The Cat Allergy Culprit

The cat allergy culprit is a protein that cats produce naturally. It is invisible to the naked eye. For the most part, the protein spreads freely about the house attached to tiny particles of skin flakes, or dander, which cats shed while grooming themselves. Medical science calls the allergen Fel d1.
"The allergen is found in cats' saliva, on their pelts and in their skin," says James Sublett, clinical professor of Allergy and Immunology in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine. "One problem in particular is that it's a small allergen, something like two microns in size."
Sublett uses the analogy of ping-pong balls vs. basketballs. "The bigger balls fall out of the air and settle," he says, "but imagine a fan hitting a bunch of ping-pong balls and blowing them all around. Cat allergens stay in the air." Thus, he says, some people can be deathly allergic to cats but not to dogs, because the dog allergen is heavier. (Courtesy Cat Fancy, May 2007)

Magnetic Cats

How are cats able to detect these earthquakes? "Animals can detect the change in the Earth's magnetic field," geologist Jim Berkland explains. "Nearly every animal has the mineral magnetite in its body; before an earthquake, the magnetic field gets distorted." The magnetite allows animals to detect changes in the Earth's magnetic field. When this happens, cats and other animals realize something wrong will happen. Many cats and dogs flee. (Sounds sort of out there, doesn't it?) (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, June 2007)

Cats Help Predict California Earthquakes

Geologist Jim Berkland has predicted earthquakes in California for the last 30 years. His work is chronicled in the book, "The Man Who Predicts Earthquakes," by Cal Orey. Berkland believes the alignment of the moon and Earth affects tidal waves, movement in the Earth's crust and magnetic fields. Berkland also observes the behavior of cats and dogs: specifically, the number of lost cats and dogs listed in local newspapers. He claims that for thousands of year, people in China successfully predited earthquakes based on the behavior of animals before the quakes. Berkland's first prediction involving cats occurred in 1980.
"On Nov. 7, 1980, there were 14 missing cat ads, the most of the whole year. There are usually 3 or 4 missing cat ads," he says. Based on that and other factors, Berkland predicted a 7.4 magnitude earthquake. Within days there was a 7.4 earthquake in Eureka, Calif. Since then Berkland allegedly predicted more than 25 earthquakes based on missing cat and dog ads. (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, June 2007)

Kitty's Own Washroom

Another holiday cat gift is the "cat washroom." It's a cabinet that holds a litterbox. Here's what the ad says-- "Excellent way of hiding the litterbox--clever design. It easily could match a person's room decor without standing out." (But do odors get trapped inside the cabinet?) It's offered by Merry Products, Corp, for $99.99. (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, December 2007)

Lazy Feedings

Pillar Pet Products, Inc. advertises a Perfect Petfeeder--a programmable feeder that doles out the amount of food at the mealtimes you set it to. Here's what they say--"The only way our intuitive, "no manual required", programming interface could be any easier is if it could read your mind. In less than a minute, you will have the Perfect Petfeeder programmed and ready to dispense the precise meal portions you want, when you want. Just as important, adjusting the program is a snap. Our patent pending Quick Change feature allows you to adjust all meal amounts in seconds. There's an option for a pleasant meal chime, and you can enter into "suspend mode" to temporarily stop its daily operation while retaining all program settings." The cost is $499.95. Hmm. $500 dollars for automatic feedings... (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, December 2007)

Rolling in Catnip

An herb in the mint family, catnip influences cats that are genetically predisposed to the effects of its essential oil. Studies indicate that up to one-third of felines are unaffected by catnip. Nepetalactone, the active chemical compound in catnip, creates the familiar "intoxicated" reaction. The flehmen response (when a cat "sneers," or pulls back its upper lip, while sniffing) forces the scent through the vomeronasal, or Jacobson's organ, located within the palate. From there, it travels to the base of the brain. Within the brain, the compound stimulates certain receptors and hormones. Rolling in catnip might demonstrate an instinctual behavior designed to release more of the oil. (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, September 2007)

Hot Food

Many cats enjoy a hot meal on a cold night. But you don't have to slave over the stove to please them--just put wet food on a plate, and place it in the microwave for a few seconds. Or add a little warm water to kibble for gravy, then stir and serve. Test the temperature first by dabbing a little bit on your inner forearm to make sure it isn't too hot. (Courtesy of Cat Fancy, December 2007)