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I've Caught My Cat Looking in the Mirror!

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Studies have concluded that cats don't recognize themselves in mirrors, but I'm not so sure about that. I've walked in to find my orange tabby peering into my dresser mirror more than once. He also sits in front of the curio cabinet, seemingly watching something, but is he self-aware?  My Cat Was Self-Aware for at Least a Moment The first time I saw him gazing at a reflection, I was walking into my bedroom. He doesn't typically get on the dresser, and I was just as surprised as he was. Through the mirror, he watched me enter the room and quickly turned back to look my way directly. He turned to the reflection again, and a look of realization came over his face. His eyes widened like saucers, and he looked stunned to say the least. It was then that I realized that he was self-aware, at least for a moment.  Cats Understand More Than Humans Think! The study I mentioned concluded that cats don't recognize their reflection because they didn't try to remove something ...

Cat Litter is Not Clumping

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Clumping cat litter is fantastic when it works as it should. Before its invention, the entire pan had to be dumped and refilled at least once a week. It was a huge chore back in the day.  You could scoop out the solids to make it a bit cleaner, but the urine didn't form a removable lump. Try to scoop out the wet spots and it falls through the slats.  Are More Expensive Brands Better? Basic clay kitty litter is cheaper initially, but that doesn't make it the best value for your money. The clumping variety works better at controlling odors and lasts considerably longer. I'd never go back to the basic clay kind, but I've had it stop clumping. These are the reasons it stopped working for me, and I'm also sharing my favorite brand. Price doesn't always equal quality.  Why Your Usual Clumping Cat Litter Stopped Working If your cat litter is not clumping but used to work great, consider how long it's been since you changed the entire box. Each time it's scooped...

Fun Interactive Toys for Adult Cats

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Even as adults, cats continue to enjoy playtime. It not only provides the health benefits of exercise, but also nurtures their primal hunting instincts. That's why it's important to provide the right toys. Interactive varieties are great since humans aren't required to make them move, light up, or whatever they do. My cats, Teddy and Mitsy, are young adults now, and they love playing with their favorite toys while the humans are asleep. The upstairs hallway becomes a hockey rink, and they bat around and chase balls, springs, and whatnot. During the day, they aren't nearly as active and often show signs of boredom. By signs, I mean meowing to get my attention. That's why I began searching for interactive toys for adult cats.  My Cats Love Their Interactive Play Mat I spent a lot of time searching for interactive rechargeable toys for cats, and the one I chose was a hit. Teddy and Mitsy absolutely love this play mat, and I love that it doesn't require batteries! I...

Bird Buddy Pro Solar Bird Feeder Camera Review

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Hello, my fellow cat and bird-loving friends. My cats love to watch streaming videos of birds on TV, and I was recently gifted a bird feeder cam. I didn't know what to expect, including camera quality or if my backyard birds would even like the new birdfeeder. After using it for a few weeks, I'm posting my honest review of the Birdbuddy Pro Solar Bird Feeder with Camera for my followers and anyone interested in learning about it.  Capabilities of the Birdbuddy Solar Feeder Solar panel for continual charging HD camera Supports HDR (high dynamic range) for amazing photos and videos Up to 2K video resolution Image and video notifications Collect and organize favorite photos on the app Alexa compatible  AI nature chat  Species recognition  Name returning birds (if desired) Real-time notifications Sharp details Slow-motion video option Ignore specific species Predator alert  Watch birds posted by community members from around the world  Report sick or injured bi...

Catching My Feral Kitten

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Three years ago, on a warm and breezy autumn evening, I heard what I first thought was the cry of a kildeer in the far end of the backyard. As I sat at the dining room table, I soon realized that it wasn't a bird. It sounded more and more like a kitten in distress, and I had to investigate. I had been secretly wishing for a kitten, and maybe the cat distribution system had finally worked in my favor.  My cat Panda Bear was 13 years old, and the dreaded thought that he wouldn't always be around had crossed my mind more than once. Having a kitten or another cat to care for would soften the inevitable blow. I'll save that story for another post.  Anyway, after digging through one of two kitchen junk drawers for a working flashlight, I ventured outside as the sun sank below the trees and darkened the landscape. Following the sound to the far corner of the one-acre yard brought me to a scrubby-looking bush and thick weeds in the neighbor's yard. I bent down to see the source...

The First Night with a Feral Kitten

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Welcome back to my new blog and my second post. If you read my first entry, I said that I'd follow up on how I helped the feral kitten I rescued from the backyard, and I'm posting it a day earlier than expected. I plan on posting a few times a week, and it may be more often until my site is established.  Anyway, after bringing Mitsy inside, I was able to examine her. Thankfully, she wasn't trying to bite me or escape. I quickly retrieved the carrier I used for my shih-tzu and lined it with a towel. I also offered her water, a little wet food, and a small litterbox made from a shallow plastic lunchmeat container. The cage would also keep her safe when I couldn't actively watch her. Kittens are like toddlers, and they must be supervised.  Mitsy My Little Feral Either Mitsy was at least partially weaned, or she was extremely hungry and finished the food. At this point, she seemed to realize that I was a friend. She became relaxed enough to play with a cat dancer toy, and w...

Introducing a Feral Kitten to Adult Cats

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Hello again, and welcome to the third post at My Two Cats . I didn't begin with two cats as my blog name suggests. When I rescued Mitsy, I already had two seniors. That leads me to the topic of this article. I wasn't sure if the adults would instantly accept her, physically attack her, or hide in fear of this fluffy little invader. Turns out none of the above happened.  Why I Didn't Immediately Allow Contact  The initial introduction went better than expected, but it wasn't without challenges. As I said in my second post, I waited to introduce the feral kitten. She could have had anything from worms to feline leukemia, and I waited to protect my indoor cats until after a thorough veterinary exam.  How the Older Cats and a Dog Reacted to a Feral Kitten The two older ones hissed a lot but didn't attack or run off in fear. Mitsy was clearly put off by their not-so-welcoming reactions, but the hissing and lunging lessened each day.  As previously mentioned, I also had a...