The Best Cat-Friendly Plants: Living Art USA
Written by: Jane Morocco, CEO, Living Art USA
In 2019, 67% of all US households owned pets.
Currently, with the COVID-19 pandemic and more people working from home, this percentage keeps climbing. We are a nation of animal lovers.
As a cat and plant owner, the health and safety of my cats is very important to me. There are many plants that are toxic to cats.
Some, you probably have in your home right now. I have created a list of not only cat-safe plants, but plants which are beautiful greenery for your home.
Besides being safe around all pets and children, these plants also have benefits to us humans, such as air-purifying benefits which help us reduce our daily stress.
It is important to note, I always recommend to cat owners to do their own research and select plants based on your own cat's behavior. Too much nibbling of any plant, pet-safe or not will cause an upset stomach.
Here's my list of the best cat-friendly plants...
1. The Money Tree Plant
Not only is the Money Tree beautiful and easy to grow, it is said to bring you luck, positive energy and financial success.
2. Parlor Palm
Cultivated since the Victorian era, this easy to grow species of Palm Tree is known for its resilience to any indoor condition.
3. Peperomia
This popular houseplant is sometimes known as a baby rubber plant. Peperomia houseplants with their beautiful color can brighten your indoor decor. It also can be propagated from leaf cuttings.
4. Calathea
Often called the "Prayer Plant" because of their unique leaf movements, At night, the leaves fold up as if they are folding into a prayer. It prefers indirect lighting, which means makes it perfect for indoor usage and office buildings.
5. Echeveria
The Echeveria is known for its fleshy, water-storing leaves, which means it doesn't have to be watered as often as your other plants. They have a wide diversity of colors and shapes too.
About Jane Morocco & Living Art USA
My name is Jane Morocco and I'm the owner of Living Art USA. Living Art USA is an eco-friendly company and we feature Pet & Child Safe Plants.
The Cattitude Podcast with Michelle Fern on Pet Life Radio
Host: Michelle Fern @michellefernpet
Cattitude Podcast on Pet Life Radio, which is a huge network of over 70 shows about anything and everything pet.
Find Cattitude on iHeartRadio, Spotify, iTunes, TuneIn, Stitcher, Radio.com, Google Play and on PetLifeRadio.com
About Cattitude
Cattitude is a podcast on the Pet Life Radio Digital Radio Network. And you should listen. Ok, I know that comes across a bit biased since I am the show host of Cattitude. But here is why……there is a lot of GREAT information for you, the cat pet parent.
Here is my journey to Cattitude. I was asked to be the host of Cattitude in 2017. The original show host was Tom Dock.
Tom was a Veterinary Technician with a deep interest in research. He hosted the first 23 episodes of Cattitude. His shows mostly focused on detailed information on a variety of feline breeds. They are great shows with an abundance of facts and information.
When I was asked to take over Cattitude, having hosted Best Bets for Pets since 2010, I initially refused.
Although at that time my cat crew had grown to a team of 5 cats (listen to episode 24), I felt I simply did not know enough about cats. But my producer kept asking. So I thought about what I could bring to the show.
Would I be able to have interesting content? Can I provide advice to the cat parent though I am not a Vet or Vet tech?
I told my producer I would host Cattitude, but my viewpoint would be very different from the former host. I really wanted to focus from the viewpoint of the cat pet parent.
When I select my show topics, I always consider the pet parent, my listener.
What is of interest to a pet parent or prospective pet parent? How can we talk about it so people all over the world will understand the concept?
Though most of my listeners are in North America, I am thrilled and honored to have listeners worldwide. (Power of the internet!)
And always……make it fun! Though it is tough when we talk about serious issues such as TNR and eliminating cat euthanasia.
Some of my Fav Shows
Episode 55: Kitty Bungalow
This was the second part of my series on Feral and Community Cat Rescue. I had just gone through my personal experience in TNR (Episode 54) and was still eager to talk about the subject.
Kitty Bungalow is one of the most unique cat rescues. They work with 100% feral and community cats and put them through charm school!! Kitty Bungalow does amazing work in rescuing and socializing street kitties.
Episode 64 and 96: IAMMOSHOW
If you love cats…..you gotta take a listen to iammoshow.
Mo is a soft-spoken Cat Rapper on a mission to share love and positivity to all things cat.
On both shows he was raising funds for cat rescues. If you have not viewed his videos……you are missing out. My personal fav is “The Slide”.
Episode 90: Dr. Bernadine Cruz
Did you ever drop a vitamin or aspirin and think, no problem, I will just find it later? Well, not if you have cats! This was my idea when asking Dr. Bernandine Cruz to be a guest and talk about the dangers of household medicines and your cat.
Dr. Bernadine is a Veterinarian and Author that hosts The Pet Doctor on Pet Life Radio.
She is an expert in her field and assisted in developing a first aid program for cats and dogs that is endorsed by the Humane Society and the American Red Cross. This resulted in a highly informative show.
I am so honored that Cattitude has a huge listening audience. It continues to be one of the most popular cat podcasts on the internet. I truly believe that one of the main reasons we have so many listeners (besides having great guests) is that I am fortunate to have an amazing producer.
In my mind, I think I am pretty good, but I know for sure that it is my producer that really makes Cattitude sound so much better for the listener.
If you have a chance, please take a listen to Cattitude. I am always open to suggestions, so please send your ideas to michelle@petliferadio.com As always, thanks for listening!
P.S. - Check us out on the podcast with Michelle:
Cattitude Podcast Episode 105 - Feeder Breeders
Adventure Cats Are On The Rise: Join The Movement
Written by: Sarah Olewski Klassen
Instagram: @thegibsonchronicles
Website: www.thegibsonchronicles.com
Adventure Cats are on the Rise
Have you ever come across photos of adventure cats outside on harnesses and wondered, “HOW in the world is that even possible?!” Well I’m here to write to you and tell you it is!
There is a movement of cat explorers on the rise. When Gibson, my feline sidekick, and I are out beyond the house heads will often turn, photos get snapped, questions and comments start, and you know what?
I welcome it all! Part of what we do is about educating others in what cats are actually capable of.
I want to hear less people saying, “you’re such a crazy cat lady” just because I give my cat love, attention and enrichments and more people saying “you and your cat have such a tight bond!”
The relationship between guardians and their feline companions is really such a beautiful thing and we’re here to help represent that. If you’re reading this, consider joining this movement!
For those of you who are super introverted and want to take your cat outside, though, just prepare yourself for lots of attention and please welcome it by raising awareness of what our adventure cats can do (extroverts, it’s your time to live the dream that was made for you and your kitty)!
Social Media Awareness
Another way we raise awareness about the rise of cat explorers is through social media. Once, we had a well-known company reach out to us and ask for our photo to be featured on their Instagram account.
I happily said, “of course!” because it was a photo of Gibson performing one of his favourite tricks. I felt that getting featured on a popular fashion account would help to show a whole other community what cats are able to do!
Annoyingly, this company ended up using the photo as a poll for which pet was better: cats or dogs. I was infuriated because I really do feel that since dogs are often the pet that is seen, people will commonly answer that dogs are their favourite even if they’ve never even had or interacted with a cat.
Even though I am a guardian of an adventure cat I love ALL animals and didn’t feel that this poll was necessary, inclusive, nor did it reflect what our Instagram account/blog is about.
Our Instagram is a positive-only storybook of all the things Gibson and I do together which was made to build community and raise awareness of the life of a cat who go beyond the house.
Enrich Your Cats Life
Cats also need lots of enrichment! Food puzzles, toys, cat shelves, cat exploring, etc. are all great ideas in enriching your cat’s life. You can I also aim to change mindsets in proving that cats are capable of being clicker trained as well.
The community at Cat School was one of the businesses to help pioneer that movement of training your cat (including us)! Cats have behaviours that reflect their need for this enrichment, such as knocking down items from shelves, biting, etc. and we need to listen to them when they’re expressing the need for more.
For us, exploring beyond the house and clicker training has become a huge part of our life and it has surely helped others to see that adventure cats are capable of much more and has strengthened the bond that we have greatly.
We aren’t here to say that cat exploring is the answer or that it will be possible for every cat.
What we’d like for people to realize is that we can enlarge a cat’s environment by showing them the world and/or doing more with them, whether that be inside and/or outside the house!
Got the social distancing blues? Try these cat-themed activities!
By Nikki Hess, Cat Lady Academy
Are you and your cat bored at home as you’re engaging in social distancing? There are plenty of fun and useful activities you can do while you’re stuck at home. These are just a few of our favorite ideas:
Play with your cat. It helps kitty get exercise, satisfy their hunting instincts, and may even tire them out enough so that they engage in undesirable activities (like attacking your feet) less frequently.
Experiment with taking better photos of your cat. Every cat photo is cute because there’s a cat in it. But many cute pictures can be improved with just a few simple tweaks, like brightening up the lighting. Check out the Lightroom app—you can quickly and easily make your cat photos look better just by using the Auto feature.
Groom your cat. ‘Tis the season of shedding! Now’s the time to brush your cat regularly. Many cats enjoy being brushed, and it will help their coat look sleeker.
Get crafty. Think of something you’d like to create for your cat. You could metal-stamp a charm for their collar, pick a fun fabric and sew them a bandana, or make them a toy. (Just be sure to keep any little bits and bobs away from kitty while you’re crafting!)
Donate to a cat organization. Many shelters cannot currently hold adoption events, so adoptions may be going slower, and therefore shelters may be housing cats for longer than usual. Donate to these organizations so that they have the funds to get food, litter, vet care, and more for the cats in their care.
Install a bird feeder. Cats love Cat TV! Consider installing a bird feeder in your backyard or on your balcony so kitty can watch the little tweeters. Can’t install a bird feeder? Consider setting up a goldfish bowl, get a betta fish, or install a fish tank instead. (Just be sure that the fish are kept safe from kitty.)
Check the important things. If you find yourself with a little more free time than usual (for example, if you’re not commuting to work because you’re working from home), use that time to take care of important but easily overlooked things like making sure the address linked to your pet’s microchip is current, or that your cat’s next vaccination is scheduled.
Go shopping—online. These days, shipping times are longer than what you’re probably used to. Check your cat’s food and medication supply. Place an order in advance for food or medications, and consider ordering a little more than usual so that you know you’ll have enough.
Deep-clean the box. It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s gotta do it! Periodically, it’s a good idea to deep-clean plastic litter boxes. Empty out all the litter, clean and disinfect it, dry it out, and then add new litter back in. Kitty will love their fresh new bathroom!
Spend quality time together. Enjoy cuddles and snuggles, if your cat’s into that. If they’re not, then just spending time in the same room is fine too! Spending time with a pet can lower your stress level.
Make your cat Insta-famous. Consider making an Instagram account for your cat. It’s a great way to share your cat’s cuteness, quirks, and life with others, and you can make other cat friends from around the world!
Whatever activities you choose to do, we hope you stay safe and healthy!
Nikki Hess is the cat mom of @mannyhalloweencat on Instagram. She’s also the founder of @catladyacademy, where she shares tips and advice to help you create a purrfect Instagram account for your cat.
Cattitude Podcast Episode 113 – Fun Feline Factoids
How much do you know about Kittens, Cats in the Wild, & Cats at Home?
Michelle Fern invites back Harris Baker from Catfluence.com to talk kitty trivia!
Tune in to see how much you really know about our furry feline friends!
LISTEN HERE on iTunes, Spotify or other podcast networks
2020 Catfluence March Madness Tournament
Many of our hooman friends are missing out on March Madness this year as all sports have been cancelled due to Coronavirus/COVID-19.
To keep you sane while stuck with your #QuarantineCats, we put together a bracket of 64 "Cat Influencers".
Please note, the rankings are based solely on follower count.
Many of these accounts were submitted through our Instagram story poll, and others were chosen based on our own preference, or that they are supporters of @Catfluence.
Do not take it personally if you are not on this bracket - it is meant to just be fun!
We will also be giving out away a FREE t-shirt AND sticker to one user who fills out this bracket and posts it to their story.
You can download a .pdf version here, or get a .png.
We'll be posting each round on our IG stories as well to get the "fan favorite" winner.
The winner will receive a prize as well!!!
Have fun everyone and be safe!
Cattitude Podcast Episode 105 - Feeder Breeders
Are you a cat feeder breeder?
Feeding stray cats is commendable but if you don't take that extra step to have them spayed and neutered you are setting them up for disaster.
This week Michelle Fern welcomes Harris Baker, owner of catfluence.com to discuss this controversial topic of feeder breeders.
Follow this link to listen to the podcast on Pet Life Radio, Feeds Burner, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download it!