Surfing Cat Aint Afraid of Water - Or Maybe She Is

Peruvian surfer Domingo Pianezzi rides a wave accompanied by a cat named Nicolasa at the San Bartolo beach in Lima January 31, 2008. REUTERS/Pilar Olivares (PERU)

Cat Wigs: As if Life Isn't Dangerous Enough

We at The Pet Effect shouldn't be able to be surprised at anything, and then...this comes along. Cats with wigs? My cat would fillet my forearms if I tried to pull something like this.

These multicolored kitty wigs are the brainchild of one Julie Jackson, and (presumably) her cat Boone. The wigs are available in "pink passion, bashful blonde, silver fox and electric blue" (pictured).

Seeming to acknowledge that this ordeal will require some coaxing, the package comes complete with a wig box, wig form and "a mouse with rattle to help you direct Kitty's stunned gaze."

For my cat, that would be a "murderous" gaze.

(Hat tip, Gizmodo).

Iowa Caucuses Ignore The Needs of Our Pets!

OK, lady. Time to step away from the keyboard and take a wee break. Chelle Delaney of New Mexico has penned an opinion piece for the Clovis News Journal (woah, big name in news) lamenting the fact that no major presidential candidates are stumping with their pets, and that none of them are addressing the concerns of those of the four-legged (Or winged! Or scaled!) variety.

She calls for the formation of a new, independent political party: The Pro Pet Party.

Get real!

Don't get me wrong. I'm all for pets. Love 'em. But is this something that the Fed'ral Gummit needs to be concerned with? Do we need federal mandates and controls over local animal shelters? Just think about how many things the feds do well, and I think you'll agree that it's in the interest of all pets that Washington stays out of the micromanagement of local pet issues (as in actual dog-and-cat pet issues, not merely "pet projects").

Am I wrong, here?

Bionic Cat Can Drive Himself to the LitterBox, But Can't Use It

I'm a bit confused. Elvis the cat has lost his ability to walk. Therefore, his enterprising owner built a robotic extension for him to drive around in that looks like the love-child of a cardboard box and the Mars Rover. After watching the little guy drive around, I'm not sure it's an improvement. Sure, he can go places, but he can't actually do anything once he gets there because, well, he's encased in a cardboard box, for cryin' out loud!

Still, kudos to the owner for designing a control scheme that can be understood by a cat. Maybe there's hope for the senior citizens of the world.

For Cat Lovers Who Speak in TXT

I've had this site in the pet links section of the site for a few weeks, but just wanted to point it out in case you hadn't noticed. ICanHasCheezburger.com is a huge online rage right now, thanks to it's "lolcats."


The site is composed of oddly entertaining and captioned images, mostly about cats, and almost always hilarious. I think a study needs to be done on why the site is so hilarious. Really. I'm actually a bit concerned about myself for laughing so much while spending entirely too much time reading grammatically incorrect captions on silly cat pictures. Why? Why do we laugh so much?

Seriously. Visit. Now.

Cat Wakeup Call

Sorry for the double video posts, but I can't resist with this one. I used to have a cat that would knock my radio off of the shelf above my head to wake me up. This is too true!

$25,000 Ashera Cat a Hoax?

There's been lots of interest among our readers, and online in general, generated around the new Ashera cat breed. Maybe it's that it can cost almost $25,000. Maybe it's that they weigh up to 30 pounds. Maybe it's that they look so cool. Maybe it's that they're apparently partially African and Asian serval wildcats. Or maybe, it's because Ashera is a big fat fraud?

I just dug up an old blog post (on a blog that seems to have been abandoned) about the striking similarities between the new Ashera cat (being hawked by Lifestyle Pets) and the well-established Savannah cat, which became a pedigreed breed back in 2000.

The blogger posits that the Ashera is nothing other than a 2nd generation ("F2," 2 generations from serval) Savannah cat that is non-pedigreed. As in, inferior, in the blogger's mind.

So, I dug a bit more and found some other info. The Museum of Hoaxes seems to be convinced it's real, but I think their research was just reading Lifestyle Pets' press release.

I came across several breeder sites and I think their F2 Savannah cats look almost identical to the (admittedly better photographed) Ashera cats on Lifestyle Pets. Is it a coincidence that Lifestyle Pets want to keep the lineage of the Ashera cat secret?

So, at least for now, I think I'm going to say that the Ashera seems to be nothing more than slick marketing of a non-pedigreed Savannah cat. Still neat, but not worth the $22,000+ that Lifestyle Pets is selling them for.

Genetically Engineered Ashera Super-Cat to Face Genetically Engineered Fearless Mouse

Tokyo researchers, who have apparently learned nothing from their run-ins with genetic misfits such as Godzilla and Mothra, have been tinkering with mother nature yet again. Cats everywhere take notice: there are mice afoot that no longer fear you.

The above article contains all sorts of interesting scientific tidbits, making all of this sound well and good, and in the support of austere scientific inquiry. All of this is merely a diversion, however, from the reality that this group of scientists is seeking to create a genetically bred mutant army of mice capable of fighting for good against the evil of the genetically engineered Ashera super cats.

New Asian Dog Cafes: Dining With, Not On, Pets

A new Wall Street Journal article highlights some changes afoot in the Far East. The piece, Asians Get Passionate About Pets, was not in the culinary section of the WSJ, thankfully.

In a nearby neighborhood, another type of restaurant serves a traditional Korean dish of dog soup. While Mr. Huh thinks that these days more Koreans regard dogs as pets rather than meals, eating dogs "is a part of our food culture."

Mr. Huh is the owner of one of several new establishments cropping up throughout Tokyo and elsewhere. In trendy urban areas, new cafes allow customers to dine with resident cats and dogs. The restaurants cater to those who don't want the responsibility of owning a pet, but want some feline or canine interaction.

Sounds so Upper East Side, but yet...

Pet cafes like Bau House aren't to everyone's taste. They are not, generally, the most hygienic of places. At the Bau House, the dogs poop on the floor and lick the tableware, cups and dishes, staying one step ahead of the cleaning staff, who are prompt and thorough.

Tasty!

Read the whole thing here.

Pet Halloween Costume Super Mega Video Post

Aaaaahhh...it's over. The annual orgy of candy, costumes and... over-the-top pet cuteness. I've plunged the Series of Tubes for he best costumed pet videos available and put them here in a handy-dandy post to ease your post Halloween hangover.

They will never know I am there until I am close enough to strike!!!


The most patient pups in the world. How do they stay still under such humiliation???


Shorty the (actually longish) hot dog:


Winston and Rudy Prepare for Halloween, consisting almost entirely of a guy cramming a poor cat into nylon pantyhose. Sigh.


TLC's Halloween Pet Parade for Charity:


For some reason, cats just have to occupy a spot on whatever is distracting you from them. My cat always must lay on the newspaper why I'm reading it. This guy has adapted to the post-Halloween reality.


OK, these cats aren't in costume (nor would any self-respecting cat want to be, that's for those silly dogs!), but these cats are having a ball on Halloween in "The Cat Diaries: Halloween Special."

Mean Kitty: Halloween Edition

The continuing saga of Sparta, Corey William's now-famous cat.

Margaret Thatcher a Cat Person

The folks at National Review Online (specifically Jonah Goldberg and Rich Lowry) have a long running argument over the superiority of dogs versus cats. Jonah, the affable, playful frat-boyish Editor-at-Large prefers affable, playful pooches. Rich Lowry, the brooding head honcho of the magazine, keeps the company of evil, maniacal cats from high atop his perch at the towering headquarters of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.

Though I like Jonah Goldberg's writing and think he has the upper hand in the argument, I would be remiss not to note that today Rich Lowry may have scored a win. It appears that either he or his minions (the same ones that prevent said Goldberg from being allowed a living wage) have mischievously convinced Margaret Thatcher, the Grand Dame of conservatism, to get a cat, instead of a dog.

"She had thought of getting a dog," said a friend, "but exercising it would have posed security issues."

Who was this friend, I ask? I posit that it was none other than Rich Lowry, co-conspirator of the League of Evil Cats.

Hypoallergenic Designer Cats Free Nose, Wallet from Congestion

Remember that $25,000 genetically engineered hybrid wild cat yesterday? Well, the folks at Lifestyle Pets also have a less expensive option for those of you eager to introduce a feline mutant into the family. This morning, the Oregonian has an article about Allerca, a subsidiary of Lifestyle Pets, which produces cats that are a few proteins shy of a typical cat.

Allerca's breed offerings, Allerca GD (the original), Chakan GD (the Siamese-looking version) and Ashera GD (the allergy free version of the $25,000 super cat), are available in a variety of prices, but start at about $5,000. They're missing glycoprotein, Fel d 1, an allergen found in cat saliva and on cat skin, which is what causes those allergic to cats to get the sniffles and itchy eyes.

Those of you who thought hairless cats were the solution? Allerca says you are only fooling yourself. Since the allergen is primarily in your cat's saliva and in it's skin, you're only mildly reducing one of the lesser sources of the irritant by taking hair out of the equation.

Plus, with hairless cats you're cheating yourself out of a cat that coughs up hairballs and sheds all over everything you own. So now, instead of trying to reduce cat shedding, you can keep it and ditch the allergies. Now, all we cat-owning masochists can be happy!

Ashera, the $25,000 Genetically Engineered Cat Breed

The UK's Daily Telegraph is reporting on Ashera, the World's most expensive cat. Ashera is not one cat, but a new trademarked breed name offered by LifeStyle Pets, a breeder of exotic animals. Ashera is a genetically engineered mix between African serval and the Asian leopard cat, and a secret domestic breed that LifeStyle Pets won't divulge.

For just a smidgen under $25,000 and a nine month waiting period, they'll deliver one of these big 30 lb. beauties to your door. They've apparently sold several in the U.S., Great Britain and in Asia.

At that size, these guys would rule the Kitty Treehouse, and probably any dogs around.

As one who has previously sounded the alarm on the dangers of evil cats, I'm a little worried about 30 lb. genetically engineered spawn of African and Asian wild cats being unleashed in one's home.

Incredible Feline Fondness for Pet Effect

One of the many Pet Effect regulars. He was a bit angered by my comments on the plotting of felines yesterday. This is a pic of him submitting his complaint. Clearly, though I still hold that cats are often malevolent, they're certainly more civilized than their canine colleagues.

The Mean Kitty Song: I Don't Blame the Cat

Unfortunately catchy tune in this video of a guy and his cat, Sparta, with said cat being accused of mean-ness. If I was a cat and belonged to a guy this hyper who was always shoving a camera in my face, I'd be a mite bit bitey meself.

I'll post more from this guy in the coming days. It's turned into an ongoing series in which he tries to get his cat to stop biting. Will he overcome his cat's voracious mandibles? Only time will tell. Or you could search around YouTube and find his other videos. Dang it!

Toygers? Tiger House Cats Are Coming

The next trend in cat breeds? Toygers: Cat's that look like tigers. I gotta say, from the photos in that article, I'm in.

Those are cool cats.

Nora, In Concert

Nora the cat pianist. Of course, there are limitations to what one can play when you don't have opposable thumbs.

Cats That Look Like Hitler

Ha! I mean, Hmmmmmm.

Interesting phenomenon, unfortunate felines.

Protect Your Pet from Potential Poisoning

MSN has a pretty good article up today about household items that are particularly known for poisoning dogs.

One thing I'd add to the list, which isn't often found around the house: Antifreeze. This stuff drips out of cars in parking lots all the time, often in small quantities. When it rains (or snows), water rinses the tiny amounts of antifreeze off of pavement, and it gathers on the surface of puddles. You've seen it before, I'm sure. It sometimes causes the surface of water to have a rainbow look to it, and usually has a greenish hue. Trouble is, antifreeze tastes great (so I'm told). It's very sweet, but is very poisonous.

Most people know that chocolate is poisonous to dogs, but causes only relatively mild problems like increased heart rate. Antifreeze causes almost immediate, irreversible kidney damage often resulting in death. (Interestingly, that link is an article from a vet that uses vodka as part of the treatment).

There are over 10,000 pets poisoned every year by antifreeze, so lets keep an eye out!

Pet Shelter Forced to Euthanize 1000 Dogs & Cats

Very sad...

An outbreak of contagious diseases at a shelter where officials admit they
kept animals for too long without destroying them has forced the killing of
about 1,000 dogs and cats, officials said.

A lot of people are upset when shelters euthanize animals that are not adopted. Here's an example of what can happen when they don't. Very sad no matter what you do, though it looks like the animals weren't properly vaccinated.

Full story...

Be Afraid.

Beware the cat of the apocalypse!

Police chief shoots cats...to help them?

The police chief in West Concord, Minnesota has been served warrants related to the shooting of at least 4 cats with a high-powered rifle in the area.

"Maybe Bob did it because of frustration by not being able to take care of these animals. You get no help from anybody," says the mayor.

Or, he could be a nut shooting cats for sport and hiding them in a local grain elevator, hmmm?

According to the article, some say "he was even using a night scope and baiting the animals with cat food."

I'm sure he had the best intentions.

Exercise Wheel for Food Motivated Cats

Great idea, though I have to wonder about someone who would spend this amount of thought devising such a system. This contraption is powered by your cat walking inside a wheel (like a hamster), and food pellets are dispensed periodically. So, either this is some form of alternate energy or a way for a portly cat to get excercise. Just make sure the food dispensed is low-cal, I guess!

Shameless Plug: Cute Kitty Cottage

The meow-town kitty cottage. Bask in its plush cuteness! Available from our friends at BaxterBoo.com and ships within 24 hours. If you buy one, my boss might think about loosening the shackles around my ankles!

"I'll think about it," she says, "Get back to work!"

I'd go on a hunger strike, but I'm currently addicted to the yogurt-covered pretzels in the snack machine.

Why Your Water Bill is So High

Cat Indignity

I don't think if I were a cat I'd let a bird get away with this.

Scuba Diving Cat Loves the Water

Is that a doggie paddle I see there?



Do you think that cat is actually relaxed or frozen with fear? Maybe this fellow would do better in the kitty washing machine.

My All-Time Favorite Super Bowl Ad

In the interest of equal time for cats, and because it's my personal favorite (and I'm running the show here, people!), I give you the "Herding Cats" Super Bowl ad from the middle of the dot-com glory days.

Preserving Pets?

There's apparently a growing trend among pet owners, that to some might seem a bit odd...stuffing their cat or preserving their pooch with taxidermy. Is this normal? Would you like having Binky stare back at you for all eternity? Does that actually help someone cope with the loss of their pet?

Anybody have any personal experience with this that can shed some light on this?

Kindly Cat Massaging Dog

Now isn't that nice. See? Can't we all just get along?

Anybody else have any stories of such canine and feline cooperation?

Preparing Pets for Baby

My wife and I recently welcomed a new addition to our family: a blue-eyed baby boy. It can be tricky at times to make sure Baxter, Dexter, Dudley and Dolly get to know the new the new arrival in a positive way, since they're all so used to being the babies of the house.

The Richmond Times Dispatch posted a great article today on getting your pets ready for your new bundle of joy. Though we've been through this a few times before, there were some great pointers about making introductions that I had never thought of. Click here for the full article.

More than one way to wash a cat

Ever tried to wash a cat? Normally you don't have to, but if their fur ever gets really matted, you sometimes have to intervene. I've done it from time to time, and have never escaped without scratches all over my body and a seriously disrupted bathroom.

Here's an interesting idea, though I'm not sure what to think. Cat's view baths as evil no matter how they're done, but is this cruel and unusual punishment?



They were talking about this on the radio here in Colorado, and it's obvious the hosts hadn't seen the actual video. Their understanding was that the cat was placed in a regular (laundry) washing machine for entertainment. They spent 30 minutes harping on how horrible it was that teenagers today viewed this as entertainment and would enjoy seeing a cat tortured. Well, maybe the cat was tortured, but all baths are to cats (and some kids). I'm not sure what to think of this device. Would you wash your cat in this thing?

Warning: Gratuitously Cute Puppy Christmas Video

This is a Christmas jingle produced for South Korean television. You don't need to know the language to enjoy this video and wallow in the incredible cuteness of puppies and kittens dressed in Christmas attire, barking and meowing out carrols and dancing around.



I think I may be sick. But in a good way.

Christmas Kitty Display

The Macy's store in San Francisco have actual cats and dogs playing in their Christmas window displays this year.

The marketing major in me says, "Neat idea."

The pet owner in me says, "Those neat displays aren't going to look that way for long."

Cat Head Masterpiece Theatre

If Shakespeare were a cat...

Very well done.

Happy Thanksgiving!

I shouldn't be blogging today, but wanted to post this for everyone. I had posted earlier while wondering if there were pets at the original Thanksgiving dinner. This pictures appears to be proof. Happy Thanksgiving!

Drowsy Kitty

Sleepy cat cuteness...



Just like when my kids were babies, only with more hair.

Non-Nimble Cat Jump

Wait for it... Wait for it...



That's for all you dog people out there who are sick of cats being portrayed as the graceful ones.

Funny Cat Montage

I think cats' pounce instincts lend themselves to some great comedic moments, but usually only when they're de-clawed.

Talking Cats

OK, I'm a little freaked out about this. I guess I shouldn't be. We have a talking amazon, so why not talking cats?