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How to: change your cat’s food

If your kitty is growing up or you’ve been recommended a specific food by your vet, you may be wondering how to transfer your cat onto their brand new cuisine. 🍴 Let’s explore how we can do this without upsetting your cat physically or emotionally! 💕 Change the food over a couple of weeks ⏰ Any sudden changes can lead to your furry friend turning foe…especially if they enjoy the food they are currently on or are prone to an upset tummy. 💩 Easing them into their new food over a couple of weeks will ensure that they gradually adapt to the new diet without any surprises. 😼 Ensure the accurate amount per serving 🥄 Ensure that you are providing the correct amount of food depending on your cat’s weight (or ideal weight if they’re hoping to shed some pounds)! You can find these recommendations on the back of the food packaging. ⚖️ Remember you can always ask to check your cat’s weight with the vet - it’s a good idea to keep an eye on any changes, especially when they’re growing out of those cheeky teenage years! We recommend that you weigh your cat every 3 months. Keep an eye on their toileting habits 👀 Any changes in the poop can be an indicator that their tummies are not coping with the change. You might notice that they smell slightly different - this is totally normal. However if the consistency is looser or firmer than usual, slow it back down. 😎 Our 2 week guide 🥣 Day 1-3: Introduce around a teaspoon of their new food in a small bowl alongside their current food. This can have a very different texture, taste and smell to what they’re used to, and so do not worry if they do not seem interested at first - it is very normal for them to ignore it for the first few days. Day 4-6: Only start this stage once your cat finds the new tasty food appealing. Feed 25% of the recommended amount of their new feed and 75% of their original feed. Day 7-9: Feed 50% of their new feed and 50% of their original feed. Day 10-13: Feed 75% of their new feed and 25% of their original feed. Day 14: Feed 100% of the new diet. 😸 Do not worry if the transition takes longer than expected - the key is to change them gradually to avoid any surprising side effects. If you have any doubts, concerns or notice blood in their stools, do not hesitate to contact a vet. ☎️

March 24, 2023

Cat tail language; what it means

Cats communicate with human folk through vocalising and body movement. 🐈‍⬛ Have you ever noticed how many different ways your moggie’s tail moves? Let’s decode what your cat is saying through their tail movements! 🐱 Our furry besties’ body language can be ambiguous at times. 🤔 Learning how to read our kitty’s postures and tail movements can give us cat parents an insight into their moods and emotions. 😽 Cat tails are highly mobile and expressive, which makes them a great signalling tool! Here are some tips on what the top ten tail movements mean... 🐾 1️⃣ Tail up - a clear sign of friendliness, affection and confidence. Your moggie is greeting you and happy to interact! 😻 2️⃣ Tail waving from side to side - if swishing slowly, your cat might be focussing on something and deciding whether to pounce on it! 🐭 3️⃣ Thumping tail - your moggie feels agitated or irritated. 😼 Something is bothering them - make sure it isn’t you 😹 (i.e. stop what you’re doing if you’re interacting with them) 4️⃣ Tail tip twitch - can occur when playing and hunting; however it can also be seen when your furry bestie is mildly irritated or annoyed (so read the room)! 👀 5️⃣ Tail tucked under - usually means your kitty is feeling threatened and may be about to lash out. 😾 6️⃣ Tail wrapped around body - your cat may just be a little chilly or want a cosy snooze; however it can also indicate they feel stress or anxiety and do not wish to interact. 🐈 7️⃣ Whole tail quivers - your furry bestie is especially excited to see you or whoever they are interacting with! 😻 Beware, that if their tail quivers while standing with their back end against a surface, they may be urine marking! 😱 8️⃣ Tail held low to the ground - can indicate fear and anxiety. 😾 9️⃣ Fluffed up tail 🎃 (the Halloween pose) - eek they are startled or frightened by a sudden and serious threat! 🔟 Tail wrapped around you - your moggie will curl their tail around you and other cats to show their willingness to socialize. 😸 Although your cat’s tail movements play the most expressive part in their body language, they should be interpreted alongside what the rest of the body is doing and the situation. 🐈‍

March 16, 2023

8 Firework Tips for cool cats and kittens

It's officially spring: the weather is getting warmer, the sun is shining brighter and the flowers are finally blooming. This calls for celebration and what celebrations usually bring is... fireworks. 🎆 You may be wondering how we as cat parents can help our kittens stay cool this spring... Look no further – here are some of our favourite tips and tricks to ensure that your cat is feline calm. 😎 Create a cozy hiding space 💤 Our cats feel safe if they can hide. Provide them with a comfortable hiding spot such as a cardboard box with blankets, toys and paw-some treats! In true cat fashion, they feel safer higher up, so try placing the box on a secure platform with a good vantage point. Keep your cat indoors 🏠 Nobody wants their pet to be MIA… Ensure that your cat’s microchip has your correct details in case an escape does occur. Tune into the radio 🎵 Play some calming tunes or your favourite show to drown out any sudden sounds. Close those curtains 👀 Draw the blinds to block out any scary flashes from outside. Give them a new toy or treats as a distraction 🧶 Help to draw their focus away from any disturbances by offering new toys or tasty treats such as cooked chicken breast, this helps to reassure them that they’re safe and secure. Allow your cat in their regular rooms in the house 🐱 Allow your cat to explore their usual rooms in the house. Also try to avoid picking them up – our cats will feel most calm if we are. Use a pheromone diffuser🫶 Plug in a pheromone diffuser from the week leading up to the fireworks. This can help to settle their anxiety and keep them calm. Monitor their activity using Moggie 🐾 Monitoring your cat’s activity on Moggie can help you to tune into how your cat is feeling. If your cat is suffering from anxiety, please do not hesitate to seek further veterinary advice. You’re now ready to enjoy the fireworks! 💓

March 16, 2023

Cats and plants - what to pay attention to?

DYK that many indoor and outdoor plants are toxic to cats? 💐 Here are some of the most common shrubs to watch out for and suggestions for safer alternatives. 🚫 Common plants that are highly toxic to cats include: Acorns Conkers Cycads Daffodils Laburnum Lilies, including peace lily Pieris Rhododendron 🚫 Common plants that are toxic include: Christmas trees Chrysanthemum Crocus Fuchsia Holly Honeysuckle Hyacinth Ivy Mistletoe Roses Tulips FYI: This is no comprehensive list; simply the most common offenders! If your cat has plant poisoning, they might be showing any of these signs: Vomiting Diarrhoea Drooling Rash Swelling Tremoring Twitching Lethargy Hot or cold body temperature Drinking more than usual N.B. you may notice none or all of these signs if your cat has had a nibble on a toxic plant, so stay on your toes! If you suspect that your cat might have been poisoned: Monitor your moggie - for any of the signs of toxicity Contact your vet immediately - for advice or to book an emergency appointment Try to scoop up any urine or poo samples into a small pot - these might be useful for your vet to test or inspect If you saw the plant that your cat munched, take a sample with you to the vets Remember that many plants, even those which are not toxic, can cause tummy upset to your moggie, if munched on. 🤒 If in any doubt as to whether your cat has consumed something poisonous, you can contact the following 24-hour services: ☎️ UK: for paid advice contact the Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000. This usually costs £35-45 per call and is run by the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) US: for paid advice contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435 Cat-friendly shrubs: If you are looking to add some nature to your home, some plant retailers or online florists have a pet-friendly section of their website. Our favourite non-toxics to our furry friends are spider plants and calatheas. ✅

March 8, 2023

Is my cat too lazy? How to recognise whether your cat is sleeping too much or just being lazy.

Have you ever looked at your cat snoozing on the sofa and wondered if they were sleeping too long or just being lazy? Cats naturally sleep longer than their cat parents however, if your kitty is sleeping longer than usual it could be a sign of a health problem. Are cats lazy? Our furry friends sleep a whopping 12 to 18 hours a day which was an evolutionary trait that allowed their wild ancestors to conserve energy in between hunts. 💤 Cats also have different sleep patterns to their humans and will be more active at night while we snooze; read our article on ‘Why does my cat wake me up at night?’ for more on this. So while they may appear to be lazy, they are actually catching up on sleep during cat parent waking hours. 👀 Indoor-only cats may have less mental stimulation if us folks aren’t around, so will sleep more if there’s nothing else to do. Energy levels can also vary across our furry friends, with some having higher energy level personalities than others. 😻 As cats get older they may sleep more as energy levels lower, which can lead to weight gain. Extra ‘cushioning’ will make moving around more of an effort which in turn will make our cat become lazy! 😼 What health conditions make my cat sleep longer? If you notice your furry bestie is sleeping more than normal, there may be more going on such as: 😏 Arthritis; feline oldies will sleep more if their joints feel achy Stress or grieving can alter sleep patterns Medication side effects Fever caused by bacterial or viral infections Pain Organ disease If you’re worried your cat’s sleeping habits have changed we would recommend you make an appointment with your vet who will examine your cat and advise on treatment if needed. 🩺 How can I make my cat more energetic? If you’re happy that your cat is physically well and just being lazy 😹, there are ways to encourage activity. Spend more time with your kitty if possible and observe what gets them excited and on their paws! 😻 Use toys to engage them in short bursts of activity. Switching to a better quality diet might also improve your furry besties energy levels. 🧶

March 8, 2023

Why is my cat meowing so much

Have you ever wondered why your cat meows at you or are you worried that recently your kitty is meowing more than ever 👀? There are many reasons for healthy cats to meow, however, if your cat was never a ‘talker’ but now meows a lot, there could be a health reason behind it. 🩺 Healthy cat meowing Meowing can be a normal behaviour in healthy cats 🐱 - there are different reasons for it depending on circumstances such as whether your cat is a boy or girl, their age and breed…🐈‍⬛ Meowing in general - your furry bestie is talking to you 😽; they save their vocal chat for us human folks only (see article on ‘How cats communicate with us’). They could be asking for your attention - whether it’s to greet you, ask for love or for you to play with them 😻. Often, they yowl when they’re hungry - don’t give in if it’s outside meal times - although those puss-in-boots eyes can be persuasive 😹! When your girl cat is on heat you will know about it! Your house will be filled with high-pitched calling, (particularly at night - eek!) to lure the boy cats in the neighbourhood💘! There may even be some screaming during the mating ritual…💗 You may want to read our article on ‘Why to neuter your cat’ 👀 Certain cat breeds such as Siamese, Burmese and Russian Blues are well known for their chatter so make great furry besties if you fancy a buzzing household and are a heavy sleeper 🐱! Cats can also meow more if they are scared, stressed or feel threatened😮‍💨. This can happen if there are loud sounds such as thunderstorms or fireworks. If you have a cat flap, make sure another cat isn’t coming into your house and intimidating your bestie 😼. You can keep other cats out by getting a cat flap that reads microchips and only allows your cat into the house. 🐾 Health problems that cause meowing If your cat does not usually meow much, but has recently started meowing more, we would recommend getting your cat checked by a vet to rule out medical issues. 👩🏽‍⚕️ Older cats can meow more because of; an overactive thyroid, cat dementia (feline cognitive dysfunction), and high blood pressure. Eyesight and hearing may become poorer, the older cats get, making them more worried or disorientated in the house. 😕 If your cat cries out when using the litter tray, weeing is probably uncomfortable which could mean cystitis. If you see them cry while trying to pass stools, it can mean constipation 👀. Meowing and appearing withdrawn can be a sign of pain. When in doubt, it’s best to call your vet.🩺

March 5, 2023

What should I feed my cat?

The most important factor to consider is that cats are true carnivores which means they need animal protein to remain healthy 🐈‍⬛. Our kitties would struggle to survive on a plant-based diet as they lack special enzymes that other animals have to digest and convert plant nutrients. Dog food is also unsuitable for cats as it is deficient in taurine, an essential protein that cat’s cannot make themselves and so rely on obtaining from their diet.🐱 We would recommend feeding a high-quality commercial cat food as it’s really difficult to give your cat all the nutrients they need in a homemade diet 😽. It should be appropriate for their age as cats requirements will change over their lifetime; from kittenhood through to adulthood and senior years. 🐈 It should be labelled ‘complete’ which means it contains all the nutrients your furry bestie needs 😻. While foods labelled as ‘complementary’ are treats that should be offered occasionally, in small portions alongside their main diet. Another label to look out for is the Pet Food Manufacturer’s Association (PFMA) one, which means extra quality standards than the legal minimum are being met by that pet food organisation.👩🏽‍⚕️ Commercial diets come in the wet or dry form. Most cats will enjoy a combination of wet and dry food💗. Wet food has a higher content of water so is ideal for increasing your cat’s water intake if they’re not a keen drinker. Wet food is especially important to feed if your cat suffers from lower urinary tract health issues (cystitis) ****. Wet food comes in different textures such as; pâtés, flakes, minced, gravies, cubed, chunky or shredded. Try experimenting with the different textures as your kitty may enjoy a particular type or might be happy with a variety🐱. Most of the cat fam love fish 😻, however feeding this daily can lead to vitamin E deficiency due to the lack of it in fish. Tinned sardines, tuna or salmon in spring water can be offered as an occasional treat, as can boiled chicken. However, beware, if these are offered too often your cat may then refuse their normal kitty food😮‍💨! Feeding your furry bestie bones is not recommended as they can break teeth and cause digestive tract blockages 😏. Feeding a raw diet is controversial as it can carry bacteria that may make us and our cats ill. If you choose to feed raw, commercially produced raw diets that have had nutrients added to make them balanced are better over offering home-made raw meat. Home-made cooked diets are tricky to balance and ensure all your kitty’s nutritional needs are being met but if you choose this option it is best for a Veterinary Nutritionist to formulate a diet plan so that your kitty thrives on their food👩🏽‍⚕️. If you are already a cat parent, you may be familiar with ‘fussy eaters’ - kitties that ‘go off’ food when fed the same diet over a long period😹. You can try tempting them by warming their food, offering a variety of foods and ones containing high protein and fat levels which make them tastier (as long as your cat isn’t overweight). If your furry bestie has a health condition such as a food allergy, diabetes or kidney disease, your vet will advise you about the appropriate diet, which may be a prescription diet🩺.

March 2, 2023

How to encourage my cat to drink?

You can lead a cat to water but you can’t make them drink💧 Hydration is super important for cat health - read on for our top tips to encourage your feline to top up… Replenish their water bowl daily 💧 Nobody likes stale water! Refresh your cat’s bowls every morning with cool, clean water. Remember to scrub the inside of their bowls too, this helps to avoid any nasties building up. Use a water fountain ⛲ Does your cat enjoy drinking from the tap? This is because cats prefer to drink from running water - don’t ask us why! Cat water fountains are available commercially online or in most pet shops. Try one out - you’ll be surprised at how your moggie likes it! Set up multiple water points around the house 🏡 Some cats are lazier or ahem... less active than others! Have you ever woken up thirsty or with a dry throat? The same happens to our furry friends! Pop a few water stations around the house downstairs and upstairs for easy post-nap access - comparable perhaps to taking a glass of water to bed. Keep their water and food bowls away from their litter tray 💩 Need we say more? Place their water source away from food or litter to avoid any …unwanted debris! Swap over to canned (‘wet’) food 🐟 Wet cat food has a higher water content than dry - this is a sneaky way of increasing their water intake (they’ll never know)! Remember to transition them onto new food slowly over a few weeks - check out our guide on how to change your cat’s food. Use a wide-rimmed water bowl 💦 DYK: Cats prefer their whiskers not to touch the edges of the bowl - if they drink from a bowl, make sure to buy an extra wide one for the optimal experience. Also keep their bowl well topped up so that they do not have to dip their heads so far down. Add a little flavour 😻 Pop a few drops of tinned tuna juice or chicken stock in their water to make it tastier, not too much though - we don’t want any upset tummies!

March 2, 2023

The Righting Reflex

Why cats *usually* land on all 4 paws! If there’s one thing we know about cats, it’s that they love heights!🌳 A potential fall may be worrisome for owners, however if it’s any reassurance they *usually* land safely on all four paws! You may be wondering why... What is the Righting Reflex? Cats possess a righting reflex; this means that they can automatically adjust themselves mid-air to land paws-first.🐾 This reflex starts developing at around one month old and by the time that they’re two months they’ve mastered the move. In order to activate this special talent, they have to be falling at least 90cm - buying them some time to change body position. Paw-Some Anatomy DYK: Cats do not have a collarbone and their spines are made up of a crazy 30 vertebrae! This means that their backs are very flexible - we don’t call them slinky for nothing.😼 Cat-Robatics They move by turning their legs and spine in a technique to achieve a 180o manoeuvre. Their tails also help with balance whilst falling through the air. We find the physics rather confusing, but it’s hard to ignore that cat acrobatics are purr-etty impressive! 🤸 Emphasis on the ‘usually’! Unfortunately, cats don’t have a 100% success rate when using their righting reflex. (Like buttered toast, they don’t always land face down).👀 This means that we wouldn’t recommend any of your nimble cats or kittens to intentionally try this out at home. Either way, we reckon that they’re much more agile than us human counterparts! For evidence of all your furry friend’s unique leaps and bounds, check out their Moggie wearable.💓 …so next time you see your feline nail a landing after a questionable lunge, you’ll know exactly why!

March 1, 2023

How to: Litter train your cat

Litter training may seem daunting, but it’s never too late to get started!💩 Have a glance at our ultimate guide for inspiration… Location is key🏡 Place the litter box in a quiet area of the house. If they have been toileting in another area, pop the litter box in that spot to encourage them to use it. Keep your cat’s litter tray away from their food and water - nobody wants an accident there!👀 It’s a good idea to learn what your cat looks like when they’re about to poop or pee - do they have any particular habits or stances? When you notice your kitten adopting one of these, pop them into or near their litter box to motivate them to use it. Type of litter tray 🙈 Horses for courses, or cats for ahem.. litter trays. Experiment with different types of litter tray to see which they are most comfortable with. We find that they like litter trays with a cover over the top - our furry friends like privacy just as much as we do! These ‘hooded’ litter trays can be found online - this one(UK) is our favourite (check out the US link here). N.B. if you have 2+ furries in your house, it’s worth considering that they may in fact prefer an open litter tray to avoid any unexpected entrances! Type of litter substrate 💩 Every kitty has their own preferences and special ways! Your moggie might not be a fan of litter you currently have, perhaps it is uncomfortable on their paws or not absorbent enough. Experiment with different types of litter until you find one they like - we think this one is purrfect! Environmental changes 🐱 Try to reduce any stress on your cat - read this article to see if your cat is stressed. We recommend providing one litter box per cat in the house, plus an extra one! This ensures that there is no competition for resources. A healthy cat is a hygienic cat! We encourage you to clean your cat's litter tray daily and completely replace the litter at least once per week. Reward 🏅 Praise your kitty for the correct behaviour - just like you would when potty training a baby! Let them know that they’re done something good - perhaps offering a couple of their fave treats after they correctly use the litter tray will make this more than obvious! Never, ever, under no circumstances, punish your cat if they have an accident - instead reward their good behaviour to reinforce it. If there’s no improvement… 👀 It’s a good idea to visit your vet in order to rule out any medical conditions that may be preventing your cat from using the litter box🩺 If your male moggie is straining and struggling to pass their pee, contact your vet immediately - this could require urgent veterinary attention🏥

March 1, 2023

How to help your cat lose weight

A lot of us know the feeling of being told that our kitty has put on a little too much weight at the vet since the last routine check up…Do not fret - here we look at ways to help our cats lose that excess fur (ahem - pounds)! 👀 Why is my cat overweight? Most commonly our furry besties put on weight because of eating too much (how many of us keep their food bowl topped up with dry biscuits?!) and becoming less active later on in life 😼. Neutered kitties need fewer calories so as a cat parent, let’s remember to reduce meal size after their operation! What should I feed my cat to help with weight loss? Firstly, while feeding your cat’s normal food, start weighing what you feed them (as most of us will overestimate if using a scoop). Next, when it comes to those tasty treats they may love... it’s time to cut those out!🚫 In terms of portions, the key is offering the amount recommended for your cat’s ideal weight (not current weight)! ⚖ If after a month your kitty’s extra cushioning is not disappearing, try weighing out 10% less food per day. To make the smaller portions last longer, try a slow feeder bowl or cat puzzle food dispensers. If there is no real progress after one month (😼), speak to your vet for recommendations on prescription weight loss food as these are designed for maximal weight loss whilst keeping your cat feeling full! 😺 Most practices will also offer weight loss clinics to help your kitty along their journey. 👍 What kind of exercise can help my cat lose weight? Our cat fam are designed for short bursts of energy to fit with their hunting instincts so aim for shorter rather than longer sessions of play several times a day to keep them engaged. 🐾 Imitate prey by playing with danglers, or fish pole toys which will encourage your kitty to chase and pounce. Many of our furry besties also love chasing light created by shining a torch onto surfaces or a hanging mirror ball! 😹 We know cats are different to dogs (obvs cooler) but you’d be surprised by how many cats enjoy playing fetch with a ball - so try it! Leaving balls around the house will keep your cat busy even when you’re not around to play. If your kitty feels too cool to play with toys try toys containing catnip - the smell of the herb will give your cat a burst of joy and energy!🤩 There are few cats that enjoy walking on a lead (no one wants to look like a dog, duh!), however, if your kitty is one of those types, taking longer walks will help burn extra calories. If playing or walking is just not your cat's thing, make mealtimes a fun activity session! Scattering meals around the house is a purr-fect alternative to encourage kitties to work harder while they seek out their food 🫣. Why is my cat still not losing weight? Sometimes you’ve done everything by the book to get your furry bestie’s weight down, but the extra cushioning just won’t disappear! At this point, it’s time to check no one is secretly giving treats👀. If your kitty has access to the outdoors, it is worth speaking to your neighbours as they may be offering a second meal - it’s difficult to resist those puss-in-boots eyes! ‘Do not feed me’ collars are also available to buy if you want your cat to let the neighbours know instead.. 👀

March 1, 2023

Does my cat have arthritis?

Nowadays, our cats are living longer than they used to because of better veterinary care and nutrition, with many reaching their twenties🙀. One of the most common conditions that our elderly cats develop is arthritis. Sadly signs of arthritis can be difficult to recognise given the aloof nature of our furry friends 😽 What is arthritis? If you are the parent of an older cat, your vet may have asked you if your furry bestie has shown any signs of arthritis. But what is arthritis exactly?🤔 Arthritis means inflammation of the joints; it usually develops over years as the cartilage that lines the joints wears away, allowing bones to rub together. This in turn leads to inflammation in the joints which causes pain and swelling😿. While arthritis mainly happens because of ageing, it's also possible if your kitty has had a trauma (hit by a car, fallen) causing broken bones or ligament injuries, had an infection or has an immune-mediated disease. What are the signs of arthritis in cats? The majority of cats over the age of twelve will have arthritis but as you may know from being a cat parent, they are good at being mysterious😏! Early signs of feline arthritis may just mean our kitty is sleeping more than usual or hesitates a second longer before jumping. As arthritis gets worse, you might notice your kitty’s back legs becoming skinnier because of muscle loss, they might limp and their coat may become matted as they struggle to groom themselves. What can I do to help my cat with arthritis? Arthritis will gradually worsen over time but the good news is, there are lots of ways we can make our cats feel better and slow down its progression! A really important aspect is making sure your kitty is as lean as possible, because carrying extra weight will put a strain on joints, causing more discomfort. Pain relief is a game-changer for our furry besties! Many cat parents realise their kitty was uncomfortable only after seeing the response to a trial on pain relief. Our furry oldies will suddenly be more active and back to their playful self - a real joy that brings back memories of their younger years!🧶 At home, we can make life more comfortable by keeping our cat’s bed, litter tray, water and food bowls close together so everything is within easy reach, and preferably low to the ground. Open litter trays with low edges are also better so that our kitties don’t feel discomfort when trying to step or jump into the tray. If our oldie likes to sleep on sofas, beds, or other raised surfaces, placing ramps or steps nearby will enable a route that is more gentle on their joints! How can I stop my kitty getting arthritis? Arthritis will eventually happen in all of our feline oldies, however we know that they are more likely to suffer from it if overweight, so the most important thing we can do for our furry besties is to keep them lean throughout their life! Check out our article on how to help your cat lose weight if you're unsure how to keep them lean.Joint supplements can help with keeping cartilage in joints healthy so have a chat with your vet for recommendations.🩺

March 1, 2023

Can cats have food allergies?

Does your cat seem to have a ‘sensitive’ tummy or skin issues? Like humans, cats can have allergic reactions to food. Symptoms can vary, so read on to find out what to look out for and which foods your cat is most likely to be allergic to.. What is a food allergy? A food allergy happens when the immune system reacts abnormally to a protein in food. It causes inflammation leading to a range of different symptoms 🩺. Our furry besties can develop food allergies from the age of three months old onwards. Foods that cats are most commonly allergic to are beef, fish, chicken and dairy 👀. For an allergy to develop to a particular protein, our feline friends have to have been exposed to it previously; which means, even if your cat has always been on the same food, they can become allergic to it😏. What are the signs of a food allergy? Food allergies can cause skin signs, digestive tract signs or both. Skin signs include general body itchiness causing cats to over groom and traumatise themselves (wounds, abrasions). It can also make them prone to recurrent skin and ear infections. Digestive tract signs of a food allergy manifest as; vomiting, diarrhoea, more frequent bowel movements, straining when passing faeces and flatulence😮‍💨. Which diets are suitable for cats with food allergies? A food trial should be performed for 6-8 weeks to confirm whether your cat’s signs are due to a food allergy 🐈‍. The diets that are most likely to be successful for a food trial are prescription ‘hydrolysed’ protein ones🩺. ‘Hydrolysed’ means the protein is broken down into tiny molecules so that your cat’s immune system doesn’t recognise it and therefore doesn’t react to it.🐾 Currently the only prescription hydrolysed diets available in the UK are; Purina Proplan Veterinary Diet - HA® Hills z/d® Royal Canin hypoallergenic® or anallergenic SPECIFIC™ Allergen Management Plus Virbac Hypoallergy If your kitty says ‘no’ to the above diets 😼, you could try feeding a single source novel (new) protein that they have never had before such as; Hills d/d (duck and pea) - as long as your kitty has never had duck before Trovet Hypoallergenic - rabbit, insect, horse Katkin - ‘oink’ (pork) Feringa rabbit and parsnip When feeding a novel protein diet, you should choose only one type of protein and stick to that one for the whole trial. If you feed more than one protein, you won’t know which protein your cat is ok with. 💭 Another option is a home-cooked novel protein diet; however this must be formulated by a veterinary nutritionist as it needs to be carefully balanced in addition to being supplemented.👩🏽‍⚕️ How to change your cat’s diet Any diet change should be performed gradually over one to two weeks; read our article on ‘How to change your cats food’. This will also help fussy kitties accept new foods 👀- as cat parents we know how suspicious our besties can be! If your cat has severe symptoms which are suspected to be caused by a food allergy, you may want to swap them onto the new diet more quickly. During your cat’s food trial, it is important not to feed any treats or table scraps as even one lick or mouthful of a food they are allergic to can cause a relapse of symptoms. Resist those cute kitty eyes!😽 How do I know if the food trial has worked? Digestive upset signs such as vomiting and diarrhoea will usually improve within 2-4 weeks of being on the new diet but can take longer in some cats. To see an improvement in skin signs, it may take at least 6-8 weeks. 🐈‍ If your cat’s symptoms resolve by the end of the food trial, a way of finding out what your cat is allergic to, is to re-introduce one food ingredient at a time. If symptoms recur within a week of re-introduction, it suggests your cat is allergic to that food ingredient. However, many people will choose to keep their kitties on the special diet long term to avoid a relapse in symptoms. 👀 Finding out your furry bestie may have a food allergy can be a worrying time for a cat parent. However, fear not, as once you find the right diet, your cat will be feline good and get back to their purr-fect life.. 😻

March 1, 2023

6 DIY cat toys you can make at home!

Learn how we can get creative to encourage playtime Cats are natural hunters and love to play! Learn how we can get creative to encourage playtime 😺 Empty toilet rolls or egg boxes 🧻 Fill empty toilet rolls or empty egg boxes with a few treats and fold the ends over to make a puzzle. Cats enjoy working for their food and this is a great way to encourage playtime and build a deeper bond with your cat - they’re rewarded at the end too!😋 Cardboard boxes 📦 Does your cat like to play hide and seek? Or are they skilled at squeezing into empty containers? Why not make a den for your cat using an unwanted cardboard box! You can even personalise it by writing their name on the side or make it more ✨aesthetic✨ by covering it with a colourful blanket. Populate the deno with their favourite cushions and toys for the ultimate nap spot. Paper ribbons 🧵 Whether leftover from wrapping parcels or using for decorations, kitties love playing with these. Make a wand toy by tying it to a stick handle as you dangle the twine, or simply move it about on the floor to engage them in play, you can even add a little bell, ribbon, torn-up clothes clothes or pom pom if you’re feeling extra creative (see below)! Ping pong balls 🏓 Perhaps not something you would make yourself, but might have lying around the house. Kitties love chasing after ping pong balls - it’s the simple things! Rags 👗 Tear up some unwanted clothes and knot them together and up into a ball. You can even stuff old socks with them, along with a pinch of catnip if you want to spoil your moggie! Pom poms 🧶 A fun and colourful toy to throw around, pom poms are super easy to make by following our steps: Wrap yarn around a fork, around 80 times Tie a piece of yarn down the middle - knot this tightly! Slip the yarn off the fork and cut down the edges on both sides Ta-da! The perfect pom pom for your furry friend. We hope you’re feeling inspired by our eco-ideas. Tag us in your photos on Instagram and watch their activity levels increase on their Moggie monitor as you play with them! Read our article on how to encourage your cat to play, for more ideas.

March 1, 2023

Is my cat stressed?

5 signs your cat may be stressed Our cats can suffer from acute and chronic stress 😏. Signs of acute stress are easier to recognise and happen in response to a threat or unexpected incident. Chronic stress can be more challenging to recognise as signs are more subtle and develop over a longer period of time 😮‍💨. Chronic stress is more likely to impact your cat’s behaviour and may lead to medical issues. 🩺 Signs of acute stress Immobile; shaking body crouched on top of all fours, head lower than body, tail tucked close to body, eyes fully open with dilated pupils, ears flattened back, whiskers back👀 Vocalisation; distressed meow, yowling, growling, or silent Aggression if approached; hissing, drooling😼 Involuntary urination or defecation Signs of chronic stress Hiding Being hyper alert; jumping at the quietest sounds 😏 Urine spraying indoors Defecation in inappropriate places; not using litter tray Over-grooming (usually the belly area) Increased resting or pretending to be asleep Becoming more clingy or withdrawing from the cat or human fam (depending on personality) Changes in general behaviour such as spending more time indoors Aggression Not wanting to play or groom 🧶 Increased scratching on surfaces or facial rubbing Not wanting to eat or overeating depending on personality Physical symptoms of stress As well as causing changes in your cat’s behaviour, stress can also lead to physical symptoms such as 🩺; Diarrhoea Vomiting Skin sores caused by over-grooming Flare ups of cat flu (runny nose and eyes) Eating unusual things such as plastic or wool (‘pica’) Poor coat condition Frequent squatting and pain when passing urine (cystitis) What stresses my cat? Our furry besties are most commonly stressed by the interaction with their own species; whether it’s because they have to share resources with cat fam they don’t like 😮‍💨 or are being bullied by cats in the neighbourhood!😏 Us human folk can also accidentally contribute to our cat’s stress (oops!). You know when we insist on cuddling our cat but they aren’t in the mood?😏 💘 Or when we are being hot and cold depending on our own mood, which leaves our cat uncertain of how to respond to us at any time. The home environment can also play a role in your cat’s stress levels. Not having access to hiding places or a private place to use their litter tray is stressful. As is being confined indoors or lack of mental stimulation leading to boredom. Other causes of stress include; Moving home Unfamiliar cats coming into your home 🐈 Building work and home decoration Guests visiting A new baby Unneutered stray male cats or large numbers of cats in the neighbourhood 🐈🐈‍⬛ How can I make my cat feel less stressed? Cats are creatures of habit, therefore keeping your behaviour predictable and sticking to daily routines where possible is a great stress buster for your furry bestie 🐱! If your cat is particularly sensitive or during festive periods when daily routine can be lost, we would recommend having a calming pheromone diffuser (Feliway®, Pet Remedy) plugged in at all times. The number of cats you take on should be something you consider carefully as often cats prefer to live alone 👀; however, this can also depend on each cat’s individual personality. Making sure you have enough resources for your cat or cats such as litter trays, beds, toys 🧶, hiding places, scratching posts, food and water bowls is also key to minimising stress. The ideal formula to get this right is ‘one per cat plus one extra, placed in different locations’.🐈 When it comes to making your cat feel loved without causing stress😽; allow them to initiate contact with you to establish how much and what kind of affection they want 💓! If your cat lives indoors, ensure they have a stimulating and dynamic environment to keep them exercised and entertained. If your cat has outdoor access, letting them choose the time of their outdoor excursions is best as they will be aware of when neighbouring cats patrol the area; and therefore the times of day they feel most safe in their garden. 🐈

February 13, 2023