Before we talk about the 5 Reasons Why We Feed Raw Food Diets to Our Pets, I want to share with you some of our personal experiences around raw food. The first thing that led me to investigate different diets for both our dogs and cats was constant and varying health issues.

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We’ve been feeding raw to our pets for about 8 years now and before that time I made home-cooked pet food primarily consisting of stews. I changed up the veggies and greens regularly so as to give them the best variety of nutrients. I also added the necessary ingredients to supplement vitamins and minerals to avoid nutritional deficiencies. With the homecooked food, we noticed dramatic changes.

Faithful Home Cooked Stew

And for those clients that came to me at that time for holistic treatment for their dogs or cats, I suggested homecooked stews of chicken, beef, and wild game, of course with lots of veggies and maybe a sweet potato. We saw numerous accounts of dogs getting their vitality and energy back. Their coats transformed from dullish shades to shiny resulting in vital fur. Tummy troubles, digestion issues, and a whole host of other improvements were underway.

Many a dog owner, that have been clients in the past or are currently, faithfully still cook homemade stews for their dog. Once they saw the difference in how dramatically the proper diet transformed their dog or cat, they were eternally committed! Or let’s say, ARE eternally committed. Even to the point when I try to tell them how a raw meat diet outranks the previous game changer, they don’t budge. But that’s ok because any home-cooked diet still has many advantages over commercial pet food, dry kibble, or processed food. More on the dry dog food and commercial dog food in a moment.

Why Not Quality Dry Kibble?

Again what I share with you in my blog posts is based on my personal experience. But what makes me an authority on the subject of raw feeding goes beyond my personal experience and opinion. Its based on the testimony of many of my clients that made the leap.

Ok for starters, we all know that at a minimum a diet based on fresh fruits, vegetables, and quality sourced protein is good for us as people. Many of us know when we eat a certain way, say over-processed food, too many carbs, the wrong carbs, fried or boxed food, sugar, etc . . . We feel . . . well basically like c r a p.

Yes, I said a word. But it’s true, wouldn’t you agree. There is a tremendous variation to all the diverse ways of eating healthy on an individual basis. But one thing is for sure and that is when we eat appropriately for ourselves . . . we know it. We feel better, we sleep better, we think better, we function better. We live better. We Love better. We are better people to be around. PERIOD.

It’s the same for the animal kingdom. Nature designed animals to eat a certain way. And its a God given natural blueprint. When a dog or cat is permitted to follow their species-specific diet they will thrive from a foundational level. Their blueprint is a raw food diet. A wild dog eats raw meat, raw bone, muscle meat, organ meat, and meaty bone. A wild cat inherently eats the same but will choose to eat different parts of its prey to get the correct ratio of nutrients for its raw diet.

What About An ORGANIC Commercial Pet Food Kibble?

The keyword here is Organic. In my early years of trying to feed the best cat food and dog food I could find out there, I went for the Organic label for sure. And I believe anything truly organic is going to be better than not organic. Having said that just because something is labeled organic doesn’t necessarily make it so. But that’s a topic for another blog post. My go-to was Wysong dry food for both my pet’s diet. I free-fed the cat food for my felines and did twice a day meal feeding for the dogs.

The point is that this was still NOT A species specific diet for my best friends. Dogs and cats are carnivores. Cats are obligate carnivores. Dogs eat a variety of other plants, herbs and veggies but the largest percentage of their diet is raw meat.

I fed organic dry kibble for years and yet my animals still experienced health issues. My kitty, back then, Camanche had thyroid issues that no veterinary visit seemed to remedy. When we did address his out of whack thyroid numbers, the medication made him horribly ill; vomiting repeatedly, stumbling, disoriented. This hurt my heart terribly watching him endure such suffering. He was and still is from the ethers, a primary teacher for me.

Digging Deeper

Camanche taught me to dig deeper, research, and experiment. It was through his illnesses that prompted me to find better alternatives for him, our other animals, and all the other people that sought treatment from us to help their beloved pets feel better. Or at least improve the quality of their life to the very best possible.

Moving On To Why We Feed Raw

A natural dog’s diet doesn’t include packaged carbohydrates. This is even more true for cats being 90% carnivorous. Animals in the wild do not eat out of a processed package. Dry kibble is exactly that. . . . . dry . . . . and the carbohydrates at this high a level are disastrous for an animals metabolism. The natural food chain is a real thing.

There is plenty of research out there, but the best research is experimenting with your own cat or dog. For cats, dry kibble is a primary factor in kidney disease which runs rampant. The dry food literally dehydrates them and has an adverse effect on the kidneys. When the kidneys don’t function well or lose their ability to filter waste, the waste backs up in their system and they become toxic. Constant what I call, ‘hanging over the water bowl’ is not a good sign. Think kidney issues.* Usually when the signs of this are seen it’s too late. Waste matter builds up over time and they can’t process it. Many feline’s lives are ended prematurely due to this toxicity.

*Cat’s typically are supposed to obtain their moisture from their food (hence raw food). There is a lot of moisture in meat. Freshwater should always be available to your pet, whether dog or cat, but cats will only on occasion drink water if they eating a correct diet.

Prevention

Another popular name for this is Renal Failure. I will also say right here that raw feeding is not a magic bullet, but pretty close to. There are many environmental chemicals, heavy metals, toxins, and pathogens that we and our animals are exposed to that are beyond our control.

And many times we need to detoxify our animals through holistic treatments, supplements, pure water, and lifestyle changes (i.e. stop using chemicals in, on, and around the house). Pets absorb enormous amounts of chemicals and chemical lawn fertilizers through the pads of their feet, such as one of the most toxic chemicals known to man, that being glyphosate. Guess what, that is in your well-intentioned weed killer, Roundup.

Raw pet food will not eliminate their exposure to such chemicals and often there is more to do to restore health to our furred four-leggeds. So starting them on a raw dog food diet or cat food diet is a great beginning. Whether you’ve just adopted a new puppy or kitten or your long-term relationship with your best buddy, is challenged by health issues, feeding raw IS the place to start. Start Now!

Why We Feed Raw, The First Step To Health

If your pet is young and just getting started you can start now to build a strong foundation for health and immunity. Get them started on the right paw. If your pet is struggling with health issues starting on a raw feeding schedule can help them tremendously. Or if your dog has been diagnosed with a serious health condition, why not assure them the best quality of life from here on out. The raw food can relax the nervous system, allow them to sleep better, and begin to support the immune system to the best of its ability. This is a great place to build upon even if they need further holistic treatment.

Strengthened Immunity

When we started our kitty, Camanche on raw food he had still yet a lot to resolve. But what we did notice after his first raw meal was that he became so SO calm from anxiety and he stretched out on the floor for a nap and was incredibly ~ what I call . . . . s t r e t c h y . . . . he was elongated with his abdomen relaxed.

It was such a relief to see him comfortable instead of in a “hunchy position” with his tummy and underside all bunched up. That is a sign of discomfort when your cat can’t stretch out. This is usually discomfort and/or pain in the abdomen. The raw food diet certainly helped him be more comfortable but he had already had some years of struggle. So there were more support measures we needed to put in place, which we continued to implore.

In the final analysis, I determined it was a chronic low grade infection that was the culprit which affected many different systems of body and psyche. And now today we have holistic remedies for that as well. I could say, ‘If I knew then what I know now’ . . . he may still be with us. Camanche is a pioneer for us and through his journey, we discovered much that has changed the lives of many animals since his transition in 2017.

Starting Out On The Right Paw

Our current kitties, Isaiah and Elijah both came to us at 3 months of age within one day of each other. They were rescue kitties fostered by a friend of ours. When they came home to live with us, Isaiah was lethargic, had no appetite, had discharge oozing out of his right eye, wouldn’t hold his tail up, and didn’t meow.

Elijah was the other end of the spectrum. He was so wound up he couldn’t stop moving, this was not to mistake it for a high energy cat. His metabolism was clearly undesirably sped up. He reacted and startled at the slightest of noises, his tummy was upset constantly trying to find a comfortable position, his eyes dilated (fear and pain), he had a hard time settling down. He was hanging over the water bowl constantly. That is not a good sign for a cat. It can mean the kidneys are in distress. He was ONLY 3 MONTHS OLD!!!

I couldn’t believe it. These guys were discontent and uncomfortable. We started them immediately on raw food. No slow transition from kibble to raw for these guys. They needed true nutrition, available enzymes, raw bone, muscle, and meat from the gate. We also gave them bioavailable minerals, colostrum, bone broth protein, flower essences, CBD for anxiousness, chlorella, and various homeopathic remedies.

Positive Change Ahead

Within 3 months Isaiah was meowing for more and more food. He is the ‘foodie’ of the household and will often be found in contemplation in front of the refrigerator. His eye discharge has cleared up. His coordination and sensory perception are now of a different caliber. Elijah is now calm most of the time, his tummy issues are thing of the past. The skin condition on his hind legs is 100% clear. We are now two years later and our furred buddies are doing great. If I didn’t mention, their coats are absolutely beautiful. Their coats are absolutely beautiful!

Their raw kitty food diet has been and is imperative to foundational health. As mentioned this was not all we needed to do but without the correct nutrition, our efforts would not have yielded the results. They are flourishing and doing beautifully. Here they are on a walkabout from this summer. Notice how bright their eyes are and the health of their coats:

The 5 Reasons Why We Feed Raw Food Diets

1) Our Pets are worth it!

2) Strengthened Immunity & Prevention

3) Improved Recovery

4) Favorable Well Being

5) Increased Stamina, Vitality and Life Force

In other words, here are some of the physical, mental and emotional benefits:

• Improved Digestion
• Increased energy
• Less Flatulence
• Better ability to absorb nutrients
• Playfulness and Creativity
• Shinier, lustrous coats
• Sparkly eyes
• More mobile joints
• Minimized pain
• Increased Vigor
• Better behavior
• Improved learning and listening capacity
• Healthier gums and teeth (fewer tooth extractions!)

A Few Last Tips

A raw food diet will cost more than a commercial pet food diet. But when you think about the cost of frequent veterinarian visits, the price of medications, surgeries, and follow-up visits you will see that it pays off to spend a little more on their food and boost their immunity. They’ll be less susceptible to commonplace conditions, their constitution will be stronger, and less prone to injuries. But most importantly, your best buddy will be happier and healthier. And finally, I’ll bet you’ll save more money in the long run . . . . we have.

The last thing I want to leave you with is don’t take my word for it or the word of many clients who have first hand reaped the benefits, but try it for yourself. My absolute favorite raw pet food company suggests a 90-day challenge, to see if you don’t see positive changes within 90 days. If you love your pets as much as I do mine . . . why not? Here is a link to my favorite raw pet food company.

You’ll also find a ton of education in their blog and the most excellent customer service I’ve seen in a long time. If you read through their blog which I highly recommend, you find a few posts from me too! They truly care . . . So do I. I’m also available for consultations whether your local or far away.

We can be reached through our website at HappyTails.tips or through the category tab Work With Me on the top menu of the website.

You might be wondering How to Restrain a Cat to Clip Nails and that is a great question. It’s basically listening to your cat, dog, or any other pet that needs its claws cut on a regular basis. The First key is really reading social cues just like you would if you were having a conversation with a person.

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Animals are communicating with us in every interaction we have with them. When you are speaking with a person, ideally there is an appropriate exchange of sharing thoughts, ideas, and responses. Typically we sit or stand at an acceptable distance from one another to communicate. Then there is some form of acknowledgement that we have actually heard what the other person has said and we comment or respond. It’s the same way with animals.

Just because an animal’s language is different than people’s, it is by no means any less important. The Second key is patience. I’m going to repeat . . . . yes, the word . . . .

P a t i e n c e . . . . . .

This is where most pet’s people fall short. Probably the single greatest factor in acquiring any animal’s co-operation is patience. If we just wait for them to process what it is we are asking of them, such as trimming nails we’ll make great progress. The end result is we won’t have to restrain them at all! Just listen to them and dance with them, do not try to ‘DO’ anything To them.

The Third key is to start handling their paws as frequently as possible when you are NOT trying to clip nails. If your cat is the cuddly type, use the opportunity when you are stroking them be sure to run your hands all the way down their legs gently touching those front paws and the pads underneath and holding them for a brief second.

Basics on How to Restrain a Cat to Clip Nails

Most importantly, begin to handle your cat or kittens paws as frequently as possible. You can do this while picking them up and holding them or when they are enjoying cuddle time and being stroked. Learn to pet not only their backs but down all their legs (front & back) landing at the paws and holding briefly. Many times they will resist but after a while if you persist in your gentleness and consistency they will realize there is nothing to fear and will eventually come to enjoy it.

I personally give my cats little massages between their toes and have since we adopted them completely feral at 3 months of age. Cat nail trims were not an option from day one but within a few months we did one whole paw at a time and now two years later they will allow me to trim all their nails practically while they are napping.

Use Just Enough Pressure and Nothing More

The Fourth key is to use just enough pressure to do the job and nothing more. Cats that are adopted, have had any abuse, or have been feral for any length of time, take time to develop trust. Although from the positive intentions of rescues, animal clinics, and fostering, cats and kittens have often been captured and handled roughly. In light of spaying, neutering, vaccinations and loud metal cages these little four-leggeds develop apprehension about being handled at all. So handling them as gently as possible with leadership is a great recipe for success.

First of all, pick a time when they are relaxed or in a good mood. Maybe after eating a meal or playtime. Hold them gently and their paw as gently as possible without any extra pressure, only enough to let them know what you want. For example, with a significantly stressed cat, ask to do only ONE nail at a time and then reward them with verbal praise, petting, and a treat.

If while trying to trim a nail they start hissing, pin their ears, try to scratch you or try to flee abruptly from your arms . . . . finish the one claw and let them know they are Okay. The timing of reward is imperative. Don’t give them the release until they are calm. It may be a moment or two. Then reward. Divert them with Play. Make it fun. You might just stop there for the day and build on the trust you developed. Wait a week or so and proceed again.

Reward Good Behavior Not Bad

This is a tricky one. The Fifth key is that you want to reward good behavior and this teaches your pet directly what you want and what you are asking of them. On the other hand, you don’t want to reward bad behavior by petting, them, letting them go too soon, or giving a treat right after they try to bite you, scratch you or flee from your arms. If you give them a treat right after they bite you, essentially you are telling them, “I’ll praise you for biting me”!!

When you get even the smallest amount of submission or co-operation, that is the time to give them the release; that is physically setting them down, telling them ‘good boy or good girl’ and sometimes giving a treat to let them know in their language this is good, this is what I want. Animals inherently want to please their people and thoroughly enjoy being in a relationship with us.

Avoid Clipping the Quick of the Nail

When kitties have translucent nails it’s much easier to visibly see the quick compared to kitties with black nails. Even with my cats who both have translucent nails, I error on the side of caution and usually as a rule of thumb clip only about a total of a quarter of the nail. I do need to trim their nails more often. But since ‘trust’ has been established and it took a little bit to get here, I’d rather have happy, trusting kitties that get their nails trimmed more frequently. For felines with black nails adhering to clipping only the quarter of the nail should prove safe for preventing clipping the quick. Quick Blood Stopper Antiseptic Styptic Powder

Important Considerations

One side note, try to avoid using big bulky gloves on your hands to do nail trimming on your cats nail. This can really freak out your kitten or any cat. It gives them one more thing to be afraid of and really is unnecessary if you take the time to build trust.

Rear Paw

As a cat owner, both my cats are indoor cats and I only trim the front nails. I leave the rear paw alone. Not because I don’t think they wouldn’t let me clip them but because for an indoor cat, really only the front paws need to be clipped. Whether you have an indoor cat or an outdoor cat, grooming just the front should be adequate. In particular though, if you have an outdoor cat it is definitely best to leave the back claws intact. This can protect them and help them climb if necessary away from a predator.

The Dew Claw

Also, don’t forget to clip what is called the dewclaw. It’s actually higher up on the leg from the rest of the pet’s nails. The dew claw can grow long and become an ingrown nail. This is mostly in an older cat. But the younger ones, especially an indoor cat can get hung up easily on the dewclaw.

The Five Keys on How to Clip Cat Nails

Additional Tips for Successful Nail Clipping

The KItty Burrito Method ~ You wrap your kitty snuggly but comfortably in a towel or blanket and only pull out the paw you are going clip keeping the body wrapped as to avoid getting scratched.
Flower Essence ~ Rescue Remedy Given a 1/2 hour before the clipping session can help calm down your Kitty, reducing anxiety and apprehension.
CBD Oil ~ Can have a tremendous calming effect for most cats. This would be my number one go-to if your cat responds well to a quality CBD Oil. A few drops of this oil in some food or even on the pads of the feet can make a world of difference. Use about 1 hour before trimming.
Homeopathic Remedies ~ There are numerous homeopathic remedies that can be helpful for anxiety as well. Such as Gelesium and Arsenicum Album. This takes a little experimenting to find the right remedy. And some research to find the best description of the remedy that describes your pet. But once you do the right remedy can work wonders.
Quick Blood Stopper – antiseptic styptic powder ~ Good to have on hand just in case you accidentally hit the quick.
Nail Clippers ~ quality cat nail clippers. Get that nail the first time . . . you can also use human nail clippers. They are very quiet and don’t make any sound which is a huge bonus. The only disadvantage is that it’s harder to see how much of the nail you actually have compared to the cat nail clippers. I have used these many times as well on our kitties. I just have to make sure I have really good light and maybe even have my reading glasses on!

Your Cat’s Diet is Foundational

You might be wondering, how IS diet related to giving your cat the perfect nail trim? When pets are given the proper nutrition for their species it makes all the difference in the world in their health, temperament, disposition, and mood. Since this post is specifically about our feline friends let’s talk about the feline diet. Cats are 90% carnivorous. That means they are obligate meat-eaters.

I have found from my experience with my own cats and those that I have worked with within my holistic animal practice, that cats literally THRIVE on a quality raw food diet. Many health conditions can be healed simply from a raw cat food diet. This is my favorite raw pet food company and what we use right in our own house. I used to grind up whole chickens and add some nutrients to make my own raw cat food. That is until I found this wonderful raw pet food company. Elijah and Isaiah, our two beloved kitties agree . . . . . they LOVE their food. And yes we pay for quality food for them but it is so worth it to have happy healthy cats. And lastly, it saves me Sooooo much time.

One last note on the diet, they make incredible raw food treats as well, Elijah and Isaiah’s favorite being Lamb Lungs. I noticed the very first time I gave them treats they were so calm. I truly thought it was by coincidence but it happens every time. They are getting the nutrients as if they were eating in the wild. That is what makes a species-specific diet.

Meet Isaiah and Elijah

Elijah and Isaiah adopted us as their caregivers two years ago almost to date. Both came from different counties, were living in dumps, and had been feral. And they both were approximately 3 months of age. Isaiah had only been handled twice by people when he came home to live with us. They are the most loving of brothers even though not by blood. These cats taught me how to ‘dance‘ with them to clip their nails.

ReCap ~ Summary

• Gently start handling your cat’s paws frequently at cuddle time or playtime
• Approach from kindness and gentleness not “doing a procedure”
• Stop! If hissing or aggression (but do not let them go)
• Clip one nail at a time and build on that
• Reward after accomplishing the goal even if after just one claw
• Diversion – make it a great experience and something to look forward to
• Build Relationship and hold your cat rather than “restraining”
• Use Calming products
• And most of all have P A T I E N C E

If you have ever walked into an animal shelter before, you have probably seen quite a number of striped cats. These cats are often described as “tabby cats,” but “tabby” is not a breed. It is actually a generalized description of a coat pattern common to almost all breeds of felines.

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What is even more interesting about any tabby cat is that their coat patterns are as individual to each cat as fingerprints are to humans. You cannot and will not ever find two cats with exactly the same striping pattern, even if the two cats come from exactly the same litter.

The style of patterning depends on several things, and there are actually five patterns that fall under the tabby pattern heading. Let’s take a closer look at these little wild tigers that have taken over domestic homes for several centuries now.

Tabbies and Cat Breed

Tabbies are not a breed. Like many other animals exhibiting special fur or coat markings and colors, tabbies’ coats are a result of genetic mutations on alleles in their genes. Alleles are parts of genes, and genes are parts of chromosomes, and chromosomes are part of your DNA. In cats, these genetic mutations on specific alleles are responsible for the individual striping patterns in tabby coat markings.

Almost any breed can produce a tabby cat. In fact, there are only a handful of purebred cats that do not have tabby marking as part of their standard coat coloring and patterning options. Of those breeds, you can only get a tabby-marked cat IF you breed the purebred non-tabby with another breed where tabby marking is common, producing a mixed breed cat that results in the striped coat. Even Persian cats and hairless Spinxes can have the striped markings of a tabby cat.

Tabby Gene

When a cat owner starts talking about the “tabby gene,” he or she is referring to the fact that these cats have mutations in their genes that cause the striping pattern. This “gene” exists in almost all cats, regardless if it is prominent in the cat or cats you currently have. It can be recessive, muted or even dominant, depending on how many of the striped cats are in your cat’s family tree.

Recessive tabby cat pattern genes may not be apparent in your cat, but if your cat has offspring with another cat that is either dominant- or recessive-gened for the tabby cat coat, one or more of the kittens in the litter may end up being a tabby kitten. Only when neither the father or mother cat has a recessive, muted, or dominant gene will the kittens be solid, calico, or tuxedo (i.e., half white, half another solid color).

A muted gene means that the striping pattern is visible but almost non-existent. This color pattern is the result of numerous pairings of ancestral cats that do not have the tabby coat gene. It is commonly seen in calicos that have the striping around the face or part of the tail but nowhere else, or in “tabicos” which are cats that are part or half calico, part or half tabby-cat.

The Four Coat Patterns

Most striking of all coat patterns is some of the more unusual markings in these cats. Everyone is familiar with the “M” stripes on the forehead and stripes wrapping around the cheeks and eyes and the stripes reaching from the back downward. This is the most common color pattern but there are four all told.

Spotted Tabby Pattern

This tabby pattern makes the cat look like a miniature version of a lynx. It frequently has lots of broken stripes that look more like spots all over the cat, and the end of the tail is solid black. The ears may also be solid black, and sometimes white or cream fur is on the face, chest and/or belly too. The spotted tabby is loved for its almost wildcat look.

Mackerel Tabby

The mackerel pattern is the most common. It is easily identified by its obvious “M” stripe on the forehead and the criss-crossing of black stripes over the whole body of the cat. The mackerel tabby pattern is often referred to as “classic tabby”, but the “classic” cat is another coat marking altogether.

A brown tabby cat or an orange cat with black stripes are two of the most common colors you will see. Garfield, the cartoon cat, is an example of a famous orange tabby cat with mackerel markings. However, an orange tabby cat with black stripes is very rare. It is more likely for an orange tabby to have darker orange or brown stripes or cream stripes instead.

One might assume, as previously mentioned, that the classic markings of these cats is part of the mackerel patterning. Even cat owners are surprised to learn that there is a specific pattern in the coats of these cats referred to as the classic pattern. This pattern is fewer bars and stripes and much more whorls and swirls, often with a sort of bull’s eye on the cat’s body somewhere. It is a very desirable coat pattern because there are no wild cats left in the world with these unique markings.

Ticked Tabby

The ticked tabby pattern doesn’t look like a cat coat of this type at all. The individual hairs have several bands of color that refract and split coloring throughout the coat. The reason for this development in some cats was one of necessity. Their ancestors roamed sandy areas and areas where low grasses did not provide a lot of cover against natural predators. To blend in, the cats developed this coat camouflage to blend in with sands and short grasses. These cats with this ticked pattern may still have some striping on the faces, legs and very ends of their tails.

The Tabby Cat Personality

To talk of the tabby cat personality is neither here nor there. Since almost every breed of cat and every “moggie” of a cat has its own personality, you never know quite what you will get until you spend some time with a domesticated cat with stripes or spots. (Side note: A “moggie” is a British word referring to any cat that is not of a specific breed, a sort of “mutt” of the cat world.) You could just as easily get a ticked, shy, tabby-marked cat of Abyssinian descent that runs away and hides when people come over as you might get a muted tabico who constantly begs for attention from everyone.

So, before you adopt a stray with stripes or spots or volunteer to take home a cat that catches your eye, spend some time playing with it. You can get a really good idea of the cat’s personality by interacting with it. Is it aloof? Is it playful? Is it whiny and needy? Does it cry a lot or beg for your attention even though you are right there? All of these personality quirks are revealed in the first twenty minutes of interacting with any cat.

Odd Facts About These Cats

The original word attabiya comes from Arabic, and refers to a city where striped taffeta and silk material was made. Over time, the word transformed into the word applied to striped cats. A female cat has long been referred to as tabby-cats because the shortened word is a nickname for a very common female name during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries (i.e., Tabitha).

Male cats do not seem to have a historical or similar distinction. They were simply referred to as striped cats or fishing cats for the mackerel coat design. Males do tend to be slightly larger than females, but that rarely has much to do with the genetic mutations of coat color and markings. Maine Coon males have the striping and enormous size that hearkens back to their wild ancestors.

Taking Care of Your Cat

Brushing is always a good idea, regardless of coat length. Most cats love to be brushed or they at least will tolerate it well. With long hair tabby-cats, it is a very good idea to brush daily to remove the fur that will shed everywhere and cling to everything and to keep the fur from matting.

Nail clipping is another must and many cats do not tolerate this at all. They may even fight and scratch to get away. If you start with a kitten instead of an adult and trim nails often, they are more inclined to allow you to clip their nails as they get older. Be sure to read our post How to Restrain a Cat to Clip Nails, which is really not about mastering restraining a cat but developing a relationship in order to easily clip nails.

Bathing

Baths are not usually necessary for cats. Cats are pretty good at keeping themselves clean and groomed. However, long-haired cats may get their fur dirty and any cat that is allowed outside will need to be bathed more often.

If your cat is dirty, particularly smelly, or just doesn’t seem to take care of itself, you may need to bathe it once a week or more often. It probably will not like this at all, as many cats do not like to be wet. It will be necessary to keep fur and skin free of health issues.

Feeding and Watering of a Carnivore

Cats are meat eaters and obligate carnivores. The best diet to offer a cat is a raw meat diet that includes muscle meat, organs, glands, and meaty bone. Your cat gets exactly what a natural carnivore wants and needs and nothing it can’t properly digest. In order to have a healthy and thriving cat, a foundational diet is imperative.

Fresh water, either bottled Spring water or water filtered through a high-quality filter is best. Avoiding tap water full of impurities and toxins will keep your tabby-cat healthy. Keep the water dish clean and full of water. Our cats have 2 bowls available at all times; one is filled with Crystal Geyser Springwater and the other has the spring water with an added ounce of bioavailable minerals. We refresh the bowls starting over every 4 days or so. Cats by nature should get 90% percent of their moisture from their food. This is also one more benefit of feeding a raw food diet is that felines acquire the proper amount of moisture is the most absorbable way, a fresh meat diet. Clean water can’t be emphasized more here, most municipal water is FULL of toxins, chemicals, and pathogens. In fact, these days most people don’t drink tap water . . . . . why would you give your cat something you wouldn’t drink???

FAQ and QUICK REFERENCE

Are tabby cats usually fat? No, unless they are overfed or fed the wrong diet. Like all cats, they should have proper nutrition, toys to play with that keep exercised, and a happy home.

Is a tabby cat female? A tabby can be male or female equally.

Are grey tabby cats nice? Tabbies, in general, are very good-natured including the grey tabby.

What breed is a tabby cat? Tabby cats are not breed specific. They can be any number of breeds. What creates a tabby cat is the “tabby gene”; mutations in their genes that cause the striping pattern.

What exactly is a mackerel tabby? The mackeral tabby is denoted by the “M” shape on the forehead and the crisscrossing of black stripes throughout the body.

Do you know what a tabby cat really is? Without testing it would hard to know exactly what breed the appearing tabby has come from. But one of the best ways to get to know a particular tabby cat personality is to spend some time with him or her. If you are adopting from a shelter or otherwise, you could ask for a trial to get to know the tabby and see how it acclimates to your household especially if you have other pets or children.

How much is a tabby cat? This definitely varies, as a randomly bred tabby could sell for as little as $100 or if you adopt from a shelter it could run the same. Purebred tabbies where you know the breed could run $1,500.

What type of tabby do you have? Typically there are four types of coat patterns; mackerel, ticked, spotted, and the classic tabby. (See above for specific descriptions of each)

From where does the tabby cat get its stripes? The African Wild cat is where the tabby striped gene is passed down from.

Do tabby cats like to cuddle? It will depend on the actual breed of the tabby since tabbies are not a specific breed. Spending some time with them is really the only way to know if the specific one you have taken a liking to will be a cuddler or not!

Breeds of white cats isn’t quite the right phrasing. There is no one breed of cat that is only white, nor is “white cat” a breed. White is really just a color option, and a lot of different breeds of cats can be white cats. The most notable and beautiful of a snowy white cat breed is from specific cat breeds, and what it takes to care for them, are as follows.

Himalyan

Like its cousin the Persian, Himalyan cats have beautiful, soft, long coats of fur. Their fur is almost double-layered to help protect them against the cold winters of the Himalyan region. As such, these cats need a lot of grooming. You will need to brush them daily and bathe them whenever their fur gets a little bit dingy. Himalayans come in a variety of colors, but they are most striking when they are pure snowy white with blue eye color. You can tell a Himalayan apart from a Persian because Himalayans have the more compressed muzzle and nasal bridge and long, thin legs. Their coat color is slightly different as well.

Persian

The Persian feline originates in Iran, a great distance from its cousin the Himalayan. However, they have features that are similar. The Persian has long, silky white fur that is less dense but still luxurious. Its white coat color will be mostly white, but it is difficult to get true white coat color in a Persian. It may have a cream, buff, or gray tinge to the fur along its back and tail or ears that is barely noticeable unless you set the cat next to a really whitewall or another really white animal. They don’t necessarily have a dominant white gene Persians are often very finicky eaters, so you will have to find a diet that is ideal for your Persian’s sensitive stomach and picky tastes.

Ragdoll

This wildly popular breed is so adorable that it is impossible not to love one when you pick it up. These kitties droop when you pick them up, just like a ragdoll, and they absolutely love to be held and cuddled. If you are looking for a kitty that will attempt to get petted and loved by every member of your family, the ragdoll is the right choice. Ragdolls are one of the amazing cat breeds. A cat owner can fall in love very easily.

Every ragdoll comes with beautiful blue eyes, a trademark of the breed. The eye colour and coat colour are distinct in this white cat breed. However, their silky-soft, almost Angora-like fur comes in so many different colors. Turkish angora is another name for this cat breed and sometimes they have one blue eye. You might be hard-pressed to find an all-white one unless you run into a breeder that breeds only white ragdoll cats. Like the other long-haired breeds, you will need to brush your ragdoll daily to keep him/her from coughing up a lot of unpleasant hairballs. Special food for hairball digestion as well as all-natural hairball treats and treatments can help.

Russian White

A Russian White is quite possibly the only cat that specifically includes “white” in its breed name. However, it is actually a derivative breed of the Russian Blue. Years of very skilled breeding have reduced most of the “blue” color from this cat’s coat such that it appears very white, but on occasion, a slightly blue kitten will be born to Russian White parents. They have very vibrant green eyes and short fur.

Van Cat or Van Kedisi

This Armenian breed is very white, but often has a ruddiness to its head and hindquarters. Its eyes are almost always gold or blue, and many cats from this breed end up with heterochromia, or one blue eye and one gold eye. The heterochromia offset by the white fur makes the Van Kedisi very striking indeed. They also make interesting offspring.

Sadly, they remain mostly feral near or in Turkey and their numbers are dwindling. If you are offered a Kedisi cat as a pet, question its authenticity and then question how it got here to the states because most of the surviving cats are still in their native country. If genetic testing proves its breed, the animal may have been brought here illegally, in which case you would be rescuing it and returning it to its homeland.

British Longhair

Being a cat lover, many love the British Longhair breed for two reasons. One, the fur is almost always very curly and very long, giving it the appearance of a Curly Rex if a Curly Rex had really long fur. Two, its sourpuss face belies its very gentle and loving nature. Grooming this cat is a twice-a-day feat to prevent hairballs and digestion problems, and it needs a proper diet to keep its fur wooly-soft and luxurious.

British Shorthair

For people who want a really soft coat on their kitty but not all the work involved with the British Longhair, they get a British Shorthair instead. British Shorthairs have lovely soft coats like their Longhair cousins, but it lacks the curly wooly sheep look and the excessive length of the Longhair. The Shorthairs frequently have some coat markings too, which means that even the whitest of British Shorthairs will not be totally and completely white.

Angora

Perhaps the most iconic of all-white cats is the Angora. Like Angora goats and Angora rabbits, these cats have fur that is so undeniably soft you can’t stop petting it. However, Angoras have exceptionally high shed rates, which means all of that petting and brushing is going to leave a lot of fur everywhere.

Angoras benefit from consuming a lot of natural “cat grass” to aid in digestion of all of their fur that they ingest when they groom themselves. You can grow patches of “cat grass” in your home and place it where your Angora can nibble it. You should also know that people who have allergies to cats are almost always allergic to Angora cats, something to keep in mind if you have family members that might be allergic.

Albino

The Albino cat is not really a breed. They are the result of genetic defects that cause these cats to have no pigment in their fur coats and give them pinkish or red eyes. The albino cat can end up with very pale blue eyes that look almost white or silver. They tend to be predisposed to congenital deafness and/or blindness, something you can have your vet check for if you choose to buy or adopt an albino kitty.

These white cats, along with their genetic defect, albinism in coloration often have defects in their hearts, kidneys, and/or bone structure. They need lifelong care and they cannot go outside because they will get bad sunburn due to the lack of melanin in their skin/fur. Keep your albino white cat indoors all the time and keep him/her amused with lots of toys. While they can still nap in a sunny patch on the floor, make sure they do so with the blinds closed almost all the way.

So Many Cats With White Coats