Does your cat really like you? Here's some easy ways to tell.

Everyone knows by now (or should, at least) that cats don't talk to other cats in the same way they talk to people (meowing) but by making other sounds, such as chittering, like in this (ADORABLE) video. Meowing is a unique way for your cat to talk to YOU and you alone (generally). I say generally because while it is possible for friends/neighbors/family to understand what your cat is saying when it's meowing at them, only you know for sure. Is that "Feed me!" or is it "I want to play!"???

Here's the top 10 not-so/subtle ways to know your cat loves you.

1. Welcoming you home
2. Staring at you
3. Slow blinking
4. Purring
5. Doesn't kill you when you pick them up for a hug/kiss
6. Head butting
7. Kneading (baking bread as we call it)
8. Bringing you gifts (this is nicer when they are an inside kitty)
9. Exposing their belly for rubbing
10. Taking over the house

For more detail, check out The Animal Rescue Site. 

~J

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How about a lizard?

The Old Town Crier has been a long-time supporter of King Street Cats and we're happy to share their (pet-related) articles on our Blog. Their current issue has an article with the above title that we would like to share with you.


Owning a reptile is something I've wanted to do since I was 14. Other than hermit crabs, I never got around to actually doing it, but since taking a herpetology class in 8th grade, I consider myself a bit of an expert (I kid, I kid!). But seriously, this article covers just about all the bases of reptile ownership that I've come across in my random perusing of the reptile section in my local pet stores.

A few other bullets I'd like to point out, again from my own experiences:

• While lizards aren't as needy as a cat or a dog, the initial setup can get quite costly. The tank kits you see in your local shop are generally quite good (and usually have a water bowl, heat lamp, maybe a heat rock and a piece of driftwood), but there's so much more to setting up a tank the right way. You do really need to do some research (as the article states).
• Iguanas. IGUANAS. These things grow like weeds. If you've ever owned a fish tank, you know the general rule that the fish in the tank will continue to grow relative to the overall size of the tank. So, if you have 2 fish in a 20 gallon tank, and 2 in a 50 gallon tank, the ones in the 50 will grow larger than the ones in the 20. This holds true for Iguanas, but with a catch: Sometimes they will outgrow the tank! You'll need to get larger tanks as time goes on.
• Crickets: There is nothing quite like holding a handful of crickets. And good luck catching them if they get out.
• Starter lizards. The article suggests bearded dragons, anoles, leopard geckos, or crested geckos as starters. While I would basically echo those suggestions, a word of caution: they can climb walls. Think of it this way. You've got your arm in the tank to take out the water bowl but thought your friendly gecko was hiding from you because you've only had him for about 3 days. NOPE. He's already on the ceiling of your bedroom. I'd recommend a Savannah Monitor (my personal favorite), a bearded dragon, leopard geckos, or fat-tailed geckos. Keep in mind, though, that most geckos have a built in security feature... I'm not going to tell you what it is. You'll have to watch it.

Lastly, Chameleons: DON'T BUY THEM. They are the single most difficult reptile to keep in captivity. They need a ridiculous amount of space to thrive (you really need a room the size of a closet, humidity and temperature controlled, with foliage). That and the fact that they have a very low success rate of being kept in captivity. Just save yourself the heartache (and the hit on your wallet as they can be very expensive) and don't buy them.

~J

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CPR for your cat (or dog)

Hi everyone! Having recently been certified in CPR at work, I thought it would be good to post this article from LifeHacker's health/fitness section on performing CPR on your pet.

The basic steps (straight from the link below) are as follows:

1. Carefully approach the animal, and look inside their mouth. (If they try to bite you, they don’t need CPR.)
2. If they’re not breathing, give 4-5 rescue breaths, watching the chest rise and fall.
3. Check for a pulse using the artery on the inside of the dog’s thigh.
4. Perform 30 chest compressions, aiming to put your hands on the animal’s heart, right around the place their elbow touches their body. For large dogs, use both hands like you would for a person. For smaller dogs and for cats, you can squeeze the front of their chest with one hand.

http://vitals.lifehacker.com/learn-to-do-cpr-on-your-cat-or-dog-1777855056

This is quite similar, in and of itself, to the rules for a human. If you aren't CPR certified, it's not a bad idea to become it; get the AED certification as well. If you have a small child, then you should definitely take the class.

~J

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Guinea Pigs!

The Old Town Crier has been a long-time supporter of King Street Cats and we're happy to share their (pet-related) articles on our Blog. Their current issue has an article with the above title that we would like to share with you.


Not much I can really say about this article other than that I learned the following 3 things:

1. They are technically rodents.
2. They are considered a delicacy in South American and Latin Cuisine.
3. There's a website called The Guinea Pig Manual.
1. I just think that's the best name for a website yet.

~Jason

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Monthly boxes for your Cat(s)!

By now, you've probably all heard of Blue Apron, Hello Fresh, Loot Crate, Graze, etc. Those, obviously, are all for people, and this is a blog for Cats, so the closest I've come to that was BarkBox. Well, now there's not one, but two (!) boxes for kitties! I've tried one and not the other (yet) so I will report on the first and leave a link to a site comparing the two.

First up, Meowbox. From their site: meowbox is a cat subscription box full of surprises, delivered to your door every month. Your meowbox is brimming with yummy cat treats and fun cat toys, specially selected for quality and uniqueness, to cater to your cat’s discriminating taste.

I think the thing I liked the most was that they write on the inside of the lid of the box a note with your cats names on it. (If I can find the picture I took, I'll post it at the bottom.) The thing Lilly and Tommy liked the most was the catnip carrot they received. (Lilly woke me up at around 5am this morning rolling around on the floor with it; I could hear the tags on her collar smacking the hardwood...) There were 4 toys (2 individuals ones, like the carrot, and two 2-packs that I haven't given them yet), as well as a box of treats (that I will be giving to a coworker [my kits are finicky treat-eaters]) and a feather that was holding the tissue-paper-type wrapping closed in box (you'll see it in the picture). A one month subscription runs $32.95 (shipping included) and you have to call to cancel (or they just re-bill you every month). You can also select a checkbox to exclude edible items (which I've now done for my next box). Oh, and for the names written in the box, you can input information about your cats (name, sex, breed, birth month/year). Pretty cool. Also, with every box purchase, they donate a can of food to a shelter cat.

See, there's the feather I was talking about.

The second site is KitNipBox. From their site: Our boxes contain high-quality cat toys, all-natural treats, and other fun, healthy cat products. Here's a list of goodies from a recent KitNipBox, as an example.

As I said, I haven't tried them (yet) so I can't comment on the products, but they do have single and multi-cat boxes ($20 vs $30, each with included shipping). They also have the option to exclude treats/food (hooray!). With every purchase of a box, they donate proceeds to welfare organizations.

And, just in case you don't want to take my word for it, here's the comparison site I promised.

To Happy Kitties everywhere!

~Jason

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Does your cat pay attention to your feelings?

One thing you always hear is that a dog will mimic your behavior when you're feeling down. Well, what about cats? There's been a huge amount of research on the canine side of this but not nearly as much on the feline side. Then, I found this article. It's a bit of a read, but quite informative.

I can only speak from my own experience, but my cats definitely exhibit this behavior. But, as the article points out, it's specific to familiar faces (particularly their owners). Reminds me of this video about Crows (also a supremely interesting watch).

Additionally, did you know that the sounds your cat makes toward you are specific to you? They aren't relevant to other cats (even other cats in your household) and someone just meeting your cat won't know a 'give me food' sound from a 'pet me' sound. Very intriguing stuff.

~Jason

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CPR for Cats

Hi All! Happy St Patrick's Day!

I thought since I just got certified in CPR and AED usage yesterday, I'd share an article on how to perform CPR on your feline friend, should she ever need it.

Signs to watch out for in your cat

• Breathing trouble
• Weakness or lethargy
• Unconsciousness
• Sudden onset of illness

To determine if CPR is necessary:

• Is the cat breathing? Watch for chest movement or fell it with your hand. Just as with a human, you can put your ear to their nose and look for chest movement.
• Check the color of the gums. Blue/gray is a sign of lack of oxygen; white is poor blood circulation
• Check for a pulse. Inside of the thigh, where the leg meets body.
• Listen for a heartbeat (left side of chest near the elbow)

If you do need to end up giving CPR (and let's hope you never have to):

• Check for breathing
• If not breathing, open mouth and remove any obstructions
• Pull the tongue to the front of the mouth then close the mouth and hold shut (gently)
• With the neck straight, breathe short puffs of air into the nose (1 breath every 4-5 seconds). If you've trained in CPR for infants, use a similar strength of breath.
• You should see a visible movement of the chest with these breaths
• If the heart is stopped, use both Artificial Respiration and CPR (the next few bullets)
• Check for heartbeat/pulse. If none, lay the cat on it's right side on a hard, flat surface.
• Place your thumb and fingers from one hand on either side of the chest behind the elbows and give a quick squeeze to compress the chest to about 1/2 of its normal thickness.
• Compress the chest about 15 times every 10 seconds; stopping to give a breath after every 10 compressions.

Again, hopefully you'll never need to do this, but it's always good to know!

~Jason

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Why Chocolate Bunnies and Peeps® Make Better Easter Gifts

The Old Town Crier has been a long-time supporter of King Street Cats and we're happy to share their (pet-related) articles on our Blog. Their current issue has an article with the above title that we would like to share with you.


I've never quite understood why people thought the gifting of pets was a good idea, especially ones that you wouldn't normally think of as domestic house pets. Apparently it's still a common thing. I also had no idea that bunnies are the third most popular (mammalian) pet in the US.

I can relate to the bunny issue, though. Two times in my life (one rather recently, the other not so much) have I known a bunny that has been given up. Way back when I lived in NY, I had a school friend who had a bunny. (And yes, I prefer to say bunny over rabbit; it's more fun.) I remember we had gone out to play basketball after school one day and when he got home he called my house in a panic because his mother had put it outside while we were out. I don't recall if he knew why she did it or if he ever found it again.

More recently, about a year and a half ago, one was found in the trash room of my condo building. Some neighbors took it in and kept it for about a year (and yes, it did really use the litter box, much to the chagrin of their (King Street) cat), but after repeated incidents of it chewing wires and molding (which I didn't know was a sign of a teenage bunny), they gave it up to the local shelter (after I repeatedly tried to get them to give it to a local elementary school where it could have had a better chance of having a life IMO).

Regardless, stick to chocolate candy. And always check out the Washington Post's Peep Diorama Contest!

~Jason

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Why Adopting an Older Pet Makes Sense

The Old Town Crier has been a long-time supporter of King Street Cats and we're happy to share their (pet-related) articles on our Blog. Their current issue has an article with the above title that we would like to share with you.

One of my cats is now, technically, a senior. She just turned 9 in December. (For all of you keeping score, the new-fangled math for cat-human years puts her at 53; you can find the calculator here.) I still remember the day I brought her (and her brother who's been gone almost a year) home from the shelter. They were the only cats that seemed interested in me, so it was a no-brainer. I also remember the first time I saw the following sentence on their surrender form:

My new apartment building doesn't allow pets.

There's all this talk about forever homes and no one seems to have any forward thinking in these terms. You see it all over Facebook, people posting/sharing quips about pets being a long term deal (which is true, of course), but if I were in that situation, I'd take the simplest approach: I'd find a new apartment! I know, I know, it's generally not that simple, but that's always been the first thing I checked for in the handful of times I've moved. Pet friendly, followed by washer/dryer in unit, followed by balcony. Those were my top 3.

Back on topic, I can't argue with any of the points in this one. My favorite, though, is the one that says that older cats seem to understand they've been rescued. I never realized how true that is until I read it there.

Happy Reading!

~Jason

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A quick How-To on trimming cat claws

Ok, the title is a little misleading, I know (there's no 'quick' way to do this), but I tried to make this post as quick to run through as possible. So, here goes!

1. Get a comfortable spot in a well-lit room and have everything ready and within arms reach (clippers, astringent powder/pencil, a treat for when it's all over).
2. Hold your cat firmly (you need to make sure the package is secured) and take a paw and gently squeeze to extend the nail.
3. Position the clipper a comfortable distance from the quick (if you're unsure, better to clip just the tip) and clip vertically (you should be cutting INTO the curve of the nail, not on the side) to prevent splitting. Do it in one smooth motion.
4. Reward your cat (and then go wash the blood off your hands*, YOUR blood...).

If your cat is consistently anti-trimming, you may want to try it while she is groggy from a nap. If it's easier to have a friend hold your cat while you trim, do that. Just ensure you praise and give a treat. 

Alternatively, you can do what I do: Bring her to the vet. My vet (their vet, I guess) charges $15 to do it (best money I've ever spent!).

* Just kidding

Click here for the original link.

Jason

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Odd feline behaviors

In case you've ever wondered why your kitty bites her nails or randomly runs from one end of your place to the other, this page (and I apologize in advance for the way the site is laid out, but I can do nothing about that) gives some good insight into those things. Here's the list of random cat behaviors.

1. Nail Biting
2. Eye of the tiger
3. Random sprinting
4. Unladylike sitting
5. Rubbing against you
6. Uncovered poop
7. Hissing
8. Sniffing your face
9. Twitching ears
10. Pointed ears
11. Little meow
12. Loud meow
13. Imitating a baby
14. Chattering
15. Crazy cat lady
16. Laying on your things
17. Rolling in the street
18. Sleeping on your chest
19. Sneaky cat
20. Kneading paws
21. Tummy up
22. Night owl
23. Potty outside the litter box
24. Biting
25. Feet attacks

Some explanations are better than others, but these are CATS we're talking about, so that shouldn't surprise you.

Happy Reading!

~Jason

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Tempting Trappings and Forbidden Feasts (Courtesy of the Old Town Crier)

The Old Town Crier has been a long-time supporter of King Street Cats and we're happy to share their articles on our Blog. Their current issue has an article titled Tempting Trappings and Forbidden Feasts and the TL:DR (that's Too Long, Didn't Read) version is below.

As the holiday season rolls through, it's important to not only reflect on yourself, but also on your furry children. And as much as you may enjoy having your friends and family over, your pets may not enjoy the extra noise (and feet) in their domain. The following are some things to consider during this season:

• Decorations
• Many holiday decorations, while they can look amazing, are dangerous to your pets. From the tree itself (cats love to climb!) to the tinsel on the tree, be mindful of what your pet has access to, especially when you're not home.
• Holiday Food
• We all know that chocolate is no good for your pet, but neither are certain fruits and nuts (raisins or macadamias, for example). Drinks (beer, wine, egg nog) are just as bad. Make sure there are adequate distractions for your pet, so they're not trying to take your seat at the table.
• Pets as Gifts
• Having a pet is a huge commitment, one that should come with a great deal of thought. Everyone should be willing and able to take care of a pet. Pets are a lifetime of time and money (in a good way) and these things should not be an afterthought.
• Holiday Stress
• Keep not only your stress level in check, but that of your pet. S/he will need a quiet, private space to retreat to when the room is noisier than normal. Let your guests know you have a pet and to be mindful of them. Keep an eye on children when they play with your pets. Take your dog for an extra walk to relieve stress for you both. Stick to your pets routine as closely as possible [This is huge, in my opinion. ~Jason].

Check out the full article (Thanks Sarah!) and share your comments in the, well, comments section!

~Jason Edinger (and yes, I know my summary is also probably TL:DR...)

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Why your cat likes to knock things over

With the relaunch of the KSC Blog, I found it appropriately fitting to post an article that could act as a follow up to the last-published article on the Blog, Cat Crashers, That said, I give you Why your cat likes to knock things over (according to science). 

The quick version: It's because they can! (And that's according to an actual Doctor.) More often than not, however, they're really just trying to get your attention, whether they're hungry, bored, etc. And because they're nocturnal creatures, this generally happens at night (of course).

The other reason is far more sinister: They're practicing their hunting skills.

Speaking from my own experience, it's only things related to my mobile phone (specifically pushing it off the table where it lays charging) or the tv remote (I think Tommy just likes to see my reaction, while Lilly directs traffic from across the room). Half the time, it's just prior to their normal feeding time. The other half, it's between 2 and 5 am where I do my best to ignore them so I can sleep. Which is a futile thing to try to do when you have a hungry cat. Just sayin'.

Check out the full article and be sure to share your experiences in the comments!

~Jason Edinger

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Cat Crashers

Why Cats Knock Stuff Over

* By Lisa Velonovsky, KSC Super-Volunteer

I read a blurb in Parade magazine that promised the secret behind cats’ seemingly endless fascination with knocking over stuff.  All would be revealed by Jackson Galaxy if I simply logged onto Parade’s web site.  I could barely contain my excitement!  What deep insight would he share?  Before I could even speculate, my cat knocked over a cup of coffee, obliterating the magazine page. Clearly the cat did not want me in on her secret.

At my house, we’ve always assumed that all questionable cat behavior is, in fact, part of a carefully orchestrated feline campaign to demonstrate how much smarter they are.  Fluffy takes out your entire knick-knack collection? She’s telling you it’s junk. Scratches the heck out of your couch while completely ignoring the expensive sisal scratching post? “Time to redecorate; that red damask is so yesterday.”  Opens every single cabinet door in your entire house? ”Let’s make sure everyone knows that you stuff photos and old magazines in that hallway chest like a hoarder.” And don’t get her started on your wardrobe! “You’re not really thinking of wearing THAT top out of the house, are you? Here, let me throw up all over it. Much better.”

But, back to the behavior at hand -- knocking stuff over.  I go to the directed page to find that my cat is bored or curious. Maybe bored and curious.

“Think about a toddler who has been given crayons, but no paper.  Hello, bedroom wall mural!” trumpets Galaxy.  “Ask yourself, ‘Do we have enough cat toys?’ If the answer is yes, would he still rather bat a cup off the table? If so, it’s time to get new toys!”

What?!? Any parent reading that advice would gag at the idea that a child who knocks stuff over and is bored with the toys he already has needs more.  (As I’m reading this, one of my many bored and/or curious cats apparently is reading right along. She sticks her paw down my water glass, looks me in the eye and knocks it over.)

Every cat person I know already has a house littered with forgotten, forsaken or patently ignored cat toys, most of them brand new.  I don’t think my cats are bored or curious. I think they are simply geniuses bending us to their will for their own amusement.  To wit, each day my husband makes endless crumpled paper or wrapped newspaper bag balls for our newest kitty.  Windsor sits patiently as my husband drops everything to complete the task. Then he happily fetches and bats the new ball around – for about three minutes – before abandoning it next to the one my husband made 15 minutes before.  So he can go knock something over. Honestly, our house looks like we do all our recycling directly on the floor.

So what conclusions have I drawn from all this?  1. Jackson Galaxy is now on the cats’ payroll, and 2. Cats knock stuff over because they can.

So, does Kitty knock over stuff in your home?  Is there anything that is NOT fair game for

Kitty to send-a-launching?  Weigh in below in the comment section.

Looking for a kitty to knock stuff over in your home?

Check out our available cuties HERE!

Conferences for Kitty

Many humans have grown accustomed to attending conferences or conventions, either for work or simply for an opportunity to dress up like their favorite Battlestar Galactica characters.

I think cats would have a heyday at conferences and conventions. 

Here are six they would enjoy attending.

1.  World Nap Association Convention and Trade Show

Cats are known to get wasted on nip and pass out at these conferences. Photo by eugenethephotobug

Cats love to nap and are always looking for new an interesting ways to catch some Z's. At the World Nap Association Convention and Trade Show, they can attend workshops facilitated by world renowned feline snooze experts. This year, tickets sold out in record time because Dr. Stripey McGravy led beginner as well as advanced sessions titled "Napping Positions Your Mother Never Told You About." 

2. The Feline Apathy Guild Annual Conference

Cats love the hands-on workshop where they practice mirroring looks of indifference with industry experts. Photo of Hector by Nicky Westbrook.

Members of the Feline Apathy Guild are usually late to register because they lose interest after reading the first paragraph of the invitation. As the date grows closer, they realize they probably should attend. After all, they should always stay current with new findings and methodology in the field of feline apathy. Plus, the keynote speech this year will be stage star Smokey Sullivan's "Give My Disregards to Broadway." 

3. Human Management Conference

As the keynote speaker encourages, "The pillow is yours. Claim it."

Kitties constantly seek updated methods for managing the humans in their lives. This intensive two-day conference has practical sessions with speakers and facilitators who are masters in their field of study. Due to popular demand, the "I Said, Open the Blinds!" workshop will return for a second year.

Between sessions, participants can choose between the casual "Power-Pawing on the Door" gathering or enjoy some down time in the Nap Zone. Newbies are invited to come early to participate in a mixer, where there will be various treats, water fountains, and a special musical performance by "Down With People."

4. N.I.P. (Network of Internet Pussycats) Conference

Whether you're a cat with a video already on the Internet, or you're simply dreaming of a career on YouTube or Vine, you're invited to participate in this fun conference. Cats will have the opportunity to mingle with experienced cat Internet stars and join one of the popular breakout sessions like "Roomba Riding 101" and "High Velocity Box-Sliding." 

Phoebe plans to attend and entered the video below in the N.I.P. "Make Me a Star" Awards. 

5. International Box and Lid Expo

Cats fight for the chance of being the pizza box model at the trade show. Photo by Laura_Innis

The International Box and Lid Expo is the premier gathering place for feline box enthusiasts from all corners of the world. The expo center boasts the largest display of boxes and lids and attendees are encouraged to test them all. Some of the crowd favorites are the containers that come with promises of food bits and grease, like pizza and doughnut boxes, and especially the lids.

6. FeedMe-Con

The cosplay at this conference is unmatched. Photo of Oscar by Natalie Huckelberry.

Cats who enjoy cosplay swarm to FeedMe-Con, which is a food-based convention for cats. The convention center (Oreo's basement) is lined with booths offering samples of the newest treats on the market, as well as tasty nibbles of cats' favorite human food. Last year, the line to meet Brighton, the giant bag of Cheetos, stretched up the stairs and through the kitchen. Get there early.

 

Come early if you want to meet the giant bag of Cheetos. Photo of Brighton by Teri Thorsteinson

What conference or convention would your cat attend? Tell us about it in the comments!

***See entire article here.

Does Kitty Need a Life Coach?

Saffy is a gorgeous gray gal. For real -- she could be a cat model. That part's the good news. The not-so-good news is she doesn't really do much and her self-esteem is buried pretty deeply in the litter box. I feel so badly for her because Cosmo and Phoebe treat her like a second-class citizen, and she spends her days sitting pretty in her basket thinking about food or actively seeking food ... usually not her own.

We, of course, play with her and offer equal snuggle time, but that doesn't seem to make her any more animated. I'm not asking that she Prancercise or juggle ketchup bottles (although that would be crazy-cool) -- I'd just like to see her chase something un-food-related now and again. And because she's a bit of a slug, I wind up writing way more about Cosmo and Phoebe and taking fewer photos of The Saffster. And for that, I feel a world of guilt.

Saffy, the first step is admitting you need help.

Here are five reasons why I feel like she could seriously benefit from some one-on-one time with a life coach. 

1.  She needs to express herself

A new hairdo always helps boost the old self-image.

Sometimes we allow ourselves to fade into the background when we don't feel self-confident. A new look often helps us feel ready to shine! Saffy could definitely visit the beauty parlor and try on a fresh new 'do.

Some cats like to set themselves apart with a fashionable hat or smart sweater. Saffy opts to skip the duds and favors the au naturel style, but is willing to toy around with wigs and colored nail caps. Just because she's 13 and has only six teeth in her mouth doesn't mean that she doesn't want to feel fancy.

Oh, Saffy ... the "Rachel" is so 1995.

2.  She needs to get out of the basket

Saff, you can't hide from your problems.

Although we play with her every day, she's just not one for a lot of physical activity. Perhaps some of it is her age, but she never really has been much of a go-getter. I think if she picked up a hobby of some kind, she might feel more motivated to leave the basket. She's always loved batting around game and puzzle pieces, so why not go with what she knows? Plus, she might meet new friends who appreciate her penchant for checkers and the gentler side of life.

Maybe a hobby?

3. She needs to set goals

Goal: Stop stalking everybody's food.

Setting goals helps give us vision and direction. Even baby steps are helpful. Lounging in a basket may be Saffy's favorite pastime, but anything food-related comes in a close second. When she's not feeding her own face, she's either stalking another cat's food or jumping on the counter, sniffing around for scraps of human grub. She's thinks she's totally sneaky, but she's totally not. Plus, losing a pound or two might help her feel a little more svelte and slinky. Look out, fellas: Here comes a six-toothed cougar hottie!

Shifting away from a food-centered existence will be challenging for her, but I think with the nurturing guidance of a life coach coupled with daily journaling and affirmations, this goal is very doable. Imagine how much more popular she'll be at parties! After all, others tend to avoid the girl who always has their face buried in other partygoers' plates.

Goal: Limit takeout pizza to once a week.

4. She needs to stay focused

Ignore other cats' attempts at hassling you.

It's hard work to stay focused when other cats are constantly harassing you. Saffy will have to learn to tune out the naysayers and keep Stuart Smalley's voice on a mental loop: "I'm good enough. I'm smart enough. And doggone it, people like me." 

Mix it up by frequently changing positions.

5. She needs persistence

Chin up, old girl -- you'll get there!

I know it feels like a lot to chew on (apologies to Saffy for the food reference), but I'm confident she has the fortitude it takes to sparkle with the best of them. After some time with a skilled life coach, she'll be ready to take on the other cats, her personal demons ... and the world!

Does your cat need a life coach? Tell us about it in the comments!

***See the entire article here.