ribbon love

Wrapping gifts is a challenge with Nahum's ribbon-radar. He always seems to know when someone is wrapping a gift, even when hiding in a different part of the house.

Laura closed the door to the bedroom to wrap a gift and Nahum went flying up the stairs. He sat outside the door and howled. He knew someone was playing with ribbon in there and he desperately wanted to get his teeth on that ribbon!

helping

Theo was helping me blog before he fell asleep on the job.

brownie snack

Just discovered another food item that Theo likes; brownies.

These were left unattended, cooling on the stove. Theo was the first to sample them.

Rose update

Rose is eating again! Her appetite has returned! She seems very much on the mend, yahoo!!

fun friday feline factoid - motion sickness

Do cats get motion sick? I suppose it depends on who you believe.

The Cat Whisperer: The Secret of How to Talk to Your Cat by Claire Bessant:

The cat's sense of balance and its ability to fall on its feet  have an almost supernatural reputation... This special sense of balance, which is based in the inner ear, may be the reason  that cats do not  suffer from motion sickness, a feeling of nausea which affects both humans and dogs when the head had frequently to change its position relative to the body, such as riding in a car or sailing in a boat. While cats may not enjoy traveling in the car, they are no usually sick, unlike puppies or young children who seem to be affected more than their adult counterparts (pg 6). 

Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook by Delbert Carlson, DVM and James Giffin, MD:

Many cats suffer from car sickness and may become seasick when traveling by boat or air. The signs are restlessness followed by salivation, yawning, nausea and then vomiting. Motion sickness is caused by overstimulation of the labyrinth system in the inner ear. Most cats will get over it once they adjust to traveling. If you suspect your cat is going to be sick, a veterinarian may suggest that you give Dramamine, 12.5 mg for the aver-sized cat, one hour before traveling. Withhold food before taking a trip. Cats travel best on an empty stomach (pg 189).

I have not experienced a motion sick cat personally. Whenever I travel with any of my cats, they have not enjoyed the ride very much, but they haven't gotten motion sick. So, even without the personal experience, I am more inclined to believe that which was written by licensed veterinarians - cats are susceptible to motion sickness.

stuff

You have heard me rant about the significant lack of quality cat toys and cat books out there, so I won't go there now. It occurred to me today that while there may be a lack of quality cat things available, there is an abundance of cat kitsch. Does that mean that cat people would rather buy stuff for themselves than spend money on their cats? What's up with that?!

Anyway, I was looking through all the cool cat stuff in the Whales & Friends catalog and found this must have mug.

Christmas is only 23 days away!

change

Since Rose has returned from the kitty hospital she has been different. She seems more bonded to her people. She enjoys being petted and even seeks it out. She is more self-confident and less skittish. Previously, she didn't want much to do with her humans, she preferred the company of other felines. Now she likes both! With these changes, I feel like I may now have the opportunity to actually get to know her, something I am looking forward to.

While Rose was in the hospital we would visit her several times a day. The vet staff said she was really scared in her cage. When we visited her, we would cuddle her and hold her close. She seemed to eat it up and eventually would relax and purr. Perhaps she learned that her humans do have something to offer her besides filling up the food bowl twice a day.

The other big change that has happened with Rose is her sound. She is developing her meow. I am afraid her little squeaks and squeals may be no more - they were so cute! I will miss her cute little squeaks.