Another Toesies Tuesday with Tonks

Tonks was pretty sure you needed to see her adorable toesies again this week, so here you go!

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, we gave a lengthy tip on administering oral medications to your kitty. Today, we're here to give a lengthy tip on the ins and outs of transdermal medications. Transdermal medications are those applied to and absorbed through the skin. A number of medications can be given this way, such as methimazole (for the treatment of hyperthyroidism) and even famotidine (Pepcid), just to name a couple. If you will be administering transdermal medication for your kitty, of course read the directions as prescribed by your veterinarian, and discuss with your veterinarian any concerns that you have.

So, transdermal medication has to be applied to, obviously, the skin. It is best applied to skin that is clean, free from as much as hair as possible, and where your kitty cannot easily lick or reach. This makes the pinna (the flap of the ear) an ideal place for applying transdermal medication.

To actually apply the transdermal medication, ensure that you are wearing gloves. As its name suggests, this type of medication does indeed absorb through the skin, and that includes your own skin as well as that of your kitty. If your kitty is on transdermal thyroid medication, for example, using your bare hand to apply it could lead to unwanted effects on your own endocrine system. So, put on disposable gloves, which are sometimes even provided with the prescription.

Next, when you and your kitty are ready and your hand is gloved, place the medication on your gloved finger. Transdermal medication is typically provided in pre-filled syringes, from which you can eject intended dosages. Sometimes it is suggested that you squirt the medication onto your index finger, but, ultimately, place it on whichever digit works best for you and for effective administration. I, personally, find it easiest to use my thumb.

Now, when you have the medication on your gloved finger, apply it to the upper to middle part of the pinna of the ear and rub it in. Again, this medication is easily absorbed through the skin, and so excess being left behind is not ideal. So, rub it in as thoroughly as possible, which of course will also ensure that your kitty is receiving his or her full dosage.

Once you have rubbed the medication in, you can dispose of your glove. For optimum safety, you can clean it off first, such as with soap and water. Then, you can remove it using the aid of a paper towel. Then, the glove and paper towel can be disposed of, of course in a receptacle where it cannot be easily removed by any curious paws or hands. Also be sure that you put away the syringes of medication away somewhere.

All of that being said, of course try to make the medication administration process as comfortable as possible for both your kitty and yourself. You can try to do apply transdermal medications when your kitty is relaxed, as long as you are prepared and are able to safely do so without getting any of the medication on yourself or anywhere else besides your kitty's ear. You can also, of course, use treats as a reward. Just as with oral medication administration, you can use a partner-in-crime if needed, or a blanket or towel to help keep your kitty still and safe. Sometimes it takes trial and error to figure out what works best for you and your kitty, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Mancat Monday: Naptime

It's Mancat Monday, and Evan has the right idea.

Evan hopes you all get to spend your Monday napping like he does!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We have just two days left of National Cat Heath Month. For these last couple of days, we'll be discussing some methods for administering medication to that kitty of yours. We'll be starting today with oral medications. 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. We will be discussing transdermal medications and subcutaneous injections over the next two days, so if either of those are a solution your veterinarian proposes, we'll be sharing tips on those as well.

Caturday Art: A Tail of Two Kitties

Hello and happy Caturday, friends! Our contribution to Athena's Caturday Art Blog Hop today is a rather basic wintry one.

That there was mostly scribbled up because I wanted to experiment giving one of my doodled snowkitties a tail. When I draw snowkitties, they're usually without a tail, the poor things, so I wanted to see how I could add a tail to a kitty made of snow. That's the result.

Warm wishes to all!

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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.

Friendly Fill-Ins and Photo Fails

Hello and welcome to the day of 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. An item discontinued that I want brought back is _________.

2. I would _________ every day if I could.

3. It's almost time for _________, and I can't wait.

4. _________ were the good old days.

My answers are below in bold.

1. An item discontinued that I want brought back is Astrid's favorite Purina Alpo canned food.

(It's been years since Astrid's favorite kind of canned food was discontinued, and we still struggle to get her to regularly eat any other brand of any flavor. She's one of the pickiest dogs I've ever met.)

2. I would stay home with my kitties and pup every day if I could.
(I've said this so many times you're all probably beyond tired of hearing it. I am a major homebody, though, and one of my goals in life is to at least mostly work remotely from home. Honestly, Evan is one of my main reasons for this. He is very attached to me, and as he gets older he seems to be starting to develop some separation anxiety, so I'd love to be home with him more during the work week.)

3. It's almost time for morning birdsongs, and I can't wait.

(I don't know if I'm in a minority with this, but I'm actually a major morning person. I often get up before the sun. In the winter it's so quiet when I get up, which I don't mind, but I do love early spring when the birds are all playing a little soundtrack outside in the morning.)

4. Any days with my furbabies were the good old days.

(This of course relates to past and present furbabies. Any days I get to share with them are the best days ever.)

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.

You better believe our resident blooper queen Eddy has some outtakes to share. Today, Eddy wanted you all to see her off-center and, of course, blurry.

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Since we've been giving a variety of food tips, 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.

A Sunshiny Thankful Thimble Thursday

Hello and happy Thursday, friends! Thimble is more than ready for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Thimble's gratitude today was an easy one for her to pick.

Is it obvious that Thimble is thankful for sunshine? After some pretty heavy rain and thunderstorms this week, we now have sunshine again, and the kitties are ecstatic. 

Are you friends of ours enjoying some sunshine? We sure hope so!

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

1. An item discontinued that I want brought back is _________.

2. I would _________ every day if I could.

3. It's almost time for _________, and I can't wait.

4. _________ were the good old days.

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We're making these National Cat Health Care Month tips stretch until the end of February. So, today's (incredibly long) tip is another one related to feeding those kitties of yours. In some cases, you might have multiple cats with differing dietary needs. For example, you may have one cat who needs a low-protein kidney diet in a household that also contains other cats in need of higher levels of protein. Or, you might have one cat on a diet for weight loss in a household also with other cats who should not be on a restrictive diet. Or, perhaps you simply have one kitty who steals the other kitty's food. If any of these are the case in your house, there are some possible ways to succeed in feeding your kitties their separate diets.

First, if your cats are of different sizes or have different physical abilities, there is a chance you can take advantage of these traits to separate their feeding stations. For example, if you have a large cat and a kitten needing separate foods, you could cut a hole in an upside box in which the kitten can fit, but not the larger cat. This way, the kitten could be fed its kitten food in the box without the larger cat feasting on the food. You can also try feeding one cat its food on various elevated surfaces, if its housemate cat on a different diet is unable to reach those elevated feeding spots.

Of course, there are many cases in which the above options simply will not work. If this is the case, one primary option is to stick to scheduled feedings of some sort, and to physically separate the cats during these feeding times. First, determine times of the day when you are home and can oversee feeding time, such as morning, lunch, and evening. Then, at feeding time, each cat can be given their specific diet separately under your observation. This can be done in a number of ways. You can simply separate the cats in the same room, if you are able to closely observe them so that no kitty's food is stolen by another. You can also separate the kitty's in the same room while using something such as baby gates to ensure they remain separated while they eat. Another option is, of course, shutting cats in different rooms to each eat their meal on their own. There is also a bowl on the market that can be linked to a certain microchip, and the bowl will only open and allow access to food for a furbaby with that particular microchip.

That all being said, if your cats are used to being free-fed all day and you find yourself needing to transition to scheduled feedings due to differing dietary needs, then do be patient and give this transition some time. A cat will have to get used to going from having access to food 24/7, to eating on a schedule. If need be, such as if your cats are not yet used to eating their meals at a scheduled time, then start this transition by feeding your cats more often, so that they will have more chances to eat their food throughout the day. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns with regard to feeding your kitties, do speak to your veterinarian!

Woof Woof Wednesday in the Window

You know what we haven't shared in a long time? A shot of pup Astrid pouting in her beloved window. Here, we'll remedy that now.

Oh, and Astrid most definitely wants to thank you all for the birthday wishes this week! We all appreciate you wonderful friends of ours so much.

Happy Wednesday!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

We've been getting lots of rain and so pup Astrid and I have been towing around an umbrella on our walks. So, this flashback doodle seemed apt enough for today.

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Tip of the Day

Not only is it important to offer your kitty fresh water and food, but it's also important to keep those water and food bowls nice and clean. When it comes to keeping bowls clean, do your best to steer clear of using plastic bowls, as these can most easily harbor bacteria and other microbes, especially in scratches that might be the result of claws or other use and abuse. Rather than plastic, go for bowls that are stainless steel, or even ceramic or glass. Even so, though, it is still important to clean any and all bowls often. Saliva, oils or grease, and other debris from food or the environment can lead to a dirty bowl, so even if you have stainless steel, ceramic, or glass bowls, do clean them often. Unclean bowls can lead to issues such as feline acne, or, in worst case scenarios, gastrointestinal or other serious conditions caused by dirty, spoiled remnants in a food or water bowl. So, though we're certain you all already know this, do be sure to keep those food and water bowls spick and span!

Tonks Tuesday: Toesies and a Tongue

It's Tonks Tuesday, and today this calico girl is here to share her adorable toesies with you all.

Oh, and here's a bit of tongue as well.

Do you enjoy a good and blurry action shot? Yes? Well, good, because here you go.

Happy Tuesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

Yesterday, as part of our National Cat Health Care Month series of tips, we mentioned 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!

Happy Birthday, Astrid!

A certain special someone is celebrating a birthday today!

You can probably tell from those big ol' paws, or perhaps from the title of this post, that it's none other than pup Astrid who is celebrating her birthday.

Do you know how old Astrid is turning today? Well, do you? It shocks this here human that sweet, sassy, happy, active, and all around goofy girl Astrid is turning 10 years old. That number doesn't concern Astrid one bit, though. Her only concern is eating that cookie cake of hers.

I try not to let myself be anxious about pup Astrid now entering the double digits. Honestly, I console myself with the fact that Astrid doesn't act her age. Even having torn her CCL and undergoing surgery with a lengthy recovery period late last year, this 10-year-old puppy is still hyperactive and happy to run and jump whenever and wherever she can. Like I said, Astrid doesn't act her age, and that makes me beyond happy.

Happy Birthday, Astrid! All of your humans and kitties love you so much!

All of you friends of ours are more than welcome to join our birthday bash today! There's plenty of cake, cookies, ice cream, and hyper energy to go around.

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Tip of the Day

Today's National Cat Health Care Month tip is all about those litter boxes. Especially if you have multiple cats, make sure that you have enough litter boxes with regard to the number of kitties in the home. It is often recommended that you have as many litter as you have cats, plus one. If there are not enough litter boxes, it is possible that cats might quickly find the litter boxes too filled or dirty, or that there might even be some bullying or battles over use of litter boxes. This could lead some cats to have to hold onto their urine or stool, which in turn could lead to issues such as UTIs or constipation. Or, some cats might simply begin looking for other areas in the house to urinate or defecate outside of the box.

Other litter box issues that might lead to health concerns or unwanted behaviors include litter boxes that are not cleaned enough, litter boxes that are in an area that is too high traffic for some cats' preference, litter boxes that are hidden too far away for certain cats' liking, or litter boxes that contain a type of litter that certain cats simply do not prefer. Obviously, issues such as holding urine or stool, resulting UTIs and constipation, and out-of-box urination and defecation are not ideal. For these reasons, do be sure that the litter box situation is suitable for all cats in the house, so that all the kitties involved can stay as happy and healthy as possible.

Friendly Fill-Ins

Hello and welcome to the Friendly Fill-Ins challenge! We'd love for you to join us in the fun. 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 was pleasantly surprised to discover that _________.

2. I am disappointed with _________.

3. I _________ when I hear _________.

4. I didn't believe _________ until I saw it for myself.

My answers are below in bold. This week, they're yet again all about the furbabies, and I yet again rambled far more than necessary.

1. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that quite a few non-prescription canned cat foods have low ash content.
(Though Evan's urethral blockage back in December was not caused by stones or crystals, I still now try to only feed him food that is for urinary health or that at least has a low ash content, as those minerals can lead to issues in cats with feline lower urinary tract disease. I have found a urinary tract health dry food that Evan will willingly and even happily eat. When it comes to canned food, though, I have had no luck in getting him to eat the kinds that are specifically for cats with urinary tract disease. So, after doing some research and talking to Evan's regular vet, I went on a mission to find canned cat food with ash content of roughly 3% or less. To my surprise, I found quite a few options, even within my kitties' favorite brands, like Fancy Feast and Friskies.)

2. I am disappointed with the quality of pup Astrid's current stock of poop bags.

(Weird answer, I know, but it's true. I've never had poop bags that rip so easily. You remove it from the roll a bit too emphatically? Torn poop bag. You stick your hand in there just wrong? Rip. You breathe wrong? The bag's integrity just can't handle it. The worst is when you don't notice one has ripped, and then suddenly there's you-know-what all over your hands. Even better when you're on a walk far from home and have to walk home like that. It's a glamorous life.)

3. I flinch when I hear Tonks running up behind me.

(This calico girl of mine is the kind of kitty that will take a flying leap off the ground so that she can land on your back or shoulder. She prefers to do so when you're bent over, like when you're trying to scoop litter boxes, but she'll also happily do this when you're standing straight up. She's actually pretty graceful about it, but when she's due for a nail trim, it can be quite painful. She also loves to use this time to bite my hair and more or less rip it out of my scalp. And she loves bobby pins, so if I'm wearing any of those, sayonara to them. I love that my sweet Tonks finds so much joy in jumping on me and climbing me like a jungle gym, but I still often flinch when I hear or see her running at me, because sometimes her enthusiasm is kind of scary.)

4. I didn't believe Feliway really worked until I saw it for myself.

(In an attempt to make this explanation less than the length of a novel, I'll first say that my incredibly skittish and sometimes semi-feral girl Eddy responded to the stress and general craziness surrounding Astrid's CCL surgery and Evan's urethral blockage by overgrooming and pulling out the hair on her sides. Giving her amitriptyline actually helped, but it got to a point where she would run from me and hide every time I walked into a room, as she hates being given medications of any kind. I couldn't let that be her life, so I opted to instead try Feliway diffusers. I hadn't seen many benefits with Feliway in the past when it was used at the cat clinic where I used to work, but for Eddy I grabbed the "optimum" strength Feliway diffuser. And you know what? It actually helps Eddy. I go overkill and plug two of them into Eddy's favorite room, replacing them every time they run out. Though she still has some occasional overgrooming on days when she's likely feeding off of my stress related to work, Evan's health, etc., overall Eddy's hair has mostly grown back and she overgrooms only very infrequently. Thanks, Feliway.) 

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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Though it might be cold outside today, we had us a couple of unseasonably warm days this week. You know what that meant? Window whiffies! And you better believe Eddy took full advantage.

Did any of our friends out there get to enjoy window whiffies this week? Eddy sure hopes you did!

Happy Friday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

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Tip of the Day

We have a couple more tips related to this National Cat Health Care Month. These last ones are some random bits and pieces to help keep your kitty as happy and healthy as possible. Today it's all about those ears. Just as with humans, our kitties' ears can get a bit dirty. Wax can accumulate in a cat's ears, and can even become impacted. Your vet will likely check your cat's ears during their regular exams, but in between those times, if needed, you can help keep your kitty's ears clean at home. The safest thing to do is to ask your veterinarian not only if and how often your kitty needs those ears washed, but also what ear cleanser to use. Many veterinary offices will have pet-friendly ear cleaning solutions available. Some of these simply require that you drip some in the cat's ear and then rub the base of the ear. It can often be as simple and easy as that, if that is something your veterinarian thinks is of benefit to your kitty.

Also related to ear health is allergies. Airborne allergies can lead to itchy ears, just as can food allergies. Ear infections can result from such allergies, or from other potential causes. No matter the reason, always be sure to keep an eye on those ears. Does your kitty hold one or both ears down? Does he or she scratch at them? Are there scabs or hair loss around the ears? Are the ears warm to the touch? Do they have a strange odor to them? Ear infections, or other issues of the ear, can of course manifest in a variety of ways. So, if you have any concerns, do discuss the topic with a veterinarian. If there is an infection, antibiotics for the affected ear or ears will be necessary to treat the infection. Infections in the ear can lead to permanent damage if left untreated, so though it may seem like a small concern, that's not necessarily the case.

The ears are just one of the many parts of your kitty that can affect their overall health and happiness. This time of year, especially in extremely cold temperatures, kitties who live or go outdoors could even potentially suffer from frostbite on their ears. This is just one more example of an ailment that can afflict those feline ears. All in all, keep an eye on those ears!

Thankful Thimble Thursday: Not So Tiny Toesies

Hell and happy Thursday, friends! Thimble is ready for Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop.

Today, this little tabby girl Thimble is grateful for her adorable little toesies.

To be honest, Thimble's toesies actually aren't all that little, at least not for her size. She weighs in at 10 lbs and is a rather short and small little thing, yet she has huge feet for her little body. That said, her paws are nothing compared to her 25-lb littermate Trapper's giant feet. He has monster paws. I'm pretty sure I have a photo of his feet from one of my many visits to my parents' house, so I'll have to find that and show you soon.

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Now, how about we finally 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 was pleasantly surprised to discover that _________.

2. I am disappointed with _________.

3. I _________ when I hear _________.

4. I didn't believe _________ until I saw it for myself.

We'll see you tomorrow, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is a rather random winter one. I believe it was actually an illustration for a poem I wrote for Angel Sammy's Thoroughly Poetic Thursday challenge (which I really do intend to begin participating in again soon). I saw it when going through old doodles, and it stars my angels Rosie and Sammy, whom I have not shared nearly enough lately, so I simply had to pick it.

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Tip of the Day

We're still in National Cat Health Care Month, so we're not done with this topic just yet. We've previously mentioned using interactive toys to keep your cat active, as well as to help control their eating habits. These types of toys can also play a large role in another aspect of a cat's life, though, and that is with regard to mental stimulation. Just as with us humans, cats' minds need to be exercised just like their bodies do. Without mental stimulation, a cat can become unhappy and can act out, such as with unwanted or even dangerous behaviors, like aggression. Toys and games are just one way that you can help keep your cat's mind active and healthy.

Another method for giving your cat's mind a workout is to ensure they have a good view out of at least one window, but preferably many windows throughout the house. Watching birds, squirrels, and other wildlife, as well as people and even cars, can give your cat something to watch and something to stimulate their mind. Cats are natural predators, so of course having a view of birds and squirrels, for example, is something that they often greatly enjoy. You can put furniture, a cat tree, or even a box near a window, or even a secure screen door, where your cat can perch and watch out.

Also, don't forget the wonders that a TV or computer can work. Some cats greatly enjoy watching movement on the television, such as if they can see on the screen other animals and wildlife just like they might see out the window. The computer is also great for this. Some websites even have games or screensavers designed specifically for cats' enjoyment. Of course, do be careful that the TV or computer and any related parts and pieces are safe for your kitty, and that your kitty is safe for them.

There are many ways you can ensure that your kitty has proper mental stimulation. So, to keep your kitty happy and healthy all around, try to find their favorite means of engaging that mind of theirs.

Adventures with Astrid: The Pawprint Investigation

We're certainly not getting any snow this warm week of February, but Astrid still wanted to share a snowy adventure she had earlier this month.

See those pawprints in the snow? Those are not Astrid's, and so she's certainly investigating them.

Astrid looked around to make sure the owner of those pawprints wasn't anywhere nearby. After all, this pup is not a big fan of other dogs, and she wanted this bridge to herself.

No other pups in sight. Whew.

Happy Wednesday, friends!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Yesterday, for Valentine's Day, we shared a flashback doodle in honor of tuxie Toby's love for pup Astrid. That said, one of Toby's (and Thimble's) brothers, that being Trapper, also loves Astrid more than just a little bit. Trapper is one of my parents' many kitties, and so every time Astrid visits their house, Trapper is all over her. Today's doodle is another Valentine flashback, this one starring Astrid and Trapper.

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Tip of the Day

As a continuation of our National Cat Health Month tips, we have a bit more (more like a lot more) to say on food and weight management for those kitties in your life. We've already discussed selecting a proper diet for weight management, as well as initiating activity and playtime to aid in any needed weight loss. Today, to add on to that, we're going to give a couple of tips that could potentially help keep certain feline food fiends healthy and fit.

The following tips will most relate to those cats who scarf down their food. Eating fast can, to put it simply, lead a cat to immediately desiring more food, even after just eating, and can thereby lead to weight gain if they indeed attain that second or even third serving. Another negative side effect of rapid eating is that a cat can also regurgitate or vomit food that they gobbled up too quickly, and excess vomiting is of course less than ideal. To help reduce these issues related to rapid eating, there are a couple of tricks you could try.

To begin, you could of course try one of those famous treat-dispensing toys. Making your cat work for their food in this way can help them to eat slower, as they will not be able to scarf down a serving so quickly. It will also prompt activity on their part, which will keep their little body moving and burning extra calories even while eating.

Another trick to help slow down those quick eaters is to simply use a plate rather than a bowl. Food served on a plate is not as easily scarfed, since they will not have the sides of a bowl to help keep the food in place and easily inhaled into their mouth. Another similar method would simply involve feeding your cat their food directly on the floor, from which they will again have to be careful and diligent about picking up and eating the morsels. In this same line of thought, you could try putting something such as a ping pong ball or golf ball in your cat's bowl or plate with their food. The kitty will then have to eat around the ball, and that will thereby help slow their eating. There are also bowls on the market that serve this same purpose, such as bowls that have partitions around which a cat has to more carefully eat their food.

The above are all just some simple tricks that could potentially help slow a cat's eating. Helping a food-focused cat eat in a slower, more controlled way can help them realize that they are full after eating, so that they can perhaps refrain from immediately begging for more food after inhaling their meal. Of course, that being said, do be aware and mindful of your cat's response to these methods. If they are unable to figure out how to reach their meal in a food dispenser, or if they seem unable or unwilling to eat from a certain bowl or plate, then reassess the methods you could use to slow their eating, or discuss other options with a veterinarian.

Happy Valentine's Day!

On this Valentine's Day, Tonks is here with some flashbacks to remind you all of her love for someone special.

And that special someone is her big brother Evan.

Tonks even has a little animation of her love for Evan.

Evan might not be so thrilled to be the favorite sibling of pretty much all of his sisters, but he tolerates them and their advances pretty well nonetheless.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

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Flashback Valentine Doodle of the Day

I unfortunately didn't get our new Valentine doodle finished this weekend as I instead spent time with my grandma. That's okay, though, because we'll still share it this week. While the new one is dark and admittedly a bit macabre, today's flashback is another bright, pink, and purple one.

This doodle was scribbled up a couple of years ago, specifically in honor of the unabashed crush our housemate tuxie Toby has on resident pup Astrid.

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Tip of the Day

Today's National Cat Health Month tip is in honor of Valentine's Day. On this day of love, be sure to keep your furbaby's health in mind. For example, Valentine's Day often includes gifts in the form of chocolate or flowers, and it also might include a little alcohol and the like. All such items can be dangerous to our furbabies, though. As you all certainly know, keep chocolate, alcohol, any potentially hazardous food items, and lilies or any questionable plants well out of your furbaby's reach. Also consider items such as wrappers, ribbons, balloons, and cellophane. All of these can pose risks such as choking, intestinal perforation or obstruction, and other potential dangers. So, also keep these items out of your furbaby's reach. We're sure none of these tips are anything new to you animal lovers, but do still keep all such considerations in mind on days like Valentine's Day, and every day.

Mancat Monday: Heat Wave

Hello and happy Mancat Monday, friends! We're in a bit of a February heat wave, which is bringing with it lots of sunshine. Evan is not one bit upset by that.

My plans for this weekend to prep and schedule some posts so that they don't go up so late got a bit derailed. It was for a good reason, though, as my grandmother came to visit. I hope to get a lot done while cuddling with my orange boy on the couch after work throughout this week. The only problem is when I end up cuddling him so much that I fall asleep and take a nap with him instead of getting stuff done, but such is life when you have a cute kitty curled up next to you.

Wishing you all a wonderful day!

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Flashback Doodle of the Day

Today's flashback doodle is another sort of Valentine one from a couple years ago. It's far less bright and pink than the ones we shared last week. It still involves some tasty treats, though, and of course kitties.

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Tip of the Day

We're continuing on with our tips for National Cat Health Month, today's tip being all about diet and exercise. As you all certainly know, not all foods are created equal. Always be sure to do your research and read labels, ensuring that you are feeding your kitty food that is as high-quality as possible, and address any concerns with your veterinarian. Also remember that cats are obligate carnivores, so make sure that their diet largely reflects this. In addition, when it comes to feeding your cat, it is of course important to take a number of other factors into consideration, such as their age and health status. For example, kittens do best on foods formulated for kittens, as these diets will include higher protein and fat content, which helps aid in their growth and development. As your cat ages, consider how their health will affect their dietary needs. For example, does your cat have kidney disease or diabetes? Cats with kidney disease should be on a diet lower in protein, in order to help their kidneys function as well as possible. On the other hand, cats with diabetes are often better regulated when on a diet higher in protein. Other factors that could affect diet include of course food allergies, dermatitis, arthritis, dental disease, and weight.

Speaking of weight, if your cat is overweight, then portion control is of course important, as is the type of food, frequency of feedings, and other such factors. There are weight loss cat foods on the market, these often focusing on high protein intake, but do be sure to discuss with a veterinarian your kitty's weight and the best diet to help them live a healthy, fit life. Similarly, if a cat is underweight, such as due to an illness, diet can play a large role in increasing their weight and overall health. Again, discuss with a veterinarian what type and quantity of food to feed your cat in order to achieve an optimal weight.

Moving on from diet, though, we'll now briefly discuss activity level. We'll primarily discuss this in terms of overweight cats, as activity level indeed affects this greatly. So, especially if your cat is overweight, engage them in various activities and games each day. You can grab a toy and play chase or catch with them. Wand toys, as you all certainly know, are often great at getting cats up and moving. You can also enlist the help of more advanced interactive toys, which can keep your cat busy without you having to do all the work. Anything that is safe yet that also keeps your kitty's interest and prompts them to move around and participate in daily activity can be a great benefit to their body condition and overall health.

The above being said, if your cat is in any way ill or injured, such as with asthma or an injury, do be sure to discuss with a veterinarian what types of activity are safe for them. Diet and activity level will both of course play a large roll in keeping your cat's weight in a healthy range, but not all diets and activity levels are suited for all cats. So, if your cat is overweight, or even underweight, perhaps do some research, discuss your individual kitty's condition with a veterinarian, and then remain motivated and optimistic about getting your kitty healthy and fit.

Long-Lost Caturday Art

Today's long-lost Caturday Art is one that I created back in October but just never shared. Don't worry, it's not a Halloween doodle, sadly. Instead, it's a little something I scribbled up for my parents' 35th wedding anniversary.

My parents have 12 cats who rule their house. That pretty much explains what you're seeing above.

Happy Caturday, friends!

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Tip of the Day

Today's National Cat Health Month tip is one we already gave recently, but that we'll repeat yet again because it can be very important for your kitty's health. And this tip is to keep up with those preventatives. Typically recommended for monthly administration, different forms of prevention can, of course, prevent a variety of health concerns. For example, flea prevention can help keep your kitty free from flea infestations, flea bites and related dermatitis, bloodborne diseases that can be contracted from fleas, and other issues that arise from a kitty having fleas. Especially depending on your cat's lifestyle, such as if they go outdoors, administering prevention for parasites such as tapeworms and roundworms can also be beneficial. If infested, various intestinal worms can lead to issues such as diarrhea and weight loss, among others. Also don't forget the concern of heartworms, which can stem from mosquitoes. Heartworms can be a very dangerous parasite that can affect the heart and lungs, so preventing this is of course something significant to consider. Prevention is something to always consider for keeping your kitty happy and healthy. That being said, do always still discuss this with your veterinarian, who can help you determine your kitty's risk for certain parasites, and which preventatives might be best or safest for your kitty.