Cats

There's nothing cuter than seeing your sweet cat curled up in a tight ball, paws over his eyes, taking a quick "cat nap." Sometimes it may feel like your little furball is napping all day long. So why do cats sleep so much? If you think your kitty's sleeping an extra-long time, you're not imagining things. Cats tend to be most active at dusk and dawn, but they can still sleep 15 hours a day or more. This is a lot more than an average person sleeps every day. The reason your cat sleeps a lot is that he's saving up his energy for big hunts or playtimes with you.

When you're having a baby, it's perfectly normal to be hypervigilant about safety. You want to protect your baby from danger, and you'll do whatever it takes to keep your little bundle of joy safe. As you cover electrical sockets and attach dressers to walls, are there other kinds of dangers you need to be aware of?

What's the difference between a feral and a stray cat? Watching a cat running around outside without a home might just be enough to melt your heart. But sometimes all the different terms used to describe homeless cats can get a little confusing. If you've ever wondered what's a feral cat versus a stray cat, you're not alone. Some people use the words interchangeably, but there really is a difference. A stray cat is more socialized, while a feral cat is very scared of people. But it's a little more complicated than that.

The average house cat lives a relaxing life filled with naps, naps, and more naps. But barn cats have a serious job to perform—controlling the rodent population in barns. You can help keep your hardworking barn cat happy and safe by providing the necessities: veterinary care, comfortable shelter, food, water, and fun. Let's take a closer look at each one.

Community cats are your local population of free-roaming felines. They include adults, kittens, healthy, sick, altered, unaltered, friendly, or feral (unsocialized and fearful of people) cats, and may or may not have a caregiver.

Taking your cat's temperature is easy to do at home with a little preparation. The most accurate way to take a cat's temperature is by gently inserting a lubricated thermometer into the cat's rectum. Pet-specific oral, ear, and skin thermometers are also available at many pet stores. These are easier to use, but may be less accurate than taking a rectal temperature.

Cats love to meow and "talk" to their owners, but sometimes it can get a little out of hand, even for the cutest fur babies. When your cat is meowing frequently and can't seem to stop, you may find yourself asking: "Why does my cat meow a lot?" Excessive meowing can have many causes, including boredom, wanting to talk with you, feeling hungry, or being stressed or sick. The key is learning to translate your cat's meows.

Have you ever woken up to find your cat sleeping on your chest or curled up on top of your legs? Or maybe your kitty likes to nestle on your lap while you're watching TV. Whatever the case, you've probably asked at some point, "Why does my cat lay on me?" Cats generally snuggle up with you because they love you and you help them feel warm, safe, and secure.

Do cats get bored? It's a valid concern. You want your fur baby to be happy and healthy, but you might worry that your cat doesn't have enough activities to stay entertained. A cat that over-grooms, eats too much, or becomes a little destructive might have too much pent-up energy because he's bored. You can help by providing lots of mental stimulation through interactive toys, playtime, cat trees and perches, and clicker training.