Up Close and Personal on Mancat Monday

Hello and happy Monday, friends! Since it is indeed Mancat Monday, Evan wanted to grace you all with an up close and personal shot of his handsome face. Here you go!

Evan and all of us here wish you a wonderful day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

In March, I'll be working on my doodles for the April A to Z Challenge. I know what I'm doing for the alphabetical month and have planned out a number of the drawings already, but I have yet to make much actual drawing progress at all. So, that's what my artsy time in March will entail. That said, I do have some new drawings I'll be sharing with you in March. After all, I have a number of doodles I've finished over the past few months, possibly over the last year or so, many of which I simply never uploaded and shared. I'll work on uploading and sharing those in March since everything I draw this month will be shared in April.

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Tip of the Day

We're yet again going to be repeating a series of tips from previous years. This is because the topic at hand is an important one. After all, March is Pet Poison Awareness Month, and so we'll be giving some tips relating to this over the next couple of weeks. We'll begin with a simple one. For today, we just want to remind you to always have a plan for an emergency, of course including the possibility of your furbaby ingesting some form of toxic material. This could be chocolate, a poisonous plant, human medication, or even an item such as a battery. Being prepared would include knowing where to take your furbaby, as quickly as possible, in the event that they consume anything poisonous. For example, if the trip to your regular veterinarian is not a quick drive, then perhaps have another backup clinic in mind, one that is closer, in the event that you need to get your furbaby help in a very timely manner.

Along this same line of thought, also make sure you know the nearest emergency veterinary clinic, especially for evenings, weekends, and holidays. Have the phone number and address of said clinic handy, such as in your phone or on your refrigerator. What's more, we may not always think of this, but also try to be knowledgeable of how to get to any clinic you might need, before you might need to get there in a pinch. If need be, bookmark or print out directions to nearby clinics and keep them somewhere accessible. This way, should your furbaby get into anything poisonous, you can hop in the car and get help without delay. As we always say, it's better to be safe than sorry.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Blurry Eddy

Hello, friends! We're ready for the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge, and we'd love for you to join us. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.

1. I rue the day _________.

2. One thing I wish I had closure with is _________.

3. _________ recently took a turn for the worse when _________.

4. My _________ has improved thanks to _________.


My answers are below in bold. I rambled on and on and then on and on some more, and for that I apologize. Feel free to skim or skip my longwinded answers. I wouldn't blame you one bit.

1. I rue the day that I took my previous job as a veterinary assistant.
(This answer is mostly truth, but also partly a lie. Nearly 15 years ago, soon out of college, I took a job as a veterinary assistant at a new feline veterinary clinic in town. My boss was the founding and only veterinarian. She was a very controlling, caustic woman. Within a couple months of me starting, all of my fellow vet assistants and the one certified vet tech all quit or were fired. The vet never hired anyone else, and for over 2 years I was the only employee at this full-service veterinary clinic. I stayed because I was fresh out of college and wanted a job that used my animal sciences degree. I often worked 10-12 hours per day Monday through Friday, and the vet would often call wanting me to come in on weekends for one reason or another. She didn't like when I said no, but I started doing it anyway because I was exhausted. Finally, I resigned. She didn't like that either. All that said, I learned more about feline diseases and veterinary care in 2.5 years at this clinic than I did in 4 years of college. I will always be grateful for that knowledge, but not for the stress and exhaustion. The clinic is no longer open.)

2. One thing I wish I had closure with is what happened to the adoptable kitties at the aforementioned clinic after I resigned.
(The clinic I mentioned above had some adoptable kitties that we acquired over a couple years. We also had boarders, sometimes a dozen at a time, and so some mornings I was the only worker there to take care of 15+ kitties temporarily living there while also setting up for surgeries and appointments. But that's beside the point. When I left, there were 5 adoptable kitties at the clinic, one being a sweet little lady I was heavily considering adopting. Before I left for the final time, I said goodbye to all of them and gave them lots of kisses and cuddles. I often wish I knew what happened to those kitties. For all of her potential faults, the vet loved cats and so I know she wouldn't just dump the kitties, even after she closed her clinic. But, I still wish I knew they all had happy endings.)

3. My car recently took a turn for the worse when it refused to start.
(This is a bit of an exaggeration. I actually did get the car started, but it took at least half a dozen attempts before it finally decided to turn over. This was all related to the issues it had a few weeks ago, which had seemed to improve. They had apparently only done so temporarily, though, and so to the mechanic's shop my car went. Luckily it was fixable. The bill was a painful one, but this car is paid off. It's also 16 years old and so my car insurance payments are absolutely miniscule compared to those for newer cars. I'm really hoping to avoid car shopping for as long as possible, so I'm trying to keep this 16-year-old car going as long as possible.)

4. My writing habit has improved thanks to my attempts to stay disciplined.

(Though I haven't yet succeeded at writing in my book-in-progress every single day, or at least close to it, I've written more days this month than I haven't. Writing is a huge passion of mine, and publishing my weird stories is one of my greatest goals in life. I have some rather experimental publishing plans I'm determined to try out this year, so I've been staying as disciplined as possible when it comes to consistently writing. I'm participating in a writing challenge in March, and I hope to write 50,000 words over the month, so I need to ramp up my discipline, time management, and consistency even more.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

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And now it's time for the Pet Photo Fails Blog Hop, hosted by none other than Melissa and Mudpie of Melissa's Mochas, Mysteries, & Meows.

Eddy is, as always, our resident blooper queen. It's especially easy to get blurry shots of her when she's annoyed that I'm taking her photo, as was the case below.

Don't worry, Eddy got kisses and treats after those shots were snapped. That made her much happier, especially when it came to the treats. Eddy doesn't dislike kisses and cuddles, but she much prefers treats.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We've shared a couple other doodles from a witchy winter series I scribbled up a few years ago, so how about yet another one today?

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Tip of the Day

We're still in National Cat Heath Month, and today we'll be discussing some methods for administering medication to that kitty of yours. This is going to be a long one, so kudos to anyone who makes it to the end.

To begin, if your kitty is prescribed a medication in the form of a pill, tablet, or capsule, there are a number of methods for attempting administration. If possible, and if your kitty is open to the idea, you can use pill pockets or another form of treat in which to hide the medication, and then your kitty might simply eat it up that way. Sometimes pills, tablets, or capsules can also be hidden in a bowl of canned food. If it is small enough, the entire pill can be left intact and hidden whole in the food. Or, some pills can be crushed and then stirred in and masked by the moist food. That being said, some pills, tablets, and capsules are not as effective or sometimes not truly safe to crush and expose in this way, so always ask your veterinarian first regarding this method. 

If a kitty will not voluntarily ingest a pill in the above ways, though, then you may very well have to manually pill your cat. First and foremost, be gentle with this method, and make sure your kitty is as comfortable as possible, and of course not harmed. It's also important to ensure that you are not bitten. One of the best methods for pilling a cat involves placing your hand over the cat's head and more or less using their cheekbones as a handle. This way, you can gently tilt your kitty's head back, and they will often then open their mouth on their own. As long as you do it safely, you can also place the tip of a finger on the incisors (not the canines!) of the lower jaw in order to help open the mouth. When your kitty's mouth is open, you can carefully place the pill inside, trying to get it as far back on the tongue as is possible and safe. You can try doing this with the pill plain, or put it in a small treat to better mask it. When the pill is inside the mouth, close your kitty's mouth and gently hold it shut. Sometimes, if needed, blowing on their nose or gently rubbing their throat will prompt them to swallow the pill.

There are also pilling devices on the market. I personally do not prefer to use these, but for kitties who need it, you can try this method. When using a pilling device, you can use the same methods as indicated above for opening your kitty's mouth, and then use the device to place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible.

For kitties who simply do not tolerate being pilled, there is also the chance that the pill can be suspended in a liquid form. Do discuss this with your veterinarian, though, as this method is not effective with all medications. If the medication at hand is able to be given in liquid form, though, sometimes you can do this yourself, simply by crushing the pill and dissolving it in water or a safe broth or gravy. Other times, pharmacies can prepare a liquid solution for you. For tips on the administration of liquid medications, see below.

Next up, we have liquid oral medications. With these, you use the appropriate syringe or dropper to pull up the prescribed dosage. If your kitty does not sense it and refuse to eat it, you can sometimes mix liquid medication in moist food. If your kitty will not eat food laced with medication, though, then squirting it directly into their mouth is your likeliest option. It is typically recommended that liquid medications be injected into the pocket of space that is between the cheek and the teeth. As needed, you can use the methods indicated above for opening your kitty's mouth for easier administration of the liquid medication. However, do not tilt your kitty's head back when administering liquid medications, as aspiration is possible.

What's more, keep in mind that larger quantities of liquid medications, such as over 0.5 or 1.0 mL of medication, may need to be injected into the mouth in multiple rounds. This is because squirting larger quantities of liquid into your kitty's mouth could be dangerous, such as by potentially leading to aspiration. So, depending on the dosage prescribed, it might be safest to squirt in half or so of the liquid, allowing your kitty to swallow that, and then squirting the rest into the mouth.

Other tips include using having a partner-in-crime to help you administer your kitty's medication. One person can hold the kitty, for example, while the other gives the medication. Whether you are by yourself or have help, you can also use the help of a towel or blanket. You can wrap the kitty in this, to keep them and their legs still during the process.

If you have trouble giving your kitty oral medications, even when using methods such as those discussed above, of course discuss this with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian might be able to suggest other options for medication administration. For example, some medications can be given in a transdermal form on the skin, so this is one option to discuss with your vet if needed.

Thankful Thimble Thursday on a Fleece Blanket

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! You better believe Thimble is here and ready for Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, Thimble is again grateful for fleece blankets. They're one of her most favorite things in the world.

Thimble especially loves the fleece blankets form CatLadyBox. We're not sponsored, but Thimble did want to share how much she loves their blankets. Her most favorite is one with a pretty white kitty on it. That's the one Thimble usually snoozes on, but before that there photo was snapped her brother Evan may or may not have peed on it. The colorful blankie she's on in that photo up there is her second favorite.

Thimble hopes you all get to enjoy a fleece blanket nap in today!

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Now, let's share the fill-in statements for tomorrow's Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two, and I came up with the second two.

1. I rue the day _________.

2. One thing I wish I had closure with is _________.

3. _________ recently took a turn for the worse when _________.

4. My _________ has improved thanks to _________.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Yesterday we shared a witchy winter doodle I scribbled up a few years ago. That one was from a series of similar doodles, so here's yet another old one from that time.

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, as part of National Cat Health Month, our tip involved food allergies. Keep in mind, though, that cats can of course be allergic to any number of things, not just food. Symptoms such as itchy skin, hair loss, rashes, and so forth can also result from seasonal and airborne allergies, allergies to fleas, and any number of other allergens. A cat can even be allergic to fragrances and other components in items such as cat litter or laundry detergent.

That all being said, if your kitty has dermatological or even respiratory signs of allergies, try to pinpoint when it started, and discuss this with your veterinarian as needed. Keep track of if your cat displays symptoms year-round, or if the symptoms are new. Does your cat have scabs or bites on their skin? Is he or she on monthly preventatives for fleas? Did you start using a new kind of cat litter? What about a new kind of laundry detergent with which you've cleaned blankets and bedding? Think back to even weeks or months ago, as allergies can take time to manifest. If the onset of symptoms can be tracked down to exposure to a new litter or other removable or remediable environmental factor, then it might be an easy fix. If your kitty is diagnosed as having seasonal or airborne allergies, though, then you can discuss with your veterinarian what might be done to help your kitty stay as itch-free and comfortable as possible.

Snowy Adventures with Angel Astrid

Though our temperatures have dropped for more truly winter days, we were not in the path of the recent snowstorm. We didn't get a single snowflake, but I did still feel compelled to share a couple wintry photos of my sweet angel pup Astrid on walks during her favorite season.

Astrid truly loved winter. Cold weather and snow were two of her most favorite things.

I will forever cherish the memories I have of walking with my sweet angel during the winter, and any time of the year. Astrid always chose very long walks in the winter. It could be just barely over 0°F and she'd be begging to walk for miles. Then when it got to even just 60°F, she would get annoyed and choose shorter walks because she just wasn't into that sort of heat.

Warm wishes to all!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

A few years ago, I did a witchy series of winter doodles, so how about we share this one here?

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Tip of the Day

Can you believe that we're still on the topic of food? As we start to close out our National Cat Health Care Month tips, we're here today to offer a bit of a (lengthy) discussion on food intolerances versus food allergies. There is indeed a difference between the two, and both can affect your kitty and his or her health.

A food intolerance occurs when something found in a food cannot be properly digested in the body. For example, lactose intolerance occurs when a cat is deficient in lactase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose, a milk sugar. Such an intolerance can result in diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues, if the problem food is ingested. Just as with humans, it is indeed possible for cats to be intolerant to foods such as dairy, gluten, soy, corn, and any other number of food ingredients. If your kitty is suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, or other gastrointestinal distress after eating their food, then discontinue the food and discuss the issue with your veterinarian as needed.

Now, as for a food allergy, this is indeed different than an intolerance. A food allergy occurs when antibodies mount a response to a component in the food the cat is eating. In other words, the cat's immune system determines something in the food to be a harmful allergen, and so initiates an allergic reaction. This typically results in dermatological effects, such as itchy skin, scratching, redness, hair loss, and lesions. It is possible for a cat to have an allergy to any number of proteins that he or she has been exposed to in food. The types of food culprits can include beef, lamb, chicken, and turkey, just to name a couple.

That all being said, it can take time to develop an allergic response, as antibodies seen in allergic reactions only form after exposure to the food allergen at hand.. So, if you start your kitty on a new food, it may be a month or more later when they start developing signs such as itchy skin. For this reason, try to keep track of when you start your kitty on new foods, and also what types of food you have fed them. If a food allergy is expected, a veterinarian will often recommend the cat go on a novel diet, typically a diet containing a protein source to which the kitty has never before been exposed and therefore to which the kitty won't mount an allergic response. This is why it is important to keep track of the foods your kitty eats.

The same is important with regard to food intolerances. Food intolerances are more fast-acting than allergic responses, and symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting are more immediate. In this case also, though, it is still important to keep track of when you start your kitty on new food, or even when you open a new bag of food. Sometimes companies will make even slight changes in a food you've been buying for years, and sometimes those changes mean the introduction of components to which your kitty might be intolerant. So, keep tabs on any and all food going into your cat's body. This way, if need be, you and your veterinarian can determine what might be causing your cat distress, and can find the best options for keeping him or her healthy and happy.

Blurry Tonks on Tuesday

I recently tried to snap a photo of Tonks using the new scratcher the kitties got for Christmas. Obviously, when scratchers are involved, the kitties are usually in motion, which means I ended up with some blurry bloopers. They're still adorable, though, so Tonks wanted to share the shots.

Tonks hopes you enjoy these action shots! Happy Tuesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We've been going back and forth between warm weather that makes it feel like spring and of course cold, wintry weather. For that reason, we thought we'd share this seasonally confused flashback doodle.

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Tip of the Day

Still on the topic of food, today we figured we'd give a quick reminder on how to transition your cat to a new food, if needed. If a kitty is transitioned to a new food too quickly, a variety of gastrointestinal issues could possibly result, vomiting and diarrhea included. For this reason, it's generally recommended that you transition from the old food to the new food over a span of seven days or so.

To transition your cat to a new food, you can start by adding a small amount of the new food to the old food on the first day. Then, of course, you add more and more of the new food each day. On the final day of the transition, your kitty's food bowl will contain only the new food. Of course, when changing foods, keep in mind your particular kitty's overall status. If your cat is a finicky eater, whether by nature or due to age or an ailment, you may have to do a slower transition over a longer period of time, in order for them to accept the new food. In other cases, such as if your kitty is having adverse reactions to their current food, a more rapid or immediate transition might be necessary. This is of course something to discuss with your veterinarian. During any transition, of course keep an eye out for any adverse reactions. Alert your veterinarian of any concerns you have, and stop or slow the food transition as needed or as instructed if issues arise.

Mancat Monday with Handsome Evan

It's Mancat Monday, and you better believe mancat Evan is here to remind you all just how handsome he is. See?

He thought you might also enjoy a closer view of his adorable profile, so here you go.

Evan hopes seeing his good looks helped brighten your Monday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Our previous tip for National Cat Health Care Month was about the importance of providing your kitty with fresh, easily accessible water at all times. Similar to this, today we're here to remind you of the importance of ensuring that your kitty is fed fresh food on a regular basis. To begin, as you all certainly know, moist food can spoil if left out for too long. It won't go rancid right away, but if left out for long periods of time, there is a concern for spoilage and consequential gastrointestinal issues if eaten. For this reason, refrigerate any unused portions of moist food (which can be reheated for a short amount of time in the microwave), and do not leave moist food out in your kitty's bowls for too long. While far less likely, it is not impossible for dry food to spoil, not to mention the possibility of it becoming stale, or even ants helping themselves to food that is sitting out. So, try to ensure that uneaten old food is not left at the bottom of a bowl for too long. Also try to make sure that your kitty's dry food is stored in some form of an air-tight container, or at least that the bag is securely sealed.

Continuing on with the importance of fresh food, many cats are indeed picky eaters, which means it is quite possible that some kitties may not eat food that has been sitting out for a certain amount of time. In addition to this, as some cats age, their senses, including smell, start to diminish. Similarly, cats with certain ailments might need food with a fresh, strong odor in order to feel tempted to eat. This is another reason to offer food that is fresh and therefore enticing, so that the kitty will indeed have a desire to eat it.

All of this being said, also keep in mind your individual cat's weight, diet, and overall health. It is of course important to ensure that your kitty has sufficient access to food. Food allowance or scheduling will be different for an underweight cat versus an overweight cat, so all such considerations have to be made. If you have any concerns regarding your cat's food situation, of course discuss this with a veterinarian.

Angel Astrid's Birthday, Friendly Fill-Ins, and Eddy with the Pup

I'm going to start this post by wishing my sweet angel pup Astrid a Happy Heavenly Birthday!

My girl Astrid loved cookies, and so each year I got her some to celebrate her big day.

Astrid would be 13 years old today. The last photo below was snapped on her birthday last year, when she turned 12.

Astrid, your humans and kitties miss you so much, and we love you always and forever. Happy Heavenly Birthday, sweet girl!

I didn't get Astrid's new birthday doodle done yet, though after much debate I did finally decide what I want to draw to celebrate this girl. At least I think I've decided. I've truly been having trouble settling on what to draw for my dear pup for her first heavenly birthday, hence why it's not done yet. I'll be working on that doodle this weekend. For today, to celebrate the sweet angel's birthday, how about a couple of her birthday doodles from the past?

That one up there was scribbled up a few years ago in honor of Astrid's love of ice cream. And the one below was her birthday doodle from last year, when all of the furry babies got Harry Potter-esque parties in their celebratory drawings.

Happy Birthday, Astrid! We hope you're having just as fun of a party up there as we're having for you down here!

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And now we have the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge. We'd love for you to join us! My amazing co-host Ellen of 15andmeowing came up with the first two fill-in statements, and I came up with the second two.

1. My zodiac sign is _________.

2. My Chinese zodiac animal sign is _________. 

3. For me, _________ brings back memories of _________.

4. _________ is the only thing keeping me from _________.


My answers are below in bold. Yet again, they're accompanied by far too much of my rambling.

1. My zodiac sign is Aries.

(I admittedly don't know much about astrology. I have known my zodiac sign since I was a kid, though. When I do see things about my zodiac sign, I often feel like I don't really relate to what is said about it. For this fill-in, I looked up some of those traits often listed for Aries, and I do relate to a couple, such as being independent or indeed having moments of impatience. That said, I don't relate to pretty much any other Aries descriptors I see. I'm not an impulsive or spontaneous person, I'm rarely short-tempered, I do not enjoy competition, and I'm really not all that energetic. I think I was born under the wrong sign.)

2. My Chinese zodiac animal sign is the snake.

(I had to look this one up. I know even less about the Chinese zodiac than I do about the, well, non-Chinese zodiac. I will note that I'm not a big fan of snakes, so I always cringe a bit when I'm reminded that my Chinese zodiac is indeed the snake. That said, I did look up some traits of the snake for the purpose of this fill-in, and I actually do relate to it quite a bit. That's probably because it's described as almost the complete opposite of the aforementioned Aries.)

3. For me, the smell of coffee brings back memories of sleepovers at my grandma's house.

(I don't drink coffee. I've never enjoyed the taste of it, not even when it's diluted with milk and chocolate. That said, a lot of people around me do drink coffee, both in terms of my family and coworkers. Every time I get a whiff of freshly brewed coffee, I'm taken back to the times I woke up at my grandma's house as a kid. She always brewed a batch of very strong coffee the moment she got up, and she still does to this day. While I don't like the taste of coffee, I do love the smell of it.)

4. My own doing or lack thereof is the only thing keeping me from achieving my goals.
(While things like work and life in general keep me busy, as they do with most people, I'm well aware that I'm the main reason I haven't yet accomplished some of my big goals. I'm talking about things like finishing and publishing the stories I'm writing and doing more with my art. I admittedly often lack the discipline, focus, or time management to fully work toward my goals, and that's something I'm constantly working on. That said, I've actually been writing quite a bit lately, though I have fallen a bit behind on the drawings I want to complete.)

Now it's your turn!

To add your link to the Friendly Fill-Ins Linky list, just click HERE!

You can also click on the badge below to add your link.

You are also welcome to complete the fill-ins in the comments below,

or in the comments on Ellen's blog, 15andmeowing.

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Since it's our pup Astrid's heavenly birthday, Eddy agreed to share one of the only photos I have of her posing with Astrid.

Eddy isn't a big fan of other animals in general, but she would have rather spent time with Astrid than the other kitties in the house (except for Evan, whom Eddy loves so much). Astrid was always such a perfect dog around cats. She loved them, and they loved her. The fact that even a skittish kitty like Eddy would sit with Astrid was always to me a testament to what an amazing, perfect dog Astrid was and always will be.

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Tip of the Day

Today's tip in our cat health series is plain and simple. We're here to remind you to make sure that your cat has easy access to fresh water at all times. Water intake is of course crucial to a kitty's health, as it is important for proper functioning of not only organs such as the kidneys, but all systems of the body. So, make sure that your cat has water readily available. Some considerations to make include ensuring that your kitty has water accessible in areas where they are comfortable drinking, such as somewhere that is not too heavy with foot traffic, yet also somewhere that they frequent often. You can of course also offer water bowls in multiple areas of the house, something that is often especially important in multi-cat households.

What's more, make sure that your kitty's water is in a bowl or other drinking vessel that they like. Some cats prefer typical bowls, some cats only want bowls with especially low sides, some cats might even show a preference for drinking water out of cups or another container with high sides, and other kitties prefer fountains or other sources of moving water. Also, of course, freshen up that water as often as possible or as needed. Cats can be picky creatures, and some cats might refuse to drink water that is not fresh. In addition, fresh water is also simply healthier overall. Offering your kitty a fountain is one way to keep their water fresh, as not only is the water moving, but fountains also typically contain filters. All in all, especially given how important it is for all bodily functions, make sure to give special attention to your kitty's water bowl.