Recently in Seasonal Cat Stuff Category

2008 was an exciting year for Facekitty, lots of cats were saved and fed due to your signatures, donations and clicks. Thank you on behalf of kitties everywhere.

And thank you for your continued support, your emails and comments, your questions and advice. It really helps to hear from you, so I hope to hear more from you in the new year.

Now we turn our thoughts to 2009 and what the year holds. I have lots of ideas for posts about cat food, common cat illnesses, working on making your relationship with your cat even better and keeping you up to date with news in the cat world.

I'm also working on some special projects that I'll tell you about a little later in the year, but I'll give you a hint, one involves cat food, and another involves a website. Enough said, for now.

If you have any suggestions, thoughts or ideas you'd like to suggest, don't hesitate to comment and tell us what you think. The New Year is a time for reflection and a time to make things better. So I'd love to hear from you, tell me how we're doing so far and what you'd like to see in the future.

Have a Happy New Year and we wish you every happiness in 2009.

Merry Christmas to all of you, I hope you had a safe and happy holiday.

Neo loved his new toys, well maybe he loved the wrapping paper and boxes more than the actual toys, but he had a great day anyway. These first pictures are of Neo examining his present.

I wrapped a little bit of catnip in with the toy and once he got a whiff of the cat nip, he wanted to get that present opened!

The toy was a wind up toy that made clicking noises and unwound itself when it was tapped. Neo likes smart toys like that, he likes toys that do things to get his attention. Around noon, he disappeared for the rest of the afternoon. I found him curled up on a sweater on my bed, he looked like he was in a deep sleep. He had a busy morning playing with his new toys as you can see.

Merry Christmas everyone!

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If you love poinsettias during the holidays and you love cats, maybe there is a way to enjoy both this holiday season. According to the ASPCA Poison Control Center, Poinsettias are not nearly as toxic as we've been made to think.

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In 1820 a beautiful red-leafed plant was brought to the United States from Mexico. Not long after, the plant became a popular Holiday plant with it's vibrant red color, now in pink and white too. But early in the 1900's it was believed that eating a poinsettia leaf was the cause of death of a 2 year old. No one knows for sure what the cause of death was, but the Poinsettia got a bad reputation after that.

The rumors grew and grew over the generations, but the ASPCA claim the rumors have exaggerated the toxicity of the plant. In reality, the Poinsettia is not a healthy choice for a cat to snack on, it will still cause stomach upset, diarrhea and vomiting, if ingested. Not pleasant at all, but the worries that it will cause death in an otherwise healthy cat is simply not true.

The most common problem was stomach upset that included drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, but veterinary treatment isn't necessary unless your cat has an illness that could be complicated by ingesting Poinsettia. But if you think your cat has eaten some poinsettia, always consult your vet, they know your cat better than I do.

Stomach upset is not what we want this holiday, from any of our furry friends, so it's best to keep the poinsettias out of reach of your cat, but they aren't as bad as we once thought, so go ahead deck your halls, carefully.

You can check out a fairly complete list of common plants that are toxic to cats that the ASPCA has published. You'll note on that list are three other very common plants associated with the season, holly, mistletoe and lily, especially the stargazer lily - all of them can cause serious gastrointestinal disorders, and alter mood, mistletoe can cause heart failure, and lilies can cause kidney failure. These three plants are far more toxic to cats than the poinsettia. As a matter of fact, the poinsettia doesn't even appear on this list at all!

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Although you can make donations anytime of year, now is the perfect time to make tax deductible donations to one of these charitable cat and animal organizations before the fiscal year is over. At this time, most charitable organizations are working out their budgets for the upcoming year so any donations of money and donations of time, services or items on a wish list are always welcome.

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Yesterday, I told you about my favorite humane places to shop online where proceeds go toward helping cats and other animals. BUt today, I'd like to tell you about some of the places that can use your tax deductible donation money to continue that work. It benefits everyone, saves you some money to the IRS and it helps cats. It's a win-win!

1. Cat House of the Kings is a no cage, no kill, lifetime cat sanctuary and adoption centre for cats and some dogs. It is completely non profit organization that gets no government or public funding, it relies completely on donations made directly to the cat house on the kings. All donations are tax deductible.

2. Alley Cat Allies is a nationwide advocacy organization for the protection and humane treatment of cats, especially feral cats. There work has helped countless cats over the past 20 years and with continued community support. Make donations of as little as 5.00 to as much as you can afford, you can even donate your old car!

3. Feral Cat Project promotes a trap, neuter, release program and will help you start your own clinic. They work with people who are feeding strays to make the cat's lives a little more comfortable while they continue to live out their days as feral cats. Some cats are adoptable but all of them need donations, time and supplies.

4. ASPCA - The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a large national humane organization founded in 1866. By donating to the ASPCA you are actually helping all cats and animals across the nation. The ASPCA fights against animal cruelty to all animals, not just companion animals. So when you donate, your money is going to support animals of all types.

5. PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Donations to PETA help animals suffering and dying in laboratories, factory farms, fur industry and in inhumane circuses. Become a member, make a monthly or one time donation or get involved by becoming aware of the products you buy and the impact they have on animals.

Tell me about any local organizations that you donate your time, money or supplies to in the comments section below.

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There are several non profit organizations dedicated to cats and other animals who offer really great gift ideas for the cat lovers on your list. Giving gifts to cat lovers can also improve the life of other cats. Choose from these national organizations or visit your local shelter for gifts and to make donations in honor of the cat lovers in your life.

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At this time of year, when it gets a little bit colder and the Holiday season approaches, I start thinking about those less fortunate than myself. That includes the felines of the world who do not have a soft bed, a warm home, healthy food, proper medical care and a loving owner. I know I spoil Neo, special meals on holidays, treats everyday, special play and grooming time most days and special cuddle time every night before bed. But some cats have had a really tough life filled with abandonment, abuse, malnutrition, disease, and a host of other challenges.

Anyone can make the life of these unfortunate cats a little better by making a donation or buying merchandise from these non-profit organizations. Some of my favorite places that do great work with cats are listed below.

Tabby's Place is a cage free cat sanctuary that provides refuge to cats in hopeless situations. Most of the cats who reside at Tabby's Place are from animal shelters who were scheduled for euthanasia. You can sponsor a special needs cat or make a donation in honor of someone.

Rescue Cats of Georgia is an all volunteer organization that has lots of great gifts and 100% of your purchase goes toward helping cats in the facility.

Animal Rescue Site has great gifts for animal lovers and you can click to give free food and care to homeless pets. I have them send me an email (from the hunger site) and I click to give everyday.

Best Friends Animal Society mission statement is No More Homeless Pets in Our Lifetime. Become a member, give a donation on behalf of an animal lover in your life or sponsor an animal.

ASPCA Online Store is always a great choice, unique gifts, huge selection and you know that the ASPCA is always fighting for needy cats and dogs nationwide.

PETA has great gifts from clothes to snacks. You can buy gifts for your pet, for pet lovers or animal lovers in general. They support all types of animals.

If you have favorite online charitable organization, comment below and share your information. I'd also like to hear about your local shelters and their holiday promotions too.

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Neither do dogs, fish, hamsters, gerbils, birds, guinea pigs, rabbits, and any other member of the animal kingdom. Holidays are a time when people seem to think that giving a gift of a pet to someone is a great idea. But unless you are absolutely sure that the recipient wants that exact animal with that exact personality and those distinct features, you're better off giving a sweater (but not a wool sweater because those poor sheep suffer when they are sheered!)

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Cats and other animals require love, attention, training, medical care, and supplies that can put a strain on someone if they are given a pet they don't want. As a matter of fact, most of these pets get returned to the shelter or abandoned because the owner just wasn't ready to take on the responsibility of owning a pet. Or they wanted a different animal. And even worse, the pet gets handed around from home to home because no one wants it. The animal suffers trauma and acts out from behavioral issues which leads to injury and abuse.

What started out as a nice idea has turned into something ugly and irreversible with the poor animal being the one to suffer. PETA has a great article on Why Animals Do Not Make Good Gifts. If you or someone you know is thinking of giving an animal as a gift this holiday, please have them reconsider.

On the other hand, if a family wants to adopt a cat and they are all willing to make the commitment to the animal, then by all means, go ahead, brighten the life of some neglected cat by visiting the shelter and bringing home a pet that everyone will love and take care of.

Owing a pet is a long term commitment so it is best if people make the decision to get one on their own. If you really think someone wants a pet, give them a gift certificate to a local animal shelter. Then they can pick out the animal or supplies and services they'll need to take care of the animal responsibly. Most animal shelters will spay or neuter so you could get the shelter to provide that service for your loved one's pet when they do get one, rather than giving them an animal this year.

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Winter is hard on people and even harder on animals. Each year, 100's of cats die simply because their owners get too busy at this time of year to remember to take a few precautions. Here are 10 ways to keep your cat safe this holiday season.

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1. Make sure your outdoor cat is wearing ID tags. I know I've said this before...once or twice... but I can't stress enough how important this is. Your cat can become disoriented or frightened and end up far from home. Without ID tags his chances of getting home again are slim.

2. Make sure your cats are visible at night. If you must send your cat out in the dark, make sure his collar is reflective or shiny so that others can see him and you can find him if he gets lost or scared.

3. Limit the time your cat spends outside, their little ears can freeze and fall off - I've seen it, it's painful and very sad to see a cat missing his ears because he was out in the cold too long. Not to mention they can freeze their paws and tail too... then hypothermia sets in and then it's a sad day for everyone after that. I suggest no longer than 15 - 20 minutes at a time, even if your cat has a thick coat.

4. If you have to go out of town, make sure your pet sitter knows when and how much to feed your cat, where you'll be if they need to reach you and if your cat has any special medical needs.

5. Watch what your cat is eating, chocolate is poisonous to cats and pastries or other candies can be very dangerous. Neo loves crackers, so I have to be careful to keep them out of his reach so he doesn't eat too many. He doesn't throw up, but they make him constipated so the day or two after eats crackers are rather unpleasant for him and for me because he gets bad, smelly farts and rubs his bottom on the floor to clean it off.

6. It's nice to start a fire, or light some candles, but so many cats are intrigued by the flames and get too close, burning their whiskers, fur and skin. I had a cat named Chloe who loved candles but she got too close to the flame and singed off her whiskers - they took months to grow back, as a matter of fact they never really grew back properly at all.

7. Holiday decorations, bells, balls, plants and garland all pose threats to your cats health. Small parts can be ingested and cause choking, or a bowel obstruction leading to painful and expensive surgery. But of the utmost importance is do not use tinsel or poinsettias - tinsel is a choking hazard and can actually cut your cat's throat and stomach with it's sharp edges and poinsettias are poisonous to cats.

8. Make sure you instruct your house guests to be mindful of your cat. Tell them the outdoor schedule so they don't unknowingly freeze your cat. Make sure they keep their toiletries and medicines carefully closed and out of reach. Neo loves my vitamins, they roll around and he thinks it's fun to play with them, but they are dangerous for him so since I realized that he likes them I keep them away from him.

9. Another thing about house guests, is to make sure that children and people who are not familiar with cats are supervised when playing with your cat. Your cat could be injured by rambunctious children or by toys that are not suitable for cats.

10. Keep winter chemicals away from your cat. Antifreeze kills cats with even a small amount. Salt for icy streets is poisonous if they ingest it, and they will ingest it when they lick it off their paws. Switch to environmentally friendly choices like antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol or natural de-icers that are safe for pets and children.

Comment below if you have other ways to keep your cat safe this holiday.

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Have you ever wondered what are you going to do with the turkey giblets? okay, maybe you haven't wondered that, but when you prepare your turkey for your family and friends this Thanksgiving, don't forget about Kitty.

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That little package of organ meats and the neck can become the most deliscious Thanksgiving meal for your cat. Never throw them away, if you don't have time to cook it now, freeze it for later when you have a bit more time to make a special meal for your cat. These recipes make a delicious homemade cat food Thanksgiving Soup.

There are a lot of weird recipes out there for cats that contain all sorts of ingredients that a cat would never touch in a million years if it wasn't ground up and put in a can or kibble. This recipe doesn't contain grains or dairy and can be served raw or cooked. If you want to try another recipe that contains brown rice, try this Thanksgiving homemade cat food recipe.

I caution you about serving your cat raw meat if he has been eating a dry kibble or canned cat food diet. As weird as it sounds, the transition to a raw diet takes careful planning and a slow transition so you don't make your cat sick. I'll be blogging about that in the new year as I make the transition to homemade raw cat food for Neo.

Thanksgiving Cat Food Recipe - Turkey Soup:

1 cup water (or enough water to cover the turkey neck)

1 turkey neck

1 turkey giblet

1 turkey liver

1 turkey heart

1/2 cup fresh uncooked pumpkin (if using canned pumpkin, add it in at the end)

Put the turkey neck in a pot with the water and bring to a boil. Simmer for 30 - 60 minutes to cook the meat through and to leach some nutrients from the bones.

Add in the giblet, liver, heart and pumpkin and continue to simmer for 10 15 minutes or until the organ meats are cooked through and the pumpkin is soft and mashable.

Cool the mixture to room temperature and debone the neck, making sure to remove all the bones. Then chop or blend the meat and pumpkin. Turkey bones splinter easily and can choke your cat so an alternative is to put the meat and bones into a heavy duty blender (like the Vitamix or Blendtec blenders) and blend until the mixture is smooth.

Add in your supplements if you cook for your cat regularly and have them on hand, but if you cook for your cat only occasionally, supplements are not required. But a little fish oil is always nice for a shiny coat and to make the dish more palatable.

If your cat is not used homemade food, you may want to mix this Turkey soup with their canned or dry food to prevent vomiting, or other digestive upset. Try a 1/4 cup Raw Turkey Soup with 1/4 cup canned or dry food.

Raw Turkey Soup - Thanksgiving Cat Food Recipe:

1 turkey neck

1 turkey giblet

1 turkey liver

1 turkey heart

1/4 cup fresh uncooked pumpkin

1 cup water for blending or grinding

Place all ingredients, bones and all in a meat grinder, food processor or heavy duty blender (like the Vitamix or Blendtec blenders). Process until the bones, organs and pumpkin are liquified and there are no large pieces.

Add in your supplements like taurine, fish oil and vitamins if you give them to your cat and serve. If your cat is not used to raw food, you may want to mix this raw soup with their canned or dry food to prevent vomiting, or other digestive upset. Try a 1/4 cup Raw Turkey Soup with 1/4 cup canned or dry food.

Click here for our past posts, our archives have hundreds of helpful cat information posts for cat lovers.  Please subscribe to our RSS feed if you're a cat person that likes cat related information, cat care advice and news.

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If you want to make kitty a treat for Thanksgiving, I posted a homemade cat food thanksgiving turkey recipe that is always a hit with Neo.

The ASPCA is always looking out for animals. Here are their latest tips for a safe thanksgiving.

Is it bad that Thanksgiving isn’t for another couple of weeks and we can’t get food off the brain? But.friends, family and feasts—the main ingredients for holiday fun—can actually result in distress for pets. Not only can too many table scraps set furry tummies a-rumble, but many animals get anxious at the change in household routine. Says the ASPCA’s Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, Animal Health Services, which includes the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, IL, “As you begin to prepare for a festive season, remember to be wary of activities that can be potentially dangerous to pets.”

The following safety tips will help to ensure a safe and fulfilling (key syllables being “filling”) Thanksgiving for you and your pets:

Talkin’ Turkey: Giving your pets a little nibble of turkey is okay, just be sure that it’s boneless and fully cooked. Raw or undercooked turkey may contain salmonella bacteria, and dogs can choke on bones, which splinter easily.

A Feast Fit for a Kong: While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Stuff their usual dinner—with a few added bits of turkey, dribbles of gravy or vegetables like sweet potato and green beans—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied trying to get their meal out, and way too busy to come begging for table scraps.

Sage Advice: This peppery herb makes stuffing taste delish, but sage also contains essential oils and resins that can cause pets to suffer stomach upset and possible depression of the central nervous system.

Battery Power: The holiday season means lots of cameras, radios and other battery-operated electronics. Please don’t leave batteries lying around. If swallowed, they can cause choking or obstruction; if punctured, the chemicals in alkaline batteries can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus.

If you suspect your pet has ingested a harmful substance, on Thanksgiving or at any time, please call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

*If you have specific questions about what’s safe for Thanksgiving or the winter holidays, ask our toxicology experts next Friday in a live chat on the ASPCA Online Community.

Have fun including your pets in your holiday celebrations, and thanks for caring about their safety! After all, pets are family, and no one knows that better than you.

Click here for our past posts, our archives have hundreds of helpful cat information posts for cat lovers.  Please subscribe to our RSS feed if you're a cat person that likes cat related information, cat care advice and news.

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Whether you believe in superstitions or not, it's a fact that black cats are associated with Halloween, witches and all things evil. It does make a certain kind of sense, cats are nocturnal and their eyes shine in the dark, making them a perfect animal to fear and tell stories about during this day full of spirits and sprites, and devilish doings.

The tradition of cats and Halloween dates back over 2000 years to the ancient Celts. These ancient peoples lit bonfires to signal the end of summer and to help send those who died the previous year into the after life, usually with a sacrifice of a cat to the Sun God. They dressed in costumes to trick the spirits so they wouldn't bother the living.

A few hundred years later when Christians replaced earlier rituals. People who continued to participate in pagan traditions were hunted as witches along with nocturnal and misunderstood animals, like cats. During this time, cats were the main target because early Christians believed that witches could shape change into cats. Especially black cats. So cats, along with their owners were killed en masse.

But this witch and cat hunt backfired, with the deaths of so many cats, carriers of the black plague - rats mostly - began to multiply leaving the human population to suffer and die in huge numbers. In the UK, people began to recognize that cats had been saving them from the plague so cats became revered and a symbol of good luck.

Unfortunately, in North America the opposite is true. Witches were hunted and their cats were killed also. Throughout the years cats continued to be a symbol of witchcraft and superstitions started to grow around cats, making them a permanent part of Halloween.

Because of all of this history and superstition, black cats are considered bad luck and shelters all over the world have such a hard time adopting out black cats. Superstitions still haunt Black Cats.

Even to this day, cats remain one of the most popular symbols for Halloween. During this time of year, many cats go missing and have ended up being used in satanic rituals or fatal pranks. If you are a cat owner, it is always best to keep your cat indoors around halloween, a few days before and a few days after to keep them safe from the wandering trick or treaters and from strangers who might want to use a cat in some torturous way.

So now that we know that cats were a part of Halloween for centuries, I wish you all, humans and Kitties, Have a Happy Halloween!

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