Jolly Cat

06/08/2026

🐈 In a few days we will celebrate INTERNATIONAL CAT DAY – but perhaps the truth is that cats have been quietly shaping human history for thousands of years.

🐾 Long before cats became internet celebrities, they were our silent partners. Around 10,000 years ago, wildcats discovered that where humans stored grain, rodents inevitably followed . Humans quickly realised these elegant hunters were the perfect neighbours. Neither species forced the relationship—it simply worked. A beautiful example of mutualism that has lasted millennia. That ancient partnership still exists today—although cats now contribute far more than catching mice.

😺 Science continues to show that living with cats can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and even ease feelings of loneliness. A cat's purr contains frequencies that have been associated with relaxation and may even support healing processes in the body. Cats don't solve our problems, but they have an extraordinary ability to make difficult days feel a little lighter.

😺 As an animal behaviourist, I often say that cats are masters of subtle communication. They teach us that love doesn't always have to be loud. That respect is more powerful than control. And that sometimes, the greatest comfort comes simply from sharing the same space. They don't offer unconditional obedience, but something far more valuable: trust that must be earned. Unlike dogs, cats were never truly domesticated in the traditional sense. They chose to live alongside us rather than for us—and perhaps that's why our relationship feels so unique today.

🤍 Perhaps that's why the bond between humans and cats has lasted for millennia. It has never been built on control. It has always been built on mutual benefit, respect, and quiet companionship. Simply put, it began with a choice—made by both our species thousands of years ago.

😺 So, let's celebrate together one of the oldest friendships in human history! And if you're lucky enough to have a cat asleep somewhere in your home right now... remember that thousands of years ago, their ancestors made a decision that still makes our lives richer today.

🤍 Happy International Cat Day to every whiskered friend—and to every human fortunate enough to be chosen. 🤍🐈🐈

30/06/2026

23/06/2026

☀️ Hot weather is not just uncomfortable for our animals — it can be genuinely dangerous.

☀️As summer temperatures rise and many of us look forward to spending more time outdoors with our dogs and cats, it is important to remember that our animals experience heat very differently than we do, and that what feels like a pleasant sunny day to us may place considerable strain on their bodies.

🐶Dogs and cats are far less efficient at regulating their body temperature than humans, which means that during hot weather they may quickly become overheated, dehydrated, or develop heatstroke, a potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary attention. For this reason, caregivers should monitor their animals more closely during periods of high temperatures, paying attention to changes in behaviour such as excessive panting, lethargy, restlessness, weakness, reduced appetite, or seeking unusually cool places to lie down. In hot weather, drinking water should always be available, and every animal should have access to a shaded, well-ventilated area where it can retreat from direct sunlight whenever needed, even if it normally enjoys spending time outdoors.

🐱Particular attention should be given to white or lightly coloured dogs and cats, especially those with pink noses, eyelids, and ear tips, as these areas contain less protective pigment and are therefore much more vulnerable to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Repeated sun exposure can lead not only to painful sunburns and chronic skin damage, but also to the development of serious skin diseases, including squamous cell carcinoma, one of the most common sun-induced skin cancers seen in companion animals. Cats with white ears and noses are especially at risk, although similar problems can occur in dogs with lightly pigmented skin and sparse hair coverage.

☀️To reduce these risks, animals that spend time outdoors should be protected from excessive sun exposure, particularly during the hottest hours of the day when UV radiation reaches its highest levels. In some cases, the use of veterinary sunscreen products specifically formulated for animals may provide an additional layer of protection for vulnerable areas such as the nose, ear tips, and sparsely haired regions of the body. Human sunscreens should generally be avoided unless specifically recommended by a veterinarian, as many contain ingredients that may be irritating or potentially harmful if licked or ingested by animals during normal grooming behaviour.

🐾It is also worth remembering that surfaces such as pavement, concrete, sand, and artificial turf can become dangerously hot in direct sunlight, increasing the risk of burns to sensitive paw pads.

☀️Our animals cannot tell us when the heat is becoming too much for them, which is why prevention, careful observation, and thoughtful management of their environment remain some of the most effective tools we have to keep them safe during the summer months. A bowl of fresh water, access to shade, sensible activity planning, and protection from excessive UV exposure may seem like simple measures, yet they can make a profound difference to an animal’s comfort, wellbeing, and long-term health.

🌿As caregivers, we have the responsibility to recognize these risks before they become emergencies and to adapt our routines accordingly whenever temperatures begin to climb.

02/06/2026

🐾 Does a cat act out of spite? A scientific myth debunked.

🐱 I often hear opinions that a cat urinates outside the litter box out of spite toward the owner, knocks small objects off shelves or tables out of spite, or that it peed outside the litter box just to annoy them. And just as often I hear additional comments like: “he did it on purpose because he didn’t get a treat”, “he did it to spite me because I didn’t pet him”, or “he wanted to punish me because I left the house”, etc.

By speaking this way, we strongly anthropomorphize our cat and assume that it acts intentionally and is aware of the purpose of its actions. In reality, a cat does not have such advanced cognitive abilities to plan and execute actions in such a sophisticated way. Behaviour that we interpret as spiteful is simply a cat’s way of responding to discomfort, frustration, stress, arousal, or changes in the environment.

🐾Behind every behaviour of our cat there are emotions that triggered it and that will later reinforce it or extinguish it. Emotions can be positive, such as joy, but they can also be negative, such as fear, anxiety, or sadness. Yes — we now know that animals also have a very rich emotional life, and experiencing emotions is not reserved only for humans!

🐱 A bit of history: In the second half of the 20th century, Professor Jaak Panksepp, a pioneer of affective neuroscience, conducted research on emotions in rats. He discovered that content and happy rodents emit ultrasonic vocalizations, which he interpreted as the equivalent of human laughter and a sign of positive emotions. Based on his research, he identified seven basic emotional systems located in the deep structures of the mammalian brain. These are the systems of FEAR, RAGE, SEEKING, LUST, CARE, PANIC/GRIEF, and PLAY.
Panksepp demonstrated that triggering a specific emotional state activates the corresponding emotional system in the brain, and that the basic emotional mechanisms are shared by humans and other mammals.

🐾Returning to the analysis of our cat’s behaviour at the neurobiological level, we see something truly fascinating. Cats share with us the basic emotional systems responsible for experiencing different emotions and physiological states.
In the case of a cat knocking objects off a shelf, from a neurobiological perspective, specific emotional systems are being activated. Most often these are the PLAY or SEEKING systems, but it is also possible that the FEAR or RAGE systems are activated.

🐱In animals, the mechanism is simple: emotions trigger behaviour, while we humans add our own interpretation to that behaviour. An animal does not analyze its behaviour in terms of “why?”, “for what purpose?”, or “how?”, nor does it consider how many levels we will analyze it on or how many meanings we will assign to it. It is the human, observing the animal they live with, who gives meaning and interpretation to these behaviours, while in the cat’s brain there is simply the activation of a specific emotional system.

😺So let’s remember: your cat isn’t being spiteful. Your cat is simply being a cat.

The idea that a cat’s behaviour is “spiteful” arises on the side of the owner, who interprets their cat’s actions through the lens of their own moral categories and intentions.

05/05/2026

On May 3rd, we celebrated Sun Day — so let’s have a look at why cats love the sun so much!

🐱 Ancestral instinct
The ancestors of domestic cats originated from the warmer, desert regions of the Middle East. This is why the love of warmth has stayed with our cats to this day, even if they now live indoors in much cooler climates.

☀️ Natural regulation of metabolism
Sunlight has an impact on a cat’s metabolism. Have you noticed that your cats tend to eat more during the winter months? This happens because they need to generate more endogenous energy to support essential bodily functions. In summer, they may eat less, as basking in the sun helps them maintain the optimal body temperature required for physiological processes — without expending as much energy.

☀️ Energy-saving mode: activated
Cats sleep up to 12–16 hours a day, and during sleep their body temperature drops slightly (0,5 - 1°C). Since cats have a higher body temperature than humans (around 38–39°C), lying in the sun helps them conserve energy — instead of producing it, they simply “absorb” it. In this way, the sun compensates for the natural heat loss that occurs during sleep. Additionally, warmth helps relax their muscles, reduces joint stiffness, and overall improves their comfort.

☀️ Sunlight regulates the feline daily and seasonal rhythm
In cats, as in most animals, many physiological processes are linked to natural light cycles — such as shedding or reproductive cycles. Day length, and therefore the amount of sunlight, influences hormonal processes related to reproduction. Based on higher environmental temperatures and increased daylight — which also means more available food to raise offspring — free-roaming cats can determine the best time of year to reproduce. This is why estrus cycles in free-living female cats often become synchronized.
Moreover, warmth and sunlight can influence serotonin levels in a cat’s body — the so-called “feel-good hormone.” Cat guardians know well that a cat in the sun is often a cat in a state of absolute zen :-)

🐱 Cats DO NOT synthesize vitamin D from sunlight like humans do
In humans, vitamin D is produced in the skin under the influence of UVB radiation. In cats, however, this mechanism is practically inactive. Their dense fur blocks sunlight, so their skin produces only negligible amounts of vitamin D — far too little for their needs. As obligate carnivores, cats are biologically “designed” to obtain vitamin D primarily from their diet (meat, commercial food), not from the sun.

⚠️ Balance is key
A lack of sunlight can contribute to hormonal imbalances and other issues. However, despite the many benefits of sunbathing, we should remember that too much sun can also be harmful. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and direct sunlight may lead to burns or heatstroke. Hairless cats, white cats, and cats with pink noses and ears should be protected with appropriate sun protection during sun exposure to help prevent skin cancers. And remember, always make sure your cat has access to shade and fresh water.

24/04/2026

🌍April 24th marks World Day for Laboratory Animals, also known as the International Day Against Vivisection. This day was established in 1979 by the National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS), the world’s first organization campaigning against animal experiments, founded as early as 1875. Its purpose is to raise public awareness about the suffering of animals in research laboratories.

🧪Animals have been used in scientific research since at least the 19th century, when the development of physiology and experimental medicine began to rely on animal models. The species most commonly used in laboratory research are those characterized by rapid growth, reproduction, and short life cycles. This is why mice and rats are most frequently chosen, but also cats, dogs, and small primates. Animals that grow quickly allow researchers to observe the effects of experiments in a shorter time, as well as to track generational changes within relatively brief periods.

💭I believe that each of us should reflect and ask ourselves whether inflicting pain and suffering on living, sentient beings in the name of science and progress in the 21st century can truly be morally justified. We know that animals experience emotions similar to those of humans; they are capable of suffering both physically and psychologically, just like we do. Is their use in laboratory research genuinely necessary?

🔬Today, scientists have access to alternative research methods that no longer require the use of animals. These include studies on cell and tissue cultures (in vitro), organ-on-a-chip technologies, research involving human volunteers, computer simulations, and the use of clinical and epidemiological data, all of which can provide reliable knowledge. Even in the case of highly complex research, such as neurological studies, it is no longer necessary to kill animals. Advanced imaging techniques, such as MRI or PET scans, make it possible to study processes occurring in a living organism without the need to end an animal’s life.

🐾World Day for Laboratory Animals is a moment to reflect not only on the role animals have played in the development of science, but also on our responsibility for their welfare. It is also an opportunity to promote more ethical approaches to research and to support the development of methods that do not require the use of animals.

21/04/2026

How often do we misunderstand our cats?