I love how patient this beautiful orange cat is! Allowing the adorable parakeet to prance across his head… so cute. I say “his” simply because I haven’t had a female cat, yet, that would have stood for such a thing. In fact, as I’m typing these words, my inside cat (Alexa) is accosting a bird on the window ledge. Thankfully there’s a glass between them. Such a hateful look on her face, wow!

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Keep your outside cat warm this winter with this wonderfully affordable Heated Cat Bed.  This beauty is available on Amazon for a purrfectly reasonable price.  Outside cats will appreciate the extra warmth and comfort provided by a great heated cat bed such as this.

Inside cats would also feel extra pampered (and warm!) with a heated cat bed – especially older cats who may have a little arthritis.  Many older cats will do their best to find the warmest places in the house simply because it makes their achy little bones feel better. Providing them with their own heated little cat bed just makes a lot of sense…. plus it’s a loving thing for a cat parent to do!

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The UL-listed K&H Thermo-Kitty bed keeps your pet feeling warm and secure year-round. The affordable heated bed uses a 4-watt dual-thermostat unit buried inside the thick, soft, orthopedic foam base to warm the bed 10 to 15 degrees above air temperature to match your cat’s normal body temperature. Remove the cover for easy machine-washing. For indoor use only. 1-year limited warranty. Measures 16 inches in diameter. Conveniently sized to fit almost anywhere indoors.

Also, check out the Outside Cat House that Keeps Cats Warm and Dry

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Hauser–Cat Out
Buy This at Allposters.com

Fortunately, my girls have always been GREAT about telling each one, “That’s Alexa. She’s spoiled rotten and cannot ever go outside.” We’ve never had a single misstep. We’re also lucky that Alexa never tries to get out. She knows she has a great thing going here and doesn’t attempt to rock the boat. The only time she even approaches the door at all is one of us is returning home.

The tin sign shown above would serve as a great reminder for houses with pampered babies that MUST stay indoors – it’s also incredibly cute! Click through for a closer look.

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Like all kids, cats love the holidays.  One of the highlights each year for me is seeing the reactions of our cats when the Christmas tree, ornaments, lights, and all the other decorations come out.  Their eyes light up as they insist on getting right in the middle of everything!

While cats make the holidays even sweeter, it’s a time when we have to pay close attention to potential dangers for our little ones. Many of the following definitely fall under the heading “common sense,” but we all get so busy this time of year, sometimes we need a few reminders.  Our cats lives are definitely worth the extra time it takes to read over cat safety tips, so let’s have at it.

1. Even though it’s tempting to give our cats “special treats” such as ham, turkey, whipping cream, icing, etc during the holidays, come up with a better plan.  Buy special Cat Treats and dole them out instead. Cat’s insides are very, very special and they simply can’t process the food that we’re able to process. Why take chances, right?
2. Make certain your Christmas tree is VERY secure and stable.  Many cats like to climb them (Prissy always did!) and the last thing you want is the tree toppling down on top of your cat.
3. If you have a live tree, be sure your cat doesn’t drink from the water. Cover it in some fashion. Stagnate water is a health hazard, for one thing, and for another who knows what kind of chemicals or fertilizers could transfer from the tree into the water. This water could make your cat very sick at best and could prove poisonous at worst.
4. If you have cats (or dogs or small children for that matter) in your house, you’d be better off avoiding tinsel altogether.  Cats find tinsel completely irresistible – so shiny and easy to play with! However, tinsel easily gets into their digestive tract and can cause obstruction (which requires surgery and a great amount of pain for your cat).
5. Tissue paper, popular for putting in gift bags, is something else that cats can get into their digestive system, which would then wreak havoc.  If you use tissue paper, make certain it’s closed up tightly within the bag and be sure to throw it all away immediately upon opening.
6. Beware of long ribbons as well.  Cats can get them wrapped around their necks, creating a choking risk.  They’ve also been known to get these ribbons stuck in their throats.
7. Never leave burning candles unattended, for obvious reasons.
8. Anything that involves burning oil, melted wax, or flames is simply too risky. Potpourri pots can EASILY be pulled down by a cat who is either attacking the cord or simply running from one place to another.  Again, it’s just not worth the risk.
9. Cats LOVE gift bags – the bright, fun, “crinkly” bags spell GOOD TIMES to an inquisitive little girl or boy!  I always leave a few lying around for Alexa, much to her delight.  However, I make certain that the strings are unattached – the larger bags are especially dangerous (the ribbon loops look like little nooses!).
10. I already mentioned “treats,” but this one merits its own mention: Chocolate is a huge NO NO for cats (dogs too). Chocolate can poison a cat, plain and simple.  Also, make certain your cats never eat anything containing xylitol.  Again, what’s the best way to make sure your cat doesn’t digest food that’ll harm her? Feed her only cat treats and cat food.  Also, remember that just because you don’t hand it to your cat doesn’t mean she can’t get to it! Keep candy and all other foods out of your cat’s reach.
11. No doubt you (like me) fill your cat’s stocking with toys and special treats.  Make sure the toys, themselves, are safe. It’s always best to buy specially made cat toys because you pretty much know for certain they won’t contain poisonous paint or harmful parts. Cat toy manufacturers have a lot of codes they have to live up to and that always makes me feel safer. Remember that long, stringy toys can cause a lot of nightmares, as can small parts that can come off and lodge in your cat’s throat or intestines.
12. Make sure no turkey or ham bones are given to your cat and be sure they’re disposed of properly.
13. Keep Holly (the plant, not a relative!) out of the home.  Holly can cause pets to suffer needlessly with nausea and diarrhea.
14. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset as well as cardiovascular problems.
15. Many lilies lead to kidney failure and death for cats.  Why take any chances?  Buy artificial plants and keep your cat safe and healthy.
16. If there’s a lot of commotion, noise, and guests, some cats may want to retreat to another room for some much needed peace and relaxation.  If this is the case, be certain they have their essentials nearby: Litter box, water, food, and a comfortable place to sleep.  If your cat does seek refuge, don’t try to coax her out – she’ll come out when she feels ready.

Finally, remember three facts that are essential for cat health and safety:

1. Cats are small children in fur coats. Everything is a toy and everything is a game.  Like children, they cannot discern what is safe and what isn’t. It’s up to us. To keep them safe, we have to think like they do and look at the world from their viewpoint. Seek out anything that poses a threat to your cat and remove the danger.
2. Cats are perhaps the most emotionally in-tuned animal in the world.  They’re like emotional sponges, as one vet put it. They pick up on our moods as well as the excitement going on around them. Sometimes the chaos and excitement will cause them to act differently than normal. They may sleep more, may be cranky, or may need more of your attention and reassurance.
3. Cats aren’t wild about change. They crave consistency and want their little world to pretty much stay the same. Same feeding schedule, same play time, same “couch time,” and same television routine!  Cats feel stress and nothing causes them to stress out quite like change, so keep things as normal as you possibly can during the holidays.  Also, cats HATE sharing their parents with other people or situations. They want their mom and dad’s attention and feel distress when they feel that someone or something else is taking any of this attention away from them. If children (or Heaven forbid other pets!) come into your home during the holidays, be sure to reassure your cat(s) and involve them in everything you possibly can.

I hope you and your cats have a fun, safe, and wonderful Christmas and holiday season!  I’ll be adding more cat lovers gift ideas, cat toys, and cat ornaments – so watch for them.

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I thought you just had to see Alexa’s glamor shot.  We were playing a rousing game of “bat the catnip mouse around the Christmas tree” when she totally pooped out on me.  She laid herself out on a few presents a la Rita Hayworth and I grabbed my camera.

After a few misses, I took the one above and told her we had the “money shot.”

She plans to put them in her Christmas cards this year with the caption, “I don’t always pose for pictures, but when I do…. Money Shot.  Stay Glamorous my friends.”

Check out the gorgeous cat stocking below. Click through for a closer look. What a beauty!

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Cat lovers, here’s something you’re going to get not just a kick out of, but a high kick. If you want to see what happens when animal lovers happen to have an unreal amount of artistic ability, you have to check out Pet365. Click through the adorable link below and take a FUN look at cat anatomy. You and your cat are going to love this.

Cat Anatomy graphic created by Matt Beswick for Pet365. Click below to see the full size version.

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I’m such an animal lover that I can’t even stand the thought of killing mice. Granted, I don’t want them moving in my kitchen and I have no intention of sharing our food with them. Most importantly, I don’t want Alexa catching one – for more reasons than one. For one thing, I’d hate for the mouse to be frightened or hurt but most of all, I wouldn’t want her to catch anything from it. Mice carry diseases (such as tape worm) that can be transmitted to your cat.

So what’s a cat lover/mouse protector to do? Catch the mice humanely and release them…. far, far from the house, in a wooded area where they’ll have a fighting chance at survival.

The Smart Mouse Trap – Humane Mousetrap is one of the best humane mousetraps I’ve seen. What’s more, I love the animal-loving and protecting vibe the company projects. When reading the description (below), I thought… Hmmmm, that sounds like something I’d say..

Product Description

This Humane Mouse Trap is perfect for all animal lovers. The Smart Mouse Trap senses when the mouse enters to retrieve the bait and snaps the door shut. The little critter will stay in the trap enjoying his treat until you come and release him in a safe place. To use this easy “no kill” mousetrap simply place a “saltine” cracker in the bait holder, set the trap and check frequently (make sure you check daily or you may starve a trapped mouse). Take the live mouse still in the trap to a wooded or brushy area and open the door and set the little guy free. Escape is delayed until the mouse chews through the cracker. This delay avoids contact between the mouse and the trap user and gives the mouse a little snack to keep him nourished for a while. The Smart Mouse Trap can be cleaned and reused as many times as needed. You’ll be thrilled with this quick and humane mouse control. The trap is made of green see-through Kodar plastic & two stainless steel springs work the trap door. Measures 3″ x 7″ x 2.5″. Comes with 1 mouse trap with instructions and booklet about trapping smart mice and mouseproofing your home. Endorsed by humane societies and animal rights organizations in the U.S. and worldwide.

Product Features

Take a closer look: Smart Mouse Trap – Humane Mousetrap.

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What’s the best way to keep outdoor cats warm and dry during winter months (and safe and cozy year round)? With their own cat house, of course! The great looking The new and improved Kitty Tube. Fully insulated outdoor cat house., shown here, is the perfect solution.

Winters here in Kentucky can be pretty intense, so keeping our outside cats warm and dry is always a concern. It is of no concern to our inside cat, Alexa, so she has yet to extend them an invitation to join us inside.

The past few days have been not only cool, but extremely windy. This great looking insulated cat house would have been IDEAL. Hannah hates the wind as much as most cats hate rain.  The problem with Hannah is one a lot of cat parents run into, she wants to be close to the spot(s) she’s most familiar with. In her case, it’s the carport.  Her favorite outdoor furniture is there, her dishes are there, and (naturally) that’s where she sees her family the most.

When it gets cooler (and windy), I carry her out to the garage and show her around – trying to entice her into sleeping in there. My husband keeps the door open just enough for them to come and go as they please.  Queen Fatima and Jelly Bean love the garage.  They head for the loft and sleep for hours on end.

Then there’s Hannah.   Yesterday I kept looking out and seeing her hovering by the steps, cursing the wind.  It called for drastic action, so I fashioned a tent over a few outdoor chairs and placed her a blanket on the ground inside her tent. She practically ran inside.  Naturally, this earned her some of her favorite cat treats.

This ingenious cat house would be the answer to our problems.  Read and see for yourself how great it sounds!

Product Features

• The Kitty Tube provides an economical, safe, and secure home for up to 3 cats. The Kitty Tube’s unique door design will also protect your cat from predators.
• The Kitty Tube includes a custom, machine washable pet bed on top of the fully insulated floor. The floor, walls, and roof are all insulated with a high quality, high R value insulation. The Kitty Tube will stay cool in the summer, and is ultra warm in the winter. (Style of the custom pet bed may vary.)
• The built in lifting handles can be adjusted to supply full flow through ventilation for the summer, and can be closed to retain heat in the winter.
• The Kitty Tube is made from 100% post consumer content, consisting of recylced milk and detergent bottles. The Kitty Tube is an extremely green product, and proudly made in the USA.

See The new and improved Kitty Tube. Fully insulated outdoor cat house. for a closer look.

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If you’re a regular reader, you probably already know that we had a much (much much much, much…) loved cat named Prissy, who I named after my favorite Gone With the Wind character, who lived for over 20 years. Within those years… 20, wow, that’s a lot of years…. she only had to go to the vet once, when she was 3 – for a sinus infection of all things.  Prissy was a house cat, which certainly helped her achieve such an impressive lifespan. In fact Keep your cat safe and secure inside your home at all times was listed number 1 on Real Age.com’s Cat Health Tips for Helping Your Cat Have a Younger Real Age.

Of course, there are times when your cat has to live outside the house rather than inside the house. They’re still much beloved family, of course, their section of the house simply doesn’t have a roof.  If your cat has to live without a roof, as some of our cats do, read How to Help Your Outdoor Cats Live Longer.

A few safety precautions all cat lovers will want to take include:

• Make certain your houseplants are safe. Some houseplants are poisonous and shouldn’t be allowed in a cat’s vicinity EVER. I wouldn’t even keep one on the highest shelf in a room my cat never visits. Can you say not worth it? No plant is worth making a cat sick and it certainly isn’t worth the risk of killing a cat!  Please see Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants for Cats.  Needless to say, if you have dogs, be sure to check the same website for poisonous plants for dogs.
• If you have an indoor cat, be certain that all guests to your home know that the cat is not allowed outdoors. Some people have cats that come and go and may automatically assume that your cat does so as well.
• Please don’t allow your cat to lie on or play near ironing boards.  I see a lot of precious pictures online of cats lying on ironing boards (horrifyingly enough, sometimes the iron’s plugged in and is next to the cat) online.  I used to keep our ironing board up most of the time (with a blanket on top) because Alexa loved to lie on it and look out the window. One day, she had a terrible accident, though, and somehow managed to pull the ironing board down on her when she quickly jumped off.  One of the metal legs landed on one of her tiny back legs, breaking her leg in two places.  I’ll NEVER forget the pain she was in or the helpless, sick feeling I had. She had to have a cast and had to spend months in a large cage. It was absolute hell for me and her.  When we first brought her home from the animal hospital with a cast on her leg, I had trouble getting her to agree to the cage. At one point, she backed into a corner as tears, literally ran from her eyes (as well as mine!). It’s an image that will stay with me forever and will prompt me to beg cat lovers to keep their ironing boards put up at all times. PLEASE. If you have a cat blog, a facebook page, or a Twitter account, help me spread the word about the dangers of ironing boards for cats.
• Always remember how inquisitive and nosy cats are! Be certain to always double check the dryer before closing the door – even if you’re almost certain your cat never came into the room.

Click HERE to read the Real Age.com article about adding years to your cat’s life. Great stuff!

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