Written By: Bonnie Begg & Nicole Kay, Just Cats
Cats and throwing up often go hand in hand. Have a cat? Tiger threw up again. Want to adopt a cat? Fair warning, they throw up! Have some spray cleaner and paper towels handy! But when is repeated vomiting a cause for concern?
Cat owners often ask, “Is it normal for my cat to throw up?” Well, just like their humans, cats can often get upset stomachs. It could be they just ate something bad, it could be a parasite or something more serious.
Some of the most common reasons cats throw up are:
1. Hairballs / Furballs
Hairballs (furballs) are undigested, wads of fur that clump in your cat's stomach as a result of your cat's self-grooming. Hairballs are especially common in longhaired cats, and cats that groom excessively. Hacking noises and spasms commonly accompany vomiting if your cat is trying to rid itself of hairballs.
In the majority of cases, hairballs are easily brought up by cats, but if your cat is experiencing difficulties when trying to expel a hairball it's time to see a vet. Occasionally hairballs become trapped and can lead to intestinal blockages which may be fatal.
2. Eating Too Fast
If your kitty eats too much food, too quickly, vomiting will likely result soon after they eat. If your cat often eats quickly then vomits, there are a number of fun cat bowls available to help slow your cat's eating and help to prevent vomiting such as the Doc & Phoebe Slow Feeder.
That said, vomiting right after eating could be an indication of a more serious health issue such as hairballs, a digestive tract obstruction, dehydration, or esophageal issues. If your cat frequently vomits right after eating, it's time to visit the vet.
3. Food Sensitivities (the most common!)
Many cat parents assume that cats throw up frequently. This is not the case and it's normal for a cat to throw up once to twice a year. Weekly and even daily throw up is a cause of concern and many people don't think that it could be the food that your cat is eating. Cats can have sensitive stomachs and food allergies just like humans. Many cat food brands contain chicken and fish, which are two huge culprits of cat food sensitivity. If you suspect your cat is allergic to chicken and/or fish, safely switch over to a protein that is less hot such as turkey, rabbit and duck, just to name a few.
Cats can also be very sensitive to additives in cat food such as wheat, corn, soy, pea protein, veggies and fruits. Pet food brands add these to our cat's foods to lower their costs in production. Cats are obligate carnivores and should only eat a food that is high in protein. Check the ingredient list to see if there are any ingredients that may be causing your cat's vomiting.
How do I know if I should take my cat to the vet?
You may say to yourself, “Eh, it’s normal. All cats throw up, Snowball will be fine.” Pet parents should be aware that if your cat vomits more often than once a month, or keeps vomiting repeatedly, it's time to see your vet to determine the underlying cause of your cat's vomiting.
If your cat is vomiting periodically or infrequently, avoid giving your cat any food for about 12 hours. Provide kitty with a couple of tablespoons of water every 30 minutes or provide them with ice cubes during this brief fasting period. After 12 hours begin providing your cat with small amounts of bland food and gradually return to normal feeding if vomiting has stopped. We especially like Beechnut Baby Food (chicken, turkey, or beef) to help your kitty get over their tummy issues. Always check with your veterinarian on safe foods to give to your cat and when in doubt, a trip to the emergency room if needed.
If your cat is experiencing repeated bouts of vomiting, you should contact your vet immediately. Continuous or severe vomiting could be a sign that your cat is seriously ill and requires immediate treatment. Contact your vet if your cat displays any of the symptoms below:
The most important thing is to keep a watchful eye on your kitty if they are throwing up. You know them best, and if they are not acting like themselves something might be up. Kitties are also masters of hiding pain, so if something seems off listen to that little voice and get them to your vet!
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Is it a love bite, or something more serious?
Does this scenario sound familiar? You. Your fur kid. Couch. Netflix. They’re snuggled up on you and you start to give them some pets. Then all of a sudden, BAM! They bite you out of nowhere. “I was just giving Mr. Buttons some love and affection! What the hecks!” Or scenario number two – you’re just working away, minding your own business when out of nowhere Buster decides to bite your head. Third scenario might be during playtime. They’re high on some catnip and a little winded from all that wand play. You reach out to give some lovin’ and it’s like your hand becomes a fat piece of wild salmon.
You’re thinking to yourself, “WHY??” You’re a loving, attentive pet parent and they want for nothing, why are they biting me? Normally when your cat bites you, they are sending you a message.
Some of those messages might be:
Don’t fret! There are ways to solve the biting situation with a little patience and love. If you’ve had your feline friend for a while, you might recognize when their behavior seems a little off. Or, you may be familiar with certain feline traits and characteristics that can help you determine the best solution for you.
Try focusing their playful energy on cat toys, not hands. Wand toys are great, or sometimes a sturdy kicker will do the trick so they can bunny-kick their way to a nice nap. Getting a scratching post or floor scratcher is a helpful way for them to release. You can also remove them from a threatening or stressful situation, and create a calm environment for them. Are they not feeling well? It might be time for a vet visit. Whatever the situation is that’s causing your feline friend to bite, reading their body language can be an invaluable tool and possibly prevent those nips and bites. Follow their lead. Watch those tails and ears. In addition to that, LOVE is always the answer! Love them as they are and for who they are, and be patient with them. Never lash out or spray them with anything for being bad, they are acting on instinct. Cats are after all, tiny little tigers...
]]>Cats are cool, but black cats are even cooler. In honor of Halloween, I wanted to share 5 cool fun cats about black cats. Now without delay, here are the top 5 in my book:
1. Black Cats are Good Luck, Not Bad Luck!
Back in the Dark Ages, black cats were viewed as evil so they were often killed. The superstitions carried on into the Salem Witch trials and even today, black cats are still viewed in some cultures as bad luck.
In Japan and the UK, seeing a black cat is actually considered good luck. When I was 10 years old, I saw an ad in the local paper regarding a litter of black kittens. I really wanted to adopt a kitty so I asked my parents and they were a little hesitant and said, "Well isn't he going to bring bad luck?". With my quick thinking, I actually convinced my parents that I read somewhere that they do the opposite - they bring good luck! So for 16 years, our black cat Pepper brought our family so much luck.
2. Black Cats Can Actually Help Your Love Life
If you have recently been on Tinder, any man or woman holding a black cat should mean you may have found a good match!
Japanese tradition says that if a single woman possess a black cat, then they will soon find a suitor.
Also, old folklore says that if a newlywed has a black cat, they will live a long and happy life together.
Someone get me an adoptable black cat, STAT!
3. There Are Over 22 Breeds of Black Cats
When people think of black cats, they immediately think of the domestic American short-haired that is featured in Sabrina - The Teenage Witch, for example, but actually, there are 22 cat breeds that have cats with black fur.
The Norwegian Forest Cat, Scottish Fold, Persian and the most popular, Bombay are breeds that have cats with black hair.
4. Black Cats Are Naturally Sweet
I don't know about you, but the sweetest cats I've met have been black cats. Why? Because they know they get a bad rap sometimes and try extra hard to let us know that they are the best.
Paws up if you agree!
5. The Number One Costume For Halloween Is a Black Cat
The number one costume sold is not the sexy nurse or the inflatable dinosaur costume, but it's actually a black cat!
More black cat ears, mask, and tail costumes are sold every year than any other costume. How cool is that!?
I actually plan on being a black cat for Halloween this year....
So there you have it. 5 fun facts about black cats that you probably didn't know about - Happy Halloween!
And don't forget, November 17th is National Black Cat Day!
Photos courtesy of Maria Barreto.
]]>I always grew up with cats. One of my favorite things about them was when they purred. I once had a cat named Pepper, who would purr for what seemed like hours on end. He was always a happy cat. He loved everyone and whenever he would head butt you, he would purr. I ALWAYS thought he purred because he was a happy cat, but I was so wrong!
This cat is clearly throwing some happy purrs.
See, cats purr for a variety of reasons. They mostly purr because they are happy. That is mostly right. But have you ever seen a time where a cat has purred during an uncomfortable situation? It's actually quite normal. In the book written by the famous cat behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett, she states that momma cats purr during labor to have ease the pain of childbirth. The purring sound comforts them in this time of need.
Cats can also purr because they are shy, nervous or even scared! Feral and/or scaredy cats will purr to help soothe the uncomfortable situation. So, the next time you take your cat to the vet and they can't stop purring, it's very likely that they don't want to be there and are purring to help control the situation. (I mean seriously, who loves going to the doctor?)
The purr sound comes from the laryngeal and diaphragmatic muscles in the cat's body (located in the throat region) along with a connector in the brain called the "neural oscillator" (say that three times). The brain tells the muscles in the throat to start vibrating. When cat's purr, endorphins are released. The endorphins helps soothe the cat and makes them feel good.
So endorphins can be released when a cat is happy or when they are sad/nervous/angry, etc. Never judge a good ole purr by it's cover - you could be petting a very angry pussy cat :)
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1. Selecting the Right Cat Litter Boxes.
We all know that cats are pretty particular about their things. Eating the right kind of food, having the right toy, cats are even picky when it comes to their litter box.
You want to select a little box that meets your cat’s needs and not your own. There are many cat litter boxes out there that cater to us humans, but aren’t really the best for our cats.
A litter box should be easy to access, not too high or too to low, should not be scary and should be open for them to do their business.
At Just Cats, we are fans of the Petmate Cleanstep Dome Litter Box as well as creating your own DIY Rubbermaid totes for those high pee-ers!
Whichever litter box you select, keep your cat’s needs in mind.
2. What Cat Litter is Best?
Two decades ago, the only cat litter on the market was the basic clay litter. Today, there are so many kinds of cat litter to chose from!
At SuperZoo last year, the newest cat litter on the market was made from tofu! Yes, the edible kind. It’ll be very unique to see how popular it becomes, but it makes sense since it acts like a sponge, absorbing all free liquids.
There is recycled newspaper, grain, corn, different types of woods, and even color-changing silica cat litter.
If your cat has respiratory issues or is declawed, get a cat litter that suits them best. I would avoid any fragranced litters. Those litters are made specifically for humans.
3. How Often Should the Litter Box Be Cleaned?
If you want to avoid having your house smell like cat pee, you should clean the cat litter box as much as possible! At least once a day and maybe even twice if you can! This helps keep the smell down. We used a fragrance-free litter and it never smells like cat pee or poop in our house and we don’t even use air fresheners! Having your cat litter box be clean every time your kitty goes is crucial for a happy cat with healthy litter box habits.
Never bleach the box unless your cat is dealing with an intestinal parasite or infection of some sorts. A mild soap or water if it’s filthy, but daily cleaning with the scoop should be sufficient.
Cats feel safe in their litter boxes so any type of disinfectant removes that “safe” smell for them.
4. How Many Cat Litter Boxes Should I Have?
They say you should have 1.5 litter boxes per cat. If you have a small apartment and one cat, you can probably get away with one box, just make sure it’s clean at all times. Cats don’t like pooping and peeing on top of old pee or poop!
So if you have 2 cats, you should have 3 cat litter boxes. We have 5 cats so you can imagine how many boxes we have.
5. Where Should I Place the Litter Box?
There is really no best answer to this as we all live in different kinds of places (apartments, homes, condos, shared spaces, etc.). The best place to have your cat litter box is what makes sense for you and your kitty. We love placing the cat litter box in the common living areas, the bedrooms and even in the bathroom. Your kitty wants to feel safe in their litter box, so anything that has your scent the most in your home is the best place to store the litter box or boxes.
Jackson Galaxy said it best during one of his book tour talks a few years ago and that is that we should place the cat litter boxes in the places we want them to see them the least. For example, if you do not want to put the cat litter box in your bedroom, that’s where you should put it. Why? Because cats want to be close to us and the places we spend the most time is in the bedroom, family room and/or kitchen!
These are just a few tips when it comes to basic cat litter etiquette. Have any follow-up cat litter box questions? Comment below and we will do our best to answer them! And be sure to visit our store, Just Cats in Denver, CO, for the best cat supplies in town!
]]>It’s a never a good thing for the cat, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
A cat can live harmoniously with the new baby. It just takes a few tricks and tips for making sure your kitty is at ease with the new addition. You also want to get all the right cat supplies for your new family friend before they arrive.
1. Make Your Kitty Feel Good.
Any changes to a cat’s environment can cause chaos. They are territorial animals and anything new can create imbalance.
The best way to ensure that your cat feels okay is by making them feel special by giving them extra love and attention. They’ll then associate the new family addition as a positive thing!
2. Add Positive Things to the Cat's Environment.
There may be some things happening in the home that the cat may interpret as negative such as loud noises or a change in schedules.
By adding positive things into their environment, the kitty won’t really pay much attention. Adding a perch near a nice big window, or some high quality cat toys, your cat will be more interested in hunting than stressing over the new baby.
This baby's toy is way more fun to play with!
3. Give Positive Reinforcements
If you’re hanging out with the baby and your cat wants to check him/her out, slowly ease them into the introduction.
Animals know how fragile a baby is so they will be extra careful. They’ll want to smell it’s crib or check out those wiggly toes, but the last thing you should do is punish your kitty for being invasive.
Cats are naturally curious so let them explore at a safe distance. If they act appropriate around the new baby, reward them with a tasty treat to let them know they did a good job.
Cats are highly food motivated so they will tend to repeat good habits if they know treats are involved. A great kitten food to add to their diet is the Royal Canin - Kitten Dry and Wet Food.
4. Add Pheromones
Any changes in a cat’s environment will cause some stress for the kitty so prepare your home with some pheromone sprays and/or diffusers. The Feliway brand is a great way to help your kitty stay calm during stressful situations. It also helps prevent spraying, improper urination and scratching, which are all signs of stress for a cat.
5. Spoil the Crap Out of Them.
Buy the best treats, cat toys, and bed/trees so that they know they are still number one. There is nothing wrong with spoiling your cat to make them feel special!
What are some other ways to help your cat during this transition? Comment below with your tips on what’s worked and hasn’t worked for you!
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Cats go absolutely crazy for catnip, but do they reciprocate the craziness with catnip's distant cousin, Silver vine? Silver vine for cats has entered the cat industry very recently and there have been a variety of different silver vine products for cat, but do we really know what it is?
Silver vine is unique plant, coming from the Actinidiaceae family, is only found in Japan and China. This thick vine produces beautiful flowers and also has edible fruit, which is really popular in Asia. For many years, silver vine has been used medicinally in Asian culture to help with different illnesses and help aleviate symptoms of certain ailments. Recently, it's been found that silver vine creates physical and mental reactions in household cats.
Catnip products have been around for many years now. 80% of cats enjoy this fun treat - whether its filled in a toy, or in a spray, cats can also enjoy catnip by rolling around and eating it. When exposed to catnip, cats can feel happy, calm, sleepy, excited and/or aggressive. Silver vine, has very similar reactions. When cats are exposed to it, they can also feel happy, calm, excited and overall, nuts! The difference between catnip and silver vine is the reaction and downtime as well as the percentage of cats that actually enjoy it.
As mentioned before, the majority of cats respond to catnip. There is that small percentage of the population that does not. With silver vine, that percentage gap gets much larger. More cats are not interested in silver vine than interested, but those who do like it, oh my - it's quite elevated! Out of my 5 cats, 2 reacted positive to silver vine and they went crazy! Drooling, meowing, happy and rolling around, just a tiny pinch of silver vine from the Cloud Nine toy was enough to satisfy them!
When a cat is introduced to catnip, their olfactory nerves that control their sense of smell gets stimulated for 15 minutes and eventually paralyzed for up to 2 hours. This is why you see cats get automatically disinterested in their catnip toys and then go after them later! When a cat is exposed to silver vine, their reaction time is a little longer than catnip (5-30 minutes) and can soon be re-activated 20-30 minutes later.
There have been many new cat products that contain silver vine such as in dental cat sticks to silver vine-related cat toys. If you don't know if your kitty is into silver vine, why not try it out? Let us know below if your cat(s) are fanatics to silver vine!
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I always ask my customers whether they feed their cat wet food or dry food. I'm not trying to be nosy, but I am genuinely interested in what we are feeding our cats. The pet food industry is just as controversial as human food so making sure what we are feeding our cats is important to their overall health.
Feeding your cat primarily dry food can lead to a number of health issues such as diabetes and/or obesity. Dry kibble has a high amount of fillers such as starches and carbohydrates which therefore lead to these potential issues. The high amounts of carbohydrates in dry cat food is necessary for the formulation of the product, but cats naturally do not eat carbohydrates. Cats are obligate carnivores and require protein. Their small digestive systems are designed to handle protein, fats, minerals, vitamins and water. As you can see, carbohydrates are not on the list even though a large portion of cat foods currently on the market are made up of that ingredient.
If you can, try to feed your cat a premium wet food that contains all of the essentials: proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins and water. Wet food helps reduce the potential of feline diabetes and obesity, but it also prevents other potential issues such as renal failure, kidney disease, pancreatitis as well as any of the other urinary illnesses. Especially if you have male cats, a wet food diet can be more beneficial because it contains higher amount of water than dry or dehydrated food does.
Many people have a preference when it comes to feeding their cats. Whether it's an all wet or dry food diet or a mix of both, feeding the right kind of food is the most important. As cat parents, many of us think that wet food should be given as a treat, but it should be the other way around. Dry and/or dehydrated food should be given sparingly and as a treat versus wet food. If you can, try to give your cat wet food twice a day. It’s also important to note that the quality of food is important. If you give your cat a wet food that contains fillers, carbohydrates and a poorly sourced meat, it’s as if you are giving dry kibble.
When it comes to how you should feed your cat, free feeding is not encouraged. In the wild, cats naturally hunt and don’t always have access to food so when we allow our cats to eat whenever they want, we contribute to their potential health issues. Try to limit the amount of times you feed them every day and eliminate the habit of leaving dry food out for them all day. Designated meal times will help with portion control and also reduce their chances of feline obesity.
If you decide to switch your cat’s food from dry to wet, make sure to safely transition them using the 10/10 rule - 10% increase over a period of 10 days of the new food. This allows their stomachs to ease into the new food slowly and prevent any type of digestive disruption such as vomiting or diarrhea. So the verdict is out - several small meals everyday of a premium wet food is ideal over 24/7 access to dry kibble for your cat to maintain a healthy lifestyle!
When looking for the right kind of food for your cat, it's best to head to your local pet supply store and pick-up a few cans of different flavors and brands of food for your cat to try. If you're in Denver, CO, be sure to stop by Just Cats to get all of your cat supplies!
]]>Disclaimer: I am not a licensed or certified veterinarian or medical professional. Any information taken from this blog post is purely meant for informational purposes for people who love cats. Proper medical care for your feline should be discussed with your veterinarian.
As cat parents, we think we know the ins and outs when it comes to feline nutrition. I mean, we're cat parents so we MUST know which cat food is best. In actuality, we really don't. I confess, I'm still learning and the more I look into this topic, the more shocked I am. In the next few blog posts and videos, I am going to explore and share with what I find in regards to feline nutrition and what the best diet there is for them.
The basic nutritional needs for our cats comes down to their predisposed genetic background. Ancestors of the domestic cat came from a desert environment where their bodies were designed to store and maintain water within their body. This environmental factor persuaded their bodies to have more concentrated urine compared to other similar mammals. This biological feature is important because the cat's water intake coincidences with their food intake. The greater amount of water found in their food, the less water they need to drink and vice versa.
Not only does the percentage of water found in cat food important, but the basics such as minerals, vitamins, proteins and fats are essential for their growth and maintenance. If the cat is without these important building blocks, they can develop health issues and certain diseases and it can even result in death.
...the basics such as minerals, vitamins, proteins and fats are essential for their growth and maintenance.
Cats have a small digestive system so they need highly digestible food. As obligate carnivores, they need food that is high in protein and fat. This allows them to rapidly burn the calories for fuel needed for hunting as well as their digestive system to process it quickly. A highly digestible food will be free of carbohydrates and filters such as potatoes, peas, corn, and/or wheat and most likely be of the wet variety versus dry. There are many great brands of food that meet this requirement of being highly digestible.
Next time you go shopping, pay attention to the back of the wet cat food can or bag and see if it contains: protein(s), fats, minerals, vitamins, and water. If it does not contain all of these essentials, the food should not be give as a main source of food, but as an occasional treat.
In the next blog post, I'll show you exactly what to look for when reading a cat or bag and help you determine which food is best.
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Disclaimer: I am not a licensed or certified veterinarian or medical professional. Any information taken from this blog post is purely meant for informational purposes for people who love cats. Proper medical care for your feline should be discussed with your veterinarian.
AHHH! I've always had a hard time trying to remember which drug (prednisone or prednisolone) my cats are on and the thought of even trying to pronounce them. Tip: If you Google it, an English lady will give you the right pronunciation of them.
Apparently, they are almost the same thing. So I did a comparison of the two and this is what I found out:
Prednisone
Prednisolone
______
By looking over the two, it appears that they are very similar. So what's the big friggin' difference?
Well, prednisone is ACTIVATED by enzymes in the liver to turn into prednisolone. They have similar uses, but prednisolone is more readily absorbed by the body.
A study conducted several years back compared the effectiveness of prednisone versus prednisolone in cats and dogs. What they found was that oral prednisolone was more effective and preferred when it came to treating cats.*
So, if your veterinarian prescribes prednisolone over the later, you now have a better idea on why it was prescribed!
* Source: Prednisone or Prednisolone in the Feline Patient; http://www.vetcontact.com/dermatology/art.php?a=640;
]]>Big chunks of dried urine at the bottom and in the corners of your litter box. We can all relate to the frustrations of what I like to call, "Litter Caking". The complications from this and the constant scrapping makes us want to pull our hair out, so we look for solutions.
Typically, the first thing we do is purchase a different type of litter. Recycled paper, fragrance-free clay, extra clumping, plant-based material, or pine/cedar just to name a few. Then we find that it doesn't work and we continue to see litter caking.
Can I have some privacy please!?
We then start to wonder if it's the type of litter box that we have. Cats are finicky when it comes to the type of box they decide to do their business in. There are boxes with tops, round - dome like ones, ones that come with motors, etc. In all my years of being a cat parent, the best box to prevent litter caking is the large Rubbermaid storage totes.
If you don't want to go from your current litter box to a tall, deep - uncool looking Rubbermaid storage container, the best way to prevent litter caking is to ensure you put at least 4-6 inches of litter.
If you go and check your current litter level, I bet you will have between 2-3 inches at most. Low litter level is the biggest culprit of litter caking. Just adding a few inches more to your current level will ensure that the urine stays at the top and doesn't migrate to the bottom of the box.
Go and try it and comment below if it's worked for you! I would love to hear about your experience with this simple trick of preventing litter caking.
Nicole @ Just Cats
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Many will argue that cats belong outdoors or indoors/outdoors, but what kind of cat lives longer? Indoor cats. Cats can live a very long time indoors. Statistically, cats can live between the ages of 12 - 18 years of age. An outdoor cat, unfortunately, lives to about 7 years old on average due to exposure to many dangers. Keeping your cat indoors not only is the right thing to do, but the most humane thing for them.
Cats that live indoors live longer because they are not as exposed to the dangers of outside. If the cat often goes outdoors, they have the exposure to diseases and illness that other outside cats may carry. In the US, there are approximately 60 million outdoor feral cats. These outdoor kitties can be carries of various diseases and illnesses due to lack of proper veterinary care. If your cat goes outdoors, they can encounter a cat that has not been vaccinated and/or treated and unfortunately, become sick. Of course, it's not the fault of the feral cat - there are many wonderful people out there who are involved in trap, neuter, and release (TNR) programs that are helping those cats in need.
Letting your cat outdoors every once in awhile can also put them at risk to toxins and poisons that are in people's yards. Cats love to eat plants and will sometimes get into something that can be poisonous to them. Not only that, but your neighbors could also apply fertilize or pesticides to their yards that can be a danger to your cat. If your cat loves little rodents, beware. Many people use poisons to kill them and your cat can accidentally eat one.
Outdoor cats are notorious for running from lawn to lawn and even crossing the road sans chicken. This is dangerous as there are cars and trucks that can hit your cat. Also, other people's pets like dogs can chase and kill your cat. Wildlife is also a threat to your cat - wolves, coyotes, hawks, cougars and snakes, just to name a few. By keeping your cat indoors, you are protecting them from any potential predators they can encounter.
It's the right thing to keep your cat indoors. It prevents them from getting sick and/or injured and their life span is much greater if kept indoors. Of course, keeping a cat indoors has it's work cut out. There are various things that you can do to ensure your cat's life is enriched indoors. Enclosed patios, or also called "catios" help your indoor cat get the benefits of being outdoors, but within the safety of your own home. Setting your cat up with wheatgrass planters, various different cat trees, scratchers and beds in the catio, your cat will feel like it has all the benefits of the outdoors without actually being outdoors.
Playtime and constant indoor enrichment will also help your cat get used to the idea of living indoors full-time. Toys such as Da bird and tiny mice will get them into their primal hunting mode which is what they will miss if being indoors. At least 15 minutes of daily play is essential for your cat. Scratch pads also help them mark their scent, something they do on trees if they live outdoors. All of these things will help your kitty understand that being indoors is fun too.
What are some tips you recommend to help your kitty get used to the idea of living indoors? Do you let your cat go outdoors? If so, what are some safety measures you have in place? Comment below and let's get into this discussion!
]]>Green, pungent and weed-like, catnip is favored by my cats throughout the world. Found in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, catnip recently made its debut in the US. Found in many cat toys, is there a reason why cats like catnip?
A beautiful flowering plant that grows in herbaceous environments, the chemical that is released that makes cats go crazy is the terpenoid nepetalactone. A very strong oil, it is extracted to make into catnip sprays as well as catnip-scented toys. In nature, wild cats have been known to roll around in a path of catnip plants, imitating their domestic friends.
The catnip plant, also known as Nepeta cataria, grows rampant in the wild and easy to replicate at home. I planted a few seeds one summer and several catnip bushes popped up around the front yard and backyard. It belongs in the same family as the mint plant, which has also be known to grow like a weed. In humid environments where there are mosquitos or garden pests, catnip is a great alternative to harmful pesticides or bug sprays. You can apply some of the oil from the catnip plant on your skin and hope that you don't attract a pack of feral cats (it's happened to me before).
The affects of the nepetalactone chemical on a cat triggers their olfactory nerve. Symptoms include drooling, rolling, excitement, fatigue, happiness and even aggression has been seen in many cats. Approximately 67% of the cat population responds to this chemical. The reaction only lasts about 15 minutes so it's common for your cat to loose interest in a catnip toy due to olfactory fatigue.
Catnip is not only beneficial to cats, but also to humans. You can take the catnip leaves and soak in hot water to create a great herbal tea to help soothe an upset stomach.
This miraculous plant is such a treat for those who respond to it. Does your cat respond to catnip? What is their reaction when they get their paws on a toy?
]]>Several years ago, bored at work, I wondered what my cat Ginger did all day. I thought it would be a good idea to purchase a nanny cam from the local tech store and patiently watch my kitty Ginger get into some mischief.
I bought the $79 camera and set-it up near her favorite sleeping spot. The following day, I opened the camera app on my iPhone and saw a little orange ball, curled up in her oversized dog bed. It was 9AM, two hours after I had left for work. I watched for a few minutes and got bored. An hour later, I checked back in. The little orange ball was missing. Where did she go? Was she okay? Did someone break-in and she just wandered on out of the apartment? I grew nervous. I was checking every 5, 10 minutes for any type of activity.
Nothing.
"An hour later, I checked back in. The little orange ball was missing."
Work picked up and I checked back in around lunch time, there she was. Back in her usual spot. Only this time, she was grooming herself. Cute. I got bored again. A few hours went by and I signed in again. My Ginger kitty was sleeping.
I came home at around 7PM as Ginger was waiting patiently for me at the door. It was dinner time and she was hungry. After dinner, she groomed and sat with me as I watched TV. My time to unwind. She slept for another hour and as I got ready for bed, she jumped right back into her oversized dog bed. The place where she slept for the majority of the day. I did this for several weeks as I realized that cats aren't waiting for their parents at the door all day, as I previously expected. They were pretty much sleeping off and on between the hours of 9AM-7PM. I decided to keep the $79 nanny cam for novelty purposes.
Do you spy on your cat with a nanny cam? Did you have a similar experience? Let us know below!
]]>I get this question asked a lot, what is the best cat food for my cat? When it comes to picking out the right food for your cat it can be very easy or very difficult. Just like people, cats react differently to the ingredients found in cat food. There are many different types of proteins, vitamins, grains and starches, veggies and fruit found in cat food. Trying to figure out what is best for your cat can be overwhelming, but here are a few things to keep in mind in finding the right cat food for your felines:
Always read the ingredient label when choosing the right food for your feline. You may go through may different brands before you find the right one, so buy one can/bag at a time. If your kitty doesn't enjoy the dry food, you can simply return it or donate it to a local rescue group or shelter.
It's also important to do a proper food transition process. Don't feed your kitty the whole can, but just a small little taste to see if they like it. It's always good to talk to your veterinarian before switching your kitty to a new food.
What brand of food do you feed your cat? We would love to hear! Comment below and let us know!
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Cat Poop Health Checklist:
Any insight, comments or tips on the above? Post below to join in on the discussion about cat poop!
]]>I have had my fair share of cat bites and scratches in my life. From playing with my cat Messi or from handling little kittens, my body reveals scars from previous encounters. I have been lucky to have not gotten any infection from these bites or scratches, but if you ever get bitten or scratched by a cat, here is what you you should do.*
First, you want to wash the the newly bitten or scratched area with warm water and soap. If it's minor, this will be one of your best defenses against infection. Wash the area well and then you can use hydrogen peroxide to ensure it's been sterilized. I've been doing this method for as long as I can remember and so far so good.
If the cat bite or scratch is more severe, stop the bleeding by providing pressure to the area and head to your local urgent care or emergency room. I once had a scratch so deep on my face, I was close to stitches. Fortunately, it didn't get to that point, but I now have a killer scar on my cheek courtesy of my cat Messi.
If you disinfect the minor bite or scratch and it appears worse a few hours later, it's best to get the help of a medical professional. They will more than likely provide you with an antibiotic to prevent further infection. Some signs of when you know you need additional help is:
These symptoms can come on pretty quickly after the bite or scratch. A cat's sharp teeth and claws do a good job in pushing harmful bacteria and dirt into our flesh so it can get pretty serious if left untreated.
In the U.S. alone, over 400,000 people get bit by cats annually and out of those, 60,000 go to the emergency room for additional treatment. The majority of those who are bitten/scratched are female. Even if the bite or scratch is minor, another thing to consider is rabies. If your cat doesn't have the proper immunizations for rabies or is not vaccinated against it, you may be putting yourself at risk. If you potentially have rabies, the treatment and quarantine procedures can be unpleasant.
So how do you know if your bite or scratch is minor or serious? Every case is subjective and it also depends on the cat and the human. When in doubt, get it checked out. If left untreated, it can turn deadly. I've been lucky enough by getting away with washing and sterilizing at home, but am I fully aware of the signs.
Have you ever been seriously bitten or scratched by a cat? What was the experience? We can all learn from others so don't be shy to share your story below!
*This following post has been written by a non-medical professional. If you have been bitten or scratched by a cat, it's best to have it looked by a trained medical professional. The recommendations are only based off of personal experience and various sources on the web.
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Cats are not known for their excitement when it comes to traveling. Unlike dogs, cats prefer to stay put in their territory. If you are planning to take your cat with you on your next adventure, whether it'd be a vacation or a move across the country, here are some helpful tips on how to travel with cats:
When you travel with your cat, it’s important to plan your journey. Here are some things to consider:
Making a plan and having some contingencies will be helpful in the event something goes array!
Your cat’s comfort should be priority when it comes to travel. When selecting a carrier, you should look for not only comfort, but also human accessibility. A soft or hard carrier that allows you to easily retrieve your cat is preferred. I especially like carriers that have soft mesh windows so that you can talk to your cat and they can see what’s going on during the ride.
The cat’s environment should be super comfortable while traveling. Not only is a spacious carrier important, but as equally important is having a warm and inviting environment. Before placing your cat into the carrier, prime their carrier and your car with a pheromone calming spray such as Feliway . Allow to dry before placing your cat into the carrier and car. A nice blanket from home or your pillowcase in the carrier will also comfort your cat. You can also include some of your cat’s favorite toys inside the carrier. While driving, minimal noise and some soft music such as classical or coffeehouse acoustics will ease your cat during the ride.
If you are going to the vet, a short practice ride may not be necessary, but if you are planning on something more than 30 minutes such as a long move or vacation, practice rides are highly recommended. Practice a few times before your long journey so that your cat doesn’t get stressed or sick from the long trip. This will show your kitty that a carrier and a car ride isn’t very scary, but an exciting journey!
If you recently adopted a kitten and plan on taking your cat on some adventures, do it as soon as possible. Starting young will help your cat get used to the carrier and car rides as they get older. That’s not to say that you can’t start with an older cat!
With just these simple tips, traveling with your cat can be stress-free. Have you traveled with your cat and if so, what other tips can you provide? We would love you hear from you!
]]>Essential oils are safe for cats? Essential oils are bad for cats. If you've been on social media this week, you've probably seen the story of a cat in Michigan that was rushed to the emergency room due to toxicity from eucalyptus oil in a diffuser. This is a true story and something that we all have been exposing our cats to. In the past several years, essential oil diffusers have become quite popular. It's basically a small humidifer that emits vapor of whatever scent you throw in there. I bought one for myself last year and a pack of essential oils to go with it. Essential oils are basically concentrated oil from a plant - whether it's peppermint, lavender, or even citrus. What you probably didn't know is that by using this aromatherapy diffuser, it's actually causing harm to your pets.
Essential oils can be toxic to humans as well. I once made some lip balm with coconut oil and citrus oil and literally burned my lips off. (I am apparently allergic to it). Not only that, but if you were to get some concentrated oil on your skin, it could cause minor to major irritation. So if it's potentially dangerous to us, it must be for our animals who are much more sensitive to chemicals and products than we are.
Several weeks ago, I was sick and put several drops of eucalyptus oil in my diffuser to help with my congestion. It worked for me, but what I didn't know was that it was affecting my cat's health. Cats may not show early symptoms of toxicity to essential oils early on. The effects may come on much more later down the road. A reason why this is is because cats lack a certain enzyme in their livers that help metabolize harmful toxins. Glucuronyl transferase (GT) helps break down the essential oil's harmful properties such as it's phenol and hydrocarbon bonds. When we inhale vapor that's been peppered with lavender for example, our GTs go to work and help us not develop a buildup in our bloodstream, organs and the liver. Cats on the other hand, can develop early on-set liver and kidney failure due to the exposure of essential oils.
So what are some of the signs if your cat is developing a build-up of toxicity? Cats are very sensitive to many things, so what you may see early-on is:
Overtime, the symptoms may be more severe such as:
If you suspect your cat has been exposed to essential oils (licking just a little or getting some on their very absorbent skin), call your veterinarian and Pet Poison Control at 1-800-213-6680. Also, I am not a licensed veterinarian or pet care professional so please only use the above information as a resource coming from a concerned cat mom!
I did a search for which harmful and safe essential oils out there and what I found is that pretty much there are no "safe" essential oils (if you do find one, let me know!). So here is a list of some of the common harmful essential oils out there:
There were be many people out there that will advocate for the safe use of essential oils and how they can be beneficial to your cat's health. I totally get that, but I believe the best thing to do for our cats is to not expose them to things that potentially could be life threatening. In my opinion, it's not worth risking the health of my cat so that I can have a lovely smelling environment or a way to help with my congestion.
What are your thoughts about using essential oils around your cats? Do you currently use them and if so, do you plan on discounting them? Comment below and let's talk about it!
]]>Cats can be depressed just like humans. They feel emotions just like we do and can get easily bored in their environment if they don't play or act on their natural tendencies such as hunting. I recently read a post on ten ways to tell if your cat is happy. Showing their belly, twitchy tail, and sleeping on your lap, just to name a few. Cats are very social animals and enjoy spending time with their humans, but they also very much enjoy active playtime.
Cats naturally prey, hunt and catch their kills in the wild. And yes, it may be gruesome to talk about our lovely feline friends killing another animal, but it's their natural instinct and should not be frowned upon (no discipling!). Since we have domesticated the cat and brought them into our homes, felines have lost their natural way of play, which is killing their prey.
One way to bring the nature back to the cat is 15 minutes of daily, consistent playtime. By setting a schedule to play with you cat, you are providing the activity that is so natural to them, giving them exercise and also keeping them mentally and emotionally healthy. Take out their favorite cat toys and set a timer for 15 minutes and enjoy being present with your baby while playing.
Cats can be stressed, bored and also feel depressed. By encouraging your feline friend to play with a "prey" like toy such as Da Bird cat toy, you are enriching their lives and their environments. Catnip-filled toys also help prevent them from getting bored, but the best toys are the one where they mimic a real-life bird, butterfly, or small mouse. The movements entice the cat and activates all of their senses. Fifteen minutes of this will make a big difference in your cat's mental, emotional and physical health.
If you're cat is a littler older or pickier when it comes to toys, they might enjoy active window watching or some of my favorite Youtube channel of up-and-close of gorgeous birds and hilarious squirrels. Paul Dinning Wildlife
What enrichment does your cat enjoy? Comment below on their favorite toy!
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Can cats drink milk and eat cheese? Is it okay just to give a little bit as a treat? I recently had a conversation with a new cat parent and when I asked if he had any questions, he asked me if it was okay to give his cat some milk as a treat? Of course, I responded no.
Unfortunately, cats are lactose intolerant. When I was a child, I remember my first kitten and we gave it a bowl of warm milk because we assumed cats drank milk. Cartoons, movies, and general knowledge depict cats and kittens lapping milk out of a bowl. Garfield, the most famous cartoon cats favorite food was lasagna. Cats love milk. So if they love it, it must be good for them, right? Wrong. Cat's digestive systems are designed to process raw meat. Anything outside of animal flesh is considered foreign to their systems and will end in vomitting, diarrhea and/or stomach pain. Some cat food companies even have milk or whey as one of their many ingredients. So giving a little bit of cheese or milk to your cat is not a good idea, even if they are begging just a little.
Fun Fact: Messi's favorite food is pepperoni pizza. After stealing a slice from his dad's plate, he had stomach pain all night.
]]>Have you ever heard of the term, "whisker friendly" when it comes to your cat's food bowls? This new term has recently been used in the pet industry and it describes a key feature in the design of new food bowl dishes. Why is this important? In the vide below, I explain how selecting the right dish for your cat is crucial in their well-being and happiness.
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If you are a sushi fan or love adorable human-like catnip toys, Polydactyl Cats has you covered. The Sushi Roll Catnip toy pack includes a sushi roll catnip toy and a catnip-filled sauce pack. This company has a bunch of adorable catnip toys on their Etsy site. You can find it here.
The Two Crazy Cat Ladies have a wealth of information about cats. Not only are they popular on Facebook with their daily cat tips videos, they also sell all natural cat products that improve your cat's well-being. My favorite product for the holiday season is the Cat Calm Formula. If your kitty has anxiety and needs some calmness in their lives, apply the formula into their water (don't worry, it's flavorless) and within 24 hours, you can see a significant difference! Find this wonderful product and much more here.
Have a modern, minimalist home and want your cat's furniture to also be as stylish? The My Four Cats Designs team has manufactured a sisal rope bed that cats can use to nap or scratch! A nice wooden base with a metal finish on the pole, this unique cat bed is not something you can find in pet stores. They also sell catnip pillows and other adorable furniture for our feral and/or outdoor kitties. To take a look at their fantastic products, check them out here.
Wouldn't it be great to purchase a cat tree that benefits those who have been affected by natural disasters this year? The Square Paws Love Tower shares the message of LOVE by crafting a heart-shaped cat tree and scratch posts for your kitty. It's easy to assemble and the shipping is free. This beautiful cat tree is just the tip of their creativity iceberg. Their list of handmade cat trees also includes a real sized Cat Christmas Tree and a Ferris Eheel. Absolutely amazing! Find all their neat products and this Love Cat tree here.
Rocky Mountain High yourself over at Meowtain High. An Asheville, NC based company, they grow their own organic catnip and sell it as if it's a cat dispensary! This homegrown catnip with wood grinder is for the catnip enthusiast in your home. Not only do they sell this, but totes, t-shirts and kitty joints. If your kitty loves catnip, they will definitely love this homegrown herb which can be found here.
When I lived in an apartment, my kitty always wanted to look out the window. Their desire turned into broken blinds and sometimes a weird place for my cat to sit. The creators of the Window Kitty found a solution. At an affordable price, you can easily install this in any desired window in your home. You can purchase the Window Kitty here.
Every cat enthusiast knows MeowBox, the monthly subscription box filled with cat goodies. Did you know that they also have an online store? I happened to fall upon this interesting product, Anchovy Snaps - a delicious and all natural cat treat. They are not found in stores and have been a huge hit with their subscribers. Try some fishes.
Ready to toast to the New Year? How about your kitty? Buy a bottle of Chicken Flavored Cat Champagne so that your kitty can join you on all your NYE festivities! Apollo Peak, the makers of the famous cat wines - MosCATo and Pinot Meow have two types of champagne for your cat - this one and a salmon flavored. Not found in any stores, only online, get your bottle before the NYE celebration. Bottoms up!
]]>It's getting quite nippy outside these days, gift your favorite cat lady with this adorable long-sleeved cat playing a ukulele. I love the scoop around the neck and the modern look to it. Making crazy cat ladies a cool thing to be! You can find it here.
Filled with cat goodness, this handmade cat gift bag not only includes the adorable bag, but is filled with goodies such as temporary tattoos, two pins, a cat sticker and catnip toy! I bought one for my sister and it was an absolute hit! You can find the talented Stacey Young and the catmas bag here.
These cat ear pillowcases are the cutest! The cat nap pillowcases comes in a set of 2. It comes in several different colors and sizes and are ready to ship - 10% off everything in their store with the code: LASTMINUTE through 12/17. Get yourself a pair here.
I love tabby cats and this unique wristlet tabby purse would be a great gift. At a great price and made from vegan leather, this product will be a definite hit at any holiday party. It would also be a great stocking stuffer! This tabby design and more can be found on Etsy.
A great stocking stuffer, the weird banjo cat pins show this kitty in the most weirdest positions. Standing, chillaxing, shower time and kitty face, any would be a great addition to your pin collection. Not only does she sell pins, she also sells cat photography sessions. She's located in the LA area, but can also travel. You can buy a gift card of a session for your favorite cat mom or dad here.
Know someone who loves black cats? The super cute and realistic black cat brooch is made from wood by a very talented artist. The level of detail is impeccable. The brooch can also be a hair clip. She also has a variety of other handmade jewelry. You can find her cool-cat products here.
Artist Cathi Marro paints up colorful kitties and sells them on her website, Cat Hi.com. I especially love this tote of one of her cat drawings. It reminds me of old Parisian-style art and it's so unique that you cannot find it anywhere else. She also sells a variety of paintings that she does daily, shirts and pins. You can see this product and more here.
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Cat shelters are always in need of donations. Cat food and cat toys, I have found the cheapest and most effective cat toy that you can donate to your local shelter. I am all about recycling and repurposing waste materials. Taking a toilet paper roll and some scissors, you can create the most purrfect cat toy that cats will go crazy for.
What DIY cat toy do you recommend? If you have a DIY cat toy idea, comment below!
]]>A common question I get asked is how to deter cats from scratching furniture, especially the expensive ones. You really can't deter a cat from scratching because it's completely natural and normal for them. There are ways in which you can encourage this positive behavior onto items especially for them, cat scratchers.
"But Nicole, I already have a bunch of scratchers for them!" I usually reply with "What kind of scratchers do you have?" This is an important question because just like humans, cats are particular about their furniture. There are many different kinds of scratchers: vertical, horizontal, sisal rope, cardboard, wood, carpet, etc. Figuring out which kind your kitty likes is a mystery, so instead of buying all of them at once, buy one at a time and go from there.
I would recommend starting with sisal rope and cardboard because they are affordable and most cats love the sisal rope. In regards to horizontal and vertical, vertical scratchers are better because it allows the cat to stretch their arms, legs and back.
So back to the question on why cats scratch. Cats scratch for the following reasons:
Without the right scratcher, your kitty cannot stretch, relieve stress or do what's completely natural for them.
If you have any questions on picking the right scratcher for your kitty, or if they are still scratching our furniture and you have EVERY scratcher on the market, comment below and I will do my best to help you and your kitty!
]]>Have you ever wondered why your cat is into eating your household plant or blades of grass when he/she goes outside? And then your cat vomits that piece of household plant or blade of grass that he or she just ate? Well we’ve wondered too and done the research to find out why our cats are into eating plants/grass, specifically - wheatgrass.
Sold at major pet supply stores for a whopping $6 bucks, plants of wheatgrass are a definite seller. Placed strategically near the checkout lines, cat parents around the country grab a pack and bring it home to their kitty. Cats devour the product and then a few minutes/hours later, they hurl it up. What gives? Is wheatgrass terrible for my cat? Not so much. Here are 5 reasons why wheatgrass is great for your cat:
Serves as a Natural Laxative
Helps Remove Toxins
Provides Nutritional Value
It’s a Preventative for Serious Diseases
It’s a Tasty Treat
Does your cat like chewing on wheatgrass? What do you think about this tasty treat? We would love to hear your thoughts below!
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Adventure Cats, Living Nine Lives To the Fullest by Laura J. Moss is the most recent cat enthusiast book to hit the shelves. The book provides cat parents with the opportunity to teach their cats how to be adventurous felines as well as share stories of successful “adventure cats”. In the next few blog posts, I will review and dissect the book as well as apply the techniques from the book on one of my cats, Messi. I hope you join me and my cat family on this wild ride called Adventure Cats.
The book written by Ms. Moss is broken into two main parts: an introduction, learning basics of turning your cats into adventure cats, and safety tips and the second part is comprised of different stories and environments from winter cats to neighborhood cats. We will take a look at part 1 of the book, the introduction of adventure cats, the basics of teaching your cat to be an adventure cat and several safety tips!
No longer are dogs the only pets that can be taught how to be leashed trained and go on adventurous hikes with their parents. Cats can be trained as well.
The first part of the book introduces the idea of adventure cats. No longer are dogs the only pets that can be taught how to be leashed trained and go on adventurous hikes with their parents. Cats can be trained as well. The introduction gives several short stories of cats that are currently adventuring with their parents and sets the stage of the various sections of the book.
After a convincing introduction, Ms. Moss goes into some of the basics of turning your couch potato cat to an adventure cat. Firstly, she describes how to select the perfect harness for your cat. I highly recommend using a wide, padded harness that small dogs use that will be safer for your cat as well as more comforting for them. After deciding which harness to use, the next step is getting your cat into wearing the harness. I believe that this section is the most important chapter of the book since if your cats cannot get past the 6 steps that are described in the book, it will be very difficult for your cat to be an adventure cat. The six steps go into slowly introducing your cat to the harness, the leash and then to the outside. The cat parents must be very patient and diligent with these six steps. One of the biggest misconceptions from the cat parent is that the cat will be immediately into going outside on a leash. It’s rare for a cat to immediately accustom to the idea, but I truly believe that every cat can be leash trained.
The next chapter introduces clicker training. This training is crucial for when you and your cat go outside on a hike because in the event your cat wanders or you need to get your cat’s attention, the clicker noise will get them to listen to a command. Can you imagine!? Cats listening to you? Here Kitty is the next chapter that continues the idea of command training outside of using a clicker.
Identifying your cat’s body language is crucial when it comes to adventuring outside with your cat so you are able to react and be a responsible cat parent when it comes to their safety.
Once your cat gets used to the harness, leash, going outside for a few times and command training either with your voice or clicker, it’s time to go adventuring! When you are out on a hike, it’s important to know what your cat is communicating. Why is this important? So let’s say your cats’ ears immediately shoot up, this means your cat is alert and there may be something or someone nearby. Identifying your cat’s body language is crucial when it comes to adventuring outside with your cat so you are able to react and be a responsible cat parent when it comes to their safety. The next part of this book teaches this and how to interpret your cat’s body language. A complete page of illustrations shows us exactly what your cat may do and what that means.
If you have ever traveled with a cat before, you know that it can be difficult. In Adventure Cats, there’s a chapter that explains the most helpful ways to travel with your cat - whether in a car, boat, plane or train. The last chapter of part one of the book is called “Safety Fur-st”. This is a very important chapter because it outlines the basics when it comes to keeping your cat safe when you are out adventuring. Some of the common things kitties can run into while adventuring is weather element such as cold temperatures and the sun, how to keep your kitty hydrated, plants and wildlife, litter time and common first aid techniques. All of these elements are crucial for you and your kitty to have a good and safe time during your hikes.
Overall, the first part of the book is intriguing. As soon as I read the basics of leash training and how to select a harness, I was ready to run to the store to buy one. Granted, some of the steps look very time consuming and will require a lot of patience from me. I am willing to do the work to see if my cats are interested. I hope you follow along in the next few weeks where I will attempt to make one of my five cats an adventure cat (hopefully Messi) by using the tips and tricks noted in the book. I wholeheartedly buy into this concept and I can’t wait to try it!
What do you think about Adventure Cats and letting your cat outside? I would love to hear your thoughts. Also, if you’ve read the book, did it work on your cat? Do you have any success stories? Comment below!
]]>The joys of living with cats is wonderful. Cuddle time, companionship and by far the best pet known to man, it's quite enjoyable to share life with a cat(s). Of course, there are downsides to co-inhabiting with animals under the same roof such as cleaning cat litter boxes. Okay, this is by far one of least favorite parts when it comes to having cat children.
Litter boxes are messy, dusty and when you have more than one cat, it can be quite a job. I’ve learned the following litter tips throughout the years of having cats and wanted to share with you my top 5 tips:
What are some of your tips for maintaining your litter box? We would love to hear! Comment below and let us know!
]]>Earlier this year, I subscribed to one of the cat many monthly subscription boxes out there, the KitNip Box. I chose this box mainly due to the price. Compared to the other subscription boxes out there, this one was by far the cheapest. At $19.99 a box and Free Shipping, the Happy Cat box is meant for single cat households and only has a limited number of cat toys.
Here is a video that I did recently of me unboxing the KitNip Box. My reactions are genuine since I wanted to be surprised with what was inside.
What do you think of toys that came in the box? Worth the price? Are you subscribed to a monthly cat box? Let me know your thoughts and I would love to hear your recommendations on the next box I should review!
Meow you later,
Nicole @ Just Cats
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