The post Oliver: Too much too eat appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.
Hi everyone,
I am afraid I can’t move…
I had a bit too much too eat today!
Yes defo had too much… *burp*
Signed by
His Meowjesty King Oliver the Maker of Mischief
The post Oliver: Too much too eat appeared first on Katzenworld.
The post Happy #TRT – Tummy Rub Tuesday (Week 435) appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.
Hello everyone,
Welcome to another week of Tummy Rub Tuesday!
The easiest way to enter is by sending them in via info@katzenworld.co.uk. Or just leave a comment with a link to the post / photo you’d like us to use on this blog post.
“This is Mac a 5 year old rescue. His coat is a beautiful tabby, black, white and silver on top but his tummy which he loves to display is georgous redish buff color. We live in Niagara Falls, Canada. Mac loves lying on this chair in front of the fireplace and warming his tummy.” Sent in by John via email.
“This muffins our coon cat she loves her tummy rubbed all the time..” Sent in via email by Renee.
“This is my boy love Finley. I adore him. Don’t tell my girls ” Catherine – Sent in via email
“This is our little girl Winter and her big brother Negan. They both love to give us their tummies to rub. And all of us reside in Granger, Indiana US.” From Ron, sent in via email.
Missed last weeks post? Why not check it out here.
Now we need ALL of you! Do you want to see your cat featured and join our fun blog roll? Follow the steps below. 
You can participate by sending us an email with your photo to info@katzenworld.co.uk – just let us know what you would like to have listed as source! 
And to make it fair your cat photos don’t have to be a tummy shot we do understand that not all cats like showing off their belly! So any fun photo story will be fine but tummy ones will be even better
And on next week’s #TRT we will be posting photos with links back to all you guys in the weekly Tummy Rub Tuesday post!!!
A big thank you to all participants from all of us here at Katzenworld.
Not on WordPress but would like to follow us? We are on Bloglovin too!
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The post Cats in History – Meet the Cats of the National Trust appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.
From Sir Winston Churchill and Thomas Hardy, to Betty Hussey, who left her cat – along with her house – to the National Trust: we meet some of the fabulous felines that reigned in these stately homes and the people who loved them.
Chartwell, Kent: Sir Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Churchill and his wife Clementine owned many a cat – and not all of them well-behaved. One day, his tabby, Mickey, started playing with a telephone cord while Churchill was on the phone to his Lord Chancellor. ‘Get off the line, you fool!’ exclaimed Winston, before quickly assuring the Chancellor, ‘Not you!’.
Click to view slideshow.Perhaps the most famous of Churchill’s cats was Jock, an 88th birthday gift. The marmalade, who had four white paws and a white bib, became so much a part of life at Chartwell that when the house passed to the National Trust, Churchill’s family requested that a marmalade cat with the same white markings always be in ‘comfortable residence’. The Trust honours this request and the current incumbent is Jock VI.
Max Gate, Dorset: Thomas Hardy
From Comfy and Kitsey to Kiddleywinkempoops (‘Trot’ for short), the writer Thomas Hardy and his wife, Emma, owned at least nine cats while living at Max Gate. Others included Pella, who met her unfortunate end at the hands of a train, and Cobby, a blue Persian rumoured to have disappeared without a trace after Thomas’s death in 1928.
The couple adored their pets, inviting them to mealtimes regardless of whether they had human guests. Many are commemorated with ivy-covered gravestones in Max Gate’s garden and one, Snowdove, was even posthumously the subject of Hardy’s mournful 1904 poem, ‘Last Words to a Dumb Friend’.
Montacute, Somerset: Elinor Glyn
In 1907, the romantic novelist Elinor Glyn embarked on a passionate affair with Lord Curzon. In 1911, Curzon leased Montacute House, which had fallen into disrepair, and invited Elinor to live with him. For 18 months she endured freezing temperatures to help knock Montacute into shape. Curzon repaid her with an engagement announcement in The Times – to another woman. Elinor left Montacute and never spoke to him again.
Glamorous Elinor was devoted to her two fluffy cats, Candide and Zadig. In March 1939, when attending a literary lunch as a guest speaker, she even wore, ‘with fine panache, her huge Persian cat, Candide, asleep around her neck’ (Anthony Glyn, 1955). According to Anthony, the cats were ‘beautiful, proud, independent creatures … in many ways very like their mistress’.
Scotney Castle, Kent: Betty Hussey
In the grounds of fourteenth-century Scotney Castle is a fountain. On one edge, a stone cat lies with its paw dangling over the side, lazily attempting to catch a fish.
The fountain was commissioned by Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Hussey. Since moving to Scotney in 1952, Betty had always owned a Burmese cat, each one named Minou (French for ‘kitty’). The same name is engraved on to the collar of the statue, which she had created for her 90th birthday and funded by selling some of her jewellery.
![Oil painting on canvas, Elizabeth (Betty) Kerr-Smiley, Mrs Christopher Hussey (1907-2006) in Middle Age by John Ward, RA (Hereford 1917 - 2007), signed in brown at the bottom left: J Ward '65' [1965]. A three-quarter length portrait, seated slightly to right, looking out, gazing at the spectator, in a green sofa with two embroidered cushions, and with japanned etagere behind her, a black cat in her lap, looking out; wearing blue dress, plum-coloured cardigan over her shoulders, and single-row pearl necklace. Mid brown hair, and green eyes.](https://i0.wp.com/katzenworld.co.uk/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/cms_sco2389-National-Trust-Charles-Thomas.jpg?resize=1000%2C834&ssl=1)
Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton: Rosalie, Lady Mander
Rosalie, Lady Mander met Ricardo of Pimlico (or Ricky), at Pimlico Tube Station. He was a stray cat and she adopted him. The two travelled together from Lady Mander’s London flat to her William Morris-filled home, Wightwick Manor, sharing a ham sandwich on the train (she had the bread, he the ham).
Ricky wasn’t Lady Mander’s only cat. Miss Tabby Cat received a dedication in Rosalie’s 1981 anthology of feline-focused writings, CATegories: ‘Without whom sitting Sphinx-like on the desk or playing “with sportive grace”, kittenish on the keys, this book would have been finished much sooner.’
Discover more aristo-cats past and present in Cats of the National Trust (£9.99, National Trust Books), out now!
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The post How can I Keep my pet Entertained Indoors? appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.
Here are five vet-approved ways to beat the boredom this winter
Dark nights, wet weather, and chilly temperatures are sure signs that winter is well and truly upon us. When the weather turns, you might find your pet is less inclined to brave the outdoors – so how can we keep them entertained and ensure they get enough exercise during the colder months?
Nina Downing, vet nurse at the UK’s largest veterinary charity PDSA, has shared her five top tips for keeping your four-legged friend moving.
Nina said: “When pets don’t stay active, they are at risk of piling on extra pounds that could endanger their overall health – not to mention boredom, which can put them in mischief’s way! Luckily, there are lots of fun ways to keep furry friends entertained this winter, even on a rainy day.”
Snuffle roll
“This is a tried and tested favourite for any playful puss or pooch and is very easy to set up. All you need is a small towel or blanket, your pet’s normal dry food and a treat or two. Lay the material on the floor and scatter the food over the top. Then, roll the mat up, making sure the treats don’t fall out of either end. Now your pet can snuffle and sniff out their food, keeping their brain and nose active!
Practice training and agility
What better time to brush up on your pup’s obedience training than when you’re stuck inside? Whilst indoors you can teach your pup some new tricks or practice ones you both enjoy, using food or treats as a reward is a great way to keep them engaged and let them know they’ve mastered a trick. Another fun way to get them excited and build their fitness is to set up an indoor obstacle course. Whether it’s using chairs and a blanket to create a tunnel, a small foot stool for the perfect hurdle, or pairs of shoes for them to weave in and out of, the possibilities are endless and can provide furry and human family members alike hours of fun.
Hide and seek
A childhood classic, this game also helps to train your dog, as they become attuned to listening out, as well as sniffing around for you in order to find the location where you’re hiding. Ask your dog to sit and stay before moving around or leaving the room. At first, stand or crouch in more obvious places and call your pooch to come find you. Not only will they use their eyes, ears and nose to seek you out, they will also engage their brain and employ mental energy. As your dog becomes better at finding you, you can start to hide in more difficult places, like behind a door or curtain.
Toys, toys, and more toys
All pets have a preference for their favourite toy, whether that be a squeaky ball or teaser on a stick. Utilising items that encourage their natural instincts is a great way of keeping your pet entertained – just make sure you swap the toy every few days so they don’t get bored of it!
DIY
Homemade toys work just as well as those available in shops. You can create a teaser with strips of fabric from old clothes, blankets, or towels – simply tie them together at one end, leaving the rest to trail behind for your pet to chase. The same technique can be used to make a tug toy – just make sure to knot all the pieces together every few centimetres from end to end, as this will add strength and provide something that you and your pet can both grip.
Boxes are another favourite as they can be used in many ways, from making hidey holes through to creating tunnels. You could even cut out holes and connect several boxes together to create a maze for your pet to find their way through.
For more ideas on how to keep your pet entertained this winter, visit https://www.pdsa.org.uk/catexercise
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The post I’m a Vet Nurse – Here’s Five Reasons why Your pet is Great for Your Wellbeing appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.
Research by leading animal charity PDSA has revealed that 84% of owners believe their pet improves their mental health, which is unlikely to come as a surprise if you are an animal lover.
Four-legged friends can have a positive impact on our life in many ways, both mentally and physically. As we approach Blue Monday (16 January 2023), PDSA Vet Nurse, Nina Downing, shares her top five reasons why owning a pet is beneficial for our overall health.
“Spending quality time with your pet is beneficial to the wellbeing of both you and your four-legged family member. Humans and animals are social creatures, so this companionship can go a long way in reducing loneliness. Giving your furry friend love and attention, as well as receiving it in return, can significantly boost mental wellbeing – particularly for those who are socially isolated and may not see other people during the day.
“As well as being a great bonding activity, and essential for their own wellbeing, walking with your pooch can also be a social experience for you, allowing you to meet other dog walkers while out and about. Having a two-minute chat with neighbours as you pass each other in the park or conversing in a pet shop can make all the difference to your mood. These human connections are also easier to form, as you already have an established common interest – the love for your pets.
“For many, pets are calming figures in our lives and can offer solace in our darkest moments. In 2022, Google searches for emotional support dogs rose by 50% – indicative of the positive impact animals can have on our mental health. Whether you find comfort in petting your pup or confiding in your cat’s ear for a chat about your troubles, this stress relief plays an important part in maintaining wellbeing. In fact, research shows that spending just 10 minutes interacting with your pet each day can lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. As well as reducing stress, receiving an animal’s unconditional love without fear of judgement can help build self-confidence.
“Like people, most pets benefit from an established routine. From feeding and grooming, through to playing games and taking them out for a walk, the responsibility of caring for a pet can provide a clear day-to-day purpose and a reason to get out of bed in the morning. These actions also help establish structure in your day and are excellent habits for your own wellbeing, as well as your pets.
“Sometimes the monotony of everyday life can feel overwhelming, which is where our furry friends come into play – literally! A good game of tug, chase, or fetch can get you up, moving, and having fun, and brings lots of benefits for our pets as well. Activities like this not only encourage you to get more active but can help you feel less overwhelmed by stressors in your life, too. When you engage in regular play or exercise sessions, a chemical called dopamine – a feel-good hormone – is released by the body, helping you feel positive and motivated.
“Having a pet means they are reliant on you to meet their welfare needs and, for many, this responsibility can stimulate positive feelings such as a sense of belonging, added security, and being in control. The accountability and structure that comes with pet ownership can be highly motivating and encourage you to create the very best life for them and, in turn, for you! That’s why so many people make sure they are doing everything they can to give their pets a happy and comfortable life.”
PDSA relies on donations to deliver vital treatment to hundreds of thousands of pets across its 48 Pet Hospitals in the UK. To keep families together this winter, the charity is urgently calling on the public’s support more than ever to prevent vulnerable people having to make a truly heart-breaking decision. To find out more about PDSA’s vital work during the cost-of-living crisis, or to donate, visit www.pdsa.org.uk/costoflovingcrisis
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The post Owners are Wheely Happy After Being Reunited With Cat Missing for Weeks appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.
The feline took a terrifying road trip after getting stuck above car wheel
A cat who was stuck for five days near the engine of a car was rescued by the RSPCA and firefighters at Runcorn in Cheshire.
The black and white feline, called Spider, was fortunate to survive after he clambered into a gap above the wheel arch of the vehicle seeking some warmth during the cold snap.
At the time the car was stationary, but he became wedged in and endured a terrifying five-day ordeal as the car was driven around by the unwitting motorist.
Eventually, his miaows were heard when the driver stopped to put air in her tyres at a Shell garage in Palacefields in Runcorn on the afternoon of December 20.
Spider was prised from his confinement when Cheshire Fire Brigade officers removed the car wheel which allowed RSPCA inspector Nadine Pengilly to grab the stricken moggy.
Miraculously, the three-year-old cat escaped serious injuries, although he needed treatment at the RSPCA Greater Manchester Animal Hospital.
Fortunately, he was microchipped, so inspector Pengilly was able to track his owners down in Frodsham, three miles away from where he was rescued. They had not seen him since he went missing on the first weekend in December.
“Spider climbed into a very small gap between the engine and wheel arch and when I showed up I could just see his little face inside – but he was completely stuck,” recalled inspector Nadine.
“Thankfully, we were able to get to him after the fire officers jacked the car up. I slipped my hand in and got hold of him by the neck and got him out.
“He was dehydrated, so he needed to be put on a drip at the RSPCA hospital for 48 hours. But other than that he only received a few minor burns, so it was a lucky escape considering how long he was trapped for.
“Someone put a note on the car saying a cat had been seen near the engine, but it was only when the driver heard miaowing as she was attending her tyres at the garage that it became clear where he was.
“Spider’s owners live in Frodsham and they were overjoyed to see him again as he had been missing from home for two-and-a-half weeks.
“But we need the public’s help to be there for more animals. To Join the RSPCA’s Winter Rescue and help our rescuers be there for the animals in need, like this cat, please visit our web page here.”
More information on the RSPCA’s Join the Rescue campaign can be found online.
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The post WSAVA Invites Updates to its Essential Medicines List for Cats and Dogs appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.
The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is to hold an open audit for updates to its Essential Medicines for Cats and Dogs prior to launching a revised version later in 2023. Starting on January 9, 2023, WSAVA members, industry representatives and all other stakeholders are invited to submit their comments on the current edition for review and potential inclusion.
The Essential Medicines List for Cats and Dogs was developed by the association’s Therapeutics Guidelines Group. A global first, it aimed to tackle the difficulties that exist for companion animal veterinarians in many regions of the world in accessing vital veterinary medicines by supporting the availability of drugs required for minimum standards of clinical practice. The document includes both core and complementary essential medicines, listed alphabetically, either by drug category or organ system/specialty. It is available for free download on the WSAVA’s website.
Through its Therapeutics Guidelines Group, the WSAVA is leading a campaign to resolve global inequalities in accessing veterinary medicines and recently addressed the topic during its flagship ‘Shaping the Future’ session at WSAVA World Congress 2022, in Lima, Peru. It also hosted a stakeholder meeting during the Congress to discuss the issue in more detail and to explore potential solutions.
Commenting, Dr Paulo Steagall, Co-chair of the Therapeutics Guidelines Group, said: “The WSAVA List of Essential Medicines for Cats and Dogs has proved an important step forward in our efforts to improve global drug availability. We know that it is already supporting regulatory decision-making around licensing, registration and approval, as well as assisting with pharmacovigilance.
“As it was launched in 2020, it is now time for its three-yearly review and, for this, we are calling on the global veterinary community to help us so that we can ensure that the document fulfils its purpose of becoming a key element of the regulatory framework and a useful tool to ensure access to veterinary medicines globally.
“We are keen to hear from veterinarians, from industry and from all other stakeholders with their suggestions and comments as to what the core and complementary medicines for treating the most frequent and important diseases in small animal companion medicine should be. This will ensure that the 2023 edition of the WSAVA Essential Medicines List for Cats and Dogs is fully up-to-date when we release it later in the year.”
Before making their comments, contributors are asked to review the definitions of core and complementary essential medicines in the first edition of the WSAVA Essential Medicines List at https://bit.ly/3aJAUOM
Submissions should be sent to the WSAVA Therapeutics Guidelines Group at wsavatgg@gmail.com by 31 March 2023.
The WSAVA represents more than 200,000 veterinarians worldwide through its 115 member associations and works to enhance standards of clinical care for companion animals. Its core activities include the development of WSAVA Global Guidelines in key areas of veterinary practice, including pain management, nutrition and vaccination, together with lobbying on important issues affecting companion animal care worldwide.
The work of the WSAVA Therapeutics Guidelines Group is kindly supported by Zoetis.
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The post Guest Star Cat: In Memory of the Friendly Feral Kitten Luca appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.
By Rehana Perveen
September 5th, 2021 – I saw you for the first time by a car on the parking lot, so small to my eyes from far that I thought you were a thrown brown paper bag.
As I walked near, I noticed those cute ears and knew you were a kitten! You sat for a bit and then ran behind the car, peaking out to see me.
Those were the first photos I took of you. Since then slowly with food and water served quietly before dawn, you started to trust me and came to eat without fear. A few months later, you let me touch your head, brush you, and pet you.
You responded to my talking to you and we went for walks often, all before the sun had risen and people, children, pets came out for walks.
The last time I saw you was on October 19th, 2022. I was worried about the dreadful upcoming winter. Even though there is a shelter with hay which you could use, I was sad you had to fight the cold weather. I could not take you home with me.
After two weeks of searching around in the middle of the nights, I put a post in lost pets fb page. Someone told me she saw you around before and knew your area. She also told me you were hit by a car that weekend after I saw you last.
You passed away on the road right beside where we walked. I miss you Luca. I wish we had more time together. I pray that someday I get to see you in heaven and you can stay with me there for eternity.
The post Guest Star Cat: In Memory of the Friendly Feral Kitten Luca appeared first on Katzenworld.
The post Make it Your New Year’s Resolution to Lend a Helping Hand appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.
As we kick off 2023 and a new chapter begins, many of us will be making New Year’s resolutions in the hope of improving our own lives and the lives of others.
A great way to achieve both of these aims is to support the vital work of charities by lending a helping hand as a volunteer.
Each year, 3,000 people kindly donate their time to PDSA, the UK’s largest veterinary charity, supporting the life-saving work of our 48 Pet Hospitals.
A wealth of opportunities are available in our charity shops for people who are aged 18 or over and can spare a few hours a week.
PDSA Volunteering Business Partner, Jennie Pearson, said: “Our volunteers are an amazing group of people who all contribute something very special to PDSA. By giving us the gift of their time, they are helping us to support owners who would otherwise struggle to cover the cost of unexpected veterinary bills if their pet became ill or was injured. Their efforts quite literally mean that families can stay together.”
Benefits
“We offer a warm and supportive environment for all of our volunteers. As well as enabling people to give something back to their local community, volunteering also helps individuals to improve their confidence while enabling them to develop skills in retail and customer service which can increase their chances of securing future employment.
Our people
“We are always on the lookout for friendly and enthusiastic people to join our team. You don’t need experience – we provide training for each role – you just need a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. We will also reimburse any expenses incurred so you won’t be out of pocket.
Charity shop volunteers
Essential contribution
“The efforts of our kind-hearted volunteers have never been more important than they are now, with demand on our services expected to grow as the cost of living crisis hits communities and people continue to feel the squeeze. If you would like to make a positive difference to your own life and the lives of others by lending a hand at PDSA, please visit our website to find out about the opportunities available in your area – we would love to hear from you.”
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The post Whiskers Fatigue & How to Prevent This With Wide and Elevated Bowls appeared first on Katzenworld - Welcome to the world of cats!.
As these bowls turned out to be one of the most popular items from our blog online shop and plenty of our international readers love them we have managed to negotiate better rates for most countries for this year. Therefore we thought it was a good time to re-post this article.
Have you ever heard of the term Whisker Fatigue?
“In basic terms, whisker fatigue is simply over-stimulation of the sensory system of the whiskers. What happens when the whiskers are touched too much, even if it is basic brushing against food and water dishes, is the cat’s brain gets an onslaught of sensory messages transmitted to their brain.” Dr Keyes from Cat Vet Tucson. A full article on this condition can be found here.
This is something we had never really thought about until we noticed that one of our cats would ignore her overwise favourite food! After reading about whisker fatigue we tried many different types of bowls but none of them seemed to be quite right until we found the Necoichi extra-wide bowls!
It’s not surprising that this bowl from Japanese company Necoichi won the 1st place in the Global Pet Expo awards. Not just does it address the whisker fatigue problem but it also addresses the issue of cats liking to eat from the middle of the bowl! Thanks to its designed curve the food naturally gravitates towards the center avoiding the oh so common issue of a cat complaining that the bowl is empty while it’s still half full! 
Further to this, the bowls are made of ceramic which avoids the common issue we saw with wide bowls made of bamboo composite or plastic. With the bamboo composite or plastic no matter how hard we cleaned them they lead to the problem eater cat developing feline acne due to the bacteria living in the material of the bowls we used prior to the ceramic bowls.
And lastly, the raised design just makes it easier for cats to eat as well as reduce the risk of vomiting in cats that are prone to the latter!
“The use of an elevated bowl allows gravity to assist in moving food from the mouth to the stomach. Cats with other eating or swallowing problems may also benefit from an elevated food bowl.” Quote By
The extra-wide raised bowls now come in 3 fabulous designs from Necoichi and we are very lucky to have been able to source these for our online shop alongside the rest of the impressive Necoichi range.
The designs currently available for this bowl are Classic, Sakura , Colourful Dots, Botanical Garden, Mount Fuji and Nala cat which features an image of the brands’ mascot Nala!
Of course, the brand also has more affordable standard sized and large bowls as well as water bowls for those that don’t necessarily require the extra-wide bowl to avoid whisker fatigue! Our three-legged cat Nubia is especially pleased about this as it makes it easier for her to drink and eat at all times.
The full range can be seen here.
And if you have problems with spillage despite the special lip design to minimise this in the first place… why not add a Necoichi dining tray!
Thanks,
Marc
The post Whiskers Fatigue & How to Prevent This With Wide and Elevated Bowls appeared first on Katzenworld.