YOUR CAT MARCH 2022

JAMES BOWEN column

R10

March 2022 £4.99

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BRITAIN’S
BEST-SELLING
CAT MAGAZINE

No1

REAL LIFE: Sleep special!

the cat
who lives

in a castle! CAT NAPS!

KITTY’S WHAT YOUR
GONE A CAT NEEDS

FROM SLEEP

HUNTING SHOULD YOUR
CAT SHARE
Managing YOUR BED?
your cat’s

instinct
BECOMING ABREED FOCUS:
Toyger THERAPY CAT

How felines take up
roles helping humans

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10 CAT-MANDMENTS OF PLAY!

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Welcome...

March 2022 Cats will do

My friend told me a brilliant

story about his cat. During whatever works
the day, his cat Ash is allowed

out through the cat flap and for them.
then it is shut at night for his
safety. So, one morning the

bouncy moggy gets up for his breakfast as usual and

then wanders around the house before settling down

out of sight. At some point, Ash had obviously headed IN THIS ISSUE:
out as his owner had opened the cat flap.

My friend was sitting at his home office doing

whatever a network engineer does when he heard

a tapping noise. The cat was pawing at the nearby THERAPY Therapy cats and
window. The window was opened to let in the cat. their owners make
He was his usual happy feline self, enjoyed some CAT a huge difference
fuss and then headed into the house to find his own SERIES
entertainment. A little while later, the cat flap went to people’s lives.
again — and Ash appeared again at the window. The Becoming New
cat wouldn’t come back in via the cat flap! series Kathryn Hearn is Did you
a journalist for ‘The know?
My friend made the mistake of letting him in again a therapy cat Guardian’ whose career
(cats will do whatever works for them) and so the has included working at PAT is a national
cycle continued, with the cat heading out throughout In a new series, we’re looking at the incredible ways in Newsround, as an RSPCA charity and fully
the day and demanding to be let in through the which therapy cats help people. But just how does press officer, and a pet supports itself thanks
window. Even when my friend put down the cheeky a feline take up this role? Kathryn Hearn finds out. agony aunt. She grew up
kitty’s dinner, he didn’t come back in through the cat with cats and shares her to donations.
flap — and the cat hasn’t done it since! home with Maine Coon,
Kylo, and rescue cats,
Ash has got no problem using the cat flap to come Tabby and Rey.

We all know how much our cats make us happy George was a
and are good for our mental health. But some comfort to Debbie.
cats spread this gift even further as therapy cats,
visiting people who will receive a boost from a
feline visitor. In our new series on therapy cats, we’re going
to look at how these special cats help people in different
situations — but to kick the series off, just how does a cat
become a certified therapy pet?

For many cat owners, the idea her company through these Our test took place at
that their pet would relish difficult days. His outgoing a garden centre...
visiting strangers in new, busy personality and loving
places, and would settle down character brightened up while in hospital contracted even more she loved her furry wheelchair, out with her at the steps. Stacey said that George wanted to judge what Marc and George. WW
for a cuddle and a stroke, Debbie’s days, keeping her Clostridium difficile.“My mum visitor! smoking area, and lying on had been a vital lifeline to George would be like in
would be unbelievable. company at her home and was very poorly,” said Stacey. her bed for attention.” engineer Marc, 35, cheering a new place with lots of at a barbecue to get their
bringing her comfort as she “But once she was home, she Stacey said:“When my him up and giving him plenty strangers. I had George in attention and to get them to
But Pets As Therapy (PAT) had rounds of hard-hitting recovered with George. She mum moved into the hospice, Other patients loved of cat love.“George is his little his harness on his retractable stroke him.
has more than 80 cats in the chemotherapy. was over the moon to see him George came to live with me stroking George and the best friend, like a little fluffy lead and he immediately ran
UK, from moggies to Maine again — she lit up and he and I would take him in to see hospice staff would ask therapist.” up to some people looking “George is not a timid cat
Coons, who do just this “George and my mum gave her a real lift.” my mum every other day.The Stacey to bring him in when
— and their visits bring formed a wonderful bond,” first time he went in he was a they were next on duty. He THE PAT CAT PAGEand has always walked really
comfort, happiness, and said Stacey, 34, from AT HER SIDE little bit nervous but as soon was a real hit — and he loved PROCESS
emotional well-being. Stockport.“He loved sitting on Sadly, the pandemic meant as he saw my mum, he was it.That’s when Stacey thought To start the PAT process, well on a harness — and he’s
her lap and being stroked. that Debbie’s treatment had all over her. He was on her lap that George could join PAT. Stacey registered online with very, very, very affectionate to
So, what makes a person He’s daft as a brush and his to be cancelled and her and she was cuddling him. two character references
decide to join the PAT cat funny ways brought smiles deteriorating health meant And George wasn’t simply for herself and a copy 12www.yourcat.co.uk 13
volunteer team and how does even when things were really that she moved into St Ann’s “George got to know bringing comfort to those he of George’s vaccination
the application process work? hard.” Hospice in Heald Green. She exactly where he was going was visiting at the hospice certificate. George was then
loved the hospice — and when we got in the car and but also to Stacey’s partner, assessed to see if he had
For Stacey Smith, her And when Debbie needed he would love seeing my Marc Talbot. After a stem cell what it takes to be a therapy
journey to becoming a PAT to go to appointments, Stacey mum. He would be on her transplant for leukaemia in cat.
volunteer started in a very would drive and George 2019, Marc caught Covid
dark place. Her mum, Debbie would go along with them in April 2020 and became “Our test took place at
Sheehan, had terminal cancer both, relaxing into his car very poorly. He was on a garden centre and the
and was struggling to come to harness and looking out the oxygen round the clock and temperament assessor
terms with her diagnosis.The window. struggled to take even a few
cancer was very aggressive
and things looked bleak.The In March 2020, Debbie
one light in this difficult time became very ill with
was her cat, George. distressing side effects from
her cancer and was taken by
Stacey had bought the ambulance to hospital. She
fluffy Ragdoll for her mum was found to have Covid and
in November 2019 to keep

12 Your Cat March 2022

inside now and has returned to his normal routine. To find out more…
He had obviously chanced his paw, succeeded in
getting his owner to let him in through the window, James and Street Cat Bob have featured in books and movies that have sold millions of
and decided making his owner work was what was copies internationally.To learn more about their story, visit streetcatbob.com or the
on his agenda that day — typical cat! Just a story I Facebook page www.facebook.com/OfficialJamesBowenandStreetcatBob
thought I’d share that made me smile.
Dkindoywo?u COLLECTING KITTENS With all the other kittens crawling all over attention is on taking care of these two
In this issue, we start a new series on therapy cats. One day earlier, we had travelled to the place, Bandit came over to say hello. little fluff balls.
We know how much cats improve our lives (when James and Street Cat Walthamstow from south London to
they’re not being cheeky like Ash) and felines who Bob featured in Your collect a kitten. Monika had spotted another one, As for where Gizmo was, I should let
take up official roles as Pets As Therapy cats do Cat Magazine when a fluffy white. Obviously a girl — we you know he was hiding behind the
incredible work that we’ll be exploring. But exactly their story was rising It was the 27th June and it had been thought — which fled underneath the underwear drawers. He was only one
what does it take to be a PAT cat? Find out on page to prominence. Now, nearly two weeks since Bob had passed chest of drawers. room over and hidden behind a little
12 — it might just be a perfect role for your kitty! years later, James has away and left his mortal coil behind. plastic set of drawers. I saw his little tail
joined the magazine as I was absolutely reeling, unable to Monika proceeded to reach in and sticking out. And after I recovered him,
Another highlight is James Bowen’s column. Our a regular columnist and figure out how I had gone wrong and entice it out from under the chest of he had lots of cuddles from Monika.
brilliant new columnist opens his heart about how is telling stories you’ll why I was being cheated of my boy’s drawers. We always imagine that it There was purring, laughing, and crying.
bringing more cats into his life has helped him cope only find in Your Cat! companionship. But I had to face facts. must’ve been receding in fear, seeing He had no idea of the panic and
He was gone and I had to move on. this giant hand, this woman with fire the tears that he had caused in his
He’ll never Although, I still haven’t to this day. And red hair, and with a great big grin little adventure to explore around our
I probably never will. I’ll always hold a talking softly and manic while excitedly lounge room and across the hall to our
stop missing little part of my heart, actually all of my reaching out at the same time under bedroom. He was just being himself. He
heart, for Bob — except for the part that the chest of drawers. How traumatic still likes to cause mischief! And doesn’t
Bob but adding belongs to Monika, of course. it must have been — but not really realise when he’s pushing things off
because Gizmo loves his mommy. So too shelves that he shouldn’t be doing it. Or
two kittens to On the way to the house where the does Bandit, who is an absolute cuddle maybe he does. But that is just Gizmo
kittens were Monika had talked me into monster. and we love him all the same.
his home has taking a second one, if I found one that
I liked. I already had a bit of a soft spot As we travelled home on the train One thing I can guarantee you is that
for the one that Monika had chosen but back to south London, I realised that it’s not the first time this has happened
I agreed anyway. these two little creatures needed me with my cat and I’m sure many of you
as much as I needed them, to be able have had similar experiences.That’s just
As we arrived at the house, the poor to try to move on — and I haven’t part of the fun of having these beautiful
fellow who had the kittens explained looked back. I will always miss Bob, he’ll little furballs in our life.
that his two female cats had both always be a part of me. But for now, my
become pregnant at the same time
helped James and had given litters of kittens at the
same time.The room was filled with lots
cope with the of noise and cute little fluffy kittens.

loss of his best Alas, there was Bandit sitting there
looking as cute as anything, saying hello.

friend. We hear

how Bandit and

James and Bob became Gizmo came to
internationally famous for be part of the
their incredible bond.*

COLUMNIST family.

James Bowen

The house had been completely behind the fridge, under the floorboards, in love with this little man. But let me tell Gizmo loves Monika. PAGE
turned upside down, like a which isn’t possible but we did try anyway. you first how they came to be with me,
hurricane had hit it or maybe you But we couldn’t find Gizmo anywhere. before I tell you where Gizmo ultimately Bandit and James 16www.yourcat.co.uk 17
would think it had been burgled. was hiding! on the train home.
We looked everywhere.Turned over Bandit, however, was sitting there in
everything. Monika was crying, sitting in the middle of the upturned lounge room, We looked
the corner with the belief in her mind that looking as cute as a button with not a everywhere...
Gizmo had run away. worry in the world as he was purring
steadily.To my mild amusement, he
Two of our closest friends were standing managed to make everybody who was
there scratching their heads trying to so worried about the disappearance of
figure it out. We looked under the bath, Gizmo all go completely soppy and fall

16 Your Cat March 2022

with the loss of Street Cat Bob.

My final must read (well, I think it’s all a must read, Sleep affects almost every Cats have an
but if I have to choose…) are the features on feline enviable ability to get
sleep. As with humans, sleep is so important so make SCleepAspeTcial NAPS!singletypeoftissue... comfy in all sorts of
places and positions.

sure your cat is getting the snooze they need! Sleep is an incredible regenerative force and cats are Do cats DO CATS SNORE? Sleeping positions
renowned for their ability to snooze. But what are the signs dream? Again, like humans, some cats
Until next month, Dkindoywo?u that our feline friends are actually getting good sleep? snore while sleeping. It occurs Cat owners will be familiar with the scenario: you get
Yes, they do! Like us, when air cannot move freely out your laptop, switch it on, and immediately your
Mike Editor If you want to Toni Shelbourne One of the most important too in the bond you have together. cats cycle through through the nose and throat, cat magically appears out of nowhere and nothing
subscribe to your A Tellington TTouch essentials for making sure your Sleep affects almost every single different stages of sleep, making the tissues vibrate. will do but that he takes a nap on it. It can’t be that
favourite magazine, practitioner and certified pet has a happy and healthy experiencing both Overweight cats are more comfortable, so why do they do it? There are various
turn to page 51. animal behaviourist, Toni life is often overlooked: plenty of type of tissue and system in the body, non-rapid eye movement likely to snore than slim ones theories, including being drawn to the flickering screen,
Shelbourne has three snoozing. Just as with us, getting enough from the brain, heart, and lungs, to (NREM) and rapid eye due to fat build-up around marking it as their property, because it’s warm, attention
decades of experience sleep is absolutely key to good physical immune function, disease resistance, movement (REM) sleep. their upper airways, which seeking, because it smells of you, or even that the
working with companion and mental health, and it can play a part and metabolism, to mood, memory, and Studies reveal that during narrows their oxygen intake. keypad makes an interesting toy.Take your pick!
animals. The author learning processes. the NREM stage your cat is Short-nosed breeds, such as
of six books, she lives in light sleep, ready to wake Persians, Exotic Shorthairs, and Cats have the ability to get comfortable in the most
in Oxfordshire, where for action almost instantly Himalayan cats, also have awkward looking spots, and in a wide range of sleeping
she sees clients, runs should he need to.This more of a propensity to snore positions, many of which look uncomfortable to us.
workshops, and gives stage may then be followed because the shape of their The posture they adopt can be a yardstick of health
talks and webinars. You by a period of alertness, heads can result in narrowed when taken into consideration with other physical and
can visit her website: then drowsiness and nostrils, nasal passages, and behavioural indicators. A cat that adopts the ‘loaf’
www.tonishelbourne.co.uk more NREM sleep, cycling nasopharynx. position for example, with paws and tail tucked in, is
through them several times usually thinking about (or taking) a brief nap; a sick
Sleep is vital for before moving into REM Respiratory infections, cat rarely sleeps like this unless he is worried about
feline health. sleep. allergies, or a foreign body, falling into a deep sleep — maybe he’s feeling off colour
such as a grass seed trapped and vulnerable, or is worried about a new arrival in the
While he’s in REM sleep in the nose, can also be a house. If he’s constantly sleeping like this, he’ll only be
you may see your cat cause of snoring. If your cat is dozing and not getting enough of the deep sleep he
twitching his paws and normally a quiet sleeper and needs.
whiskers, and spot his eyes suddenly starts snoring, ask
moving both horizontally your vet to check him out. If your cat sleeps in a variety of positions, it’s likely that
and vertically behind his he’s fine; it’s when he adopts one sleeping position all
closed eyelids. In humans, Did you the time that warning bells should ring, suggesting that
REM sleep is linked to know? he is maybe under the weather and needs a vet check.
dreaming and it would
seem cats and other REM sleep in cats was A cat sleeping with one or both eyes open may be
animals are no different, discovered by scientist absolutely fine; but if he does it a lot, it can be a sign
with studies showing and sleep researcher of feeling unwell as he won’t be able to manage more
them appearing to act than a light nap like this.
out their dreams while in William C. Dement in
this stage. 1958 after studying
several felines including
An igloo bed can his own pet, a black cat
help make a cat
feel more secure. called Othello.

HOW MUCH? energy and taking a nap between also notice changes in behaviour. If BEDS in her well-known poem:
meals conserves energy and helps the you notice that your cat is sleeping Beds come in all shapes, “Cats sleep anywhere!”
Cats are Olympic champions when body to recharge. either more or less than usual, consult sizes, colours, and fabrics, so don’t be offended if
it comes to sleeping! On average, an your vet. and at prices to suit all your cat doesn’t spend all
adult will snooze for around 15 — 16 TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE? pockets, from bargain to his sleeping time in the
hours each day.Your cat only spends How much time your cat spends Cats are crepuscular — that is to high-end. But just as you bed you’ve purchased for
around 25 per cent of that time in sleeping varies between individuals say that they are most active at dawn have personal preferences him. Felines like to vary
deep sleep however; the rest of the as well as according to age. An and dusk. Most adapt their sleeping about bed mattresses, so the places where they
time he is dozing, still resting but alert energetic cat who has had plenty of schedules to their humans, but some do cats and these may be rest.This is thought to be
enough to rouse at a moment’s notice. stimulation and activity may nap for will be at their liveliest at those times liable to change as they a survival instinct which
Kittens and seniors spend even longer longer periods; sleeping time also when you either want to go to bed grow older and become less
sleeping, as much as 20 hours within a tends to increase on cloudy, cold, and or don’t want to be woken up in the mobile, or at any time in his PAGEhas been passed down to
24-hour period. rainy days. However, sudden changes morning.They are also what is known life if there are health issues.
in sleeping patterns can be a sign that as polyphasic sleepers; rather than domesticated cats from
The reason why cats sleep so much there’s a health issue, especially if you sleeping for one long period like us, However, as author Eleanor their wild ancestors. Most
is thought to be the legacy of feline they have multiple sleep periods. Farjeon famously observed
evolution, physiology, and nutritional 26will tend to gravitate to
habits: hunting prey uses a lot of
areas that are quiet, afford
26 Your Cat March 2022
www.yourcat.co.uk 27

www.yourcat.co.uk 3

Contents March 2022

40

26

6PICTURE OF THE MONTH 29FREEBIES! 52A VERY SPECIAL SAUCER
A brilliant feline image — and the story We’ve got great prizes up for A kitty is on hunger strike — can
behind it. grabs! anyone save him in this delightful short
story?
8WHAT’S NEW PUSSYCAT? 30SHOULD YOUR CAT
The latest news from the feline world, SHARE YOUR BED? 54RESCUE COMMUNITY
and new books and products. News and stories from those
We delve into the pros and helping felines.
12BECOMING A THERAPY cons of allowing your kitty to
CAT sleep in your bed. 56PAWTRAITS
A fabulous collection of your
In a new series, we’re looking at how feline 34CAT BREED INDEX stunning pet pictures.
companions can become official therapy Bred to look like a mini tiger, the
cats. Toyger is in the spotlight. 58PICKLE’S PUZZLES
There’s a mental workout with a
16JAMES BOWEN’S DIARY 36CAT CARE range of puzzles.
James tells of how getting more The experts share their advice to
cats helped him cope with the loss of Bob. help you care for your pet. 62YOUR CAT TOURIST
GUIDE
18KING OF THE CASTLE 40POWER OF PLAY
Meet Lloyd, the cat who lives in a Here are 10 cat-mandments for In one of London’s finest hotels, there is an
castle! playing with your feline friend. intriguing cat!

20COMMUNITY CAT 43INTERNATIONAL CAT THTEHEELECATRRITCIASLTLWIFEHOOF LOHUEISLWPAEIDN CHANGE THHDEAAIVMYEAETVGHEEROBWEFSICTTHAVTAYSOLEUNRTICNAET’S£4.999 771353 260199 ITNHEAMCASTTEBRODAATM
HERO AWARD CARE DIARY R0201
JAMES BOWEN column No1CBAETBSRMT-ISTAAEGLINLAI’ZNSINGE
A decade ago, Lisa Hunt set up a The latest from the leading feline charity. 2022
sanctuary and is now recognised by R00
receiving our award. 44KITTY’S GONE January
A HUNTING March 2022 £4.99
22CAT CHAT 03 R00
Your stories, pictures, and views. Want to reduce your cat’s hunting?
Here we have top tips. BRITAIN’S 9 771353 260199
25DIARY OF A CAT-SITTER February 2022 £4.99
When accidents happen to Chris, 48GOING ON SAFARI!
there’s usually a cat involved! We meet one of the rarest sights 02
on safari: the African Civet. 9 771353 260199 >
26CAT NAPS! BEST-SELLING
Sleep is important for feline health 50TRIPLE JEOPARDY HOW TO CAT MAGAZINE
— but what does your kitty need when it Blind cat Maya STROKE A CAT…
comes to snoozing? travelled from Greece to the UK according No1
for her forever home. to science!
4 Your Cat March 2022 PRODUCT AWARDS BREED:

2022 REAL LIFE: Sleep special! THAI

AND THE the cat
who lives
WINNERS in a castle!
ARE… CAT NAPS!
TOURIST GUIDE WHAT YOUR
KITTY’S SFPEOLTINSEATROOUURNISDT FRCOAMT NSELEEDEPSCSATTRBEEOTB
GONE A
HUNTING pir“RneMeemantlyepleifwfomreileicbcnoeydu”renisdcil—gaanvc“deaManRbstyaoe’lsaotvclShloeilafiHeedfdetr”OYCOUALUTDRSYHBOAEUDRER?EXACULTUHSOIVRE
TPHERESCOANTALITY TESTManaging
your cat’s
How content instinct

HIONPE2S FO0R2TBCHAE2CTESROAMPIYBNODJCGAIAWAAMTERENYS'Sisyourcat?BREED FOCUS:

Toyger

WHAT IT’S REALLY LIKE…
SUE’S LIFELONG CORMMITMENT TO CATSHow felines take upYOUR CAT COMMUNITY HERO
UNNING A CATTERY!roles helping humansPOWER OF PLAY YC_Feb22_p1_Cover.indd 1 MWOITVHINYOGUHROCUASTE
02/12/2021 10:50

10 CAT-MANDMENTS OF PLAY!

12 GET IN TOUCH!

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www.yourcat.co.uk 5

PICTURE OF THE MONTH

The story behind the photo...

This impressive topiary cat is a popular attraction
at the Dubai Miracle Garden. One of the largest
flower gardens in the world, the popular tourist
attraction in Dubai features over 150 million flowers.
The garden has won many awards and accolades,
including world records. As part of their incredible
topiary, they have featured several cats including
this one, set against the backdrop of a fairytale
castle.Visit www.dubaimiraclegarden.com to learn
more about the garden.

6 Your Cat March 2022

www.yourcat.co.uk 7

PuWshsat’ys ncew at? Feline news ● New cat products ●

AWARDS

SEARCH FOR UK’S MOST

MARVELLOUS MOGGY BEGINS
The search is on for the UK’s most Awards and I really hope this national
marvellous moggy as the nominations celebration of our feline friends will info link
for Cat Protection’s National Cat Awards inspire more people to welcome a cat For more information or to nominate
open. into their lives.” your cat, visit www.cats.org.uk/
support-us/events/nca
The annual event, held by the cat Cats Protection’s awards organiser
charity, celebrates the nation’s fabulous Kate Bunting adds:“We’re thrilled to Owain Wyn Evans.
felines, with heartwarming tales of once again be hosting our National
courage, devotion, and companionship. Cat Awards and are looking forward
to sharing many wonderful stories of
A new category has also been moggy marvellousness. We hope that
revealed for this year’s event — 'Cat by celebrating some of the UK’s most
Colleagues' is to honour the cats who incredible cats, we will inspire more
helped their owners adjust to working people to consider adopting
from home or made facing work during a cat in 2022.”
the pandemic that little bit easier.
THE CATEGORIES ARE: Owners have until
● CAT COLLEAGUES: Cats who bring joy midday on Thursday
to the workplace or make working from March 10 to nominate
home a pleasure. their cat in one of the
● MOST CARING CAT: Cats that categories.
positively impact a person’s health or
well-being. Winners will be
● FURR-EVER FRIENDS: Tales of friendship selected by a panel of
between children and cats. celebrity cat lovers before
● OUTSTANDING RESCUE CAT: Fabulous being announced at a
felines adopted from animal charities. star-studded ceremony at
London’s Savoy Hotel on
Helping to launch the awards, cat August 4, 2022.
lover and BBC weather presenter Owain
Wyn Evans says:“I’m a big fan of cats, The winner of the National
not just because they’re such amazing Cat of the Year will inherit the
animals, but also because of the title from Minty, a three-legged
incredibly positive impact they can have moggy from Holywell, Wales, who
on people’s lives. It’s such an honour helped six-year-old Connor Raven cope
to be helping launch the National Cat with severe learning difficulties and
medical conditions.

The Green Group at Davies. SUSTAINABILITY

VETERINARY PRACTICE
CELEBRATES DOUBLE GREEN WIN

Aveterinary practice in Hertfordshire is celebrating after being
recognised for its sustainability efforts and being awarded two
accolades in the Veterinary Green Awards.

Small animal referral practice Davies Veterinary Specialists took the
award for ‘Most Green Practice’ — and Ellie West, who is sustainability
lead nationally for Linnaues (which owns Davies) and a specialist in
veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia at Davies, collected the ‘Most
Green Individual’ award.

The awards ceremony was part of the Virtual Congress 2022
veterinary conference organised by The Webinar Vet. A Sustainability
Summit took place during the Congress to showcase what industry
leaders are doing to promote sustainability both personally and
professionally.

8 Your Cat March 2022

Bookshop ● Instagram star interview ● Legislation

NEW BOOKS

HEALTH ‘A CAT NAMED FATIMA: TALES
OF 23 CATS & THE PEOPLE WHO
OWNERS' SMOKING LOVED THEM’ BY JAMES KENYON
IS HARMFUL TO (MEADOWLARK PRESS)
CATS, DATA REVEALS
This is a book for ailurophiles (people who
Two in five British smokers have seen their cat love cats). From the award-winning author of
fall ill as a result of their second-hand smoke, 'A Cow for College and Other Short Stories of
according to new data by MIST, one of the UK’s 1950s Farm Life' comes 23 stories dedicated
first vape companies. to those who adore their feline friends. From a
three-legged barn cat to a Siamese that loved
The survey of 1,000 smokers was conducted showers, from the best cat a fisherman could
to investigate how many British pets are being ever have, to a veterinary clinic’s greeter, these
harmed by second-hand smoke and whether cat stories will warm the heart, bring laughter,
owners are aware of the dangers, finding and perhaps a tear or two. Each story is illustrated by a delightful kitty sketch
one-in-five smoking cat owners are completely by the artist Thomas Marple.
unaware of how smoking can harm their cat. Price: £16.99

Tobacco smoke is highly damaging to cats ‘CATS WORK LIKE THIS’ BY DAVID ST
and when exposed, pets are more at risk of JOHN THOMAS AND GARETH ST JOHN
certain types of cancer including lung, nose, and THOMAS (EXISLE PUBLISHING)
mouth cancers.
'Cats Work Like This' is for cat lovers who know that
With an estimated four million pets living in even after 10,000 years of living with cats, no one
smoking households across the UK, the data really has a clue what their cat is thinking. In this
shows there are potentially over one million insider’s guide to the habits of these puzzling animals,
animals living with second-hand smoke-related the authors offer insights from two generations of
illnesses. watching their cats work.They share the sometimes
hilarious and often astonishing observations on cats
Reassuringly, 65 per cent of cat owners reported that have accumulated over ages, and offer some
that they would give up smoking if they thought it useful insights into how to understand your own cat.
was harming their cat. However, one in five admit
they would refuse to quit, even if they could see Though there are many famous felines, it is the day
that the habit was making their pet ill. to day cat which provides the most enduring interest.Though each one’s
behaviour and mannerisms are unique, we can find enough practices in
Commenting on the data, MIST founder and common to guide you to becoming an expert in how cats work. Learn how
CEO Fred Cassman says:“It’s astounding and cats practise their values and explore what your cats know about you. With
upsetting to see the number of animals across a focus on attention, emotion, cute affection, manipulation, cunning, and
the country who are adversely affected by their cussedness, 'Cats Work Like This' gives a rare insight into the workings of
owners’ second-hand smoke, and even more so a cat’s elusive mind.
when you consider it can lead to certain cancers. Price: £16.99

“Judging from the survey data, there is a clear ‘SIX CATS FIND A HOME’ BY RICHARD
lack of awareness on this issue. We want to share FREEMAN (TROUBADOR PUBLISHING)
the findings so we can encourage Brits to ditch
cigarettes in 2022, and to learn more about the Six cats are in cages, waiting to be taken away one by
damage tobacco smoke causes not only to one by humans.They’d love to be adopted and be part
ourselves but to our loyal and beloved pets.” of a family, but they don’t want to be parted! A daring
escape is in order which leads them to a search for
shelter.They find a house that is empty — or so they think!

With food in the fridge (and a wily Ginger who can
open the door!) and warm places to sleep, the cats
think they have found home. Until a need for more food
drives them out of the house and they encounter lots of
different creatures, some friendly and some not so much!

When a cleaner comes and is bemused by the
animal hairs, the cats realise the house isn’t empty at all. Will they be forced
to run away to stay together? Or is it possible another solution is on its way?
Price: £6.99

www.yourcat.co.uk 9

PuWshsat’ys ncew at? Feline news ● New cat products ●

Blue Cross has been vehicles.Today, Blue Cross,
helping people and that operates across the UK,
animals for 125 years. continues to support pets
and their people through
CHARITY its rehoming, veterinary,
animal behaviour, and pet
BLUE CROSS MARKS 125 YEARS OF bereavement services.
CHANGING LIVES OF PETS AND THEIR PEOPLE
The charity also actively
Anew survey from national A quarter of those said they changed since the early days campaigns to improve the
pet charity Blue Cross recall the excitement that of the charity’s work, in 1897, welfare of the nation’s pets
shows how our connection a pet used to show on their helping the working horses and support their owners and
with pets is deep-rooted, with return home from school. of London, who were often people thinking of taking on a
around 40 per cent of people underfed, struggled to carry new pet — as a vast many did
saying that their first pet pal 2022 is the 125th heavy loads, and became during the pandemic.
was one of their fondest anniversary of Blue Cross, injured on slippery asphalt
memories of childhood. originally ‘Our Dumb roads created for new motor Kerry Taylor, Education
Friends League’.Times have Manager at Blue Cross said:
“We are very proud of our
heritage and the work the
charity does in 2022. We are
needed today more than ever,
with people seeking help after
an impulse purchase of a
pet online from unscrupulous
sellers, something which sadly
we know increased during the
pandemic, and with pet theft
and scams online escalating
and costs for puppies and
kittens rocketing into the
thousands.

WELFARE

CHAIR OF CATS PROTECTION STANDS
DOWN AMID RAISED WELFARE QUESTIONS

The chair of Cats Protection Linda Upson has stepped down The statement continues:“Cat welfare and well-being have
after concerns were raised about the welfare of her own cats. always been a paramount concern for me, and I have always
It has been reported that Upson was housing 18 cats in her ensured my own cats and foster cats receive the best possible
three-bedroomed home and the issue came to light when on care. My cats are aged between 9 and 19 years old. I believe
January 20 the charity’s interim CEO Charles Darley quit only they are happy and healthy as each has their own feeding bowl,
three months into his contract after raising concerns. He wrote on litter tray, and other resources.They are all fully vaccinated and
LinkedIn that:“Trustees should lead by example in adhering to regularly taken for veterinary consultations. I also have no foster
the cat welfare, financial, safeguarding and diversity standards cats at this time.”
we promote.”
In an earlier statement on 20 January, Cats Protection said:
However, Upson insists there was not a welfare issue and Cats “We conduct regular inspections among all of our volunteer
Protection stated “no legislation in relation to cat welfare had fosterers who care for Cats Protection cats, to ensure they meet
been breached and no Cats Protection policies had been the charity’s standards.
breached.” Upson said she took the decision to resign in order to
protect the charity from negative coverage. “In the case of our chair of trustees, herself a volunteer fosterer,
we found the six foster cats in her care were kept in a separate,
In a statement released addressing her resignation as chair, clean, and well-kept area of her house, away from her pet cats.
Upson said:“I have today [24 January] stepped down from my All were happy, healthy, and had sufficient resources for them
role as Cats Protection’s chair of trustees and my role as a trustee to express their natural behaviour, such as separate food and
on the board because I passionately support Cats Protection water bowls, scratching posts, hiding places, and so on. Such
and do not wish recent news coverage to detract from the conditions are in line with Cats Protection’s guidance and,
charity’s vital work helping cats in need. therefore, there are no welfare issues of concern.

“For the past 20 years I have dedicated my time to cat welfare “In common with other Cat’s Protection fosterers, the chair
through my unpaid, voluntary role, leading a volunteer-run has undergone regular training, and is aware of the health and
branch, and serving on the charity’s advisory council before well-being requirements for cats in her care. Further, a sub-group
joining the board of trustees in 2012, becoming chair in 2017.” of trustees carried out a review of the chair’s cat ownership and

10 Your Cat March 2022

Bookshop ● Instagram star interview CAT PRODUCTS

“We strongly advise anyone Survey results show that ● The new BISSELL Pet Stain Eraser is a powerful, super
thinking of getting a pet to perceptions of pets and convenient, cordless, portable carpet and upholstery
look at a rescue who has been horses 125 years ago were cleaner. Always ready to leap into action to remove little
fully assessed and checked by that they were considered as accidents or tricky tough stains, it’s purrfect for families
a vet before adoption. working animals for hunting, and pet owners.The spray and powerful rotating DirtLifter
transport, gambling, and PowerBrush helps loosen, lift, and remove tough pet stains,
Blue Cross is working in entertainment purposes.The embedded dirt, and grime with minimum effort thanks
new ways to expand even research shows that today to the lithium-ion battery which provides 20 minutes
more across the UK in the almost two-thirds of us now of continuous cleaning with powerful suction and the
future, to keep pets and their perceive our pets as an equal freedom of cordless cleaning. Unlike many other portable
people together through and respected members of carpet cleaners, this machine allows you to store
wider support from its animal the family or a best friend. the formula in the tank when it’s not in use.
behaviourists and increasing
access to veterinary and Since its formation in Conveniently grab and go to achieve
rehoming services. 1897, the Blue Cross animal instant and permanent stain removal
welfare charity estimates on carpet, stairs, upholstery, area rugs,
In recent times, an increase that a staggering 38 million car interiors and anywhere around
in people working from home lives have been positively the house where accidents happen.
has led to a reported increase impacted.The charity prides Oxygen Boost Formula (236ml)
in pet ownership in the UK. itself on supporting pets and and Pet Stain & Odour Cleaning
Over 60 per cent of people their owners and plans to help Solution (236ml) are included.
agree that the pandemic more than 120,000 pets over
has made them realise the the next three years through ● The BISSELL Pet Stain Eraser,
importance of owning a pet, their rehoming, clinical, RRP 129.99, is available from
with 42 per cent agreeing education and behavioural major electrical retailers and
that owning a pet is vital to support services. bisselldirect.co.uk
combatting loneliness.
● Raw pet food brand Hug has announced the launch of
info link Blue Cross relies on the support and donations the Hug My Cat range. Hug’s bone free, cookable range
of pet lovers to continue their vital work, to find for cats is the first of its kind. It allows for every pet to enjoy
the Hug level of quality, as it can be served raw or cooked.
out more and make a donation visit www.bluecross.org.uk/ The cooked Hug meals have the same health-boosting
125-years-of-blue-cross qualities as those in their raw food for dogs and cats. All of
Hug’s meals are packed with fresh meat, seasonal British
vegetables, and a superfood mix of herbs and seeds, all
sourced from hand-picked suppliers. All chicken is free
range or free run, and the beef and lamb used is high
welfare and grass fed, and the pork is outdoor reared. All
meals can be safely stored in a fridge or freezer. Each meal
is complete, grain free, and provides a carefully developed
mix of bioavailable vitamin and mineral supplements,
along with antioxidants and essential fatty acids.

● www.hugpetfood.co.uk

Linda Upson. Charlie Darley.

concluded that no legislation in relation to cat welfare had been
breached and no Cats Protection policies had been breached.”

Angela Swarbrick, deputy chair of Cats Protection, says:“We
would like to thank Linda for her dedication to our organisation’s
work on cat welfare for the past two decades.

“Cats Protection takes governance seriously and our trustees
follow the Charity Governance Code.The charity undertakes
regular reviews and has committed to an external review of its
governance procedures and processes to ensure that we are
confident in delivering the next 10 years of our strategy so we can
do the best for cats.”

Cats Protection will be appointing a new chair of trustees and
reiterates its top priorities remain the welfare of all cats, as well as
the well-being of its 11,000 volunteers and staff, who work tirelessly
to help cats in need.

www.yourcat.co.uk 11

THERAPY

CAT

SERIES

Becoming New Kathryn Hearn is
series a journalist for ‘The
Guardian’ whose career
a therapy cat has included working at
Newsround, as an RSPCA
In a new series, we’re looking at the incredible ways in press officer, and a pet
which therapy cats help people. But just how does agony aunt. She grew up
a feline take up this role? Kathryn Hearn finds out. with cats and shares her
home with Maine Coon,
Kylo, and rescue cats,
Tabby and Rey.

We all know how much our cats make us happy George was a
and are good for our mental health. But some comfort to Debbie.
cats spread this gift even further as therapy cats,
visiting people who will receive a boost from a
feline visitor. In our new series on therapy cats, we’re going
to look at how these special cats help people in different
situations — but to kick the series off, just how does a cat
become a certified therapy pet?

For many cat owners, the idea her company through these while in hospital contracted even more she loved her furry
that their pet would relish difficult days. His outgoing Clostridium difficile.“My mum visitor!
visiting strangers in new, busy personality and loving was very poorly,” said Stacey.
places, and would settle down character brightened up “But once she was home, she Stacey said:“When my
for a cuddle and a stroke, Debbie’s days, keeping her recovered with George. She mum moved into the hospice,
would be unbelievable. company at her home and was over the moon to see him George came to live with me
bringing her comfort as she again — she lit up and he and I would take him in to see
But Pets As Therapy (PAT) had rounds of hard-hitting gave her a real lift.” my mum every other day.The
has more than 80 cats in the chemotherapy. first time he went in he was a
UK, from moggies to Maine AT HER SIDE little bit nervous but as soon
Coons, who do just this “George and my mum as he saw my mum, he was
— and their visits bring formed a wonderful bond,” Sadly, the pandemic meant all over her. He was on her lap
comfort, happiness, and said Stacey, 34, from that Debbie’s treatment had and she was cuddling him.
emotional well-being. Stockport.“He loved sitting on to be cancelled and her
her lap and being stroked. deteriorating health meant “George got to know
So, what makes a person He’s daft as a brush and his that she moved into St Ann’s exactly where he was going
decide to join the PAT cat funny ways brought smiles Hospice in Heald Green. She when we got in the car and
volunteer team and how does even when things were really loved the hospice — and he would love seeing my
the application process work? hard.” mum. He would be on her

For Stacey Smith, her And when Debbie needed
journey to becoming a PAT to go to appointments, Stacey
volunteer started in a very would drive and George
dark place. Her mum, Debbie would go along with them
Sheehan, had terminal cancer both, relaxing into his car
and was struggling to come to harness and looking out the
terms with her diagnosis.The window.
cancer was very aggressive
and things looked bleak.The In March 2020, Debbie
one light in this difficult time became very ill with
was her cat, George. distressing side effects from
her cancer and was taken by
Stacey had bought the ambulance to hospital. She
fluffy Ragdoll for her mum was found to have Covid and
in November 2019 to keep

12 Your Cat March 2022

Therapy cats and
their owners make
a huge difference

to people’s lives.

Did you
know?

PAT is a national
charity and fully
supports itself thanks

to donations.

Our test took place at
a garden centre...

wheelchair, out with her at the steps. Stacey said that George wanted to judge what Marc and George. ▼
smoking area, and lying on had been a vital lifeline to George would be like in
her bed for attention.” engineer Marc, 35, cheering a new place with lots of at a barbecue to get their
him up and giving him plenty strangers. I had George in attention and to get them to
Other patients loved of cat love.“George is his little his harness on his retractable stroke him.
stroking George and the best friend, like a little fluffy lead and he immediately ran
hospice staff would ask therapist.” up to some people looking “George is not a timid cat
Stacey to bring him in when and has always walked really
they were next on duty. He THE PAT CAT well on a harness — and he’s
was a real hit — and he loved PROCESS very, very, very affectionate to
it.That’s when Stacey thought
that George could join PAT. To start the PAT process,
Stacey registered online with
And George wasn’t simply two character references
bringing comfort to those he for herself and a copy
was visiting at the hospice of George’s vaccination
but also to Stacey’s partner, certificate. George was then
Marc Talbot. After a stem cell assessed to see if he had
transplant for leukaemia in what it takes to be a therapy
2019, Marc caught Covid cat.
in April 2020 and became
very poorly. He was on “Our test took place at
oxygen round the clock and a garden centre and the
struggled to take even a few temperament assessor

www.yourcat.co.uk 13

THERAPY

CAT
SERIES

It is a PAT facts
fantastic
way to give ● The UK charity was founded in 1983
something by dog owner Lesley Scott-Ordish
who understood the unique bond
back. between humans and animals
● Most people think therapy animals
George. are dogs, but over the years PAT has
had several hundred PAT cats
● There’s a real need for more
volunteers with cats as they are very
popular
● Volunteers visit thousands of
people in a variety of places
including residential homes, day care
centres, schools, and hospitals
● PAT is the largest therapy
organisation in Europe
● For more details visit
petsastherapy.org

everyone.” joy my mum and other WOULD YOUR CAT MAKE A THERAPY CAT?
There’s no payment for PAT patients at the hospice got
from George’s visits and I want If you’re thinking PAT ensures cats
cat visits and volunteers pay to keep that going. If I was sick, that your pet might will be great
an annual subscription of £19. I think it would bring me so enjoy joining the
Cats must be at least nine much comfort to have a cat Pets As Therapy therapy animals.
months old and have been visit me.” (PAT) team, here are
with their owner for at least six a few questions to
months. And what does Stacey consider:
have to say to anyone who
Stacey said that Ragdolls is thinking of applying to 1Does your cat enjoy with them. It can be very
are often called ‘puppy cats’ PAT? “Just do it. If your cat being stroked? upsetting for a client if a
because of their placid nature has the right temperament Some cats have a very low cat rejects them.
and loving behaviour, which then this is a fantastic way to threshold for being stroked
fits George to a tee. Blue give something back. A visit or patted. PAT cats need to 4Is your cat happy to
mitted with a blaze on his will make all the difference have a high tolerance for make friends with a
nose, his personality is as big to people and could be the contact with humans. stranger?
as he is and he loves a fuss. highlight of their day, or even Unlike dogs, cats naturally
He enjoys being groomed so their week. 2Does your cat enjoy take their time to approach
much he will carry his brush in being held by a people. PAT cats need
his mouth to Stacey or Marc “I am so pleased that stranger? to be willing to actively
for them to groom him. George is now ready to start For cats, being held is not approach and interact with
his official PAT journey visiting always natural and some strangers that they meet
“George is just lovely. He’s people. I think that it’s my won’t accept it readily, on visits.
a real character and has mum’s legacy and that he will getting anxious or trying
brought us all so much love spread love to other people to run away. Some cats 5Does your cat enjoy
and comfort during a really who are in times of need.” will only let certain people going to new places
hard time,” added Stacey. hold them. PAT cats need and is able to settle in a
Next to enjoy being held and new environment?
Tragically, Debbie passed month cuddled by a stranger. Cats need to be confident
away, aged just 56, in hospital and interested in their
in June 2020.The pandemic’s Meet the PAT 3Is your cat happy to surroundings but also be
strict rules about visiting cats who visit be approached by a able to relax.The places
meant that sadly Stacey and stranger? that PAT cats visit are very
her family were not able to and help Some cats don’t like different from homes.
be with her at the end. But children. people to approach them
from this bleak time came directly and can even try Of course, your cat will
inspiration. After her mum’s to run away or hide. A PAT need to be clean,
illness and death, Stacey cat needs to accept a total well-groomed (with nice
decided to focus on getting stranger coming towards short claws), fit and healthy,
George ready to become them and interacting and with up-to-date
a PAT cat to specifically visit vaccinations.
hospices and hospitals.

The NHS registered
vaccinator said:“I saw what

14 Your Cat March 2022

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Dkindoywo?u

James and Street Cat
Bob featured in Your
Cat Magazine when
their story was rising
to prominence. Now,
years later, James has
joined the magazine as
a regular columnist and
is telling stories you’ll
only find in Your Cat!

He’ll never

stop missing

Bob but adding

two kittens to

his home has

helped James

cope with the

loss of his best

friend. We hear

how Bandit and

Gizmo came to

James and Bob became be part of the
internationally famous for family.

their incredible bond.*

COLUMNIST Bowen

James

The house had been completely behind the fridge, under the floorboards, in love with this little man. But let me tell
turned upside down, like a which isn’t possible but we did try anyway. you first how they came to be with me,
hurricane had hit it or maybe you But we couldn’t find Gizmo anywhere. before I tell you where Gizmo ultimately
would think it had been burgled. was hiding!
We looked everywhere.Turned over Bandit, however, was sitting there in
everything. Monika was crying, sitting in the middle of the upturned lounge room, We looked
the corner with the belief in her mind that looking as cute as a button with not a everywhere...
Gizmo had run away. worry in the world as he was purring
steadily.To my mild amusement, he
Two of our closest friends were standing managed to make everybody who was
there scratching their heads trying to so worried about the disappearance of
figure it out. We looked under the bath, Gizmo all go completely soppy and fall

16 Your Cat March 2022

To find out more…

James and Street Cat Bob have featured in books and movies that have sold millions of
copies internationally.To learn more about their story, visit streetcatbob.com or the
Facebook page www.facebook.com/OfficialJamesBowenandStreetcatBob

COLLECTING KITTENS With all the other kittens crawling all over attention is on taking care of these two
the place, Bandit came over to say hello. little fluff balls.
One day earlier, we had travelled to
Walthamstow from south London to Monika had spotted another one, As for where Gizmo was, I should let
collect a kitten. a fluffy white. Obviously a girl — we you know he was hiding behind the
thought — which fled underneath the underwear drawers. He was only one
It was the 27th June and it had been chest of drawers. room over and hidden behind a little
nearly two weeks since Bob had passed plastic set of drawers. I saw his little tail
away and left his mortal coil behind. Monika proceeded to reach in and sticking out. And after I recovered him,
I was absolutely reeling, unable to entice it out from under the chest of he had lots of cuddles from Monika.
figure out how I had gone wrong and drawers. We always imagine that it There was purring, laughing, and crying.
why I was being cheated of my boy’s must’ve been receding in fear, seeing He had no idea of the panic and
companionship. But I had to face facts. this giant hand, this woman with fire the tears that he had caused in his
He was gone and I had to move on. red hair, and with a great big grin little adventure to explore around our
Although, I still haven’t to this day. And talking softly and manic while excitedly lounge room and across the hall to our
I probably never will. I’ll always hold a reaching out at the same time under bedroom. He was just being himself. He
little part of my heart, actually all of my the chest of drawers. How traumatic still likes to cause mischief! And doesn’t
heart, for Bob — except for the part that it must have been — but not really realise when he’s pushing things off
belongs to Monika, of course. because Gizmo loves his mommy. So too shelves that he shouldn’t be doing it. Or
does Bandit, who is an absolute cuddle maybe he does. But that is just Gizmo
On the way to the house where the monster. and we love him all the same.
kittens were Monika had talked me into
taking a second one, if I found one that As we travelled home on the train One thing I can guarantee you is that
I liked. I already had a bit of a soft spot back to south London, I realised that it’s not the first time this has happened
for the one that Monika had chosen but these two little creatures needed me with my cat and I’m sure many of you
I agreed anyway. as much as I needed them, to be able have had similar experiences.That’s just
to try to move on — and I haven’t part of the fun of having these beautiful
As we arrived at the house, the poor looked back. I will always miss Bob, he’ll little furballs in our life.
fellow who had the kittens explained always be a part of me. But for now, my
that his two female cats had both
become pregnant at the same time
and had given litters of kittens at the
same time.The room was filled with lots
of noise and cute little fluffy kittens.

Alas, there was Bandit sitting there
looking as cute as anything, saying hello.

Gizmo loves Monika. www.yourcat.co.uk 17

Bandit and James
on the train home.

REAL LIFE

Image: courtesy of Alamy Stock Photos. Gwrych Castle. He’s a sociable puss.

KING OF

THE CASTLE

Not many cats can say they have a literal rags to riches
story, but this adorable and mischievous feline lord has
gone from homeless to living in a castle!

Fans of hit ITV reality Australian jungle to chilly COMING FROM Mark said:“I heard this cry
show ‘I’m a Celebrity… Wales, and celebrities have NOWHERE coming from a bush and
Get Me Out Of Here!’ will been using the castle as a found this tiny kitten — I have
already be familiar with base for filming. Mark Baker founded the no idea where he came from,
the stunning Gwrych Castle, Gwrych Castle Preservation but he was the most adorable
located in Abergale in Conwy, Eagle-eyed viewers may Trust in 1997 and is now its little kitten. He jumped up on
Wales, which has been used have already spotted a furry chairman. to my lap and that was it!”
to film the last two series due face in the background of Mark quickly sent a colleague
to the Covid-19 pandemic. some of the episodes: the His first encounter with Lloyd to go and buy cat food for
lord of the castle Lloyd, a was back in 2017 when he their new feline friend, and the
Travel restrictions have four-year-old moggy who has was closing the visitor centre little kitten made himself at
meant that the location has gone from a homeless kitten to down for the night and heard home and that was that!
been moved from the balmy king of the castle! a strange noise coming from
a nearby bush. “He’s the most affectionate
cat I’ve ever met. I wasn’t really
He has free rein of a cat person before but I think
the castle. he’s converted me,” said Mark.

Did you Lloyd was named after Lloyd
know? Hesketh Bamford-Hesketh, who
built the castle in the 1800s
The castle opens and Mark said he suits his
seasonally and you need grand ancestral name. Now,
Lloyd lives in one of the castle’s
to book online in order
to visit.

18 Your Cat March 2022

He can cosy up in
his favourite spots.

He met
Michael Portillo..

restored areas where there is look of Puss in The Trust preserves
a security team on hand 24 Boots from ‘Shrek 2’ the castle.
hours a day, which means where he will pretend to be
he has a constant stream of hungry with everyone!” ABOUT GWRYCH CASTLE
people who love him and are
ready to feed him. Lloyd even tried to get Gwrych Castle stands in 250 acres of gardens and grounds
himself in the background and was built between 1812 and 1822 by Lloyd Hesketh
“Everyone loves him,” Mark of some of presenters Ant Bamford-Hesketh as a memorial to his mother’s ancestors,
said.“He’s very self-sufficient and Dec pieces to camera. the Lloyds of Gwrych.
as well. If he wants something, “There was a time when
he’ll come and find you, and if Ant and Dec were filming in When Lloyd died, the castle was passed onto Robert
he can’t find anyone, he’ll do front of a bay window and Bamford-Hesketh and his wife, Ellen Jones-Bateman, who
it himself! He’s definitely led by he sat himself in the window planted much of the present gardens with their enormous
his stomach.” behind them and started monkey puzzles and yew trees.
grooming himself, and
Lloyd likes to position himself was licking a very intimate During World War II, the castle was requisitioned as part
in the visitor centre a lot of area! Ant and Dec found it of Operation Kindertransport and in 1946 was sold by the
the time, where he can be hilarious but he had to be Dundonald family, ending nearly 1,000 years of family
greeted by his adoring public shooed away and they had ownership.
in his official role as meeter to reshoot the scene!” Mark
and greeter. recalled. In 1948, the castle was purchased by Leslie Salts
who opened it as the ‘Showplace of Wales’ for 20 years
“Every day is an adventure The show wasn’t the first before it was sold in 1968 and operated as a medieval
for Lloyd because he has free time that Lloyd has got entertainment centre with jousting, banquets, and markets
rein of the castle grounds and himself some celebrity taking place in the grounds.
there’s so much for him to do,” friends, as he met Michael
Mark said. Portillo during filming of a The building shut to the public in 1985 and in 1990. An
segment of ‘Great Railway American purchased the estate with a view for creating an
HOBNOBBING WITH Journeys’ at the castle. opera centre and hotel, which sadly never came to fruition
CELEBRITIES and the castle fell into disrepair.
Lloyd has proven himself
It was after Lloyd’s arrival to be an excellent hunter, Mark Baker founded the Gwrych Castle Preservation
that Gwrych Castle hit the and he likes to show off in Trust in 1997 and the Trust purchased the castle thanks to
headlines in 2020 when it front of guests, Mark said, the intervention of the National Heritage Memorial Fund
became the filming location by presenting them with his and the Richard Broyd Charitable Trust after two previous
for ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me ‘prizes.’“He’s quite good at attempts to turn the castle into hotels had fallen through
Out Of Here!’ catching moles and he’ll sit due to the credit crunch and planning permission expiring.
and watch a molehill until
The majority of the filming the mole appears and then Now, the castle stands tall and proud in Abergale, thanks
took place at the castle itself, he’ll catch it and then give to the hard work of the Trust to preserve the castle for the
with the courtyard used as it to you — he won’t eat it,” benefit of the people of North Wales.
the main outdoor area for the Mark said.
celebrities where they did their More info
chores and the chapel where “He walked straight up to
they took part in their trials. Michael Portillo and kept To find out more, visit www.gwrychcastle.co.uk
giving him gifts — all these
Far from being put off by the poor mice — and he was
extra hubbub and noise, Lloyd meowing to make sure he
has enjoyed the extra fuss had noticed and laying
from the celebrities and the them at his feet! Michael
production team — especially found it funny.”
the ones that feed him!
Visitors to the castle can
“During filming of ‘I’m a keep an eye out for this
Celebrity’ he was constantly Cinderella-type cat in the
being fed by the security gift shop too, where he
team,” said Mark.“He’s quite even has his own range of
manipulative though; he’s merchandise!
perfected the pitiful ‘I’m
starving’ cry and he has that

www.yourcat.co.uk 19

COMMUNITY CAT

HERO AWARD

NO AMIMAL
left behind
Trevor avoided traps for
seven years until he was
trapped and neutered
by the team.

This March sees the 10-year anniversary of Fur and Feathers Animal
Sanctuary, which was set up by community hero Lisa Hunt.

This award acknowledges those cat lovers SMALL BEGINNINGS which Lisa said is invaluable.
who have gone above and beyond in their Many of the cats who come
communities to make the lives of their local An animal lover of many
cats better. After we posted an appeal on years, Lisa created Fur and into the sanctuary end up
social media for our online followers to nominate Feathers in 2012 almost by staying because they are
their community cat heroes, we received more accident when she acquired simply too old or disabled to
than 1,000 nominations from all across the UK, some land to keep her horses be rehomed — and Fur and
ranging from dedicated cat rescues to individual on. She built stables and not Feathers will never put an
cat lovers who just try to make a difference in their long after started receiving animal down without good
communities. requests from people asking reason.
for help in rehoming their cats
This month’s Community Cat Hero Award winner and kittens. She said:“People One such cat is Pudding
is Lisa Hunt, the founder of Fur and Feathers Animal just then started giving who came into the sanctuary
Sanctuary in Wythall, near Birmingham in the West us chickens as well so we from a cat colony near
Midlands. decided that if we were going Redditch. She was nine years
to do this and be an animal old when she came to Lisa
NOMINATION: rescue, we needed to do it and the volunteers, and was
properly.” feral. She is now 18 and still
Lisa received many living happily with Lisa at the
Initially, the cats lived in a sanctuary.
nominations on the dog crate in a caravan on
the land in Wythall, which Then there’s Trevor, an
original social media housed their first feline family elusive boy who managed
of a mum and kittens. Over to avoid the traps for a
post. time, with the help of the local whopping seven years
community, Fur and Feathers before he was finally trapped
Carol Checkley not only were able to create neutered, vaccinated, and
a fantastic catio and outdoor rehomed. He then came
said: “Lisa is so pens for their feline residents back to Fur and Feathers just
but also an isolation pen for two months later as he was
dedicated and the poorly cats and kittens, diagnosed with diabetes and
was admitted to the vet’s for
goes above and

beyond every

single day putting

the animals first at

her sanctuary. If it

wasn’t for her and

the girls, I wouldn’t Fur and Feathers
have my two fur founder Lisa Hunt.
babies. Lisa travels

all over rescuing

badly treated, feral, and neglected cats. When

she’s not at work, she’s at the sanctuary looking

after all the animals — pigs, cats, kittens, ducks,

and chickens — and finding them new homes.This

little sanctuary is totally dependent on donations

to keep going and any help would make such a

difference.”

Dawn Simmonds also said: “Lisa Hunt from Fur

and Feathers Wythall; she never stops rescuing,

repairing, and rehoming cats. She deserves a

medal and more for her dedication.” Lisa and the team hosting a
fundraising stall at Shirley Carnival.

20 Your Cat March 2022

We needed to do
it properly...

the weekend until he was so we had to take her to the the sanctuary asking

stabilised. He now lives happily vet as we thought she had for help in rehoming

in a permanent foster home pyometra but trying to get a two “micro pigs”

and even better, his diabetes feral cat to the vet was awful that were living in a COMMUNITY
house in Solihull.
has now normalised! and she scratched the vet to CAT HERO
Upon arrival, it
ALL CREATURES ribbons!” Lisa remembered. was clear that these AWARD!
GREAT AND SMALL Lisa had to hand-rear Polly’s were not, in fact,

kittens while she was in the

Many of the cats that come vet’s receiving treatment micro pigs but were LISA HUNT
fully-grown adult pigs,
into Fur and Feathers care are and she was found to have

often poorly or have medical gastroenteritis and needed and they were living in

conditions, including Ray, surgery, which luckily she highly unsuitable conditions

a cat who currently needs recovered from. between a wendy house in

eye surgery as he has a rare She now lives at the the back garden and the

condition where his eyeballs sanctuary with Pudding in garage, which was accessed

are shrinking, and is due to their summerhouse and she’s by a dog-flap.

have surgery to correct the around 11 years old now. The two pigs, Peppa and

problem. It’s not just cats that Fur and Porky, were taken to the

One of their most Feathers will rescue, as they sanctuary where, sadly,

memorable rescues, which have the facilities to take in Peppa died as she was ill,

was featured in the local many different species. One but Porky is still living his best

press, saw 70 cats rescued of the more unusual and life at the sanctuary 10 years Ray has a rare
later, and is well-loved by the eye condition.
from a garden, which took heart breaking stories was community.

more than two weeks for Lisa when someone contacted

and her volunteers to

trap them all. One cat in

particular, Polly, was feral A never-ending mission

when she was trapped Lisa and her team of volunteers and foster carers are
continuously working tirelessly to help not only rehome
by the team, and her their cats and kittens, but also give advice and help to
people who are thinking of surrendering their pets.
four tiny kittens were
One example was a cat that a woman had had
spotted by Lisa in a little since she was a kitten, but when she moved in with her
boyfriend it was found that he was allergic to her cat and
nest out of some green so she decided to rehome her pet — at 18 years old.

fencing. “I gave her as much advice as I could to reconsider
getting rid of her cat, such as keeping the boyfriend
“We put her in a pen and the cat separate and taking anti-allergy medicine
because I said I wouldn’t even consider putting an
and after a week, we Porky the ‘micro-pig’who 18-year-old house cat in an outdoor pen and turning her
saw she was bleeding was rescued from a world upside down at such an old age,” she said.“I never
garden. heard back from her so I hope she did change her mind.

Polly was one of “We get so many different animals dumped on us,” Lisa
70 cats rescued added.“Last year throughout lockdown was absolutely
from one garden. horrendous as it was relentless with people giving up
their pets.

“People were getting cats in lockdown, but once they
went back to work when lockdown lifted, they were
just getting rid of them and it was relentless. Also, as
people couldn’t get their cats to the vet to get neutering
done, cats who were only six months old were getting
pregnant.”

More info:

As a non-profit sanctuary, Fur and Feathers relies on
the generosity of their supporters and donations from
well-wishers.To find out more about Fur and Feathers
Animal Sanctuary, or to make a donation, visit their
website at furandfeatherswythall.weebly.com

Fur and Feathers fosters and cares www.yourcat.co.uk 21
for many mums and their kittens.

Get in
touch...

Got a great cat story
or just want to tell us
about how much your
feline friend means to
you? Cat Chat is the

chCaattplaceforyou!
We want to hear all about your fabulous felines! Email

[email protected] or write to us (see page 5 for our address).

Kitten of Mystery moggy!
the month!
Iparticularly enjoyed the breed gladly show off
Here’s Niko sent in by Lucy Hill, focus in the latest issue of Your
from Hemel Hempstead. Cat that I’ve been able to get for attention.
my hands on, the October 2021
Share a cute issue. I’m only up to the October Moby is also loud
photo of your issue due to Covid slowing the
magazine deliveries from the and annoying,
kitten for a UK. But back to the breed focus.
chance to win I enjoyed the article more than persistently
the others I’ve read due to my
a Kittyrama three-year-old cat Moby baring a begging for food
Collar! striking resemblance to the breed
in question, the Sokoke. and knocking into
For the lions in training! Kittyrama kitten collars are purrfect for
curious kittens! Breakaway, soft, comfy ,and hypoallergenic. Find out Moby came from a rescue our legs in a ploy
centre called Little Legs. He’s
more at www.kittyrama.co.uk (UK only. Colours may vary.) quickly adapted to our home to make us feel
and has become a consistent
part of our otherwise bland lives. guilty and feed Moby.
About two years ago, I became
determined to find out what the him. He also has
heck Moby really was. It was clear
to me and my mother that Moby the most peculiar markings my
wasn’t an ordinary moggy.
mum and I have seen on a cat.
The easiest way I can describe
him is dog like. He adores the That’s a bold statement as my
attention of people and will
mum owned nine cats when she
He is dog like.
was a child. (Not all at once, of

course, but I can only dream!)

I searched in countless cat

breed books and scoured the

internet before coming across the

Sokoke. I was thrilled! Moby, not

so much. He just wanted to be

fed. But, to my disappointment,

there are no Sokoke breeders in

Australia. Despite Moby’s uncanny

resemblance to the Sokoke, there

is no way he can

be one.And, to

this day, Moby’s

heritage is still a

mystery. It’s not like

he cares much

anyway. He still just

wants to be fed!

River Hallmond

22 Your Cat March 2022

WHAT SOCIAL CHAT!
CATS LIKE
We asked our online fans to share
Cats like boxes their stories of the funniest thing
their cat has done…
Cats like beds
Thrashing out a deal!
They like lying down with you

Sometimes round your head

Trimmy’s new Cats like watching birds Moxy. Francesca Byrne: “When
favourite spot. and playing with mice I caught my cat having
bringing them in the house MJ Hawkins: “When my a secret meeting with
For the love as a nice surprise! the neighbour’s cat!”
of boxes… striped tabby girl Moxy
Cats like cuddles ● Claire Lloyd: “My house
Our rescue cat Trimmy and sitting on your lap was young, about six cat escaped. I saw him
has been thoroughly Cats like snuggles running down the street so
spoilt over Christmas, what and drinking from a tap months old, she would get I opened the window and
with cat nip toys from relatives, or a vase or a glass of water! shouted “DEXTERRR” and he
tasty treats, and cosy girl so excited to go outside. looked at me and ran off.
hideaway beds in various Cats like cupboards I ran frantically looking for
parts of the house. So imagine Cats like drawers She heard me get her my shoes to find the cat laid
my disappointment when I Cats like fresh bedding on them. I moved him out
place an old cardboard box and kneading their paws leash one day and came the way. put my shoes on,
on the bed to throw away Cats like anything that’s yours! opened the window again,
and Trimmy forces herself running so fast she did and shouted “DEXTER” to
into it. Not an easy thing Cats like cushions realise that the cat asleep
to do, especially with her Cats like throws a couple of somersaults on the shoes was actually
rapidly increasing ‘Christmas They like snuggling your feet Dexter and he is sat beside
bottom’ and huge tail, but and going for your toes! across the carpet and me half asleep, looking
the cardboard box is now a confused. I’d been shouting
permanent fixture on the bed! Cats like meat at his doppelganger!”
Amber Cross enjoy a treat
they also like yoghurt Cat burglar!
Darcy. and ice cream
allaa●●gunaxxdgxxihenxxedsxxtdxxwtxxhsxxitoexhxhsh”caerrerdefeInecdtrioeodr!! I
DELIGHTFUL Cats like company It
DARCY! just like us
So make sure still makes me chuckle. This
Here’s a picture of Darcy, when you see one
a three-year-old female to give it some fuss! is Moxy, she disappeared
rescue cat.We have had
her for two and a half years. in September 2021. She

was a very fun and silly

girl.”

Sent in by reader ● Bonita Glanville-Morris: Melonie Robshaw: “I once
Elizabeth Kate Archer “A cat I once had brought came home and thought I’d
in through the catflap a been burgled. My cat, Walter,
She was bought because pair of men’s underpants could open any cupboard or
my previous cat was killed — they didn’t belong to draw so I had to child proof
when a stray dog walked anyone in our house!” them. He figured out a way
up to her and killed her ● Katie Puddicombe: though and proceeded to
in front of myself and “Henry within a month empty as much of the kitchen
my son.We missed that brought three bats in! We as he could while I was at
cat and my son nagged had one flying round our work — I came home to this!”
me for another. Darcy living room for 40 minutes!
loves playing with paper Thankfully, they all survived
bags, she won’t touch her to tell the tale. He obviously
toys! She’s a fussy eater, found it hilarious.”
only has steak and fish!
Everyone loves her, even Sarah Jane: “This is how
people who don’t like cats. our gorgeous boy Harry
Em Loft sleeps in the fruit bowl!”

A comfy fruit bowl! www.yourcat.co.uk 23

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Confessions of a

Cat-sitter Chris Pascoe is a cat-sitter
and author. He has written five
When accidents happen to Chris (and they often books, including ‘A cat called
do!), there is usually a cat involved... Birmingham’ and ‘You can
take the cat out of Slough’,
which are available to buy
from Amazon.

With spring well and truly on the horizon, I now feel
just about able to talk about my mishap-prone
winter.
With the need to keep visits to GPs and hospitals
to an absolute minimum over that period, I deliberately sprained

my own wrist and ended up in A&E.That’s how keen I was to go

to hospital. Deliberately spraining your own wrist seems quite a

radical thing to do, even for somebody who gave up their day

job to become a self-employed litter-tray sifter, so I better explain

that, and needless to say, as with most things in my life, a cat

was involved.

I’d been out and about feeding a succession of our

pointy-eared friends, catering to their every need and receiving

zero gratitude, when an elderly Russian Blue named Ivan the

Terrible (though usually just Ivan for short) fell asleep on my lap

amidst a cacophony of loud rasping purrs.

I’m sure many would agree that there’s something about a Chris has been a regular visitor.
cat’s purr that brings instant relaxation, and within a few minutes,

I found myself drifting into a blissful sleep. I’m not sure exactly

what happened over the next half hour, but I somehow woke to find myself lying flat out on

the sofa with Ivan the Terrible slumped across my midriff and his claws jammed painfully

into my armpit, which was nothing like the comfortable positions we’d originally occupied.

The room now had an eerie feel to it. It had just started getting dark outside, this being

the last cat visit on my rounds.The wind had got up a little and the room was bathed in

twilight shadows dancing in through branches outside the window. As I struggled back to

full wakefulness, I suddenly realised I could feel someone’s hand on my cheek. Pretty sure Why do the
Ivan only had paws and that this was definitely a human hand, I went into a full-on fit of
blind panic. I sharply pulled the hand off my face with my right hand and twisted it hard. A

sudden jolt of pain in my left wrist told me something had gone dramatically wrong, and it very things I
wasn’t just that Ivan was now violently clawing me in typical woken feline annoyance.

I’d been sleeping with my arm around the back of my head and my hand on my cheek, love treat me
and so by the time I awoke, the weight of my head on my wrist had rendered my hand
completely numb. Consequently, although I could feel my hand on my cheek, I couldn’t

feel my cheek with my hand. I’d just attacked my left hand with my right. Well, that was so badly?
clever, wasn’t it?

If I had my time again, I would definitely not have told the nurses exactly what

happened. I feel sure my treatment would’ve been a lot smoother if they’d only been able

to stop laughing.

Had that been the last they’d seen of me that week, I’m sure they’d have remained very

happy, but unfortunately, I was back in with the same nurses only a few days later. And yes,

a cat was involved again. I was tripped by a tabby named Wilko and had to have my

wrist rechecked. Why do the very things I love treat me so badly?

www.yourcat.co.uk 25

Sleep affects almost every

SCleepAspeTcial NAPS!singletypeoftissue...

Sleep is an incredible regenerative force and cats are
renowned for their ability to snooze. But what are the signs
that our feline friends are actually getting good sleep?

Toni Shelbourne One of the most important too in the bond you have together.
A Tellington TTouch essentials for making sure your Sleep affects almost every single
practitioner and certified pet has a happy and healthy
animal behaviourist, Toni life is often overlooked: plenty of type of tissue and system in the body,
Shelbourne has three snoozing. Just as with us, getting enough from the brain, heart, and lungs, to
decades of experience sleep is absolutely key to good physical immune function, disease resistance,
working with companion and mental health, and it can play a part and metabolism, to mood, memory, and
animals. The author learning processes.
of six books, she lives
in Oxfordshire, where
she sees clients, runs
workshops, and gives
talks and webinars. You
can visit her website:
www.tonishelbourne.co.uk

Sleep is vital for
feline health.

HOW MUCH? energy and taking a nap between also notice changes in behaviour. If
meals conserves energy and helps the you notice that your cat is sleeping
Cats are Olympic champions when body to recharge. either more or less than usual, consult
it comes to sleeping! On average, an your vet.
adult will snooze for around 15 — 16 TOO MUCH OR TOO LITTLE?
hours each day.Your cat only spends Cats are crepuscular — that is to
around 25 per cent of that time in How much time your cat spends say that they are most active at dawn
deep sleep however; the rest of the sleeping varies between individuals and dusk. Most adapt their sleeping
time he is dozing, still resting but alert as well as according to age. An schedules to their humans, but some
enough to rouse at a moment’s notice. energetic cat who has had plenty of will be at their liveliest at those times
Kittens and seniors spend even longer stimulation and activity may nap for when you either want to go to bed
sleeping, as much as 20 hours within a longer periods; sleeping time also or don’t want to be woken up in the
24-hour period. tends to increase on cloudy, cold, and morning.They are also what is known
rainy days. However, sudden changes as polyphasic sleepers; rather than
The reason why cats sleep so much in sleeping patterns can be a sign that sleeping for one long period like us,
is thought to be the legacy of feline there’s a health issue, especially if you they have multiple sleep periods.
evolution, physiology, and nutritional
habits: hunting prey uses a lot of

26 Your Cat March 2022

Cats have an
enviable ability to get
comfy in all sorts of
places and positions.

Do cats DO CATS SNORE? Sleeping positions
dream?
Again, like humans, some cats Cat owners will be familiar with the scenario: you get
Yes, they do! Like us, snore while sleeping. It occurs out your laptop, switch it on, and immediately your
cats cycle through when air cannot move freely cat magically appears out of nowhere and nothing
different stages of sleep, through the nose and throat, will do but that he takes a nap on it. It can’t be that
experiencing both making the tissues vibrate. comfortable, so why do they do it? There are various
non-rapid eye movement Overweight cats are more theories, including being drawn to the flickering screen,
(NREM) and rapid eye likely to snore than slim ones marking it as their property, because it’s warm, attention
movement (REM) sleep. due to fat build-up around seeking, because it smells of you, or even that the
Studies reveal that during their upper airways, which keypad makes an interesting toy.Take your pick!
the NREM stage your cat is narrows their oxygen intake.
in light sleep, ready to wake Short-nosed breeds, such as Cats have the ability to get comfortable in the most
for action almost instantly Persians, Exotic Shorthairs, and awkward looking spots, and in a wide range of sleeping
should he need to.This Himalayan cats, also have positions, many of which look uncomfortable to us.
stage may then be followed more of a propensity to snore The posture they adopt can be a yardstick of health
by a period of alertness, because the shape of their when taken into consideration with other physical and
then drowsiness and heads can result in narrowed behavioural indicators. A cat that adopts the ‘loaf’
more NREM sleep, cycling nostrils, nasal passages, and position for example, with paws and tail tucked in, is
through them several times nasopharynx. usually thinking about (or taking) a brief nap; a sick
before moving into REM cat rarely sleeps like this unless he is worried about
sleep. Respiratory infections, falling into a deep sleep — maybe he’s feeling off colour
allergies, or a foreign body, and vulnerable, or is worried about a new arrival in the
While he’s in REM sleep such as a grass seed trapped house. If he’s constantly sleeping like this, he’ll only be
you may see your cat in the nose, can also be a dozing and not getting enough of the deep sleep he
twitching his paws and cause of snoring. If your cat is needs.
whiskers, and spot his eyes normally a quiet sleeper and
moving both horizontally suddenly starts snoring, ask If your cat sleeps in a variety of positions, it’s likely that
and vertically behind his your vet to check him out. he’s fine; it’s when he adopts one sleeping position all
closed eyelids. In humans, the time that warning bells should ring, suggesting that
REM sleep is linked to Did you he is maybe under the weather and needs a vet check.
dreaming and it would know?
seem cats and other A cat sleeping with one or both eyes open may be
animals are no different, REM sleep in cats was absolutely fine; but if he does it a lot, it can be a sign
with studies showing discovered by scientist of feeling unwell as he won’t be able to manage more
them appearing to act and sleep researcher than a light nap like this.
out their dreams while in
this stage. William C. Dement in
1958 after studying
An igloo bed can several felines including
help make a cat his own pet, a black cat
feel more secure.
called Othello.

BEDS in her well-known poem: ▼
“Cats sleep anywhere!”
Beds come in all shapes, so don’t be offended if
sizes, colours, and fabrics, your cat doesn’t spend all
and at prices to suit all his sleeping time in the
pockets, from bargain to bed you’ve purchased for
high-end. But just as you him. Felines like to vary
have personal preferences the places where they
about bed mattresses, so rest.This is thought to be
do cats and these may be a survival instinct which
liable to change as they has been passed down to
grow older and become less domesticated cats from
mobile, or at any time in his their wild ancestors. Most
life if there are health issues. will tend to gravitate to
areas that are quiet, afford
However, as author Eleanor
Farjeon famously observed

www.yourcat.co.uk 27

The famous Japanese Dkindoywo?u
Nemuri-neko sleeping
cat wood carving by The term ‘cat nap’ has
been around since 1823.
Renaissance artist
Hidari Jingoro-. Sometimes called a
‘power nap,’ it’s a short
snooze during the day
which is supposed to
refresh and revitalise

the sleeper.

a degree of privacy, are Syohuarribnegd The ‘loaf’ position. DON’T
warm, and draught-free.
According to polls, over half able to enjoy quality sleep DISTURB!
Some nervous cats may of all guardians share their time.
appreciate an ‘igloo’ type beds with their cats — but The prophet Mohammed
bed that increases his sense don’t start doing it if it’s not a The downside is that some is said to have cut off
of security, others might habit you plan to continue. cats may disturb your own a sleeve and Nobel
prefer a high area like a cat Suddenly shutting your cat sleep! There may also be prize winner Albert
tree to sleep on. A survey of out of the bedroom after he’s potential health risks including Schweitzer to have
1,177 cats found that most grown accustomed to being exposure to bacterial written prescriptions
of them had five preferred allowed access can lead to infections, debris from the with his right hand (he
sleeping areas around the him becoming frustrated and litter tray being tracked into was left-handed) so
house. even destructive. the room, and parasites, so as not to disturb their
regular grooming, parasite cats who were sleeping
Changes in the home There are pros and cons treatments, and changing on their arms.They
— visitors, a second cat, for having a furry bedfellow; your bedding is important obviously knew what
new furnishings (or even just on the plus side, it’s said to if you want to share the they were about — just
moving the old ones) — can strengthen the bond between pleasures but not the pitfalls of as it’s wise to let sleeping
make your cat feel anxious you, and to help you both bed sharing. dogs lie, it’s best not
and unsettled, and may feel safe, calm, and relaxed to interrupt your cat’s
lead him to search out new — important factors in being slumber. Especially if in
hiding places to sleep in. a deep sleep, they may
be disoriented if woken
abruptly and might react
defensively; he could at
best give you the cold
shoulder!

Cats love a keyboard!

Over half of all
guardians share their
beds with their cats.

28 Your Cat March 2022

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www.yourcat.co.uk 29

ShSoleeuplsdpecyiaol ur cat

share your bed?

A purring cat next to you on the bed can be so cosy but
sharing your sleeping arrangements with your pet is not for
everyone. Read on to discover the dos and don’ts…

If you’ve ever woken routine — and it’s probably bedroom door, you’re Yvonne Martin is a
up and found yourself too far gone now to change probably going to end up freelance journalist who
squished into a quarter the situation. with a very frustrated cat specialises in health and
of the bed, while your cat scratching at the carpet, well-being features. She
“What we know about scratching at the door, and is a lifelong cat-lover and
the humans are not going to lives with a shorthair tabby
sprawls luxuriously in acres behaviour, whatever the sleep so nobody is going to called Rita who has her
win from that situation.” own instagram account
of duvet, you may have species, is that what gets @ritascatworld
Instead, Linda
wondered if you should let reinforced gets repeated and recommends creating It’s
another place for the cat important
your kitty share your space so what you reward, you’re to sleep. Somewhere so
tempting that the cat won’t to be
at night. going to see more of,” says be able to resist it and consistent
forgets all thoughts of joining
On the one hand, there Cat Advocacy Programme you on the bed. with it.

is something so comforting Manager at International Cat She suggests creating
the most comfortable
about a snoozing cat by Care Linda Ryan. bed possible, with snuggly
materials and perhaps even
your side. On the other, there So, it may be too late for a heat pad, and, if possible,
put it somewhere high off the
may be a price to be paid in Allan, but what if you have ground, which is something
cats like. If possible, create
terms of poor quality or even decided you don’t want your several places like this so
your cat has some choice.
loss of sleep. cat on the bed, perhaps
But whatever you
SLEEP ROUTINE because it is simply too decide, it’s important to be
disruptive to your sleep or consistent with it. It’s no good
letting your cat sleep on your
In our house we love having because you have allergies? bed most of the time and
then deciding on certain
our cat Rita sleep on the How do you stop a cat days that you don’t want
them to do that.They won’t
bed at night, but the settling next to you for understand what’s going on.

downside is that the night, when “What’s very important
there comes a that’s what they is that we provide our cat
point in the early with very clear expectations,
hours when Did you have decided so we should be consistent
know? to do? with whatever we decide to
Rita wakes up Linda, who is do,” says cat behaviour and
and requires It is recommended a certificated welfare scientist, and Your Cat
attention — that an adult human clinical animal columnist Dr Lauren Finka.
and makes her has 7 — 9 hours sleep behaviourist
feelings known. and registered
each night.

When this veterinary nurse,

happens, she wants explained that trying

a companion to come to get your cat to not do

downstairs with her, put a something is not the right

few extra morsels of food in starting point.

her dish (even though there “For me as a behaviourist

is plenty in there already), and a trainer, it’s always the

open the cat flap, or simply wrong question. We never ask

demonstrate to her that it was ‘how do we make the cat not

already open, and well, just do anything we don’t want?’

generally be available.This We ask ‘what would we like

person is not me. But for my the cat to do?’

partner Allan this is a regular “If you simply shut the

30 Your Cat March 2022

SHARING OUR BED if they have been out during Top tip! Set up your cat with
the day. several sleeping spots
So, why do cats want to Don’t disturb your around the house.
sleep on the bed with us? Some people worry that cat while he is
you shouldn’t let a cat sleep sleeping! that, Nicky recommends
Lauren says: “Many on your bed because it taking note of changes
sociable cats will really just allows them to think that Snoozing in sleeping preferences
like to be with their owners they are top in the hierarchy spots as they could indicate a
when they are sleeping. of the home — an idea that health issue. A cat that
You’re lying down, you’re has come from perceptions Another aspect of cat abruptly starts sleeping
predictable, you’re calm.The about dogs. But this needn’t sleeping behaviour is that on the floor having always
bed is very soft, it’s obviously be a concern says cat they naturally want to favoured a high bed, may
a valued resource because behaviourist and Behaviour choose different sleeping be doing so because
it’s something that we Manager at Cats Protection places at different times. it hurts to jump up, for
spend a lot of time in, and it Nicky Trevorrow. example.
smells like us, so I think this Nicky says: “It’s
is very appealing for cats. “It’s a common interesting for cat owners If you like your cat
It’s also a time when we are misconception for people to know that they rotate
consistently, predictably just to think that cats have their sleeping place, and
still and quiet.” hierarchies.The truth is that this comes back from
they don’t have a hierarchy African wildcat behaviour.
Lauren explains that for with other cats, let alone Cats will need a multitude
particularly human-focused people,” she says. of sleeping places and
cats it’s also a welcome then they rotate around
chance to spend more time “So just in case there’s them.”
with their owner — especially anyone thinking
you shouldn’t So, if your cat has
have a cat on abandoned a place that ▼
they used to go to for a
your bed because nap, they may well return
it will get ideas to it in time. Having said
of grandeur and
dominance,
it’s completely
not true, and it
isn’t true for a
dog either, as
demonstrated by
the latest research.”

It’s a big decision
whether to let your

cat into your bed.

www.yourcat.co.uk 31

to join you on the bed The cat
it’s certainly a cosy and knows there’s
affectionate experience
and while cats enjoy the is no social
pleasure of snuggling on a pressure...
big, soft bed, there could be
more to it than just physical If you’ve let your cat in,
comfort. Nicky says: “I think it’s difficult to then stop.
a lot of it is because they’re
bonded to their owners and
they consider them to be in
the same social group as
them. So, I think it is nice that
they are choosing to be with
us.”

WHY DO SOME CATS think there is a risk of you Safety considerations
IGNORE YOU ALL DAY interacting with them in a
AND THEN SNUGGLE way they don’t like and can’t It’s important to take safety into account when letting
UP TO YOU AT NIGHT? control. Spending time with a cat sleep with its humans. Cat Advocacy Programme
Manager at International Cat Care Linda Ryan says:
For some cats the only time you when you are asleep, “From a safety point of view for the human and the cat,
of course if you had somebody for example who had
they want to be near their however, feels much more allergies to cats that would not be a safe situation or
if you had perhaps a young child or baby, or a young
human is after bedtime and comfortable for them. kitten, there is the potential for physical damage to
either one.”
so people may find a cat that “I think sleeping is the
It is important to make sure that you are not putting
completely ignores them all perfect opportunity for the your cat at risk by letting them sleep on the bed. Linda
says: “If you have a little kitten in the bed, you can
day is suddenly by their side cat to decide and choose definitely accidentally squash them or if you have an
elderly cat and you accidentally knock them off the
when the lights go out. how they interact,” says bed and they had arthritis, that can be painful. So, there
are some considerations that we need to think about in
If this is the case in your Lauren,“and of course the terms of making sure that everybody is safe.”

household, it could be that cat knows there’s no social Linda explains that you should also make sure that
your cat is not carrying any conditions that can be
your cat wants to spend time pressure, they know they’re transmitted to humans and if they are, to get them
treated before letting the cat sleep on the bed.
with you, but that you are not going to be picked

being a bit too full-on with up, they’re not going to be

them during the day. touched in areas

Cat behaviour Dkindoywo?u they don’t like
and welfare being touched,
scientist, and so the cat is
Your Cat completely

columnist Dr Cats have very subtle in control of
body language that
Lauren Finka can indicate when how much
explains that they are not enjoying exposure there
while some is.”
human contact.
NO TWO ARE
cats let you know That means THE SAME wonky legs, we got him a step
to help him up and down.
right away if you’re they can adjust their “For anyone who does not
have much feline experience, “Tigger, however, as his
doing something they level of contact to suit them, cats vary,” says Tim Edwards, name implies is active,
of Leicestershire, who has bouncy, and sociable. He
don’t like, others put up with a whether that is keeping a owned cats with very different has never had a bed of his
bedtime habits.“My old cat own and sleeps with me
certain amount of unwanted bit more distance by curling Casper was very good at every night, all night… well
yowling his head off and more or less.The need to go
cuddling and picking-up for a up on the end of the bed or disrupting everybody and out and prowl can interfere
everything at dawn when occasionally. He follows me
quiet life. In either case, they snuggling right in close next wanting food. He to bed and is then quite
ended up sleeping in the happy to snore his head off
may tend to avoid you if they to you. kitchen in a bed with all his curled up on whatever warm
food toys and other bits, patch he finds until way past
Owners being and the radio on to keep 10am. He loves a cuddle and
asleep gives him company. He would has this slam dunk habit of
cats chance to sometimes find his way onto finding a patch close by then
interact with us the bed, with or without me, keeling over straight into me.
3i2n aYocuraClmat wMaayrc.h 2022 in daytime. With age and
“Both equally adorable, but
in different ways.”

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CAT BREED INDEX: TOYGER Variety is the
spice of life for

a Toyger.

Rosemary Fisher entered An AOC Eyed The beautiful Toyger.
the cat fancy in 1974 Snow Toyger.
when she purchased her
first pedigree cat — a The look of a tiny tiger with an
Chinchilla called Brylou affectionate and intelligent
Moonstone. She breeds character, is the Toyger for you?
Persians and Exotics, and
judges in several sections.
She is currently a GCCF
Board member and
also serves on the
genetics committee.

HISTORY

This beautiful and still somewhat rare an M marking on their forehead Judy was joined by two other
breed was developed specifically and stripes going back over the breeders, Anthony Hutcherson and
to resemble a small tiger, hence its top of their head with a scarab Alice McKee, and in the same year
name, shortened from ‘toy tiger.’ marking between their ears. In order The International Cat Association
to develop this theory, Judy used a (TICA) recognised the Toyger for
The originator of this breed, striped domestic shorthair named registration purposes, and granted
based in the US, is Judy Sugden, the Scrapmetal and a Bengal named it full championship status in 2007.
daughter of Jean Mill, the originator Millwood Rumpledspotskin. In order The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA)
of the Bengal breed. While working to further her breeding programme, doesn’t recognise the Toyger breed,
to improve the clarity of markings in Judy also imported Jammu Blu, a but the Governing Council of the Cat
mackerel tabbies descended from street cat from Kashmir, India, who Fancy (GCCF) recognised Toygers in
Bengals, Judy observed that one of was completely spotted between his October 2015, and they progressed
her cats, Millwood Sharp Shooter, ears rather than the usual tabby line to preliminary recognition in June
had two spots of tabby markings markings. 2016.
on his temples, and wondered if this
could be a means to developing a With a clear vision of how the
cat with the circular pattern seen on small version of a Tiger should
the head of a Tiger. look, Judy set about developing
her breeding programme. In 1993,
Domestic tabby cats usually have

34 Your Cat March 2022

APPEARANCE PURRSONALITY CAT BREED INDEX: TOYGER

The Toyger is a medium-sized cat, reminiscent of a big cat in pattern, type, Variety is the spice of life for a Toyger.They
confidence, stately movement, and athletic ability. are active, intelligent, and companionable. A
Toyger will not be happy if left alone for long
The impression is of a sleek, muscular long bodied, large boned cat with periods and will feel separation anxiety.
a long thick tail. The head should be long, broad, and deep, and medium
sized in proportion to the body.The ears should be rounded and small in They will get along with other felines,
size, set as much on the side as on the top of the head. The eyes are small especially if integrated when young,
to medium in size and slanted towards the base of the ear; the eye colour cat-friendly dogs, and children.They are
is dependent on the coat colour. affectionate and playful, and that includes
wanting to interact and play with their human
The muzzle should be broad with rounded contours and pronounced family, so be prepared to devote some time
whisker pads created by widely set canine teeth, with a wide, deep chin. each day to the amusement of your Toyger.
The neck should be long and muscular and in proportion to the body They are easy to train and can be taught to
which is medium sized, long, sleek, and muscular. Strong, large boned, and fetch and play other games, but will also let
robust, the overall impression should be muscular and athletic. you know when they want some quiet time
alone.They can also be taught to walk on a
The legs are medium length, strong, straight, and muscular with paws harness. A cosy lap is also appreciated once
that are proportionally large and well-rounded with prominent knuckles playtime is over.
and long toes.The tail should be very long, thick, and muscular (rope like),
with a rounded tip. They are intelligent
and sociable.
The soft, dense coat should feel luxurious and unusually soft to the touch
and very plush.The coat pattern is a modified mackerel tabby, with the Next issue
body stripes vertically aligned with encircling markings on the neck, legs,
and tail. Bold, braided, non-uniform stripes including stretched rosettes The Tonkinese is in focus.
are the preferred pattern.The underside of the chest, belly, and tail, and
the inside of the limbs are lighter in colour. Circular alignment of facial They have a big
markings is preferable to traditional tabby markings; the back of the ears beautiful tail.
should be dark with a virtually white thumb print; black ‘mascara’,‘lipstick’
and whisker spot markings and white spectacles are desirable.

GCCF RECOGNISES THE TOYGER ivory to cream, and the pattern
IN THREE COLOURS: may vary in colour from charcoal
● Brown (Black) Mackerel to dark or light brown, and the
Tabby eye colour blue, with deep
A yellow, buff, golden, or orange shades preferred.
ground colour is preferred. ● AOC-Eyed Snow Mackerel
The markings may be black or Tabby (Burmese/Tonkinese
various shades of brown, and the restriction of coat colour)
eye colour gold, green, or hazel. The ground colour should be
● Blue Eyed Snow Mackerel ivory to tan, and the pattern may
Tabby (Siamese restriction of be charcoal or shades of brown.
coat pattern) The eye colour may be gold,
The ground colour should be green, or blue-green.

HEALTH to other domestic breeds.
Some breeders have claimed
Being a short-haired breed, they
do not require a lot of grooming; that Toygers show an adverse
brushing once a week should be reaction to the feline leukaemia
sufficient to remove any loose fur. vaccine but this has not been
Don’t forget to check the ears and substantiated.The Bengal is the
trim claws regularly and provide a main breed used to develop
robust scratching post. the Toyger and, therefore, look
for breeders that do the same
At maturity, males should not health screening — HCM
exceed 6.8kg (15lb) in weight and echocardiography screening, as
females 5kg (11lb). Females may well as DNA testing for PKDef and
be smaller and less muscular than Bengal PRA is recommended.
males, and care should be taken However, anecdotal reports
to ensure that they don’t become indicate that the incidence of all
overweight. these conditions is significantly
lower than in the Bengal due to
The Toyger is generally a healthy the influence of domestic shorthair
cat.There are no diseases specific outcrosses. Life expectancy is
to the breed and they have no 10 — 15 years.
health problems related to their
conformation.Their susceptibility to
infectious diseases is comparable

www.yourcat.co.uk 35

Cat care
OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS Got a question?

GENERAL CARE The Your Cat experts are here to help with all your feline
dilemmas! Send your question to our experts by email
Celia Haddon MA MSc MA ([email protected]) or post (see page 5 for our address).
is a well-known pet columnist
and author of numerous cat Be careful stopping
books. She is a cat lover and feline fights.
owner, with a cat behaviour
qualification and broad GENERAL CARE
experience of feline issues.
STOPPING A FIGHT
VETERINARY
Q My cat was CELIA SAYS:
Aga Zoltowska BVSc involved in a
MANZCVS (Medicine of fight with another A Interrupting a cat fight is always dangerous!
Cats) DipCABT MRCVS cat in my garden, and I The puncture wounds from cat bites often
graduated from the University grabbed her and took her become infected because of the bacteria
of Liverpool in 2005 and is into the house. She turned in a cat’s mouth. Shouting from a safe distance
passionate about cat welfare. on me and bit me hard can have no effect if the two cats are completely
Find out more at www. on the hand, between the engrossed in the fight.Throwing water, if you can get
thecatboxsolutions.com forefinger and thumb.The close enough but not too close, sometimes works. A
wound swelled up and I garden hose would be ideal. If the fight is inside the
BEHAVIOUR had to get antibiotics. What house between two resident cats, then the heavy
is a safer way to interrupt cushion from the bottom of a sofa or armchair can
Kim Houston BSc (Hons), a cat fight? be used to separate the two. If two resident cats are
Dip (AS) CABC, CCAB is Your Cat reader having severe fights, one of them should be rehomed
a consultant in feline behaviour. for their own welfare.
She works with clients
throughout the UK, helping
to resolve cat behaviour
problems. Find out more at
www.cat-astrophes.com

Clare Hemington DipCAPBT
is an accredited feline
behaviourist. She has a cat
behaviour referrals practice
and runs her Honeysuckle Cat
Toys business with the help of
her Siamese, Billy.

You can find out more
from her website: www.
honeysucklecattoys.co.uk

BEREAVEMENT

Dr Sue Dawson is
a counselling psychologist
specialising in
human-companion
animal relationships and
pet bereavement.

GROOMING

Anita Kelsey BA Hons,
MCFBA, CIDBT runs a vet
referral practice dedicated
to behaviour problems in
cats. She is also an expert cat
groomer. Find out more at
www.catbehaviourist.com

NUTRITION

Clare Hemmings Cert CFVH Nut
is passionate about pet nutrition
and a regular contributor to
veterinary publications. She
has owned many cats over the
years, who have all lived well
into their twenties; she attributes
this to excellent nutrition. She
is scientific communications
manager for Royal Canin, where
she has worked for 15 years.

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Cat flap training

1Your cat must learn that the cat flap flap. Repeat this exercise several times,
is an entrance and exit to the home. all at your cat’s pace.
Start by leaving the cat flap fully open
and praise and reward any advances 4 Gradually lower the cat flap over
towards the opening. several days.Although he will still be
able to fit through the gap, he will have
2 It is less frightening for your cat if to learn to push it with his head or paws
you entice him to enter his place in order to pass through.

of safety, rather than leave it.Ask a 5 Lower the flap a bit more, so he
has to push with a little force. If he
family member or friend to hold struggles with this stage, go back a few
steps.
Did you him outside the door,then
tempt him through the flap 6 Finally, practise with the flap
know? from the inside with an completely closed. Initially, you
extra special treat. If he might have to show him lots of
encouragement, but he should soon
Cat flaps can cost steps through, reward and learn that going through the flap is
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£10 to several hundred 3 Once you have
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similar method from outside the cat

GENERAL CARE

RIGHT OR LEFT PAWED?

Q My cat, Hilda, is right-handed, or should I say right-pawed?
Whenever she is playing with a cat toy, or trying to poke something
out of a container, she uses her right paw. Are all cats right-pawed?
Your Cat reader

CELIA SAYS: paw and male cats used their left.
However, a later study of 41 cats
A Nine out of ten humans are in 2020 found that gender did not
right-handed, but this doesn’t define whether a cat used its left or
apply to cats. right forepaw. Intriguingly, however, the
In 2009, researchers gave 42 male stronger the preference for one paw
and female cats some tasks using over another, whether right or left, the
their front paws. In the simpler tasks more efficient the cats were in solving
the cats used either forepaw but in tasks requiring the use of paws!
the task that involved retrieving a Ambidextrous cats were less efficient.
food treat from a glass jar, all the cats As they say in most science papers,
but one strongly preferred one paw more research is needed!
over another.

Female cats used their right

Cats can favour one paw.

theinsuranceemporium.co.uk/YC99

www.yourcat.co.uk 37

Cat care GENERAL CARE

Remember, there is a huge range of advice ARE FOXES A THREAT?
on health, behaviour, general care, and
more on the Your Cat website. Q I saw a fox to be strong minded if you
trotting down a make this choice.
Visit www.yourcat.co.uk nearby street.
I have two cats that have You can reduce the risk
Reward free access to outside though by closing their cat
your cat for by a cat flap. I am now flap at night. Foxes hunt
scratching worried that my cats, more often at twilight and
what you Charlie and Chocolate, night. Call your cats in at
want them to. may be at risk. Do foxes a set time each evening
attack cats? and offer treats and an
BEHAVIOUR Your Cat reader evening meal. Make sure
there is nothing to attract
SCRATCHING CELIA SAYS: foxes to your garden — no
THE CURTAINS hedgehog food or bread for
A Yes, foxes do birds. Security lights that are
Q Our cat Rufus loves to attack our curtains. He has occasionally triggered by movement will
a scratch post but doesn’t use it — instead he attack cats, also be a deterrent.
prefers to claw the curtains. How can we persuade especially if they are
particularly hungry. Fox It will also help if you
him not to? lovers claim that cats can train both cats, using treats,
see off foxes, but this only to come to you when you
Your Cat reader Did you applies to some healthy, call them using a specific
know?to scratch inside the house. If bigger cats that stand their command word. Start the
CLARE SAYS: ground. Kittens, elderly training inside the house,
Rufus is a cat that likes to do a cats, cats that are small in then do it in the garden.
APerhaps when Rufus lfootrBohoAfimlsvdxcextr-onaxXttdxcxGxohxxaisnxroxgxdxx,meoxxuGpxxspxotxxobtxhxretxiucxunxpities size, or cats limping home Finally, during the day, call
was a very small to scxraxtxchxx(sxoxtxoxsxpxexaxkx).xHis from an accident are the them in from the garden,
kitten, possibly before scratching8pto/s9t .s5hpotuld be most likely victims of foxes. reward them and then let
he came to live with you, That said, most animal them back out again.This
he was allowed to use the bites on a cat come from ensures that they do not
curtains to hone his climbing fights between two cats. associate your call with
always being immediately
skills and this activity has tall enough to allow him to The only way to keep shut in.
your cats completely
turned into a habit. Or it scratch at full stretch and safe from both foxes and Foxes can attack cats.
road traffic injuries is to
keep them as indoor cats.
However, because both
Charlie and Chocolate
have been used to
roaming, they will hate
being confined and it may
take several weeks before
they adjust.You will have

might be that your curtains positioned in a prominent

are made from a highly part of the room, where you

textured fabric that Rufus have a good view of it. In this Cats can be put off by posts scratcher may encourage
that wobble. Rufus to use it naturally and if
finds very appealing. case, having the scratching he likes catnip, sprinkling some
Bear in mind, that some of this over the base may
Whatever a cat’s specific post next to the window that cats like to scratch horizontally, further enhance its appeal.
rather than vertically. Although
reasons for doing this, it houses the curtains would it sounds like Rufus might not Scratching is a natural
be one of these, it’s important behaviour for cats, so it’s
can be frustrating to have be ideal as this might just to have other options important to avoid any form
available such as horizontal of punishment, verbal or
your soft furnishings ruined encourage him to use that, scratchers and if you have otherwise. If Rufus is attacking
more than one floor in your the bottom of the curtains, it
and I’ve known this type of instead of them. If practical, a home, a scratcher on each might be an idea to tack them
floor is ideal. up temporarily until the habit
behaviour to change the multi-level scratcher would not is broken.
Trailing toys around the
relationship owners have only give him the opportunity

with their cats. to scratch, but to sit and view

To discourage Rufus from what’s going on outside from

this activity it’s important to a position of height and safety.

look at the options he has For upright scratchers, make

sure they’re sturdy and stable.

Cat insurance call 03300 243 997

Cats can return to
their former territory.

BEHAVIOUR

HE GOES BACK TO
OUR OLD HOME!

Q I have been trying to find a solution for my cat Jimmy who seems make his new environment irresistible by
determined to travel back to our old house and has done so many, providing all the important resources and
many times. We lived in a rental house for two and a half years where we enrichment he needs to encourage him
bought two male cats (brothers) and called them Jimmy and Jamie. to stay put.

We then decided to buy a house which was around four miles away. I honestly Feeding him small, frequent meals will
thought Jimmy would settle fine and it was Jamie I would have a problem with. hopefully motivate him to stick around.
How wrong was I! We moved into our new house at the beginning of August. I kept Using plugin diffusers containing artificial
both cats inside for a week (which wasn’t easy as they have always been outdoor pheromones may help to settle him, as
cats), and used a plugin diffuser which I thought might help them settle. After a well as providing him with items on which
week, we let them explore outside a little at a time while we kept an eye on them. he can deposit his own natural scent.
The more of his own scent there is in his
I don’t recall the first time Jimmy disappeared but since we have lived here, new environment the more settled he
Jimmy has walked back to the old house consistently once and sometimes twice should feel. Playing with Jimmy using toys
a week. When he disappears, we go to our old house, usually call his name a few that replicate his natural hunting instincts
times, and there he is. He jumps into the car and is happy to get his taxi back will allow him to associate your new
home.This is normally a day or two after.The longest he has been missing is a home with positive activities and help to
week (I would go back to our old house twice a day calling his name but he maintain a strong bond between you.
never appeared).There are stables and ponies near our old house and we think
this is where he sleeps. It is possible that his new outdoor
environment would have already had a
We have tried keeping him in for a while but he is meowing and desperate to feline ‘king pin’ in charge of it when you
go out so we eventually cave in. Both cats were allowed out whenever in our old moved in, so if you do see any other cats
house (through a cat flap) and they were often out all night but I have now put a in or around your garden it’s a good idea
curfew on their cat flap and they are locked in at night. to chase them off, and in doing so you’ll
hopefully be making it a little bit easier for
I would welcome any advice your experts can provide on what to do about this Jimmy to establish the new territory as his.
situation. He is a very happy loving cat so I don’t think he does it because he is
unhappy. He just seems to prefer our old house! Unfortunately, there’s no quick way of
Your Cat reader resolving this and it may take many more
months before Jimmy settles. If there
CLARE SAYS: occupants of your old house? They might appears to be no sign of this happening,
be encouraging Jimmy through stroking and the route he takes incorporates busy
A The area around your former him, feeding him, and even letting him in roads, it may be safer and kinder to find
home will have been viewed by the house. Make sure to let them know not out if the current residents of your former
Jimmy as his territory and the to pay him any attention as this could be home would be willing to allow him to stay
urge to maintain it will be what’s driving very confusing for him. where he feels more comfortable.
him back there.
In this type of situation, it’s important to
Have you been in touch with the new

theinsuranceemporium.co.uk/YC99

www.yourcat.co.uk 39

The

POWER

of play

1O0FRPULALYES

Behaviourist Clare Hemington recommends what would be Clare Hemington
her 10 cat-mandments when it comes to play for your cat. DipCAPBT is an accredited
feline behaviourist. She
Ifound this quote (see the right hand teensiest bit repetitious.This is because there has a cat behaviour
page) and thought it the perfect one to are certain general principles surrounding this referrals practice and runs
finish my series about the power of play. entire subject that I’ve wanted to subtly drive her Honeysuckle Cat Toys
You might have gathered by now that I’m home. So, in this final article I’ve brought these business with the help of
pretty passionate when it comes to play and together in the form of my 10 golden rules her Siamese, Billy.
the amazing benefits it can provide for our which if followed, will maximise the benefits
cats. However, throughout the series one or of play for your cat and in turn provide the You can find out more
two of you may have noticed me being the greatest reward for you. from her website: www.
honeysucklecattoys.co.uk

Schedule in play Dkindoywo?u 1Schedule play with
sessions with your your cat every day
feline friend. Play gives cats the
chance to use their If you acquired your cat thinking that he
40 Your Cat March 2022 would amuse himself, then there’s a fair
natural hunting chance that he will have quickly dissuaded
instincts. you of that notion. Despite the fact that
they spend inordinate amounts of time
sleeping each day, cats do need to be kept
entertained, after all, idle paws make for
broken ornaments and shredded furniture.To
avoid this, it’s important to schedule sessions
of interactive play with him — in other words,
you and your cat playing together.

I use the word schedule quite deliberately.
By scheduling play sessions at specific times
of day, you’ll be more likely to remember it’s
playtime and will be creating a routine, which,
as you know, is something cats love. Adult
cats with outdoor access will benefit from at
least one interactive session per day, while
for adult indoor cats at least two sessions
are recommended. Kittens need as much
interaction, including play, as your energy
allows! And in my opinion, all elderly cats,
no matter their age, will enjoy a bit of gentle
patting of something that sparks their interest.

Dkindoywo?u

Play can really help to
build a bond between

you and your cat.

How we Choose your toys carefully.
behave
toward cats 3GET THE TIMING RIGHT
here below To get the most out of your play sessions, choose a time
determines when your cat is naturally active. Cats are crepuscular
our status in hunters, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk.
heaven Time permitting, my recommendation would be to play with
your cat after his breakfast and/or during the evening.
– Robert A. Heinlein

2Remember, 4WHEN IT COMES doesn’t. Also, think about the the cat laser toys, make sure ▼
less is more TO CAT TOYS, size of toy, which I might add, you have a small toy or treat in
BUY WISELY doesn’t necessarily have to your hand that you can throw
Cats aren’t exactly known relate to size of cat. to allow your cat to capture,
for having long spans of In my experience you can bite, and complete the kill!
attention, unless of course always get a cat to play, it’s My first choice for shop
they’re staring out next just a question of finding the bought would be the fishing My other favourite cat
door’s cat or keeping right toy. One of my friends rod toys that have something toy recommendation is the
guard by the entrance to bought her cats a range of furry or feathered attached smelly toys; in other words,
a mouse nest in the hope toys because they matched to the end of a length of cord those that contain catnip,
that one will eventually her décor and needless to or elastic.These are brilliant valerian, silvervine, and
come out. When it comes say, they remained in the for cats that like chasing, Tatarian honeysuckle wood. I
to play, they can get toy basket untouched. And jumping, and pouncing, never tire of seeing cats cast
bored very quickly. Quite it is easy to be seduced by but I also know that some their dignity aside as they
often this is because they something because of the cats can find the movement lick, cheek-rub, drool on, roll
have already ‘killed’ the way it looks, but my advice frightening. If you find this around, and generally lose
toy and are therefore no would be to think more about happens with your cat, simply themselves in the scent of
longer interested. So, keep your cat as a top of the range turn the toy around and these toys. Don’t forget though
sessions short; this could predator. What does he enjoy gently manipulate the rod that one in three cats doesn’t
mean anything from one doing? Stalking, chasing, end around the floor. And respond to catnip, so having
minute to ten minutes, pouncing, manipulating, speaking of running and a selection of scented toys to
depending on your cat’s biting, and shredding. Also jumping, if you’re tempted by offer yours is a good idea.
play drive, and always think about what textures
stop the game when your might appeal to him, such Homemade toys are 5Think
cat starts to lose interest. as fur, feathers, and fabrics often the biggest hits homemade
However, if your cat that he can really get his
wants to keep going, feel claws into, such as sisal with our cats! We might be forgiven for
free to indulge him! The and hessian. If he already thinking that cats are
important thing is to be has a preference for a complicated, but one area
guided by your cat. particular type or texture where this isn’t true is play.
of toy, stick to it. It’s better I’ve lost count of the number
for him to have a variety of cat owners that have told
of the same type of toy me that their cat’s favourite
that he enjoys rather than
lots of different types that he www.yourcat.co.uk 41

The 6MAKE MOVEMENT the lengths of time you allow
WORK FOR your cat to see it. For cats that
POWER YOUR CAT are more people oriented,

of play To get your cat really engaged such as Siamese, why don’t

toy is an everyday item in play, you should aim to you become the prey and play Play will get
that they had at home. move the toy in a way that hide and seek with your cat! your cat active
And it’s absolutely true, simulates the movement of and help to
the best toys are often the his natural prey.Try moving 7ROTATE, keep him
simplest. the toy unpredictably; trailing ROTATE, ROTATE healthy.

Some cats love playing it along the floor for a short To maintain your cat’s interest 9Play
fetch with scrunched- distance then keeping it still for in his toys (and to avoid you safe
up paper, while others a few moments, then moving spending more money than
might have a penchant it suddenly to the left or right, needed on new toys), seal
for straws. When it allowing it to fly briefly, then them in a ziplock bag that
comes to playthings for
your cat, the sky’s the trailing it along the floor again. contains a pinch of catnip or I can’t overestimate the
limit. My favourites are
old shoelaces knotted Or you can put the toy under valerian.Then bring out two or importance of checking
throughout their length
either with or without something, such as a rug or three different toys each day. toys before you allow your
something stuck in the
end. Straws can have piece of paper, with the end This also applies to nighttime cats to play with them. Do
thin shoelaces threaded
through them to enable peeking out.Then pull it back when cats can be particularly remove items such as eyes
you to manipulate them
around the floor, and if you so the end is hidden and vary active. and noses that could be
happen across a feather
(in good condition) lying 8Think outside chewed off and ingested.
around outside think how the toy box Think about which toys
much your cat might that your cat plays with
enjoy jumping up at it that could compromise
as it flutters to the floor.
Lightweight balls, such as When it comes to play, it’s not just about cat toys. Cats his safety and make sure
ping pong balls, are also
great fun and cardboard also benefit from other types of activity such as puzzle you’re there to supervise.
boxes or paper bags
(handles removed) with feeding and foraging. Offering your cat his dry food When your cat has
treats, a toy, or a pinch of
catnip inside can make in containers that allow him to work for his kibble can finished playing, ensure
exploring fun.
provide much needed challenge and stimulation, while any toy that could get
If you know what your
cat likes and you have foraging for treats can also be great fun.Try hiding a caught around his neck
the time and creativity,
it can be very rewarding number of treats around your home in containers, such is hidden somewhere he
to make something for
him. I’ve seen the most as half open egg cartons, yoghurt pots, cereal boxes, and can’t find it.This includes
amazing castles created
from cardboard boxes toilet roll inners, and let him sniff them out! This is a great shoelaces, string, and the
as well as really effective
toys made from wool and way of keeping your cat distracted on days when you’re cord from fishing rod toys.
even old socks.
not at home. Remember to incorporate any treats given

into your cat’s daily allowance of food. 10DON’T BE
Try an interactive feeder. MISTAKEN
INTO THINKING
THAT PLAY CAN
RESOLVE BEHAVIOUR
PROBLEMS

While providing opportunities

for your cat to play provides

wonderful enrichment
which in turn can help

Did you prevent behaviour
know? problems occurring,
it can’t fix long-term
Need any inspiration behaviour issues,
for creating your cat such as chronic
a toy? Head to www.

yourcat.co.uk anxiety and inter-cat

relationship problems.

In these instances,

behavioural intervention is

usually needed.

By following these rules, you

can not only provide your cat

with an enriched and fulfilled

life, but in doing so you might

just be securing your place in

heaven…

42 Your Cat March 2022

Did you
know?

You can find out more
about International
Cat Care’s work
by visiting
icatcare.org

DIARY Scottish Folds suffer
Health is not aware of these risks and from severe arthritis.
putting cat welfare above
always the priority physical appearance must Cats in the media
be what drives the cats which
it should be when we manufacture.There are Cats are always in the media and the new film about
many breeds that bring lovely artist Louis Wain has added to this. Louis Wain is said to
breeding cats, temperaments, beautiful have changed the nation’s perception of cats, perhaps
coats, and some variety on because keeping a cat as a pet was unusual in the
explains CEO shape without problems.The Victorian era.
Governing Council of the
Claire Bessant. Cat Fancy in the UK does not Louis Wain is best known for his anthropomorphic
register Scottish Folds and work during the early part of the 20th century, the
International Cat Care should be praised for putting appeal of which came from the humour associated with
first raised the issue of health before looks — we need images of cats behaving like humans — playing cricket,
the welfare of cats with to spread the word so that driving cars, or playing musical instruments for example,
folded ears 50 years ago! more people understand. often dressed up in clothes.
Breeds such as the Scottish
Fold are defined by this look. We are not trying to shame There is no doubt that Louis Wain was a great cat
The ear fold is because of people who have Scottish lover, but his art should be viewed through the lens of
genetic changes which Folds, most will have acquired the time when it was produced. Anthropomorphism
affect cartilage all over the their lovely cats without ever in art was very common during the Victorian period.
body. It means that cats are knowing anything about the If Louis Wain was alive now, with the advances in
highly likely to get arthritis problem. What we would ask understanding of cats that have occurred over the past
and can suffer from this from is that they work with their vet hundred years, he would undoubtedly have recognised
a young age. Unfortunately, to check their cats, knowing that attributing human thoughts and behaviours to
the ‘cute’ look seems to be that they are likely to suffer cats potentially does them a great injustice and they
more important than the from arthritis. We ask those are, in fact, a very different and complex species that
welfare of these cats. Why considering buying one to merits being treated as such to ensure their welfare. Cat
is it that breeds seem to be think carefully, understand behaviour is often subtle and difficult to interpret, but
seen by some as something what it can mean for the cat, assigning it human motivations does not help!
untouchable? and do their research before
they support the trade. At Criticism is emerging of the film because of the
Breeds are produced from the moment, demand drives modern portrayal of the Persian breed with very flat
a limited number of animals, breeding. It will probably take faces which does not fit with the cats of the time
all of which are very similar, legislation to ensure we breed in which he drew and painted. In Louis Wain’s era,
which means that the risk of to prevent harm and it is time Persians had proper noses and normally-shaped skulls.
inherited problems, or of taking we ensured this happens to In the film, they are depicted as modern-day Persians,
body shape to extremes, is prevent problems in the future. bred with very flat faces and skulls (what we call
always much higher than brachycephalic) which are likely to cause multiple
in non-pedigree cats. Being problems for these cats. It is a shame that this aspect of
cat welfare was not considered in making the film. It is
another example where breeds are accepted at face
value and if they look unusual, for not considering what
consequences come with that ‘interesting’ look.

www.yourcat.co.uk 43

There are things
you can do to
reduce hunting.

KITTY’S GONE A

HUNTING

Some cats rarely catch wildlife, while for others it’s a full-time job. But if you

want to encourage your puss to bring home fewer ‘presents’ there are

things you can do… RESEARCH SAYS do to dramatically reduce
their desire to hunt or their
For many of us cat owners, hunting is the least attractive Last year our cat Rita went success at hunting.The
part of life with our furry friends. through a phase of hunting, research was carried out
If you’re lucky, tell-tale throaty meows and agitated, which we very much hope by the University of Exeter in
alert behaviour from your cat will forewarn you that they has now passed. But for a partnership with the charity
have just killed some wildlife, and perhaps brought it indoors. few weeks it seemed she SongBird Survival (songbird-
If you’re less lucky, the first you know of it could be your feet could pluck birds out of survival.org.uk).This is an
encountering a dead mouse or bird… or worse, half a dead the sky at will. Personally, I organisation dedicated
mouse or bird. Either way, an unpleasant clean-up operation find it upsetting to see birds to halting the decline in
is usually required. needlessly killed, though of songbirds such as the Willow
course I know it’s a natural, Tit, Corn Bunting,Tree Sparrow,
We’re not afraid hard-wired behaviour for cats. and House Sparrow.
of tackling issues...
But there is interesting It says songbird numbers
research that has discovered have declined by 50 per cent
some simple things you can

44 Your Cat March 2022

While not the only cause, the bottom line, giving people What kind of
cat owner
We wanted we must admit our pet cats workable solutions.” are you?
to really
are part of the issue. Some Ultimately, the charity hopes SongBird Survival has
understand categorised the different
what cat people may simply say ‘keep to develop what it calls a ‘Cat types of cat owner in relation
to their opinions on cats’
owners felt... your cat inside — problem Accord’ which would give right to roam and their
potential hunting impact.
in the last 50 years and so it solved’. But many cat owners research-based solutions and Which one are you? You can
funds independent scientific take the quiz and find out
studies to find out why this feel strongly that enjoying best practice advice to cat here https://quiz.tryinteract.
has happened, with the aim com/#/preview/5ebbc84fcd
of reversing the trend. the great outdoors is an owners, working in partnership 88400014519c5e

important part of a cat’s life, with other animal welfare CONCERNED
PROTECTOR
so the research is crucial organisations.
You worry about your cat
because it gives owners of As well as researching roaming and being lost,
stolen, or killed and believe
the many millions of cats that methods to safely adjust cats’ keeping them indoors keeps
them safe, but you wouldn’t
do roam outside some useful behaviour, SongBird Survival is keep your cat indoors solely
to stop them hunting.
strategies. also keen to understand
FREEDOM DEFENDER
The people at Dkindoywo?u cat owners and
SongBird Survival their different You think cats should be
— some of approaches, able to roam as they please
them cat so that it can and hunting is a good sign
of normal behaviour.You
owners Fifty per cent give the oppose restrictions on their
themselves — that’s how much the right advice. access to the outdoors.
— were Part of the
keen to find songbird population research TOLERANT GUARDIAN
solutions that has fallen in the last funded by the
50 years, according to The benefits of letting your
cat roam outweigh the
people would SongBird Survival organisation risk of injury. Hunting is the
least attractive part of cat
be happy to put involved a quiz ownership, but it is just what
cats do.
into practice. you can take to
CONSCIENTIOUS
“We wanted to really discover where you CARETAKER

understand what cat owners land in your attitude to cats’ Cats should have access
to outdoors, but you don’t
felt about that whole area, hunting activities (see panel). oppose some containment.
Hunting by cats really bothers
to be able to help look at “By understanding what’s you and you particularly
worry about birds.
actions that they can take important to the cat owners
LAISSEZ-FAIRE
that are beneficial for wildlife we can get them on board LANDLORD

and not harmful for cats,” said as to what might work best for You’ve never seriously
thought about the effects of
SongBird Survival CEO Sue them,” she said. cats on wildlife populations.
You would be more inclined
Morgan. THE STATS to manage your cat’s hunting
“As a charity we’re not behaviour if they were killing
things all the time.
afraid of tackling issues The Exeter research was

that might be a little bit done with the help of 219

controversial, but we need households owning 355 cats

to get to the truth and get to between them, over a ▼

Are they trying to bring you a present?

Many people say that when a cat brings of the academics involved in the Exeter
their prey into your home, they are trying study, this is not the case.They are simply
to give you a precious gift. However, following their own innate instincts.
according to Dr Martina Cecchetti, one
She said: “Cats have retained many
Cats don’t bring kills behavioural traits of their wild progenitor,
home as presents. one is the separation between hunting
behaviour and consumption, not
necessarily eating what they kill and
surplus killing when opportunities arise.
So, possible explanations of these ‘gifts’
might be that once home, cats might be
distracted by tasty food provided by their
owners and eat it in preference to the wild
prey; or that cats may have the intention
of consuming their prey later and consider
the house a safe place where they can
store it.”

www.yourcat.co.uk 45

There Think about the
may be placement of your
something
lacking bird boxes.
in their
provided

food.

Dkindoywo?u Regular play sessions of escape. Protect
can reduce your cat’s Where mammal hunting
Many of the cat owners appetite to hunt. the birds
involved in the study in was concerned, there were
the group that played wild creatures. It could be a variety of responses from SongBird Survival
with their cat using toys, that while a cat may have using the BirdsBeSafe soft suggests some other
reported that they felt access to the quantity of fabric collar cover, but no tips to help the birds
their relationship with food it wants, there may overall discernible effect.The stay safe:
be something lacking in same can be said of the cat ● Keep your cat indoors
their cat improved. their provided food that bells, which again resulted in at night, especially at
A bonus! drives them to try to seek it a variety of outcomes and the dawn and dusk.This is
elsewhere. researchers concluded there especially important
period of 12 weeks. Different was no overall observable during nesting season,
groups tested out high meat One of the academics effect. which is at its peak in
content food, playing with involved in the study, Dr the spring.
toys, a bell on the collar, a Martina Cecchetti explained: And according to the ● If you have bird
BirdsBeSafe fabric collar cover, “Maybe it’s related to research, providing the feeders in your garden,
and a puzzle feeder.There something really small, for cat’s daily food in a puzzle don’t position them near
was also a control group that example the augmentation feeder was far from helpful. It a spot where your cat
continued as normal. of a specific micronutrient or increased overall hunting by could hide and pounce.
amino acid.” 33 per cent! While the study ● If you put up a nest
The main findings were did not discover for sure why box, use ones without
that feeding your cat She believes that if this is this occurred, it is possible a perch that have an
high-meat protein, grain-free the case, the availability of that the cats could not work overhanging roof. Put
food reduced overall hunting the micronutrient or amino out the puzzle very easily and them at least two metres
activity by 36 per cent and acid can be increased in therefore were not getting as off the ground.
providing five to 10 minutes of a targeted way in other much food as they wanted at
play with an object cut it by commercial cat food brands home and so made their Increased meat content in their
25 per cent. — an environmentally better own arrangements diet can reduce cat hunting.
option compared to simply for dinner.
Those are the figures for all giving cats more meat.
forms of prey including both
birds and mammals. But if we Another solution specifically
look specifically at how bird to prevent bird hunting was a
hunting was affected, object BirdsBeSafe collar cover; these
play had a varied response are brightly coloured fabric
from the different cats, so was tubes that go over your cat’s
considered in the study to breakaway cat collar.This
have no overall discernible reduced the number of birds
effect. It appears that captured and brought home
approach is more effective by 42 per cent.
for reducing the hunting of
mammals. It works by framing the cat’s
face and making them more
However, the high meat visibly obvious to birds, giving
protein food did have an our feathered friends more
effect, cutting the hunting of warning and a better chance
birds by 44 per cent.This is
interesting as it has always
baffled me why a well-fed
puss would go out and kill

46 Your Cat March 2022

Receive It’s such a
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Counsellor and Author

Cat Fence Cat Catios
Barriers Enclosures

www.protectapet.com
0800 999 4008

[email protected]

CAIFVREITTCHAEN
They are rarely spotted. Peter Neville has spent over
Image: Leon Marais. 30 years as a professional
GOING pet behaviourist, writer, and
educator. In 1993, he
ON SAFARI! co-founded COAPE
International (coape.org),
now a leading online
provider of education
courses in pet behaviour.
Peter is the author of 16
books, including the
international best-seller,‘Do
Cats Need Shrinks?’ He now
lives in Helsinki, Finland, with
his partner Stella, and two
cats, Asla and Trista.

Andrew Rae has been
guiding safaris in both
southern and east Africa
for the last 28 years. South
African by birth, Andrew
and his wife, Moira, started
their own exclusive safari
company, RAE Safaris, in
2014 and have led many
uniquely tailored safaris
to Tanzania, Zimbabwe,
Botswana, Madagascar,
Uganda, Ethiopia, and
South Africa (among
others) since then.

Getting a glimpse of a Civet ‘cat’ is one of the rarest things on a
safari but here Andrew and Peter give Your Cat readers an insight.

There are bizarre creatures that squat, clawed tracks for us to ponder crest in defence to make
slink around in the African night, in the mornings on nameless bushveld itself look larger, much like
creatures that can often defy game paths, as well as their unusual a cat does, and thus more
description and logic. Creatures middens or scat piles which are often formidable and dangerous
that are actually reasonably common filled with the desiccated circular shells of to attack.
and yet very difficult to see, and even the poisonous millipedes that form such a
more difficult to capture in a photograph. robust portion of the Civet’s summer diet. The sagittal crest of its skull
The African Civet is one such wraith. Like They resemble at first glance a medium is well-developed providing
the leopard, they are impossible to predict sized cat but with a face that is somewhat a large area for attachment
and seem to appear and disappear at raccoon-like and they are one of the most of the temporal muscle and
will with a nature as ephemeral as smoke fascinating and misunderstood nocturnal the robust zygomatic arch
or mist.They leave behind their broad, carnivores on the dark continent. provides a large area for
attachment of the masseter
CIVET ‘CAT’ and widely distributed in to black. Horizontal lines are muscle.This musculature and
woodlands, savanna, and prominent on the hind limbs. its strong mandibles give it a
The African Civet (Civettictis secondary forests.The Civet Spots are normally present powerful bite.
civetta) is the largest African is primarily nocturnal, hence on its midsection and fade
viverrid, and not a felid, as the scarcity of sightings, into vertical stripes above Its black paws are
is sometimes erroneously and spends the daytime the forelimbs. Its muzzle is compact with hairless soles
implied in the occasional use sleeping in tall grass or pointed, and its ears small with five digits each, with the
of the name ‘Civet Cat’. We dense vegetation, and only and rounded. A black band first toe slightly set back from
include it here in our series becomes active well after stretches across its small eyes, the others. Its long, curved
of African cats because of sunset. and two black bands around claws are semi-retractile,
that, and because it would its short broad neck. unlike the fully retractile claws
be a shame to leave it The African Civet’s shoulder of the cat family (except for
unmentioned. It is a solitary height averages 40cm. It has The erectile dorsal crest the Cheetah) or unretractible
mammal with a unique black a coarse and wiry fur that of longer hairs follows the claws of canids. Its head-and-
and white coat pattern and is varies in colour from white to spine and extends from body length is 67 — 84cm,
the sole member of its genus. creamy yellow to reddish on the neck to the base of the with a 34 — 47cm long tail
the back.The stripes, spots, tail. If an African Civet feels and a weight range of
It is native to sub-Saharan and blotches are deep brown threatened, it raises its dorsal 7 — 20 kg. Females are
Africa, where it is common smaller than males.

48 Your Cat March 2022

They are
supremely
secretive...

CIVET TERRITORY The African Civet. Image: Marten Lange.

African Civets deposit their African Civets probably mate CIVET SIGHTINGS
faeces in large piles called from October to November
latrines, or specifically and females give birth in Peter says: “All I had ever seen of a Civet in over 40
‘civetries’.The latrines are the rainy season between years of taking part in safaris in Africa was a black
characterised by fruits, January and February.The and white blur in the headlights one night in the Masai
seeds, exoskeletons of insect average lifespan of a captive Mara in Kenya, and a sad captive fellow in a cage in
and millipede rings, and African Civet is 15 — 20 Ghana. Until one night in Pungwe, one of our favourite
occasionally clumps of grass. years, probably much less lodges in the low veldt, not far from the Kruger National
The role of Civet latrines as a for most in the wild. Females Park. Pungwe is a magnificent camp, one of the few
mechanism of seed dispersal make a nest usually in dense remaining where there is no electric fence to keep
and forest regeneration is still vegetation and commonly the wildlife out and protect the occupants. On my last
being researched. Both males adapt a hole or den dug visit, I was sat enjoying a beer when a Spotted Hyena
and females have .They use previously by another animal sauntered past in broad daylight. However, to keep our
their perineal gland secretion and give birth to one to four guests safe and comfortable, one of us always walks
to mark their territories around young.The young are born them to their cottages at night, armed with a trusty high
their ‘civetries’.These markings with dark, short fur and at beam torch to frighten off any hungry lions or leopards
typically follow common quite an advanced stage who might just be waiting on the windy dark path — it’s
routes and paths and lie of development compared always an unforgettable experience staying at Pungwe!
within 100 metres of ‘civetries’ to most carnivores, and can
most of the time. crawl at birth.They leave the “So, having walked two guests home without incident,
nest after about 18 days but I heard a small commotion in the kitchens off to one
The African Civet is an are still dependent on the side, about 25 metres away from the path. I shone my
omnivore and feeds on mother for milk and protection beam and there to my delight was a Civet, mooching
rodents, amphibians, and for a further two months. around the kitchen looking for goodies! He stared back
small reptiles, and numerous at me for 30 seconds or so, no doubt bemoaning his
arthropods, as well as eggs, luck at having been rumbled, fluffed up his back fur and
fruits, berries, and seeds. then whipped away into the night. My first Civet, but alas
no-one to share the sighting with. Simply fabulous, even
Female civets, like cats, if he was behaving like a feral cat!”
are polyoestrous, in captivity
at least. In Southern Africa, Andrew says: “I have laid eyes on the enigmatic
Civet a mere handful of times in the wild, primarily on
NUMBERS CONCERN nocturnal game drives in southern and east Africa, but
I have walked copious remote patches of wild savanna
While not considered a threatened species in southern countryside and have seen signs of their territorial
Africa, there is cause for concern for Civet numbers in west markings everywhere.They are supremely secretive
Africa. In 2006, it was estimated that over 15,000 African and are masters of camouflage and the art of the
Civets were hunted in the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal evasive skulk-and-hide manoeuvre. And yet they are
forests of Cameroon and Nigeria. Skins and skulls of always around at night, an obscure and yet vital niche
African Civets were found in 2007 at the Dantokpa Market specialised, cat-like denizen within the confounding
in southern Benin. Local hunters consider it a rare species, ecological grandeur that is neo-tropical Africa.”
indicating that the population has declined due to hunting
for trade as bushmeat. Find out more…

The African Civet has also been pursued for the secretion To learn more about the safari experiences that Andrew
of its perineal glands.This secretion is a white or yellow and Peter provide, visit raesafaris.co.za You can also visit
waxy substance called civetone, which has been used as their YouTube channel to see their safaris for yourself:
a basic ingredient for perfumes for hundreds of years. In www.youtube.com/channel/UCd6Yu1aS2silRF8iPpFy4hw
Ethiopia, African Civets are trapped and then kept alive
in small cages for their civetone. Most die within three
weeks after capture, most likely due to stress. Extraction of
the civetone is cruel and has been widely condemned by
conservation and animal rights bodies but synthetically
manufactured versions are now thankfully widely used.

www.yourcat.co.uk 49

TRUE CAT TALE

TRIPLE JEOPARDY
Maya had endured a tough life
but an epic journey brought her Maya has settled in
home to Sian Wade. with Sian’s other cats.

It was 3am and pouring CHARITY CHALLENGES Maya. hours allogrooming each
with rain when I pulled up other. She also likes to go
outside my home with Maya, Local volunteers from the After her arrival, Maya outside to my garden,
following an almost 24-hour island and other volunteers remained in her room very which is enclosed, and
journey from the island of from across the world have quietly for about five weeks. I loves to lie in the sun and
Skiathos in Greece. I settled been instrumental in the would go to work and return under bushes — she is
the carrier with Maya into her continued success of the mid-afternoon and lie on always supervised.Thus,
carefully arranged room. She charity.Throughout the the bed in the spare room the quiet reserved cat that
wanted to remain hidden at year (pre-Covid), a rota of with her. Eventually, when she arrived back in 2018 has
the back of her carrier so I volunteers either visited the seemed settled, I would leave transformed into a cat with the
retreated to my own bed with island purposely to help at the door open for a short most confident and charming
the rest of my cats, leaving the charity for anything from time for her and the other character, with some quirky
Maya at peace to come to a week to months, or as cats, and so the relationship traits. She will stand up on my
terms with what had been holidaymakers who came developed from there. Initially, kitchen chair and demand
a disturbing journey.The to help for odd days or Maya was very quiet but she her breakfast and tea with
journey had involved a flight bring donations.This loved to have the other cats quite a persistent meow.
to Amsterdam, a drive to the has included volunteer around. She had been a great She has developed into
Eurotunnel and a crossing on vets and veterinary companion to the kittens in a most loving companion.
the train, followed by a further nurses who have Skiathos and had also been She never complains and
drive up to Warwickshire. provided treatment and affectionate with the other shows no animosity to her
contributed to Trap Neuter indoor cats. She seemed keen housemates. She has endured
FROM GREECE Release schemes, along with to transfer her allegiances a quite remarkable life from
the local vets who provide as to my cats, especially Archie being abandoned by her
For the previous nine years, much care as they can. with whom she has a special mother, to losing her eyesight
Maya had been cared for bond and with whom she and then her tail, to then
by Skiathos Cat Association About three years ago, the sleeps and playfights. She undergoing what must have
Charity which looks after over charity was faced with having and Gracie also spend many been the most terrifying and
200 cats, as well as providing to relocate the cats and look stressful journey of her life — it
food and care to cats across for a permanent base and could indeed be described
the island at feeding stations. foster care facilities for the cats. as a life of triple jeopardy.
Maya had been found with Finding new premises was to I think, if she understood, she
her two sisters, with no sign of be a major challenge. It was would be indebted to all those
their mother.They all had cat felt that the accommodation residents, vets, and volunteers
flu and were treated by the was unsuitable for the associated with Skiathos Cat
vets. Maya had to have both disabled and blind cats and Welfare Association for finding
her eyes removed, while her a request was made for these her and for giving her such
sisters each lost the sight of cats to be rehomed. good care.
one eye. All remained on the
charity’s site to be cared for, as I had been out for a few
it was not appropriate to return years as a volunteer for a
them to their original habitat. week each year, and saw
the request in the monthly
Maya had been mostly kept newsletter I received. After
inside but was allowed out into careful consideration, I offered
the charity’s grounds at times, to home one of the blind cats,
until she somehow escaped Maya, who I had met when
and returned with part of her volunteering. Already having
tail missing. At this point, it four cats, it was felt that Maya
was decided that she would would be the cat most well
remain inside with the other suited to my situation and she
disabled or blind cats. made her epic journey here in
June 2018.

50 Your Cat March 2022