CATEGORIES

FUR NAMES
Cat Talk

FUR NAMES

Names. Oh, what an important choice in the life of cat! It is how a cat will be known in the show rings and in daily life. A name can alternate between words of delight or new forms of cursing. Each name tells a story and this is the story of GC RW Starbourne Three Ring Circus, aka Ellie

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2 mins  |
August 2021
CFA Breeder Publishes New Book About Siberians
Cat Talk

CFA Breeder Publishes New Book About Siberians

A new breed book, The Siberian Cat, written by long-term CFA breeder Alice Wright, was released via Amazon, in paperback and Kindle formats on May 26, 2021. The book is a comprehensive history of the breed, providing extensive details of how the Siberian cat has traveled and expanded its conquest into hearts and families all over the world.

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4 mins  |
August 2021
A Short Tale From a Short Season
Cat Talk

A Short Tale From a Short Season

Most of us have had that special cat—a heart cat with whom we had a deep connection. It may have been one we had as a child, or one that saw us through a troubled time, or one with whom we bonded as we exhibited at cat shows. Whether the cat found us or we sought it out, the connections cannot be denied. These are the stories of some of those special cats and what they meant to us.

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2 mins  |
August 2021
That Kitty Mess Could Mean More Than You Think
Cat Talk

That Kitty Mess Could Mean More Than You Think

Living with cats pretty much means living with a fair amount of kitty barf. For most of us, hearing the unmistakable sound of a cat upchucking means you drop everything and run for the paper towels. But it could also mean there’s more to worry about than the risk of stepping in goo barefooted. Determining whether your vomiting cat needs more than a cleanup depends on a number of factors. It’s best to gather as much information as possible about what’s going on before you get your vet involved. So, before you call, try to have the answers to the following questions handy.

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7 mins  |
June 2021
Up Close and Purr-sonal
Cat Talk

Up Close and Purr-sonal

Just about everyone who knows CFA knows Kathy Calhoun, CFA treasurer and Allbreed judge. She’s also a breeder of national winning Maine Coon cats, national winning American Wirehairs, Tonkinese and American Shorthairs, a former Regional Director, and one of the founders of the Basic Black Cat Club. But as busy as Kathy Calhoun’s CFA life has been and is, cats are just one part of her story.

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6 mins  |
June 2021
Teacher's Pet, Classroom Assistant Lady Bronwyn
Cat Talk

Teacher's Pet, Classroom Assistant Lady Bronwyn

Most of us have had that special cat—a heart cat with whom we had a deep connection. It may have been the cat we had as a child, or the one that saw us through a troubled time, or one with whom we bonded as we exhibited at cat shows. Whether the cat found us or we sought it out, those connections cannot be denied. These are the stories of some of those special cats and what they mean or meant to us.

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4 mins  |
June 2021
Gromit The Rockstar
Cat Talk

Gromit The Rockstar

There are very few cats, no matter how long they are shown, or what they achieve, that belong in the “rock star” category. In pedigreed cats, we have a few that have become legendary.

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3 mins  |
June 2021
Conducting Cat Shows During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Cat Talk

Conducting Cat Shows During the COVID-19 Pandemic

It was just over a year ago that we were all enjoying our hobby of showing cats. Some traveled extensively seeking high titles, and some just supported local shows. In all cases, there was social interaction with everyone, and we generally did not worry about spreading infections.

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8 mins  |
June 2021
Major Tom
Cat Talk

Major Tom

My first pet was a cat named “Major Tom,” or “Tommy.” He was a domestic shorthair silver tabby and white. From what I was told, my parents purchased Tommy for $1.98 from the 5 & 10 cent-store in Trenton, NJ as a young kitten after they moved into their first place.

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2 mins  |
June 2021
Crosby the Blind Cat
Cat Talk

Crosby the Blind Cat

My name is Crosby. I was born blind in a litter of barn cats in 2011 near Webster, KY. My first humans (friends of my mom-to-be) realized I was blind early on, so they took me into their home.

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3 mins  |
June 2021
SO You Want to Be in Pictures?
Cat Talk

SO You Want to Be in Pictures?

Have you ever caught yourself wandering through a pet store and noticing all the pictures of the cats, dogs, and other assorted furry and feathered critters, and wonder, “How did they get there? My Fluffy is cuter than that. How can I get a piece of that action?”

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10+ mins  |
June 2021
What You Don't Know About Balinese & Javanese
Cat Talk

What You Don't Know About Balinese & Javanese

Overheard at a cat show: “Oh Mylanta! Would you look at that!!!! It’s a longhaired Siamese! Oooh! And would ya look at its tail!!!!”

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8 mins  |
June 2021
Notes for new breeders
Cat Talk

Notes for new breeders

Experienced breeders will tell you that there are a number of things they wish someone had told them before they had their first litter. This article will share a few of those items with you in the hope that it will encourage you to read more and ask more questions.

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8 mins  |
February 2021
“Take Two Kittens and Call Me In the Morning”
Cat Talk

“Take Two Kittens and Call Me In the Morning”

Can Cats Help Humans Be Healthier?

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8 mins  |
February 2021
What You Don't Know About Somalis
Cat Talk

What You Don't Know About Somalis

Ablaze with color, aglow with love!

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9 mins  |
February 2021
Using Advanced Technologies: Within a Breeding Program
Cat Talk

Using Advanced Technologies: Within a Breeding Program

Most dedicated animal breeders have more than a passing knowledge of basic genetics and will carefully screen their breeding stock for genetic defects and phenotypic traits.

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4 mins  |
February 2021
Up Close and Purr-sonal
Cat Talk

Up Close and Purr-sonal

Welcome to the new Cat Talk series "Up Close and Purr-sonal." While we might know what someone breeds and shows, we often have no idea about what their life and interests are outside of the show hall. And we are surprised at what we are learning about them as well! Do you have a recommendation for someone to interview? Let us know! Email Teresa Keiger at tkeiger@cfa.org.

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8 mins  |
February 2021
The Way We Were–2020
Cat Talk

The Way We Were–2020

I thought that with the mandatory slowing-down-of-life, stay-home-time, my cats would be and stay perfectly groomed.

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3 mins  |
February 2021
State Breeder Laws Every Resident Fancier Should Know!
Cat Talk

State Breeder Laws Every Resident Fancier Should Know!

CFA State Breeder Law Series, Part 5 – U.S. States of Region 6: Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wisconsin

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10+ mins  |
February 2021
My Special Cat
Cat Talk

My Special Cat

Most of us have had that special cat—a heart cat with whom we had a deep connection. It may have been the cat we had as a child, or the one that saw us through a troubled time, or one with whom we bonded as we exhibited at cat shows. Whether the cat found us or we sought it out, those connections cannot be denied. These are the stories of some of those special cats and what they mean or meant to us.

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7 mins  |
February 2021
FUR NAMES
Cat Talk

FUR NAMES

Names. Oh, what an important choice in the life of cat! It is how a cat will be known in the show rings and in daily life. A name can alternate between words of delight or new forms of cursing (especially in this case!). Each name tells a story and this is the story of Toxicate Holy $#&@*

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2 mins  |
February 2021
NO cone No shame just use your noodle
Cat Talk

NO cone No shame just use your noodle

Here is a tip that could save you the “cone-charge” from your vet bill. These cones were obviously designed for long-nosed dogs!

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2 mins  |
December 2020
Goodbye 2020  Hello 2021!
Cat Talk

Goodbye 2020 Hello 2021!

A writing “round robin” by Cat Talk staffers Teresa Keiger, Jean Aldrich, Lucy Drury, and Iris Zinck

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6 mins  |
December 2020
What You Don't Know About...Bombays Meet the “Parlor Panthers”
Cat Talk

What You Don't Know About...Bombays Meet the “Parlor Panthers”

Editor’s Notes: A HUGE shout out to the Bombay family of breeders and pet owners without whom there would have been no article! Jeri Zottoli, breed council secretary, provided so much invaluable information and opened doors so I could get wonderful pictures and stories about the Bombay cat. Thank you as well to those who provided information through e-interviews: Cheryl Boyer, Deborah Curtis, Ellyn Honey, Phebe Low, Anne Mathis, Wendy Heidt and Rhona Wene.

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6 mins  |
December 2020
My Special Cat
Cat Talk

My Special Cat

Most of us have had that special cat—a heart cat with whom we had a deep connection. It may have been the cat we had as a child, or the one that saw us through a troubled time, or one with whom we bonded as we exhibited at cat shows. Whether the cat found us or we sought it out, those connections cannot be denied. These are the stories of some of those special cats and what they mean or meant to us.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
FUR NAMES
Cat Talk

FUR NAMES

Names. Oh, what an important choice in the life of cat! It is how a cat will be known in the show rings and in daily life.

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2020
Click - Getting Great Shots of your Cat with a Smartphone
Cat Talk

Click - Getting Great Shots of your Cat with a Smartphone

So you want to enter one of the many virtual competitions popping up around the internet but don’t have professional photos or video of your cat. Fear not! If you have a smartphone, you have a camera and can get what you need. Here are a few tips to help.

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4 mins  |
October 2020
Choosing the Right Cat Tree
Cat Talk

Choosing the Right Cat Tree

Whether you have your first cat or your tenth, keeping your cat healthy and your furniture undamaged means you will need to get a scratching post (or cat “tree”). These come in many shapes and sizes and they’re built using a variety of materials. Different construction techniques are also used, some being better than others. This gives you lots to choose from. So, choosing the right tree for your cat can take some thought.

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4 mins  |
October 2020
Facing Those Final Days With the Special Care Your Pet Needs
Cat Talk

Facing Those Final Days With the Special Care Your Pet Needs

Because most pet owners tend to outlive their pets, there comes a time in most pet-human relationships when time starts to run out for your beloved cat or dog.

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10 mins  |
October 2020
It's In the Touch
Cat Talk

It's In the Touch

Cats and Holistic Chiropractic Intervention

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6 mins  |
October 2020