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Welcome to the spa blog!

Stay up to date with spa news and fun cat facts.

August gives us all the facts on cats' tongues and why they’re so rough!

8/1/2026

 
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For once, it has been a nice cooler than usual summer here in Central NY and our air conditioners aren’t on full blast. Daphne has been out some but not a lot and one thing I don’t need to worry about is her overheating. The lack of high heat and humidity helps along with her amazing tongue that can help keep her cool. How so? Let’s dive into some interesting facts about sandpaper texture cat tongues and all the things it can do. 

Lots to do- It is crazy to think about but there are around 475 tastebuds on a cat's tongue yet none, yes none of them, can taste anything sweet. No sweet tooth problems here! In contrast, humans have just under 10k and dogs under 2k. 

Most importantly yet a fun fact- Why is a cat tongue rough like sandpaper?  Papaille is made up of keratin ( think fingernails) and they are backwards and U shaped all over the top of the tongue. Since these are backwards, that is why cats have a very difficult time or impossible time extracting items out of their mouth. I have heard countless stories of cats who ate ribbon or thread and someone had to pull it out or take the cat to the vet.  Because the papaille face that direction, things get stuck very easily in one direction. Think also about hairballs! 

Opposite of dogs- If you look closely, a dog’s tongue is smooth and not that rough sandpaper feel if you have ever had a dog lick your face!  However, you may notice that a dog does not groom themselves as a cat will do ( some cats groom 5 times a day or more!) and dogs have moved past the need to hunt as much as cats still do.  The papaille can assist the cat in removing meat off bones and scoop up water when they drink. The tongue goes down into the water and ‘grabs’ it then in a split second, the water goes down the hatch! 

No bath required- Cats love to groom and bathe themselves and are very clean animals. When grooming, the saliva is placed onto the fur all the way down to their skin. The saliva is almost a detergent in and of itself and helps the cat get all the dirt and grime away. Upon covering itself in saliva, the air dries it and helps keep the body cool. 

The bad news-  Once the saliva dries, it becomes dander which is what causes allergens.  It is not the fur people are allergic to but the dander.  Once dander dries, it is super tiny and sticks to clothes and fiber and floats around the air. Fel d1 is a protein that cats make and this is the allergen. With technology and science, there are advances being made in food to control this protein and help lower the allergy causing dander. 

Think pink-  A healthy pink tongue is what we want to see so watch for color changes as this can be a sign of disease or poor health.  Any changes should be directed to your veterinarian. 


Enjoy those sandpaper kisses and laugh when your cat leaves its tongue sticking out! 
Photo is Daphne Louise with a big yawn after a busy afternoon playing outside! 

July gives us reason to ‘paws’ for cats!

7/1/2026

 
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July gives us reason to ‘paws’ for cats! 

Happy 250th Independence Day this weekend!  Summer really did show up in Syracuse and wow, it is HOT.   Recently, there was a cat walking around on a shiny surface here at Rock The Cat Spa and they left paw prints.  Could it be because they were scared or hot and sweaty?  Paws can give us clues since cats can’t talk (that can be a good thing!) and are quite an interesting part of your kitty’s body. 

Leaving tracks…  Since the kitty was leaving paw prints all over, I realized that he was a bit nervous and therefore, had some sweaty paws.  Cats paws have sweat glands in them and sweat when nervous or hot.  Once, Daphne got overheated from being outside and I placed a cool wet towel on her paw pads and she quickly cooled off.  These glands aren’t the hardest workers so be aware when they are working as it could be a red flag. 

More can be better…  Here at the cat spa, there have been a lot of multi toe cats!  These cats have huge paws and are just adorable.  The official term is ‘polydactyl” and can be counted as 6 toes or 8 toes on the front paws instead of 5 like us humans.  These extras are a gene mutation and can cause excellent climbers but also are known as good luck to some people.  Maine Coon cats tend to be polydactyl more than any other breed. 

On average… for the regular felines, 5 toes on the front and 4 on the back.  The 5th toe on the front paw is the ‘dewclaw” and their thumb.  Watch them play or grab and it comes out. 

Match-y match…  Look at your cat's toe pads and the skin will match their fur color!   My sweet kitty, Daphne, has multi-colored pads. It's so cute! 

Shockingly good jumpers… As we know, cats are amazing jumpers and can always land on their feet. The pads are also shock absorbers and help cushion their fall! These are chocked full of nerves and can sense vibration, different surroundings ( such as sharp gravel) and are also super quiet with built in noise suppressors. Another reason cats are super sneaky! 

The ol’ leave behind… We think that cats want to be with us and they’ll get up and come back to us because they love us. Right?  Umm, kind of. Cats will leave their scent on us or the furniture ( hence the scratching!) and technically mark us with their scent gland that is hidden inside their paw pads. Anything that they touch will have their special scent on it. 

Hidden weapons…  Flex out a cat’s paw and suddenly, the little daggers of their nails will appear.  Out of nowhere, your cat will go from a sweet kitty to a dangerous weapon wielding beast just by opening their paw.  The claw sinks up into the paw and protects itself until ready to scratch or fight if need be.  Claws are essentially from your middle finger joint to the fingertip. When cats are declawed ( NY outlawed this barbaric practice years ago, thank goodness), it is the equivalent of chopping your fingers off at mid knuckle. No wonder some cats go mad from it. 

Walk like an…. Watch closely or listen and you will notice that cats walk on their toes. Their feet tend to turn up into their legs and they have their body up on their toes.  I used to hear one of my cats walking as her claws would be long and click on the floor!  The advantage to this toe walking is making them stealthy- fast and quick. 

And finally, why oh why do you knead me?   Us cat owners have all had it happen and it can be painful but they don’t mean to hurt us. Kneading us or ‘making biscuits’ is a feline way of saying they are happy, content and love us.  This practice goes back to when they were kittens and kneading their mama for milk and such happiness.  Air biscuits are my favorite! 

Doing a paw check every so often is great for your cat's well being.  Also, some non-clumping cat litter can become stuck and caked into your cat's paws so be careful with litter choices.  Paws can be very sensitive since they are full of nerves so respect your cats boundaries if they do not like you being all touchy feely with their paws. 

​Enjoy your holiday this bi-centennial year! 


  • The photo was a kitty guest who used to sleep with his multi-colored pads out! 

June is swimsuit season and cats don’t care to get in shape for it!

6/1/2026

 
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Summer starts this month and even in Central NY, we will eventually get to summer and break out our swimsuits and head to the lakes.  While us humans have been dieting and exercising to look good, our feline friends could care less about their tummy pouch!  Cats embrace it and as expected, they just don’t bother with others' opinions because these pouches serve them well.

The official term is…. The “Primordial Pouch” is easy to spot on your cat and yes, some are more noticeable than others.  Look under their belly by their back legs and you will see a little bit of sagging skin and perhaps when walking or running, it sways a bit ( no judgement!) and there it is!   While it is only on cats, it is on all cats, even the wild ones. 

As with age… Just like humans, as we age, the mid section widens.   You won’t see a kitten with a pouch though. Kittens have cute round bellies and as they age towards 12 months old, it’ll become more pronounced.  The main difference is that weight doesn’t really affect as much as genetics and age do.  Also like humans, saggy skin happens to the best of us as we get older but for cats, they need this pouch. 

Best of Benefits…  The flap of skin isn’t the prettiest feature of your kitty but it helps them out more than expected.  

  • Think stretchy pants as you go out to eat!   This area stretches to adjust to a big meal. 

  • Yoga pants let us move easier and the pouch helps cats stretch and flex into contortionist poses.
 
  • Built in fight protection for cats when they tussle or grab each other in a cat fight. 

  • Humans wear coats or shorts and have temperature controlled environments but cats use the pouch to keep warm and cool off with. 
 
Kittens and more kittens…  Primordial pouches are that extra bit of skin that female cats can use to adjust their expanding waistlines during pregnancy.  Sometimes it goes back to pre-pregnancy size and sometimes it doesn’t but it sure is helpful. 

Tight or loose…  Your veterinarian can best advise with an annual check up but your cat's weight can affect the tautness of the pouch.  Tight and firm can mean that kitty might need to go on a diet.  Loose and hanging and their weight is most likely in the proper range.  Any abnormal lumps or tenderness should be directed to your vet immediately. 

  • Tully was lounging on a chair here and letting his primordial pouch be on full display! 

May you enjoy learning about cat's whiskers!

5/1/2026

 
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May you enjoy learning about cats’ whiskers!  


As a young child and growing up with a cat, my parents always told me to be careful with the whiskers on my cat and to be gentle with them.  This always was a nice memory and something that I have always done but not sure why and I eventually learned why. Whiskers do quite a bit of assistance for your cat and never take a break. Understanding what the long pokers on their face ( and other places) is about is very important for your cat. 

You get on my nerves…..  Yes, whiskers or for the technical name, vibrissae, are rooted right next to nerves in a cat’s skin and they sense every little movement,  touch, vibration ( hence the name) and even temperature. Now I know why my parents told me to be very careful around the whiskers as pulling or tugging on them can be extremely painful!    

Almost as wide as tall…. If you take a close look, your cat’s whiskers are as wide as their body is!   Watch your cat try and squeeze into a small space and the whiskers will guide them good or bad.  Whiskers are always ‘on’ and cats will use them as lane detectors for going through tight spaces and for feeling areas out. These can also help with low light creeping around at night! 

More than only facial hair…  Having groomed cats, knowing that there is a ‘carpal vibrissae”on the back of their front legs is important and to avoid trimming that when shaving. Eyebrows and even one on the side of the cheek will assist with the sneakiness cats can get into.  Watch your cat try and open a door and you’ll see a paw reach out to test the space and then they’ll proceed. 

Never ever… Also having groomed cats, I learned that you never ever trim or cut whiskers!  I’ve heard of people doing this and ouch, this is horrible as it can affect a cat's balance and jumping abilities. Thankfully, whiskers grow back quickly but just don’t do it.    You will see fallen whiskers around as they shed and regrow just like hair. 

You’re very unique…  There are 24 whiskers for cats on each side of their face but no set pattern.  Their whisker pattern is as unique as they are!   It’s adorable to see some cats with different color whiskers - a black cat with one white one, an orange cat with a black whisker. 

Read the room… Cats are pretty easy to read and whiskers are right up there.  Flat back and tight are saying get back and leave me alone!  Scared or angry, whiskers speak volumes.

Overworked and exhausted…  With all the work these whiskers are doing constantly, they need a break at times and can become fatigued.  Yes, whisker fatigue is a real thing as is sensitivity.  Some cats just don’t like their whiskers to be touched so respect the boundaries. For help dealing with the fatigue, using a wide and open bowl for food and water can help rest the alerts and let them relax a bit.  

  • Gus is showing off all his facial here for you to better understand! 

April is about Easter Candy but cats are safe.  Interesting facts about felines & their fangs!

4/1/2026

 
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With Easter and springtime arriving this month in Central New York, April brings sunshine and candy.   Yum! Unlike me with my sweets, I know that my sweet Daphne will be on the prowl outside for mice and small rodents which keeps her teeth sparkling white. Having lost my dear Guenivere years ago to dental issues, I do my best to keep Daphne’s teeth clean and healthy.  Yearly veterinary check ups are vital but what else can be done?  How are cats teeth different from ours and require different care?  Let's find out! 

Oh baby!-  Arriving at 2 weeks, the 26 tiny little baby teeth emerge but for a very short time. At 3 months only, the 30 adult teeth come in and will remain for the cat's entire life.  

Little helpers- The little top front teeth are excellent for helping cats pick things up!  They are also great for cleaning and grooming.  Have you ever seen your cat grooming and they do a little bite while their fur is in their mouth?  This helps with breaking mats up.  Their big fangs are for biting and tearing things open but the back teeth have one job which is chewing and breaking food up into smaller pieces.

Fun Fact- When cats bite, they move fast and bite one and release.  On the other hand, dogs bite and hold on while tearing their food/ victim.  

​Long in the tooth- The roots in a cat's teeth are twice as long as the actual tooth! 

Say what?!- Due to the shape of their teeth, cats do not have flat surfaces so no bacteria can build up and cause cavities!  The teeth are all pointed which has a huge advantage over us mere mortals.  Also, they don’t sit and eat sugary sweets and candy. 

But wait, bad news?-  Just because cats can’t get cavities doesn’t mean they are in the clear from dental visits and issues.  Gingivitis, gum disease, endodontic disease and tooth resorption are the main issues that felines can deal with.  

More bad news?-  Unfortunately, cat’s cannot feel dental pain so us owners need to be aware of any changes ( drooling, not eating, hiding) and get the veterinarian involved immediately. Knowing your cat’s regular routine and moods can help catch dental issues early on. 

Prevention is important- Starting young with dental care with your cat is an excellent way to keep your kitties fang pearly white.  Talk to your vet about toothpaste for cats and how to brush their fangs.  I’ve seen owners who regularly brush their cats teeth so it is possible! 

Become a foodie! - My vet recommended dental food for Maddie years ago and it really did help.  Dental foods tend to be a round kibble and when the cat bites into it, the kibble breaks open to sweep around the tooth and clean it.  The dental foods do work!   Now there are treats which help not only teeth but bad breath as well. Any help to keep your kitties teeth clean is a huge advantage.  Talk to your vet and check the aisle of a pet store for fancy kibbles. 

What if…..-  What happens if a cat has surgery and needs teeth removed?  It happens and I’ve seen it come out with incredible results.  Cats who were grumpy and angry became friendly and much more calm.  Cats with horrible breath no longer had the dragon’s fire. And cats with no teeth can eat and be just fine. Switching to wet food is smart but remember that many cats don’t chew their food very well and eat it whole.  I’ve seen many cats arrive at Rock The Cat Spa and enjoy their meals with no teeth!  

Being aware of your cat’s dental health is important for a long happy and healthy life. Keep those fangs sparkly white and in excellent condition! 

Photo- This kitty customer likes to hiss quite dramatically!








March has its eyes set on spring!  Interesting facts about cats eyes.

3/2/2026

 
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With every type of season happening in March here in Syracuse, the cats boarding here at Rock The Cat Spa  love to lay by the door or up in the big cat tree looking out at rain drops, snowflakes and birds flying by. They can see the tiniest thing that I have no idea what they are seeing and sometimes, it is creepy to see them staring and tails twitching while I see nothing!  How can these little creatures see better than us humans?  Let’s find out! 

On the side- Due to the shape of their eyes, cats have a much better peripheral vision than us humans as we only see 180 degrees but they see 200 degrees. Also, with their eyes a bit more angled out than humans, they have an advantage.

They sense it- Cats really utilize their senses.  From ears and hearing, smell and sniffing everything to using their big whiskers to feel their way around, cats really use all they’ve got. 

​Not up close and personal-  With not the best up close vision, cats tend to have 20/100 to 20/200 vs our 20/20. Over 20 feet and kitties start to see blurry fuzzy things.  It explains why they paw at their water bowl and never see the toy or treat set right smack in front of them!  

Life is a bit dull- I’ve come across a lot of colorblind people in my life and wondered how they enjoy a less than colorful life. Cats can relate as they do see color but just much more muted shades and tones that most of us see as colorful and vibrant. Less cones in their eyes are the reason for the lack of color in their worlds. 

Up and down, not round- Vertical slit pupils ( elliptical pupils) have extra muscles which help the pupils open and close which give cats better vision. The pupils can go round when very stressed or upset to a thin vertical line out in the sun. It’s kind of neat to watch them in action! 

Night Vision-  Cats love to wander around at night and can do so because their eyes have more rods in their eyes which allow light in. Since they are crepuscular ( meaning they’re more active at dusk/ dawn), cats can see around 7 times better than us humans in low light. While they are gifted in the low vision world, they cannot see in complete darkness. 

Third Eye, not Blind- Have you seen the little lid that creeps over your cat's eye when they are resting? It’s called palpebra tertia and is a nictating membrane and it's there to protect their eyes. This third eyelid helps add moisture and clear debris away. Since they don’t blink as much as we do, they need extra moisture and tears and this little internal wiper can stay busy.

Internal Protective Gear- It’s interesting to be driving at night and suddenly see eyes glowing at you. This is from the animals internal layer behind their retina.  Tapetum Lucidem gives the eyes another opportunity to have light bounce off and gives them an advantage in low light. 

More is better-  Eyes all contain photoreceptors which are little rods and cones inside our eyes. Rods help with motion and light but the cones are best during the day and see color. The advantage of less cones in their eyes means they can see better in low light and better motion.  I guess it’s a trade off for color blindness! 

The variety of colors- Colors do not predict mood or behavior but color does tend to associate with breeds.  For example; Blue eyes are siamese, green eyes are Siberian and pure bred cats have more vibrant colors vs a domestic breed or mixed breed which has a duller color eye. Non pedigree cats have green, hazel or yellow eyes or a mix of these colors and hues. 

Take a look at your cat resting in the day vs night time and you’ll understand how they can move much better than we can and their advantages!  

Photo-   One of our regular guests here at Rock The Cat Spa, the distinguished Snickers! He likes to get up close and personal with those baby blues!






 


February ears all about it this month!   Interesting facts about cats ears.

2/1/2026

 
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February ears all about it this month!   Interesting facts about cats ears.

It’s cold and snowy and your typical February here in Syracuse and Central New York.  It’s super busy at Rock The Cat Spa with winter break and almost everyone flying to a tropical or much warmer location. It’s always a variety of breeds and ages from young 8 month old kittens to our senior cats but their ears, these little triangles to big Dorito looking ones or even folded ones are amazing listening devices that can also tell us how they're feeling. These fun facts will give you more understanding about ears! 

On the move, cats ears can move their 32 muscles and rotate 180 degrees!  These movements not only help with hearing but will tell us mere mortals what mood they are in.  From stay away to just lounging and taking it easy, knowing the basic of ear reading can spare you the danger of a stressed kitty. 

        Flat or back- Consider yourself warned and to stay away!  This is the feeling equivalent of the Jaws theme and best bet is to keep back as the cat is angry or scared. 
   
      Up and front facing- Can you ear me any better?   Ears at this angle, up and front, are your cat's way of trying to listen and hear better. Think of it as putting your hand to your ear and cupping it to get a better listen.  You’ll see this in spring when the birds are singing! 

     Flexed out and front/side-  Just kicking back and relaxing, this is your cat's way of letting their ears just take it easy. This is the safe time to approach and know it’s okay to pet them or leave them alone as they are relaxing! 

    Twitching-  There are two reasons but the typical one is just like humans, they're nervous. Another reason could be coupled with scratching their ear, there is something inside irritating their ear and continued twitching should be cause for concern and a vet visit. 


Just like us humans, cats have 3 parts to their ears- inner, outer and middle. 

    Inner ear- Same as us, balance and hearing is connected to this part of their ear. 

  Outer Ear- This is the rotating part and the emotional map for us to follow. If you notice, the back of the ear is rounded which helps capture sound and go into the ear canal. Their ear canal is deeper than ours which explains them hearing me gently move the treat bag. The problem with a nice deep ear canal though is more wax hence more chance of ear infections. 

   Middle Ear-  Just like you and me, cats have eardrums, the little hearing bones and eustachian tubes which help them balance air inside. Do they know to plug their noses and blow?  You may see a cat lay down and shake their head and this is them balancing out the air. 

It’s all in the genes but yes, white cats with blue eyes have genetics which cause deafness. It is usually only one ear affected but almost 100% hearing loss when both parents are fully white. 

Clean those ears out when you see excessive dark or black wax but don’t go further than you can see. Mites and excessive wax can cause problems and really bother your cat.  My sweet Daphne had some extra wax in her ears and had to get a cleaning. Her vet put a liquid in to loosen the wax and within 24 hours, Daphne was shaking her head when pop, out came a big o’l ball of wax!  I wonder how good that must’ve felt for her?  

From reading ear language to understanding the incredible hearing ability, knowing more about your cat’s ears can keep them healthy and listening to all your darkest secrets for years to come! 
Photo: Elliot is relaxed and happy with ears speaking loud and clear. Isn't he photogenic? 





January “nose’ all about noses!  Interesting facts about cats' noses.

1/1/2026

 
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January “nose’ all about noses!  Interesting facts about cats' noses.

Welcome to 2026 and this wintry cold weather here in Syracuse.  It has been a snowy season thus far but it hasn’t stopped us Central New Yorkers from traveling. The holiday season at Rock The Cat Spa was busy as expected and it’s fun to see kitties greet old friends and reunite. The nose bump and butt sniffing is real and I decided to delve more into why cats do this and found some interesting info about a cat's nose. 

Uniquely you- “ Nose leather’ as it is called, is an extremely unique part of a cat and similar to a snowflake. No two are like and just as one of a kind as a fingerprint. I dream of ‘noseprinting’ a cat but doubt they would let me! Just as unique, the nostrils help sense wind direction and bring scents in easier. The ‘leather” is officially called rhinarium for interesting fact of the day. 


It makes sense but the nose is the same as the color of the cat's fur. Sometimes, there are freckles and spots but it usually matches the fur color just perfectly.  Er, I mean, purrfectly! The nose leather can change color with age and vary with the breed. 

That’s a lot of power in there with 200 million, yes million, scent receptors inside their little button noses. Just for comparison, us mere mortals only have around 5 million. No wonder your kitty is always sniffing you once you get home and checking you out. Can you say super duper uber sensitive? It's one reason to be careful with essential oils, candles or strong smells at home. If the odor is bothering you, imagine how your cat must feel. Even scented cat litter can be too much and they will find a new place to go potty so be careful when buying litter. 

It’s a multi-tasking tool!  The cute little nose does more than smell scents as it can sense trouble, food, other cats and animals and they say hello to each other via the bump, aka bumping noses. This wouldn’t work too well with humans so let’s leave it to the kitties. 

Less flavor, more smell. Since there are millions of scent receptors doing the job up in the nose, it’s a trade off with less taste buds. My dad always used our cats as the official best by sniffer and if the cat put her nose up to the food, he wouldn’t eat it. If the cat ate it or licked it, he said it was good.  It’s not how I would test my food but he swore by the cat's nose. Also, just like in humans, when a kitty is sick and stuffy nose, you will see them eating less. If they can’t smell their food, the appetite will disappear. 

In the mood? When female cats go into heat, a male cat can smell her scent from a mile away. I had a college student tell me that his female cat was in heat and the apartment next door mentioned that the male cat was marking the wall and trying to get to her. This is yet another great reason to spay and neuter your kitties! 

Truth or not?  I was always told that a healthy cat had a wet nose and dry meant ill or sick. It’s not that simple.  The nose can adjust to heat and humidity and go from wet to dry several times a day. Sometimes they just lick their nose and they make it wet. 

They’re born this way and kittens can smell their mom very early on, even before 2 weeks old. The sense of smell assists them with finding mom, siblings and their assigned nipple to nurse at.  It always warms my heart when you see a kitten go up and start nudging their way up their mom right where they belong and nurse.  It’s sort of an assigned seating pattern! 

What’s with the face?  Yes, you know the face. That funny cat face.  You see your cat sniffing something and they’re staying there a bit longer than usual then suddenly, they lift their head and look at you with their mouth fully open! This is called, “ Flehman Response” and it means a lot of things to your cat.   From trying to figure out a new smell to seizing up their territory or another cat territory, recognizing a cat, new odors or new food, this response always gets a good laugh.  Cats are built with “ Jacobsen’s Organ” at the top of their mouth full of nerves that go right to their brain. There the odor or scent gets analyzed into what exactly they just smelled.  Is it food or a new cat or an old cat friend?  They figure it out and we get a good laugh. 

Well, hello there is what I see at Rock The Cat Spa when cats arrive. Nose booping is their way of saying hello and reuniting with each other. When I approach a new cat or one that I haven’t seen in a while, I offer my index finger bent and let them slowly smell and recognize me.  I can usually see the, “ oh, its you!” look on their face and then the tail goes up in a friendly gesture. Sometimes, the nose bump also is a request for their treat or lunch time. 

Your cat’s nose is a little leatherman in many ways so understanding that is very multi purpose and faceted can help you better understand some reasons cats do what they do!  

Photo: Banjo saying hi and nose bumping me one morning!  That pink nose!  

December is all about National Cat Lover's Month!

12/1/2025

 
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December is all about National Cat Lover’s Month! 

It’s the end of 2025 and we can’t believe how it just flew by!  The cat spa was full of cats this year and we had so much fun! Taking care of kitties while the owners are busy or away is what we’re about but making the cats at home and relaxed is the most important part of the business.  2025 was the 6th year of business and we are very proud to have achieved this. We’re all about celebrating cats and with December being National Cat Lover’s Month it’s a great way to end the year. 

Seeing all the breeds, colors, and personalities shows us how unique each and every cat is and I always tell customers that cats are as unique as humans. Our feline friends have as many quirks and hang ups, finicky eating, bathroom routines, introverts vs extroverts to name a few traits. The more time we spend with these lovely creatures, the more we love them and really enjoy what this business is all about. 

For over 10,000 years, cats have brought happiness to people and have grown into being an integral part of family life.  With cats being as unique as humans, the relationship we have with our felines will continue to evolve and grow. 

Have a wonderful end to 2025 and a very Happy New Year in 2026!  Rock The Cat Spa will continue to be here to love your kitty as much as you do while you are away from home. 

November is all about Pet Diabetes Month!

11/3/2025

 
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November is all about Pet Diabetes Month! 

It’s the upcoming holiday this month where we can wear sweat pants and eat until we can’t walk and then lay on the couch all day with no judgement. Unfortunately, cats should not be allowed to eat this much and as with humans, being overweight can affect overall health.  I’ll discuss cat diabetes and symptoms and how to cope with it. 

Nearly 1% of all cats will develop diabetes mellitus during their lifetime and as with humans, this is similar to Type 2 diabetes.  Overweight cats commonly develop it yet  some breeds are more prone such as the Norwegian Forest cat and lovely Burmese as are senior cats and male cats. 

Symptoms- The most noticeable symptom  is excessive water drinking ( you will notice a huge difference as its much more than usual) accompanied by litter box visits of frequent urination. Typically, diabetic cats can flood the litter box and you may need to change the entire litter daily as there is so much urine.  Noticeable weight loss yet a very strong appetite is another symptom to be aware of along with lethargic behavior and the coat will look unkempt.  ** I had a couple clients tell me that their cats were seen pulling a back leg inwards while walking and their vet said that this was a symptom. Please ask your vet for confirmation as I have not heard of this with the research done.**  

Diagnosis- Having a physical done by your vet with blood work and urine test can confirm diabetes.  The sooner the diagnosis, the better the outcome. 

Treatment-  As with humans, if the cat is pre-diabetic, a weight loss program and even some exercise can do wonders.  Playtime and activity can really work wonders and help drop some pounds.  Changing their diet to a low carb plan will help and your veterinarian can advise you on the best food brands to try for wet and dry foods. 

  • Oral Medication- This new treatment is for cats not insulin dependent and a good option. 
 
  • Insulin- Given twice a day with food given before the shot, this is a common treatment plan.  Some cats can tolerate once a day shot but your vet will determine the routine. This is a very controlled routine for both you and your cat and you will need to be aware of low blood sugar and to administer the insulin on time. This is crucial for the health and well being of your cat. 

  • ** Rock The Cat Spa does NOT accept diabetic cats. Only veterinarian licensed facilities should administer  prescribed medications and are trained for emergencies such as low blood sugar.**  
 
  • As with humans, weight loss can reverse diabetes and remission can be achieved. It will take a cat owner with dedication and discussion with your vet so that weight loss is done slowly and safely.  Cats cannot lose weight quickly as it could harm them and should take place over the course of several months and be monitored by your vet. 

Having a diabetic cat can be a change to both you and your cat’s lifestyle.  Monitoring your cats weight can be a real game and life changer.  Keeping your kitty in a healthy weight range is something your cat will thank you for.

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    When Cari has some free time from all the kitties, she likes to share her knowledge of all things cat in this monthly blog. 
    ​Enjoy the read! 

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