Innehållsförteckning för October 2022 från Your Cat

Mayhew has announced the appointment of its new CEO, Sherine Wheeler. Sherine brings significant experience from her career in finance and many senior roles in the charity sector, alongside a passion for animal welfare, to take up the helm of the 136-year-old organisation. Sherine will build on the hard work of the team across the past few years and help guide the charity through the next exciting chapter in its history. Chair of Mayhew’s board of trustees Julianne Hicks says: “We advertised this important role broadly and went through a multi-stage process to find our new CEO. Sherine has the skills and experience and, most importantly, when you meet Sherine you are left in no doubt of her commitment to our cause of improving the lives of the cats and…

Black-and-white puss Marley won the public vote in the Cat Colleagues category, which celebrates cats who bring joy to the workplace. The 10-year-old moggy was honoured for the positive impact he has on life at the Apuldram Centre in Chichester, a day centre for adults with learning disabilities. One of a litter of four, Marley and two of his siblings were born without tails, which just adds to his character, and the Apuldram Centre’s activity support worker Richard Manning said that Marley loves to be centre of attention: “He’s been here with us for 10 years now and he’s a big part of the family,” he said. “He likes to get involved with everything, like being in the garden with us, or sometimes he’ll just sit on the table while…

“They booked us into the swankiest hotel in Tokyo — The Ritz-Carlton” As the old saying goes, when you’re big in Japan that’s when you’ve made it. That is exactly how it felt when I arrived in Tokyo on August 1, 2017 to sweltering heat with Bob in tow. Well, I say in tow as he was roughly two hours behind me going through his arrival quarantine checks. I have always insisted that Bob fly with me in the cabin but unfortunately, this is not allowed on long-haul flights and especially business class flights, so he had to go as cargo. As Sony had paid for Bob to fly to Tokyo to work with me for marketing the first film, they wanted me to land and get to work the…

The very first cat show took place in 1871 and shows have continued to take place all over the UK (indeed in most countries of the world) ever since, except for a break for the First and Second World Wars and, in recent times, the Covid pandemic. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) show calendar lists around 140 shows throughout the year. They vary in size from small, intimate breed club shows which may have around 40 or 50 exhibits of the same breed, to a large all breed show, such as the Yorkshire County Cat Club show held at The Dome, in Doncaster, which usually has around 450 cats. Some clubs also get together and combine their show date and venue, and run back to back so…

The Your Cat Product Awards are prestigious and long-time accolades in the pet industry. Run in conjunction with our sister publication, Your Dog Magazine, the awards see our readers vote for their favourite feline products. For those products that are lucky enough to be ‘Highly Commended’ or even scoop an award, it is a real badge of honour as it is the consumers that are saying their products are brilliant. So, now it’s time for you to have your say! What do you think are the best products on the market? What are the things you rely on to give your cat the best life possible? Let us know by voting online at www.yourcat.co.uk/productawards or fill out the voting form and send it back to us free of charge! Everyone…

CLARE SAYS: AIt is generally believed that cats can survive for around two weeks without food. Of course, this is assuming that they have access to water and are otherwise fit and well. But if a cat has a pre-existing health condition or is elderly, then the amount of time he is able to survive reduces drastically and could be as little as 2 — 3 days. There are always exceptions to the rule and anecdotal evidence exists of cats surviving for many weeks. But the more time a cat spends without ingesting protein, the weaker he becomes. His body starts going into shock, his metabolism slows down, and eventually his vital organs start failing. But if you’re asking why has my cat stopped eating? Then there are potentially many…

Halloween comes in October and it can pose a tricky time for cats and their owners. There’s the decorations, costumes, people heading from door to door, the doorbell going off, parties, and it is a pre-cursor to Bonfire Night which comes with fireworks. Here we help you be prepared so it doesn’t become a stressful time for your kitty, In this issue, we will focus on Halloween and next month in Cat Care we will focus on fireworks so you can be sure that your cat will cope through it all. HERE ARE OUR TOP TIPS FOR HALLOWEEN… ● KEEP THEM INSIDE It can be a dangerous time of the year for outdoor cats. While the spooky costumes can frighten kitties, there are also spikes in animal abuse incidents during…

This award acknowledges those cat lovers who have gone above and beyond in their communities to make the lives of their local cats better. After we posted an appeal on social media for our online followers to nominate their community cat heroes, we received more than 1,000 nominations from all across the UK, ranging from dedicated cat rescues to individual cat lovers who just try to make a difference in their communities. This month’s Community Cat Hero Award winner is Dawn Lewis, founder of Kitty Kat Rescue and Rehoming Hertfordshire, based in Watford. As a child, Dawn was a huge animal lover and wanted to work with animals, firstly as a vet and then later as an RSPCA inspector. “You see horrible things happening to animals and it broke my…

Is he yours?” Leah asked, as she stroked the deep-brown, glossy-coated moggy. “No. But he’s a real beauty. Is he yours?” the woman enquired. Leah shook her head. The puss had stopped Leah in her tracks on her way back from the corner grocery store, where the cat had confidently run up to her. The other shopper, a middle-aged, jean-clad woman, wearing a feline patterned sweatshirt, had stopped and smiled at the sight. “I’m Pam. I live next door to you. Pleased to meet you.” “You’re my neighbour? I’m Leah. I’m pleased to meet you, too. I can see you’re a cat lover, like me. I love your sweatshirt.” When Pam also petted the pet, Leah’s spirit rose. This was really good to see! When Leah had moved to the…

These two images are proof of just how much cats have captured our hearts and imaginations. Someone has added a sticker of a cheeky black cat to a road sign in Kent in the main image. It hints at the notion of a cat gaining access to somewhere it shouldn’t be allowed. The inset image, also a recent photo, was taken in Tirana, the capital city of Albania. A black cat has been drawn on the corner of the fence, making the cat look like it is waltzing down the street. Maybe it’s indicating the gap below the fence is an entrance for cats. It definitely goes to show that we can’t get enough of cats in our lives!…

The National Cat Awards, organised by leading cat charity Cats Protection, is an annual celebration of real life stories of heroism, loyalty, and companionship in the feline world. Held at the prestigious London Savoy Hotel, the event was attended by the nominees and their families, as well as an array of celebrities, who all dressed to impress. Here, we find out more about the incredible stories of the four category winners and who was crowned the National Cat of the Year……

Intestinal worms which live in the gut are a common problem in cats and kittens. Without regular treatment, most will catch them at some point in their life. Even indoor cats can be affected, and they can not only put your own cat’s health at risk, but that of other cats and sometimes humans too. They can damage the gut, stunt growth, cause blockages, and make your cat more susceptible to other diseases — and in some cases can even be fatal. Take our quiz to check your cat is protected against these parasites. 1 The intestinal worm that most frequently affects cats are roundworms; the two most common of these are Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina, and it’s estimated that a quarter of cats in the UK are currently…

Cats go where they please, that’s no secret. Whether it’s roaming around their neighbourhoods or venturing further afield, cats can be found all over. But as they are known for not being fond of water, some people would be surprised to spot cats near rivers, lakes, streams, or in this case, canals. Which brings us to our story here, as because many people wouldn’t expect to see a cat on a canal towpath, they fail to keep an eye out as they would in a built-up area. Mandy Elmer, spokesperson for Cats Matter, said: “What we are increasingly hearing about is cats living on narrowboats and sadly falling victim to speeding bikers, or being attacked by a dog off the lead. “Unfortunately, of those we have spoken to, they say…

FELINE FRENZY HOOTI-FUL OWLS The Feline Frenzy owls set contains certified organic catnip and features amusing crinkles to keep your cat entertained for hours. These fun toys have a double layer exterior and double-stitched edges to ensure extra durability. ● RRP £7.95, Your Cat price £5.99 KING CATNIP Catnip filled toys with 100% North American grown catnip. Very potent and long-lasting. Great for play time! ● RRP £5.99, Your Cat price £4.99. Filled with 100% organic North American catnip. Strong aromatic fragrance and ethically sourced. ● RRP £5.99, Your Cat price £4.99. WRENDALE GIFT CARD SET Pack of seven Wrendale cat themed cards, ideal for birthdays and special occasions. ● RRP £19.25, Your Cat price £12.99. WRENDALE WRITING SET This Wrendale letter writing set is a great way to keep…

CLARE SAYS: The answer is, it depends. Territory, their indoor environment, their interactions with other cats and with us, as well as a cat’s inherent character traits can all play a role in his desire to stay put or roam further afield. Here we look at the types of reasons cats would want to stay out. Cats are a self-reliant, survivalist species and while many have adapted to our human rules and regulations, there are those that are naturally free spirits. These cats will be desperate to go out when given this freedom and will wander far and wide enjoying the feeling of being in control. And then there are the highly territorial cats that as soon as they’re allowed outside will want as much of it as they can…

Feline heart disease is surprisingly common, affecting around 15 per cent of cats. This seems like a scarily high number but many of these cats are asymptomatic (have no clinical signs) and live happily for years (if not their entire lives) without any issues. Even so, finding out your cat has heart disease can be upsetting. We’re all familiar with the consequences of human heart problems. A few types of feline heart conditions do share some similarities with human heart disease but the most common forms are distinctly different. Feline heart disease can’t be prevented and isn’t caused by a fatty diet or being overweight. WHAT DOES THE HEART DO? The heart is an extremely sophisticated two-sided pump; the right side pumps blood to the lungs and the left pumps…

In 2014, Lincoln Cat Care was on the lookout for a foster carer for two stray kittens who needed socialisation. My partner Richard and I had never fostered before but thought as the charity helped when Ms Marvel (who became our first cat) was a stray, we could give something back. We went to visit Autumn and Summer, two beautiful tabby girls. They were very nervous and required socialisation. That day, we took them home and placed them into our spare bedroom to settle. At first, these girls were very nervous and would hide. After work in the evenings, I would put the TV on in the room and sit and watch TV with them. This was to desensitise them to my presence. I also ensured there were no hiding…

Cat cafés are a phenomenon that originated in Asia and have spread across the globe as they’ve soared in popularity in recent years. Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium was one of the early cat cafés in the UK and continues to be one of the very best. Established in 2013 and claiming to be London’s original cat café, the emporium is themed on the magical book ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ and named after Alice’s pet cat in the story. Visitors can enjoy the calming company of cats (and delicious food) as they escape to the Basement Forest or the Mad Catters Tearoom surrounded by quiet, contented felines. The way the café cares for the cats is at the heart of what Dinah’s is about. There is a set of house rules…

● ROUND HAUS cat furniture ROUND HAUS is a new multi-functional furniture family for curious cats and design-loving humans from luxury cat accessories brand Cheshire & Wain and furniture designer-makers Lozi Designs. Aesthetically and functionally inspired by the Mid-Century Modern movement, the Round Haus Cat furniture family is beautifully minimal in its design using sustainably sourced, strong, and durable birch ply, which is cleverly engineered using only one piece of wood. ROUND HAUS is available in two elegant and intelligent iterations. ROUND HAUS 01 offers a hideaway, cosy enclosed bed and perch for cats, and a step, seat, and side table for human use. ROUND HAUS 02 combines a bed with a raised observation tower for cats to explore and is a side table, storage, or plant stand for their…

This delightful brother and sister duo are a pair of rescue cats who provide comfort to patients, families, and staff at the St Peter & St James Hospice in Haywards Heath, Sussex. The two cats spend their days visiting patients receiving end of life care, helping their families and friends feel at ease, and bringing a ray of sunshine to staff on difficult days. Since arriving in 2018, Jasper and Willow have brought comfort to countless people. As well as winning the Outstanding Rescue Cat category — which celebrates cats adopted from animal charities — Jasper and Willow were selected as overall joint National Cat of the Year by a panel of celebrity judges, which included Manchester City footballer and England Lioness Ellen White, actress Gaynor Faye, TV and radio broadcaster Riyadh…

Chicken, from Thatcham, Berkshire, was chosen by social media stars Max and Harvey as winner of the Furr-ever Friends category, which celebrates tales of friendship between children and cats. The unusually-named Chicken was named the winner in recognition of her bond with her 11-year-old owner Elliot Abery, who is autistic and suffers with anxiety. When asked about her name, Elliot’s mum Jenny Abery, said that it was the name she came with when she was adopted from Cats Protection’s Newbury branch, and they can’t imagine calling her anything else! “We do get some funny looks when we call her in at night,” Jenny laughed. “People think I’m a little bit mad!” When Elliot is feeling overwhelmed and needs comforting, Chicken will run over to him and do what Jenny calls…

Rora’s death had a profound and lasting effect on Anna, leaving her with PTSD and unable to return to work for the first three weeks of the new school year. “My grief through losing Rora has been the worst pain I have known in my 40 years,” she said. “During the first 48 hours, I wanted to die; I was convinced that it was my fault she had died, to the extent that I believed I had killed her, and I could see no way that I could continue while carrying that burden and without Rora. “I then slipped into a trance, a state of shock and frequent crying and sometimes whole days in bed which lasted about two months.” Anna has now said that she has shared her story…

Money is tight for many of us these days, but that doesn’t mean your cat has to go without. There are all sorts of things that you can make yourself for your cat, which cost either very little or nothing at all, so they can still be a pampered puss! Here are 10 of the best ideas for you to try… “They can still be a pampered puss!” 1 POMPOM BALL Stalking, chasing after, and pouncing on toys are a brilliant way to allow your cat to express his hunting skills; they’ll also help prevent problems such as boredom and will encourage him to take more exercise. As well as being an enriching activity for him, using toys to play with him can be a bonding activity. Making a pompom…

OPEN TO ALL These giveaways are open to magazine readers, newsletter subscribers, and web visitors to enter — no online code needed MINIATURE SOFA FOR YOUR CAT, BY CRAFTYSHARP This unique miniature sofa for cats is modelled and tested by the owner’s cat Banksy! The base is solid wood. It’s then padded with a thick layer of upholstery foam before being covered in a gorgeous canvas fabric with the cutest cat design. It has matching cushions and a removable cushion cover for cleaning, and measures 61cm wide. The owner says: “Although I’ve been a craft maker for 25 years, I only started making cat sofas during lockdown, as my cat wanted her own version of my sofa. It was so successful that I haven’t stopped making them since! Each sofa…

Older cats can often get overlooked when it comes to being rescued. But there are so many positives to welcoming a senior feline into your home. Here are some reasons why you should consider a golden oldie as your new pet: ● A senior cat’s personality is fully established and those tricky ‘teenage’ years are long behind them. This means you will be able to choose a cat to perfectly suit your lifestyle as the rescue shelter will be able to give you a full rundown of its senior cats’ character traits. ● The furniture scratching, curtain climbing, and hunting antics will be capers of days gone by for many elderly felines, making them the ideal choice for the more houseproud owners. ● Most senior cats are already well-versed in…

It was quite one of the hardest tasks I have had to face this year when Michael Hallam, the esteemed editor of Your Cat, asked me to write about myself and account for how I actually came to have this lovely opportunity to write for the magazine! I have now been working with cats as my main species focus for so long that readers might just be interested in the hows, whens, and whats of it all for the past 40 years and how it is continuing now. Or maybe just a bit of it, because I am sure I am not yet experienced or old enough, or remotely ready, to write any form of lifetime autobiography. It rather reminds me of the old joke from ‘Crocodile Dundee’ in one…

FREE GIFT The Wrendale Notecard Pack is perfect for letting your friends know you are thinking of them and jotting down your notes in style. Featuring two cats on 4 notecards, 8 correspondence cards, 12 envelopes, and a stylish notebook. It’s easy to become a subscriber! www.yourcat.co.uk/wrendale 01778 395176 & Quote CATS/PRINT T&Cs: This offer is available on direct debit only, go to www.yourcat.co.uk/subscribe to view the full range of credit/debit card offers.…

Sudoku Sudoku Key letter quiz Test your knowledge of the mag! Take the first letter of each answer (unless specified) to reveal a cat-themed word. 1 ‘What happens at a __ ___’ is the title of this month’s GCCF feature. 2 In the real life feature, we hear the story of a cat who was tragically killed on the canal towpath who is inspiring a campaign for change. What is the name of the cat? 3 What is the name of the cat café that is featured in this month’s tourist guide? 4 The winner of the Community Cat Hero Award this month is Dawn ____. (fourth letter of answer) 5 The second thing in our ‘Top 10 best things to make for your cat’ is what? 6 In his…