International Cat Care

04/06/2026

Does your cat actually want to be ‘hugged’? 🤔

We're asking people to rethink because, while a hug between people is a nice way to show affection, cats can find it threatening to be held tightly. 😾 Even if a cat appears to be tolerating a hug, they might not be enjoying it.

Think C.A.T! 🐈

👉 Give your cat a CHOICE when you want to interact with them, offer them a softly closed hand to approach.

👉 Pay ATTENTION to their body language and give them space if they don’t want to continue.

👉 Stick to TOUCHING and petting them in places you know they enjoy.

If a cat doesn’t seem to want to be touched, try safely playing with them using a wand toy, or giving them a food puzzle. 🧩🪶

Many trends on social media may seem harmless but are actually stressful for the cats involved. Remember to respect your cat every day and interact in a way! 😺 Learn more on our website https://icatcare.org/articles/handling-and-interactions

03/06/2026

This we’re raising our paws in celebration of those around the world giving up their time to help cats! 🐾

Whether you volunteer at your local homing centre 🏠, foster cats and kittens 😻, or provide for cats in your community 🐈‍, we see you, support you and appreciate all you do to improve the lives of cats everywhere 🩷

If you volunteer or work with unowned cats, sign-up to our Unowned Cats Community emails for helpful resources and information to support you, straight to your inbox: https://go.icatcare.org/UCC-signup

02/06/2026

We’re purr-fectly delighted to have reached over 50,000 followers here! 😻🎉

If you are new to us, hello! 👋 We are International Cat Care, the charity improving care for cats.

❤️ We greatly appreciate the support of all our followers, and each new follower means our cat friendly message can reach even further.

We hope you enjoy our content and find it useful. What would you like to see from us in the future? Let us know! 💬

Visit our website to find FREE expert cat care advice and information, and ways you can help our work too 👉 https://icatcare.org/

30/05/2026

Why are cats the masters of balance? It might look like magic, but it’s actually incredible feline science!

🐾 Their super sensitive paw pads are packed with nerve endings that constantly send messages to their brain about what they’re touching, helping them adjust their balance with precision.

🐈 Their tail moves left to right to counterbalance whilst they climb or walk along narrow surfaces.

🐱 Cats are also incredibly flexible because they lack a rigid collarbone, allowing their shoulders to move freely and their paws to step perfectly in line.

If their balance is slightly off, they also have a built-in ability called the ‘righting reflex’. When they start to fall, sensors in their inner ear detect which way is up, allowing them to twist mid-air and land on their paws. Their flexible spine lets them rotate the front and back halves of their body separately, while stretching their legs to absorb impact when they land.

Despite this amazing ability, it’s a myth that cats always land on their feet. As they get older, they may struggle more with their balance.

Find out about helping your cat avoid injuries from falls 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/high-rise-cats

23/05/2026

😺 FREE event! As a proud ICAM - the International Companion Animal Management Coalition member organisation, we’re pleased to be a part of the ICAM Conference 2026, taking place 8-12 June.

In this free online global, explore global perspectives on humane cat population management, including sessions on community cats, TNR sustainability, coexistence and veterinary access.

We’re excited to be able to provide some technical support in running the event and have Harry Eckman, our Global Advisor - Cat Population Management, speaking about 'Beyond firefighting – a practical framework for lasting change in cat and dog welfare' on Monday 8 June.

Explore the programme and book your place 👉 https://www.icam-coalition.org/conference-2026/

Whether you're in the field or shaping policy, be part of this global conversation! 🌍

22/05/2026

Shout out to any vet nurses who follow us here! 🙌

If you don't already, give our International Cat Care Veterinary Society, page a follow too for extra veterinary-focused content. 😺

Happy Vet Nurse Awareness Month! 😻 We raise our paws in celebration of vet nurses and technicians worldwide who show incredible compassion and empathy to cats, helping them to live healthier, happier lives every day. 🐾

In over 4,500 Cat Friendly Clinics across the world, vet nurses and techs are helping to reduce the stress of clinic visits and provide the best veterinary experience for cats and their caregivers. Learn more 👉 https://icatcare.org/cat-friendly-clinic

This month, visit the BVNA (The British Veterinary Nursing Association) website to nominate your vet nursing hero, providing thanks and recognition for their hard work and dedication, and bringing vet nurses into the spotlight. Find out more information about VNAM 2026 on the BVNA website. 👉 https://bvna.org.uk/project/veterinary-nursing-awareness-month-may-2026/

20/05/2026

📑 We’ve released two new Cat Friendly decision-making documents focusing on infectious diseases and navigating the complex and sensitive situations that arise when working with unowned cats:

Explore how to approach feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) whilst balancing individual welfare, protection of other cats and practical constraints 👉 https://icatcare.org/resources/fiv-cat-friendly-decision-making.pdf

Access guidance on feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) infection and testing, bringing together current evidence and real-world considerations 👉https://icatcare.org/resources/felv-cat-friendly-decision-making.pdf

Our free resources are designed to support you in your work with unowned cats to find the best outcomes for each individual. Take a look at our website for more, and sign up to our Unowned Cat Community emails to get resources like this straight to your inbox 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/cat-friendly-decision-making

Supported by Battersea

17/05/2026

Did you know that high blood pressure (hypertension) is a silent stalker in our senior cats? 🐈 Many cats show no signs at all, and sudden blindness is often the first sign that caregivers notice.

To help catch hypertension early, look out for these subtle signs in your cat and speak to your vet team about any concerns:

🐱 Sleeping more

🐱 Acting withdrawn

🐱 Bumping into things

🐱 Changes in the eyes, such as bleeding

🐱 Signs from other diseases, like weight loss and hyperactivity in cats with hyperthyroidism

🏥 Regular veterinary visits, including blood pressure checks, are especially important for senior cats, to catch signs of hypertension early. Find out more 👉 https://icatcare.org/articles/hypertension-in-cats

15/05/2026

We’re thrilled to celebrate two newly accredited clinics, showcasing the truly international and versatile nature of our programme.

🇨🇿 In the Czech Republic Medicanima Scintivet, a specialised nuclear medicine centre dedicated to treating cats with hyperthyroidism through radioactive iodine treatment, has achieved Silver accreditation - an inspiring example of bespoke, referral-level feline care.

🇨🇭 In Switzerland Katzenpraxis FeliVet GmbH, a cat-only clinic that has reached Gold accreditation, highlighting excellence in creating a calm, species-appropriate environment for cats.

Both clinics demonstrate how focusing on feline needs can transform cat welfare, reduce stress and improve outcomes. Congratulations to these incredible teams for their dedication, innovation, and commitment to advancing cat friendly care worldwide!

Find a Cat Friendly Clinic near you 👉 https://icatcare.org/cat-friendly-clinic

12/05/2026

We were delighted to attend the Association of Dogs & Cats Homes (ADCH) Conference 2026 in Telford, UK last week.

Laura Watson, our Cat Welfare Coordinator, delivered a talk ‘Hidden in Plain Sight: Recognising Pain in Shelter Cats’ sharing helpful guidance to support those working and volunteering with unowned cats in shelters and homing centres. The conference was a great opportunity to gain fresh insights and celebrate achievements across the sector.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello to the team at our booth. 👋😺

Learn more about our work with unowned cats and how we can help support you 👉 https://icatcare.org/working-with-unowned-cats

[Images from left to right: Lindsey Quinlan (Programme Manager – Cat Friendly Homing), Vicki Betton (Director of Global Impact) and Laura Watson on the iCatCare booth. And Laura Watson delivering her talk.]