MYRTLE BEACH, SC - When it rains, it pours! Some say it was raining chicken coops, others say it was raining pitchforks and hammer handles, but residents of the central Pee Dee say that it was certainly raining cats — but not dogs — last Wednesday.

What caused this incredible storm that covered much of South Carolina? WBTW News13 Meteorologist Monte Montello said that it could be due to the sunshine and warm weather, as well as a nearby low-pressure system in the afternoon on Wednesday.

According to Michael Quinion of World Wide Words, early mythology states that cats have influence over storms, while dogs are known to bring winds. Kershaw County reported a tornado touchdown, but no dogs were sighted in connection with the windy situation. Over the last several hundred years, raining of cats and dogs has been reported countless times. The wet, soggy animals usually become the responsibility of local area shelters in the days after such a storm.

Besides bringing a load of new homeless felines, a rain of felines also poses another problem: clogged rain gutters. This morning, a number of homeowners are trying to find a safe and effective method to remove the cats from their gutters. Authorities have asked the homeowners to please use caution and don’t add more animals to the mix, such as luring the cats out by putting mice, fish, or other small animals in the opposite end of the gutter. Also ill-advised are giant pipe cleaners, rubber ducks on a stick, plumbing snakes and high-pressure water hoses. Instead, try sliding the cat out by using an edible grease such as crisco then pulling gently on the cat’s backside. Apply very little pressure and try not to yank on the tail.

One man, Preston Hammer, has already been arrested for allegedly packing gunpowder into an explosive device and trying to blow a stuck kitten out of his rain gutter. While the kitten was luckily not injured, the man still faces charges of attempted cruelty to an animal and illegal use of explosives.

Share This

We’d all love to think our poop smells like roses, but “Stinky” of Southlake, Wyoming wouldn’t be far off if she wanted to brag. This 13-week-old white kitten exhibits the magnificent ability to excrete fragrant spring lilacs instead of, well, you know — poop.

Like most kittens of her age, Stinky is weaned and has begun eating a standard diet not much different from any other kitten. She has tried sampling different brands such as Iams and Science Diet, to see if this produces any change in her movements. So far, nothing has worked. Stinky is perplexed as to whether or not she should be covering the purple, lilac-scented matter that she leaves behind in the litterbox. Her mother says yes, to cover it out of habit in case the scented properties change at a later date. Others say, no - Stinky’s litter has made potpourri an obsolete item in her household.

Stinky has otherwise been a normal kitten. She eats, drinks, and plays just like other cats. The other kittens in her litter are completely normal, and Stinky herself has no identifying marks or other interesting quirks about her body. Her mother is quoted as saying, “When the kitten breaks wind, it is as fresh as a spring breeze!” but other than the petals found in the kitten’s litter box, which has been converted to a “potpourri bowl,” there has been no evidence that the cat’s gastric emissions contain anything - scent or material - other than flowers.

The young kitten is quickly becoming a star in her community, and has already been approached by several corporations who wish to harness Stinky’s unique power and turn it into a profit-making mechanism. She’s also been offered a job by FTD, a florist company, who would like to use her image — and notoriety — in a campaign to sell flowers.

Share This

We received a question recently regarding the proper way for Jewish cats to eat during Passover, and at the time, we did not have the answer. While we at Catnabbit! are not religious, we do take much interest in the cultures and practices of others. We were able to find information about Kosher for humans, and kosher dog food, but kosher for cats? Isn’t my can of tuna OK? Then, we discovered Kosher Pets.

At first glace, their products look especially healthy, no matter what religion (if any) you practice. Those cats who enjoy the “raw diet” might also want to take a look at this! Since many cats are prone to food allergies and digestive problems due to milk and grain products that are added to most commercial cat foods, it is of special note that “Kosher for Passover” means that meat and milk are not mixed, and there isn’t any grain in it either! Also, the meat comes from kosher species, and we’re guessing that it isn’t like the “sausage factory” stuff that regular cat food is made of either. So, the Kosher Pets products should be healthy for us kitties to eat year round. Right now it appears that they only have one thing to offer: Freeze-drided beef patties for cats. But, according to Kosher Pets, cats will soon be able to look forward to: Chicken Chunk Stew, Chopped Liver Dinner, and Lox and Whitefish Dinner too!

Note: As stated earlier, we aren’t Jewish and we aren’t experts on what is Kosher/Kosher for Passover, so please check with an expert to verify these things! We can not be held responsible for your souls (we think).

Share This