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Holidays for November
 Month:
    Adopt a Senior Pet Month
    National Pet Awareness Month
    National Senior Pet Month
    Pet Cancer Awareness Month
    Pet Diabetes Month
    Wishbones for Pets Month

Weeks:
    National Animal Shelter and
         Rescue Appreciation Week -
         First Full Week of November
    National Cat Week -
         First Full Week of November

Days:
    National Cook for Your Pets Day           Nov 1
    National Black Cat Day - Nov 17
    Humane Society Anniversary Day         Nov 22



PET FOOD NEWS

What is "ingredient splitting?"
This article is about deceptive marketing of dog food, but be aware that this happens with cat food, too.

Is your cat's food on a recall list?
https://www.petful.com/recall-lists/cat-food-recalls/

Keep up to date on recalls, latest developments (and
findings) with pet food:
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About the Newsletter
 
We would love to hear from you!
Published on the first of the month. Submissions, stories, suggestions and questions are welcome.

hi_paws @ yahoo.com
_________________

If you would like to see past
issues, or are having trouble
viewing this one, you may
find them at this link: 
https://ymlp.com/archive
 
Natural Pet Care
 
For a comprehensive care regimen for your pets, this website contains information, educational courses (many are free), and product advice to help you treat your pet naturally.
https://vitalanimal.com

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Did You Know?
 
 Cat Memory
Cats have both short term and long term memory, so they can remember, short term, up to 16 hours ago. Yet they tend to be more selective compared to dogs. Meaning they only remember what is beneficial to them. And while cats are seen as having a lower social IQ then dogs, they can solve much more difficult cognitive problems.
(But only when they feel like it.)  

 Vocabulary Builder (VoCATulary Builder?)
*A kindle isn’t just an e-reader—it’s also a word that’s used to describe a group of kittens born to one mama cat.
*A group of full-grown cats is called a clowder.
*An ailurohile is a cat lover. The word is derived from the Greek word for cat, ailouros, and the suffix -phile, meaning lover. Conversely, the word ailurophobe—a combination of ailouros plus phobe—describes someone who fears or dislikes cats.
*Some of history's most notable figures hated cats? Such ailurophobes included
Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Genghis Kahn, Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, King Louis XlV, Napoleon, Isadora Duncan, Benito Mussolini, Adolf Hitler, Dwight Eisenhower, and three Popes -- Gregory IX, Innocent Vll, and Innocent VIII.

 Why cats love boxes
Animal experts think that the enclosed spaces make felines feel more protected, secure, and important—kind of like they’re back in the womb. Researchers found that when shelter cats are provided with boxes to cuddle up in, they adjust faster and are less stressed than kitties that aren't given boxes. Also, sleeping in a box might help cats retain more body heat so they stay nice and toasty, and therefore relaxed.

12 Things Cats Hate
https://youtu.be/INhgQKMB1cU

And to offset that info:
11 Things Cats Love Most
https://youtu.be/iX3TGPNXnPk
  
 
        ~~~~~~~~~~~ 
Thanks to Paul DeCeglie for submitting articles used in this month's newsletter. He is an American writer now based in Thailand! He has three gorgeous black cats he rescued from the indifferent streets of the city.
 
pauls cats
         
 

November 1, 2021     
The Feral Cats of Disneyland
 
This famous and popular park has been closed since March 14, 2020 and it's not known when it will reopen. This has raised concerns by some for the feral cats that live there.
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2548921/what-disneyland-does-with-the-feral-cats-that-live-there

Disneyland Cats Spotted Doing Well!
https://insidethemagic.net/2021/02/disneyland-cats-spotted-cb1/

Background:
"It is a little known fact that Disneyland is not only home to fantastical creatures, but also a colony of feral cats! Cats have taken up residence at Disneyland since 1955. Allegedly, Walt Disney found the cats living in the building that is now Sleeping Beauty’s castle, and rather than evicting the four-legged intruders from the grounds, he let them stay. The cats were natural hunters and could fend for themselves. They even [have] proven helpful to control any unwanted rodent populations... Disney now runs a TNR program to help control the cat population and there is even a vet clinic that helps ensure they all stay healthy."
https://www.onegreenplanet.org/news/meet-the-feral-cats-of-disneyland/

The Cats of Disneyland
https://disneylandcats.com/about/

Disneyland’s Secret Feral Cat Colony
https://www.wdwinfo.com/disneylandcalifornia/all-about-disneylands-secret-feral-cat-colony/

"It is a heartbreaking reality, but Disneyland lovers will have to wait a while longer since there has been no green light for the theme park to reopen despite support from Anaheim City Council and L.A. County, where Universal Hollywood is located."
cute kitty
Happy November
 
 
 
Are Cats Lazy?

A new study from researchers at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine showed most domestic cats choose not to contrafreeload. The study found that cats would rather eat from a tray of easily available food rather than work out a simple puzzle to get their food.

"There is an entire body of research that shows that most species, including birds, rodents, wolves, primates -- even giraffes -- prefer to work for their food," said lead author Mikel Delgado, a cat behaviorist and research affiliate at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "What's surprising is out of all these species, cats seem to be the only ones that showed no strong tendency to contrafreeload."

In the study, Delgado, along with co-authors Melissa Bain and Brandon Han of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, provided 17 cats a food puzzle and a tray of food. The puzzle allowed the cats to easily see the food but required some manipulation to extract it. Some of the cats even had food puzzle experience.

"It wasn't that cats never used the food puzzle, but cats ate more food from the tray, spent more time at the tray and made more first choices to approach and eat from the tray rather than the puzzle," said Delgado.

Cats aren't actually lazy.

Cats that were part of the study wore activity monitors. The study found that even cats that were more active still chose the freely available food. Delgado said the study should not be taken as a dismissal of food puzzles. She said just because they don't prefer it, doesn't mean they don't like it. Delgado's previous research shows puzzles can be an important enrichment activity for cats.

Why cats prefer to freeload is also unclear. Delgado said the food puzzles used in the study may not have stimulated their natural hunting behavior, which usually involves ambushing their prey.

The research was supported by Maddie's Fund and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210813100338.htm
 
 
Where Do Cats Come From?

According to a Jewish legend, God created cats in response to Noah praying for help to protect stored food on the Ark from being eaten by rats. To that end, God made a lion sneeze and out came a pair of cats.

As we all know, ancient Egyptians venerated cats. Not only were they considered an icon for Bast, the Goddess of Protection, they also were prized for keeping rats at bay. Society saw that as a vital service and, consequently, made it illegal to kill cats--the penalty for which often was death.

Meanwhile, there is a Buddhist belief that cats are temporary resting places for powerful and very spiritual people. And in Japan, some contend that cats have the power to turn into super spirits when they die.
 
Health
 
FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) has always been a death sentence for cats and
is one of the most upsetting and heartbreaking diseases that can affect them. There has never been a cure, or even any effective treatment, but that could change soon.

Now there is a new drug with some promise, but it's only available on the black
market. The issues involved with "unlegal" products, drugs or treatments include
availability, how to obtain them, how to deal with the legalities, finding the
truth about them, and whether you are willing to take the risks.

One drug currently under study involves the use of 80% hydrochloric acid in the injections. This is very painful and can burn the cat as well as the handler. You have to decide what you feel is right, for you and/or for your cat. Discuss this with your vet, for example.

Find out the name (it's a number, actually) of the drug and read discussions about the issues mentioned above, at this website: https://fiptreatmentnews.com/
 
Do Something Nice for Your Cat Friends

It's not too eartly to think about holiday shopping and gifting, especially
this year with the shipping and delivery shortages affecting stores everywhere,
not to mention delivery services like UPS, FedEx and even the Post Office.

Some of my books are still for sale at Amazon and would make great gifts
for friends and family who love animal stories and information.

Our Amazing Cats Vol. 1
amazon.com/dp/1480292559

Our Amazing Cats Vol. 2
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1484163443

Our Amazing Dogs
https://www.amazon.com/dp/148416346X

For a full list, please visit ouramazingcats.com/book-list/
 
Things we can do to help animals:
 
Sign petitions, write to your legislators and local officials, check local shelters to learn their needs and how you can help.

 
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