Cynthia Sanz Carstens

New York

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Contributor at Reader's Digest (U.S.)

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Articles

The Surprising Reason You Shouldn’t Paint Pumpkins on Halloween

Oct 18, 2024 | rd.com | Cynthia Sanz Carstens

When it comes to decorating for Halloween, you either gourd big or go home. Which is why you’ll find so many porches brimming with pumpkins this time of year. There are big pumpkins and little pumpkins. Smiling jack-o’-lanterns and menacing monster gourds. But there is one kind of pumpkin you shouldn’t set outside as a decoration this Halloween season: a painted one. And the reason may surprise you.
Petco Will Stop Selling These Cute Animals-Here's Why

Oct 11, 2024 | rd.com | Cynthia Sanz Carstens

Petco may still be “where the pets go” for everything from healthy kibble and canned food to must-have pet products like dog beds, cat litter and aquariums. You can even find small pets like fish, hamsters and guinea pigs. But there is one furry friend that will no longer be for sale in any of the chain’s 1,500 locations. And animal advocates say that is a very good thing. “This decision will save lives,” says veterinarian Alisa Rassin, VMD, owner of the Exotic Animal Hospital of Philadelphia.
Do Cats Grieve After a Loss? A New Study May Have the Answer

Aug 29, 2024 | rd.com | Cynthia Sanz Carstens

Cats aren’t known for their sensitivity. In fact, they have such a reputation for self-centered jerkiness that there are whole memes built around what your cats might do to your corpse if you suddenly dropped dead before delivering their dinner. (Let’s just say it’s not pretty.) But a new study published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science suggests that our feline friends may care more about us and other pets in the house than we give them credit for. So do cats grieve?
Why do cats purr? 7 reasons for this sweet kitty sound

Aug 11, 2024 | readersdigest.com.au | Cynthia Sanz Carstens

Why do cats purr? “For cats, purring is a way of communicating,” says veterinarian Susan Whittred. “It’s how they show emotion. And while it usually means they’re happy, it could mean almost any emotion – happy or sad.”That doesn’t make it easy for cat owners to figure out what their furballs are trying to tell them, but, well, that’s cats. “Cats are pretty mysterious to begin with, and with purring, I think they’re going to keep it that way,” says Dr Whittred.
New study: cats have 276 facial expressions

Dec 4, 2023 | readersdigest.com.au | Cynthia Sanz Carstens

Body language hintsThe flick of an ear. A wrinkle of a nose. Those long, slow blinks. Cat owners have long believed their cats use body language to communicate their likes and dislikes. Now they have some science to back it up. In a new study published in the journal Behavioural Processes, researchers identified a whopping 276 different facial expressions cats make when interacting with one another.
Cats Have 276 Facial Expressions, According to a New Study

Nov 17, 2023 | rd.com | Cynthia Sanz Carstens

Cats may play it cool, but their true feelings are written all over their furry little faces The flick of an ear. A wrinkle of a nose. Those long, slow blinks. Cat owners have long believed their cats use body language to communicate their likes and dislikes. Now they have some science to back it up. In a new study published in the journal Behavioural Processes, researchers identified a whopping 276 different facial expressions cats make when interacting with one another.
12 Gray Cat Breeds You Will Want to Snuggle ASAP

Nov 15, 2023 | rd.com | Cynthia Sanz Carstens

The gray cat breeds you need in your lifeEvery cat is beautiful, of course, but we still can’t help picking favorites. Some of us are drawn to the golden locks and big personalities of orange cats. Others can’t resist the mysterious charms of black cats. And for many, there’s nothing better than a gorgeous fur-ball gray cat breed to call their own.
What Is Scruffing a Cat—and Why Is It Such a Bad Idea? Vets Explain

Nov 1, 2023 | rd.com | Cynthia Sanz Carstens

Here's why vets advise against scruffing a cat, a restraining technique that could cause pain, anxiety and more Cats are nothing if not independent. But every now and then, you need to persuade your cat to do something you want it to do—get in the carrier or get off the dining room table, for instance. And you may have heard that the best way to corral them is by scruffing a cat—that is, grab them by the loose skin at the back of their neck.
Can Cats Eat Pumpkin? Vets Explain the Pros and Cons of This Tasty Fall Treat

Sep 20, 2023 | rd.com | Cynthia Sanz Carstens

It’s fall’s favorite flavor … but that doesn’t mean it’s safe for your kitty. Here’s what you need to know about whether cats can eat pumpkin. Leaves are falling, temps are dropping and you’re ringing in the season with the most quintessential of fall treats, a pumpkin spice latte. But as you watch your favorite furball eyeing the whipped cream on your drink, you might be wondering if you can dole out some of the seasonal goodness to your kitty.
Can Cats Eat Cheese? Veterinarians Explain

Sep 6, 2023 | rd.com | Cynthia Sanz Carstens

Before you share a chunk of cheddar with your favorite feline, here's what you need to consider Cats and milk—the pairing is everywhere from 19th-century fine-art paintings to Disney movies like The Aristocats. “Crème de la Crème à la Edgar,” the conniving butler says to Duchess and her kittens as he presents the feline family with saucers of dairy in the 1970 Disney classic. But can cats really drink milk? And what about other dairy products?