Ten Things your Cat Would Like you to Know

1. Azaleas should be avoided as they are moderately toxic.
2. Chrysanthemums can can cause dermatitis (mainly the stems and leaves) but luckily, the scent tends to put kitties off!
3. Daffodils or Narcissus can cause vomiting and diarrhoea.
4. Hydrangea flowers can cause tummy aches.
5. Iris bulbs are potentially dangerous but, funnily, enough the flowers and leaves are not.
6. Ivy is potentially fatal especially if kitty eats loads of it.
7. Marigold leaves and stems causes stomach upsets but pungent smell will keep kitties away.
8. Keep away from Lilies either cut flowers or the plants themselves. They can cause kidney failure and death.
9. Wisteria seeds are lethal to kitties. Sweep them up as soon as they drop or deadhead the plant well to prevent the seeds from forming.

There's probably a number of different phrases for this particular cat trait; making biscuits has to be one of the cutest!

Anyway, what is 'making biscuits' and why do cats do it?

Whilst on your lap your cat may start to trample you with her paws, purring as she goes. She usually has a blissful look on her face.

A cat is returning to kitten-hood when she does this as she was conditioned to do this as a kitten to stimulate the flow of milk on her mum's belly. When they dribble it is in anticipation of the delicious meal she will receive.

She is, in fact, demonstrating just how much she loves and trusts you :)

There could be a number of reasons why your cat loves the sink. Perhaps she loves the shape just right for her furry butt or perhaps she likes the shine. Either way, once your cat discovers the sink then you're more than likely to find the bathroom or kitchen sink occupied on more than one occasion.

There is even a website devoted to it!

Check out Cats in Sinks

Meat contains the amino acid taurine which is a compulsory part of the cat's diet.

Without enough Taurine, your cat could develop major heart or eye damage.

So why do Pet food manufacturer's insist on adding things like vegetables to cat foods?

Cats are carnivores unlike Dogs.

As one person states, "I have yet to see a cat dig up a vegetable patch to eat carrots."

Here are the unmistakable signs of a cat who is happy and contented:

1. He/she sleeps peacefully in her favourite sunny or warm spot for many hours at a time.

2. He/she always uses the litter tray and never soils indoors.

3. He/she enjoys a good 'scratch' on his scratching post or your favourite couch/carpet!

4. Is happy to be in your company but doesn't crowd you by wanting to be with you 24/7.

5. Likes his food but eats only to satisfy his appetite. Overeating is not a sign of a happy cat!

Is your kitty doing something you're not happy with? E.g. jumping up on kitchen counters, clambering up the curtains?

Then consider using the Cat Discouragement Plan!

Telling your cat off is not advisable as he/she will just associate you with punishment. This can cause he/she to bear a grudge against whoever is handing it out. Using the Cat Discouragement Plan ensures that you are not in direct contact with your naughty kitty.

All it is, is simply squirting a jet of water at your kitty with such force as to surprise and disconcert it. Only do this when your cat is performing the behaviour that you want to discourage.

Cats dislike this treatment a lot but it does not hurt them, at all, physically.

Try and keep your water gun full and ready to use at all times. Other things you can use are indoor water pistols and sprays used for misting houseplants.

For outdoor naughtiness, have the garden hose ready connected to the water supply.

Taste is transmitted through genetic receptors on the tongue that then pass on to the brain.

Cats, however, do not possess the gene that combines with another that would enable them to detect sweetness.

They can detect salty, bitter and sour flavours but are the only mammal that can't taste sweet flavours. As meat eaters they do not require the ability to spot carbohydrates like us humans.

Many cats will eat sweet foods but it is not recommended as their digestive systems cannot cope with sugar.

Too much and they're at high risk of developing diabetes.

Hide-and-seek

Imitate the way a prey would behave; it appears, then it hides. Use a toy, piece of string or your hand under paper or blanket. Vary the speed of your movement and watch for the cat to pounce.

Insect and Bird simulation

Buy a garden cane and attach a piece of string to one end. Then attach feathers to the string and flick the cane over and over. Watch the cat try to catch the string.

Catnip Toys

Any toy stuffed with catnip will please your cat but you will have to renew the toy regularly as the scent will fade in time. Turner, my kitty, isn't overly impressed with catnip!

Scrunched-up paper

Screw up tiny balls of paper and flip it into the air for your cat to catch.

We must:

Follow everyone into the toilet or bathroom and don't do anything but stare.

Protest loudly whenever the door is closed in any room for whatever reason. Don't feel you have to use the door when it has been open but just stand there for a few minutes and contemplate the meaning of life.

If you feel sick, run to the nearest rug preferably the most expensive. When you are throwing up perform a backward movement so that you produce a clump big enough for a barefoot.

Get as close as you can to humans when they're trying to do something usually in the kitchen.

Always sit or lie on any paperwork you may find on the floor. Make sure you roll around on them to scatter them even more.

Cats love their food to be warm, preferably just freshly caught, because this is what happens whilst in the wild.

So, before you feed your cat let their food come up to room temperature if you've stored it in the fridge.

Throw away any uneaten food as it can become rancid very quickly. Any food that is dried up on the surface won't be touched either.

If they're straight up then she's alert and ready for anything.

If they're pointed forwards then something has gotten her attention and she's trying to figure out what it is.

If they're flat back against her skull then she's had a fright.