’s time to start the spring projects around the house, clean up dead plants and dust bunnies that have piled up during the winter, and start fresh again. It’s a time to plant new flowers and plants and break out the short-sleeve shirts and shorts.

Yes, everyone enjoys spring but no one enjoys it more than my cats. They seem to go crazy when warm weather finally arrives. They start to spend more time outdoors sunbathing and grooming. They spend more time exploring the areas around the house. They like to investigate all the planters that have made their way out of the garage and onto the front porch. They even find it hard to resist all the flying, crawling and buzzing creatures that have suddenly made their appearances after several months of being dormant.

My girl, Momma Kitty, has changed her routine from spending long hours sleeping in her heated bed in our garage to spending the night in our driveway under the stars. She’s a very smart kitty and never leaves our property. However, last night she spent the majority of the evening lying under the new gas lamps that were just installed at the end of our driveway. This is an area that she’s never frequented before.

It worried me that she was choosing to spend time so far away from the main house and much too close to the road. I knelt down and chatted with her about my desire for her to move back closer to the house where it was safer. She was waiting for the other cats to arrive and wanted to greet them, but she understood that it was safer for her to be close to the house. So she obliged my request and walked back toward the house to wait for the others to arrive. Ah, the joys and benefits of being able to communicate with animals! It definitely comes in handy at times like these.

My boy, Rusty, has been particularly crazy and doing things out of the norm. Usually, he will let me pet him while he’s eating. But, since spring has arrived, he’s more interested in eating quickly so he can go back outside and play with the large Carpenter bees that fly around the area. He loves to chase them since they fly lower to the ground and like to build nests in the wooden railing and fence that surround our house. They are slower than some of the other creatures, so every once in a while he will catch up with one, knock it to the ground and begin batting it around. Fortunately, he quickly loses interest and will head off to catch another. Thankfully, he doesn’t kill the bees. He just thinks they’re entertaining to play with.

Rusty is also a little more of a pest with the girls who are part of his family. He’s not as interested in procreating with them, since he’s neutered. He just likes to tease them. He runs after them and chases them to the top of the fence posts in our yard. Once they’re up there, he leaves them alone and heads over to chase next girl. He will find his next victim and either chase her or come running toward her, with his tail pointed straight up, in order to give her an extra strong head butt to her body. It’s his way of showing the other kitties his affection.

In the spring, my cats remind me of children being dropped off at home by the school bus. They come running toward the house, screaming as loud as they can and waving their hands in the air with wild abandon. The children know that it’s now time to play in the warm spring air, and my cats feel the same way.

Do your cats act crazy when spring arrives? Share your stories in the comments.

Check out these other great articles on Catster:

• I Have a Cat Who Loves Snow; Do Yours Love or Hate Winter?
• Let’s Talk: Do Your Cats Like Cold Weather?
• Do You Remember Your First Cat?

About Tim Link: All-American guy who loves to rock out to Queen while consuming pizza and Pinot Noir and prefers to associate with open-minded people who love all critters. Considers himself to be the literal voice for all animals. Author, writer, radio host, Reiki Master, Animal Communicator and consultant at Wagging Tales.

The post Do Your Cats Get Spring Fever? by Tim Link appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

For most of us, winter is a time to stay indoors where it is warm and cozy. The weather this year seems particularly bad for most of the country. In the South, where I live, we’ve had many days of below freezing temperatures and the wind has been particularly harsh. We even received our first snow of the season yesterday (which isn’t a regular occurrence in this part of Georgia). So, even on sunny days, these conditions make it less desirable for us to spend much time outdoors. I’m really tired of winter and can’t wait to see the first daffodils pop up from my wonderful Southern garden.

It seems that this winter has gotten the best of my feral cats as well. They rarely venture off nowadays, but when they do, it’s only for an hour or so. Then, they quickly head back to our garage where they always have food and a warm bed waiting. For Momma kitty, she simply stays inside the garage in her bed during the winter. She will slowly leave her bed when one of her furry family members arrives. Being a Southern Belle, it’s only proper to greet family at the door when they arrive. However, the greeting is brief and she heads back to her warm bed as quickly as she can.

The only good that has come from this winter is the amount of time I get to spend with my feral kitties. Since they stay close at hand when the weather is cold, I get to see them more often. They will lie in their beds and allow me to sit or kneel beside them for longer periods of time. They will tolerate longer petting sessions as my hands are warm and it helps warm them. They will also help supervise the cleaning and organizing sessions that I typically perform during the winter. Since neither I, nor they, like the cold outside, we get to spend additional time together.

I’m fortunate that my kitties are actually semi-feral now instead of completely feral. They will tolerate me being in their space. All the kitties, except Natasha, will allow me to pet them while they are eating. In the winter, they will even allow me to pet them while they are lying in their beds. Even my aloof boy, Ash, has been sticking around more these days. He will visit each night for his dedicated petting session with me and to receive a few of his soft treats. This is usually a rare occurrence in the warm weather, as Ash is usually a loner. In warm weather, he will never hang out in the garage. As a matter of fact, he often leaves for several days to explore and sleeps in different areas around the neighborhood.

Since I’ve never had an indoor cat, I don’t know if my experiences hold true in the winter for them as well. I’ve heard that indoor cats often will be more loving and attentive during the cold weather. Perhaps they are looking for some extra cuddle time and warmth from their human companions. Maybe it’s because we are in the house for longer periods of time and are more accessible. Or, maybe it’s simply the fact that we notice our kitty family more since we are all trapped inside during the winter cold.

Whatever the case, I consider it to be a good thing. Any chance to spend more time with our kitty family is fine by me. It’s sometimes a challenge for us to slow down and take the time to enjoy all the love and attention our cats have to give. Maybe winter is meant as a time to take advantage of that quiet time together. You know what? Maybe those daffodils can wait a little longer after all.

Do you spend more time with your cats in winter? Share your stories in the comments.

Laugh with us:

• 5 Ways I Irritate My Cats — and I Can’t Help Myself
• 5 Ways My Cats Have Taught Me to Stay Warm
• Texts from Mittens the Cat: Holiday Misfortunes Edition

Check out these other great stories on Catster:

• How Do You Protect Feral Cats from the Winter Cold?
• Does Your Cat Really Miss You When You’re Gone?
• Let’s Talk: Do Your Cats Like Cold Weather?

About Tim Link: All-American guy who loves to rock out to Queen while consuming pizza and Pinot Noir and prefers to associate with open-minded people who love all critters. Considers himself to be the literal voice for all animals. Author, writer, radio host, Reiki Master, Animal Communicator and consultant at Wagging Tales.

The post Should You Spend More Time with Your Cats In Winter? by Tim Link appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

I would hazard a guess that people who aren’t overly familiar with cats or who have never lived with a cat would think that a cat wouldn’t miss his human companions if they were gone from the house. People often have this perception of cats being extremely independent, preferring to be left alone and only making an appearance when they want to appear. Though I know many cats that are like this, many others prefer to have their human companions close by. They crave attention and want to be part of everything that’s going on. So, do cats miss you when you’re gone?

I’ve had many clients contact me after returning from a vacation or holiday trip only to find that their cats aren’t as friendly as they were before they left. Or, their cats have made quite the mess of the house while they were away. I’ve had clients contact me because their cat got physically sick each time they left for a business trip. Even though they had a familiar friend watch their cat, their cat would literally worry herself sick from the separation.

Do Cats Miss You When You’re Gone?

Cats can suffer from separation issues just like dogs do. Some handle it better than others but, they all want to know what’s going on when we leave the house. They want to know when we are going to return home and want to make sure we arrive when we say we are going to. Our cats can be just as concerned as our dogs when we leave and just as excited when we arrive. It doesn’t matter if we are simply going to check the mail or are going to be gone for multiple days.

Since my cats are semi-feral and spend most of their time outside, I didn’t think it would matter if we went on vacation for a week. I had a pet sitter visit twice a day to make sure their beds were clean, food was plentiful and fresh water was provided. I made sure she followed the exact times and schedule to a tee. For the first four days, everything seemed to go as planned. Each day the pet sitter left us a report stating that all the cats were taken care of and were accounted for each night. However, on day five, the cats started to get a little anxious. Momma Kitty, who never leaves the garage or driveway of our house, was nowhere to be found. She decided to go off on a little exploration of her own with her two sisters for a couple of days.

When we arrived home, I looked everywhere around the house for Momma Kitty and her two sisters. They finally arrived home the next day, unharmed and no worse for wear. However, Momma Kitty, who always allows me to pet her while she’s eating, was having no part of it this time. It took us a few days to get back into our routine, for her to no longer be concerned if I was coming or going and for her to allow me to pet her again. I believe she missed me while I was gone and also was sending a little message. If you humans can go on vacation, then so can I!

Personally, I like it when all of my kitties are here to greet me. Each morning, they’re waiting for me near their food dishes and are excited to see me open the door and wish them a good morning. I know a lot of their happy greeting has to do with the fact that I have food for them. But, I’d like to think they are just happy to see me as well. I know it brings a smile to my face to see their beautiful eyes looking up at me. It tells me that they appreciate me and they like having me around. I guess if they didn’t like me around, they would simply leave. Or, like a bad friend, they’d just come for the food and then leave. I know I miss my cats when I’m gone for several days. It’s nice to know they miss me, too.

Conclusion

What do you think: Do cats miss you when you’re gone? How do your cats handle it when you’re away? Share your story and pictures in the comments!

Check out these other great articles on Catster:

• Let’s Talk: How Does Your Cat Greet You?
• What Life Lessons Have You Learned From Your Cat?
• Does Anyone Watch Your Cats While You Are at Work?

Feature Image Credit: Yazkova, Shutterstock

The post Do Cats Miss You When You’re Gone? by Tim Link appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

I’m sure you’ve seen photos of cute little kitties in hats, or tutus, or even hand-knitted mushroom costumes. We think these pictures are so cute that we post them on every social media site we’re connected with. We laugh, smile, and share photos and videos with our friends and family, too. We even call our coworkers over to our cubicles to sneak a peek at the latest beret-wearing cat pictures and videos. Although, unless our boss is an animal lover, we hope he doesn’t show up at our desks to see what all of the laughing is about. For all we know, our bosses are likely in their offices laughing at the same beret-wearing kitty pictures and videos.

Now, maybe I’m exaggerating a little. This may only occur at the Catster offices. But I don’t know for sure.

I know that some people enjoy dressing their cats in all kinds of wonderful gear. You see them styling around with custom outfits with tops, hats, and even boots on their paws. I even saw one family dress everyone, including the cat, in Halloween costumes. They were bright and very colorful. It looked like something from a blending of It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Halloween (the movie). It was a happy story for some and very upsetting for others. The mom was so proud of what she’d created, while the cat tried every maneuver possible to shed the pumpkin head. Feeling totally defeated, the cat decided to hide behind the sofa.

For our cats, they’ve always been “naked.” Now, of course, the caveat here is our cats started off completely feral. At this point, most of them would be considered semi-feral. Half of them will allow me to pet them and the other half will only sit within a few feet of me. However, there is no way they’d allow me to put a collar or any other wearable item on them.

Now, I know I will get raked over the proverbial coals for what I’m about to say, but I just don’t get it! I’m just not convinced of the need to dress up our cats and make them wear hats, clothing and boots. I’m definitely not convinced that our cats like putting on the tutus, tiaras, and necklaces that some people make their cats wear.

I could understand dressing your cat in a sweater if it was cold outside and your cat spent a lot of time outdoors. But, even with that, cats usually have a thick layer of fur to keep them warm. They are also smart enough to come inside when it is too cold or to find a warm place to get away from the wind and elements. I know that my own feral and semi-feral cats rarely leave their heated beds or my garage when the weather is cold and snowy. Often, they will choose to snuggle in one bed together in order to keep extra warm and toasty.

Maybe it’s just me, since I’ve never had a cat that would let me dress her up in special outfits. Maybe it would be cool to have a cat that would sit on the couch with me watching a ball game while wearing a matching Cincinnati Reds’ jersey and baseball hat. I could see us chugging some cold milk, waving our banners and screaming at the umps when they miss a call.

Maybe I’m just an old fuddy-duddy who doesn’t see the humor or sweetness in seeing a cat dressed like a famous movie star. Maybe I should just take a line from my favorite Bill Murray movie, Stripes, and “lighten up Francis!” Maybe, maybe, maybe … but, I still don’t get it.

My apologies in advance go out to Luna the Fashion Kitty.

Do your cats like wearing clothes? Do you dress your cats in special kitty outfits? Share your stories and pictures in the comments!

Check out these other Catster articles about cats in clothes:

• 10 Things We Know About Wasabi-chan, the Kitten in the Mushroom Costume
• Don’t Make Me Say It Again: Dressing Up Your Furchild Is NOT Abuse!
• Heather Mattoon Talks to Us About Cats in Clothes
• I Dress Up My Cat All the Time and He Loves It
• Meet Cleo the Cat, Houston’s Total Glamorpuss

Featured Image Credit: RJ22, Shutterstock

The post Do Your Cats Like Wearing Clothes? Ethics of Dressing Cats by Tim Link appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

It’s been said many times that cats hate to get wet. Common behavior is avoiding putting their paws in water when drinking from a bowl, pond, or even a puddle. Seldom do most of us take our cats in to be bathed and groomed. When this happens, it’s usually a traumatic experience for all involved. I previously wrote about this when I had to take my feral cat, Momma Kitty, in to be groomed after her fur became severely matted on her back and was causing her physical discomfort. However, some of the readers joined the discussion to inform me that their cats like to be bathed. Some of the cats like to get in the bathtub water or go for a dip in the pool. It made me wonder, do cats really like to swim?

For my cats, the mere presence of water will often make them run for the hills. When the raindrops start to fall they will run inside the garage, under a deck, or under the nearest bush or tree. Even when I’m cleaning and pouring water in their bowl, I need to do it outside and away from their sight. You can forget about turning the sprinkler system on or garden hose. They immediately run from the area, even though the water may not be anywhere close to them.

I have friends and family that will take their cats with them on trips and vacations. They like to visit the beach and allow their cats to lounge and walk on the beach while they have a leash attached to a harness. They will take their cats camping with them near the lake shore. Some of them like to lounge by the pool with their kitty friends. However, none of their cats will go anywhere near the water and will look at their humans strangely when their humans decide to go in for a dip to cool down.

We have all seen large, non-domesticated cats who love the water. It’s always entertaining to see a Bengal tiger jump into a pool of water to play or wrestle with each other. Lions have also been known to bathe and hunt in the rivers, lakes, and ponds. These big cats seem to cherish the opportunity to get wet, hunt, swim, and bathe in the water.

In researching the topic further, I found all types of examples of domestic cats who like to go for a swim and to spend time in the water. There’s the story I found about a cat who goes swimming, wearing a lifevest, at a day spa in order to lose weight. Apparently, this cat likes the water sessions and doesn’t like any other method of losing weight. At first glance, this may sound a little extreme. But, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 22 percent of all cats in the U.S. are obese. That equates to approximately 20 million cats.

Another story I found was about a calico cat who loves to scuba dive with her owner. In fact, the cat can stay under water for around an hour during each dive.

I also found out about a cat who liked to surf. The cat even has her own surfing instructor. She started surfing voluntarily, and she prefers to ride on the front of the surfboard, while a human navigator takes care of the boring details like paddling out and catching waves.

There’s a breed of cat called the Turkish Van who is known for enjoying being in the water and swimming. The Turkish Van doesn’t have the same undercoat as other cat breeds, and has more water-resistant fur.

Though it seems rare that you can find cats who like to swim, it’s nice to know they are out there. Perhaps we would have better luck getting our kitties to accept the water if we spent more time with them as kittens getting them used to it. It also helps if we love the water. They always like to spend fun times with us and want to please. Unfortunately, I think that ship has sailed for my cats.

Do your cats like to swim? How do the feel about water in general? Tell us your stories in the comments.

Read more about cats:

• Does Your Cat Prefer Sun or Shade in Hot Weather?
• Do You Feed Your Cats More Food or Less During the Summer Months?
• Does Your Cat Love Baths and Grooming?

Featured Image Credit: Halfpoint, Shutterstock

The post Does Your Cat Actually Like Swimming? by Tim Link appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

It gets downright hot and way too muggy in the southern part of the U.S. It usually starts in the late spring and lasts until late autumn. It definitely takes a lot of getting used to if you’re not originally from the South. It took me a few years to adjust when I first moved here from the Midwest. I mean, it gets hot and muggy in corn country, too. However, it’s usually just in the summertime and not most of the middle part of the calendar year. Also, as I get older, I seem to be more aware of the heat and humidity. I would like to think that I’m in my prime. However, my body tells me differently more often than in years past.

When I was young, I would play outside from sunrise to sunset in the summertime. I went on to play the position of catcher for some semi-pro baseball teams and never let the heat slow me down. I can only recall one time where my shin guards, chest protector, and mask needed to be ripped off quickly before I succumbed to heat exhaustion. After I made it back to the dugout, I sat on the bench, dunked my head in some ice water, and drank a quart of Gatorade. I wiped my body with a towel, put the gear back on, and was ready for the next inning.

I’ve noticed my cats are getting a lot like me. Most of them really dread the warm and muggy weather. When they were young they would stay outside all day playing with each other, chasing critters in the hot open fields and sunbathing every opportunity that they had. These characteristics lasted for about two seasons. Now, you’d never catch them playing, chasing, hunting, or lounging in the direct sun. They’ll only stay in the sun when the breeze is blowing and the temperatures are below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. When it gets hot outside, they take cover under the nearest tree, bush, or parked automobile they can find. They’ll stay there the entire day until the sun goes down and dinner is in their food bowls.

One of my cats, Momma Kitty, is the queen of staying in the coolest places she can find. She’s the oldest of the bunch and has never shed her winter girth from a couple of years ago. She can always be found within a dozen steps of the house and lying under the nearby cherry tree or Leland cypress. When it gets even too hot and humid to lie under the trees, she will find her way back into the garage. Our garage is their sleeping area and the temperature always stays consistently low. The coolness of the cement floor in the garage makes an ideal location to cool her underside.

I have friends and clients who have indoor cats who have grown accustomed to the air conditioning and fans that they run in the house. They may sunbathe in the windows, but only if a fan is blowing in their direction. They love going out on the back shaded decks and screened porches early in the morning. However, when it starts to heat up a little outside, they’re at the door ready to get back inside. They’ll rest inside close to the air ducts coming on the floor or on the tiled kitchen or bathroom floors.

I suppose that our cats are a lot like some of us. We like the idea of being able to enjoy the sun and fun just like when we were young. In small amounts, the sunshine throughout the day can be a great thing and provide the vitamin D our bodies need. I have to assume our cats feel the same way and benefit from the sun as well. Unfortunately, as we get older we tend to slow down a little. We get acclimatized to the air conditioning and fans blowing in our homes. We get a little (okay, a lot) more lazy and fixated on our computers and televisions. It’s my guess that our cats tend to follow our lead. I know they match the energy (or lack of energy) that we exude. Since we often stay well hidden most of the day, our cats do as well. Or maybe it’s just me.

I think I’ll turn off the computer now and step outside for some sunshine. Oops. I almost forgot my misting fan and frozen drink!

Does your cat prefer to be indoors during the summertime? Is your cat a sunbather? Let’s hear from you in the comments!

Check out these other articles on Catster:

• Do You Feed Your Cats More Food or Less During the Summer
• Keeping Kitty Cool in the Summer Months
• Summer Camp for Cats: We Examine Six Brochures
• If You Have Indoor Cats, Do You Still Provide Flea Control?
• Have You Had Any Luck Training Your Cat? I Sure Haven’t
• Does Your Cat Love Baths and Grooming?

The post Why Do Cats Lay In The Sun When It’s Hot Or Should They Stick To The Shade? by Tim Link appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

It’s that time of year again when all of the pesky insects literally come out of the woodwork, trees, bushes, grass, and ground. It’s very difficult to avoid them while you’re outside. Ants, flies, mosquitos, ticks, and fleas seem to magically appear when the weather gets warm. I think we’d all agree that they’re a pain in the hind quarters to us humans and our animals alike.

For our animals, the flea seems to be the biggest pest of all. I’ve always provided flea meds for my dogs since they’re outside multiple times per day. It got me thinking, however: If you have an indoor-only cat, do you still find it necessary to provide flea preventatives?

I use a monthly flea preventative that doesn’t cause any adverse reactions with my dogs. Whereas the dosage could be given in one dose, I spread it out over two treatments so as not to overload their system. For years we’ve also treated our yard and indoor carpeting with an environmentally friendly treatment that keeps the fleas away. This has worked well for us over the years.

Having cats of my own is relatively new. Not until we adopted our feral cat colony a few years ago did I have full-time cats who depend on me for their care. After I allowed them open access to the garage, I experienced my first flea challenge.

The treatment of the yard wasn’t sufficient in this case, since the cats roam across multiple yards and in the wooded areas behind our home. They’d visit our home each night for food and a safe, comfortable place to sleep. However, the fleas came along for the ride and decided to make our garage and the cat beds their home. Fortunately for us, the fleas never managed to find their way inside our home.

I immediately contacted our environmentally conscious pest control representative, who came over and spread boric acid powder in the garage and cat beds. He then provided a treatment for our indoor carpets as an extra precaution.

For those cats who would allow me to get close enough, I used a topical flea preventative that my vet recommended. For those I couldn’t treat, I added Barley Cat to the food. Though the cats seemed to like the taste of the Barley Cat, I can’t honestly say whether it does anything to eliminate or detour the fleas. I must admit that I’ve never been a real fan of topical flea control, but it seemed the best solution in this case. They were miserable being covered and bitten, and I wasn’t thrilled about having fleas in the garage.

I would assume that an indoor-only cat wouldn’t need flea meds. Unless people or dogs bring the fleas inside, the indoor cats shouldn’t be exposed to fleas. This wouldn’t be the case if you have indoor/outdoor cats, of course. If you have cats who have access to a back deck or porch area, I’d say they probably need to be treated to prevent fleas. They could pick up the fleas from those areas and bring them inside.

Perhaps you could choose to treat your furniture and carpets just in case the fleas were brought inside. Outside of those situations, I can’t think of why you’d treat your indoor-only cat with flea preventative.

However, if I had indoor-only cats, I’d likely take the cautious route and treat them and the house they live in. It’s much easier to maintain your cats and their environment than to take a chance. Once they have fleas, it’s a challenge to get rid of them. The fleas can also cause other medical issues in addition to the scratching and irritation.

Do you still provide flea preventative to your indoor cats? Have you had any issues with indoor cats attracting fleas? Let us know in the comments!

Read more on fleas and cats:

• 9 Methods of Natural Flea Control for Cats
• Cat Flea and Tick Treatment Options
• Do Indoor Cats Need Regular Flea Preventatives?
• The Good News: It’s Spring! The Bad: Seasonal Hazards Abound

Featured Image Credit: Alina Bitta, Shutterstock

The post Do Indoor Cats Need Flea Treatment? Info & Facts by Tim Link appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

The other day I was walking my dog, Dusty, in the backyard. The entire backyard is fenced, but I stay close at hand because she is such a small dog and we have a lot of wild critters roaming our wooded areas and perched in the trees.

As we were walking around the backyard, I noticed that all of my feral cats were in the driveway with their eyes fixated on Dusty. They sat quietly watching every move that she made. This is puzzling cat behavior. They weren’t fearful of Dusty, as they see her multiple times a day. Besides, most of them are two to three times her size and weight. It’s not hard to figure out who’d win if a confrontation between Dusty and any of the cats should occur. The cats seem to watch Dusty more out of curiosity than anything.

I’m sure they’re thinking: Why is she always behind the fence? Why does she bark at us every time we move? Why is she always walking around with that guy? It made me wonder: Why do cats find watching other animals so fascinating?

Dusty isn’t the only animal my cats like to watch. They’ll look up toward the trees and bushes whenever they hear a bird. Once they see the bird, they aren’t aggressive. They just sit quietly gazing at it, flipping their tails gently from side to side.

We have many squirrels who like to run along the top of our fence. Our cats will occasionally get excited and chase one of the squirrels. However, this is rare, and the squirrels stay out of harm’s way. Maybe the cats have gotten used to them, or maybe they’re just too lazy to bother with a silly squirrel.

A pair of opossums frequent the house most evenings. They’ll sit on the fence and not move an inch for many minutes. The cats will watch them to make sure they aren’t trying to steal their food. However, once the cats have finished dining, they have no issue with the opossums finishing the leftovers. They’ll even sit within inches of the opossums while they eat. They watch them inquisitively wondering why this type of “cat” has such a long nose and no fur on its tail. Our cats will even share their warm garage with the opossums during the winter.

Our cats never get into too much trouble and will rarely harm another animal. They don’t express any fear when they’re around other animals that visit their home. They really don’t mind when Dusty barks at them or gets too close to them. They just seem very intrigued by other animals and love to study them.

Perhaps it’s because they’re very well taken care of and know we provide them a safe place to live. Or perhaps they just can’t be bothered by the other critters around them. Either way, I’m just as fascinated with them as they are with all the other living creatures around them.

Do your cats like watching other animals? What types of animals are they most fascinated with? Let’s talk in the comments!

More articles about outdoor cats on Catster:

• The New Feral Cat in My Colony Looks a Lot Like an Opossum
• What Are the Strangest Places Your Cat Has Climbed to?
• I Care for a Colony of Feral Cats
• Look What the Cat Dragged in: In My Case, a Bunch of Baby Possums

Featured Image Credit: Tatiana Rodriguez, Unsplash

The post Why Do Cats Like Watching Other Animals? by Tim Link appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.