After checking out the new Friends Furever pages on Facebook I’m purring with pleasure. You can chat about all kinds of cat and dog issues; stay up-to-date about our fitness and health; plus take part in all kinds of pet-friendly giveaways, promotions and offers.

To check it out for yourself, click here.

Also, keep your eyes peeled for an email about our new Friends Furever website – coming soon.

Everyone looks great in designer jeans. In the case of the Oriental Shorthair, though, it is designer genes that make it such an eye-catching and popular cat – and as Cat Diaries discovered, it is a relatively new breed with an ancient history.

Origins
Officially recognised as a breed in the 1950s, the Oriental Shorthair has its roots in the Siamese breed originating in Siam (which is now Thailand). British breeders who liked the look of the Siamese but wanted a greater variety of colours began cross-breeding the Siamese with domestic shorthairs such as the Russian Blue, Abyssinian and British Shorthair. The result was a cat that was Siamese in body shape and facial features, but with such a wide variation of colours that it earned the nickname ‘Ornamental’.

Appearance
While the Oriental Shorthair is similar in appearance to the Siamese, it can come in over 300 colour and pattern variations. The Oriental Shorthair has a medium build and triangular face and head with large ears and slanted almond eyes. The hair is much softer and thicker than on many other shorthaired breeds, although it remains close to the body.

Temperament
Like the Siamese, the Oriental Shorthair is a brilliant family pet, as it is both people-oriented and affectionate. The Oriental Shorthair craves attention and is both loyal and vocal about its love for humans, often ‘calling’ to owners throughout the house and having ‘conversations’ when spoken to. Many Oriental Shorthair owners report them as being almost doglike in their loyalty and need for company.

The Oriental Shorthair is both aesthetically pleasing and social, making it a wonderful addition to any family. Be prepared to lavish affection on it, however, as the Oriental Shorthair is notorious for loving a good cuddle on the couch!

[IMAGE SOURCE www.pictures-of-cats.org; www.mainecoonbreeders.com]

Remember, cats can climb
Cats are naturally curious animals. They’re going to look in every nook and cranny of their new home and will probably test out anything that isn’t secure. Make sure everything that might fall and break, or make a mess, is either safely secured or put away.

Make sure you tie up window blind cords. If your cat gets tangled, they may accidentally choke themselves.

Make some areas off limits
If you don’t want to have to shut every door just to keep your cat contained, you can spray bitter apple or lemon scented sprays around areas where you don’t want your kitty to go. Cats can’t stand the scent or taste of these flavours. Just do a spot test first to make sure it doesn’t stain.

Put toys away
You might look around your house or apartment and not see any toys. But look again through cat’s eyes. Is there anything they might be able to play with, or ingest? Craft items such as needlework, glue and threads should be put away. Any hair ties, rubber bands, ribbons or ties should be kept somewhere off limits so your cat can’t swallow them.

Lid down
Make sure you keep the toilet lid down. A constant supply of water can look very inviting to a thirsty cat, but a small kitten may drown. If your toilet has an automatic cleaning block in it, this could react unfavourably with your cat’s stomach and make your kitty quite sick!

Houseplants outside
If you have any houseplants, check that they aren’t toxic to cats. Ingestion of certain flowers such as lilies or geraniums could prove life threatening for your cat. You can find a list of toxic plants here.

Do you have any tips on cat proofing your home?

Sources and further reading:

How to cat-proof your home: http://cats.about.com/cs/catmanagement101/a/catproof.htm
Kitten proofing your house: http://www.cat-world.com.au/KittenProofing.htm
Cat proofing you home: http://maxshouse.com/cat_proofing_your_home.htm

[IMAGE SOURCE www.scienceblogs.com; www.animal-photography.com]

History
Although there is conjecture – and even a touch of controversy – surrounding the breed’s origins, the most compelling theory suggests that the Dragon Li cat came about through the natural self-domestication of wild descendents of mountain cats. Self-domestication is the adaptation of wild animals to human presence, and there is evidence to suggest this is exactly what has happened as China’s human population grew.

Appearance
Looking at a Dragon Li, it’s not difficult to see the correlations with its wild relatives. The Dragon Li has a distinctive ‘hunter’s’ gate, with more severely almond-shaped eyes and a thick, well-muscled body. Its head is rounded and large, and it features distinctive tipping on the ears.

Temperament
What sets this breed apart is its incredible intelligence and uncanny adaptability. The Dragon Li is said to have a highly instinctual understanding and awareness of its surroundings, and remains calm and oriented in any location. Because of this, along with a love of playing and exploring, the Dragon Li is a well-adjusted family pet and rarely becomes distressed or needy.
With the confidence of the wild in its past and a sharp awareness of its present, the Dragon Li is a brave, happy and content addition to any household.

[IMAGE SOURCE www.cat-chitchat.pictures-of-cats.org]

Here are some of the most important things about toilet training a kitten:

• Don’t move the litter box drastically. If you want to move the litter box to a different room or outside, do it gradually over a number of weeks. This will prevent your kitten from becoming confused and not knowing where the litter box is. Move it a few centimetres each day until it is where you want it to end up.
• If you want your cat to go in the garden or outside, and it has been taught to use a litter box, use the same process. When the litter box is outside you can begin training the kitten to go places in the garden.
• Keep the litter box clean. Just like our toilets, a kitty litter should be kept clean so change the litter frequently. If your kitten goes somewhere it shouldn’t, be sure to clean it up as quickly as possible. The smell may attract the kitten to go in the same place again.
• Don’t give the kitten access to the whole house at once. Try keeping the kitten in one or two rooms while it’s still learning to use the litter box. That way it’ll be easier for both you and the kitten. The kitten will know the room where its litter tray is and you can watch for signs if it needs to go.

This site has some great tips for toilet training your kitten. Overall it is very important to remember that a kitten is still learning and you need to be patient while they become accustomed to their new home.

Related Resources

Urine Stain Removal

As Cat Diaries reported here, the recent floods in Queensland and Victoria, followed by the impact of Cyclone Yasi, haven’t only taken a toll on the human inhabitants. Pets and livestock have suffered, too.

So Dr Katrina Warren and the Wonderdogs would like you and, if you have one, your dog to pack a picnic and join them for a special community event to raise funds for the animals and their families affected by the recent disasters. Registration costs just $10 per adult (children are free), with all money raised going to the Animal Welfare League NSW. Alternatively, you can make a donation at www.awlnsw.com.au.

The event is taking place this Sunday, 27 February, 2011, at Callan Park, Rozelle, NSW, from 3pm onwards and features a great line-up, including…

• Wonderdog trick shows, training and agility
• Dog competitions, such as ‘musical sit’ and a trick competition
• A colouring competition for kids
• An opportunity to meet Dr Katrina, plus other celebs celebrities and their dogs
• Photo opportunities with the Wonderdogs, sponsored by The Advantage Family
• Raffle
• Pet photographer
• Community choir

Just remember that all dogs must be kept on leads.

The culmination of the event takes place at 5pm with the creation of a Community Memory Tree. In a ceremony led by celebrant Victoria Spence, you’ll have the opportunity to celebrate your pets and what they bring to your life and honour all the animals who died in the floods and cyclone. Bring a photo of a pet you would like to remember to add to the Memory Tree, or you can make a memorial on the day (some materials will be available).

We hope to see you there!

• Click here for more information or, call (02) 8899 3333 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (02) 8899 3333      end_of_the_skype_highlighting. If you can’t make it to Callan Park on Sunday, you can still make a donation at www.awlnsw.com.au.

Image sourced from: awlnsw.com.au & blogs.citypages.com

It was with heavy hearts that the Cat Diaries team learned of the recent slaughter of over 100 sled-dogs in the Canadian skiing village of Whistler.

In an unimaginable horror to anyone with a heart – let alone a pet at home – 100 sled dogs were allegedly shot and knifed by an employee of the companies ‘Outdoor Adventures Whistler’ and ‘Howling Dogs’, both sled-tour providers.

While the details are still uncertain, what is known is that the killings came to light after the employee in question claimed compensation for post-traumatic stress syndrome because of the nature of the killings.

According to documents in the possession of the SPCA of British Columbia, dogs were tethered and had to witness hours of brutality before the gun was turned on them, with scenes of unmentionable horror being described.

Peter Fricker from the Vancouver Humane society said, ‘We think as the public finds out more of the details of this case that they are going to be completely outraged.’

The killings allegedly took place in April, after the business and tourism boom produced by the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics died down.

While the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the SPCA are investigating the case, experts have warned that cruelty cases are often difficult to prosecute.

The case has shocked dog-lovers and animal rights groups around the world, and shone the spotlight on the sledding tourism industry itself.

‘We’d like to see the entire sled dog industry shut down,’ said Fricker. ‘Something like this can never happen again.’

Image sourced from: pups-seeking-homes.com and urbanitebaltimore.com

A few weeks ago, we posted an article containing some ideas for what to buy your cat for Christmas. Something that didn’t make the list (but might have been on yours) was the ever-popular iPad. With a special application called ‘Game for Cats’ (download it free here) the feline world doesn’t have to miss out on Apple-mania. Watch these two getting into it… who said a non-scratch screen wasn’t an important feature of the device?!

Thumbnail image from jeroenmirck.nl

Ever wondered what promises you cat may want to keep? Here are a few ideas…

The new year may already be starting to feel a bit old, but this list of New Year’s Resolution for cats was just too funny not to pass on. Enjoy!

• I will not slurp fish food from the surface of the aquarium.

• I must not help myself to Q-tips, and I must certainly not proceed to stuff them down the sink’s drain.

• I will not eat large numbers of assorted bugs, then come home and puke them up so the humans can see I’m getting plenty of roughage.

• I will not use the bathtub to store live mice for late-night snacks.

• I will not perch on my human’s chest in the middle of the night and stare into her eyes until she wakes up.

• Screaming at the can of food will not make it open itself.

• I cannot leap through closed windows to catch birds outside. If I forget this and bonk my head on the window and fall behind the couch in my attempt, I will not get up and do the same thing again.

• I will not assume the patio door is open when I race outside to chase leaves.

• I will not complain that my bottom is wet and that I am thirsty after sitting in my water bowl.

• I will not intrude on my human’s candle-lit bubble bath and singe my bottom.

• I will not stick my paw into any container to see if there is something in it. If I do, I will not hiss and scratch when my human has to shave me to get the rubber cement out of my fur.

• If I bite the cactus, it will bite back.

• When I am chasing my tail and catch my back leg instead, I will not bite down on my foot. This hurts – and my scream scares my human.

• When it rains, it will be raining on all sides of the house. It is not necessary to check every door.

• Birds do not come from the bird feeder. I will not knock it down and try to open it up to get the birds out.

• I will not stuff my rather large self into the rather small bird feeder (with my tail hanging out one side) and expect the birds to just fly in.

• The dog can see me coming when I stalk her. She can see me and will move out of the way when I pounce, letting me smash into floors and walls. That does not mean I should take it as a personal insult when my humans sit there and laugh.

• Yes, there are still two very large dogs in the backyard. There have been for several years. I don’t have to act as if I’ve just discovered the Demon Horror of the Universe each time one of them appears in my window.

• I will not play ‘dead cat on the stairs’ while people are trying to bring in groceries or laundry – or else one of these days it will really come true!

• When the humans play darts, I will not leap into the air and attempt to catch them.

• I will not swat my human’s head repeatedly when she’s on the bedroom floor trying to do sit-ups.

• When my human is typing at the computer, her forearms are not a hammock.

• Computer and TV screens do not exist to backlight my lovely tail.

• I am a walking static generator. My human doesn’t need my help installing a new board in her computer.

• I will not speed dial the overseas numbers.

• I will not walk on the keyboard when my human is writing important emiognaioerp ga3qi4 taija3tgv aa35 a.

• I will not watch the guinea pig constantly as the guinea pig likes to sleep once in a while.

• The goldfish likes living in water and should be allowed to remain in its bowl.

• I will not drag the magnets (and the papers they are holding) off the fridge and then bat them underneath it so that they adhere to the underside.

• I will learn to relax at the vet’s so they will start writing things in my records like ‘Good kitty’ and ‘Sweet kitty’ instead of ‘MEAN!’ ‘BITER!!’ and ‘GET HELP!!!’

• I will not be miffed at my human all day and then kiss her on the nose at 2am to tell her that she is forgiven and can now pet me.

• If I must give a present to my human’s overnight guests, my toy mouse is much more socially acceptable than a big live cockroach… even if it isn’t as tasty!

Images sourced from: Mauriceo and Catfood Recipes Online

‘Ojos azules’ means ‘blue eyes’ in Spanish, and it is the deep-blue eyes unique to the breed that is both its identifying trait and the reason for its existence. However, the Ojos Azules has a breeding history tinged with sadness that, although now addressed, means this is one of the rarest of all cat breeds.

History

The foundation cat for this breed came from humble beginnings, spotted in a pack of feral cats in Mexico in 1984. So far, so unremarkable… except that this female was a tortoiseshell with deep-blue eyes. This was unheard of, since that sort of eye colour had previously only been found in white and colourpoint cats like the Siamese (and has been linked to deafness).

Enchanted by the deep-blue eyes, her discoverers decided to breed the cat, named Cornflower, with male cats without blue eyes – and discovered that the trait was dominant, as all Cornflower’s kittens had those same dark-blue eyes.

Appearance
A medium-sized cat, the Ojos Azules can come in any coat colour, the one proviso being the distinctive eyes. Apart from their pigmentation, those eyes are large and round, which give the cat a permanently inquisitive and kitten-like look. However, white-coloured specimens of the breed are difficult to distinguish these from regular white, blue-eyed cats, many of whom have a tendency towards deafness. A flattened tail tip is another distinguishing characteristic.

Breeding difficulties
The breed was accepted for registration by the International Cat Association (TICA) in 1991. However, it was later discovered that although the eye colour was not linked to deafness, it was linked to cranial defects. This led to a temporary suspension of the breeding program when it became apparent that certain combinations of the blue-eyed gene (particularly when two blue-eyed cats were bred together) could prove fatal.

The solution was to ensure blue-eyed cats were only bred with non-blue-eyes, resulting in a litter of 50% blue-eyes and 50% non-blue-eyes. Although this means only the blue-eyed kittens can be considered Ojos Azules, it ensured the breeding program was able to resume. However, the Ojos Azules remains one of the rarest of all cat breeds.

Images sourced from : Fimho