Fashion Friday: A Professional Uniform

Since I am a full Professor now, I think it is important that I wear a professional lab coat. How do I look? I wish this lab coat had a pocket so I could carry a pocket protector and some crayons with me.

Even though I have not practiced medicine in a while now, I can also wear my lab coat on house calls. This is my special Medical Toolkit.

Come closer! I will give you a SHOT! It will not hurt a bit. I promise. Then, I will take your temperature.

Hey! What do you mean the shot hurted you? Next time I will wear my glasses, okay?

Fashion Friday: A Professional Uniform

Professor Daisy Talks on Water

Hello, students! You have done well in our earlier studies about feline nutrition. Today, let us learn about water. It might seem like a simple subject, but maybe we can learn something new!

Did you know our ancestors were desert animals? Here are some interesting facts I read:

...several features of cats' physiology are unusual and are probably due to their descent from desert-dwelling species. For instance, cats are able to tolerate quite high temperatures, with humans starting to feel uncomfortable when their skin temperature passes about 112°F, in contrast cats show no discomfort until their skin reaches around 126°F. ...As well as being tolerant of high temperatures, cats' feces are usually dry and their urine is also highly concentrated, both of which are adaptations that allow cats to retain as much fluid as possible...

Cats do not naturally have a very high thirst drive. We were designed to get most of our water from our foods! Dry kibble has up to about 10% water, while canned foods are around 75% water, which is close to our natural prey. Even though cats who eat a kibble-only diet will drink more waters to compensate, their water intake from all sources will still usually be much less than a cat who eats canned food. This can result in a chronically dehydrated state!
Not getting enough fluids can lead to an increased risk of urinary tract problems. You may not know that a few years ago, I had oxalate bladder stones that had to be surgically removed. Back then, I was on a high-quality kibble-only diet (Wysong). This is how my tummy looked right after the operation to remove the rocks from my bladder. It was hurty!
Many times, cats will search for puddles and other sources of water because we do not like the taste of heavily-chlorinated tap water. Sometimes, the scent of the detergent used to wash the water bowl will be stinky to us. Many cats also like to drink from water that is not near our foods, or from a fountain or running tap. We usually like to drink from bowls that do not interfere with our sensitive whiskers.

We all know that a source of fresh, safe drinking water is important for all cats. Here is what we do at my house:

• We drink only filtered water so any bad chemicals are removed.
  
• Our water dish is on a counter, away from our foods. This is mainly because Harley still plays in the water dish and makes a big mess.
  
• We have a clean bowl with fresh water every day.
• We only use glass or stainless steel drinking bowls
  
• Our Mommeh uses the "Anti-Bacteria" setting on our dishwasher. I do not really know if this helps anything, but I think it kills germs better.

Remember, my Milton Bradley Operation home-study course does not qualify me to give medical advice. If you notice any change in your drinking habits like excessive drinking or not drinking enough, be sure to consult your veterinarian.

Cheers!

ps: We added lots of tee-shirts and buttons and magnets to our shop! I hope you like them. You can click on the tee-shirt, or the link to go to my shop and look around if you want. There is international shipping to most places, too!

Professor Daisy Talks on Water

Professor Daisy on Foods

Hello, students! Today, let us give some thought to foods for cats. I like to think about foods. Do you?

My question for you today is what type of food do you think cats are most well-designed to eat?

A. Wholesome grains
B. Fresh fruits and Vegetables
C. Meat
D. An equal mix of all of the above

The correct answer is C! We cats are what is called "obligate carnivores." That means we are true, strict carnivores and by our genetic makeup, we were designed to eat meats. Even though we can eat other sorts of foods, we should eat meat as our main source of nutrients. And meats taste very extra-delicious, too!

Cats have strong stomach acids and a comparatively shorter digestive tract. ("Divestive tract" is a fancy way of saying your guts!) This makes for quicker digestion and minimizing the chances of harmful bacteria causing problems. Because of our shorter guts, a carnivore's diet should be concentrated and highly digestible and low in residue. We cats do not have a need for dietary carbohydrate, and are best adapted for a protein- and fat-rich diet.

What is in your food bowl? Harley and I are completely off the dry kibble now, and we love our raw meat medallions. The chicken flavor is 95% chicken, raw ground bone, turkey and liver. It is grain free, and the other 5% is fruits and vegetables. We also eat rabbit, beef, and venison flavors.

This is some stuff I learned. But I am just a curly cat, so I cannot advise you on what diet is best for you. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions about feline nutrition. Here is a link to an article called "The Carnivore Connection to Nutrition in Cats" if you would like to do more reading.

Professor Daisy on Foods

Cat Nutrition with Professor Daisy!

It is time to think about nutrition with Professor Daisy! Try to guess the correct answer to this question:

Is it safe to feed raw eggs to cats?
A. Yes
B. No
C. I would rather have a cheese omelette!
D. This is a trick question

The correct answer is D, because this is a controversial subject. Raw eggs are a good source of high-quality protein. But raw egg whites contain a glycoprotein called avidin which binds to the B-vitamin biotin in the yolk, decreasing its absorption. Some are also concerned that raw eggs may contain Salmonella. But many cats who eat raw foods also eat raw eggs; some even eat the shell!

You can find lots of information about the pros and cons of eating raw eggs in books and on the internet, and here is a link to some information from Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats. Your mom or dad will have to make their own decisions about whether you can eat raw eggs or not. I personally love them! Here is what my Mommeh has decided for me:

• I get no more than 1/2 an egg a week (Harley gets the other half)
• We only buy organic eggs, and always keep them refrigerated
  
• The egg white is lightly cooked, with the raw yolk poured on top
  
• Any uneaten egg is removed within 15 minutes

Even though I am a nutty professor, I am not a veterinarian. So you should discuss any questions or concerns about feline nutrition with your vet!

Cat Nutrition with Professor Daisy!

Formal Fashion Friday

This is my most formal outfit. It is not a new dress because Pixie wore it before. But I decided it was my turn to wear the beautiful pink formal. And Pixie also let me borrow her pearls, because they go so well with the dress. Here is a side view: see the beautiful pink layers? The layers are two different shades of pink, and they are very shiny! I feel very pretty in this dress, just like a princess. And the best thing about the pearl necklace is you can play with it. Do not worry, I did not hurt Pixie's pearls. I am pretty sure they are real. This means I must be careful and take good care of the precious jewels. Because if I do not, I might not get any more nice things.

Here is my close-up. I am trying to look sexy. Is it working?

Professor Daisy's Tips for Cats: When it comes to fashions, shinier means fancier!

Formal Fashion Friday

Stretchy Sunday

I am having a very relaxing Sunday laying in the sunshine! And I am stretching.....
And stretching....
And streeeeeetching!




Professor Daisy's Tip for Cats: Stretching feels good. So you should do it.

Stretchy Sunday

Monster Trucks and Lakes

We strolled by the lake again this week to check out the progress. The Monster Trucks are still there.The hole for the lake keeps getting bigger! It rained a little this week, so some water got inside the hole too. And look, they put up a safety barricade. I think they might have seen me in my stroller getting too close to the big hole. Strollering can be risky.

This is another lake that is being built. Here you can see a different kind of Monster Truck that makes lakes, too. It has a long arm with a big mouth that hangs off the end. The mouth drops into the water, and scoops up lots of dirt and spits it out on the side. Then, you can play in the very big dirt pile.

And look, I saw George the woodpecker again! He is with a friend, and they are peck-peck-pecking at this tree. I asked George what his friend's name was, and he introduced me to Woody. I don't think this is the same Woody Woodpecker from the cartoons though. Do you see both of them?

Professor Daisy's Tip for Cats: If you play around Monster Trucks, you must be very careful. Or you could get hurt. Badly.

Monster Trucks and Lakes

Tummy Tuesday, interrupted

This started off as a regular tummy picture, even though I am not really supposed to be on top of the table. See, my furs are finally starting to grow back a little. Then, I saw the Camera Strap! I immediately went into hunter mode...

And I captured the strap!

Professor Daisy's Tip for Cats: Hunting must always come before grooming. Even if your furs are a mess.

Tummy Tuesday, interrupted

Movie Monday: Instructional Video #1

I am very excited to bring you Professor Daisy's Instructional Video #1: How to get your Mommie or Daddie to take you out in your stroller. Please pay careful attention; you may need to take notes. This film is rated G so the whole family can enjoy.

If the YouTube video is not loading, you can also click here to see it!

Movie Monday: Instructional Video #1

Another Weekend Adventure!

While I recuperate, I have been going through my scrapbooks. Here is a fun adventure I had a while ago.

My Mommie and Daddie stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge one time. From the hotel rooms, you can see WILD ANIMALS! This is a view from the balcony in their hotel room.

This was another place where cats were Not Allowed. Since I am good at stowing away, this time I snuck into my Mommie's luggage because I wanted to see the animals for myself. I was a little afraid of the giraffes, so I hid behind this clump of grass. But, they didn't hurt me. I stayed away from the wildebeest. His name was George.


Professor Daisy's Tip for Cats: If you sneak into a wild animal park, you should hide behind some grass until you are sure the animals are friendly. Giraffe are OK though.

Another Weekend Adventure!

More Weekend Adventures

This is a picture from when my Mommie and Daddie hiked to the top of Old Rag Mountain last year. Old Rag Mountain is located in the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. There are some very large rocks there that are FUN to climb. I do not know why it has that funny name because I did not see any old rags there.

I heard that it is very beautiful there, but Mommie would not let me go. So, I secretly followed her! Here I am posing at the summit. My legs were tired when I was done.

Professor Daisy's Tip for Cats: If you secretly climb a mountain, do not fall off! Or, you might not get rescued. A GPS might help you though.

More Weekend Adventures

Frootbat Friday

Here is a picture of me as a little frootbat-baby. As you can see, I am already practicing my mean scowl! For some reason, my Mommie only took a very few pictures of me when I was a baby, and no good ones. Now she is sorry.




Professor Daisy's Tip for Cats: Make sure your Mommie or Daddie takes lots of pictures of you. The more the better!

Frootbat Friday

Wacky Wednesday: Strollin', strollin', strollin'....

I love to go in my stroller. My Mommie usually takes me on a 3-mile stroll around my neighborhood. We have to start early in the morning before it gets too hot and humid.
Here is a woodpecker that I saw on my stroll. I do not know his name. So, I will call him George.

This is a close-up of George.
When I am in my stroller, I like to rubberneck at all of the interestin' sights. Sometimes my eyes get really ROUND when I see something I like.

The western edge of the development where I live borders on the everglades. Here you can see the edge of the actual everglades!

After strolling, my Mommie leaves the stroller open so I can nap inside. See how relaxed I am apres-stroll? Belly-up, feets in the air, big smile on my face! Then it is Pixie's turn.

Professor Daisy's Tip for Cats: Ask your Mommie and Daddie for a stroller. You will have FUN!

Wacky Wednesday: Strollin', strollin', strollin'....

A LIZARD!!!!

I promised that I would post a picture of the next lizard in my house, and here he is! He looks very big, but he is only about one inch long. I did not get to play with him, because he was on the ceiling. See, he still has his tail. Mommie had to stand on this speaker to take his picture, and she almost fell!

"Speaking" of "speakers", here is a funny story about me. Once I was horsing around, and while running at top speed, I jumped onto this speaker. Since I cannot stop on a dime, I skidded off, and the speaker came crashing down. I was fine. But the plugs in the back of the speaker broked off! That was another time Mommie said "Daisy, NO-NO!" And she was not laughing when she said it.

Professor Daisy's Tip for Cats: Do not horse around on top of speakers. Unless they are built-in speakers. Then it is ok.

A LIZARD!!!!