Your Pets Daily - International Cat Day

International Cat Day – Discover the Clawsome World of Cats!

Katie Court — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 05:00:00 +0000

To mark International Cat Day, Thursday 8th August, Lonely Planet has teamed-up up with the Blue Cross national pet charity to launch its new children's book - Atlas of Cats and raise awareness of the importance of understanding more about our feline friends and how fostering cats can make a life-changing difference to furry lives.

Lonely Planet is purring with excitement for its latest book, Atlas of Cats, a claw-some adventure around the world which celebrates the rich diversity of feline life, exploring the unique personalities, behaviours, skills, and remarkable adaptations of over 60 domestic and 40 wild cat species.

Blue Cross knows all about the specialist needs and behaviours of cats, which is why they offer a fostering programme to help care for cats waiting for their forever homes.

Alyson Jones, Director of Rehoming and Fostering at Blue Cross, said: "Pets thrive in a home environment and our foster carers help us to prepare these pets for their new homes and understand the kind of forever home we need to find for them, while opening up space in our rehoming centres to help even more animals in desperate need. "It is particularly important for us to find foster homes for kittens, so that they can have positive experiences in a real home during their first few weeks of life. This helps them get used to everyday noises and activities, so that they grow into well-adjusted, confident, and happy adult pets.

"To raise awareness of the need for feline fostering, Head of Lonely Planet UK Tom Hall held a special feline book reading session at a Blue Cross rehoming centre in Hertfordshire and discovered kittens love a good book too. Sharing the cat profiles in Atlas of Cats with the adorable, fluffy audience, including insights on each feline's distinctive traits, remarkable abilities, how to speak cat and the vital role their wild cousins play in ecosystems around the globe.

Pounce on this beautifully illustrated, paw-some new book - collect a free copy of Atlas of Cats from your local Blue Cross charity shop today (8th August) and Lonely Planet will make a £10 donation to the charity on your behalf too.

To find out more about fostering for Blue Cross or find your nearest charity shop visit www.bluecross.org.uk

Lonely Planet Kids Atlas of Cats is also available from www.shop.lonelyplanet.com or where all good books are sold from £14.99

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Ten ways to celebrate International Cat Day on 8 August 2024

Katie Court — Tue, 06 Aug 2024 11:00:00 +0000

They're one of the UK's favourite pets, with 11 million cats owned by over a quarter of households – so it's only right they get their own celebration with International Cat Day on 8 August.

This year's event is all about the bond between cats and their owners, so charity Cats Protection has come up with its top 10 tips on how to mark the day:

Curl up to watch your favourite moggy movie: With an illustrious list of Hollywood cats to choose from, there's something for everyone. Sci-fi fans can get their feline fix with a rewatch of Alien, featuring Ripley and her faithful moggy Jonesy, while rom-com lovers can go misty-eyed with Audrey Hepburn and ginger puss Cat. For family viewing, you really are spoilt for choice, with much-loved classics like Aristocats, Garfield or the film adaptation of Dr Seuss's mischief-making Cat in the Hat.

Donate cat food: Many food banks are happy to accept pet food to help those struggling with costs. So, if your cat has turned their nose up at their food bowl, or if you'd like to help cat owners in your community, consider donating a bag, pouch or tin of cat food to your local food bank.

Brush up on your cat game play: Cats love to play – but not necessarily in way you may think. The games cats enjoy most will challenge both their mind and body and allow them to perform their natural behaviour like pouncing, hiding, and stalking. Take a crash course in learning how to become your cat's favourite playmate by checking out Cats Protection behaviourist Nicky Trevorrow's TedX talk at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2IUYCSlpBE

Plant catnip: Head to your local garden centre and pick up a Nepeta – commonly known as catmint or catnip – which will be happy growing in a pot or border. For many cats, one sniff of this pretty perennial is enough to send them into a blissful state of joy. Not only is it loved by cats, it's also fantastic for bees and other pollinators, and flowers all summer long.

Create a cat castle: It will come as no surprise to owners that cats love boxes – a lot. Perfect for snoozing, hiding or playing in, old cardboard boxes are great fun for cats and allow them to exhibit their natural behaviour. Keep hold of any large delivery boxes and create a cardboard kingdom fit for your favourite feline.

Reinvent odd socks into cat toys: Grab an old or odd sock, fill with a couple of tablespoons of dried catnip, tie off the opening with a knot and you have a fun toy for your favourite moggy. Not only will it keep your cat entertained, it's a great summer holiday craft idea for kids.

Read the Cat Manifesto: From Larry the Downing Street cat to new Prime Minister Keir Starmer's cat, moggies are at the heart of Government. Check out what laws and policies may feature on the political agenda by taking a look at The Cat Manifesto. www.cats.org.uk/manifesto

Fill your social feed with cats (and dogs): Dogs Trust will be marking International Cat Day by sharing photos of cats in the care of Cats Protection. And later in the month, on International Dog Day (26 August), Cats Protection will return the favour by filling its socials with dogs being cared for by Dogs Trust. Follow both charities on Instagram and get your daily fix of two of the nation's favourite pets.

Vote in the National Cat Awards: This summer, there's only one awards show that really matters – The National Cat Awards, run by Cats Protection. You can vote for one of 11 shortlisted cats, including Cilla, the cat who lives in a school and keeps staff and pupils entertained, 22-year-old veteran puss Dave and Marmaduke, the ginger moggy who helped his owner recover after the trauma of working as an emergency medical technician at Manchester Arena on the night of the May 2017 attack. Vote for your favourite at www.cats.org.uk/nca

Check your cat's microchip: Microchipping is the best way of ensuring your cat can be returned home if they get lost. But it only works if you keep your records are up to date on the microchip database. Take five minutes to check your address and phone number is correct with the company your cat's microchip is registered to. And if they're not already microchipped, make an appointment today – remember, microchipping is a legal requirement for cats in England.

Cats Protection Behaviour Officer Daniel Warren-Cummings said: "Cats are amazing pets, and most definitely deserve a whole day of celebration devoted to them. What makes cats so fascinating is their many different traits – their relentless curiosity, their fondness for cramming themselves into unusual places to sleep and their determination to live life as they choose.

"Of course, we also love them for everything they bring to our lives – the companionship around our homes, the affection when we've had a bad day and, of course, the laughter and fun they bring to our lives with their entertaining antics."

For more information on caring for cats, visit www.cats.org.uk

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What’s new pussy cat: the top feline breeds and names this International Cat Day (8th August)

Your Pets Daily Editor — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 11:38:46 +0000

Cats have been worshipped all over the world, way back into our history and it's well known that Ancient Egyptians believed they were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them.

In celebration of International Cat Day (8 August), GoCompare is honouring our estimated 10.7 million feline friends in the UK by revealing which breeds, and names are the most popular.

As seen in GoCompare's Petflation Report the number one breed for cat insurance searches is the "moggie" with 12,972 searches since September 2019. A Moggie (also known as a domestic shorthair) is a non-pedigree cat of mixed or unknown ancestry. They are generally friendly, low maintenance and pretty healthy, so it's no surprise that they came top of the list.

In second place is the Ragdoll. This docile breed first appeared back in the 1960s and has since gone on to be loved across America and the UK due to its affectionate nature. Any Ragdoll owner will know how they like to follow you from room to room, and this friendly attitude has seen them searched for 704 times.

With 559 insurance searches, the Bengal cat takes third place. While it might look like a small leopard, it's much friendlier than its wild cousin, and loves nothing more than playing with people. Completing the list are:

British shorthair – 541
Maine coon – 529
Persian – 351
British Blue Shorthair – 265
Siamese – 257
Sphynx - 109

However, while the Moggie tops the cat insurance search list, their owners are much more modest when it comes to social media.

GoCompare found that the larger Maine Coon gained a whopping 9.6 million hashtags, followed by the British Shorthair with 8.8 million appearances. Our classic tabby cat came in third with 7.4 million hashtags.

But what do the 24% of the UK's population who own a cat, choose to call their friendly feline? According to pet insurance quote data in 2021, the top 10 cat names are:

Luna
Bella
Charlie
Simba
Milo
Poppy
Lola
Willow
Leo
Molly

GoCompare pet expert, Hannah Isitt said:

"Cats are such fantastic and beautiful pets and are known for their agility and intellect, so it's right that they should have a day in the calendar to celebrate everything cat.

"The myth that they have nine lives possibly comes from their ability to manoeuvre great heights and avoid injuries. However, while they're clever pets, you can't protect them from ever getting ill or injured when they are exploring outdoors, which is why cat insurance is a must for any owner, protecting you from unforeseen vet costs and ensure your feline friend gets the best care possible."

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Are You Cat Curious?

Your Pets Daily Editor — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 11:33:55 +0000

August 6, 2021, Zaventem, Belgium – As International Cat Day approaches, Zoetis is raising awareness of the importance of regular visits to a veterinary clinic for cats.

The company is sponsoring the #BeCatCurious cat owner campaign by International Cat Care (ICC), a charity which aims to educate owners about cat-friendly principles in a lead up to and on #InternationalCatDay.

"We want to help cats and their owners live long and healthy lives together," said Zoetis Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mike McFarland, "and regular visits to the vet are an essential part of that.

"Regular health checks, diagnostic screening, vaccinations and parasite control, are an important part of maintaining good feline health. And if regular screening turns up any problem areas it is better to detect diseases early as there may be more options to help treat the cat and help them feel better sooner."

Through evolution, cats have learned to conceal signs of weakness, so it can often be difficult for owners to tell when their cat is not feeling well. This also makes the annual wellness check with a veterinarian incredibly important for cats. Veterinarians can help detect any signs early. This is also where #BeCatCurious can help... by learning more about what to look for in your cat so you know when to bring them to the veterinarian.

But, the first step to getting a cat access to healthcare starts with getting them into the cat carrier for travel. ICC data shows that many cat owners are reluctant to take their pet to the vet because they have trouble getting them into a carrier to transport them. As a result, they may be tempted to put off annual wellness exams or wait until problems are at a more advanced stage before consulting a veterinarian.

One of the cat-friendly principles that ICC wants owners to be aware of is the curious and intelligent nature of cats which means they can be successfully trained using positive reinforcement and rewards.

"By making it easier for owners to get their cat to the vet, we can improve diagnosis, access to preventative vaccinations and medicines, such as parasite control, and to other routine health support," said Dr. McFarland. Additionally, as cats age, they can also experience chronic diseases such as diabetes, renal disease or arthritis.

"It may be surprising, but the pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA) can impact nearly 40% of cats and increases even more as they get older. We know that this problem is not diagnosed as often as it could be today due to low awareness, leaving many cats experiencing OA pain."

Jamie Brannan, President International at Zoetis also commented: "Our focus on feline medicines is not new. It includes a large portfolio of solutions to predict, prevent, detect and treat diseases with rapid-test diagnostics, vaccines and other preventative solutions like Stronghold Plus against several parasites, Cerenia for alleviation of vomiting and Synulox for the treatment of a wide range of bacterial infections in cats. And we recently added Solensia to our portfolio of feline products. Solensia removes the difficulty in medicating your cat from the pet owner, as it is a biologic monthly injection delivered in the clinic by the veterinarian to help manage the pain associated with osteoarthritis."

International Cat Day is on 8 August 2021. In the weeks leading up to it, owners were sent educational information and offered access to a range of free training and support materials which will help them train their pet to go into a carrier more easily. Emails, online training videos, podcasts and giveaways will be available online at icatcare.org/international-cat-day and owners will be able to share their experiences and photos on social media.

Results of the International Cat Care poll:

50% of cat owners struggle to get their pet into a cat carrier
95% would like more advice on training their cat
69% found giving their cat medication difficult

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