A cat or kitten will try to get your attention by staring deep into your eyes for a variety of reasons. They could be trying to tell you they are hungry, content, feeling curious, and most importantly that they love you. For cats, it is a form of communication. They are trying to convey a message!
Why does my cat just stare at me? Am I funny-looking? Wait, don’t answer that. I wanted to find out the reasons why! I often wake up to curious eyes focused on me.
Why are you staring at me, Mr Fluff?
It’s 3 a.m. I roll over and there he is just staring at me with those eyes. Is PizzaCat plotting my demise perhaps?
Not likely. Although cats can be very verbal at times, there are other ways they try to use to communicate.
Non-verbal, physical contact is quite common. Like purring or rubbing up against you to mark their scent on you, eye contact is a way to let you know that they care about you.
A long constant stare in your direction is your feline buddy’s way of trying to bond with you!
What should I do when I wake up to a cat staring at me?
Don’t panic. It can be startling to wake up to a cat staring at you while you sleep, but it is just a way a cat is trying to get your attention. Looking deep into your eyes is a common non-verbal form of communication. Even though it can seem strange at first. alarming even!
Eye contact is a common tactic a cat uses to convey important messages. Although it can be shocking to wake up to a cat staring you down in your sleep. Your little fluff may be trying to say hello, or I’m hungry, or just wake up, want your attention.
With a little observation most likely you may even notice that deep stare in your direction being broken with a slow blink. That is a wonderful expression of trust and the desire to bond. Some theorize it is “I Love You ” in cat language.
Why not try this trick of slowing blinking to communicate in cat language to show that you also trust and love them back ?
“The researchers performed the same slow-blink process as the first experiment, adding an extended hand towards the cat. And they found that not only were the cats more likely to blink back, but that they were more likely to approach the human’s hand after the human had blinked.”
I’m a busy blogger pet parent to my senior-aged cat Pizza. We have traveled all over Los Angeles, endured several moves, jobs, roommates and now global pandemic together. Today we write, learn, and share information and our favorite products, in hopes you can experience your best life with pets too, We currently live with other humans and their beautiful dog.
Popcorn is not bad for cats. However,it is not particularly good for them and should be reserved for snacks or a special treat. The actual corn kernel. is also sharp and hard to digest and could create a choking hazard. If you decide to share an unusual treat with your cat make sure you only share a plain unsalted soft part of the popcorn kernel. Cats are mainly meat eaters and popcorn is high in carbs and fiber, but low inproteins.
I decided on the perfect movie, I made a nice big bowl of popcorn. Suddenly I am the most popular person ever and my cat is making a beeline into the bowl of MY buttery salty snack. If your cat is anything like mine once he has an idea he is relentless. Naturally, I give him what he wants. ( what can I say?) Did I make a mistake?
Is popcorn bad for the cat? I had to do a little research just to be sure.
Why does my cat want popcorn?
Who doesn’t like popcorn? It is warm salty and inviting and a fun shape. I don’t know about YOUR cat but mine is always interested in WHATEVER I am doing. If I am eating popcorn, he doesn’t want to be left out.
Dangers of sharing popcorn with my cat
Aside from the dangerous path of giving in to begging little eyes, it is a relief to know plain popcorn is not poisonous to cats. However too much can be a choking hazard or cause digestive problems. Let’s face it cats cough up enough without sharing something that will upset their tummy. The hard kernel part of the popcorn can pose a choking hazard especially for kittens or older cats.
There are always exceptions. Unsalted, and unseasoned popcorn without the hard kernel can be a fun treat to share occasionally, after all, pets are a part of the family! Just limit and watch to make sure your buddy is enjoying it and not choking.
What are some fun alternative I can share with my cat.
*Nori*
*Cooked Chicken breast*
*Small pieces of cheese*
*Carrots*
*Blueberries*
There are many healthy human treats you can share with your Lil buddy, that offer extra nutrition without empty calories or possible troubles.
So, when you sit down with your cat to stream a movie, indulge your cat, if you must with a small bit of popcorn. Share the fluffy parts avoiding the kernel. But sure why not,.enjoy it together occasionally.
Remember also you can also share several different common fruits and vegetables too!
I’m a busy blogger pet parent to my senior-aged cat Pizza. We have traveled all over Los Angeles, endured several moves, jobs, roommates and now global pandemic together. Today we write, learn, and share information and our favorite products, in hopes you can experience your best life with pets too, We currently live with other humans and their beautiful dog.
A Chiweenie is a cross between a full bred dachshund and full bred chihuahua. Their looks are unpredictable and are all unique. Typically they have a long body and big ears making them irresistible, however they can be any blend of their parents. They bond quickly to their owners, and enjoy playing fetch and spending time with their person. Their easy going personality makes it clear that Chiweenies are a great type of dog if you are looking for a companion.Here are the top five reasons whythey make good pets
1. Chiweenies are small
A Chiweenie is a cross between a dachshund and a chihuahua . From teacup to standard, they can vary from 3lb to 12lbs, and everything in between. It is unpredictable what a litter of chiweenie will look like, however these dogs often have short little legs and a long body. They tend to have adorably big ears similar to a dachshund. There is always a chance of the puppies taking on multiple attributes of each parent. No matter what the genetics that are stinkin’ cute. Owning a smaller dog has its advantages. Although they enjoy being active, they need much less space to run around than a larger dog. A few walks a 10 min day can help keep your Chiweenie small and not overweight. Chiweenies make good choice for apartment living, or small homes with small yards.
2. Chiweenies have a big personality
This type of dog is the best of both breeds. Chihuahua was originally bred as a lap dog and dachshund was bred as a badger hunter. This is a very loyal breed and they quickly bond to their human. It is just in their bloodline to work with humans and companions or work buddies. The cross between the two breeds make chiweenies naturally devoted and playful energetic breed. They enjoy playing fetch and other games where they can use their hunting instincts. Using their short strong legs and long body, many dogs still like to dig holes mimicking their badger hunting skills, Regular activity keeps them happy and mentally stimulated. Chiweenies really enjoy their persons company and like to be lap dogs once they get tired out. Some even enjoy being the center of attention. This Chiweenie has a look that is all personality! Tuna the famous Chiweenie .is instagram sensation. He is so cute in his outfits. Check out his amazing story here.
3. Chiweenies are vocal
If you are looking for a pet that will let you know when strangers are near, a Chiweenie is a great option for you. They may be small but this breed has a fierce chihuahua bark. They are protective of their pack and will happily let you know if strangers are near. With proper training and socialization, this is a plus. A barking dog can be a good way to deter burglars and keep you and your home safe. A Chiweenie may look adorable but sound rather intimidating. It is in there nature to be brave protector.
4.Chiweenies are smart.
They are smart dogs. with luck they are also easy to train. They have a reputation for being stubborn. As with many breeds, using positive reinforcement and keeping the short lessons make training easier. They can get bored easily and having a variety of toys around can be helpful in keeping them out of trouble.
With proper love and care this breed can live to be at least 15yo. Maintaining a good weight, a proper diet, exercise and companionship will keep Chiweenies happy and healthy . They can be a precious loving part of your family for many years.
Chiweenies are relatively healthy dogs, experiencing minor health issues throughout their lives. The most common issue is allergies. As this is a cross breed, it may inherit health issues that are associated with its parent breeds (but it doesn’t mean your dog will suffer from any of them). These can include hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, diabetes, intervertebral degenerative disc disease, seizures, Luxating patellas, dental issues and hydrocephalus.
Clearly there are many reasons why a chiweenies look like a good fit for your family. They are well suited for families with older children, singles and retirees. They are happiest if they are the only dog in the home, but can learn to be happy with another small dog or cat. The earlier you can start training and socialization the better chance of the pup leaving to live with others.
Chiweenies make a happy fun energetic canine companion. Remember when looking to adopt a dog, check your local shelter. Often even specific breeds are surrendered. Here in Los Angeles, out shelters are over run with chihuahua’s .of all ages. Our model Chimmi was a breeder rescue. We love this breed of cuteness overload, please leave your adoption options open to more than a just responsible breeder.
I’m a busy blogger pet parent to my senior-aged cat Pizza. We have traveled all over Los Angeles, endured several moves, jobs, roommates and now global pandemic together. Today we write, learn, and share information and our favorite products, in hopes you can experience your best life with pets too, We currently live with other humans and their beautiful dog.
Cats have an instinct to cover their feces to avoid the smell. This instinct can be beneficial for you if you are keeping a pet cat in your home. Several types of litter boxes are available in the market, which offers you the best option to avoid your cat’s feces smell.
Traditionally, clay litter has been used as a best choice for this purpose. But nowadays, there are several types of litters having different qualities. This article will educate you about the qualities of various litter types available to select the best from all available litter types.
Some people don’t choose special cat litter; rather, they prefer using some things available near their home such as dust, sand, animal beddings, chicken feed, etc. But these alternatives are not useful for long-term use because of dust, smell, parasites, etc. Another important thing to take in mind is whether your car likes or dislikes the litter. It is an important thing to consider while purchasing a litter for your cat.
1. Clay litter
Clay litter is the most popular type of cat litter. Because of its easy availability and an established litter type, clay litter is the most used litter all around. It is available in low dust and dust-free options. Other varieties of clay litter include scented and non-scented, large clay pieces and fine clay particle litters. Clay litter turns into a softer wet cement-like structure after absorbing the urine.
Furthermore, clay litters are also available in clumping and non-clumping varieties. Some people prefer clumping clay litter in which the part of clay that absorbs urine becomes clumpy, and you can waste it. Some people prefer inexpensive regular non-clumping clay litter, which they waste as a whole when it is necessary.
2. Silica litter
Silica litter is more expensive than a same-weight bag of clay litter. But silica gel litter lasts longer than clay litter. Many companies advertise silica gel litter as a better option than clay litter. In addition, they claim it is not as dusty as clay litter, absorbs urine, and you don’t need to scoop it out, offers a great smell, lasts longer, and is preferred by cats over clay litter.
It is expensive than clay litter, and some varieties of silica gel litter possess color change indicators to indicate the urinary system’s health. Some pet parents don’t see a difference in price as silica gel litter lasts longer than an equal amount of clay litter.
This is one of my favorites litter material and this is what we use. I am a big fan of Kitty Poo Club, a disposable litter box delivery service. We have tried several of the litter options they have and have always come back to their basic silica. We live in a small space and it is effective especially in the summer when it is hot and the box seems to be more noticeable in the small space.
Pine litter is also one of the popular litter types because of its ability to fight off the odor. As the name indicates, pine litter is made of pine trees. In addition, it is famous for its lightweight and no dust characteristic. Because of its lightweight, it is softer than clay litter and easy to use and manage. Most people don’t prefer clay litter because of more weight and difficulty managing the litter box.
Pet parents prefer pine litter because they consider it more environment friendly and cherish its natural ability to fight off a bad odor. They are available in both clumping and non-clumping varieties.
4. Wheat litter
Wheat litter is just like pine litter and is famous for its eco-friendly nature. Furthermore, it is a good alternative for clay litter, but it comprises processed wheat. It is pet parent-friendly as you can flush its clumps after absorbing urine. They naturally control the odor as there are no added dyes or perfumes in the wheat litter. When your cat urinates, it converts into a sawdust-like structure, and you can easily scoop it out of the box.
5. Grass litter
Despite less commonly available, grass litter can also be an alternative to traditional clay litter. Structurally it is like pine and wheat litter types, but it is biodegradable dry grass seed litter. It also possesses the same characteristics of clumping as other litter types. When your cat urinates, it clumps so that you can easily scoop the waste out. Many pet parents avoid added dyes and chemicals, and to their desire, it doesn’t contain any. It is low dust litter and is soft and light as compared to clay litter.
6. Corn litter
In the list, the next better alternative to clay litter is corn litter. Mostly it is available in scented variety, but it still is biodegradable litter. Comprising of dry corn kernels, it is lighter than clay litter. When your cat urinates, it forms clumps that are to scoop out. There are some varieties of corn litter that attract cat’s attention. There are some concerns over corn litter about mold growth. The main issue is about the aflatoxins that can be deadly for your cat. Contrary to that, companies offer aflatoxins-free corn litters.
7. Walnut shell litter
Modern cat litter has expanded its varieties, and there is an available walnut shell litter type. Walnut shell litter has shown more absorbency than clay litter type, works great for odor control clumps. Low dust makes this litter type more popular, and some companies are offering red or brown color litter depending on your cat’s choice. Ground-up granular walnut shell litter is biodegradable.
8. Paper litter
Among all other litter types, paper litter is popular among pet parents with cat paw injuries. Paper litter is recycled and processed paper or simply the waste newspaper. These litter types have low dust, and they offer little or no concern for irritating wounds. They are softer than clay litter and have no fragrance. Paper litter doesn’t form clumps and doesn’t control the bad odor very well. For these reasons, pet parents use them for short-term periods.
Final thoughts
Concludingly, you should choose the type of litter that suits your household environment and is liked by your cat. You can select the specific variety of cat litter based on their characteristics and your ease of management. A variety of litters will make your choice and life easy with pet cats.
I’m a busy blogger pet parent to my senior-aged cat Pizza. We have traveled all over Los Angeles, endured several moves, jobs, roommates and now global pandemic together. Today we write, learn, and share information and our favorite products, in hopes you can experience your best life with pets too, We currently live with other humans and their beautiful dog.
Today in this world where a variety of cat foods are available, a pet parent is always confused about the best food for his cat. This situation may not develop if pet parents don’t have various options. I am saying this because the main purpose of a pet parent is not feeding his cat a specific type of food. But, the main purpose of a pet parent is to feed his cat a balanced food according to the cat’s requirements. Similarly, the question is not whether cats need wet food or dry food. The question is whether wet food or dry food fulfills the requirements of cats.
Answering the question, I will educate pet parents in this article about the balanced food their cats need.
What type of nutrients my cat needs?
Cats are obligate carnivores, and they prefer eating animal source nutrients. Moreover, by evolution, they have adapted themselves as predators. Animals who are predators mostly rely on animal protein. Likewise, the main nutrient in their diet must be protein. Other than proteins, they need fats and carbohydrates in lesser amounts. Besides, they also need several other nutrients in small amounts like vitamins, minerals, etc.
The important thing to understand is your cat needs all the nutrients in a balanced quantity that suits the body’s requirements. Any nutrient more or less than the required quantity is not good for your cat. Therefore, if you provide your cat a balanced diet comprising all the essential nutrients in a balanced quantity, there is no need for additional supplements. Additional supplements include vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. They are usually available in fewer quantities in most diets.
To evaluate whether your cat needs wet food or wet food is more beneficial than other foods, we shall know a little bit about other food types.
Dry food
The name dry food defines it properly as it contains little water contents, about 5-10%. Dry food usually makes the pet parent at ease as cats eat as it offers the “free choice” feeding. Cats don’t create mess eating dry foods. Making dry foods, the producers combine, extrude and dry all the essential nutrients. They make bite-sized pieces that can be easily edible by your cat. Mostly, dry foods include the following essential nutrients.
1. Meat/meat by-products
2. Chicken/chicken by-products
3. Grain/grain by-products
4. Milk
5. Fiber
6. Fish
7. Vitamins
8. Minerals
These nutrients make up the requirements of your cat. Dry pieces are further coated with fats to make the food more palatable. However, dry foods are still less palatable for cats than semi-moist or moist/wet foods. Although it does provide the very basic nutrition, it is not my first choice to feed my guy, it will work in a pinch. Pet parents find it easy to use dry foods for their cats. They usually purchase a lot of dry food and let the cat eat it periodically. But you must ensure that the remaining food you store must be in an air-tight container to avoid contamination and fat rancidity. Since kittenhood, this is the dry food we have bought for Pizza. Although he primarily eats his wet food , I still keep this around in case he needs to snack. Every cat is different, he is still very svelt in in older years so I don’t need to worry about obesity.
Semi-moist food
Semi-moist food mainly contains meat and meat by-products and 35% moisture contents. It makes the food more palatable and increases the diet-based water contents for your cat. Other nutrients present in semi-moist food are grain by-products, cereals, meals, and preservatives to make it a complete product. Semi-moist foods are more expensive than dry foods but are mid-range. Cats usually prefer it over dry food because of increased palatability. After opening the package, the remaining food may dry out. It decreases palatability and increases the chances of rancidity.
Another option is add a gravy packet TO the dry food. It is a nice treat and adds extra moisture to your cats diet.
Wet food
Wet foods are famous for their highest water contents, about 75%. All essential nutrients that are present in dry foods are also present in wet foods. As a plus point, wet food contains the highest diet-based water content and is more palatable. For finicky eater cats, wet food is the best choice. It adds variety to the taste. Cats usually don’t like eating the same food daily. Therefore, you should consider a variety into taste and offer her more wet food.
Canned foods have the longest shelf life, but after opening, you should place the remaining food into the refrigerator to maintain its taste.
What benefits can my cat enjoy eating wet food?
Well, wet foods have the same nutritional value as dry food. As a plus point, they contain more diet-based water and add more taste to the diet making it highly palatable and digestible. The digestibility and palatability of wet foods make them the preferred choice of cats. The potential benefits your cat can enjoy with wet food are as follows.
Better overall hydration
Cats usually don’t prefer to drink water from the water bowl or the dish. They consider themselves vulnerable while drinking water from the bowl. In addition, some cats usually prefer drinking water from the fountain. Concludingly it isn’t easy to let your cat drink enough water to meet the daily requirement. Therefore, there must be an alternative solution for cats to fulfill their water requirement. And nothing is better than wet foods. It contains essential nutrients, makes the food more palatable, and fulfills the water requirements in addition.
Lean body mass
Wet foods mainly contain protein contents which promote the growth and development of Lean Body Mass (LBM). Cat’s weight comprises two types of masses, LBM and FBM. Lean body mass is of muscles, ligaments, organs, bones, and wet foods promoting the LBM.
Cats are mostly picky eaters, and they prefer a variety of foods to eat daily. Wet food solves the problem and provides your cat with a variety of foods with increased palatability. Moreover, you should purchase the food that AAFCO approves as AAFCO’s experts have maintained a standard for feline basic minimum standards of nutritional requirements. All pet foods carry an AAFCO approved label on the bag, and these foods are considered nutritionally balanced and complete.
Final thoughts
You are now aware of the nutritional requirements and different types of cat foods available. I have explained the comparative nutritional benefits of different types of food. In conclusion, you should not rely on only one type of food. Rather, you should provide a variety of foods meeting your cat’s nutritional requirements.
I’m a busy blogger pet parent to my senior-aged cat Pizza. We have traveled all over Los Angeles, endured several moves, jobs, roommates and now global pandemic together. Today we write, learn, and share information and our favorite products, in hopes you can experience your best life with pets too, We currently live with other humans and their beautiful dog.
Pet parents are mostly confused about the quantity of food they should provide to their cat. And this results in an increase or decrease in body weight. Cats are usually more prone to the increased body weight or obesity. And therefore, it is important to have an adequate balance in their diet to provide them all the essential nutrients in the required quantity.
For this purpose, I will educate you in this article about the number of daily food requirements for your cats. In addition, I will also educate you about the frequency of meals per day.
Various factors that affect cat feeding
Cat’s feeding largely depends on various factors that affect them throughout the life. So, if you are a pet parent and want to know the transition in feeding habits of your cat, you need to know the factors that are affecting your cat.
1. Age
There is a difference in the feeding of a kitten and an adult cat. A kitten needs more nutritional requirements than an adult because of more growth and development. A kitten’s diet is more comprised of proteins.
2. Size
Larger cats require more nutritional value to carry out their metabolism and fulfill the body’s needs. Larger cat breeds require more food – similarly, bigger cats of the same breeds also require more nutrition.
3. Activity level
Activity level mainly affects the metabolic rate, and cats with higher activity levels have higher metabolic rates – and thus need more nutrition. At the same time, cats who live a more sedentary lifestyle require lesser nutrition.
4. Reproductive status
Neutering and spaying affect the overall metabolic activity of cats. A cat with functional reproductive organs requires more nutritional value than a cat with non-functional reproductive organs. Likewise, in pregnancy, cats need more nutrition to meet the intense nutritional demands. And this is true for kittens whose reproductive organs are developing – they also require high nutrition to meet the required demands of the body.
5. Body conditioning and health
Body conditioning is also a factor that affects the food intake of your cat. You need to know that where your cat falls in a body conditioning score. Only then will you be able to devise a good diet plan for your cat. Ask your vet to tell you the body conditioning score and to devise a good diet plan accordingly.
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to how much cat food your cat needs. How much a cat needs to eat depends on a variety of factors, including size, age, metabolic rate, the amount it exercises, and even environmental temperatures. In addition, the same volume of different foods can have varying caloric and nutritional contents, showing that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work
Now that you are well aware of the factors that affect the feeding habit of your cat, I will educate you about the feeding requirements of your cat at different stages of life.
Newborn to four weeks of age
Newborns frequently feed, especially during the first week of age. They typically feed every two hours a day. Gradually the decrease in the frequency of feeding to four to six times a day. It is important to check their body weight to be assured that your kitten is feeding right. On average, kittens should gain fifteen to twenty grams of weight each day. If your kitten is not gaining weight, you should consult your vet to change the food to a high-quality one.
Four weeks to six weeks of age
This is the age of weaning, and cats start to shift from a liquid diet to a solid diet. You should provide them access to solid food several times a day. You can also go for a gruel that you can make by mixing canned food with warm water. A gruel will help digest better. At the age of five to six months, there is no need for a gruel as your cat’s teeth are coming, and they will take care of the solid food.
By this time, kittens are habitual to eating solid food, and they have started drinking water on their own. You can start providing dry foods but adding a tablespoon of water will help ease the chewing and digestion.
Eight weeks to ten months of age
After eight weeks of age, most of the kittens’ feeding requirements start to decrease. The development period is over by this age, and their calorie intake starts decreasing down. The body conditioning score can help determine the number of calories your cat should intake at this age. If your cat’s body conditioning score is low, your vet will advise you to give a diet rich in calories.
More than ten months of age
At this age, your cat can switch from kitten food to adult food. Kitten food is rich in calories, mainly proteins, and fats. Some cats should switch earlier, while some cats should switch later depending on their physiology. Your vet will help you in this case.
How often should I feed my cat?
Well, cats prefer eating small meals many times a day. For a kitten, you should make the food available throughout the day. If you want your cat to eat both dry and wet food, you should make the dry food available all day and provide two to three canned food meals depending on the nutritional requirements.
Furthermore, here are some tips that will be beneficial for you.
6. Cats prefer multiple small feedings in a day
7. You should provide a minimum of 3 meals at four to six months of age
8. Minimum two meals a day for ten months old cat
9. Well, a total of six meals per day is better.
Final thoughts
Well, being a pet parent is no less than being a parent to a baby. You enjoy every stage of your cat growing from a kitten to an adult. But you should be conscious of some mistakes like providing less water, providing only dry food, providing too much or too little food, etc. you should learn from other pet parent’s mistakes and try to cater to your cat better. Not to mention, feeding depends only on your cat’s nutritional requirements, and many factors affect the nutritional requirements. And you should consult your vet for this matter to have a better understanding of your cat’s nutritional needs.
I’m a busy blogger pet parent to my senior-aged cat Pizza. We have traveled all over Los Angeles, endured several moves, jobs, roommates and now global pandemic together. Today we write, learn, and share information and our favorite products, in hopes you can experience your best life with pets too, We currently live with other humans and their beautiful dog.
