Fluffy’s Top 2023 Moments

Happy New Year! And for our beloved cats, a Happy Mew Year! (Cats mark the new year on the 2nd.) As we transition from 2023 to 2024, various media outlets are reflecting on the past year, offering different compilations and discussions on the year’s significant moments. Of course, our feline companions might opt for taking a cozy nap on a magazine or newspaper rather than reading them. Interestingly, Fluffy also had quite a few noteworthy moments last year, as recounted by a local vet in this article from an Ellicott City, MD veterinarian.

Universal Distribution System For Kittens

TikTok has proven to be both a source of entertainment and controversy. Occasionally, the site really does discover something important … such as the Cat Distribution System. In a nutshell, this is the universe’s process of distributing cats to the right people at the right time. For instance, one user discovered a kitten in a bush at work, while another returned home to find Fluffy waiting on their stairs.

This idea has gained popularity, with numerous users sharing videos of their surprise encounters with their newly-designated feline companions. The takeaway? If you happen upon a stray cat or receive an unexpected visit from a meowing kitty on your doorstep, it may just be the universe’s way of assigning you a new pet.

Of course, you’re not officially obligated; adopting a cat is a big commitment. In some cases, you may simply be meant to help your new friend find her forever home. Either way, we suspect that quite a few of our feline patients found their furever homes via this mysterious system.

Joyful Mews

A shelter in Pennsylvania was thrilled to announce that all of its cages were empty for the first time in 47 years! The shelter announced the good news on their Facebook page, calling it a ‘True Christmas Miracle.’ We’re inclined to agree! Hopefully, the newly-adopted pets are receiving lots of love and affection in their new homes. We also hope that we will be able to share some similar moments in the future.

Kittens Fall In Love With Their New Home

Two charming Indianapolis shelter kittens made headlines in December. The furballs, Ruby and Opal, were overjoyed to be settling into a new cage. Footage of their adorable zoomy celebratory antics went viral, capturing hearts all over the internet.  The rescue, Pepperspalrescue, shared the clip on TikTok. (We hope Ruby and Opal are now happily scampering around in their forever homes.)

That’s Just Cattitude

Ruby and Opal weren’t the only kitties to capture the hearts of social media users this year. Another feline, Booboo, got his fifteen minutes of fame last year as well. His owner couldn’t figure out why Booboo’s water bowl was always empty. The solution? Film the feline! Booboo was caught red-pawed in the act of tipping the bowl over and spilling water into the rug. Of course.

Fluffy Stole Christmas

One frisky feline made Santa Claws’ naughty list this year. The furball was caught on camera stealing his owners’ holiday decorations while they were sleeping. In Kentucky, the cat stole a Christmas stocking from TikTok user angelwingswalter, who filmed the red-pawed feline making off with his stash. 

A Living Tribute To Our Feline Friends

One thing that is bound to warm your heart? The sight of a little feline snoozing in a rice field in Thailand. This may not sound particularly noteworthy. However, this kitty is not a real furball, but a design that was actually planted into the rice paddy. The ingenious creator behind this scene is a farmer named Tanyapong. Drawing inspiration from an old proverb about prosperity, Tanyapong carefully arranged various colored seeds to form an intricate design that could be spotted from an aerial view. This impressive feat was accomplished with the assistance of GPS technology. Tanyapong hoped it would attract numerous visitors. Without a doubt, this could be considered a meow-velous work of art!

Yep, It’s Official: Fluffy Is A Furry, Charming Serial Killer

There is some truth to the jokes about cats being cuddly killers. According to a study published in Nature Communications, our feline friends have hunted and consumed more than 2,084 types of animals and insects. Fluffy hunts 347 vulnerable species, including the Northern Bobwhite Quail, the Green Sea Turtle, and the Little Brown Bat, among others. Kitties are also blamed for at least 60 extinctions.

This is another great reason for Fluffy to stay indoors! Outdoor kitties face some serious threats, such as weather, traffic, predators, parasites, and even other cats. For more information, and tips on how to keep your furry friend healthy and happy indoors, contact your Ellicott City, MD veterinarian.

Playful Purrsonality

A recent study published in Scientific Reports explored an overlooked aspect of Fluffy’s personality: her fondness for playing Fetch. Over 1000 cat owners were interviewed for the study, which found that many cats apparently spontaneously learn how to fetch. For a whopping 94% of respondents, this curious behavior started up out of the blue.

There are a few specific breeds of cats who are more likely to enjoy this pet pastime than others, such as Siamese and Bengal cats. However, any kitty can decide to play … and apparently, at any given time.

True Love

While we often tease Fluffy for being aloof, our feline companions actually possess a remarkable intellect and a wide range of emotions. Recent research has even delved into the emotional world of cats and their strong bonds with humans, as shown in a study published in Behavioral Processes.

In this study, 53 adult cats, all residents of a Los Angeles cat café, were observed. The results were quite remarkable, revealing that kitties make over 276 unique expressions. As any cat owner knows, these furry beings are highly emotional and have strong opinions, often forming intense attachments to their owners. (Kitties may show affection in peculiar ways, but that is a discussion for another time.)

Back To The Wild

One notable achievement of 2023 is the progress of Saving Wildcats, a project that was formed with the goal of reintroducing Scottish Wildcats back into their native environment. The group reported at the end of last year that 19 wildcats have been released and are currently being tracked using GPS collars. Furthermore, multiple kittens are currently being raised in a simulated natural setting. They will eventually be released as well. This initiative displays great promise in reviving a species that was once deemed functionally extinct. We’re definitely cheering for these majestic cats!

A Purrfect Moment

This one is for the lovebirds out there. A cat insurance company, created FelixPurrfectProposal.com, a contest website for people who are about to pop the question, encouraging them to share how their feline buddies will play a role in their proposals, engagements, and possibly even weddings. The lucky winner will receive $4,750 towards an engagement ring. Fluffy will also get a special prize. The jury is currently deciding the winner.

Happy New Year from all of us here at Dixie Road Pet Clinic, your local Brampton, ON animal clinic. We look forward to providing top-notch veterinary care to your pets in 2024 and for many years to come.