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Why do cats get scared easily?

If you have a scared cat, it can be frustrating. It could be for a number of reasons, such as anxiety (Click here for my best solution for this, see the price on Amazon). However, what is the main reason for this behavior? Let me explain…

Why are cats scared all the time? This can be because they feel separated from their biological mother, had bad experiences in their past, which has destroyed their confidence, feel unsettled by new family members and various other reasons.

Now you understand why they are so scared at a high level, let me explain in detail why each of these issues occurs, if it’s normal for them to be like this, how to avoid picking up a cat that may act like this and so much more. Keep reading…

Why are cats scared all the time?

Cats are naturally scared of things. Have you ever heard of the saying: “Don’t be a scaredy-cat?”. Well, it’s based on reality and inspired by the behavior of many cats.

You will find that cats are scared of many things including loud noises. They have sensitive hearing. Anything that is loud is likely to scare them off.

Separation Issues

There are theories that cats are typically scared and fearful because the were separated from their mother and surrounded in a world of humans. They typically trust their cat owner and that’s it. Anyone else could be a concern for them.

Abused cats may react worse…

You will find out abused or stray cats are even more fearful of humans. This is understandable,  anyone would assume if you’ve had a bad experience with people, then you are likely to be more cautious going forward, right?

Moving to a new home

If you move to a new home you may find that your cat is acting a bit scared. This is because a new environment poses new risks. And, they are unfamiliar with the area.

Loud appliances

This includes things such as blenders, microwaves, etc. Basically, anything that beeps, bangs, rumbles or makes sounds that your cat’s not familiar with. This can make them feel scared and worried and fearful .

New family members

Unfortunately, even if you have a little cute baby that has been introduced to your family it can make your cat fearful.

The baby makes lots of noise, weird squeaks and sounds that your cat is not familiar with. So, unfortunately, you may find it doesn’t take to the new bubba very well. Especially, in the early days. In time, after it has time to settle in, you may see that this will change.

Cucumbers (Really?)

Believe it or not, cats are really scared of cucumbers (click here to see why cats fear cucumbers). There are a number of reasons why they are scared of this (Check out my article above for the full scoop).

How personality types affect your cat

As you can expect, humans have different personality types and traits. They affect people in different ways. Meaning, they react to certain things and sounds very different.

This is similar behavior for cats. Every cat is different and has the ability to react in a different way.

Therefore it’s important to identify how your cat behaves in certain situations to ascertain if it is ideal for them to be in a certain environment, are you with me?

Let me give you an example…

Let’s say that you run a very busy shop in the town center. And, you have a pet cat that works with you.

If you have a very timid cat, that is scared of people (You know, very shy and reserved). It is probably not a good idea to have that cat anywhere near that store, know what I mean?

Why?

Because that cat will constantly be in fear. It is not right for that cat to be in that environment. Its personality type does not match its environment.

However, on the other hand, if you have a cat that is very bold and loves to meet new people. Then, this might be the ideal environment for him.

Understand this, it is important not to try and push a cat beyond its comfort level. Because this would be going against the grain. It will cause your cat a lot of stress and headache. And, let’s be honest, you’re the one that has to deal with it, right?

The importance of giving your cat an escape route.

Focusing on changing your cat behavior or their personality type is one thing. But, to be honest it’s not always realistic.

Therefore, you should be more interested in learning how you can deal with your cat. Having an escape route for a scared cat is, in my opinion, mandatory.

But let me give you an example of this…

Let’s say that you have a particularly scaredy-cat and you know this. Let’s say you were doing some form of exercise, such as yoga. You are in your front room, and you have noticed, from previous bad experiences, your cat does not like your loud music while you exercise.

In this situation, it is a good idea to have a door open or a cat flap available. This is so he can make his way out of the room, He can then go into his safety zone, where he feels comfortable.

You can use this example for many other situations that may make your cat feel uncomfortable and adapt it as you may.

Is it normal for a cat to be hiding all the time?

If you have a real scaredy-cat, and you are finding it hard to get him to come out because he is always hiding. For example, hiding under a bed or in some concealed position in your house.

It is easy to wonder if this is normal behavior or not. To be honest, this is not normal, in my opinion. But, it is quite common.

The unfortunate thing about this is, it can make a disappointing pet. Especially if you have a very busy household with multiple kids, spouse and maybe even grandparents.

How do you deal with this?

The best way to deal with this is to be patient and try and work around the problem, patiently. Rather than trying to force a cat to do something it doesn’t really want to do. Also, when you need to transport them make sure you get a cat carrier that caters for scared cats (Click here to see my best 3).

How can you check for a nervous kitten before they turn into an adult?

I understand you may be looking for a new kitten and you’ve heard people talk about the problems they have with their existing kitten or adult cat acting scared and reserved.

But how do you avoid this happening to you? In particular, before you actually choose and pick up the kitten?

The reality is it is quite hard to get this done perfectly. But, there are some logical steps that you can follow to reduce the risk of this happening. Let’s discuss now…

Checking their background

Firstly choosing A reputable breeder that breeds pedigree cats would be a very good start. You may have to pay slightly more for these cats but, in the long run, it will be beneficial to you.

Avoiding Ferrell or Wildcats

Checking the history, as I mentioned earlier, is critical. Another thing that will help is to find out if the cats have been gathered from the wild. Check if they are from a group of feral cats (Click here to see how feral cats deal with fleas).

Trust me, if they are wild or feral, you will find it very hard to tame and gain their trust. If you’re lucky, with time and a lot of work,  you might be able to get it to trust you personally.

But, you will find that any other human being that it comes into contact with it will not have the same trust. And, any loud noise may trigger it to run for the hills.

Should you tiptoe around your nervous or anxious cat?

If you have problems with a scared or anxious cat it may feel instinctive for you to tread very carefully around them and tiptoe around your house, to try and make them feel more comfortable.

Unfortunately, you will find that this will not benefit you.

You may find it may work in reverse because your cat is not getting a realistic view of how day-to-day domestic life is.

And, in the event that they start to get used to you tiptoeing around them, and a visitor comes round, they will get a taste of reality and go back into their shell.

So, what is the right way to do it?

Good question, in my opinion, the best way to do it is to avoid giving them direct eye contact, tiptoeing around the house and acting weird.

Direct eye contact and facing them as they entered the room makes them feel under pressure and the focal point of attention. This should be avoided.

Therefore, when you do this it makes them want to run away because they feel threatened by you.

I understand you mean well. It’s quite hard to not act in this way. But, if you want your cat to snap out of it and feel comfortable around humans and day-to-day domestic life, you need to stop it.

Ignoring the kitten and making him feel invisible

The best way to do it is to conduct your day to day life and avoid direct eye contact with the cat. It sounds a bit harsh, but almost as if the cat doesn’t exist.

As crazy as this sounds it allows your cat to start to feel comfortable around you and seek you out when it feels comfortable with you.

Don’t get me wrong this could take a long time and a lot of persistence. But, in time if you stick with it they will seek you out and start to come to you. And, gradually, they will start to trust and feel comfortable around you.

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Why Do Cats Get in Your Face While You Sleep? (+Pic)

If you have ever woken up to a cat on your head, you may be wondering why, of all places, has this cat decided to lay in your face? You may think if I get a cat bed (Click here to see my best cat bed & price, on Amazon) that will help, right? Well, let me explain why they do this…

Why do cats get in your face when you’re sleeping? Because they want to feel protected while they sleep and also avoid being crushed by your body weight. Think about it, a cat is not silly. It knows your arms and legs may thrash around in the night, so your head is perfect to keep them safe and warm.

Now that you know why cats get in your face, let me explain why they even enjoy your bed in the first place, how they show their affection, why they may jump on you while you are sleeping and more. Keep reading.

Why do cats get in your face when you’re sleeping?

The reason they’re getting in your face when you’re sleeping is because it’s a safety issue.  Basically, your head is unlikely to be swishing a moving around, which could inadvertently hit the cat.

Cats are not silly, they know that your arms or body may roll on to them and squash them in the night. So, they opt for your head, it’s their best option.

So, for that reason, they opt for your head and stay there to keep themselves safe. Also, in most cases, they won’t stay in that exact same position all night. They may switch that position once they see you start stirring and showing signs that you are about to wake up.

This is an indication to them that it might not be long before they get fed or get some attention from you, are you with me?

Why does a cat even want to sleep in your bed?

This is a good question, cats will sleep in your bed even if they have their own cat bed. Why? Because they feel protected by you. Take this as a compliment, the mere fact that she wants to be near you in this intimate location means she trusts you completely. And, feels that you will offer protection.

On the flip side, there are times when your cat feels that it wants to protect you, simply by being in your bed with you. So, it kind of works both ways.

What other ways do cats show their affection?

Basically, cats have a number of ways to show affection. The reality is it is very different from a human being, so for that reason, I’m going to break it down for you now…

Purring Lovingly

Purring is a sound that you are probably familiar with. It is very unique to cats, in my opinion, it almost sounds like a little motor is murmuring in the background. When you hear this, it’s a classic sign that your cat is showing you affection and wants to be petted.

Rolling on his back

You may have seen images of a cat doing this, or maybe even witnessed your own cat rolling around playfully exposing their belly. In particular, when they are exposing their belly.

This is an indication that they feel comfortable and happy around you. It is an indication that he wants you to stroke and play with him.

Bunting (What now?)

Bunting is a term that you may not have heard of before. However, I’m sure once I start to explain what it is the chances are you have seen this before.

To cut a long story short, bunting is when your cat rubs its head lovingly against your legs Arms or body. Sometimes it will give you a gentle but of the head and rub its body against you, are you with me?

This is a way of showing affection that she loves you. As well as rubbing her scent on you, which is an indication that she sees you as her territory.

A subtle little reminder

Another technique that some cats use is to pounce on you while you’re sleeping. But, in this context, it’s not necessarily to do with showing affection, or protection for that matter.

It may be to simply remind you of something that you have forgotten to do for them. Let me give you some examples:

• Have you potentially forgot to fill their water bowl?
• Does she want to go outside but you haven’t left the door open?
• Is she hungry, and you forgot to feed her?
• The list goes on… (But I think you get the point).

Ultimately, it’s their cute way of informing you that they need your attention. And, they need to give you something.

Why do some cats lick you in the face when you are sleeping?

If you have ever caught your cat licking your face in the night, you have either been freaked out or feel flattered. Basically, this is a cats way of showing affection. Its one of their behaviors learned from birth. They will groom and lick you because it is what they learned as a kitten, are you with me?

To explain this, I need to go back to their roots. Cats, in a weird way, see you as a big mother cat (bare with me).  Therefore, their behaviors are similar to when they were kittens. As kittens grooming and licking was a natural part of family life. Therefore, these are the reasons why they will lick you in this way.

Other reasons a cat may jump on you when you are sleeping.

This is because the chances are your cat is trying to get your attention. This is mainly seen when cats, especially if they are indoor cats, get a little bit bored and need some attention.

The easy way around this is to give them a lot of attention just before you go to bed (click here to see why your cat sleeps under your bed) so that it doesn’t happen at an inconvenient time for you.

Therefore you could engage them in some games with some toys for example. Or, offer them some treats. After you’ve played some games with them so that they feel fulfilled at the end of the day. This will reduce the chances of her disturbing you while you’re trying to get your beauty sleep.

Related Questions:

In this section, I am going to share some answers to questions related to cats getting in your face. However, if you have some additional questions in your head that you feel need to be answered, please drop me a comment below.

Why do cats sniff your face? This is because they want to check you are still there and who you are. Cats have a very powerful sense of smell. Therefore they can use this skill to smell things we couldn’t dream of.

While it may annoy you by sniffing your face. For them, it is an essential part of their reassurance about you.

Why do cats follow you to the toilet? This is a combination of curiosity and wanting to spend quality time with you. They also love routines like us. If you get up and go to the toilet each day at the same time, there is a good chance your cat will follow you.

Cats are curious by nature and they are interested in any activity you do. Especially as their beloved cat owner. The things you do in the bathroom, such as using an electric toothbrush, brushing your hair, etc will keep them interested. Believe it or not, this is enough for them to follow you in there the same time each day.

Also, sometimes cats just get this wrong and anticipate you getting up for something else. Like, a move to get up and feed them. So, they may follow you expecting something to happen that may benefit them.

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Is Fancy Feast Good for Cats? (The Real Answer?)

If you are looking for some nutritional and popular food for your cat (Click here to see one of my favorite cat foods & the price, on Amazon) you have probably bumped into Fancy Feast. But, is it any good?

Is Fancy Feast Good for Cats? Yes, if your vet agrees and your cat enjoys the taste. However, there are big debates with cat owners who stand on different sides of the fence. Some love the tasty food at a reasonable price. While others swear it has no nutritional value and full of filler.

Now that you know the truth about Fancy Feast, let me explain what fancy food is (its origins), why there is so much discussion about it, why it’s so popular, concerns that some cat owners have and more, keep reading…

What should you check before you use Fancy Feast?

Firstly, you need to check with your vet, each vet has their own opinion, and its good to get their view. Also, does your cat even enjoy the flavor? Then this is another tick in the box. And finally, is your cat in good general health?

If you can get a thumbs up in all those areas, especially your vets approval, then yes, you are good.

What is Fancy Feast Cat Food?

Before we get deep into this, let’s take a step back and understand what Fancy Feast cat food actually is. It is a cat food available in wet and dry variations.

It was established back in 1982. At this time it was regarded as a gourmet type of cat food. Since then, back in 1985, they were bought out by Nestle. Since then it remains under the Nestle-Purina brand.

There are many different variations available for both wet and dry food. When I say many, to put this into perspective I mean eighty plus variations, you with me?

Why is there so much discussion about this?

This Fancy Feast cat food has had a lot of discussion due to its mixed reviews and polarising position. What do I mean? Well, there are many people that use the product, which obviously means a broad spread of feedback.

Some love it, while others say they are not happy with it. But why? Well according to petsofun, “contains an enormous amount of filler”. In summary, the arguments against it claim it doesn’t offer much nutritional value for cats.

I remember growing up and every time I passed this fast food shop (no names to save the innocent) my dad would ask, “Do you want a burger?”. Most of the time, for some reason I would always wait till after I passed the shop to confirm, yes I want it.

This angered my dad, but the taste of those burgers and fries were too much to be left behind. The reality is we all knew that this burger was far from a salad dinner if you know what I mean, but it was cost-effective and tasted delicious.

My point is, this is similar to some cat owners views on Fancy feast, tastes great, affordable, but is it fulfilling all the nutritional needs? (let’s see).

So, why is Fancy Feast so popular?

You may be thinking if there is mixed feedback with it, why is it so popular? Good question. In general, people seem to love it for a couple of reasons:

• Flavor
• Cost.

Flavor

Some cats love this stuff. They will lap it up and beg for more. Therefore, as a cat owner, you are obviously going to keep stocking up to keep kitty happy, right?

Cost

The cost of Fancy Feast is another big factor in its popularity. It is generally on the lower cost side. Making it ideal for cat owners on a budget, with a hungry cat to feed.

Some people, who are opposed to it, claim that it is cheap but not much substance, from a nutritional basis. However, that is subjective and some people seem to disagree.

Has Fancy Feast ever been recalled?

If you are concerned about it, you may be keen to check if it has had a history of recalls, or in fact, any recalls to date. It is a good question really because this does help to build a picture of the value of a product.

To cut a long story short, according to wwwallaboutcats, there are no records of the product being recalled. However, there are reports of other Purina products being recalled. So, interpret that as you may.

Related Questions:

In this section, I will answer some related questions to Fancy Feast and other cat food-related topics.  If you have some other questions on this topic, that you cannot see answered here, please drop a comment below.

Q: How many cans a day should a cat eat?

The reality is there are few factors that affect this. Like what?

• Weight.
• Body condition.
• Age.
• Activity level.

Let me explain, with some examples, of how these factors impact the expected food intake.

Firstly, let’s assume you have a strong cat, at least 16 pounds in weight and average activity. You will need to feed him more to maintain that physique.

Now let’s assume we have another 16 pounder, but this time he is overweight. Would you give him the same calories? The answer should be no! Why? Because he should have fewer calories.

This is because he should be consuming enough calories to match his target weight, not his “overweight” weight, are you with me?

Basically, he needs to lose weight, so you shouldn’t be maintaining his current physique…

Q: What is better, wet or dry food?

This is quite difficult to answer with a straight binary answer (wet or dry). The reality is, it depends (Should You Be Using Wet or Dry Cat Food? click here for my full article). As I briefly touched on earlier there are benefits with each of these options.

To briefly recap, dry food is great for their teeth and a great a convenience (because you can leave it out all day, while you are at work). And wet food, on the other hand, has great protein, a good source of water and typically tastes delicious to most cats.

The most important factor is not necessarily if its wet or dry. It is more important to make sure your cat gets the right balanced diet. I mean as in, protein, vitamins, etc.

Q: Can cats live on just dry food?

Yes, it is possible for a cat to live on dry food. This is because some people have done this. But, whether its an ideal choice is another question.

Dry food typically has extra nutrients added to make it a viable food source. However, you may find your cat can get dehydrated if you are not careful. For that reason its important to provide a lot of water for them to avoid this.

In all honesty, the best method is to consult your vet first and see what they advise. During your visit, it’s worth asking him if he (or she) recommends mixing dry and wet food. This, in my opinion, is always a good compromise.

Q: How long can you keep wet food out for?

One of the benefits of dry food is the fact that you can leave it out for so long. The reality is, its convenient for indoor cat owners that work a 9-5 job. But, you just don’t get the same benefit from wet food.

However, it has other benefits (as discussed earlier in this article). But, out of interest, how long can you leave wet food out? The truth is different brands have different guidelines on this. Why? because they have different ingredients basically.

In general, you shouldn’t keep it out for too long at all. Some say as low as one hour, others say up to four hours. And this assumes its not a hot day with a house that does not have air conditioning. If possible keep it to a minimum.

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Why Do Cats Fear Cucumber? (Plus viral video)

If you are thinking of food to feed your cat (Click here to see the price of one of my best cat foods, on Amazon), you may be cautious to offer him a cucumber, because of all the talk about cats being scared of them. But, why are cats so scared of them?

Why Do Cats Fear Cucumber? Cats fear cucumbers because, at a glance, they look like a snake (in their mind). The reality is, anything that is vaguely resembling a snake will strike immense fear into cats. Especially, when they are surprised by this object. For example, if a cucumber is placed behind a cat.

Now you understand why cats are so scared of cucumbers, let me explain why so many people are fascinated with this, why videos of this are going viral, why it’s not a good idea to scare them with cucumbers and more.

The Cats & Cucumber Viral Phenomenon

There is a weird phenomenon with cats and cucumbers that has some people in hysterics, and others watching in disgust. It revolves around cats getting totally freaked out by cucumbers. But why is this?

In reality, it’s not the cucumber per se. It could be any unknown object that invokes a defensive mechanism in a cat. It is believed that it could be because the cat instantly assumes its a snake and runs for its life, wouldn’t you?

So, what actually happens to the cat when you do this?

You may be curious, thinking, “What actually happens, when you do it doh?”

Let me put you out of your curiosity:

As you can see, this video does a lot more justice than my words can do.  Their reaction is quite drastic and it gets the attention of its viewers. Maybe you can see why many people are talking about it.

But, what is the fascination with cats & cucumbers?

Le’ts be honest, we live in a world of virality, fake news, and sensationalized headlines. People have short attention spans and want fast media to kill time. But, what has this got to do with cats & cucumbers?

Well, these videos win people attention, these videos of cats getting freaked out get viral views (take the video above for example.

So, people find these videos and the reaction from these cats funny. For the video creators, it’s quick to create these videos and get views, are you with me?

Why you should NOT scare cats with Cucumbers

You may find these antics with cats and cucumbers interesting, or even funny. However, in this section, I am going to explain why it is not a good idea to scare these cats.

Would you like it?

Unfortunately, it is not that great for the cats. And, what happens, as you have seen, is a drastic reaction. Think about if you were woken up at 3:25 AM with a cold bucket of water in the face, would you like it?

What might happen?

The dangers of this is the follow on effects of the cat getting scared (click here to see why cats get scared easily). Firstly the cat may break something in your house. Could it be your precious ornament in your dining room? or knock down your Xbox gaming system and cost you hundreds in replacement costs? You with me?

Aside from the damage to objects in your home. There is potential damage to other people in your home. The cat could scare or injure a child.

Effects on the cat

And finally, the effects on the cat itself. firstly it could injure itself trying to getaway. And it can also lead to long term stress or anxiety issues (click here to see my best 3 Pheromone Collars for Aggressive or anxious cats).

Is Cucumber Bad for cats?

You may be wondering, with all these freaky reactions to cucumbers, would it be right to assume that cucumbers are bad for cats? No, they are not. But, let me explain.

Cats can actually eat cucumbers. But, the reality is not many will actually want to eat it. Even if you cut it up into bite-size cubes and totally disassociate it from a snake-looing figure, the chances are, they still won’t eat it.

The interesting thing is, even more cats will refuse to eat fruits as well. Even though they are a nutritious source of body water and vitamins.

You can try your cat with a few vegetables to see how they react. You could try some broccoli or even some asparagus, for example.

Related Questions:

In this section, I will answer some related question to cats and cucumbers. If you feel there are some related questions, in your mind, that you feel that I have missed, please drop me a comment below.

Q: Why do cats hate closed doors?

Its a combination of curiosity, territorial issues and unconditional love for their owners. But, let me break this down…

Curiosity

Ever heard the term, “Curiosity kill the cat?”. Well, this is similar. Cats hate being left out, and not knowing what’s going on the other side. Hence the hate for doors.

The sheer curiosity will drive them mad and will mean they will keep harassing you for entry.

Territorial Issues

Cats are a bit like dogs, in some ways. What? Wait, let me explain. They love to claim and mark areas as their territory, right?

Therefore, when there is a closed-door, your cat will be upset and offended. In fact, she will demand entry. Why? Because, in her head, this is her territory. Regardless if you are paying the rent (a bit like kids, right?).

Unconditional love

If you are on the other side of a closed door. The reality is you cat will be beating down the door. Why? Because she loves you, in fact, this love is unconditional (next level).

The closed-door, in this context, is a barrier between you and them, again, a bit like a child, right?

Q: What smells do cats hate?

If you have seen a weird reaction from your cat, after they smelled or came into contact with an item or food, you may be wondering why is that. For that reason, I will explain a couple of known items that cats dislike.

Citrus Smells

Cats do not like citrus smells (Why Do Cats Hate Oranges? Click here to see why). So, if your objective is to keep them happy, keep this away from them. But, what do I mean when I say citrus?

• Lemon
• Lime
• Grapefruit

These are a few examples of citrus that you need to steer clear of.

Human hair

This may be hard for you to accept this if you have not witnessed it, but according to cuteness, they do not like the smell of human hair. I would expect that you will need a big clump of human hair to trigger this reaction, e.g. a collection of hair on a hairbrush, maybe?

Q: Is it ok to leave a cat alone for a week?

The short answer to this is No! But if you interested to understand why I say this, let me explain now.

I understand you have a holiday booked, and you are keen on leaving but have responsibilities, basically your cat.

To be honest, if you have an adult cat, you should never leave them for more than 48-hours on their own. And even that is pushing it.

If they are younger, the period of time acceptable gradually reduces. For example, if they are less than 6 months you shouldn’t leave them for more than 8 hours. And, if they are even longer, say less than 4 months the maximum is really 4 hours.

Obviously, these are rough guidelines. Everyone has different cats, with different requirements. And, this assumes they are in perfect health conditions. If they are sick or have disabilities, forget these timelines. They will need a lot more attention from you. So, it is not feasible to use these as a reliable guideline.

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Why are Cats Afraid of Water?

If you have ever seen a scared cat being touched with water, you may be curious to understand why they hate water so much. Especially when they love drinking water from water fountains (click here for my best water fountain & see the price on Amazon), let me explain where this fear comes from…

Why are cats afraid of water? If they are long-haired cats, they won’t want to be weighed down by their wet fur. And, if they are short-haired they will not like the water penetrating their fur and touching their skin. Also, some cats get anxious about bad experiences with water.

Now that you know some reasons why they fear water, let me give you some more reasons why, some cats that actually enjoy the water, how you can keep them safe around water and much more…

What other reasons make cats afraid of water?

In this section, I will explain why cats are typically afraid of water. However, you may be surprised to find out that this is not the case for every single cat (more on this later).

Heavy coats

The first issue that some cats have is getting weighed down with a wet heavy coat. Especially if they have long fur. There is a good chance any long-haired cat won’t like the water for this reason.

If they’re immersed in water, e.g. if they fell into a river or lake, they could really get dragged down and make them feel that they are going to go under the water.

Making them feel cold

Another issue with water that really antagonizes cats is the risk of a dramatic drop in body temperature.  Especially if they have short hair. Why? because short hair cats mean the water can penetrate their skin easily making. Consequently, their body gets cold.

Don’t like the smell

As you may or may not know. Cats have a very sensitive sense of smell. Therefore, they can smell things which we usually overlook.

But, what has this got to do with the water you ask? Simple, the chlorine in the average swimming pool is so intense to a cat’s nose that it finds it quite vulgar and repulsive, are you with me?

When we humans swim in a swimming pool we overlook the chlorine. Yes, you can detect it, but, it’s not a big issue for us. Cats, on the other hand, are very different.

This could also be one of the reasons why cats are not always willing to drink tap water.

Bad history with water

If your cat has had a bad experience with water in the past. For example, they fell into a swimming pool, lake or someone sprayed water at them to punish them. Or, maybe they’ve been forced to take an extra-long bath. All of these experiences can turn them off for good.

Interesting story…

I remember being handed the nutty chocolate bar, let’s call it “dream bar” for now to save the negativity on a specific brand (however, it’s not sold anymore, to be honest) but I remember it well, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t want it.

It’s not because I disliked the sweet nutty texture of these bars, it’s because of the bad experience I had with this sweet thing…

I was traveling back home on a long car journey, my mum handed me the bar. And, at that point in time, it made me feel sick.

Fact is, it wasn’t the “dream bar”, it was the experience at that point in time. A bit like some cats. They may just hate water from a bad experience.

Causes them issues with their ears

A cat is his very different to us, they have very deep ear canals. And, very little space in the shallow part of their ear. What this means is, if water gets into their ear. It’s not very easy to evaporate and disappear.

This can lead to discomfort and in some cases ear infection. So, you can understand why they would have reservations going into the water.

What cats are ok with swimming?

Even though I have stated many reasons why cats do not like water there are actually some breeds of cat that actually enjoy going in the water. I know! This totally contradicts this rule, right?

For that reason, I’m going to list some of these breeds and explain why they love water.

Turkish vans

The Turkish Van cat which is also known as the swimming cat is one of the few cat species that enjoy swimming. This may be due to their long-bodies with rounded paws, who knows. Either way, this makes them the ideal candidate for swimming.

Maine Coon

Believe it or not, even though the Maine Coon (click here to see why Maine Coon cats are so big) is a really large cat he actually loves the water.

If you are a Maine Coon cat owner you may have seen your cat swimming around in your swimming pool or local lake.

Bengals

These cats are descendants of Asian Leopards. They are known to love playing in the water. Maybe this love of water is because of their link to the Asian Leopards? Who knows…

Whatever reason, they are big water lovers.

Wildcats

Wild cats are known for their enjoyment of water. What kind of cats am I talking about?

e.g.

• Lions
• Tigers
• Leopards

One of the reasons for this is because they use it as a means to cool their body temperature down in the hot direct sun.

Wildcats from colder climates

Unlike the wildcats, I mentioned above. These wild cats are an exception to the rule, they don’t like water. This is because they live in cold climates. An example of this is Snow Leopards.

The reason why they hate the water is that it reduces their chances of keeping warm. And they typically live in extremely cold climates.

What precautions can you take for cat safety in the water?

If you have a pool in your back garden or access to water, such as a nearby lake. And, your cat is willing to take the plunge into the water. I’m going to share with you some safety measures that you can take to help to keep them safe.

Keep an eye on them

Firstly, always make sure that you keep an eye on your cat. Make sure that they are not struggling to keep above water or they are in any form of distress, are you with me?

Clean out their ears

Immediately after they exit the water it is a good idea to clean out their ears (click here to see how to clean cat fur without water) . This is to avoid any chance of infection.

Never force them

If a cat feels forced they will not be happy. Therefore, never attempt to force your cat into the water. Even if you feel that you’re trying to help it to learn to swim.

Related questions:

In this section, I’m going to reveal some answers to some related questions to cats and water. If you feel that there are some questions in your mind that haven’t been answered feel free to drop a comment below.

Do cats get scared of being alone? Yes, cats do get scared of being alone (Click here to see why cats are scared of cucumbers). Believe it or not, they are actually attached to their owners even though they don’t always appear to be.

There is a perception that cats do not care so much for their owners. This may be because they are not visually as connected. Especially when compared to a pet dog.

However, this is not the case. Cats need as much care and attention as a dog. But, they just show their love in different ways.

Can cats smell Fear? Yes, cats can smell fear. A pheromone (click here for my best 3 Pheromone Collars for Aggressive Cats) is a chemical released by cats which is used in many different ways. Can be used to mark their territory and for a number of other reasons.

However, there can also be scent released in the same way which indicates fear. This can be used to alarm a cat to run away from a potentially dangerous situation.

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Can an Indoor Cat Become an Outdoor Cat? (Is it safe?)

You may have an indoor cat and wondering about taking her outside, maybe you have seen people using cat harnesses and curious if this can work for you (Click here to see my best cat harness & price on Amazon). Let me explain if you can take your indoor cat outside…

Can you turn an indoor cat to an outdoor cat? Yes, this is possible. However, you need to make sure that you do it gradually and give it time. When I say gradually, for example, you may just open the front door, to begin with. So, she can look outside, that is the pace I mean, know what I mean?

Following this, it could escalate to letting them step outside, assisted. Maybe start with a small amount of time, then gradually work your way up. Later on, in this article, I will give you some more guidelines. Keep reading…

What are the advantages of keeping your cat indoors?

You may be thinking to yourself, why do people even keep their cat indoors in the first place? Good question, the reality is, there are a number of advantages. For that reason, I’m going to share a few with you now.

Lifespan is greatly increased

Firstly the expected lifespan of an indoor cat is raised significantly as opposed to being outdoors. But, why? There are many issues such as extreme climates, like snow, or even freak heatwaves can cause these issues.

Other risks that affect their lifespan include danger from other cats (like strays or feral cats – click here to see how Feral Cats deal with fleas) attacking them. Same can be said for other animals such as your neighbor’s dog or random wild foxes, you with me?

Even a simple family car can add to their lifespan risks. So, you may be thinking to yourself what sort of difference in lifespan are we talking about here? A lot, or just a few years?

To put this into context, the average lifespan of an indoor cat could be anywhere from 15 to 17 years. However, an outdoor cat could be as low as 2 to 3 years! So, as you can see, it is quite a big difference.

Should an indoor cat even be allowed outside?

Yes, in my opinion, it should be. And, the reason being, although there are distinct advantages of being inside (as we discussed earlier) there are good reasons why you need to make sure they get at least some exposure to the outdoors…

Mental Health Benefits…

Just being outside can stimulate and improve your cat’s mental health. Reason being, cats are not instinctively made to stay inside. Really, they should be outside hunting and keeping active, right?

So, it is not a natural behavior to be locked indoors 24-7. Therefore, your cat can get very bored,  even worse, this can affect their mental health.

Letting them out, even just a little bit, will help to keep them happier in the long run.

I understand it’s obvious that an indoor cat that has been deprived of doing its normal day-to-day activities will not be a great hunter.

In fact, it may not even know where to start. But basic exercise is needed and can be replicated using a number of alternatives, such as cat trees (click here to see my 3 Best Cat Trees), to keep them focused and Active

Best way to let your cat outdoors without her escaping?

You may be thinking to yourself, you understand the benefits of having some exposure outdoors. But, have some concerns. You do not want your cat to run for the hills when you let her out, right?

So, what is the Solution?…

If this is the concern, the best idea is to use a cat leash & harness (click here to see my 3 Best Cat Harnesses), this will allow your cat to get the benefit of going outside but keep you in control.

There are a number of cats harnesses with different styles and requirements so take your pick depending on your personal preference.

Why do you need to introduce outdoor activity slowly…

The reason you want to take your time and gradually introduce your cat to outside activity is that they are not used to being outside. You do not want to expose them to too much risk.

For this reason, it’s better to start off with small intervals so that they can get used to it. As discussed earlier, even seeing outside and understanding how it feels is a start.

You also want to consider creating a schedlue. A what now? Basically, work your way up to routine. So your cat will know when it’s acceptable to go outside.

Also, providing treats to your cat is a good way of enticing him to come back inside. In case you are concerned about ways to real him back in.

In the next section, I will explain some important pre-requisites to letting your cat out the front door.

Things you should do before you let your cat out the door

In this section, I’m going to explain a few things that you need to do before you even take a cat outside.

It is important you do not skip over this. Why? Because this will improve your chances of having a successful transition to getting your cat outdoors (Click here to see how to make your cat an outdoor cat). And keeping him healthy.

Vaccinations

There are a number of vaccinations that your cat should have before they go outdoors. The best thing to do is to check with your vet. Make sure that you receive the latest vaccinations.

Be mindful that this is not a one-off activity. This should be an ongoing thing. To make sure that you are up to date.

These vaccinations will help your cat survive by preventing some avoidable diseases or infections.

Preparing Access to your property

It is a good idea to have good access to your property. Meaning some way that they can enter the property when they need to. E.g. if they get hungry, tired or just want to come back home for some reason. If not you may be left wondering why she is waiting at your door (Click here for full article).

To achieve this you can use a cat flap (click here for my best cat flaps). These cat flaps come in various different styles with different features. However, the best ones to consider have a method of validating if it’s your cat. For this, they tend to use a special chip.

Outdoor food and water

To be honest, providing outdoor food and water has its pros and cons. The negative things about it is other cats may steal the food and water and your cat may not benefit from it.

However, if you have a problem with installing a cat flap in your house or for some reason you cannot do this then this is the best alternative.

This is most important when your cat is new to going outside. Because they need to have access to food and water before they get into a regular schedule.

The best idea is to eventually get your cat into a routine so they know when to come in and expect to be fed.

Outdoor shelter

Again, if you do not have a cat flap for any access, then in addition to water and food, it is a good idea to have some outdoor shelter so they can hide somewhere if they need to.

Why? This includes times when it is extremely cold or very hot. Or, if they just want to have a safe place to relax and they can’t get into the house.

You may also want to consider providing some outdoor litter trays. This may sound a little bit weird to you because you think they can probably just use outdoor facilities, right?

The issue you may have with this approach is, you may find that your neighbors back garden becomes their new litter tray, do you get me? And, you may get an angry knock at your door complaining about the mess. Therefore this will help to stop this happening

Indoor cats that should NOT be allowed to go outside

In my opinion, any cat that has been declawed (Click here for the best clumping litter for declawed cats) should not be allowed outside unsupervised.

The reason I say this is because they have been stripped of their natural defenses. If they face any problems with rival cats or any other predators, they are toast!

This significantly increases their risks of being attacked and also gives them no way to support and defend themselves.

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Is it Weird to Walk a Cat?

Have you got an indoor cat that you are thinking of walking (click here for my best cat harness and see the price on Amazon)? Maybe you are self-conscious and wondering if it’s weird, let me explain what people really think and if you should care.

Is it weird to walk your cat? Yes, it is not normal for most people, so you will get some funny looks that may unsettle you. However, there are many people who walk their cat for legitimate reasons. So, the fact that it may be seen as weird, should not be a factor.

Now that you know the truth, let me explain the benefits of walking your cat, the reasons why people use leads and harnesses (click here for my 3 best cat harnesses) for walking and more. Keep reading…

Why do people feel that its Weird?

As discussed, yes, to be honest, it is regarded as being weird. Even if you currently walk your cat and use your harness, there is no doubt about it, people will look at you in a weird way. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s wrong, are you with me?

Often in society, people expect everyone to do the same thing or get weird stares. The reality is it shouldn’t affect your actions if you feel its what you want to do.

There are a number of legitimate reasons why you would want to walk your cat. For instance, maybe your training your indoor cat before you let him out on his own. Later in this article, I will expand on some other reasons why you would do this.

However, there is a big debate regarding ethics. Is this ethically right? Should you be walking your cat like a dog? Who knows, but, the debate continues.

What are the benefits of walking your cat on a harness?

In this section, I will explain some of the benefits of taking your cat for a walk using your harness. There are a few to discuss.

You become the center of attention

If you like attention, then walking your cat with a harness is a bonus. You will definitely get some stares using a harness. You may not get many smiles, but its attention never the less.

Training an indoor cat

Also, if you have an indoor cat. And, you want to train her before letting her out outside. This is another good way of doing it.

Protection for an indoor cat

Aside from training. Maybe you just want to protect your cat from the dangers the outside world presents us. Using a harness is the best of both worlds. You get some exposure to the outside for your cat as well as the added protection that she will not be fully exposed to the risks.

What are the risks of letting your cat outside on its own?

There are a number of reasons why people would hold back on letting their cat outside. This is why there are many indoor cats these days.

For this reason, I’m going to reveal some of the reasons why people make the decision not to allow their cat to go outside.

Fleas

Some cat owners are concerned that their cat may pick up fleas from outside and bring them in indoors. Which, in turn, may cause a flea infestation (click here to see how to get Flea Dirt off your cat).

This can be an issue when they are allowed to roam around outside. However,  it is important to understand that even if you keep your cat indoors it can still pick up fleas. How? Well, even us humans can carry fleas into our homes, without even noticing.

Poisons and pesticides

Another concern is exposure to poisons and pesticides. What? You may be thinking how can this happen?

Let me give you an example…

Rat poison is something used by other homeowners if they have an issue with pests, right? Unfortunately, not only rats are affected by this stuff.

If you have a cat that is allowed to go outdoors. There is a chance that it could eat this poison without understanding what it is.

Pesticides is another thing. Unfortunately, this is quite hard for anyone to see. Pesticides are used on lawns, vegetables, etc. It can be hard to detect. Be mindful, even if you are with your cat you still may not detect this.

There is no obvious way to get around it. Hence the reason why some people take the extreme approach and keep their cat inside all the time. Think of this as a belt and braces technique.

Hit by a vehicle

Collisions on the road involving cats is quite common. Think about it, how many times have you driven down the road and seen an unfortunate cats body that has been run over by a car?

Some cautious cat owners are not willing to take this risk. They decide to keep their cat inside to avoid the chance of this happening.

Unfortunately, as a child, I experienced this first hand. One of my first cats called Ajax, actually got run over. I will be honest, it was our first cat and we were devastated.

Attacks by other cats and dogs

Another big concern is other animals, such as other stray cats or neighboring dogs. These cats, dogs or other animals can cause stress to your cat. They may even end up being attacked.

Sometimes cat owners may have had a bad experience with this in the past. Which causes them to have a very cautious approach going forward. Resulting in their new cat not being allowed out.

Disappearing Cat

Some cat owners have concerns that if their cat gets a taste for being outside it may not want to come back home. Cats disappearing is quite a common thing. However, in reality, it is not always because a cat runs away.

It could simply be that they got lost on the journey or something may have happened to them outside. Such as being knocked down and they never made it back.

What are some of the concerns about using a cat lead?

According to the RSPCA they do not recommend using cat leads. One of their concerns is, in the event that your cat gets stressed and not happy with the environment, they have a tendency to run away.

And there is a chance that the leash, if attached incorrectly, can cause them to pull on the lead, break free and potentially run off and choke themselves on the lead.

Therefore they advise, if people wish to use leads, is to attach it to a harness, rather than the collar itself. This can reduce the chance of your cat choking itself.

Also, they recommend “dry running”. Basically, training your cat to use the harness indoors before going outside. So, they get used to the experience and do not do anything crazy while they’re outside.

Related questions:

In this section, I will cover some related questions to a cat walking (Click here to see the best escape-proof cat strollers, to make cat walking a doddle). If you feel that there are some questions in your head, that have not been covered. Feel free to leave a comment below.

Why do cats sometimes fall over when they’re using a harness? This is because of their instincts. Naturally, cats are not used to using a harness. When this is strapped around their body and they feel the force of the harness, it may make them freeze up and not want to walk.

If you’re walking along at walking speed alongside them. They could fall over or may accidentally get dragged for a short distance. To avoid this happening, the best thing to do is to train them.

Ideally, you need to train them indoors first. This will get them used to the harness and break them in properly in no time.

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Why Do Cats Lay Down When on a Leash (Real Reason!)

Are you having some challenges walking your cat? Maybe it’s because you don’t have the right lead/harness (Click here for my best harness & to see the price on Amazon). Maybe its this, maybe not. But, to save the suspense, let me explain exactly why this is happening.

Why do cats lay down when on a leash? The simple reason is they don’t like leads or being walked. It is not what they are used to and it’s not an instinctual action to follow a human on a lead. For this to go as you expect, they need training and you need patience.

Now you understand why this is happening, let me explain if this is against nature, if it’s possible to train them to fall in line with your expectations, how to train them and to set your expectations for attempting to walk a cat.

Is the lead/harness against nature?

You may be confused wondering why your cat is “Acting Up” when you attempt to take him out for a walk. However, there is a reason for their behavior. And, my task today is to explain this to you.

Basically, to cut a long story short. Your cat does not want to walk with you while he is on the leash. Hence the reason why he may be laying down. Cats are not naturally built for harnesses & leashes.

Understand this. Expecting a cat to use a harness and leash is not normal. It’s against their natural instincts. In fact, they are likely to react either defensively, by lashing out. Or at best uncooperative, are you with me?

Can you train a cat to use a harness & leash?

After my last section, you may feel that a harness and leash is just not going to work. The reality is it does work. But, you need to know what you are doing. Let me explain…

In simple terms, they need to be guided to do this. Effectively training them to first get used to the leash, then get them comfortable following you on this weird leash.

Why would you even want to train your cat though?

You may be wondering, why would a cat owner even want or need to train their cat to use the leash in the first place? Good question. Let me explain why this happens.

Indoor cats are indoor cats for a reason, the owners are not keen on exposing them to the harsh realities of the outside world. But, what could happen?

Things that are avoided by using a leash and keeping a cat indoors

Let me give you an idea of these issues now:

• Injury prevention.
• Avoiding diseases passed on by other cats, like feral cats (click here to see how feral cats deal with Fleas).
• Avoiding potential fatalities.

These are just a few, to be honest, the list could easily be expanded, but I think you get the point.

Benefits of training

Indoor cats have a tendency to develop obesity or just get plain bored if they are kept in all day, every day.  Being allowed outside while being assisted allows them a chance to get exercise, avoid obesity and stop getting bored.

This exposure to the outside will help to boost their confidence and generally make them feel better psychologically.

How to train your cat to use a leash & Harness

Now that you know the benefits of the leash and why a typical cat owner would want to use one. And also why your cat is acting up. Let me explain how you can actually train your cat to use the leash itself.

Choosing the correct gear

Before you start, you need to have the right kit. But, what do I mean by the right kit? Simple, you can’t just use any leash (Click here to see my 3 best cat harnesses for hiking).

Basically, you need to understand that a cat is different from a dog. They have a different build. They do not have the same neck strength as a dog. So, one of the main things you need to get right is the style of leash/harness.

The distribution of restraint as you pull on the lead cannot be focussed on its neck. It needs to be evenly distributed between its neck and chest. So, make sure you lookout for the correct harness & lead combo for this.

Gently introducing the Lead & Harness

Before you even begin to try and get them outside, you need to climatize them to the leash & harness. The idea behind this is to associate them with positive connotation… Positive what now?

Yes, positive connotation. Meaning, for example, they should be treated when you put the harness on. This will trigger a positive reaction in their mind when they see the harness, are you with me.

To be honest, even before you get to put the harness on, you should give her a chance to just see and play with the harness & lead. Place it in her cat bed (click here for the best cat beds) and place some treats.

One key thing. Never force the harness or leash on them. If you do this, they will never accept it.

Breaking them in, to go outdoors

Before you actually take your cat out. I am going to give you an idea of what you need to do to make this as smooth as possible.

The keyword here is taking it slowly first. You may be tempted to throw on the lead and take her outside just because she seems fine with the lead now. No, this is not the way.

It’s a better idea to walk her around your house, indoors first. Once you see that she is doing ok, then find a quiet area where there are not many distractions or other animals, you with me?

This is even more important if your cat has never been outside and you have no indication on how she will react.

If your cat is comfortable with outside

Even if she is comfortable with being outside. Start off with carrying her out first. This will discourage her from letting herself out, without you. It will establish a boundary.

Another tip is to use some form of treats, her favorite snacks maybe? To keep her motivated to keep moving.

What you should expect

Once you get past these initial stages. And, you have followed these training tips. Be warned, she is not a dog. In reality, she will never walk with you in the same manner as one.

Be prepared for random behavior. Such as trying to run off up a tree, or just sniffing around and not walking in a straight line.

Don’t be discouraged. This is just the way cats are. In time, she will get used to the lead/harness and improve her walking pattern. But, again, it will never be the same as walking a dog (click here to see if it Is weird to walk a cat).

Related Questions:

In this section, I am going to answer some related questions to walking a cat that may help you. If you feel there is an unanswered question in your mind, not covered, leave me a comment below.

Will your cat run away if you let it out? Yes, there is a chance it will. Especially if this is the first time they have been out, and it is a busy developed area. It’s better to take your time by training them to get used to being outside first.

The reality is, she may not run away, but it may appear that way to you. Why? Because if she doesn’t return by morning, you will assume she ran off, right? In fact, it could be many things. E.g. got lost, stolen or even injured. So, that is why it’s important to take your time and make sure she is ready first to reduce the risks.

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3 Best Cat Harnesses For Hiking (Guide, review & Pics)

If you are looking for a cat harness. No doubt you want a good one, but what is a good one? what should you even be looking for? Let me explain…

What is my best cat harness for hiking? In my opinion, this is the best cat harness for hiking (Click here for the price on Amazon). I like this one because its comfortable while keeping secure. Also, it’s adjustable to fit most cats and ideal for hiking.

Now that know my best cat harness, let me explain what things are important when you are looking for a harness (my guide), why you even need a harness, my other two cat harnesses (one is great for smaller cats) and so much more. Keep reading…

Quick Cat Harness Comparison

Name	Image	My Rating
01. Gauterf (Best Overall) Universal Cat Harness with Leash Click here for the price on Amazon
02. Pupteck (Best for Small cats) Adjustable Cat Harness Click here for the price on Amazon
03. Yizhi Miaow Cat Harness with Leash Click here for the price on Amazon

Why do you need a Cat Harness?

You may be thinking, what is the reason for a harness in the first place? Well, there are a few reasons. Let me explain a couple of these reasons now.

Firstly, attaching a lead directly to a cat collar is dangerous and arguably cruel. But, why? Simple, cats have soft throats. They are not like dogs. They are not built to take the same impact on their necks.

Therefore, a harness is the solution to use a cat lead safely. It removes the stress of dragging their neck and risk choking them.

Also, in recent years, there has been a big surge in the number of cats classed as “Indoor cats” (click here to see if indoor cats need grass). So what? Well, this means there are a lot of bored cats stuck indoors.

Some of these cat owners require a safe way to expose their indoor cat to outside. And they see a cat harness as an important part of that reality, are you with me?

How do you measure up a cat harness?

One of the important things, before you buy a harness is getting the sizing right. Therefore, I will spend a few moments with your now to explain how you can measure up for a harness correctly.

Each harness has its own sizing guidelines because they have slightly different styling. Therefore you should follow their instructions to measure the areas required.

However, a general rule is to make sure you measure the areas but make sure you make a snug fight. The idea is it must be secure enough to reduce the chances of your cat escaping. But, not too tight, because your cat needs to feel comfortable, are you with me.

One finger rule

To help you get this right, the idea is to fit it so you can still fit one finger in between the harness itself and your cat. This is some necessary breathing room.

Be mindful that your cat will need some time to adjust to the harness. And, especially in the early days, it will try its best to escape. So a snug fit is important.

What are the styles to look out for?

Before choosing your harness its important to understand the different styles available. Why? Well, different styles have different advantages and disadvantages based on your cat. Let me explain…

The “H-Shape”

This style gives a good secure fit, It has special straps that wrap around the cat’s neck area as well as its waist. This helps by distributing the pressure. Which makes it more comfortable for your cat.

Vest Style

Like the name suggests this wraps around the cat’s chest, like a vest. Then the straps are located on its back. This is a great fit for your cat.

Step-In Style

This style is arguably not as secure. It avoids putting the harness over your cats head by allowing your cat to step its front two paws in first. The idea is to avoid the trauma of getting your cats head in place like conventional styles.

My Best Cat Harnesses for Hiking:

In this section, I will list my best cat harnesses. These are ideal for hiking, comfort and keeping your beloved secure while on the move.

01. Gauterf Universal Cat Harness with Leash (Best Overall)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Secure – Eliminates the chances of escape.
• Comfortable fitting.
• Adjustable straps – Helps to fit most cats.
• Great for hiking – comfortable for hiking journeys.

Cons:

• A bit heavy for younger cats.
• Neck opening may be a bit too big for smaller cats.

What I like about this Gauterf harness

This harness is great for security. It has solid secure straps and design to keep you cat firmly in place while you take her out for a walk. Also, while it is secure, it is still comfortable. Meaning they have not sacrificed security for comfort, are you with me?

If you are worried about this harness fitting your cat, relax! Why? Because it has some great adjustable straps to cater to most cat sizes. In a nutshell, this is a great harness for people that love hiking.

What I don’t like about this Gauterf harness

If you have a younger cat, you may find that this harness may be a bit too heavy for them. You will have to try and see, but this is my opinion. Also, the neck opening can be a bit big for some smaller cats.

02. Pupteck Adjustable Cat Harness (Best for Small cats)

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Easy to put on.
• Great for hiking.
• Good support and security.
• Adjustable – To fit most cats.
• Quality material (good build quality).

Cons:

• Mid-section needs to be adjustable.

What I like about this Pupteck harness

This harness is great, it’s easy to put on and a good one for hiking. Once it’s on it provides good support and security. Also, it caters for a good range of cats with its adjustable straps. I like the fact that the build quality is good.

What I don’t like about this Pupteck harness

Although it is adjustable, the midsection does not appear to be adjustable. It’s a shame because I feel that if they added this it would greatly improve this harness.

03. Yizhi Miaow Cat Harness with Leash

Click here for the price on Amazon

Pros:

• Adjustable (with what they call “Magic Tape” enclosure).
• Comfortable (Padded. Chest and neck strap, have soft material).
• Escape proof (without using plastic buckles).
• Great ventilation (Layer of mesh underneath).

Cons:

• Sizing tends to be smaller than expected (Size chart not quite reliable).

What I like about this PUPTECK harness

This harness is an interesting design, in fact, it is one of the things that I love about it. It is nice and adjustable, so you should not have an issue securing your kitty.

One of its biggest benefits is its comfortability, in my opinion. It has a padded design with the chest and neck strap perfectly soft for maximum comfort.

Even though it’s padded, that does not mean it is insecure, in fact, quite the opposite. The manufactures claim its escape-proof, and I can believe them. They use what they call “Magic Tape”, instead of conventional plastic buckles. This keeps it secure while also keeping it comfortable, are you with me?

It also has great ventilation. It achieves this by having an extra layer of mesh underneath that allows the fur and skin to breath.

What I don’t like about this PUPTECK harness

My only criticism is the sizing. Mainly my gripe is with the sizing chart that is provided. To cut a long story short, it isn’t quite accurate in my opinion.

I Found that the harness comes in smaller than expected. Not a deal-breaker, but something to consider before you order one of these. You may just find it a bit annoying if you have to return and swap the item to get the ideal fit for your cat. You may be lucky and totally avoid this altogether.

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How to Get Flea Dirt Off Your Cat (Pics, Guide & Tips)

If you have sen flea dirt on your cat, you may be thinking of how to get rid of it. Obviously, with fleas, you can use some effective cat flea shampoo (Click here to the price on Amazon). However, what about the actual flea dirt?

Whats the big issue with Flea dirt? Flea dirt is an indication of an infestation of fleas. It is an alarm bell that should not be ignored. If you see it on your cat you need to take immediate action before the matter spirals out of control.

Now you know what the big deal is, let me explain how to get rid of the fleas as well as the flea dirt. As well as how to prevent the fleas from coming back to cause you problems and more. Keep reading…

What is Flea Dirt?

Flea dirt is essentially the feces of fleas. It looks like a messy dirt patch, hence the reason it is called “Flea Dirt”.

Basically, it looks like little flicks of black or brown colored dots. Sometimes they are noticeable immediately, from your cat’s fur. Especially, if they’ve got light or white colored fur.

However, if they have darker fur you may only notice it if you run your hands through their fur and see this. In some cases.

If you have noticed your cat scratching itself more than usual or noticed flea dirt specks on their fur. There is a good chance that they have a flea infestation.

How do you get rid of the flea Dirt & Fleas on your cat?

Getting rid of flea dirt is the easy bit. To be honest you can just brush or wipe this off without an issue. The true challenge is getting rid of the actual fleas themselves.

To get rid of the fleas on your actual cat the best solution is to use a fine-tooth comb which is designed for this.  This Flea comb, if used regularly will help. It will help to clear the eggs settling in your cat’s fur and remove any fleas that may be hanging around.

Also, it is a good idea to use flea shampoo on a regular basis. To prevent them from coming back. Be warned, your cat will not like this, but it is needed.

Why is Flea Dirt such an issue?

Flea dirt is an issue because it is a natural sign that there are fleas infesting your cat. The problem with this is if the signs are correct, and your car has a flea infestation, then this can affect you, your family as well as your cat.

In addition to this, some cats have allergic reactions to fleas. Meaning the actual flea saliva can cause an allergic reaction. Unfortunately, this can result in severe irritation. Or even, in extreme situations, actual fur loss.

The problem with fleas is, once you see one or two, there is a good chance that there are another hundred more you haven’t seen yet.

Also, their numbers are going to grow substantially within a short period of time. Therefore, it is a good idea to get in front of the problem and deal with it sooner rather than later.

One last thing to consider, in some cases fleas can carry diseases as well. Which can be dangerous to you, your cat and your family.

How can you prevent fleas coming back?

Firstly, you can deal with the fleas directly by using a good cat shampoo which has flea protection built into it (click here to see my best Cat flea Shampoo choice). Alternatively, there are cat collars (click here to see the price on Amazon) which have flea solutions built into them as well.

In addition to this, there are ways that you can do basic things around your house to prevent fleas from coming back. Let me explain…

Vacuuming on a regular basis

This is quite simple and obvious but doing regular vacuuming in your house will help a lot. This will hoover up the eggs that are being laid by these fleas and reduce the chances of them coming back.

However, to make this effective you have to be quite thorough with your vacuuming. You need to catch all the hidden crevices as well as fabrics and carpets. Basically, anything that could be infected.

In addition to this when you finish vacuuming, do not just leave the vacuum until you use it next. Why? because all you have done is transferred these flea eggs from one place to another. They are just now living in your vacuum bag.

So, it is important to empty the bag and throw it away immediately. Also, wash out the canister with hot soapy water to get rid of the flea eggs.

A weekly deep clean

As well as vacuuming, it is a good idea to have a weekly clean. This needs to cover the fabrics that you use in your house.

This includes any duvet bedding any fabrics. It should even include cushions that you use on your sofa, etc. Take all of these fabrics, which your cat is likely to have rubbed against and potentially left eggs on.

Then place them into your washing machine. Put them on a high-temperature wash, just make sure that it doesn’t shrink the fabrics (read the fabric labels first to check). This will help to prevent the flea eggs coming back.

How can you prevent fleas from transferring into your house?

Fleas are clever. Sometimes they will use you, even if you have no idea what is happening. Let me explain…

Sometimes you may visit a house, which may have a cat with fleas. The danger of this is, you can unwillingly bring a flea infestation to your own home. Which can, in turn, transfer to your pets, including your cat.

The best way to avoid this happening is to immediately remove your clothes once you return home. If you can take them off before you actually enter your home then this is best practice.

However, I understand this may not always be practical, depending on the layout of your home. Once you’ve taken your clothes off. Immediately put them into a high-temperature wash to get rid of any fleas or flea eggs.

Related questions:

In this section, I am going to answer some related questions to Flea Dirt. If you feel there are some extra questions that are not covered feel free to leave a comment.

How do you know if the fleas are gone for good? The only way to check this yourself is by inspecting your cat. If you have the opportunity to visit your vet’s do so. This will completely verify they are gone or not.

However, if you want to check at home. The best way to do this is to get some white paper or a light surface. It has to be light because you need to check for fleas and you need the contrast of color to see them clearly, are you with me?

Place your cat on the whitepaper (or light-colored surface) and use a flea comb. Comb around the areas which typically gather fleas the most. Comb the area to see if any fleas or flea dirt are speckled on the white paper.

If you see any at this stage it is obvious that the problem is not gone and you need to continue the treatment.

If you still don’t see any then you can try and apply a little bit of petroleum jelly and continue combing. The idea behind this is to catch any loose fleas in the jelly.

If you do not see any fleas or flea dirt then this is a good indication that the problem has gone.

However, the only thing I would say is this, unless you do this very thoroughly there is a chance that you can miss a flea. If you miss one, you may find the flea problem will still be there. Hence the reason why visiting a vet is the best way.