How’s this for fun?

TEN INTERESTING FACTS and there are so many more…

1. Your cat’s nose print is as unique as one of your fingerprints.
2. A cat can jump 5 to 7 times the height of its tail.
3. A group of cats is called a “clowder”, a group of kittens is called a “kindle” (but can we read on them?).
4. A cat’s eyes are always blue at birth and may not change to their final color for months.
5. An adult cat has four rows of whiskers on each side and 30 teeth.
6. Cats cannot taste sweets because of an incomplete gene.
7. People who would read this calendar are probably ailurophiles, or lovers of cats, but those who are afraid of cats are called ailurophobes and likely will not.
8. Cats can sprint at about 30 miles per hour, but aren’t meant for long-distance running.
9. Cats are capable of vocalizing about 100 different sounds, dogs about 10.
10. Coat patterns in big and small cats seem to be derived from an evolutionary response to habitat.

The “Resources” section in Great Rescues Day Book

These “Ten Interesting Facts” are included in the “Resources” section of Great Rescues Day Book.

Not just a calendar with cat artwork and stories, when I first redesigned Great Rescues I included the “Resources” section in the back with an eye to the next decade, not just the next year, useful over time to those who loved and lived with cats. That section includes information about cats, cat health, behavior and care, which I’d been writing about for at least 20 years, along with caring for my evolving family of felines and fosters with the guidance of amazing veterinarians who taught me so much.

That section is 12 pages long and most of the information is timeless. And some of it is fun, though most of it is serious and informative.

RESOURCES

Below is a table of contents for what’s in the “Resources” section

Basic Feline Wellness

Here’s a sample of what’s included in “Basic Feline Wellness”:

Really Basic Things Your Cat Needs

• • Quality cat food with a high level of meat-based protein and fat, as few carbohydrates as possible; cats are “obligate carnivores” meaning they have to eat meat to obtain the nutrients their bodies need to grow and sustain.
  • Feed your cat away from any high-traffic areas and in a separate room from the litterbox.
  • Fresh, clean, cool water should be available at all times, possibly even in several places; changing once a day is best. Wash food and water bowls daily.
  • Find a litter and a litterbox you and your cat can agree on. Place it away from a high-traffic area; use one litterbox per cat, plus one box. Scoop daily, wash and change litter weekly and wipe with a 1:10 bleach/water solution to kill any diseases or parasites that may be present, rinse and dry before refilling.
  • Follow recommendations for veterinary care by getting your cat a wellness exam at least once a year, more often as kitten or as senior cat.
  • Get to know your cat’s eating, sleeping and activity habits—cats hide illness very well and often a change in habits is the only way you know something is wrong.
  • Play with your cat and take some time for affection every day. Often this is the best defense against behavior problems, besides, it’s fun.
  • Keep your cat free of fleas and other parasites to maintain your cat’s health and your own.
  • Spay or neuter your cat as soon as possible, 4 pounds or 4 months is a good rule to follow.

The “Basic Feline Wellness” section also has information on:

Kittens

Seniors

Here is the remainder of the table of contents:

Health Concerns

• • When to take your cat to the veterinarian
  • When to run with your cat to the emergency clinic including both physical symptoms and behavioral symptoms

Household Toxins and Poisonous Plants

• • Toxic substances around the house
  • Cleaning products
  • Essential oils, potpourri and such
  • Poisonous plants
  • More information on plants with links

Life Stages of Cats and Human Equivalents

Spay and Neuter

• • Pediatric spay and neuter
  • Feline breast cancer
  • My cat is already expecting
  • Where to find information on low-cost spay and neuter

Strays and Ferals, TNR

Pet Loss

• • Support groups
  • Internet discussion groups
  • Websites and hotlines

Just Some Fun Stuff

Organizations Referenced in the Calendar

Books

Other Ways You Can Help Cats and Other Animals

Some fun stuff and some serious stuff so that you have information at your fingertips about what you cat needs—even in the middle of the night—and you can take the actions you need.

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©2011-2025 Bernadette E. Kazmarski | All Rights Reserved.

No content may be used without WRITTEN PERMISSION from the author.

Great Rescues Calendar and Great Rescues Day Book are published by Beauty of a Moment Publishing

Site designed by Bernadette E. Kazmarski

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