More and more we’re seeing cats being kept as inside pets only, and there is good reason for this. The great outdoors, even in your neighborhood, are full of dangers for our domestic felines. Dogs, coyotes, other wildlife, cars, cruel humans, infectious diseases, and even other cats are all reasons to keep your kitty confined in the safety of your home. With that said, being inside the house all the time without any feline-specific entertainment might get a little boring. Cats are used to climbing trees, hiding in bushes, and more. How can we offer them more room to roam? Find out below! #1 – Add a Bedskirt This might sound funny, but chances are your cat can fit under your bed and even enjoys napping there. Cats love hiding, even when nothing overtly scary is going on, and covering the bottom of your bed with a bedskirt can offer the much-needed security of a hiding spot. You might be surprised how often your cat is under the bed if it feels safe and cozy enough, so if you’re lacking a bedskirt, you might want to give it a try. Image source: #2 – Wall Shelves Wall shelves and cat trees are the modern cat climbers, and owners love them. The cats do too, because they certainly use them all the time. These are plain shelves that attach to the wall and offer your cat a bed higher up, as if they were in an actual tree. You can grow catnip on them, put up a comfy pillow, or leave them completely bare. They can go in any and every room and are a nice way to offer your cat more space without taking up much of your own. #3 – Cat Climbers The classic carpet cat climbers, or cat trees, shouldn’t be forgotten. Although many people don’t like to see cat trees all over their homes, they do provide a great way for your cat to stay entertained. Cat climbers can be used for basic exercise, play, hiding, napping and even scratching – all things that are necessary for cats to live a happy, healthy life. Image source: #4 – Outdoor Cat Runs Outdoor cat runs are the best way to allow your cat to get some time under the sun. Just like a dog kennel, these runs are designed for felines and are completely enclosed, ensuring they are able to spend time exploring the outdoors without the risk of getting lost, injured or worse. Although cats should never be left out there unsupervised, you can definitely allow your cat to spend as much time as they like outside. It might sound silly, but the cats seem to love them and they are a great way to give a lot of extra space without taking up a single square inch inside your home. The post appeared first on .

Depending on the size and breed of a cat, each one has a specific weight requirement that is best for a long, healthy life. For pet parents with overweight or obese cats, finding the right diet is paramount. We have partnered with , who have provided us with some helpful information about reaching and maintaining your cat’s weight goals. What Causes Obesity In Cats? Even a regular feeding schedule can result in an overweight cat. Things such as treats and an unbalanced diet can lead to cat obesity. To determine the best diet for weight loss in cats, it is important to understand the leading causes of feline obesity. Free Feeding For those who have a busy schedule, allowing their cats to graze on a large amount of food throughout the day is a tempting option. However, when a cat is allowed to free feed, she tends to eat more than she needs. Cat Treats It is hard for a cat to turn down a tasty treat. Since cat treats tend to be small, many pet parents do not realize how many extra calories they are giving their cat. Too many cat treats can cause cats to gain weight quickly. Nutrition Cats are “obligate carnivores.” This means that for a cat’s nutrition to be at its absolute best, diets need to be meat-based. Meat provides the amino acids and vitamins that cats need to stay healthy and happy. Ensure your cat is eating a food that is properly balanced to meet her biological needs. This can help in maintaining a healthy weight. The Best Diets for Weight Loss in Cats Putting a cat on a weight loss diet is as easy as knowing the right foods to feed her. Here are the best weight loss diets to feed an overweight or obese cat, and the benefits: High-Protein Diet Cats do best on a high-protein diet, especially those who need to lose weight gradually over a period of time. High-protein diets contain carnitine, an amino acid that cats need to turn fat reserves into energy. While found in abundance in animal meat, many plants that can be found in many dry cat foods, such as wheat, lack the carnitine that cats need. Scheduled Feeding Diet Teaching a cat to adhere to a food schedule is easier than most people think. The first thing to know is the amount of food the cat needs every day. This does vary depending on the size, age, breed, and health of the cat in question. As a baseline, your average house cat needs about 150-200 calories a day, equivalent to about 1 can of your typical 5.5-ounce cat food, about ½ a cup of dry food, or about 5 ounces of fresh food. Once a vet has determined the right weight for the breed of cat, taking up a scheduled feeding diet allows pet parents to gradually control the amount of food their cat eats every day. Pet parents should feed their cat two to four times each day with a set amount of food that is to be eaten in one sitting. Every pet parent wants to give their cat the right nutrition and to make sure she stays active and healthy. If you suspect that diet is playing a role in your cat’s unhealthy weight, trying perfectly portioned, fresh meals may be the answer. Our fresh food partner is and to give their delivery service a try. They are , only available to the iHeartCats community. The post appeared first on .

There’s only one downside to being a cat parent: stinky, dirty litter boxes. In addition to the mess and odor, clay and clumping litters often contain potentially harmful chemicals that have no business near your family. That’s why iHeartCats partnered with , a revolutionary new product that blows the competition out of the water when it comes to safety, cleanliness, odor-control, and much more! 1. Less Litter Means Less Scooping With , you use far less product and only have to scoop when there’s poop! Clumping litters turn urine into hard, messy lumps, but absorbs and eliminates moisture, so you only have to replace the revolutionary crystals once a month. 2. Less Dust, Less Mess We’ll get to how harmful the dust from traditional cat litters can be, but for now, let’s focus on the mess. The particles from dusty litters drift through the air and cling to surrounding surfaces in your home, not to mention the litter box itself. When your cat goes potty, clay litters become messy, muddy, and difficult to clean. Not to mention the bits that become stuck in your kitty’s paws and spread throughout your home! ‘s highly absorbent crystals are virtually dust-free and do not clump. Instead, they trap and absorb moisture, meaning less mess, less odor, and less housework! 3. PrettyLitter Offers The BEST Odor Control Traditional litters are often scented in an attempt to cover up stinky poop and urine odors. Instead of a fresher home, you end up with perfume-scented kitty waste. Yuck. effectively traps and eliminates odors, leaving no need for artificial perfumes. Your litter box will always be refreshingly scent and odor-free. customer Rachel R. says: “This is the best cat litter ever! I have had cats for over 20 years and I have never had a litter box not smell… until I bought this! We are on week 2 and I have to remember to clean it because you can’t smell if there is poop or not. I recommended it to everyone I know!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️” 4. It’s Up To 80% Lighter Depending on the number of cats in your home, you probably use about 20 to 30 pounds of traditional litter each month. This means buying in bulk, or multiple trips to the pet supply store. With , a month’s supply weighs just 4-6 pounds! The revolutionary crystals are 80% lighter than regular litter, and the amazing moisture and odor-trapping formula allows you to use far less! Stop hefting massive sacks of traditional litter from the shelf to the register; from the register to your car; and from your car into your home. Sign up for and have a lightweight bag delivered to your doorstep every month for no additional charge! 5. Free Delivery You read that right! provides absolutely free-shipping to all customers in the continental U.S. Simply sign up and never run out of kitty litter again! 6. PrettyLitter is Safer For The Entire Family Did you know that most clumping cat litters contain not one, but two ingredients dangerous to people and pets? Sodium Bentonite Sodium Bentonite is a clumping agent that helps solidify your cat’s waste into hard, scoopable lumps. It is often used in grouting and sealing products. When exposed to liquid, this substance expands up to 18 times its original size. If ingested by your cat, dog, or curious toddler, serious gastrointestinal problems may occur, including life-threatening blockages. Even inhaling the dust can cause harmful buildup in the lungs. Crystalline Silica Dust As frightening as Sodium Bentonite sounds, the dangers associated with Crystalline Silica Dust are even worse. According to the United States (OSHA): “Crystalline silica has been classified as a human lung carcinogen. Additionally, breathing crystalline silica dust can cause silicosis, which in severe cases can be disabling, or even fatal. The silica dust enters the lungs and causes the formation of scar tissue, thus reducing the lungs’ ability to take in oxygen.” With these risks in mind, the creators of designed their product to be completely safe and non-toxic to people and pets alike. That includes the litter-box-loving family dog! 7. It Features Revolutionary Health-Monitoring Technology does more than just avoid toxic chemicals, it actively helps protect your cat’s health. What really sets it apart from your average store-bought cat litter is its ability to alert you to potential health problems before your kitty even shows symptoms. It may even save their life. is designed to change color when something is off in your cat’s urine. It can help identify urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and life-threatening renal failure. Customer, Jean A. had no idea one of her cats was suffering with urinary issues until ‘s revolutionary color-changing formula brought it to her attention. “The color changing aspect of the litter really works. I recently noticed that the color had changed to green but wasn’t sure which of my 2 cats had a problem. I thought it was my older cat, Nugget, but it turned out to be the younger one, Callie, who had crystals in his bladder.” 8. PrettyLitter Saves You Money You can’t put a price tag on health and safety, but despite its clear superiority, is actually more cost-effective than the leading cat litter! A month’s supply of for one cat is $22, less than the average one-cat family spends on store-bought litter. In addition, can also help you save on vet bills through early detection of potential health problems. iHeartCats.com is proud to partner with . This amazing litter helps make your life easier while keeping tabs on your cat’s health, too. For a limited time, when you use code IHEARTCATS. So enjoy peace of mind like never before. is so much more than just litter. It’s a lifesaver! The post appeared first on .

Love Cats. Drink Wine. What could be more relaxing than spending some quality with your cat? Maybe adding a glass of wine and feeding shelter cats. Great news! iHeartsCats is excited to announce our new partnership with (pronounced wink). What’s Winc, you ask? It’s just quite possibly the best way to enjoy a glass of wine without ever having to leave home. Plus, with your order 25 meals will be donated to shelter cats. Even better, Winc is offering a special discount exclusively for iHeartCats fans. Here’s how it work: Discover Your Bottles Answer 6 simple questions to give Winc a better idea of what you like. Your personal taste. They call it your Palate Profile™. They Deliver Winc delivers 4 wine bottles specifically for you and your unique tastes. Winc Customizes Your Wine Selections Based upon your wine ratings, can make recommendations that suit you best. Satisfaction Guaranteed Never pay for a bottle you don’t like. Skip a month. Cancel at anytime. But could you really turn away a good bottle of wine? It’s like not petting your pretty kitty when she lays on your lap. “ believes that the experience of getting a great bottle of wine should be as simple as enjoying one. Our team creates and curates over a hundred wines, and makes the experience of exploring wine easy and pleasurable—So you can spend more time enjoying the wine in your glass.” -Winc Exclusive Offer – Big Savings & Feed 25 Shelter Cats As a special offer just for iHeartCats fans, is offering a $26 discount on your wine order, that is 4 bottles for the price of 2 and complimentary shipping! And each order will feed 25 shelter cats. So what are you waiting for? Get on over to . Don’t just take our word for it. See what other people are saying! ☆☆☆☆☆“I really enjoy shopping online for wine at Winc. They give you so much more information about each wine than you get at a liquor store or grocery store, so it makes selection a lot easier, and more FUN! Because I know so much more about the wines I’m buying, I end up liking them almost all the time! Winc asks me questions about what I like so they can make suggestions, which helps a lot too!” Google Review – January 24, 2019 ☆☆☆☆☆ “Delivery is always fast and easy. Love how they give you food pairings for some of the wines. Overall, a lot of fun and I’m always excited to get that box once a month!” Google Review – January 18, 2019 ☆☆☆☆☆“Meow mow. Meee-Ow!”Anonymous Kitty Here’s A Good Pairing While you’re sampling your wine, here’s a great way to set the mood. . Plus, each shirt purchase feeds an additional 14 shelter cats. We’ll drink to that! Or maybe you’d prefer to sip chardonnay from one of our . Be the toast of the town as you proudly show your love for cats with every sip. Check out all , pop a cork and relax with your sweet, furry kitty. So if you love spending time with your cat, drinking wine and feeding shelter cats all at the same time, . Look at it this way – you’re not only rescuing wine from the bottle, you’re also rescuing cats. Cheers to that! The post appeared first on .

Cats don’t speak our languages, so it can be difficult to understand exactly what they’re trying to say. Although they’re known for being independent animals, they do need love and affection and enjoy being with their human family. In fact, there are many ways cats show their love for us, we just might not recognize it as a simple, “I love you.” If your cat does anything on this list, though, there’s a good chance they’re just letting you know how they feel. #1 – Head Butting Believe it or not, when your cat gives you a head butt, she’s actually marking her territory. That’s right, by rubbing her head against you, she’s depositing her pheromones to let all other cats know that you belong to her. This sounds a little possessive and weird, but it definitely means that your cat wants to keep you around for herself! This is just a sign that your cat loves you and wants the world to know that you two belong together. #2 – Kneading Cats are known for their kneading behavior, which is pretty unique among animals. Cats start doing this as baby kittens when they are nursing on their mothers. It’s a sign of comfort and safety, so when your cat starts kneading you while you’re petting him and falling asleep, you can rest assured that he’s feeling just as loved as he did when he was a wee kitten. #3 – Following You If you have a cat, you probably know she’s going to follow you wherever you go. We mean literally everywhere. In fact, in can start to surprise new cat owners when their cat watches them in the bathroom or they wake up to a cat staring in their face. But never fear, these felines aren’t trying to spy on your every move in order to plan their next attack. They’re actually following you around because they love being by your side! While she might not be sitting in your lap the entire time, just wanting to be in the room with you is proof that she needs and wants you around. #4 – Bringing Gifts At some point or another, you’re likely to receive a gift from your cat. If he’s an indoor only cat, you’ll be lucky in that it will likely be in the form of a favorite toy or random item from the house. However, if you have a rodent infestation or an indoor-outdoor cat, you might wake up to find a deceased animal at your doorstep. Don’t be frightened – he’s simply trying to offer a gift of love and gratitude. Cats are natural hunters and very efficient ones at that, so these gifts are a way for your cat to offer his skills and show what he’s capable of. #5 – Making Eye Contact In the cat world, making eye contact with a stranger is a challenge. It means you’re looking to fight, be it for a mate or your territory. Because of this, eye contact is generally avoided in the feline world. Your cat will likely tend to make eye contact only with people she trusts and is comfortable around. It’s a very intimate act and your cats eye contact with a slow, trusting blink, is a sure sign she loves you and is comfortable around you. The post appeared first on .

There are people proud to call themselves Team Dog and others firmly on the feline side of things, but the world doesn’t have to be split into dog people and cat people. In fact, if you’re an animal lover, you probably appreciate the jolly innocence of dogs just as much as a cat’s independent charm. You love them both, and you want both your dog and your cat to live peacefully by your side. But before you all live happily ever after, you have to get past the first introductions. How you introduce a dog to a cat will set the stage for their future relationship. You want to do everything you can to foster a good bond between furry friends, and here’s how to do it. First, think about personalities. Regardless of species, most when making new friends. If the personalities don’t mesh, it doesn’t matter how well the introduction goes. You can’t force two opposite temperaments to get along. This is an important lesson to remember when you want to introduce a dog to a cat. Whether you’ve had your dog for years and want to add a cat to the mix or vice versa, everyone will get along better if their personalities complement each other. points out that a fearful cat will not like a rambunctious dog. At the same time, a timid dog won’t appreciate sharing space with an outgoing cat. It doesn’t matter that one likes bones and the other prefers catnip mice; it’ll be conflicting personalities that cause trouble. Before you sign the adoption papers for your new pet, take time to get to know them. If you have a playful dog at home, he’ll do best with a confident cat that can stand her ground. If your older pup is more laid back, he might appreciate a feline friend that enjoys relaxing as much as he does. Now, brush up on dog and cat body language. When you introduce a dog to a cat, understanding body language is key. How the animals move their ears, tails, and eyes will tell you whether you have fast friends or weary strangers. You need to be fluent in both canine and feline body language to interpret what’s happening and know what to do next. Cats A swishing tail, pinned ears, and an arched back are all signs a cat is either irritated, afraid, or uncomfortable. They’re warning signs the cat might lash out with claws extended or run and hide. If your new kitty displays this kind of body language when meeting your dog, don’t panic. It’s not the end of the road, but it means you’ll have to spend a little more time in forging this new friendship. You want your cat to show confident body language. Her body should be loose with ears in a naturally pricked position. If she slow blinks and has narrow pupils, that’s also a good sign she’s not feeling any stress. Dogs Whether your dog is the resident pet or the new addition, you need to know about his prey drive. are known for loving the thrill of the chase, and introducing a small animal might not be an option for them. These breeds have been brought up to be hunters, and it’s in their blood to want to chase, capture, and sometimes kill small creatures. If your dog attempts to chase birds or squirrels, there’s a good chance he’ll see a cat as potential prey. There are ways to , but you’ll have to be extra cautious when introducing a prey-driven dog to a cat. If the dog looks at the cat and his body seems stiff or frozen and his eyes are unblinking, he’s overly fixated. He might bark or whine and refuse to take his eyes away from the cat. This kind of body language is a warning sign. Don’t let the dog near the cat while this is happening. You want his body language to be loose and relaxed, and you’ll have to work with him until that happens. How to Introduce a Dog to a Cat 1. Start With Smells When you first bring your new addition home, give her a chance to explore the house on her own. She’ll smell the other animal that lives there, but try to arrange for your resident pet to be out of the building. Entering a new place is stressful enough without being faced with making a new friend right away. Once she’s taken her tour, start your introduction between dog and cat through smell. Get the cat settled in a bedroom or another room that’s easily closed off. Close the door and let the dog approach. Both the dog and cat will smell each other, but they won’t see each other. Watch their body language for signs of over-excitement or discomfort. If they act calm and content, reward them with pets, praise, and treats. If the dog obsessively barks, whines, or scratches at the door, work with him to pull his focus. Try to distract him with a training session or meal time. Don’t move on to step two until he’s no longer obsessed with the door. 2. Add in Sight How long your pets stay separated behind the door depends on how they react to each other. When both parties seem relatively relaxed (a little excited is okay), move them to an area where they can see each other, but there’s still separation. A gate or screen door will work best. Have a friend stay on one side with the cat while you hold your dog’s leash. If you introduce a dog to a cat outside, the cat should also have a harness and leash in case she gets spooked and runs away. Watch their body language again and go through the same process you did in step one. Test the dog by trying to take his focus away from the cat. If you can get him to look at you fairly easily, that’s a good sign. If you can’t, move him backward until you find the threshold where he sees the cat but isn’t obsessed. Praise and reward him at this distance before taking a few steps closer. Go slowly, and don’t rush the process. You want your dog to focus mainly on you and not the cat. 3. Meet Whisker to Whisker Finally, remove the barrier. Keep your dog on a leash as you let him approach the cat. Carefully watch for body language and be ready to separate the two if a fight seems imminent. Cats aren’t as big a threat to dogs as dogs are to cats, but those claws can still do damage. Watch your cat for signs of stress and remove the dog if you need to. As long as everyone seems happy and friendly, dole out praise and rewards. You want to create positive associations all around, and eventually, your dog and cat will learn having the other around means good things happen. It might take a few days, or even a few weeks, to successfully introduce a dog to a cat, but don’t rush. It’s okay to move backward through the steps if you need to, and don’t feel discouraged if your dog and cat don’t become instant best friends. Supervise their interactions for several weeks to make sure everyone gets along. Bonds between pets take time, and your realistic goal is to have everyone feeling safe and stress-free in your home. Contact a professional trainer for help if you can’t seem to get your dog and cat on friendly terms. The post appeared first on .

Cats instinctively prefer to bury their waste, so the litter box should be their favorite place in your home to take care of business. Unfortunately, cats have delicate sensibilities and there are a variety of factors that can cause them to avoid certain areas or objects. If your kitty is leaving stinky presents outside of his or her litter box, consider the following ten possible causes for the behavior.

Your kitty has claws; claws that they hopefully keep to themselves. But it’s not unusual to sometimes find them destroying furniture or tearing fibers out of your rugs and carpet. You don’t have to surrender everything in your home to your cat to keep them happy. A little entertainment and training can help extend the life of your furniture! According to veterinarian . We aren’t surprised to hear that many cats scratch just because it feels good; you can see in the way they arch their backs, stretch as far as they can, and flick their tails that they’re really enjoying it! It seems rude to interrupt them mid-scratch/stretch even if their claws are dug into your sofa when they do it! (Like when someone interrupts you mid-yawn!) Don’t deprive your cat of this small pleasure, instead, make this an opportunity to train your kitty and spend some time with her. The hangs up high, giving your cat plenty of room to stretch up and scratch all the way back down. Positive reinforcement can quickly teach your kitty that this is a spot just for her to sink her claws into. Not only will it keep your furniture a little safer, it will also promote healthy circulation in her toes and nail beds! Deterring your cat from destroying furniture doesn’t have to be all work. Next time you see her get ready to sink her claws into the couch, offer a distraction. Cats are natural born hunters, and teasers like the play to your cat’s deeply ingrained hunting instinct. The feathers and bells won’t just catch her attention, they’ll catch her claws, too, and your furniture will live to see another day. Although scratching is normal for a cat, excessively destructive behavior is not. Your cat will never attack your personal belongings because they’re angry at you or just feeling spiteful. Some cats can suffer from separation anxiety, and in the effort to self-soothe, may take to clawing whatever they can. If your cat only seems to attack your home when you’re gone, consider trying the . When you have to go out you can leave this with your cat, stuffed with the most soothing scent to them – your scent! Stuff it with a pillowcase or recently worn shirt and leave as a reminder to your cat that you’ll be back soon. When all else fails, there are options to keep your furniture safe even if your cat won’t stop trying to claw it. Some people will spray their cat’s favorite “bad” spots to scratch, but few sprays are consistent. deters your cat from destroying furniture without sprays. The smooth tape doesn’t have the same appeal that a rougher surface would, so your cat just loses interest and moves on. Of course, you don’t want your cat to wander off and find a new piece of furniture to destroy. Make sure your cat has plenty to keep her entertained and remind her where her claws should go when you see her ready to scratch. The post appeared first on .

Too often we have people joining the forums begging for help with feline behaviors which disrupt their lives. “Help! I’m about to lose my mind because my cat won’t let me sleep at night!” “Why can’t I have any nice things? Kitty keeps breaking everything that I place on the shelf…” “My hands are covered…

Owners of new kittens can be easily identified all too often – all you have to do is look at their hands. Kittens are notorious for attacking hands during playtime, and those tiny teeth and claws can and do leave marks on delicate human skin. Some owners take pleasure in this form of play, at…

If you have been reading a bit about feline behavior, then you should know by now that cats and discipline don’t mix; in other words, you should never punish your cat. Cats are not dogs and you simply can’t take your cat to obedience class… That said, sometimes you need to lay down some rules…

One of the reasons cats make such great indoor pets is their natural way of using litter to cover their urine and feces. When they go outside the box, it’s a very frustrating experience for owners who literally have to deal with the mess. So, why do cats go outside the box? And what can…

Does your cat have behavioral or health problems? Could they be due to stress? Litterbox issues, aggression, skin disease and bowel conditions – as well as many other health and behavior problems – can all be triggered or exacerbated by stress. As cat owners, we should always be aware of the potential causes of stress…

Stress is a part of life, and pretty much everything and anything can stress some cats. Events, situations and ongoing conditions can all create some amount of stress. The reaction to stress varies greatly from one cat to another, with some felines being far more sensitive than others. However, extended exposure to significant stressors can…

“Can someone please help me? My cat is driving me crazy! She won’t let me sleep!” This type of message appears frequently in our behavior forum as cat owners nerves quickly unravel as their cat/kitten draws them nightly into sleep deprivation. You can just feel their frustration as they discuss the options they are using;…

It must be a serious question, because it comes up in our forums often enough. Cat owners misunderstanding cat behavior, wanting to know if something is wrong with their cats will declare that they are plagued with “stupid cats!” If you think about it, your cat was smart enough to land in your home, where…

Cats have a whole range of vocal sounds that most owners learn to appreciate. Cat chat can be very meaningful, even though cats also use a variety of other communications media, other than sounds, such as body posture and scent marking. Getting To Know The Feline Repertoire Almost all cats use some form of vocal…

Why You Should Never Punish Your Cat The words discipline and cats should never be used in the same sentence. A cat does not respond to discipline in a positive learning fashion. Rubbing a cat’s nose in a recent urine stain on your carpet is liable to get you either bit or scratched or start…

What is Spraying? Some cat owners are familiar with this scene: the cat backs up toward a vertical surface, holds up its tail and sprays urine in several short bursts. That cat is not simply urinating outside his litter box, but rather marking territory with urine. The difference between regular urination and spraying is in…

What Is My Cat Trying To Tell Me? In doing the research for this article, I was amazed to learn that there really is not a lot of information out there about this fascinating but mysterious behavior in cats known as The Silent Meow. If we have been observant, we may have been fortunate enough…