CAT OWNERSHIP

Researchers in the UK have recently determined that domestic cats are more neurotic and controlling than we may realize - and were probably overdoing it with all of our loving attention.

Published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology, the study from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and the Bronx Zoo compared the personalities of domestic cats with other big cats living in captivity, including snow leopards and African lions. Research determined that domestic cats have…

The One Health Initiative is a collaborative effort of multiple health science disciplines working together to advance global health for people, animals and the environment. Examples of health science disciplines and institutions include physicians, osteopaths, veterinarians, dentists and nurses; the American Medical Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Nurses Association, American Association of Public Health Physicians, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention…

The human-animal bond (HAB) is ancient, intricate and profound. Animals have been part of our earliest history as evidenced by pre-historic cave drawings suggesting to some that the fascination and bond may be innate. It isnt difficult to imagine early humans gathered around the evening fire with a furry companion nearby. Over the millennia, people domesticated animals, anthropomorphized them and incorporated them into religious ceremonies, culture, and, ultimately, the family. …

I dont know about you, but I experienced a lot of ups and downs over this past year. I moved into a new house in a new town; I encountered far more this old house types of problems than I anticipated; my new home experienced a fire a couple of months later; and I added a new (adult) cat to my peaceful multicat household. …

Best treatment for ear tumors

Q Recently, Marabelle, my 11-year-old Himalayan mix, was diagnosed with tumors in her ears and the only option offered by my veterinarian was to have her entire ear canal surgically removed. Even if I could afford this surgery, I am not convinced that it would contain the tumors. I also do not feel good about putting her through the suffering for this procedure.

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Do you think your cat loves you too much? Ive lived with numerous cats over the course of my life, and each came with a specific and unique personality - there were a few that were perfectly suited to playing with a child, happily enduring the dress-up sessions and the staged horse races (Tip: Johnny West was always a better rider than Malibu Barbi). …

While the stereotype of the cat being independent and uncaring about relationships with their people has largely been debunked, recent research does show that adult cats do appear to be fairly autonomous -even in relationships with beloved people - and not necessary dependent on others to provide a sense of protection. Dogs, on the other hand, do appear to perceive their owners as a safe base.

When it comes to mats, we just want to get rid of them. Lynn Paolillo, certifier and head instructor at National Cat Groomers Institute of America, Inc. shares a few important dos and donts to successful mat removal. Dont reach for the scissors: Never try to cut the mats out with scissors. Matting can pull skin inside the clumps and a cat can be easily cut with sharp equipment. Even a trained cat groomer will still…

Cats are known as naturally fastidious animals, and their meticulous hygiene habits make them a favored pet for many people and cultures. Cats come equipped with their own built-in grooming accessories: the barbed tongue combs out dead loose fur while saliva is a cleaning agent; the front paws become a loofah to clean around the face and ears; the incisors, the tiny front teeth, tease out tangles and remove debris; and the back paws replicate…

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In the August, 2015 issue of Catnip, we published an article entitled, "How to Raise a Healthy Kitten." Some readers were concerned by the following paragraph that quotes Michael Stone, DVM, clinical assistant professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.

Regarding spaying or neutering, he says that these procedures are advisable for the vast majority of cats. However, he adds: "Although they may be safely performed as …