Photo credit: Yerlin Matu Are you wondering if you should get a feline for a pet? Maybe we can help you make up your mind. Although all pets are adorable, cats are a favorite pet choice for many Americans.  According to the 2021-2022 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 45.3 million US households have a feline as a live-in companion, and with good reason. For starters, these wonderful furry animals are adorable and cuddly which is why we can’t get enough of those cute cat Insta photos. They are also independent self-groomers making them purrrrfect if you’re looking for a low-maintenance furry friend. Not to mention that they’re fiercely loyal and make wonderful and safe playmates for both children and adults. Still looking for more reasons to own an adorable cute kitty? Read on.   1. Multiple Health Benefits Photo credit: Pietro Schellino Did you know that owning a furball is good for your health? According to a 2009 study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Neurology, owning a cat can lower your stress levels. This can further help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Further, your feline purring has been shown to improve the healing of injured bones, muscles and tendons. The frequency of your furball purring falls between 25 and 140 Hz and studies show that vibrations in the frequency of between 20 and 140 Hz help repair injured and swollen muscles. Cats are also great stress relievers. Think about it, there is nothing better than coming home to your fuzzy pet after a long stressful day. Besides, curling next to your snuggle friend or just petting your feline is enough for your body to produce feel-good hormones. And if you didn’t know, even just watching cute YouTube cat videos can help lower stress levels according to one study.   2. They Make the Perfect Apartment Pets Do you live in a small space, or maybe you’re worried that Fido’s barking will be too much for your quiet neighbours? Well, get a cat! Cats are quiet and they don’t need to live in big open spaces, unlike large dogs. Besides, you don’t have to take your cat out for regular walks as felines are pretty independent. Further, if you live in a high-rise apartment you don’t have to worry about taking your kitty outside to pee or relieve herself. And oh, cats have retractable claws meaning no damage to your favorite carpet or sofa. Using a natural cat litter such as okocat wood clumping litter will ensure your apartment always smells fresh and taking care of the litter box is a breeze. Plus, it's lightweight and easy to carry.    3. Reduced Allergies for Your Kids  Photo credit: Prince Abid Exposing your child to a cat from an early age can help keep allergies at bay in their later years. According to Science Daily, a study published by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology suggests that early exposure to cats can reduce the risk of asthma and allergic symptoms in children. The good thing is that this early exposure does not only have a protective effect on pet allergies but other allergens as well.   4. Cats Are Lifelong Companions Cats make wonderful companions. They are loyal and offer unconditional love to their owners. Cats are also clean which means they make the perfect cuddle buddies if you’re feeling lonely. Also, cats have a long life span as their average life expectancy is between 10 and 15 years. Some domestic cats live up to 20 years when they’re well-taken care of. So, if you’re worried about losing your pet after a few years, you can rest easy knowing your furball may live to his early twenties.   5. Cats Teach Kids Useful Life Lessons  In addition to helping improve your little one’s immune system, cats also have lots to offer your kid. Cats are wonderful playmates as they’re gentle and patient. During play, children can learn that they need to have respectful etiquette when it comes to playing with a feline. And if you’re worried about clawing and biting when it comes to your cat and child’s play, consider adopting a senior furball or a calmer cat breed such as Ragdoll, Persian, Birman, or a British Shorthair. Having a cat as a pet can also teach your little one to be responsible, especially if you give them the responsibility of taking care of their pet’s litter, water, and food needs.   6. They Are Low Maintenance Compared to Fido, your pussy in boots is low maintenance. You don’t have to take her for multiple walks a day. Besides, cats love to clean themselves meaning you’ll only need to take them to the groomers occasionally. Cats also don’t need lots of attention. So long as you have your kitty food and litter box ready, your feline will be quite happy to be left alone. Overall, as noted by ASPCA compared to dogs, cats are low maintenance not only in terms of time but also when it comes to food, grooming costs, routine medical costs, treats, and the number of toys they require.   7. They Keep Pests Away From Your Home   Cats are one of the most efficient natural pest control animals. Cats are natural predators, and they love to hunt. They prey on bugs, mice, rats and other rodents. In addition to feeding on these pests, they also deter them from invading your home as they often mark their territories with their scent. Cats are so efficient at keeping rodents at bay that several US organisations including the Lodi Animal Shelter in California and the Voice for the Animals Foundation have started cat programs. These programs encourage the adoption of barn and feral cats to help control rodents and other pests on the cat owners’ properties. There you have it, seven good reasons why cats make the best pets! Hopefully, you’re now ready to adopt an adorable furball to be your lifelong companion.    

Looking for eco-friendly holiday gifts for your cat? This list has 10 natural, biodegradable products to delight your furry friend this season, like catnip toys and scratching posts.

Is your cat’s coat dull? Hairballs galore? Don’t worry - in this article, we’ll outline everything you need to know about keeping your cat's coat healthy!

The battle between paper and plastic packaging is ongoing, but for eco-conscious consumers, paper often comes out on top. Here are seven compelling reasons why you should consider opting for paper packaging for your cat litter.    1. Environmentally Friendly:    - Paper is biodegradable and compostable, making it a sustainable choice.    - Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, contributing to environmental pollution.   2. Reduced Plastic Pollution:    - Choosing paper helps reduce the demand for single-use plastics.    - Plastic waste, especially in the oceans, poses a significant threat to marine life and ecosystems  3. Renewable Resource:    - Paper is made from trees, which can be replanted and harvested sustainably, and so is okocat natural litter!    - Plastic production relies on fossil fuels, a finite and environmentally damaging resource.  4. Energy Efficiency:    - The production of paper packaging consumes less energy compared to plastic.    - Lower energy consumption results in a smaller carbon footprint.  5. Recycling Ease:    - Paper is highly recyclable and widely accepted in recycling programs.    - Plastic recycling is more complex, and not all types are equally recyclable.  6. Versatility:    - Paper packaging can be adapted for various products, from food to cosmetics and more.    - Plastic packaging often faces limitations due to its non-biodegradable nature  7. Aesthetic Appeal:    - Paper packaging offers a natural, rustic, and eco-friendly appearance.    - Many consumers are drawn to the eco-conscious image conveyed by paper packaging.  In summary, choosing paper packaging over plastic is a small but impactful step toward a more sustainable future. It reduces plastic pollution, encourages the use of renewable resources, and supports energy-efficient production methods. Moreover, it's easy to recycle and offers versatility, making it a practical choice for a wide range of products such as natural cat litter. So, next time you're faced with a packaging choice, consider the positive impact of paper packaging on the environment and make the eco-friendly choice.  

One has to have a heart of stone not to fall in love with a kitten. My first cat came into my life when I was seven years old. Minky was a tri-colored farm cat. We fed our cats milk, which they shared with a nocturnal hedgehog family that lived in our shoe closet. How we look after young kittens and adult cats has changed drastically. We’ve learned so much about kitten nutrition, good hygiene, and health. Kittens provide a lifetime of companionship and contribute to our well-being. Here’s what you should know if you decide to make a kitten part of the family. Crucial Factors to Consider Before Bringing a Kitten Home Kittens are easier than puppies. True. However, that doesn’t mean that choosing a kitten is easy sailing. Kittens need the following: Balanced nutrition (solid food, canned or wet meat protein kitten food) Feed-free feeding or a controlled feeding style; it works for most kittens Safe drinking water Veterinarian access to checkups and vaccination Sanitation access to litter Love and affection Undivided attention Basic understanding of feline needs In return, you’ll get to watch them grow rapidly into loving, playful cats.   Ultimate Guide to Kitten Care Here are a few tips to get you going: Make your home kitten friendly Cats and kittens tend to be curious and playful. Therefore, ordinary household objects can be harmful. Remove and store these items: Fragile items that your new kitten might knock over Remove and safely secure household chemicals, alcohol, perfumes Store delicate fabrics to prevent clawing Read up on house plants as some are poisonous Put up barriers to prevent escaping Have a cat bed Prepare a sanitation station litter box Have suitable clean water and feeding bowls Bring kitten necessities Kittens and cats have basic needs. You can save on toys by providing safe household items to play with, like cardboard boxes, paper rolls, and strings to entertain a kitten. But you can’t scrimp on proper nutrition and veterinarian health care facilities. These are the must-haves: Age-appropriate food fit for a cat or kitten's diet that is low on plant-based sources Access to clean drinking water A litter box or device A cat bed (though the kitten will more than likely make do with a sunny spot or your lap) Some toys Caring for a kitten (we hope you opted for one from an animal shelter) takes time. Luckily, there is a bunch of new tech gadgets for pet owners that provide convenience, peace of mind, and enhanced care for pets. According to World Animal Foundation, an automated litter box is one such device that offers several benefits for both cats and their owners. It saves time and effort by automatically scooping and disposing of waste, ensuring a clean litter box environment. Find a vet Being a pet owner means having a good rapport with veterinarians and their staff. A vet should make you and your feline comfortable and answer your questions and concerns. A vet not only provides basic health care like: Routine physical health checks Vaccinations Microchipping Flea and tick remedies Grooming advice Veterinarians are also an excellent resource to help you decide on a diet for your kitten and tips on understanding the complicated nuances of feline parenting. Start following a proper hygiene routine When your kitten enters your home, introduce them to the litter box. Cats are super easy to train, but you must provide the resources. Kittens take quickly to automated litter boxes, and it’s the perfect time to introduce them. Automated litter devices make your life easier. Here are some litter options: Clumping and non-clumping Wood Paper Clay Pine Wheat Grass Corn Walnut shell Hygiene isn’t just about litter. It’s also about grooming, getting the kitten used to your touch, and handling its ears, toes, nails, and all parts of its body. Caressing your cat is therapeutic for both of you. Don’t overlook the socialization thing Cats get pigeonholed as solitary creatures. They need socialization and contact with others at different stages of their life. You can introduce a kitten to your neighbors, friends, and the family dog. When you bring a kitten into a pet family, the introduction should be slow. Have a plan. Train your Kitten Cats are trainable despite what dog people say. A cat learns its name, and I suggest sticking to a simple two-syllable name. Repeat the name but don’t overuse it. Basic obedience training Cats respond well to methods like clicker training, positive reinforcement, and auditory markers to initiate your cat to words like ‘good cat,’ ‘yes or no,’ and other positive commands followed with affection. Set these conditions for training: The cat is awake and engaged Limit training to 1 to 5 minutes only Reward with treats or praise Repeat but don’t overwhelm the cat Train before supper but never withhold food Teach one skill Litter training Many pet parents can appreciate how easy it is to litter train a kitten. Provide a safe, accessible, yet private place for the litter box or automatic device that the kitten can access freely. Keep it away from noisy or high-traffic areas. Once you introduce a kitten to the area and box, they’ll remember. Tip: Keep the litter box tidy. It’s unhygienic for the entire family.   Mental Stimulation Needs and Exercise Cats are good at entertaining themselves with their tail. But here is what you can do to make life fun for your furry friend. Engage your kitty in puzzle games Puzzle games are a beneficial activity for cats. It provides mental and physical stimulation and echoes a feline’s natural hunting and stalking instinct. Further, it’s a great way to exercise a cat. Cat obesity is rising and leads to many health and joint issues. Puzzles make them work for their food. Play hide-and-seek Cats are natural game players. Hide and seek comes naturally to them, and don’t be surprised if they lurk behind furniture to pounce on you and yell 'Surprise!' Engaging cats and kittens in hide-and-seek can work both ways: they hide and you seek, or you hide and they seek. You can get their attention by calling their name or rattling their favorite toy or snack. Daily walk and exercise Harnessing and walking cats has become a popular activity. Training a kitten to a harness is easier than asking a senior cat. A senior cat will likely convey their discontent through body language. Train a kitten to walk in a harness by: Starting at a young age Getting a proper and secure harness that is escape proof Building a routine Making it fun Health Checkups This is the most expensive part of cat ownership. Though most cats are healthy and only require essential medical attention, there are a few musts. Vaccinations Protect your cat from diseases by keeping their vaccinations current, even if they're house cats. Animal healthcare professionals define vaccines as core and lifestyle vaccines. Core vaccines and lifestyle vaccines are routinely administered starting at 6 to 8 weeks. Some shots are also required by law. FVRCP Rabies FeLV Spaying/neutering Sadly, our shelters are full of loving cats. In the US alone, we have roughly 58.3 million pet cats and 30 to 80 million feral cats. Repeat this worldwide. Please spay and neuter your cat and consider rescuing it from your local shelter. Spaying and neutering not only protect from overpopulation but also promotes animal health. Tip: A spayed and neutered cat will not spray your bedding or soft furnishings with urine. No amount of cleaning or disinfecting will get rid of this odor completely. Grooming Needs Cats are famous for grooming themselves and have flexible and compression ribcages to reach tough spots. Brushing Helping your cat by brushing its fur promotes bonding and a healthy, shiny coat and removes excess fur. Start brushing your kitten to get used to the habit. They may make a game of capturing the brush. Bathing Good luck! Leave bathing cats to professionals. Cats don’t need to be bathed; they can swim but are not fussed about getting wet. Exceptions, of course, exist, and cats like to make liars out of us. Oral and dental care A healthy diet with crunchy food to help clean teeth is a good start, but cats can also develop tartar and gum disease. We recommend that kittens get used to having their teeth brushed; after all, all the cleaning they do with their cat tongues invites bacteria. Ask your vet how to establish a routine. Conclusion Nutrition, health, and hygiene are the foundation of kitten and cat parenthood. When you bring a kitten home, you promise to commit to its lifetime with love, patience, and ongoing care. Don’t forget to take advantage of the hundreds of valuable tips from vetted organizations.