Sleeping cats can be both cute and hilarious, depending on the position they are lying in. What makes them choose to sleep the way they do? Is it based on anything? Is it dictated by how the mood strikes them in the moment? Luckily for us, humans have lived with cats for thousands of years so we have a bit of an idea of what some of these positions could mean.

Cats are intelligent creatures, but they are not humans. As human beings, we can’t help but assign our own traits to other things. We think certain cars or trucks are “tough”. We think our computer “hates” us when it isn’t working properly, and some folks also think their cats are holding “grudges” when they do something they don’t like.

Summer had not officially hit the Hervey Foundation for Cats, but it sure felt like it. The days were hot, with the sun hovering overhead for days at a time. Sure, it got dark at night, but the temperature rarely seemed to dip with it.

Being the two furry gentlemen they were, Gary and Morris were taking it easy – spending a lot of time lounging around the property, sunbathing, drinking water, and not worrying too much about anything.

“This heat sure takes it out of you, eh Morris?”

“It sure does, Gary. It sure does.”

The first 12 weeks of a kitten’s life are some of the most important, with the interactions they have defining much of the rest of their lives. During these 12 weeks, it’s best for them to stay with their mother and siblings, as well as people, so they can learn from observing, interacting, and ideally, being around humans.

Cats are natural eaters. Many will overeat if left to their own devices – we have all seen the videos on Tik Tok and Instagram of overweight cats. So what does it mean when yours stops eating?

It was a cool evening at the Hervey Foundation for Cats and Gary and Morris were playing a game of hide and seek in the backyard. The moist, spring air was almost so thick you could taste it, and the dew on the plants was starting to form.

“My fur is getting soaked!” said Morris.

“That’s just how it goes,” said Gary. “It’s springtime, it’s nighttime, and the fresh air is the best part! I guess it does get a little dewy.”

Long-haired cats are some of the most graceful breeds in the feline world. Their fluffy, soft coats of long and luxurious fur do come with a price, though, and that is regular maintenance. Cats are naturally clean animals, but sometimes it can be difficult for a long-haired cat to take proper care of their coat – especially if they have gained a few pounds.

Cat cones might be uncomfortable and strange looking, but they are used by veterinarians for a very good reason. Being creatures without a language, cats’ behaviours are regulated by their emotions and instincts. When feeling scared, they might do things that are detrimental to their health without realizing the outcome.

Tabby cats are some of the world’s most recognizable cats and for good reason! Not only do they have wonderful personalities, but they come in a variety of captivating and unique patterns.

Are you worried about how much water your cat is drinking? Are they showing signs of dehydration? Trouble at the litter box? Many domesticated cats don’t get enough water at home, and there are some easy things you can do to encourage your cat to drink more H2O.

It was a warm spring day outside the Hervey Cats Foundation, and Gary and Morris were sitting on the back deck, grooming and feeling the warmth of the morning sun. They’d only been awake a short while despite the rest of the foundation having been hustling and bustling for hours already – the humans, that is.

Last night, the cats of the foundation all played another round of late-night hide-and-go-seek tag. They were running, hiding, and stomping all over the place – having an absolute blast. As a result, most of the cats on the property had all slept in today.

Enrichment is the term used to describe the opportunity we give to our cats to learn, explore, eat, and use all their senses. So how do we, as owners provide more opportunities for them? It’s vitally important to a cat’s mental health, and overall well-being, that we provide these opportunities through play, interaction, and things they can interact with while alone. 

“What a gorgeous spring day!” said Gary, just as he walked right into a deep puddle. “I’m soaking wet now!”

Morris laughed. “It really is a great day,” he said.

“Yeah right,” said Gary. “And by the way, I said it was a gorgeous day.”

The two cats were hanging out in the backyard, feeling the moist ground from the melting snow. The smell of the wet dirt and grass was in the air, and despite having just walked into a small body of water, Gary was loving it.

February was showing its true colours this year as Gary and Morris sat inside watching the snowfall. It was cold. Not just a little, but a lot. The windows inside the Herveycats shelter were all frosted up and it was cold, dark, and quiet outside.

“I wish it wasn’t so darn cold out,” said Morris.

“I’m with you on that one,” said Gary.

Pet theft is on the rise in our modern world. The ease of access to online marketplaces (Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, etc.) has almost made it convenient for thieves to sell a stolen animal quickly and easily. An ad can be posted, responded to, and taken down in anywhere from minutes to hours, with no trace left behind.

Separation anxiety is defined by the Mayo Clinic as: “recurrent and excessive distress about anticipating or being away from home or loved ones, and constant worry that something bad will happen causing separation from parents or other loved ones.”

It seems like separation anxiety can be pretty complex in people, so is it even possible for animals, or more specifically, cats, to have it? The answer is a resounding yes. It’s quite common for cats and other pets to experience separation anxiety.

Have you ever noticed a cat shaking the fur on its back? It’s a more common behaviour than you’d think. To us humans, it might seem odd that cats can shake the fur on their backs – and even odder considering that is the skin on their back that is doing the shaking. What makes a cat want to shake its back? Is there a reason for it? Is it a medical condition?

Fierce hunters as they are, domesticated cats sure have some odd routines that strike them when the mood is right. Have you ever jiggled a toy in front of your cat only to have them snake their body around in several directions, pull at the carpet, dip down behind a shoe thinking they’re invisible, or, better yet, get low to the ground and wiggle their butt in the air?

It sure is funny how many different types of ears are out there. Humans have large round dish-like ears to capture sounds and feed them to the inner ocular organs. Owls have stationary internal ears and can move their heads around almost 360 degrees. The domesticated housecat, despite its more suburban lifestyle, has an incredible pair of ears that can pinpoint prey and anticipate danger!

If you have a cat, you know all about cat headbutts. They headbutt everything from people to table legs, to tissue paper. What does it signify? Is there some sort of meaning behind it or does it just feel good to them? Are they trying to tell us something?