2014 has been a very good year for all of us here at The conscious Cat. Our readership and fan base grew rapidly, thanks to all of you who read this blog every day, comment here and on our Facebook page, and share what you read with your friends and followers. Allegra, Ruby and I appreciate your support more than words can say.
With more than 365 posts, it’s hard to highlight only a handful of posts. I choose some of our most popular ones for this year end review. I hope you enjoy this look back.
January
Estate planning for Pets: provide For Your Cat
in case Something happens to You
Nobody wants to think about becoming ill, incapacitated, or dying, but as responsible cat parents, we owe it to our cats to think ahead and make arrangements for their care in the event of death or any other emergency. Making arrangements before they’re needed means peace of mind not just for you, but for family and friends who may not know what to.
February
Cats Are part of the family business at wood Violins
This feature of acclaimed musicians mark wood and Laura Kaye’s feline assistants [turned out to be] one of our most popular “working cats” columns. wood Violins handcrafts absolutely fantastic electric violins, and Mallomar, Melody and Ziggy Stardust are an integral part of the business..
March
Chronic Vomiting in Cats is Not Normal
Vomiting in cats is not normal. Period. far too many cat guardians rationalize occasional, or even chronic, vomiting with explanations such as “he just eats too fast,” “she has a sensitive stomach,” or “it’s just a hairball.” Chronic vomiting can be an indicator of serious diseases of the small intestine, including inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal lymphoma.
April
How lawn Chemicals affect Your cat – even indoor Cats
There is no question that lawn fertilizers and pesticides are hazardous to pets and humans. pets especially can absorb pesticides through their paws or lick them off their bodies. In addition, pets can be exposed to pesticides when they eat grass. lawn chemicals tracked indoors contaminate air and surfaces inside the home. but that’s not where the danger ends. You also bring some of the chemicals found in fertilizers and pesticides indoors on your shoes.
May
Does Your cat suffer from Whisker Stress?
Have you noticed your cat pulling food out of the bowl, throwing it next to the bowl, and then proceeding to eat it? perhaps your cat uses her paw to “fish” food out of her food bowl? If so, then your cat is probably experiencing whisker stress.
June
Euthanasia: A Vet’s Perspective
This post by feline veterinarian Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, was one of our most read posts of the year. Dr. Colleran shares what euthanasia is like for a caring and compassionate veterinarian.
July
The Cats at Shasta Abbey
This feature ranks up there as one of my favorite posts of the year. located in a rural area on 16 forested acres at the foot of mount Shasta in northern California, Shasta Abbey is a Buddhist monastery of the order of Buddhist Contemplatives. founded in 1970, the monastery serves as a training center for Buddhist monks and a place of practice for lay people. It is also home to 12 cats
August
Lifestages and lifestyle Diets: Does Your cat really need Them?
Feeding your cat a species-appropriate diet is the most important thing you can do for her lifelong health. You can’t control your cat’s genetics, but you can control what you feed her. Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need meat not only to survive, but to thrive. even though cat food manufacturers would have you believe differently, a cat’s diet needs don’t change all that much over the course of her life.
September
“Tortitude” – The unique personality of
Tortoiseshell Cats: fact or Fiction?
Not surprisingly, this post about torties and their unique personalities was one of our most popular posts. Jackson Galaxy and two feline vets chime in on whether tortitude is fact or fiction.
October
The cost of Veterinary Care: A Vet’s Perspective
Feline veterinarian Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, shares what really goes into the cost of veterinary care, and how vets help clients make the best possible decision for the care of their cats.
November
When a Client’s cat Dies: A Tribute to Belle
A week before Thanksgiving, one of my longterm cat clients passed away suddenly. Unfortunately, this is part of this work I’ve chosen to do. I try to support the cat’s guardian in their grief, and I cry a few tears myself. I’m comforted by the knowledge that even though I wasn’t able to delay or prevent death, my Reiki sessions contributed to better health and quality of life for my feline client. and I tuck the memory of Belle, and all the others, into a special corner of my heart.
December
Ask a Vet: What should I Feed My Cat?
Feline veterinarian fern Crist, DVM, explains why cats are healthiest when consuming a diet which mimics a whole small prey animal as closely as possible, and what tnull