What's the latest?

Chirpy Cats wins Muse Medallions at the Cat Writers’ Conference

We sat as usual on our treat stations at 9 pm and nothing was happening. We sat and stared and stared, waiting for that familiar click.

But all we heard was silence and the TV in the background. No treats. Nothing. The Lady Cat was gone and we were left in the care of The Big man Cat.

He said: “No treats for you lot!”

She returned from the Cat Writers’ Association Conference in Houston after four days to announce that we had won something! I wonder if this means we get more treats or she will make up for these four days we were deprived. Ummm, I think she has some explaining to do. Not sure what these silly awards mean and what’s in it for me! Read More

Why your cats would want an Art of Paws heated mat

When you’re hanging on to the last bit of heat from a long departed sun puddle and curl up into a tight ball of fur it’s time to get comfy on a heated bed.

For a long time, I was on the lookout for a heated bed for our senior cat Earl Grey who, like his mum (moi) is a heat seeker by nature. Earl Grey is our blind senior 17-year-old cat and has CKD (chronic kidney disease). His body has slowed down and he’s always looking for the warmest spot in the house. But warm laps are not always available throughout the day, so what is an old cat to do? Read More

Dreaming of a long Summer: Monday Haiku

There’s a lot going on in the backyard. If Freddy the groundhog is not teasing us, then it’s the blackbirds taunting with their noisy songs and messy eating habits, flinging their bird seed all over the place. But today there’s something else happening. The humans are out lifting, digging in the earth, looking very busy. I wonder if they also like digging up scrumptious earthworms like I do. But I think they’re getting the garden ready and if that’s the case then that makes me one very happy cat. Read More

Caturday Art: The Making of Sarabi the Cat Sculpture

06/05/2018
The Lady Cat
19 Comments
Caturday Doodles
catart, catit art contest, caturday doodles, sculpture

One of my other passions is makings things by hand and seeing how it transforms into something new.

Whether it’s getting my hands dirty in the garden and watching things grow, or shaping a piece of clay and seeing what it becomes. Many of my Caturday Doodles are digital drawings. I like doing digital art, but much like the red dot means for cat, you can feel it but can’t touch it. Making sculptures is such a tactile medium and is literally ‘hands-on.’ Building those layers and shaping a piece of art is the most relaxing way to spend your weekend! It’s even sweeter when the subject is my all time favorite muse, cats! What else? Read More

Meowvelous Monday Haiku: The Purrfect Getaway For Your Cat

30/04/2018
Chirpy Cats
25 Comments
Haiku
cat behavior, cat condo, cat humor, cat spaces, Haiku, Marvelous Monday haiku

What do you think is the purrfect getaway for your cat?

Your imagination may be running wild, thinking of places where there are endless fields of catnip with birds swooping overhead and sinful amounts of cat treat buffets! But you may be getting ahead of yourself there. I’m thinking more local, you know, just a home away from home, a place to relax for a few hours, catch some sun, not too far away from my food bowl. Just maybe a few feet away. Yes, I’m a simple cat, not asking much. In fact, like most cats, we pretty much make ourselves comfortable everywhere we happen to stamp our paw prints with our little jellybeans you love so much. Read More

Day Zero and what it means for the shelter pets of Cape Town

23/04/2018
The Lady Cat
23 Comments
Catnip Chirps
animal shelter, day zero, earth day, shelter cats, shelter dogs, water crisis, water for paws

Water for paws donates water to animal shelter

Shelter cats at the Lucky Lucy Foundation examine the water bottles they received from Water for Paws.

Can you imagine a world in which your city is forced to shut off the taps and you and your pets no longer have access to running water? How would you cope if your water was rationed and you had to queue in line to get your daily quota of only 25 liters of water?

If it sounds almost apocalyptic and scary, for people living in the bustling coastal city of Cape Town, South Africa, this is about to become a reality.

10/04/2018
Chirpy Cats
19 Comments
Reviews
bunny kick, cat toys, playful cats, product review

Jimmy the cat playing with bunny kicking toy Kitty Kick Stix

He flopped on his back, and pummelled away at the viscera of his ‘victim’ with his hind legs, eyes gone wild and hungry for more.

His victim lay motionless, all 15 inches of catnip-infused stuffing still intact, not one visible tear. This is Jimmy Fancy Feet playing with his new Kitty Kick Stix on the kitchen floor.

09/04/2018
Chirpy Cats
22 Comments
Haiku
geriatric cat, gotcha day, Haiku, happy birthday, Marvelous Monday haiku

Earl Grey turns 17 today and he has a few words of wisdom for his younger purry pals. He’s made old bones but he’s mostly done things his way. Today he is still King of his castle even though a frail body says otherwise. We are blessed to have this handsome old boy in our lives and we cherish every moment with him. Read More

Easter lilies are deadly toxic to cats, but are there cat-safe alternatives?

22/03/2018
Chirpy Cats
34 Comments
Catnip Chirps
lilies, non-toxic plants, spring, toxicity

I was at work when I received a call from my sister, sobbing at the other end. Her cat, Misty, had died overnight.

“Do you have lilies in the house?” I asked.

“Yes I do, why?”

It started with a thoughtful gesture of love. Her husband likes to surprise her with her favorite bouquet of lilies. Unbeknownst to him, lilies are highly toxic to our beloved felines.

They’re so beautiful with their trumpet-like petals and filaments beckoning you to behold them and take a closer look. And your cat, being the curious beast that he is, is sure to take more than just a closer look. All parts of the lily are toxic, even the pollen and the water in the vase. Your cat does not have to ingest anything, just brushing against any part of the flower can collect pollen on his fur which your cat may ingest while grooming. Even the tiniest amount of ingested matter will cause acute kidney failure and eventually death, if not aggressively treated within the first few hours of ingestion. National Poison Prevention Month has passed, but awareness is key to prevent the dreaded visit to the emergency vet with your cat’s life hanging on the line. There are thousands of newbie cat owners out there and many do not know of the risks, so we hope you share this post for all to see.

19/03/2018
Chirpy Cats
26 Comments
Haiku
cat behavior, Haiku, inspiration, Marvelous Monday haiku, spring, winter cat

When life hands you icicles, make an icicle crunch sundae.

It’s Ollie here and I’m presenting this week’s Meowvelous Monday Haiku. We’re in a cold snap at the moment but I don’t let that freeze my lifestyle. I spent a good portion of yesterday chasing icicles. It’s quite fun actually and pretty soon I had my pals join in the fun too. My brother Baggy was a little miffed that he didn’t start it first. After all, he is the king of testing gravity. Read More

What’s the latest?