Fact or fiction: are orange cats nuttier than other cat breeds? To all my orange cat parents out there, you may either be familiar with this myth firsthand or have heard such rumors.

If you are someone considering adopting a new kitty friend, you may have heard of this orange cat myth. Regardless of your preferred cat aesthetic, it is a good idea to take genetic dispositions into account for current or future furry friend’s personality. 

What We Know: Orange Cats and Their Craziness

The rumors are true! Thanks to Why Orange Cats Are So Special, According to Science, I have learned that there is a lot that goes into an orange cat’s spunky personality. Ultimately, though,

“orange cats may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors that result in death.” 

But… why? Well, gender and size are contributing factors. “The gene responsible for the orange color is sex-linked, resulting in a much higher likelihood that an orange cat will be male versus female.” Since orange cats are generally larger in size, especially since they are predominantly male, they may thrive off of a high social status, leading to strong behavioral characteristics. 

Although this may not sound preferable if you want a calm companion, there is more to an orange cat’s persona. The good news: “self-report surveys indeed suggest that orange cats are more affectionate.”

The Good News: Orange Cats and Their Lovingness

Said to be more loving, orange cats are known for their affection in addition to their chaotic habits. This could also be due to their gender: “male cats have been said to be slightly friendlier than female cats, which could explain the loving nature of orange cats.”

An orange cat’s risky behavior can be explained by science, but their predisposition for friendliness has yet to be scientifically shown. Nevertheless, orange cat owners tend to rave about their furry friends, myself included. 

In My Experience…

I must admit, I am a bit biased as an orange cat mom. But, anyone who spends time around my furry son cannot deny his zesty and loving personality. Allow me to take a moment to introduce you to my cat companion. 

This is my almost-three-year-old cat, Finn. Now, I must admit – I didn’t intend to become a dedicated cat-mom to Finn. I fell into the role of step-mom about two and a half years ago when I started dating Finn’s other dedicated parent. 

I am embarrassed to say that I am a historic cat hater. It pains me to admit it, but I used to find cats annoying. Growing up with dogs, I was a dog person through and through. This silly little orange tabby changed me for the better, though. 

It took me some time to get used to Finn’s zoomies, nighttime adventures, and playful disposition. After a rocky start, Finn and I started spending more time together, and we slowly began cuddling and playing more frequently. 

It took some time for us to warm up to each other, but recently, we have become best friends. Over time, I have “trained” Finn to curl up in my lap when I sit criss-cross-apple-sauce. Historically fearing strangers, Finn will cuddle up in any visitor’s lap if they sit on the floor nowadays. Who doesn’t love some cat cuddles complete with purring! 

Finn has changed my life: being a cat mom brings me such joy. Although he loves roaming the countertops, he also loves to cozy up and take a nap with his humans. Not to mention… Finn makes me laugh so hard!

An accidental comedian, Finn loves random places like behind books on a bookshelf, in small boxes, and on top of the fridge. Nothing makes me laugh harder than our playtime and his hiding spaces. 

So, yes, in conclusion, I was curious to learn about the science behind orange cats… 

I have wondered how much of my crazy cat’s behavior is nature vs. nurture. This still remains a mystery, but I know that there is science and self-reporting out there reinstating my experience: orange cats can fill your home and heart with chaos and love like my sweet little Finn. 

Emma Walker

The post <strong>Are Orange Cats Really That Crazy? </strong> appeared first on Lilly Brush.

While you work from home, you probably aren’t always in your office alone! As the work-from-home flow continues onward, it’s helpful to schedule in time with your BFFs, your office acquaintances– otherwise known as your pet! Over the past ten months, we work-from-homers have learned to manage the work/home life balance. Sometimes, work and home still become interchangeable, and we are left wondering how to draw clear distinctions between them. 

Oftentimes, our pets become confused by our ever-changing schedules, especially as we continue to stay at home while working but while also being unable to give them the full attention they crave. To keep your pet well-adjusted to the work-at-home life, try following these tips below! 

Schedule Walks

Scheduling walks is a great tactic to get both you and your pet up and moving! While you’re sitting in an office all day, and your dog is lounging about the house, walks provide a great mental break and are a perfect way to get in physical exercise and fresh air. Morning walks are best, before getting your work day started (and wearing out your pup a bit before you start hopping onto meetings), but afternoon and evening walks are always great to break up your work day and get outside. 

Schedule Break Times

Marking break times into your daily schedule is necessary for your own sanity, as well as your pet’s. Taking the time to play with your pet or give them attention at various points in the day is essential, especially if you work in a separate space away from your pet (which we highly recommend; see below). Not to mention, taking breaks from work is imperative to workplace success. Spending time with your pet before joining an online meeting has also been proven to prevent barking and anxiety when you’re on a call. 

Use a Separate Work Space

Try setting up a separate workspace for your office hours– you and your pet will both benefit from this. You’ll be able to train your pet to not be dependent on you, for whenever the time comes for you to work away from home again, and the separation of space will keep you focused throughout the day. Keeping a separate space will also allow you to stick to your walk, play, and food schedule. 

Keep Your Pet Occupied 

Keep your pet busy while you’re hard at work, or absorbed in meetings. Mental stimulation is important for growth and health in all pets, dogs and cats alike. One of the most highly recommended mental stimulation toys for dogs is KONG, which stimulates your dog’s mind by making him/her work towards a goal. These toys, and many similar, require effort and concentration, which will keep your dog busy for hours. Cats, on the other hand, are generally self-entertaining. If you have an especially fidgety cat, however, there’s a wide variety of cat toys that will keep your kitten entertained. Scratching posts and cat towers are other great alternatives! 

We know that working from home can be tough, especially when you have others (furry friends!) relying on you. Follow our tips and let us know how it goes! Send over your best working-from-home-with-pets photos for a chance to be featured on our social media!

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post 4 Practices to Keep your Pet in Tune with your Work Schedule appeared first on Lilly Brush.

What is National Cat Day? A day to spoil and appreciate your cat, of course. Every year, on October 29, cat lovers across America take part in this holiday. Keep an eye out for August 8 of next year for International Cat Day, where you can celebrate with your friends all across the globe! But for now, take the time to celebrate your cat today. 

What is it?

National Cat Day was created in 2005 by Colleen Paige to raise awareness for rescue cats in need of a home. She encouraged animal lovers to visit shelters and either volunteer their time or adopt a new furry friend. Paige’s mission was “To help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their lives for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us.” In other words, her goal was to help raise public awareness of the number of cats that need a home, and to show love and affection to the cats we already have. 

Why should you celebrate?

Celebrating National Cat Day encourages the safety and well-being of cats across the country. Many cats are mistreated, homeless, or abandoned. You can do your part to help these cats by engaging in the activities listed below! 

6 Fun National Cat Day Activities

1. Adopt a Cat from a Shelter

The best thing you can do today is adopt from your local shelter! We recommend researching nearby shelters before choosing which one to visit to be sure you adopt from one that is ethical and treats their animals well. The best gift for a cat today is adoption into a safe and loving home. 

2. Volunteer at a Shelter

If you’re unable to adopt a cat today, take a little time out of your day to volunteer at a shelter! Most shelters are very open to volunteers, and have a wide range of projects for you to help with. Some shelters will even let you go in and play with the cats who need love and attention for a few hours.

3. Treat your Cats at Home to a Day of Pampering 

If we’re being real here, every day is a day of pampering for your cat, but give them something extra special today! Cats love new toys, catnip, and giant scratching posts. If you’re feeling extra generous, go ahead and get yourself a gift too! Pick up a Lilly Brush Be Forever Furless Mini to take care of all that extra shedding all over your house. 

4. Donate to your Local Shelter

If you don’t have the time or energy to invest directly in a cat’s life, invest in a local shelter! Shelters are always welcoming donations, and this is a great way to get involved and help save a cat’s life without taking on the responsibility of adopting one yourself. 

5. Have a Photo Shoot with your Cat

That is, if your cat is patient enough to deal with you. If they’re fairly low-tolerance of shenanigans, catch them in their natural habitats– curled up by the window on a sunlit rug, stretching on their back with their paws up in the air, or leaping from countertop to countertop (for those quality action shots). You can post these fun photos on your social media and help spread awareness of National Cat Day! 

6. Bake Homemade Cat Treats

While you can always make life easier for yourself and buy cat treats at the pet store, baking your own is way more fun! On top of the kitchen excitement, you’ll know exactly what’s going into the treats, so you don’t have to worry about any unhealthy additives, preservatives, or suspicious ingredients. Try this 3 ingredient recipe here or browse this list.

Happy National Cat Day!

Most of all, be sure to love on your cat today! Give him or her lots of attention, and lots of pets, but always remember to keep in mind the cats that don’t have a safe home. If you ever find yourself able to help those cats in any way, we encourage you to do so. For more fun, check out this website to explore the history of cats and some statistics, and this blog for more activities!

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post Celebrating National Cat Day appeared first on Lilly Brush.

The best pet hair removers can be difficult to find. That’s why we’ve put together a list of our best products, just for you. Scroll through to find the best brush for your specific pet needs!

For the Overly Fluffy and Fearless

For all your Bernese Mountain Dog and Ragdoll cat types, this is the brush for you. It’s perfect for your pets that traipse around the house completely unaware of the furry mess they leave behind. This brush works on clothing, upholstery, bedding, auto, pet beds, and rugs! It’ll take care of muddy pawprints, rogue shedding, and leave your home feeling fresh and clean.

For the Fashion Forward and Always Stylish

This brush is for all you fashion-forward pet owners. For the avid sweater-lover, the knitter, or designer. For those of you who have been staying at home and spending way too much time with your pet (if that’s even possible). Regardless of how much damage you or your pet inflicts on your sweaters, the Save Our Sweaters Brush will easily remove pills, lint, and pet hair from your precious garments.

For Our On-the-Go Friends

Looking for a brush that’s designed perfectly for easy transport? Here it is! This brush fits in purses, bags, and glove compartments so that you have your handy dandy pet hair remover with you at all times. You can use this brush for clothing, upholstery, bedding, auto, pet beds, and even rugs! It’s most convenient for when you need a small handheld fur remover for immediate needs. This mini brush works more efficiently than lint rollers, and is much more stylish to carry with you.

For the Avid Adventurers

Do you have an adventure dog who seeks adventure not only outside of the car, but inside as well? If so, this is the tool for you! This brush will take care of the after-adventure remnants (including lots of shedding) that your pet excitedly gifts you with. For excessive shedding in every nook and cranny of your car, and for keeping your adventure space clean and ready to go for your next journey, this tool will have you and your pet eager for the next car ride. It works best with short, wiry-haired pets, and is compact and portable. Not only does it work for your auto needs, but also is designed to tackle deeply engrained bits of fur trapped in your carpets.

For the EXTRA Avid Adventurers

This brush/tool is for the extra-adventurous pets: the ones who are part of the family, and the ones who travel everywhere with you. We know how hard it is to keep your car clean after your favorite furry friend travels with you, from tracking in mud, grass, leaves, and everything in between. Not to mention the shedding. This tool will take care of all of your auto pet hair needs. It works with pet hair of any kind. Although it’s similar to the Mini Pet Hair Detailer, it’s specifically designed with two attachments for easy reach in all areas of your car. The brush tool is double sided, with a rubber blade on one end and bristles on the other, providing maximum pet hair removal efficiency.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post Which pet hair remover is best for your pet? appeared first on Lilly Brush.