Articles by Jodi Helmer
Jodi Helmer
Jodi Helmer is a North Carolina-based freelance writer who shares her home with an embarrassing number of rescue dogs and relies on four feral cats to patrol the barn. When she isn’t refilling food and water dishes, Jodi writes about animals for Scientific American, Sierra, WebMD, AKC Family Dog, Living the Country Life, and Out Here.
![A woman eating peanut butter toast with her cat laying on the table]()
nutrition | Can My Cat Eat This?Can Cats Eat Peanut Butter?
The sweet and salty treat is OK – in moderation
The sweet and salty treat is OK – in moderation
![cat biting person's hand]()
healthHow to Make Your Cat’s Oral Care as Stress-Free as Possible
Take things slow to figure out what works best for their pearly whites
Take things slow to figure out what works best for their pearly whites
![cat coming out of litter box]()
behaviourWhat to Do When Your Cat Refuses to Use the Litter Box
A cat behaviourist explains why they’re so particular about where they pop a squat
A cat behaviourist explains why they’re so particular about where they pop a squat
![Cat eating from a plate of raspberries and blueberries]()
nutrition | Can My Cat Eat This?Can Cats Eat Blueberries?
Go ahead and serve up the superfood – with a couple of caveats
Go ahead and serve up the superfood – with a couple of caveats
![Two grey cats eating swiss cheese off of slices of bread while sitting on a table]()
nutrition | Can My Cat Eat This?You Should Not Invite Your Cat to Your Fondue Party
Save the charcuterie board for the humans
Save the charcuterie board for the humans
![Woman petting her cat]()
nutritionDon’t Come For Us, But Is Your Cat Overweight?
We love a chonky cat, but here’s what you should know
We love a chonky cat, but here’s what you should know
![Cat eating out of metal bowl]()
nutrition9 Foods You Should Never Feed Your Cat
Sharing isn’t always caring. Keep your cat safe by keeping these human snack staples to yourself
Sharing isn’t always caring. Keep your cat safe by keeping these human snack staples to yourself
![brown cat in grass]()
What to do when your cat hawks one up
![Woman in a white sweater hugging her cat next to a window]()
Find out if your cat has seasonal depression, and how to combat it
![A cat staring at a peeled banana]()
nutrition | Can My Cat Eat This?Can Cats Eat Bananas?
Gwen Stefani taught us how to spell it, but can we feed it to our cats?
Gwen Stefani taught us how to spell it, but can we feed it to our cats?
![cat with cone after vet visit]()
healthDoctor’s Orders: Cat Vet Visits Are Essential
Get thy cat to a vet, even if it’s a struggle to get them out the door
Get thy cat to a vet, even if it’s a struggle to get them out the door
![Cat asking for human food from counter]()
nutrition10 Human Foods That Are Safe for Cats
Good news for your begging cat: some of your favourite snacks are safe to share
Good news for your begging cat: some of your favourite snacks are safe to share
![Curly afro woman stroking her bonded cats on the couch in living room]()
lifestyleShould I Adopt a Bonded Pair?
Some besties are inseparable, and that’s not always a bad thing
Some besties are inseparable, and that’s not always a bad thing
![Cat playing and jumping with a rubber band]()
healthWhat Should I Know About FIV in Cats?
The most common questions about feline immunodeficiency virus, answered. Good news: most FIV positive cats live long, happy lives
The most common questions about feline immunodeficiency virus, answered. Good news: most FIV positive cats live long, happy lives
![cat meowing]()
behaviourThe Cat’s Meow – What Does it All Mean?
How to decode your cat’s love language when one meow has many meanings
How to decode your cat’s love language when one meow has many meanings
![kittens licking woman's hand]()
Hey, everybody’s got their thing
![black cat doing zoomies on a bed]()
behaviourYour Cat’s Erratic Zoomies – Explained
Fast, furious and officially normal – according to a cat behaviourist
Fast, furious and officially normal – according to a cat behaviourist
- behaviour | Why, Cat?!
Why Is My Cat Hiding?
No, they’re not on the lam. Here are four reasons your cat might be MIA
No, they’re not on the lam. Here are four reasons your cat might be MIA
![Cat sitting in a teal litter box]()
behaviourMastering the Art of Litter Box Training: How to Train Cats to Use a Litter Box
If you do nothing else, teach your cat to poo in their litter box (not in your shoe)
If you do nothing else, teach your cat to poo in their litter box (not in your shoe)
![A gray Sphynx cat sniffing an apple slice held out by her owner while standing on a table next to a glass of wine]()
Yes, but the fruit might not hold much a-peel
![Grey cat eats a strawberry]()
nutrition | Can My Cat Eat This?Can Cats Eat Strawberries?
Soon, they’ll be demanding you make this strawberry ice cream recipe on repeat
Soon, they’ll be demanding you make this strawberry ice cream recipe on repeat
![A hand reaching towards a cat peaking out of a cage.]()
lifestyle10 Questions to Ask a Rescue Centre About an Adoptable Cat
From medical history to adoption fees to litter preferences, here’s everything you need to know
From medical history to adoption fees to litter preferences, here’s everything you need to know
![A woman staring at her computer while holding her dog close.]()
lifestyle10 Things to Consider Before Adopting a Pet
It’s a big decision, so tick these boxes before you sign on the dotted line
It’s a big decision, so tick these boxes before you sign on the dotted line
![White kitten with tongue out next to slices of watermelon]()
nutrition | Can My Cat Eat This?Can My Cat Safely Enjoy Watermelon?
Yes, the summertime staple is on the list of safe foods for cats
Yes, the summertime staple is on the list of safe foods for cats
![overweight orange cat]()
nutritionHow Much Should You Actually Be Feeding Your Cat?
If they’ve lost their hourglass figure, then not that much – according to a veterinary nutritionist
If they’ve lost their hourglass figure, then not that much – according to a veterinary nutritionist
