Cats With Jazz LLC

03/06/2026

Why do cats eat grass? 🌱🐱

In the largest surveys of domestic cats to date, researchers found that approximately 71% of cats were observed eating plants, yet 91% showed no signs of illness beforehand. Only a minority vomited afterward.

So, if cats aren't eating grass because they feel sick, why do they do it?

Researchers currently believe grass eating is a normal, instinctive feline behavior inherited from wild ancestors. Plant consumption has been documented in wild felids and other carnivores, suggesting it serves an evolutionary purpose beyond simple nutrition.

Several theories exist:
• Grass may help stimulate movement within the
digestive tract.
• Insoluble fiber may assist with the passage of
ingested fur and other material.
• Historically, plant consumption may have helped wild
carnivores expel intestinal parasites.
• Some cats may simply enjoy the texture, smell, and
sensory experience of chewing vegetation.

Interestingly, studies found that young cats eat plants more frequently than older cats, and long-haired cats do not appear to consume more plants than short-haired cats, challenging the common belief that grass eating is primarily about hairballs.

For most healthy cats, occasional grass consumption is considered normal. Sophie certainly seems to enjoy "mowing the lawn."

* Make sure any plants available to your cat are feline-safe and free from pesticides, herbicides, rodenticides, and fertilizers.

02/06/2026

Reverse sneezing is a well-recognized phenomenon in dogs, but many cat guardians are surprised to learn that cats can experience it as well.

During a reverse sneeze, a cat rapidly and forcefully inhales air through the nose, often producing loud snorting, honking, or gagging sounds. The episode can appear alarming, and is frequently mistaken for choking, asthma, a hairball, respiratory distress, or even a seizure.

Despite its dramatic appearance, reverse sneezing itself is not a disease. Rather, it is a reflex triggered by irritation or inflammation affecting the upper airway, including the nasal passages, nasopharynx, and soft palate.

Potential triggers may include:
• Environmental allergens such as pollen, dust, mold, or smoke
• Strong fragrances, candles, cleaning products, or air fresheners
• Upper respiratory infections
• Nasal inflammation (rhinitis)
• Foreign material within the nasal passages
• Nasal polyps or masses
• Excitement, exercise, or sudden changes in breathing patterns

For most cats, occasional episodes are brief and self-limiting. Remaining calm and reducing environmental stressors is often all that is needed in the moment. Some veterinarians may recommend identifying and minimizing triggers such as scented products, airborne irritants, or poor indoor air quality. Maintaining a clean environment, utilizing high-quality air filtration, and working with your veterinarian to address underlying respiratory disease may also help reduce episodes.

This particular cat, Leroy, has been diagnosed with feline asthma and receives a daily inhaler. While reverse sneezing and asthma are distinct conditions affecting different portions of the respiratory tract, cats with underlying airway disease should always be monitored closely. If episodes become more frequent, more severe, last longer than usual, or are accompanied by coughing, wheezing, open-mouth breathing, nasal discharge, lethargy, or changes in appetite, veterinary evaluation is warranted.

Cats are exceptionally skilled at masking illness, which is why subtle changes in breathing, posture, activity, or behavior deserve attention.

26/05/2026

Dear Stripie. 💜

Today, May 26th, 2026, you would have turned 19 years old.

The past four years without you have been some of the most difficult of my life as I continue learning how to navigate this world without your comfort, guidance, wisdom, and unwavering support. On warm days and quiet afternoons, I wish you were beside me to enjoy them with me. During slow evenings and difficult nights, I wish I still had you to hold, calm, and ground me.

Your birthday and the anniversary of your passing always leave me conflicted. The overwhelming joy and gratitude I feel for our beautiful memories fights in the same space as the pain and grief of losing you. My heart is the battlefield of where this war takes place, and I'm stuck between tears of joy and sadness as it unfolds. I never quite know whether to celebrate or mourn first.

You and I were always in sync, and I believe people underestimate what I mean when I say we did everything together. Even after the four years without your physical presence, I still feel you around me constantly. You meet me through rainbows, birds, Forget-Me-Nots, and songs we shared. Whenever I ask for a sign or a favor, you seem to answer. You have always been my wing-kitty.

I originally planned to take today off from work, but we started this world together, and it didn't feel right to spend the day away from the kitty friends I only met because of the love, confidence, and compassion you helped nurture in me. This life, this career, and the essence of who I am exists because of you. You were my first baby, my soulmate, my inspiration, and my muse.

I love and miss you endlessly, my beautiful Stripes. Happy 19th birthday. 💜

25/05/2026

Memorial Day weekend is often associated with travel, gatherings, warmer weather, and changes in routine, but it can also be a wonderful opportunity to create more enriching experiences for our cats at home. ☀️

Research in feline medicine and behavior continues to show that environmental enrichment plays an important role in reducing stress, increasing confidence, encouraging healthy activity, and supporting emotional wellbeing in cats.

Many indoor cats are chronically understimulated, which can contribute to behavioral concerns such as overgrooming, hypervigilance, overstimulation, conflict between cats, and litter box issues.

As a professional cat sitter serving the San Francisco Bay Area, one of the most common things I see is how small environmental changes can create dramatic behavioral differences. A sunny window, a predictable play session, a puzzle feeder, vertical territory, or simply giving a cat more choice and control within their environment can significantly impact how safe and fulfilled they feel at home.

While enrichment can be used to keep cats entertained, it is also useful for supporting their natural instincts, emotional regulation, confidence, and overall welfare.

To book my 5-star cat care services, click the link in my bio.

Topics: Feline behavior, Feline enrichment, Holidays with pets, Feline stress reduction, Environmental modification

19/05/2026

18/05/2026

Cats are biologically wired to conceal pain and vulnerability, which means discomfort often appears through subtle behavioral and environmental changes long before obvious medical signs develop.

One of the most common misconceptions in feline care is assuming that reduced activity, irritability, hiding, grooming changes, or litter box issues are simply “normal aging” or personality traits.

In reality, many cats experiencing pain communicate through:

• Mobility changes
• Altered routines
• Body language shifts
• Social withdrawal
• Overstimulation
• Behavioral changes

Conditions such as arthritis, dental disease, urinary disease, GI disease, neurologic disorders, and chronic stress can dramatically impact both physical health and emotional wellbeing.

After caring for hundreds of cats throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, I’ve learned that understanding feline behavior means paying attention to the small changes.

Cats communicate discomfort quietly long before they stop functioning entirely. Early intervention can significantly improve comfort, mobility, confidence, stress levels, and overall quality of life.

If you notice behavioral or physical changes in your cat, consult your veterinarian. 🩺

18/05/2026

One of the most misunderstood aspects of feline behavior is that affection and comfort are not always the same thing.

Cats are social and emotionally complex animals, but unlike humans, they often communicate discomfort through extremely subtle body language long before escalation occurs.

Many cats will continue seeking proximity, purring, or engaging socially while simultaneously experiencing overstimulation or conflict.

Some signs include:

• Tail flicking
• Skin twitching
• Sudden grooming
• Lip licking
• Ear rotation
• Muscle tension
• Rippling skin
• Abrupt disengagement

These signs can indicate rising arousal or discomfort even during otherwise affectionate interactions.

A cat tolerating touch does not necessarily mean they are fully comfortable with it. This is why consent-based interaction and understanding feline body language are so important.

After caring for hundreds of cats throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, I’ve learned that some of the strongest relationships are built not through constant interaction, but through respecting boundaries, predictability, and emotional safety.

To learn more about me and my services, click the link in my bio.

Topics: Feline behavior, Feline discomfort, Affection, Communication methods

15/05/2026

Many people recognize stress in cats once it becomes obvious: hissing, hiding, aggression, inappropriate elimination, overgrooming, or conflict between animals.

Fewer people recognize what emotional regulation and genuine comfort look like in cats.

A regulated cat often displays:
• Soft eyes and facial muscles
• Relaxed whiskers and posture
• Normal grooming behaviors
• Comfortable disengagement
• Restful sleep
• Curiosity without hypervigilance
• Calm environmental scanning rather than fixation

Cats are highly sensitive animals whose behavior is deeply influenced by nervous system state, predictability, environmental safety, social dynamics, pain, and stress load.

One of the most important aspects of feline welfare is creating environments where cats feel physically and emotionally secure enough to fully relax.

This is what feeling safe can look like. 🤍

Topics: Feline behavior, Feline welfare, Pet comfort, Feline communication, Feline body language, Behavior regulation