Cat behaviors? How much do you really know about cat behavior? As a new (or even longtime) cat lover, you might feel puzzled or frustrated by some of the weird things cats do. And cat behavior might be on your mind, wondering what’s normal—and why cats do what they do.

I’ve worked with countless pet lovers with questions just like yours. After decades in the industry, studying feline behavior and also interviewing hundreds of veterinary professionals, I’ve learned a TON about cat behavior. And there’s some stuff I think all cat lovers should know!

Tomorrow is NATIONAL CAT DAY! Why not celebrate with kewl schtuff for the cat…like a catnip treat?

I have no doubt that catnip prompted the Cheshire Cat’s grin. My cat Seren used to wear the same expression when she indulged. NATIONAL CAT DAY is the perfect time to indulge your furry friend.

But why do cats find this nondescript herb so attractive? Is it a kitty aphrodisiac, a harmless pleasure or something more sinister?

What Is Catnip?

Nepeta cataria, or catnip, is a strong-scented mint that contains a volatile oil that’s easily released into the air. Biting or rolling on the plant crushes the leaves and releases the oil so Kitty can get a good sniff. It doesn’t take much. Cats can detect catnip oil in the air at saturation as low as one part per billion.

Many of y’all know I wrote a book about holistic pet care and interviewed nearly 70 veterinarians while researching the material. Boy, did I learn a lot–and changed my mind about many things! These veterinarians also shared how holistic care had changed the way they practice vet care.

So I want you to meet a friend of mine, veterinarian Dr. Jeff Grognet, an advocate for cats and holistic care. He notes that forty years ago, veterinarians typically promoted dry kibble as the best cat food. And, we vaccinated every year. My, how times change!

“Now, we know better. But, there are many other things we need to look at and change our thinking on,” he says. So he created The Holistic Cat Conference. He asked me to speak (SQUEE!) and hosts a REPLAY August 5 & 6, this Weekend Only…

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), holds its annual conference (which doubles as the 7th World Feline Veterinary Conference) October 12-15, 2023 in Memphis, TN. The event features both in-person and virtual sessions focussed on The Ins and Outs of Feline Nutrition and Gastroenterology.

Last year, I attended the *virtual* AAFP sessions and came away with new, great insight helpful to me as a cat lover and behavior consultant (although I’m NOT a veterinarian). Veterinary professionals and others can learn and earn continuing education hours. I particularly liked having access to the digital proceedings, because often you can’t attend everything because of conflicts. I’m pleased to see AAFP again offers this opportunity.

If you have a special interest in cat care and/or know a veterinarian who would benefit, read on! And share this information with those who need it.

On June 10, 2023, veterinary researchers posted an ALERT to the British Veterinary Association publication VET RECORD: Cyprus FIP outbreak is ‘very alarming’

The outbreak began in January 2023 in the capital city of Nicosia, with increasing numbers of cases reported in the districts of Larnaca, Limassol and Famagousta. “Within 12 weeks the number of PCR-confirmed FIP cases increased more than 20-fold compared to the previous year,” says the Vet Record report.

An outbreak of FIP (feline infectious peritonitis) means devastating disease and usually death to companion cats as well as feral or community cats. Testing complicates matters—there is no single definitive test—and only recently have effective anti-viral treatments become available. But these treatments take up to 12 weeks, costs a lot, and the drugs are not FDA approved for veterinary use, and therefore difficult to get.

While Cyprus seems a world away to those of us in the United States, we know from recent experience that diseases may rapidly spread. The news led to media inquiries resulting in scary, confusing, and even contradictory reports in the press. So I reached out to the vets on the ground and experts who know–and here’s what they had to say. Dr. Danielle Gunn-Moore weighs in!