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Halloween is here! It can be great fun for kids, but, depending on your cat’s personality, it can be a scary time for cats too! Dr. Lori Huston of PetMD.com has a terrific article about how to keep your cat or kitten safe during this time.

Her tips are reproduced here!

While Halloween may be a fun and exciting time for your kids, your cat may find it more stressful than fun. A steady stream of strangers ringing the doorbell, all wearing strange costumes and shouting “Trick or Treat,” may be enough to send even the most courageous cat over the edge.

And even if the trick-or-treaters do not bother your cat, there’s still plenty of trouble for him to find. Keep your cat safe at Halloween with the following tips.

• Especially for black cats, Halloween is a dangerous time. However, any cat is at risk outdoors after dark on Halloween. Make sure your cat is confined indoors well before the sun sets. Personally, I prefer my cats to remain indoors year-round but for those of you who allow your pets outside, this is one of the nights you need to be careful.
• Keep your cat away from the entry or front door of your house. Cats are quick and can easily dart between your legs and out the door before you have time to react. Confine your cat to an inner part of the house or set up a barrier to the entry-way to avoid an unintentional escape. Constantly ringing doorbells and shouting trick-or-treaters are frightening for many cats, and once out the door, your cat may be difficult to find and retrieve.
• Make sure your cat is wearing an identification tag, just in case the worst should happen and he accidentally escapes.
• Keep candy and candy wrappers out of reach. Many Halloween treats, like chocolate, are toxic to both cats and dogs. And candy wrappers can become toys that turn into intestinal blockages for curious playful cats.
• Keep Halloween decorations out of reach as well. Like candy wrappers, ribbons and strings are enticing toys for your cat that can be quite dangerous if ingested.
• Be careful of open flames, like those in a candle or lit pumpkin. Cats are curious creatures and can easily be burned while investigating these flames. There is also the danger of fire should your adventurous feline tip over a candle.
• Wires, electric cords and batteries from Halloween decorations can also present a threat for your pet. Chewing on electric cords can result in electrocution or burns. Batteries make irresistible toys for your cat but are quite corrosive and toxic if chewed. Keep these items out of reach.
• Do not force your cat to wear a costume. While they look cute and can be fun, most cats find wearing strange clothing stressful and upsetting. Stress and cats simply do not go well together. And Halloween is already stressful enough for most cats without adding insult to injury.
• If your cat is especially high strung or anxious, consider a calming remedy, such as Feliway.

A bit of precaution and common sense can make Halloween a safe time for your cat and allow you to enjoy the holiday without having to worry about your feline friend.

Dr. Lorie Huston

More of Dr. Huston’s work can be found at PetMd.com.

Did you know there even was a kitten season? Many breeders plan their litters around the Cat Show season, from about July through May-June. That means kittens are born in the summer so they can go off to their new homes at the end of summer and early Fall.

New kittens are being exposed to so many new things every single day! Think about it – the vacuum, the family, the new places to hide and get stuck! As you begin to play, it is important not to overwhelm your kitten – if he feels safe and secure he will be a much happier kitten, a more confident cat and will probably overwhelm you!

Make sure you have plenty of places for kitty to scratch. Kittens and cats scratch by instinct – they do it to trim their nails and make a space their own… in my home I have 6-7 places they can scratch, all in different areas of the house. I have not once had a problem with scratching where they aren’t allowed!

Finally, make sure your kitten or cat has access to their litter box at all times. I came home once to find that someone left the closet (where the litter box is) closed and kitties couldn’t get in to their toilet! Cats want to use the litter box, and when they aren’t doing so it is a sign that something is wrong…

Many new kitten people already have names for their new babies… sometimes though, the name you choose just doesn’t fit!

Happy Kitten Season to you all!

Summer is a great time for crafting projects that are a little larger and require a bit more space. You can save a significant amount of money and invest your pride in a DIY project for your home… and for your cat!

Cats need real estate, especially if you have several cats in the home. They need spaces to climb, places to scratch and spaces to hide. There are many terrific projects out there for your home and your cat’s home!

If you’re a crafter or basic DIY-er, there are plans available to do your own thing – and they don’t look terribly difficult.

DIYNCRAFTS has some great ideas for cat owners.

Here are a few from Family Handyman.

These articles can give you unique ideas for your own projects, or to repair cat furniture you may already own. Also, if you are on Pinterest, you can find other projects to inspire your crafting instincts!

Have you made any cat furniture or other projects for your cat? How did it go? Please share your ideas on our Facebook page!

FOURTH OF JULY SALE NOTICE: July 3rd through July 5th we are selling all products with the Americat Gothic design at 20% off. Shop our Planet Devon Exclusives.   Discount will be applied to all applicable products on July 3rd.

People who don’t own cats often believe that cats are not affectionate animals. They see cats as fiercely independent… well, that part’s not wrong, but cats can be very affectionate and loving.

How do cats show their love? Valentine’s Day is all about love, so Planet Devon wants to share the love by describing how your cat tells you he loves you. Amy Shojai of The Spruce website tells us about 10 ways your cat shows affection and love for you:

10. – Tail Posture – If you’ve ever petted a cat, you’ve probably encountered the “elevator butt” pose which invites you to pay particular attention to the base of the tail. Cats love to have this body area scratched but they also use their upright tails to signal their love. When a cat approaches you with their tail held straight up and the end slightly tipped over it’s a sign of love. A cat that holds their rear end up in your face is also a sign of affection. Kittens greet their mother with tails flagged high in respect and adult cats continue this behavior with their favorite people.

9. – Loving Eyes – A kitty’s eyes are proportionately huge. As such, cat eyes are important assets for survival, yet extremely vulnerable. Cats that place their faces and wide open eyes near a person are expressing great trust and love. A slow “eye blink” from across the room is considered a cat kiss.

8. – Sleeping – Cats typically sleep up to 16 hours a day and since they are the most vulnerable while sleeping, the place your cat chooses to snooze must be a secure and trusted location. There is no greater loving compliment than a cat picking your lap as their favorite sleep spot.

7. – Playing – Kittens play out of pure enjoyment and their most favorite playmate is typically a trusted and loved companion. Some cats may actually control the interaction of petting by moving just out of reach so you are forced to come to them.

6. – Gifting Prey – Cats are adorable but they’re still tiny carnivores who have hunting instincts. Cats may catch everything from toys to mice and they often share their bounty with those they love. Cats who present you with this bounty deserve praise. They wouldn’t bring these special gifts if they didn’t love you.

5. – Meowing – Cats rarely meow at other cats. Typically, only kittens meow to their mothers and they grow out of the habit as adults. Your adult cat uses these vocalizations specifically to interact with people. Just like us, cats don’t “talk” to people they dislike so even when your cat pesters you with lots of meows, remember that they are interacting with you out of love.

4. – Kneading – Making Biscuits! – Kneading behaviors hearken back to kitten hood. Kitten paws knead against the mother cat’s breasts to induce milk to be released. Adult cats continue this behavior when they’re feeling most relaxed, content, and loved, and that’s often when they’re being petted on their owner’s lap. Kneading is a distinct expression of adoration.

3. – Bunting (Also called booping!) – Bunting is when your cat rubs their cheeks on you or an object, head-butts you with their forehead, or rubs their head on you. This is a way for your cat to leave his scent on you, basically marking their territory. Cats do this when they love something or someone and they may practice bunting on other pets or their favorite humans.

2. – Rolling – Children tend to throw themselves on the ground and roll around in an attempt to refuse to move or while throwing a tantrum but when your cat does it, it means they are excited to see you. Cats may walk or run up to you and throw themselves on the ground and begin to roll around. This is a loving greeting and means they want your attention, especially if they show you their belly.

And the easiest to recognize…

1. – Purring – The most obvious and common way cats show their happiness and love is through purring. Cats seem to have a special little motor inside them that gets started when they are relaxed and enjoying something. You’ll often hear this rumbling, vibrating noise while you are petting your cat. Purrs can also mean your cat is upset but this is not as commonly seen or heard as a happy purr.

How does your cat show love? My KevintheDevon is a talker, meowing his way through the house to chat with. me. Timmy gives me boops, often early in the morning to waken me.

What about your cat? Happy Valentine’s Day from Planet Devon!

Love is Love is an original watercolor by American artist Elizabeth Winterbone. A beautiful high quality print of the piece is available in our Planet Devon Shop.

It’s finally fall, and a chance to snuggle under sweaters and pajamas. We want to keep our cats safe and warm.

What if your cat does get out? What is the best way to draw him back or help him find his home?

Place his letterbox outside near the door you think he used. The smells of the box are powerful and will draw your cat home. Place a little food in his bowl on the porch – but watch it, as there may be other animals who smell it as well. Call his or her name out loudly in the tone you normally use. Place a dirty t-shirt or pillowcase in your yard, in the hope that our smells will get to your cat. Post signs, and check with all the local vets.

On Facebook recently we heard about Peepers, who slipped out behind her cat-mom last week. She was gone for nearly 5 days. The people who found her, scruffy and a bit beat up, scanned her for a chip. Peepers was chipped as a kitten, and sure enough, the scan found the chip. Reading from the chip information, the vet found the phone number and called Peepers mom and Peepers is back home safe.

Please. Don’t. Wait. Get your cat or kitten microchipped today. The cost is minimal, and the benefit profound.

The CFA is holding its International Cat Show on November 18 and  19. Planet Devon will be there. Will you? Special Planet Devon art and gift pricing for the show!

We worry so much about our cats, it’s because we care. But when can you tell if your cat truly needs medical help or is in pain? A great article from Texas A & M gives us some clues.

Pet Talk: When is your cat hiding illness or injury?
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University | Posted: Thursday, September 14, 2017 9:00 am

We do our best to take care of our feline friends, but sometimes signs of pain and sickness go unnoticed. Dr. Stacy Eckman, clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, described feline behavior that could mean an underlying health issue.

“Cats tend to hide their symptoms, which is probably due to survival instinct,” Eckman said. “Most signs of illness or injury are subtle, including sleeping more than normal; not getting up to greet you, if that is normal behavior; or laying and sleeping in the same position for long periods of time.”

Other changes pet owners should be aware of include the cat withdrawing or being reluctant to be petted. Changes in litter box habits and vomiting can also indicate underlying issues. In addition, cat owners should keep an eye on their pet’s food and water bowl; any changes in appetite and water consumption may mean their feline friend isn’t feeling well.

Since it can be hard to notice subtle changes in your cat’s behavior, going to regular veterinarian check-ups can help identify illness or areas of pain and discomfort before they become a more serious health concern.

“Your veterinarian will be able to monitor vital signs, such as temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate, as well as check for weight loss or weight gain,” Eckman said.

As your cat ages, your veterinarian also may recommend laboratory tests to identify or follow-up on any health abnormalities, such as frequent urination or a decrease in appetite.

Overall, regular veterinarian visits are key in protecting your cat’s health. Even if your cat seems fine, it is always a good idea to visit the veterinarian at least once a year.

Flash from the past. This is an ad for a Devon Rex cattery in England in the 1990’s! If you know this cattery please let us know!