PDSA Vet Anna explained to me that most healthy cats will have smooth and shiny coats and they tend to keep their own fur very clean and tidy. “You’ll often spot them grooming to make sure their coat in tip-top condition. If you’re noticing your cat has patchy fur/ hair loss, itchy skin or they seem to be grooming all the time, this could be a sign of a skin condition and it’s best to get them checked by your vet,” she noted when we ought to become concerned.
One way to help your cat stay healthy and looking like a meowgnificent floof is taking the time to provide them with the right diet. To put it simply, good food leads to a beautiful coat of hair.
“It’s important to feed your cat a high quality, complete, balanced diet that’s right for their life stage. This will make sure they have all the nutrients they need to keep their coat sleek and shining,” vet Anna said that we should be aware of our cat’s age and adjust their food accordingly. Fortunately, we don’t have to shell out huge amounts of cash on expensive supplements and the like if we’ve got the basics down right.
“There are supplements and oils available on the market which are marketed to promote skin health but these usually aren’t necessary if your cat is on the right food and doesn’t have a medical condition. If you’re not sure about the best diet for your cat, talk to your vet for advice.”
And if this wholesome and hilarious list has you wanting to adopt a brand new cat, then we’ve also got some great advice on how to prepare your home for your pet.
“Pets bring us love, joy, and companionship so in return we need to make sure we’re able to provide them with everything they need to be happy,” PDSA Vet Anna told Bored Panda that it’s the least we can do in exchange for their love. “It’s best to get everything ready for a new cat or kitten before you bring them home. You’ll need to make sure you have all the physical things your cat might need, for example, bowls, bedding, scratching posts litter trays, and toys.”
But aside from all the items, big and small, we should also think about the layout of our homes and where everything will be. And that’s something that I personally hadn’t considered much. “Cats don’t like to have their food and water bowls next to each other, try to spread them out as much as possible. They’ll also often want some space between their litter tray and other things,” Anna gave us a couple of examples of how to think about layout to improve our new pets’ lives.
“It’s also important to think about the style or design of your cat’s equipment. Most cats will prefer a low, flat food bowl so their whiskers don’t touch the edges. Many will also like running water, for example, a cat water fountain instead of a bowl. So try to look at things with a ‘cat’s view’ instead of your own human eyes that might be attracted to colors or patterns.”
The ‘Out of Context Cats’ project is fairly new. It was created just as the global lockdowns were coming into full force during the start of the pandemic, back in April 2020. However, in just more than a year, the OoCC Twitter page grew to have a whopping 221.4k followers!
We’re hoping that the project continues going strong because in these difficult times we think that the world needs more cats, humor, and wholesome goodness.
Earlier, I had a chat about taking good photos of cats with pet photographer Karen Weiler and cat behaviorist Ingrid Johnson. While it’s totally fun to take random snaps of our pets, it’s also good to know the fundamentals of pet photography so that you can wow your friends and strangers on the internet alike with your ameowzing skills. These skills will come in useful if you have some time to set up a photo and be deliberate with your snaps.
Photographer Karen told Bored Panda in a previous interview that lighting means absolutely everything in photography.
“So, set yourself up for success by moving a favorite blanket, bed, piece of furniture into a place that has great light. If they enjoy indulging in catnip, you can spread some there too. It is simple really: if your kitty enjoys hanging out there, you’ll have more opportunities to photograph them. They will be relaxed and happy and you will have great light—a winning combination!" Karen said.
Karen added that we can use toys and items with lots of movement to get our cats’ attention because felines tend to respond to movement more than sound. Also, be sure to get down to the level of your cat so that you can work on your composition and get new perspectives on the shot.
Meanwhile, cat behaviorist Ingrid pointed out that we tend to take the best photos of our cats when we snap them in their natural environment. If we take them out of their home, “things go awry.” What’s more, you should try and use natural light to take a great photo. “Play with them to encourage them to look confident and alert,” Ingrid added.
