When it comes to feline behaviors and mannerisms, it can often be difficult to tell whether something is a cause for concern or just normal. 

One movement you might notice your cat making is twitching their nose.

​While this can have totally benign causes and could be a totally normal reflex caused by external factors, if your cat’s nose is twitching constantly or you notice other symptoms, it could be something more serious. 

If you’re trying to work out why your cat’s nose is twitching, you’ve come to the right place.

We’re going to be going over all of the most common causes, from mild allergies to more concerning conditions you should be aware of.
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There are many potential causes of feline nose and facial twitching. Some of them are benign whereas others can be more serious and even life-threatening. 

Any consistent twitching of any part of your cat’s body, including the nose, is worth a trip to the vet. This is particularly true if other symptoms are present as well. 

It may be nothing to worry about, but it’s always worth taking the time to rule out serious conditions and ensure the wellbeing of your furry friend.
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​Cat harnesses are a great and safe way to get your cat outdoors. A harness can keep your cat safe while also allowing them to explore. However, fitting a cat harness isn’t always the easiest task.

In this article, we will look at how to put on a cat harness. We’ll give instructions for the most common types of cat harnesses.

Letting your cat outside to stretch its legs is a great way to provide them with some exercise as well as physical and mental stimulation. However, allowing them to roam free can be dangerous to both your cat and the other wildlife in the area.

This is where using a harness comes in. They’re more secure than a collar and a leash and they can allow your cat to safely explore the environment.

For many cats, this is unfortunately not as simple as merely fastening the harness onto your cat. Many cats will react badly to being put into a harness so there are several steps you should take before you attempt to put the harness on.

1. Acclimatize Your Cat

The first step is to get your cat used to the harness before trying to put it on.

You should leave the harness out somewhere for your cat to inspect it to their heart’s desire. It’s best to leave it in a spot that your cat frequents and likes, such as near their food dish or in their favorite napping spot. Give them plenty of time to sniff and get used to the presence of the harness. 

You can even try giving your cat treats whenever it approaches the harness so that the cat associates it with good things.

Be aware that this process could take a few days. You can’t expect to put the harness down and have the cat get used to it within 10 minutes.

Once your cat seems used to the harness, you can try to put it on. The methods for putting on a harness depend on the type of harness you purchase. Always take care to ensure your cat isn’t getting stressed and if it starts biting or scratching, consider trying again another day.

2a. Fitting A Figure-Eight Harness

Figure-eight style harnesses are so-called because they have a loop that goes around the cat’s head and one around the body. The harness looks like a figure-eight when it’s not on the cat.

The first step is to slip the small loop over your cat’s head. The place where the two loops connect should be on the cat’s back and sit just above and between the cat’s shoulder blades. 

To fit the larger loop, you will need to unbuckle this first. Make sure the ends aren’t twisted at all and slip it around your cat’s body before fastening the buckle. It should fit below the cat’s front legs but in front of the back legs.

The harness should be snug to your cat’s body but should still allow enough room for you to comfortably fit two to three fingers between the harness and the cat. The harness should have some adjusters that will allow you to individually tighten or loosen the loops.

2b. Fitting An H-Style Cat Harness

H-style cat harnesses are quite similar to figure-eight ones as they also feature two loops. The big difference, however, is that there is a long straight piece that connects the two loops. When placed on the cat, this straight piece will run down the cat’s back.

Pick up the harness by the straight strap and ensure that the loops are hanging down. Slip the smaller loop over your cat’s head and make sure the straight strap sits neatly along your cat’s back.

Unbuckle the larger loop and wrap the two ends of the loop around the cat’s body, behind the cat’s front legs. Fasten the buckle and check the fit.

As with the figure-eight harness, a H-style harness should be snug but with enough space for two to three fingers to be inserted between the cat and harness. 

2c. Fitting A Vest Harness

Fitting a vest harness is pretty straightforward and isn’t much different from putting a vest on yourself. 

Make sure all of the fasteners on the vest are open and then place it on your cat’s back. Wrap the ends of the vest around your cat and fasten the clips, starting from the neck and working down. Some vests have their fastenings on the cat’s stomach and others on their back but the method remains the same.

As before, the vest should be snug without being restrictive. Check that your cat has enough room by ensuring you can fit a couple of fingers between the cat and the harness. Make sure there is enough space at both the neck and the bottom of the vest and adjust as necessary.

3. Let Your Cat Wear The Harness In The Home First

Even after you get your cat safely and snugly in the harness, you shouldn’t rush outside. The harness will feel strange for your cat at first so allow your cat some adjustment time in the home.

​Don’t be worried if your cat flops to the floor at first as the weight of the harness will feel strange to the cat until they get used to it.

Let your cat roam around the home in the harness until it's moving as freely and quickly as it would do without the harness. 

In this article, we looked at why cat harnesses are important and how the most popular styles should be fitted.

​It’s important to take your time when putting on a cat harness for the first time so that your cat gets used to it and doesn’t become stressed. 

If you follow the steps in this article, you and your cat should be able to enjoy the great outdoors together.

Natural predators, if you allow your cat to regularly explore the outside world, then there’s a good chance that they will begin to go hunting, as this is their natural instinct, and if you ever happen to see your cat attempting to hunt, you’ll notice that as it is lying down, their tail will wag ever so slightly, so why do they do this when they’re trying not to be seen?

Well, the tail has an important role to play for cats and their mobility, as it helps them to balance and maintain their high-agility whilst climbing, running, and of course, hunting! So don’t be surprised to see your cat’s tail wagging or thumbing whilst it tries to channel its inner tiger chasing rodents and birds!
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As cat owners, especially as first-time cat owners, it’s essential to get to grips with all of the things your cat will experience as they grow older and mature, so you should try to research as much of this information as you can before you receive your adorable new feline friend. 

Some of the most common questions surrounding cats, especially female cats, are about them experiencing “heat”, which simply means that she is undergoing their estrus (reproductive) cycle, and is particularly receptive sexually. 

If you have a female cat, you might notice that she “sprays” her urine against tall or vertical objects in order to mark her territory, but is this a sign of heat? 

Well, to find out more about your cat spraying, and whether or not it means it's in heat, then continue to read this article and allow us to explain all you need to know!

You might be wondering as an owner if it’s at all possible to spot when your female cat might be undergoing their estrus cycle. Well, most of the signs that your cat is in heat are purely in their behavior.

Most cats will become extremely affectionate during this period of time and will make a point of consistently rubbing up against their owners or objects and demanding attention.

​There’s also a chance that if you rub along their back and spine, they will lift their rear into the air and tread solely with their back legs. Female cats will also become incredibly vocal during this period, which is known to drive unsuspecting owners crazy!

One of the more common signs that a female cat is in heat is that it will actually begin to urinate more, or even spray its urine against walls and objects.

They do this because their urine contains both pheromones and hormones, which to cats, is a type of reproductive signal which helps the queens to attract the tomcats (male cats) to mate.

​This usually tends to be the first sign that your once adorable kitten has finally reached puberty, and before long you’ll have all sorts of feline visitors in your backyard attempting to mate with your cat!

​Typically, female cats will undergo their first estrus cycle upon reaching puberty, this can vary between individual cats, and mainly depends on the time of the year, due to the varying daylight hours, but this typically happens at around six months old. 

What many people refer to as the heat cycle is also what's known as the estrus, and whilst this cycle has several different stages, the estrus or “heat” stage is when a female cat is at her most sexually receptive point, which is more commonly known as being in heat. 

Cats are actually polyestrous, and during the breeding season, they can undergo multiple different breeding cycles.
When the breeding season occurs is actually all depending on a number of different geographical and environmental factors, for example, the breeding season in the Northern Hemisphere tends to occur between January all the way to the later end of the Fall season.

​However, if a cat lives in a more tropical region in the world, then the cycle can last all year round, which is due to the increased daylight hours. 

It’s also worth noting that a cat that lives predominantly inside can also experience a lengthened breeding season!

The period of time a cat experiences their estrus/heat cycle varies significantly, and whilst the average period of time tends to be around 7 days, the period can last anywhere from a single day all the way to three weeks!

If a queen (the name for an unneutered female cat) doesn’t get mated with during her heat, then she will typically go out of heat for a period of time, again this period of time tends to only be seven days long, but it can be as short as two days, or as long as 19 days!

As an owner, having your cat suddenly become pregnant isn’t great, especially if it’s unexpected, which is why it’s so good to know exactly when your cat will be able to be bred and become pregnant during its estrus cycle. 

Unfortunately, queens are actually able to fall pregnant at any point during their estrus cycle, and there’s no specific period in which they’re able to fall pregnant easier than the others. 

Cats are induced ovulators, and it’s the breeding process that actually begins to cause the initial release of the eggs in the first place, so it’ll take a queen and a tomcat three to four matings throughout a 24-hour period in order to successfully begin ovulation.

It doesn’t take long for cats to mate, and most mating sessions don’t last any longer than 2 minutes, so it’s common for cats to mate multiple times during a short period of time.

​In addition to this, it’s not uncommon for queens to mate with multiple different tomcats during their ovulation, so a litter of kittens can actually have multiple different fathers! 

Upon the end of her ovulation, the queen will then go out of heat for a couple of days.

So to summarise, a female cat spraying is a sign that your cat is in heat, and they do this in order to help attract tomcats in order for them to mate, as their urine contains hormones and pheromones which the male cats will find attractive.

​Your female cat spraying is also probably one of the first signs you will see as owners that will indicate that your cat has reached puberty. We hope this helped!

Cats will spray, regardless of whether they’re male or female, but using their urine to mark territory is most commonly seen in intact (un-neutered) male cats, and when a tomcat does spray a surface, you will smell it instantly, as it has the typically pungent and strong odor that so many people refer to when they talk about the odor of cat urine.
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Despite popular belief, neutered cats can still spray! Whilst neutering or castration your cat can have a dramatic effect on the smell of your cat’s spray, as well as reducing the overall enticement for your cat to spray in the first place, around 10% of male cats that been neutered and 5% of female cats that have been spayed, will still spray! 

Spraying tends to occur more often in a house of multiple cats, it can still happen in a household with just one cat too.
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Cat ownership is great, and can be extremely rewarding, but it’s important to care for you cat the best you possibly can, which means that you should always be keeping an eye on your cat’s behavior and health, as even the smallest little thing can cause a drastic change to your cat’s health, so it is vital that you ensure that your feline friend is healthy at all times! 

Cat’s are curious animals, so it’s natural for them to go exploring in and around your home, and whilst cats are usually particularly cautious animals, there are times where they might manage to injure themselves on their adventures. 

So, if you notice that your cat is limping, then there can be a number of reasons why this is the case, so to understand more about what might be causing your cat to limp, as well as what you can do to help them, then read on as we provide you with all of the information you need to know about cats limping!

Before we begin to look at the reasons why your cat might be limping, it’s worth knowing that cats are actually really good at hiding their pain, which means that if your cat is visibly limping, then whatever the problem is must be severe enough if your cat to be unable to hide it, which means you should try to help it as soon as possible in order to ensure a full recovery.

One of the reasons why your cat might be limping is because it has something lodged or stuck in its paw pad, which would make it uncomfortable for it to walk on naturally, alternatively, your cat may have a suffered a minor muscular or soft tissue injury, which will also be enough to make your cat visibly limp too. 

If your cat has been limping and is now lying down, then you should be able to very gently examine their injured leg to try to see what the problem is, some of the things you need to be looking for include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Something stuck or lodged
  
• Excessive licking by your cat
  
• Lameness and limping. 

If your cat is exhibiting any of these signs, then you should make an appointment with your cat’s veterinarian as soon as possible so that they can evaluate your cat’s injury and help it to the best of their abilities. 

It’s worth noting that if you suspect that your cat has a broken or dislocated leg, that you should not make any attempt to examine or inspect their leg any further, as this can cause extreme stress and might even make their injury worse.

You may never fully discover exactly why your cat has been limping if it’s managed to injure itself, but there are also a few other reasons why your cat might be limping that will be easily answered once they’ve been seen by a vet, so if your cat is limping but doesn’t seem to have any visible signs of injury, then here are some of the possible causes for your cat’s limp. 

Big Jumps And Leaps

As we all know, cats love to explore, and this often involves them finding a high place to perch on and relax. Whilst this is natural behavior, it can also end badly for your cat if they fall, and whilst cat’s are notorious for landing well, a significant drop can still have a massive impact on your cat if they’re small or elderly.

So, you should always ensure that you leave the highest windows in your house closed whilst you’re not in to monitor your cats, and you should always install window guards to prevent your cats from falling out of windows onto the ground below. 

Arthritis

Much like us humans, as cats begin to get older, they become a little less mobile, but did you know that if a cat is showing signs of limping and stiffness as they go about their daily lives, that it can actually be a sign of arthritis?

So if your cat is limping and it lasts for more than a full 24 hours, then you should make an appointment with your vet in order to get your cat seen. 

Cardiovascular Disease

It might surprise some people, but Cardiovascular disease can have a big effect on a cat’s mobility, especially in their hind legs, the disease known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM for short) thickens the heart muscle, which in turn means that the blood can clot, and prevent blood flow to their rear legs, this actually has a specific name, and is known as feline aortic thromboembolism (FATE).

If you notice that your cat’s hind legs aren’t working properly, or your cat is limping as a result of its hind legs, then you need to take your cat to the vet immediately in order for them to be treated. 

Neurological

Did you know that cats can also suffer from neurological conditions that can affect their movement just like humans? These include things such as a stroke, or even compression on the spinal cord (referred to as IVDD). So if there’s no evidence of a physical injury, the vet might consider checking for neurological issues!

Overall, understanding exactly why your cat might be limping can be difficult to know, and the reality is that if it’s simply an injury that occured because of their curiosity and exploration, then you never know.

​But there’s also a few conditions and other possible causes for your cat to be limping. So, just remember that if you notice that your cat is limping, and has been limping for over 24 hours, then you should make an appointment with the veterinarian to have them examined!

Owning a cat is a beautiful experience, and there’s no better feeling than sharing your home with a feline friend.

​However, for first-time cat owners, cat ownership is often shrouded in mystery and full of questions, and it’s important to learn everything you can about your new pet in order to provide them with the best care and companionship possible. 

So, if you want to learn more about a Maine Coon Cat’s shedding pattern, how much they should be shedding, and what to do if you think your Maine Coon Cat is shedding too much, then keep reading on as we provide you with all the information you need to know.

Like some other breeds of cat, such as Siberian cats, or Norwegian Forest cats, the Maine Coon comes from a cold climate area, originating from Maine, which is the easternmost state in the USA, which is why they’re a larger breed of cat, with a much fluffier fur coat than others.

In fact, a Maine Coon cat’s coat is much more incredible than you would initially think, as they actually have a double coat, there’s the inner layer, which has denser hair to help provide insulation by trapping air, and then the more medium-length coat on the outer of its fur helps to repel water and snow from sticking in the inner fur. 

It’s common for Maine Coon cats that live in colder climates to shed their fur twice a year, once during spring, and again in the autumn time.

​Despite this, however, these cats don’t shed their fur all too much due to the thickness of their coat,  to begin with and the kittens won’t begin to shed any fur at all until their adults too. 

However, if your Maine Coon lives inside, then you can expect this shedding pattern to be disrupted quite badly, and whether your Maine Coon sheds right the way through the year, or doesn’t shed at all, is completely random.

Typically, a healthy Maine Coon that lives and is kept indoors should experience a low level amount of shedding all year round, much like any other house cat.

But, it’s important to keep an eye on the amount of fur your Maine Coon is shedding, as unexpected shedding or unusual shedding patterns could be a result of something wrong with your Maine Coon!

If you find large chunks of fur all over your house because your Maine Coon cat is shedding, then it could be a sign that something is wrong, there are five major factors that are known to affect the shedding pattern of a Maine Coon:

• Humidity and Heat
• Undiagnosed or Underlying health conditions
  
• Stress and Anxiety
  
• Improper or Poor Hygiene
  
• Bad diet.

​Let’s delve into each of these categories to see if we can help you to figure out exactly why your Maine Coon cat is shedding so much!

Since a Maine Coon’s fur is a form of regulator for its temperature no matter what season it is, an increase in either humidity or heat will cause them to begin to shed drastically in order to cope with the new climate.

​So, if the space that your Maine Coon lives in is insulated, then it won’t actually need its heavy undercoat anymore, which is why its body’s reaction is to shed it off as soon as possible. When this happens, however, their overcoat often remains in place. 

To help your cat in this situation, you should just brush their fur regularly, which should ensure that they stay on top of the hairy mess!

A cat’s coat is often one of the best ways to tell whether or not it is healthy, a coat that is dull and has patchy shedding can indicate that something is wrong with the cat, and it could be just a single issue or multiple!

​Here are some of the things that could be causing your Maine Coon to shed so much:

• Allergies (Food mainly, especially things such as beef, dairy, or grains)/ 
• Food Poisoning - infection can cause a cat’s immune system to be disrupted, and begin to shed.
• Kidney and Liver diseases.
• Fleas or Ticks infestation
• Bacterial or Fungal disease. 
• Cancer.
• Diabetes or Hyperthyroidism (Endocrine disorders).
• Sunburn
• Medication side effects

Excessive shedding could be an indication that your Maine Coon is stressed or anxious, along with other signs, such as: 

• Constipation or IBS
• Excessive chewing of objects
• Rejecting food
• Eating more
  
• Hissing
  
• Unfriendliness to other animals and humans.
  
• Not using their litter tray.

Consulting an animal behaviorist is the best idea if you think your cat is anxious or stressed, and should help you identify the problem at its source.

Bad quality pet food is one of the biggest contributors to a cat’s excessive or patchy shedding, and whilst the signs of malnutrition and other flaws in a cat’s diet aren’t particularly obvious at first, they can have a detrimental effect over time!

• Excessive shedding is due to weakened fur roots. 
• Imbalances in weight 
• Tooth loss and dental infections
  
• Gastrointestinal issues such as regurgitation and gagging. 
  
• Bad eating habits.

If you think your cat’s food is affecting their shedding pattern or is causing any of these other problems, then it’s imperative that you stop feeding them their current pet food and consult an animal nutritionist or a vet in order to help decide what food is going to be best suited for your feline friend’s requirements!

​So, to summarise, if your Maine Coon cat is an outdoor cat, then its bi-annual shedding is completely natural. But if your Maine Coon cat is kept inside, then you can expect there to be a slight disruption to its shedding pattern.

As cat owners, we often get to spend many joyful moments with our feline friends, however, we all know that suspicious sound of footsteps on a surface where they shouldn’t be, and although you can sometimes find your cat in some rather funny places, ultimately if you don’t want your cat to be walking around on your furniture, then it can be a hassle having to shoo them off every time they get up there. 

Trying to keep your cats off your furniture is a difficult task, they’re curious animals and are incredible climbers, so they’re naturally going to make their way up your furniture at some point, but if you’ve decided that you don’t want them to become regular visitors, then you need to quickly lay the ground rules about them staying on the floor. 

So, if you’re looking for some of the best ways to keep cats off furniture, then simply read on, and we’ll provide you with everything you need to know!

We’ve come up with three ways that you can try to prevent your cat from adventuring and finding their way onto your furniture, depending on the cat, these methods will either work or they won’t, so it’ll be a case of trial and error in order to figure out what works best for your feline friend!

Put Things They Hate On The Counter Or Furniture

We’ll admit, this method is somewhat petty, but one of the best ways to prevent your cats from climbing onto things that you don’t want them to is to simply place things they don’t like on top of the furniture.

Things such as unusual textures or unpleasant smells will all help to deter your cat from trying to make its way up, and it’s the best way to do so that doesn’t involve directly punishing the cat too!

Some of the best things that you can place on top of these surfaces include aluminum foil, which cats are renowned for hating due to the texture and sound it makes when they find themselves on top of it, so adding some strips of foil to the edges of your furniture might be the perfect solution to your cat's curiosity. 

If the foil isn’t working, you can always try double-sided tape, as cats tend to hate anything with a sticky texture, but although it’s affordable, there are some potential downsides.

The first is that you’ll likely need to replace it quite often, and secondly getting the leftover residue from the tape off of your furniture can be a struggle. So use it on hard counter tops only, and avoid using it on your couch!

​The final option is to use some plastic carpets, especially the ones that have small nubs on the top, since most cats hate this feeling, they won’t spend much time on top of them, which should help to deter them from jumping up there in the first place. 

It’s worth giving these methods a try first, as it’s not you directly that is scaring your cat, which will help to ensure that your cat doesn’t become scared of you, just the furniture! 

Give Them Something Else To Climb

Making their way up to higher ground and climbing up things is typical cat instinct, it’s something they did for thousands of years in the wild before they were domesticated, so we can’t really extinguish this instinct entirely, so instead of completely banning them from climbing altogether, why not provide them with something of their own to climb? 

Cat trees, as they're known, are one of the best investments you can make for your curious climbing felines, and the tree will allow them to scratch, climb, and explore to their heart's content, all without damaging your lovely furniture.

This is a great way to give your cat some high ground and will save you the hassle of having to chase them off every countertop or couch in your home. 

This might not be enough to appease your cat, however, as one of the reasons that cats sometimes try to find their way onto furniture is in order to find food, so if this is the case, and your cat is currently at a healthy weight, you could attempt to free feed your cat, however, this isn’t recommended if your cat is overweight, so instead you should maybe try to feed them more frequent, but smaller meals throughout the day. 

Spraying Your Cat

If your cat is really mischievous and is constantly making its way onto places where it simply shouldn’t be, and you’ve tried the other methods extensively, then your final option is to use a spray bottle to spray your cat when it misbehaves.

But, this should be done as an absolute last resort, and depending on the cat, it can cause severe stress, so start out with a small spray of water, and see how your cat reacts to it. 

If water isn’t proving to be effective, it might be time to begin to make your own solution to help deter your cat from jumping and climbing onto the furniture, and this spray can be sprayed onto the furniture itself, as opposed to spraying your cat.

​Things such as vinegar or citrus smells are two things that most cats will seriously dislike, so mix some citrus oil or apple cider vinegar with some water to create your own solution, and you’ll be ready to go. 

It’s worth testing this solution on a small patch of furniture that you can’t see usually, just to make sure it doesn’t cause any damage or spots on the furniture itself

​We hope this guide has helped you to keep your cats off the furniture in your home, thank you for reading, and good luck! 

Overall, owning a cat is an extremely joyful experience, however, the one thing that every cat owner will agree on, is that having to clear out your cat’s litter box is absolutely terrible, and is quite easily the worst part about sharing your house with a feline friend. 

Even worse still, is if you happen to own two or more cats, as cleaning out multiple litter trays at once is a chore, and smells disgusting too.

​It’s unfortunately one of the things we must do if it means we get to share our company with these adorable creatures, but if you own multiple cats, do you ever wonder if there’s any easier way to organize your litter boxes?

For example, could your cats share a litter box with each other? It would make cleaning up much easier and would take up less space, so is it possible to do? 

So, if you want to find out whether or not cats can share a litter box, then keep reading onwards, as we’ll provide you with all of the litter box information you need to know!

Before we begin to explain exactly what the deal is with cats and sharing litter boxes, there’s actually a litter box golden rule when it comes to cats, and that is that there should be one litter box for each cat, plus one extra.

​And although it is possible for you to simply have one litter box per cat, this golden rule actually makes your litter boxes much more hygienic, and easier to clean, as well as reducing the chances of your cats fighting. Allow us to explain

As helpful as it would be for your cats to be able to share a litterbox, there are a couple of reasons why you should ensure that your cats at least have one litterbox to themselves each, although ideally you should follow the golden rule, and have 2 litter boxes per cat. 

Hygiene

Arguably the most important reason why multiple cats should never share the same litter box is due to hygiene.

If two cats or more are making use of the same litter box, then the litter box is going to fill up much, much faster than it would if just a single cat was using it, which means that it will need cleaning more, otherwise, it would quickly begin to overfill, and smell! 

So, if you happened to be away from home for an extended period of time in the day and were unable to clean the litter box, it might mean that the cats would stop using the litter box, and would instead just poo anywhere they liked.

But this isn’t the only issue, as having that much faeces lying around could also lead to the spread of harmful bacteria, which could be dangerous to your cats. 

Behavior

​Another reason why you should never let two cats share a litter box is that it can cause some behavioral problems.

​By nature, cats are extremely territorial animals, and by making them have to share their litter box with another cat, you might be causing them stress and anxiety, which will ultimately lead to your cats fighting, which no one wants to happen! 

There are numerous ways that this could lead to problematic behavior too, for example, the more dominant cat might prevent the others from using the litter box altogether, which would force your cats to urinate and poo in parts of the home that you wouldn’t want them to. 

Or even worse, it might lead your cats to delay their urination, which could cause serious health problems over time, especially with their kidneys.

You might think that if you have a self-cleaning litter box, that your cats might be able to share it without you having to worry about the additional pile-up of faecal matter, and there would therefore be less of a chance of any health issues flaring up too, right?

Well, this unfortunately is not the case as there’s a good chance that these self-cleaning litter boxes actually wouldn’t be able to keep up with the amount of mess that would need clearing up, so the spread of bacteria could still pose a problem to your cats’ health, as well as the territorial behavior that would still ensure as well.

The placement of your cat’s litter boxes is also important too, since your cats should have separate litter boxes anyways, having all of your cats’ litter boxes in the same space ultimately defeats the purpose of them not sharing a litter box in the first place, and it could still lead to territorial behavior and fighting. 

For the best results, you should try to keep the litter boxes in entirely separate areas in your house, and a middle litter box between the two of them would be a good idea as well.

It’s understandable that this might be a hard task in a smaller home, but it’s the best way to ensure that your cat is using the litter boxes as much as possible. 

You should try to make sure that the spots you pick for your cat’s litter boxes are private and quiet areas, as well as being accessible for them too.

​If one litter box is in a better location than the other, you’ll likely find that your cats will fight for the use of the better litter box, so you should make sure that both litter boxes are in decent locations.

So to summarize, you should absolutely not make your cats share litter boxes with each other, as it can lead to both hygienic and behavioral problems in your cats, so make sure they have their own litter boxes!

Dander is something that cats' skin can produce. Many that are allergic to cats are allergic to their dander.

If you’ve heard that ragdolls have less dander, I hate to deliver even more bad news, but that simply isn’t true. 

Ragdolls are the exact same as any other cat breed in terms of producing dander.

They also contain the Fel d 1 protein in their dander and their saliva, and this protein is known to cause allergic reactions in those that suffer from cat allergies.
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The worst way to find out that you’re allergic to cats is to find out once you’ve adopted one.

​There is already a crisis with cats without homes, so before you consider bringing one permanently into your home, it’s worth trying to spend some time around cats beforehand.

You’ll want to stroke, hold, or cuddle a cat and then keep an eye out for any developing symptoms. 

If you find that you have a runny nose, sneeze, cough, itch your eyes, or have red skin from the contact, it may be worth reconsidering homing a cat.
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There’s nothing quite like worry. And when you have pets I tend to find you worry about everything. And that’s probably because we can’t relate symptoms to ourselves.

For example, if our eyes start to water, we know it’s probably because we’re tired, we’ve got something in our eye, or we’re crying.

​Either way, it’s usually pretty obvious when there’s an issue in humans. But cats? Who knows why their eyes water? Is it okay? Is it normal? Are they sick? Are they okay?

​These are all anxiety-riddled questions that flood through your mind on a daily basis when your kitty does something different or new. 

If your kitty’s eyes are weeping or watering, unfortunately, there probably is some form of issue. How serious this issue is can vary.

Sometimes it can be something as simple as an allergy but it could also be an indication of something a little more serious such as a respiratory infection. 

Throughout this article, we’ll go over some of the main reasons why your feline friends eyes may be weeping.

​However, I will say now, that if your cats eyes have been excessively weeping, it’s probably best to take them to the vets to get checked out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. 
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Cats often produce tears or water in their eyes to protect them. The fluid will help to remove anything in their eyes, it keeps their eyes moist and even provides essential nutrients.

​So some water, or the occasional crusting around the eye is no immediate cause for concern.

​However, if they water excessively, or you notice a mucousy discharge from the eye it can be an indication of a more serious issue. 

Reason 1: Conjunctivitis

Your cat may have conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, which is causing your babies eyes to weep. This is actually a fairly common eye issue for cats. It’s not a very nice thing for them to experience, though. 

Conjunctivitis can cause painful inflammation around either one or both eyes. This inflammation will turn the eyes red and they may swell too.

Cats with this condition are usually fairly sensitive to light as it hurts their eyes. With conjunctivitis cats can have watery eyes that appear very teary although sometimes they will produce a thick mucus. 

You cat may have conjunctivitis for several different reasons. Their eyes may be fighting an infection, they may be expierencing an allergy, or they may have a lot of dust in their eyes.

If you notice these symptoms in your cat, take them to the vets straight away. Conjunctivitis is very contagious and so it may spread to other cats in the home.

Also, poorly eyes in cats can deteriorate at incredible speeds and so the sooner you can get treatment the better. 

Reason 2: Feline Upper Respiratory Infections

Weepy eyes can also often be a symptom of a respiratory infection. There are many different types of respiratory infection, and the symptoms for each can be really varied.

In most cases, your vet will need to do lab tests to find the cause of the problem. Upper respiratory infections can also lead to conjunctivitis. 

If your cats eyes are watery and they show visible signs of being under the weather and poorly, I would recommend taking them to see the vet. 

Reason 3: Allergies

Cats are more like us than you may realize, and they are often allergic to many of the things that we are. And these allergies can cause watery eyes just like we get too.

For example, common allergens such as pollen, mould, mildew, dust, perfumes, and cleaning products can all set off cat allergies. 

So if you’ve made a change in your house, or the seasons have changed, this could be the cause of watery eyes in your feline.

If you do suspect that your cat has allergies, you should take them to the vets where they can discuss how to move forward. 

Reason 4: Eye Ulcers

If the watery eyes is also accompanied by a whole lot of squinting, your cat may have eye ulcers. This is when there is damage to the cat’s eye.

You can usually tell if this is the problem, as your cat will rub their head often and their eyes will become very red and sore. 

There are several different reasons why your cat may have eye ulcers. It could be that they’ve scratched their eye, they have an infection, or they have been exposed to certain chemicals. 

If you suspect this is the issue, you must take your cat to the vets immediately. Eye ulcers can be extremely painful for your cat and in more extreme cases, it can even cause the eyeball to rupture. 

Reason 5: Epiphora

Sometimes cats eyes can weep because there is a problem with the drainage of their tear ducts. This is known as Epiphora. This is usually caused by the tearducts getting blocked.

​If left untreated this can cause rhinitis or sinusitis and this causes the tissue in the area to swell which can be pretty painful for your cat.
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Cats eyes need a certain amount of water to protect them. So a small amount of water being noticeable isn’t a major cause for concern.

However, if your cats eyes are weeping or particularly watery, you should take them to see the veterinarian. It is often the first symptoms of an eye issue which can deteriate the eyes very quickly.

And it is always best to be safe than sorry, and double check. A fast diagnosis is the first step towards a speedy recovery. 
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We get it - cats are cute. Sometimes, a head scratch or a cuddle isn’t enough. We want to be as close to them as possible! But do they understand and appreciate the gesture? 

Well, first off, all cats are different. While some cats tolerate (and maybe even love) your kisses, not all cats are so accepting.

Remember: like humans, each cat has its unique personality, so don’t feel too disheartened if your cat isn’t a huge fan of human kisses. After all, it must be pretty intimidating to have a big human getting so close to your face, right? 

However, most cats will allow a small kiss on the head from their humans, and although there’s limited research into the subject, it seems likely that they understand the gesture.

​Even cats that don’t like kisses probably get what you’re trying to do. It may just be that that specific display of affection isn’t right for them. 

Cats show their love differently to us (we’ll explore this more a little later), but they can still appreciate our own displays of affection.
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Before you go in for a kiss with a feline friend, you need to know how to do it safely - for both you and your cat. Here are a few things you should know about kissing cats.

Never Kiss a Cat on The Lips 

Cats need their space, too. For example, a kiss on the lips can feel incredibly invasive for any feline, and this display, no matter how affectionate the cat, may trigger your cat to react negatively. 

Also, cats can sometimes carry parasites and bacteria in their saliva - this is especially true for kittens and any cat that hasn’t been having its regular checks and injections. 

For the safety of you and your cat, lip kisses should be avoided. A small head kiss should suffice! 

Discourage Children From Kissing Cats
 
Kids love to be up close and personal with animals - after all, it’s in their nature to be loving and curious.

However, some children can be heavy-handed in their approach, which can cause some animals, including cats, significant distress. 

Some cats may also have less tolerance for children. You should discourage your child from kissing a cat on the lips and educate them on the signs of happiness in cats so that they can show their affection in a welcoming way. 

Never let your child attempt to kiss or hug a cat that is showing signs of distress. This puts your child at risk of significant harm. 
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Don’t Kiss Unfamiliar Cats 

Although it may be tempting to kiss your friend's super cute cat on the lips, don’t attempt it. Not all cats appreciate this closeness.

Just because your own feline friend enjoys your kisses doesn’t mean all cats will feel the same. Unless a cat's owner gives you permission, don’t attempt to kiss an unfamiliar cat - even on the head.
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Any cat owner has probably noticed that their cat sticks their tongue out from time to time. In fact, any cat owner probably has about 500 photos in their camera roll of it happening - it is seriously cuteness overload to see.

And hey, hundred and thousands of people must agree, #TongueOutTuesday doesn’t trend on Instagram each and every week for no apparent reason. 

However, most cat owners still wonder exactly why it happens. Are they just sticking their tongue out at you playfully? Is it just a harmless thing, or is it a sign of an issue? I think every cat mom and dad instantly worry whenever they see something they may not understand.

​Those pawrental instincts are pretty strong - after all our pets are family. I know that I class my kitties as my babies, and I’m sure you feel the exact same way. 

So in this article, we’ll have a look at some of the main reasons that your feline friend may be popping their tongue out of their mouth.
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There are actually lots of reasons why your cat can stick their tongue out. So we’ll take a look at some of the more common reasons now.

Reason 1: Blepping

What in the world is a blep? A blep is when your cat has stuck their tongue out for whatever reason, be it eating or grooming, or something else, and has just forgotten to pop it back where it belongs. How adorable. 

Blepping is generally no cause for concern, so you can just revel in its absolute adorableness guilt-free.

The only time to really worry about your cat blepping is if they seem in immediate distress, or if it never really used to happen but has started to happen 24/7. 

Blepping is literally just a case of your cat not realizing that their tongue is still out.

They may forget to pop that tongue back into their mouth because they’ve been startled, or their mind has wondered while eating or smelling something.

However, if your cat is particularly old, it can be a sign of cat dementia. 

If the behavior is new and fairly excessive, though, you may want to get it double-checked at the vets. 

Reason 2: They Are Sleeping Or Relaxed

You know how sometimes when you’re really chilled out and having a snooze you can wake up with your mouth gaping wide open, drooling a little, with your tongue hanging out your mouth? Well, kitties can have this deep relaxed, and drooly sleep too. 

When your kitty is asleep her muscles will relax and this can cause their mouths to open agar slightly and when that happens their tongues can roll out too.

If you’re really lucky you might even get to witness them dreaming and making adorable little sleepy sounds while their tongue is out. 

This is very rarely a cause for concern, so you can get that camera out and record the cuteness unveiled before your eyes should you wish. 

Reason 3: Something Is Stuck To Their Tongue

I have two long-haired very fluffy cats, so finding hair in every crevice possible isn’t something uncommon for me. And it won’t be for them either.

Cats have this tiny hook-like structure on their tongue so getting a bit of their hair stuck on their tongue happens fairly frequently. 

So your feline friend may be popping out their tongue trying to get rid of the hair. We’ve all had hair in our mouths at some point, and I think we can all agree that it’s not exactly a pleasant experience. 

Reason 4: Your Cat’s Breed Is Predisposed To It
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Cats are funny little things. I’m a firm believer that if someone says that they’re not a cat person, this is simply because they’ve never had one. To have one is to love one - they’ll win you over in seconds.

Unlike man’s best friend, the dog, you have to earn the right to see the softer and loving side of our feline friends.

They don’t show their personalities to just anyone, it’s usually reserved for their owners who they trust. 

It is also our canine companions that we often associate with big and adorable slobbery drooling faces, but you may be surprised to learn that just like dogs, and even humans, cats are susceptible to drooling from time to time.

Particularly when they’re having a good cuddle and a pet, that leaking saliva can sometimes be seen dangling from underneath their chin. 

When you see this, you may be wondering why it’s happening. After all, it’s not something cats are known for doing.

​And as pawrents, we reserve the right to worry over every last little thing - they are our babies! Well, worry no more, because, throughout this article, all of your wonderings, worries, and questions will be answered. 
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Yes! Lots of animals drool, it’s a pretty common thing, think about it, even most humans are prone to a bit of drool when their head hits the pillow.

All drool really is, is excess saliva which is a liquid part of digestion. This part of digestion pours out through our salivary glands and collects in our mouths.

Drool is just when too much saliva collects in your mouth while it’s open and thus escapes. For humans, drool is most common during sleepy slumber, but for our feline friends, it is slightly different. 

When it comes to drooling pets, you probably automatically picture a slobbery dog.

That’s because dogs actually have four pairs of salivary glands so there’s a lot more saliva trying to find its way out of their mouths.

However, surprisingly cats actually have even more salivary glands than dogs. Cats have five.

​They do not tend to produce anywhere near as much drool as their canine counterparts, though.
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A small amount of drool is a pretty normal thing for your kitty cat. They may drool for many reasons that are similar to humans.

They may drool when they’re pretty peckish or when they are flat out with their mouths hanging open wide. 

An excessive amount of unrelenting drool though is probably a good indicator that there is some sort of problem or issue.

These problems can range in severity from the drool being caused by emotional stimuli to issues such as inflammation or an inability to swallow food.

​If your little furbaby does seem to be drooling a little too much, I would recommend taking them to see the veterinarian.
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One thing I think all pet owners can relate to is hating watching their little fluffy babies in pain. Having a sick kitty can sure be a worry.

So does drooling mean that your cat is sick? It really depends on the amount of drool. If it’s a little bit here and there there’s probably no immediate cause for concern. 

If your kitty seems to be drooling fairly often, or in particularly large amounts, then it can be an indication that your pet is sick.

Drooling is a common symptom of dental diseases, oral cancer, and other kinds of mouth infections.

​Dental disease tends to be the most common culprit with a whopping 85% of kitties over 3 years old having some form of gum or tooth disease.

If you notice the excess saliva contains blood or has a foul odor then it’s likely dental disease is the issue at hand. You’ll want to make an appointment with your vet, as soon as possible, if this is the case.
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There may be a few other reasons why your cat is drooling, some more worrisome than others.

​For example, your cat may drool should they have a viral respiratory condition that causes ulcers in your kitty’s mouth. 

It could be a case of your cat eating something that they shouldn’t have.

A foreign body may have got lodged in their mouths and the excess drool is to help wash it out as such.

It could also be something stuck in their belly and the drool is part of their efforts to sick it back up.
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Enjoying a snuggle with your cat only to notice that their ears feel a little warm? It might seem a little alarming, but the first thing you need to know is that cats are naturally slightly warmer than humans. 

The average human body temperature is 98.6°F, with anything over 100.4°F being a concern. Cats are slightly different. They have a typical body temperature range between 100.5°F and 102.5°F.

​So, a temperature that would be a fever for humans is actually perfectly normal in a cat!

Cat ears aren’t protected by much in the way of fur or fat, so the temperature has a tendency to fluctuate.
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It might sound slightly contradictory — heat as a result of cooling — but this is how cats keep themselves comfortable.

Ears play a key role in how your cat regulates their body temperature. Their ears are filled with blood vessels that can dilate and constrict.

​When your cat wants to cool down, these vessels dilate, allowing the blood to travel quickly. Without much fur or fat, the heat can be quickly released, and the body cools.

The opposite happens when they want to get warm. The vessels constrict, so less blood passes through, and the body stays warm.

On a hot day, or if your cat has been lying in the sun, then their ears are likely to be warm as they maintain body temperature.
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Allergies are surprisingly common in cats, and can result in symptoms such as itchiness, sneezing, vomiting, and runny eyes. Allergies can be caused by insects, foods, dusts, pollen, and molds.

If you’ve noticed your cat has hot ears, itchy skin, and red patches, then they might be suffering from an allergy.

​Pay close attention to when these symptoms appear, in case there is a common cause. If you think your cat is suffering from an allergy, speak to your vet.
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Hot ears can be an indication that your cat is suffering from a fever. This doesn’t automatically warrant a reaction, as the fever might be a sign that your cat’s immune response is kicking in.

​If this is the case, then they’re likely to find a cool place to lie down, as their body fights off the infection.

The ears aren’t the best way to monitor a cat’s temperature — as mentioned above, they use the ears to cool down. Instead, check the underarms and stomach.

​If these are warm as well, then your cat might have a fever. If it persists for two days, contact a vet.

The most effective way to check a cat’s temperature is with a rectal thermometer. Anything above 104°F, and you should contact your vet.
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Ear mites are incredibly uncomfortable for a cat. An ear mite infection can cause your cat to rub and scratch at their ears more, bringing the temperature up.

Ear mites love to eat the oils that are found in a cat’s ears, leading to an intense itch and inflammation.

Cats with ear mites will often rub their head against the furniture, and scratch their ears more than usual. If you suspect your cat has ear mites, take a look inside their ears.

​Black and grainy ear wax or a darker discharge indicates an infection. 

Ear mites need to be treated, so take your cat to the vet.
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Ear infections are quite common in cats, and they’re most frequently caused by mites. However, yeast and bacteria, as well as trapped foreign objects, can also result in an ear infection.

Hot ears aren’t a common symptom of an infection, and they’re more likely to be a side effect from itching and scratching.

​Other symptoms to look for include troubles with balance, a bad odor from the ears, and excess ear wax. Your cat might also struggle with chewing, and opening their jaws.

If your cat has an ear infection, then it will need to be treated by a vet. An untreated ear infection can lead to hearing loss, and even deafness.
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The first thing to do when you notice your cat has hot ears is to stay calm. It’s unlikely to be a serious issue, and it might be that you’ve simply never noticed before how warm their ears can get. 

If it’s a hot day, then warm ears are probably a result of your cat getting comfortable.

​You can help your cat cool down further by providing them with lots of fresh water, creating cool spaces within the house, and stroking them with a damp cloth.

If you’re still feeling worried, then check for other symptoms. Hot ears alone aren’t a sign of illness.

However, if your cat is scratching or rubbing their ears a lot, then they might have an infection, or an allergy. Check for other symptoms, and contact a vet if you’re concerned.

If there are no other symptoms, keep an eye on your cat's temperature over the next few days. You’re likely to notice it fluctuates naturally.
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Cats are naturally warmer than humans, and as their ears are used to regulate body temperature, then you might notice they feel hotter than the rest of the body.

​This is rarely a sign for concern, unless accompanied by other unusual symptoms. Check for itching and redness, if you’re worried about your cat’s temperature.
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We love that our cats are relatively independent creatures; it’s one of the things that gives them such unique personalities.

But, whether they want it or not, sometimes they need our help. When they’re ill, for example, human intervention is crucial to getting them on the road to recovery.

Of course, besides the odd flea infestation, illness in cats is rare, but one particularly unpleasant kitty ailment you may run into down the line is a clogging of the anal glands.

Thankfully, though, it’s pretty clear when our furry children are having this issue.

Even though cats aren’t quite as transparent with their illness as dogs, there will be some pretty clear signs that something’s not right and that their glands may need to be expressed.

​Here’s what you should be looking for.
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Cats often display idiosyncratic, sometimes hilariously silly behavior, especially if they’ve come down with a severe bout of the zoomies, but if you ever notice any of the following behaviors or symptoms, it’s time to be concerned.

Scooting

We often associate this behavior with dogs, and truth be told, cat owners can go their entire lives without witnessing one of their feline friends scooting, which is why it should be taken seriously when it does happen.

For the uninitiated, scooting is when a cat or a dog drags their bum along the ground by splaying out their hind legs and using the front legs to pull themselves forward. It’s a silly pose, but in many cases, it’s no laughing matter.

It’s a sign that your cat has an extraordinary itchy anus — Sort of like when a bear rubs its back against a tree, but in this scenario, the itch is localized to the bum.

The reason your cat’s anus is so itchy all of a sudden is that their anal glands are blocked.

Obsessive Licking Of The Anus

To reduce irritation, your cat may also lick their anus furiously.

Now, we all know that cats lick their nether regions on a daily basis as a part of their normal grooming regime, but if they seem to be focusing on that area more than ever, consider it a red flag.

If this is the case, keep observing your cat. If they engage in other activities only to wind up licking their rear end again, it’s a sign that whatever’s going on down there has grown severe enough to become a major distraction.

Bad Smells

Cat toots can be toxic, but - praise be - cats tend to be rather polite with their gas, expressing it elsewhere, so a bad-smelling cat is something of a rarity.

In fact, almost any time a cat has a lingering foul odor, it’s typically a sign that they’ve been somewhere that shouldn’t or that there’s a health issue going unnoticed.

Swollen, blocked, or infected glands are just one of the possible causes of a smelly cat.

Missing The Litter Box

Most cats miss the mark every now and again, and, to be fair, it’s usually because they object to some aspect of their litter tray.

Perhaps you’re trying out new litter that the cat doesn’t feel comfortable with, maybe it’s already quite full of cat poops and peeps, or maybe the litter box is too close to a noisy appliance, like a tumble dryer.

But if everything seems A-okay with their toilet tray, it’s time to consider the possibility of gland issues, especially if their defecating outside their litter box coincides with any of the other symptoms on this list.

Sore Or Swollen Anal Glands

Cats aren’t shy of showing off their bums, so, much to our chagrin, we often get a good look at what’s going on back there.

​Should you notice any peculiarities on either side of the rectum, i.e. redness or swelling, it’s a dead giveaway that something’s up with their anal glands and that the glands might need expressing in the near future.

Where are the anal glands of a cat, you ask? Well, if we imagine that your cat’s bum is a clock face, you can expect the glands to rest at about 4 and 8, so just to the side and down of center.

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Cats are our lovable little guys that always seem to pride themselves on their self-reliance.

While the exact details are a little different depending on how clingy your cat is, our feisty feline friends generally prefer to live life at their own pace.

This often means that we can miss when our cats are uncomfortable or not well. But when your cat starts to act strange or seems like it’s uncomfortable, or even in pain, you have to act fast.

One of the things that often worries people is how hot or cold their cat should be when looking after them.
What temperature is ideal for them? What do they do when they are too hot? What temperature is too hot for them? What happens when they get too hot?

Well, that’s what we’re going to answer for you here!
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In his guide, we’re going to show you how cats stay cool during the hotter times of day or year, as well as what temperature they should normally be most of the time.
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So, as we’ve established, the temperature is probably the most accurate way to tell how hot your cat is.

However, considering that taking your cat’s temperature is about as easy as herding… well, cats, that isn’t going to be an easy option for you.

Fortunately, there are a few changes in behavior that cats show when they start to approach their max temperature that you can pick up on with a keen enough eye.

Panting

As we’ve already established, and you’ve probably noticed, cats do not normally pant, especially not in the way that dogs normally would.

So, if you have noticed your cat panting in that way, you can be pretty confident that your cat is visibly uncomfortable, as they try to get cooler air into their lungs to cool down faster.

Change In Appetite

A slightly less noticeable, but still useful change in behavior, is if your cat’s feeding habits change.

Cats tend (though not always) to have pretty big appetites, at least for their body size.

If you notice that your cat is visibly eating less than they normally do, then you can bet that something is up with them.

Even if they aren’t too hot, it can often be a sign of some underlying illnesses that are ruining their appetite.

More Saliva Than Normal

On a slightly more unsightly note, your cat producing more saliva than normal, or dribbling more than normal, could also be a sign that they are too hot.
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Similar to how panting reduces heat in cats and dogs, excess heat can be absorbed by saliva.
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In short, your cat being too hot is never a good sign for anyone.

If the air temperature or humidity is too high, spray some room temperature water around to help slowly and safely keep them cool.
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If this doesn’t work, take them to your vet as soon as possible.
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Some breeds have naturally smiley faces, but for others, what looks like a smiley face can actually be the Flehmen response. 

Cats have a super strong sense of smell. Sometimes, specific odors (especially if they’re right in pheromones) can encourage the Flehmen response.

​This happens when your cat moves the scent to the roof of its mouth to analyze it. 

When this happens, your cat will usually squint their eyes, curl their lips, and even tilt their heads - although this may look like a happy behavior, it’s simply your cat analyzing its surroundings! 

Although your cat isn’t likely to attack you if you try to give it attention in a Flehmen response state, it’s probably not going to reciprocate the affection if it’s busy checking out its surroundings. 
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If you have ever experienced hiccups, someone has probably tried to scare or shock you to get rid of them. But, we do not recommend going down this route with your cat. Instead, simply offer them some water.

The best method is to try and prevent the hiccups from occurring in the first place. Try to slow your cat’s eating habits. You can do this by using a puzzle feeder, or an automatic feeder. You can also try to push their wet food to the bottom of their food bowl.
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Once your cat starts to eat more slowly, there is a lower risk of them ingesting extra air and suffering from hiccups. 

And, you can also try to prevent hairballs by regularly brushing your cat (whether they like it or not). Try to make this a routine and after some time, you and your cat may start to enjoy the relaxation of it. 

If you feel like your kitten isn’t sleeping enough, there are a few things that you can do to help boost their sleep, but a visit to the vet should also be the first thing you do. 

If the vet has given your kitten the all-clear but they still aren’t sleeping enough, then thankfully there are a few ways to help ensure that they’ll get the sleep they need. So try some of these steps to help your kitten sleep:

• With kittens being as sleepy as they are, then it means that they can’t really just sleep when you want them to sleep. But, you can help by creating a routine for your kitten, and sticking to it, you’ll help bolster their sleep! 

 

• Ensuring that your cat has a comfy place to sleep is important, keep it warm and cozy and the chances are your cat will love it! 

 

• You can help to tire your kitten out by playing with them whilst they’re awake, just be sure not to overdo too much, so if your kitten seems exhausted, then let them get some sleep. 

 

• If your kitten isn’t sleeping through the night it could be due to hunger, so try feeding them their dinner a little later on in the day. 

 

• Sleep toys are a good idea, a toy or blanket that smells like their mother or their previous home is a good way of getting them to sleep as they adjust to their new home. 

It is important that no matter how tempting it is, you don’t let your cat sleep in bed with you, as you may accidentally injure them if you move in your sleep!

Kittens, much like human babies, require a lot of sleep. However, their sleep patterns differ quite a bit from mature cats. Here's a general overview of a kitten's sleeping patterns:
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1. Age: Birth to 2 weeks (Neonatal period)
   • Sleep Duration: Almost constantly, up to 22 hours a day.
   • Activity: Most of their time is spent eating or sleeping. They'll wake up for short periods, primarily to feed from their mother.
2. Age: 2 weeks to 3 weeks
   • Sleep Duration: Still around 20-22 hours a day.
   • Activity: Eyes open, and they begin to wobble-walk a little. They're still mostly feeding and sleeping, but there are increased awake periods.
3. Age: 3 weeks to 9 weeks (Socialization period)
   • Sleep Duration: 18-20 hours.
   • Activity: This is a crucial time for socialization. They become more active, playful, and curious about their surroundings, though they still sleep a lot. Play periods are intense but short-lived, followed by long naps.
4. Age: 2 months to 6 months (Most active kittenhood)
   • Sleep Duration: 16-20 hours.
   • Activity: Kittens are most active during this time, with frequent playtimes. They're curious and will often explore their environment. However, after bursts of energy, they'll retreat for a good long nap.
5. Age: 6 months to 1 year (Adolescence)
   • Sleep Duration: 16-18 hours.
   • Activity: Activity levels are still high, but there's a gradual decrease as they approach their first year. They may adopt more of an adult cat's sleeping pattern, which includes more nocturnal activity.

General Notes:

• Sleep Location: Kittens prefer warm and cozy spots, close to their siblings or mother. If you're raising a kitten, providing soft bedding or a cat bed is a good idea. As they grow, they might find various napping spots throughout the house.
• Activity Peaks: Like adult cats, kittens are crepuscular, meaning they're most active during dawn and dusk. This pattern is instinctual and aligns with the natural hunting times of wild cats.
• Growth During Sleep: Just like human babies, kittens do a lot of growing during sleep. Hence, their high sleep needs during their early months.
• Disturbances: Try not to disturb a sleeping kitten too much. Adequate rest is crucial for their development. However, interactions and play when they're awake are essential for socialization.
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As with any general guidelines, individual variation exists. Some kittens might be more active than others, and sleeping patterns can change based on health, diet, and environment. If you're concerned about your kitten's sleep or activity level, it's always a good idea to consult with a veterinarian.

If you suspect your kitten isn't sleeping enough, it's essential to first determine whether there is genuinely a problem. Kittens are often very playful and curious, and during their awake periods, they can be incredibly active. However, there are some steps you can take and things to consider:

1. Observe and Document:
   • Before jumping to conclusions, track your kitten's sleep for several days. This will give you an accurate picture of its actual sleep patterns.
   • Remember, while kittens sleep a lot, they don't necessarily sleep for long stretches like adult cats. Instead, they often take multiple short naps throughout the day and night.
2. Environment:
   • Ensure the environment is conducive to sleep. Provide a quiet, dark place with a comfortable bed or blanket.
   • Reduce loud noises or disruptions that might be keeping your kitten awake.
   • Consider using white noise machines or soft music designed for cats to help soothe them.
3. Play and Engagement:
   • Ensure your kitten gets plenty of playtime. Active play can tire them out and help them sleep better.
   • Use toys like feather wands, laser pointers, or interactive toys to engage with your kitten.
4. Diet:
   • Ensure your kitten is on a balanced diet suitable for its age. A hungry kitten may have trouble sleeping.
   • Stick to a feeding schedule. Avoid feeding them too close to bedtime, as it can make them more active.
5. Health Concerns:
   • Overactivity or restlessness can sometimes be due to underlying health issues.
   • Signs like diarrhea, vomiting, excessive thirst, or noticeable weight changes could be indicative of health problems and warrant a visit to the vet.
   • Certain parasites, like fleas or intestinal worms, can cause discomfort, leading to restlessness.
6. Routine:
   • Try to establish a routine for your kitten. Cats, in general, thrive on routine, and having set times for feeding, play, and rest can help regulate their internal clocks.
7. Consult a Veterinarian:
   • If you've tried various strategies and still feel your kitten isn't sleeping enough, consult a veterinarian. They can offer guidance tailored to your kitten's specific situation and can rule out potential health concerns 

​Remember, each kitten is unique. Some may naturally be more active than others. It's crucial to understand your kitten's individual personality and habits. If they seem healthy, are eating well, and are active and playful when awake, they are likely getting the rest they need, even if it seems less than expected.

​Kittens don't need their own bed, but they often benefit from having a designated safe and cozy space. Whether your kitten sleeps in its own bed or with you is a personal decision, and both options have pros and cons.
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Benefits of Providing a Bed for Your Kitten:

1. Safety and Security: Especially for tiny kittens, having a space that's just theirs can provide a sense of security. A bed with raised edges can also offer warmth and a feeling of protection.
2. Established Territory: Cats are territorial animals. Providing a bed for your kitten gives them a designated spot that they recognize as their own.
3. Hygiene: It's easier to regularly clean a cat bed than it is to wash human bedding. Cats, especially kittens, can sometimes have accidents or bring debris into bed.

Benefits of Letting Your Kitten Sleep with You:

1. Bonding: Sleeping together can strengthen the bond between you and your kitten.
2. Warmth and Comfort: Kittens love warmth, and there's nothing warmer than a human companion.
3. Security: Being close to their human can provide kittens with a feeling of safety and security.

Things to Consider Before Letting Your Kitten Sleep with You:

1. Disturbances: Kittens are often active at night and early morning. This could disturb your sleep.
2. Safety: Ensure there's no risk of rolling over onto your kitten in your sleep. This is especially crucial for very young or tiny kittens.
3. Allergies: If someone in the household has allergies, allowing a kitten in the bed may exacerbate the issue.
4. Behavioral Issues: Setting boundaries early can prevent future issues. If you decide later that you don't want your cat in your bed, it can be challenging to change the established habit.
5. Health: Ensure your kitten is free from fleas and other parasites before allowing them in your bed.

A Compromise: Some cat owners choose to provide a cat bed in the bedroom, but not on their own bed. This way, the kitten is close by and can benefit from the bond and security while still having its designated space.

​Ultimately, the decision is personal. Some cat owners cherish the experience of snuggling with their feline companions at night, while others prefer to set boundaries from the start. Whatever you decide, make sure it works for both you and your kitten.

Getting a kitten to sleep at night, or at least be more calm during nighttime hours, involves a combination of environmental manipulation, scheduling, and patience. Here are some steps to encourage your kitten to sleep during the night:
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1. Play and Activity During the Day:
   • Engage your kitten in active play several times during the day. This can tire them out and make them more likely to sleep at night.
   • Use toys that mimic prey, like feather wands or battery-operated toys, to allow your kitten to use its hunting instincts.
2. Evening Play Session:
   • Have a vigorous play session with your kitten right before your bedtime. The idea is to tire them out so they'll be more inclined to rest when you do.
3. Feeding Schedule:
   • Cats tend to sleep after a big meal. You can use this to your advantage by feeding your kitten its largest meal right before your bedtime.
   • Consider splitting their daily food allowance into smaller portions given throughout the day, culminating in a larger meal before bed.
4. Establish a Routine:
   • Cats, in general, are creatures of habit. By establishing a consistent routine for feeding, play, and bedtime, your kitten will be more likely to adapt to your schedule over time.
5. Create a Comfortable Sleeping Area:
   • While your kitten doesn't necessarily need its bed, providing a warm, cozy space might encourage sleep. This could be a soft blanket in a quiet corner, a plush cat bed, or a heated bed if your home is on the cooler side.
6. Limit Distractions:
   • Ensure your kitten's environment is calm at night. This might mean turning off televisions or radios and dimming lights to signal "bedtime."
7. Safety and Security:
   • Some kittens might be more nocturnal because they feel insecure or unsafe at night. Ensure their environment feels safe. This might involve providing hiding spots, ensuring they aren't being disturbed by other pets, or even using feline pheromone sprays or diffusers to create a sense of calm.
8. Avoid Reinforcing Bad Behavior:
   • If your kitten wakes you up in the middle of the night wanting to play, don't reinforce this behavior by giving in. It can be challenging, but try to ignore nighttime disturbances. Responding to them can create a routine that's difficult to break.
9. Patience is Key:
   • Remember that kittens are naturally more nocturnal, and it might take some time for them to adapt to your schedule. Be patient and consistent in your efforts.
10. Consider a Companion:
    • Sometimes, having another kitten or cat as a companion can help. They can play with each other and keep each other company, making them more likely to sleep during the night.

​If you've tried multiple strategies and are still having difficulty, you might consider seeking advice from a veterinarian or a feline behaviorist to ensure there are no underlying health or behavioral issues.