Springtime Cat Shedding

March 27, 2013

All of a sudden I’m seeing little tufts of grey hair here & there on the carpet.  Following them like a trail of crumbs from Hansel & Gretel they lead me to my Dessa’s favorite sleeping places. Now I know! It’s spring and the time for cats to shed their winter coat.

Shedding is normal and healthy for cats. It helps them get rid of dead and loose hair which can irritate their skin. Being a Russian Blue our cat has a thick, dense double coat of fur.  She has a lot of fur to shed!  (This can also mean a lot of hairballs).

We know it’s time to step up the brushing and grooming to help her out.  Some cats love this attention and Dessa tolerates it fairly well when she is in a mellow mood. It’s also a good “bonding” time but when she has had enough she definitely lets us know!  After a brushing her coat feels so soft and sleek when you stroke her.  And I bet she feels refreshed.

Cat hair

A thick pile of cat fur. A couple of days brushing.

"This smells familiar!"

“This smells familiar!”

Some people make good use of this fur.  They might spin it into a soft yarn for knitting or crocheting. Or transform it into handicrafts as seen in the book, Crafting with Cat Hair.  We use the fur and hair from other animals for miscellaneous things so is this so different?  It’s your call!

There’s no items made of cat hair/fur at Georgia’s Gifts, but we have whimsical gifts & decor for cat lovers everywhere. We invite you to check us out!

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2 Comments | Animals and Pets, Cat Decor, Cat Facts, Indoor Cats, Our Cats, Russian Blue Cats | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by ggcats

Cat Road Casualty- What Would You Do?

February 1, 2013

This is not a fun topic, but it is reality.  This week driving to work I came across a dead cat in the road.  In the past I have stopped and pulled a cat’s body to the curb so it would not get run over again and possibly the owner could find it.  This time I did not have the heart to do it and drove on after looking to make sure that it was indeed a casualty. But it has been weighing on my mind ever since.

I know everyone has seen cats in the road. What should you do?  Should you call animal control? Knock on doors to try & find the owner? Take it to a vet?  I do think if it was still alive I would do this, IF it would let me near.

I go through a lot of emotions when I find a cat like this. My first reaction is a deep sadness for the poor cat.  I say a little prayer for his soul and hope that he went instantly.  Next I feel anger that the owner let the cat outdoors. I am a definitely advocate for keeping your pet indoors.  How many thousands of cats have to die by cars, coyotes, snakes, poison and more before people see the good sense of this?

I’m planning to make sure I stop next time there is a poor kitty in the road. But I would like to hear from you.  What would you do?  Tell me your stories.  And go give your kitty a kiss and scratch and be glad it is safe and sound with you, INDOORS.

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Me and our lovely Dessa.

2 Comments | Animals and Pets, Cat Facts, Indoor Cats | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by ggcats

Heartbeat Of A Cat

November 14, 2012

I have a secret favorite thing to do. I like to hold my kitty in a certain way so I can feel her heartbeat. There’s something about that soft but constant beat that assures me that my beautiful girl is healthy and happy. Plus it reminds me that this is a warm, furry creature of nature that’s allowing me to be in its world for a moment before struggling to get free from my firm grasp.

I did some research about “cat’s hearts” online. Below is a diagram of a cat’s anatomy just to show where a cat’s heart is located to make it easier for you to find the spot to feel the heartbeat.  Did you know a cat’s beat is almost double that of a human’s?  The range is from 120 - 220, depending on how excited your cat is.  A relaxed cat should be around 130.

I also watched a few anatomy dissections which I prefer not to even think about again. And I read about heart disease in cats and what to look for and do but that’s not the purpose of this post.

I’d rather think about that sweet heartbeat in my kitty as a confirmation of life and appreciate her for just being the wonderful creature she is – a cat!

Dessa cat washing paw

4 Comments | Cat Anatomy, Cat Facts, Indoor Cats, Kittens, Russian Blue Cats | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by ggcats

Following The Sun

July 8, 2012

We all know that cats are the supreme nappers.  They manage to look so cozy and comfortable in almost any position or place. What I enjoy is watching my cat “follow the sun”.

She knows all the best sunny spots in the house according to the time of day. Mornings will find her in her favorite kitchen chair by the window.  She has me trained to open the blinds more for her or to swivel the chair for the best sun angle. (she has taught me this nonverbal, of course).

Dessa sunning on chair

Ahh, just the right spot!

Dessa and sun rays on floor

Getting the last rays of the morning.

Afternoons she moves to the other side of the house to relax in a pool of sunshine and do some lazy cleaning.

Dessa in sun washing paw

Just a little “me” time.

Finally at the end of the day, she finds the last little square of sunshine coming in the west window and tucks in as only cats can do.

Dessa in sun square.

My day is almost complete. Next: dinner.

Does this remind you of your cats? Do they have some favorite sunny spots? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear about them!

1 Comment | Animals and Pets, Cat Humor, Indoor Cats, Our Cats, Russian Blue Cats | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by ggcats

The Absolute Cuteness of A Sleeping Cat!

April 7, 2012

Once in a while I like to just sit and watch my cat. Sometimes she is so busy-  a face bath takes a while, and that tail needs to be smoothed down, and those freshly trimmed claws need some attention to make sure they feel right. Then she has to just sit and ponder her world for a bit. If only we could have a glimpse into a cat’s mind to see what they are thinking!

Then after all that, it’s definitely time for a nap.  And the cat is the supreme napper!  Of course some might believe babies or puppies top the list, but for me the cat will win every time.

When the whole house is a bed, how do they decide where to curl up or stretch out?  I know after a nice lunch that sunny room is a preferred spot.  I’ve seen my cats move with the sun!

Or when a load of freshly dried laundry is so warm and inviting to a cat, how can I refuse letting her get a toasty snooze?

Another thing to enjoy is the many positions a cat will get in when in a deep, sound sleep.  I like the back curl, it looks like the cat is in pure ecstasy. Below are a few favorites.

Sleeping kitty in back curl pose

The "Back Curl" pose

Flying kitty sleep pose

I call this the "Flying Kitty" pose

"Dead to the World" sleep pose

I’m sure you also have a lot of favorite views of your sleeping kitty.  Tell us about them!

2 Comments | Cat Humor, Indoor Cats, Kittens, Our Cats, Russian Blue Cats | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by ggcats

Beware of Cat Crossing

February 6, 2012

There’s two distinct camps when deciding if a cat should be an “indoor only” cat or one that comes and goes.  Many believe it goes against the cat’s nature to keep it inside, when it should be outside hunting, climbing trees, chasing bugs and so forth.

For me, it only takes seeing a pile of fur at the side of the road to know which camp I’m in.  And I don’t even want to think about coyotes having a tasty meal.  In my opinion if a cat is raised inside, with lots of playtime, healthy food and a warm, dry bed then that cat has a quality life.

Driving around in residential areas at night I am always on the lookout for cats trying to cross the road. Sometimes my headlights catch their glowing eyes but many times I just see a dark shape sprinting to make it across. I cringe knowing it’s only a matter of time for that cat NOT to make it.  And I get angry at owners that let the cat out in the first place, putting it in harm’s way.

This debate could also include the subject of spaying and neutering, but I’ll save that for another day.  Also don’t get me started on declawing a cat!

Which “camp” are you in?

Cat Crossing Sign

 

 

4 Comments | Indoor Cats, Our Cats, Spay & Neuter | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by ggcats

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