Cat Mews

Kitty Care.

Posted on by Leah Craft

Cats might act tough, but they can get sick just like you. Make sure you know how to look for signs that your cat is more than just being grumpy, so you can pounce on the problem before things get hairy. Here are some common kitty conditions you might want to look out for.

Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

Feline urinary tract disease, or FLUTD, often occurs in cats who eat dry food, are overweight or are stressed. The condition encompasses a group of urinary tract diseases and as many as 3% of all cats seen by vets have one. If you think your cat has a FLUTD, make sure you bring them to a vet immediately. Symptoms include:

• Unusual urine color
• Licking around urinary area
• Lack of appetite
• Vomiting
• Avoiding cat litter

Allergies

Some unfortunate humans are allergic to cats, but did you know that cats can have allergies too? Like most mammals, cats are prone to dust, pollen, chemical and microorganism allergens. If you notice your cat is irritated repeatedly under the same conditions and doesn’t just want you to let them into your room, it may be an allergy.

Look for symptoms like excessive itching, weepy eyes, and mucus production and talk to your vet to help establish a cause. There is no cure for allergies, but you can take preventive steps to keep your cat as comfortable as possible. One way to decrease the amount of potential irritants in your cat’s life is by switching to Fresh & Light Fragrance-Free or Ultimate Care Hypoallergenic litters. These offer all of the performance benefits, without all of the dust and perfumes.

Fleas

We’ve all heard about fleas. These high-flying miniature circus performers are a common feline health problem. Outdoor cats are especially prone to getting fleas, but any cat is at risk. If you have an outdoor cat, talk to your vet about preventative treatments. Symptoms of fleas include:

• Tiny black dots on skin
• Constant scratching or licking
• Red or irritated skin
• Loss of hair


If you notice that your cat seems especially itchy, do a quick symptom check and talk to your vet about treatment options.

One word says it all.

Posted on by Leah Craft

Meow. It means “hello,” “I love you,” “I hate you,” and “what are you doing in my house?”. For years, scientists have tried unsuccessfully to decipher the intricacies of the feline language. One talented television ad therapist finally figured it out, but she was booked for the foreseeable future. So instead, we leave you with these interesting facts about our furry friends.

Cats can’t read, but…
A group of kittens is called a kindle.

Who came up with the slogan “Cool cat”?
A cat’s normal body temperature is 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dust that fish bowl for noseprints!
A cat’s nosepad is as unique as a human fingerprint.

Too bad they don’t play baseball
Only 20% of cats are right-pawed. The rest are either lefties or ambidextrous.

Or basketball
Cats can jump 5 times their height.

I could tell he was nervous when we shook paws
Cats perspire through their paws.

Party foul
Cat urine glows under “black light”.

“The better to see you with, my dear”
Cats have the largest eyes in proportion to their body size of all mammals.

Thank you Cat-World.com

Sometimes you just have to laugh.

Posted on by Leah Craft

Does your cat wear the pants in your relationship? Of course he/she does. You’d look ridiculous wearing cat pants.

Here are some of our favorite “feline truths” from over the years. Enjoy!

“A lie is like a cat: You need to stop it before it gets out the door or it’s really hard to catch.”
—Charles M. Blow (columnist)

“‘Meow’ means ‘woof’ in cat.”
—George Carlin (comedian)

“You see, wire telegraph is a kind of a very, very long cat. You pull his tail in New York and his head is meowing in Los Angeles. Do you understand this? And radio operates exactly the same way: you send signals here, they receive them there. The only difference is that there is no cat.”
—Albert Einstein (theoretical physicist)

“Time spent with cats is never wasted.”
—Sigmund Freud (psychoanalyst)

“Cats know how to obtain food without labor, shelter without confinement, and love without penalties.”
—Walter Lionel George (author, A Bed of Roses)

“How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven.”
—Robert A. Heinlein (author, Red Planet)

“Cats have it all — admiration, an endless sleep, and company only when they want it.”
—Rod McKuen (poet, Stanyan Street & Other Sorrows)

“The problem with cats is that they get the same exact look whether they see a moth or an ax-murderer.”
—Paula Poundstone (comedian)

“I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.”
—Hippolyte Taine (critic)

“I have lived with several Zen masters — all of them cats.”
—Eckhart Tolle (author, The Power of Now)

“Cats are smarter than dogs. You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.”
—Je Valdez (producer, Urban Jungle)

“If a dog jumps into your lap it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing it is because your lap is warmer.”
—A.N. Whitehead (mathematician and philosopher)

“The phrase ‘domestic cat’ is an oxymoron.”
—George Will (columnist)

“You shouldn’t have to blow out your back to take out the litter.”
—Cat’s Pride (awesome cat litter makers)

Ok, that last one’s just a shameless plug, Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care, the ultimate performing lightweight litter.

Cat Tales – To be continued…

Posted on by Leah Craft

Since ancient Egypt, humans have revered cats. We love them for their discerning desires, like the premium litters from Cat’s Pride. Today, we continue to salute the furry feline friends whose lively exploits and independent spirits inspire us.

The cat that got away. For awhile.

This is the story of Snippers—a Tabby of abundant brain, with one heck of a sense of direction. Snippers was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest—Seattle, to be exact. The runt of a six kitty litter, he loved being near (but not in) the water. He loved his owner. And of course, he loved his Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care. Snippers would spend his mornings, afternoons and early evenings on the porch, doing one of only two things—looking out at the deep blue waters of Lake Washington, or sleeping. He yearned for the return of his beloved owner each night. For the hand-sliced tuna caught fresh off the coast. For the gentle stroke of a hand, and a warm lap upon which to rest as he and his owner binge-watched three episodes on Netflix.

It was by all accounts, the perfect life. That is until Snippers’ owner learned that both she, and Snippers would soon be relocated to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You see, when you’re a Director of IT Development for a very, very, very large online retailer in the Pacific Northwest, sometimes you get sent packing. And sometimes you need to get it all there in two days.

Join us next time as we continue our story and share with you a prime example of how a love between cat and owner can overcome unimaginable obstacles.

Cat’s Pride Introduces New Fresh & Light Ultimate Care

Posted on by Leah Craft

CHICAGO (March 7, 2016)— Oil-Dri Corporation of America (ODC-NYSE), a leading manufacturer of quality cat litter and the inventor of lightweight litter, announces the launch of the new Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care, a revolutionary litter that delivers the ultimate performance  including 10 day odor control, the strongest clumps and low tracking. Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care is the best lightweight litter and is 50 percent lighter than traditional scoopable litters. The campaign includes TV, print, digital and radio advertising.

“Cat’s Pride is excited to introduce consumers to our newest innovation in cat litter, Fresh & Light Ultimate Care. For 75 years, we’ve been committed to providing products that enrich the lives of cats and their owners,” said Dan Jaffee, president and CEO of Oil-Dri, the makers of Cat’s Pride.

  • Cat’s Pride started the lightweight litter trend and continues to innovate with its new product, Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care lightweight litter. The product is 50% lighter and is formulated with highly absorbent minerals and no fillers, guaranteeing 10 days of odor control, the strongest clumps and low dust and tracking. Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care offers the ultimate performance at a great value. The product is offered in a 10 pound jug, in both scented and unscented hypoallergenic varieties.
  • “Cats are Complicated. Great Litter is Simple.” Campaign: The new Cat’s Pride integrated marketing campaign is the brand’s largest media launch ever. This concept features a recurring character—a cat/owner couples therapist—who helps owners have a more meaningful and positive relationship with their cats. She continually reinforces how using the best-performing Fresh & Light Ultimate Care can reduce tensions all around and create healthier interactions between cats and their people. The integrated campaign continues across all digital, social media, in-store and print platforms.

About Oil-Dri

Oil-Dri Corporation of America, a leading supplier of specialty sorbent products for agricultural, horticultural, fluids purification, specialty markets, industrial and automotive, is celebrating 75 years of sorbent mineral expertise. Oil-Dri is a leading manufacturer of cat litter. “Cat’s Pride” “Fresh & Light Ultimate Care” and “Changing Litter for Good” are registered trademarks of Oil-Dri Corporation of America. From research and development at our Innovation Center outside of Chicago to our manufacturing plants in Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois and California, our Cat’s Pride products are proudly made in the USA. For more information, visit www.oildri.com or www.catspride.com.

 

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Media Contacts

Paramount Public Relations, Inc.

Jessica Prah, jessica@paramountpr.com, 312-953-3257

Sarah Anderson, sanderson@paramountpr.com, 312-544-4190

Time to bathe Muffy?

Posted on by Leah Craft

Ok. If you’ve done nothing but follow us on Cat Matters since the very beginning, at this point your cats might be getting stinky, unless of course they’ve been using Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care this whole time. But for those of you who still haven’t made the switch, or who just enjoy looking at and cuddling with a handsome cat, these tips will help you comb the beautiful back into that fur and escape with nary a scratch.

Start with the right tools

Choose a metal comb for both short- and long-haired cats, as brushes can be ineffective and may damage kitty’s skin. A natural brush may be used after combing, but for long-haired breeds, stick with just the comb.

Seek professional help

Or go it alone For heavy-shedders, a trip to the groomers can be just the tonic you need. And if you have the means, bi-monthy trips may be all the grooming kitty requires. But you’re fully capable of meeting your cat’s needs, most of the time, and the process is proven to strengthen your bond.

Desensitizing your groom-shy kitty

Got a cat who is as interested in a comb as he is in a canoe? Leave it near the food bowl so he sees it every day, and hold the comb during regular play. After a week or so, ease into combing with a few gentle strokes, and progress from there as kitty permits.

Five quick tips to make the most of their nine lives.

Posted on by Leah Craft

You know cats are complicated and great litter is simple. But taking care of all that happens outside the litter box can be simple too. Here are a few tips to help your furry friends live happy and healthy.

Talk to your doctor

Cats are as good at hiding illnesses as they are their feelings. Take your cat for annual checkups, stay current on their vaccines and always follow your veterinarian’s orders.

Brush only the teeth you want to keep

Dental problems are a leading cause of unplanned veterinary visits. Preventive care takes a little practice, but we have confidence in your abilities.

Think like Jack Sprat

Lightweight cats avoid multiple life-threatening conditions and substantially reduce their risk of costly injuries.

Give ‘em the snip

Bob Barker was onto something. In addition to helping control the pet population, spaying or neutering your cat can improve your pet’s behavior by making them less aggressive in addition to reducing the risk of multiple health issues.

Keep them close to the vest

Outdoor cats live an average of 1-5 years. Indoor cats can live up to 20 years. Take predators and motor vehicle accidents out of the equation and let your kitty live a healthier and longer life inside.

Train your cat for purrfect behavior.

Posted on by Leah Craft

People will tell you that it’s a lot easier to train a dog than a cat. Cats are more independent, assertive, and–don’t tell the dogs–intelligent than man’s best friend. Feline independence makes them harder to direct, but with the right motivation, you too can become a cat master.

Is it even possible to train a cat?

Yes. That’s why we’re writing this blog post about it. Cats might be a little bit more of a handful when it comes to training, but they’re as sharp as they are cute. They’ll learn tricks, it just takes patience and the knowledge that, even if they understand the command, they won’t always follow through.

Why would I train my cat?

People train their cats to adjust behaviors or for entertainment. The most useful training behaviors are using the litter box or to cease scratching furniture. In the long-term, cats react best to positive reinforcement of good behavior and will only react with fear and stress to negative reinforcement, so put away the dreaded spray bottle before you continue.

Take a seat

Positive reinforcement of desirable behaviors over time should encourage your little friend to follow your rules. Want your cat to sit on command like a dog? Try starting slow and bring lots of treats. Start with the command– “sit”–and progress by gently pushing your cat’s rear end towards the floor. Eventually, your friends might question your kitty’s heritage.

Simple litter

Cats tend to be pretty clean when it comes to their less adorable bodily functions. If your cat isn’t using his or her litter box, start by switching to Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care. A change in litter could make all the difference to your complex cat. If your cat is still slow to use the box, try switching it up some more– if there’s a lid to the box, take it off; if you’re using a thin layer of litter, try giving them more to work with; if the box is inconvenient to get to, maybe move the box to where you feel most comfortable taking care of business. Sometimes a little encouragement and company is all a cat needs.

For more information on our great products visit Our Products

Playing with cats!

Posted on by Leah Craft

Playing with your cat is an important part of their development. It keeps them alert and hones their natural instincts. Playing helps cats learn how to use their bodies and how to interact with the world around them. It’s also a lot of fun for you. Here are some games you can play with your cat.

Jenga

Set up the tower and watch your cat knock it over.

Laser pointer

A little red light? What could it be? Time to pounce! You’ve probably seen a cat try to hunt a laser pointer before, but have you ever tried it yourself? All you have to do is take a seat and watch your cat try in vain to catch the light. When they’re all tired out, you can enjoy a nice cuddle. Don’t give them kitty cataracts! Be careful not to shine the laser in your furry friend’s eyes.

Peek-a-boo

This won’t work with every cat, but it’s worth a shot. Get your cat’s attention and dart behind a corner. Peek your head out and stare the kitty down. The cat should freeze in place. Duck back behind the corner for a moment, then peek again. Your stealthy cat should have moved closer. Repeat until your cat gets to the corner and prepare to be pounced on.

Toys

There are plenty of cat toys out there, but some of the easiest to work with are teaser wands with feathers on the end. Simply wave one of these in front of your cat and they’ll be unable to resist the chance to tear it to shreds. Better the toy than your new couch though. If you want a cheaper toy, try a ball of yarn. It won’t be a ball for long, but your cat will have a ball unraveling it.

Finding your purrfect companion.

Posted on by Leah Craft

The cats need your help

Every year, 3.4 million cats are admitted to animal shelters around the United States–some are abandoned by their owners, many began their lives on the streets. Only 100,000 of those cats are ever returned to their owners, and 1.3 million are ever adopted. So why not consider becoming a cat owner or fostering a shelter animal. With love and affection, you could change a life and discover a paws-itvely joyful friendship. [aspca.org]

How to research adoptable kittens

Get on the prowl! A simple internet search for animal shelters should yield plenty of results close to you. You could also consider visiting theshelterpetproject.org for searches in your area and individual pet listings. You might find your next feline companion online, but you’ll have to visit the shelter to see if you two are a match and to complete the adoption form process.

What to consider when fostering

If you’re not sure if you can commit to the sometimes complicated, yet rewarding life of a cat, you can still make a difference in a feline life by fostering at-risk cats at some shelters. Many shelters will let you choose how long you will be hosting your foster cat or cats and give you the basic tools you’ll need to properly care for them. Ideally, foster families eventually adopt foster cats or keep them until a forever home is found.

Prepare for curiosity

Whether you’re welcoming a foster cat or adopting, you’ll want to make sure you and your home are ready. Take the time to hide toxic cleaning supplies too–you know what they say about curiosity. Oh, and make sure you get them Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care to keep even the most complicated cat happy with their litter box.

A cat’s work is never done

Once you fall in love with your feisty new companion, you’ll want to learn more about proper grooming, food and more. Like a child, caring for an animal takes a lot of time and energy, and cats are notoriously complicated. When it comes to litter, make the simple choice and give your cat Cat’s Pride.

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