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The Importance of Playing with Your Cat!

by Joi

Can you imagine a day spent doing absolutely nothing? No television, no internet, no trips to the store, no reading… zip, nada. What if a couple of these days were strung together? Not only would we be bored out of our minds, our minds would, literally, begin to degenerate; followed closely by our bodies. We’d probably ask ourselves, “Is life really even worth living?!”

When you think about it in these jolting terms, you realize JUST how important it is to provide your cat(s) with plenty of entertainment, amusement, and activity (mental and physical).

Outside Cats

Outside cats get a pretty regular stream of different activities. They don’t always peruse them, of course, but they ARE there! My Hannah is a little bit older, and extremely laid back, so she watches the activities go on around her. Jelly Bean and Queen Fatima (when you’ve had as many cats as we’ve had over the years, you get pretty creative with the names!) explore most noises and activities, unless it’s a really lazy day – then they memo the activity to go ahead without them.

However, make no mistake about it, outside cats still enjoy playtime with their “parents.” Hannah LOVES playing something we call “Sliding Stick” – okay, I call it that, she just calls it “Mew.” I slide it horizontally back and forth in front of her, while she picks the perfect time to pounce. When playing with cats, they love it when you vary the speed of a game like this – fast at times, slow at times. You’ll be able to tell by your cat’s reaction which he/she prefers. When Prissy was younger, she loved for toys to move as fast as they possibly could (the way Alexa prefers them now), but when she got older (like Hannah), I had to make sure the toys knew we were dealing with a “special” baby.

I still buy cat toys for my outside cats, as I do for my inside cat (Alexa) and as I did for my inside girl, Prissy. However, I’ve found that their tastes in toys differ from inside cats. They prefer the natural-looking toys. A favorite (in addition to sticks!) is anything with feathers on it, for obvious reasons, I guess. They appreciate toys that squeak and chirp, but bells seem to leave them puzzled. I guess they never heard an animal that chimed!

Scratching posts don’t really fascinate my outside cats either, but they do LOVE the inexpensive cardboard scratching pads that are treated with catnip. Like Alexa, they think it’s party time when I bring home a new one. Their reaction reminds me of myself when I have something chocolate…. anything chocolate.

If you have outside cats, be sure to spend plenty of time in playtime with them. Yes, the world is their playground, but they’d rather enjoy it with you than by themselves.

Inside Cats

While outside cats need the extra stimulation and entertainment, I have to admit, when I think of how critical playtime is for cats, I tend to think primarily of the inside cat. Especially for cats that spend a lot of time alone during the day – without the ever entertaining human to watch. I work from home full time and my daughters (and one of their boyfriends) are normally home, offering Miss Alexa endless amusement. However, if I know we’re all going to be out of the house for a while, I often leave the television on for her. I put it on a channel that’s frequently on (like the Food Network, ESPN, or The Cooking Channel), so she can watch her favorite shows!

A few days ago, she was in the kitchen when my youngest daughter and I stepped out, leaving Alexa home alone for a few hours. This wouldn’t be a huge deal for most cats, but like I said, Alexa’s used to at least one or two people being here pretty much 24/7. So I turned on the tv in the home office for her, since it’s the room she’s in the most often anyway (workaholic cat). I put it on the Food Network and when I came home later, she was on the love seat in front of the television watching Rachael Ray, a personal favorite.

Apparently a favorite of Alexa’s as well.

Inside cats love a wide variety of toys – you pretty much just have to test some out to find your cat’s favorite type of toy. Never overlook what’s right in front of you, though. A paper sack and the plastic lid to a milk jug provide hours and hours of enjoyment!

A word of caution when using playthings with your cat, always make sure its safe. Think through any and all possible outcomes before giving your cat a particular object or toy. Most commercial cat toys have been tested and tested some more, so they’re usually safe. However, always make sure there’s nothing that could come off and choke your cat. Also, beware of these potential hazards:

  • Ribbons on gifts, shoestrings, and yarn: If they’re very long, they could become wrapped around your cat’s neck (just as dangerous as cords on mini blinds). Also, some cats have gotten choked on ribbons they’ve gotten into their throats. Never leave them lying around where your cat could “play” with one without your supervision.
  • Gift bags with handles: Again, the handles can be a choking hazard. Cats can get their heads/necks stuck and panic. Alexa loves the feel of gift bags, so we get FULL use out of using gift bags. Long after the gift has been given, she loves to sit on and “rough up” the bag. However, I always remove the handles. As accident-prone as she is, she’d find a way to hurt herself.
  • Be very, very cautious of ironing boards or anything else that isn’t perfectly steady.  Make sure cat towers, scratching posts, etc are steady and won’t tip over on your cat.  Alexa broke her little leg in two separate places when she ran, jumped on an ironing board, and pulled it down on top of her.  It broke my heart so completely, I’m not sure it’ll ever heal completely!  Her leg did, but my heart’s another matter. I learned then that you can never be too careful – you can’t predict what a cat’s going to do, so never take any chances.

The video at the top of this article is a good example of cat parents entertaining their adorable cat WITHOUT FRUSTRATING her/him. I despise cat videos where it appears that the cat is being scared or frustrated. When the video is just pure clean fun, and the cat is obviously having the time of his/her life, it’s a beautiful and wonderful thing. This video’s a perfect example of cat lovers taking delight in their beautiful cat and sharing it with other cat lovers. THAT’S what funny cat videos are supposed to be. It’s also a perfect example of amusing and entertaining a curious cat.

That’s the beauty of cats, they’re so curious and inquisitive, it doesn’t take much to fascinate them. JUST LIKE CHILDREN.

Just be sure you never frustrate, aggravate, or annoy your cat. If they’re agitated, they may look cute but they aren’t enjoying it any more than a human would if someone pinched their ear or tapped their nose. Be sure to always amuse, not annoy.

A few personal tips for playing with your cat:

  1. Pick your moments. Be sure that playtime is a time when your cat will enjoy it most.  Never wake her up to play and don’t think for a moment that she’ll be interested in play if eating is on her mind.  Also, don’t play right after she eats… can you say upset stomach?
  2. When playing with your cat, give her your full attention. Don’t “go through the motions” while distracted by a ballgame, book, or television show.  Cats are extremely perceptive and they’ll get more enjoyment from it if their human is having at least as much fun.
  3. Mix things up. Your cat… and you!… will understandably have a favorite game you return to often (like Hannah’s “Sliding Stick”) but try to mix things up to keep it interesting.  Think of it as “nurturing” different aspects of your cat’s skills.  One game may keep her sharp and fast, while another feeds her instinct to “stalk.”  A favorite game of Alexa’s is to chase my hand as it moves underneath covers. She’ll slink around the bed, keeping low, until she thinks she has the perfect angle – then she’ll pounce on my poor hand!  Even underneath comforters and quilts, the “prey” sometimes feels it.
  4. Never confuse your cat. Add this one to the MUSTN’T ANNOY THE CAT OR FRUSTRATE THE CAT rule.  If you’re playing with your cat and he/she gets all worked up to the point of hissing or you accidentally get scratched, realize that YOU took it too far.  Don’t get onto or yell at the cat. She’ll only be confused and certain that you’re a poor sport.
  5. Keep it Fresh! Every now and then I share information that gives away JUST how pampered my cats are, and this is one of those times.  I keep a little “toy box” of toys for Alexa and pull out different ones weekly.  This keeps them fresh for her and it sometimes seems like she thinks she just got a whole new batch of toys.  Saturday is her designated day for the switcheroo. However, she does have one favorite toy that stays out all the time.  It’s a little bird that makes a bird sound when tapped.  Sometimes she pounces on it and other times I’ll watch as she just walks by and pops it with a paw to make it tweet.
  6. Get a little exercise while you’re at it! If you “go all out,” you can actually get some exercise while playing with your cats!  When I get on the floor for yoga, Alexa automatically thinks it’s playtime, so we usually combine the two.  Sometimes she just likes to watch, probably wondering if I’ve completely lost my mind. I catch her expression sometimes and it’s like she’s thinking, “Why, mom, why?”

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Something You Should NEVER Do to Your Cat!

by Joi

The Complete Cats Meow

Did you know that having your cat declawed is painful for him/her? Don’t be fooled by what some may tell you, it’s simply not a painless, simple procedure. Not for the cat, anyway.

From The Complete Cat’s Meow: Everything You Need to Know about Caring for Your Cat by Darlene Arden, a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant:

The declawing procedure is painful for your cat. Even if a veterinarian uses a laser and the cat can walk sooner, your cat can’t really be comfortable with part of its toes missing, especially since cats walk on their toes first. This means that your cat is in pain and has to walk differently, rather than in its normal manner.

Most cat parents have their cats declawed for the same reason: Cats scratch furniture (and very often anything else they can handle!).  There are far better solutions to this problem – solutions that won’t hurt the cat or affect the way she enjoys the rest of her life.

When our precious Prissy was alive (all 20+ years!), buying new furniture was completely out of the question.  That girl never met a couch or chair she didn’t like. She was convinced each and every piece of furniture was an elaborate scratching post for her!   My daughter Stephany would help the situation by keeping Prissy’s nails clipped – a procedure that the ever laid-back cat actually enjoyed. Prissy never scratched walls or woodwork, but furniture was in constant danger.

I did, finally, find a way to throw salt in her game: I placed throws over the sides of the sofa – her favorite spots.  I also started buying her scratching posts and placed them near her favorite spots.

With Alexa, it’s a little different.  She seems to understand that furniture is for sitting on.  She enjoys few things more than curling up on the sofa with her mom and dad as we all enjoy a game of baseball (or whatever it is we’re watching at the time).  Alexa’s weakness is door frames.  I’m having trouble convincing her that these weren’t placed in the house solely for her enjoyment.

She’s not buying it.

I’ve found a way to outsmart the little smarty pants, though, and it’s AGAIN with scratching posts.  I’ve placed one near her favorite place to scratch and, now, when she’s in the vicinity, she uses the scratching post instead.

If you’re trying to lure your cat away from scratching furniture or wood, use a good, sturdy scratching post – preferably one treated with catnip.  If the scratching post doesn’t come with its own catnip, buy a package and make the scratching post more enticing for your cat yourself.

Also, it probably goes without saying but Alexa, Hannah, Jelly Bean, and Queen Fatima want me to say it anyway: Cats cannot be treated as dogs or children when it comes to discipline.  Remember their ancestors are lions, tigers, cheetahs, etc… how responsive do you think this DNA is to “NO!” or, worse yet, swats to the backside?!?!  They’ll simply think you’re mean and will perceive you as a threat.  Cats don’t even like yelling.  They simply aren’t wired to be disciplined in this manner.

However, many cat parents have had success with spritzing a tiny bit of  water (something cats detest) on their cats when they’re involving themselves in unsuitable behavior.  I’ve never done it, myself, but many say that their cat comes to associate scratching on furniture with the unpleasantness of spritzed water.

Personally?  I’d be afraid that, yet again, my cat would come to perceive me as a threat or as a meanie!   Maybe if you were somehow able to do it without them seeing you? I’m not really sure.  I do know this, though: Cats are very, very bright and it wouldn’t take them long to realize when scratching was safe and when it wasn’t.  After all, what they’re doing is as natural to them as scratching an itch is to us.  I’m convinced that the best solution for all is simply to give the cat an alternative: A sturdy, safe, scratching post.

Click the following link to read more about The Complete Cat’s Meow: Everything You Need to Know about Caring for Your Cat by Darlene Arden.

SmartCat Ultimate Scratching PostCat Scratching Posts)

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Feral Cats: Let the World Know How Much You Love Them

by Joi

Feral Cat T-Shirt

Of our four cats (Alexa, Hannah, Queen Fatima, and Jelly Bean), two are from a feral cat I named Ming Li. Although these two are extremely friendly and not only allow me to pet them (but enjoy it profusely), they have certain characteristics that definitely separate them from Hannah and Alexa. For example, cat parents can always pick up their babies and even walk around the house or yard with them – I can certainly do so with my non-feral cats.

However, picking up a feral cat is generally not something they enjoy and I would only attempt it if it were to remove them (or a smaller animal) from harm.

The most unfortunate, and even heart-breaking thing, about caring for and loving feral cats is you never know when they’ll leave you. It’s been my experience that they aren’t often the healthiest little things (I recently lost one, “Bullet”). Plus, by nature, they love to roam and scout out new territories.

Fortunately, the two we have now were born on our property and have known us since they can remember – so I’m pretty certain they aren’t going anywhere. I also get the feeling that each was the healthiest from their prospective litters. Jelly seldom ever leaves the carport or front yard and Queen Fatima’s never gone on one of her infamous “hunts” for very long. While they “seem” like the other cats 98 percent of the time, occasionally there’ll be a reminder that there are definite differences.

For example, just this morning, as I was feeding the three outside cats, I leaned down and kissed Hannah on the head. It was met with a hard, fast purr and she continued eating. I then did the same to Jelly Bean and you’d have thought he’d been attacked by a giant, cat-eating owl! The smooch sound, alone, jolted Fatima even before it was her turn for a kiss. Each went back to eating as I petted their backs and heads, but they each kept one eye out for the ridiculous noise I’d previously made.

All along, I’ve tried to take things very slowly with them, on their terms. When you’re fortunate enough to have feral cats in your life, you have to remember that it’s all about them, not you. You can’ t let a selfish desire to touch or hug one get in the way of what really matters: You’re providing food, water, love, and care. You’re building a bond of trust and establishing a relationship, but know that they’re always in charge of how close you can get and how fast the bond is built.

There have been some feral cats that I’ve never been able to touch at all. It took months (LONG months because I was dying to pet her precious little head!) before Ming Li allowed me the honor of rubbing her. When she first threw her tiny body against my arms and purred, tears rolled down my cheeks because I was so happy – and completely honored by her trust. She honored me another way, too. Twice. I call one Queen Fatima and the other Jelly Bean.

I will always believe that Ming Li knew she wasn’t well. She had her babies near me so I could take care of them, and again, if I thought about it long enough the tears would flow once more.

The t-shirts in this post pay homage to feral cats and the patient individuals who care for them. These are really super cute – almost as cute as wild, unpredictable feral cats, themselves!

Click each for a closer look and spread the word about Feral cats and Feral cat care. The best thing about t-shirts such as this is that people will very often ask you, “What’s a feral cat?” Then you have a golden opportunity to educate them about feral cats and maybe even convert a feral cat car provider in the process. When you click through, you’ll find other t-shirts as well as other colors and sizes.


I love feral cats Light T-Shirt
I love feral cats Light T-Shirt

Feral Cat 4a Organic Women's Fitted T-Shirt (dark)

Feral Cat 4a Organic Women’s Fitted T-Shirt (dark)

Takes a Village, Feral Cats Women's V-Neck T-Shirt

Takes a Village, Feral Cats Women’s V-Neck T-Shirt

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Your Cat’s Perfect Day Includes Plenty of Play!

by Joi

Cat Toy with catnip from PetSmart

I’m astounded (and, truth be told, saddened) by the number of people who go to Google and enter the words “How to Be Happy.” It can be hard to phantom being so down that you have to LITERALLY search for ways to be happy.  Then again, I suppose some people who are “happy enough” search for ways to be even happier.

Who can blame them?

We all want to be as happy as we possibly can be but have you ever stopped to consider that the same can be said of our beloved cats? They want to experience as much happiness and contentment as possible.  Naturally all cats are different. Some enjoy sleeping more than playing, some enjoy playing more than sleeping… and some enjoy few things in life quite as much as they do a good meal.

However, regardless of which activities are their favorites, all cats have pretty much the same requirements for happiness:

  • Food
  • Fresh water
  • Clean, quite, private Litter Box or a safe yard
  • Several comfortable, special places to sleep – free from disturbances and drafts
  • Scratching posts
  • Plenty of playtime!

Cat toy from PetSmartMost loving cat parents provide the best food possible, plenty of fresh water, a clean litter box, scratching opportunities, and great beds – and many even buy their cats plenty of great toys.  However what many of us fail to realize is just how important playtime is.  Not only does a cat love to play with their toys, they love for their humans to get involved.

Different cats prefer different types of toys.  Some cats love toys with crinkly cellophane inside of them, some love toys with bells, while others prefer that their toys look and feel like real prey.  Alexa has absolutely zero interest in the crinkly cellophane or bells.  She loves nothing more than playing ball, though.  Her favorite game involves someone rolling one of her toy balls to her as she bats it back.  She seems to especially love it when she bats it past one of us and we have to get it.

Sometimes it feels like she’s “playing fetch” with us…  and we’re her pets!

She also loves toys that mimic prey – Cat Toys with feathers, fur, or toys that look like bugs.   Like most cats, she loves any sort of playtime that involves her stalking or chasing something.

Sometimes a cat will even create their own “game.”  For example, at least once a day, when I go into the back of the house (to put something in the master bathroom or in our closet), Alexa will slink in and hide on the opposite side of our bed.  She crouches down and expects me to get on my hands and knees and sneak up on her.

When I get to the edge, she loves for me to put my arm and hand underneath the covers and move it along, making a scratching noise on the mattress.  She’ll stand up (ears pinned back in full attack mode), and wait for just the right time to pounce on my poor hand.  I learned pretty fast that she pounces with her SHARP claws out as far as they’ll possibly go, so I have to be fast.

That, or reach for the band-aids.

This routine goes on everyday, for about 10 minutes each time.  She has a ball, I have a ball, and she looks so stinking cute when she’s stalking my hand I can never keep from laughing (which, I’m sure draws the claws out even further).

Something else I’ve learned over the years with my cats is this: They love the unexpected!  If you cats, like ours, have a great number of cat toys and “play pretties,” rotate the collection Cat Toy from PetSmartoften.  Place different toys in different places – sometimes in places they won’t expect them to be.  Alexa has 4 different places in our house where that she “hangs out in” the most: When I’m working online during the day, she sleeps nearby – until lunchtime, of course. Nothing interferes with that girl’s lunch.

During the evening, she has a certain area in the living room, one in the family room, and one in the master bedroom.  I kind of rotate different toys amongst her favorite hangouts.

I’ve also found that cats, just like human kids, LOVE it when you come back from the store with something special for them.  I’ll often (okay, very often) pick up a little bag of treats, or a special cat toy, that I know she’ll adore.  Fortunately, we have a PetSmart in Owensboro, so I’ll never run out of great toys to bring home to her.  (By the way, here’s a tip that I think is pretty special.  If your cat has certain toys she or he isn’t interested in, bag them up, mark CAT TOYS and take them to Goodwill. How much would it mean for someone who might be a little down on their luck to also have the opportunity to take cat toys home to their precious cats?!)

Speaking of Pet Smart, within this post are a few new toys they have that Alexa speaks highly of.  You can always trust Pet Smart to have quality cat food, cat toys, and other cat items (as well as everything you’d need for other pets as well).  What’s more, they have the prices I’m always looking for. (Content continued after the cute cat video!)

Cat toys and playtime don’t just lead to happier cats, they lead to healthier cats as well – both physically and mentally.  But that’s not all (though it’s certainly enough!), playing with your cat is a perfect way for YOU to relax and unwind.  The benefits are amazing, and they definitely go both ways.

Need a toy box for you cat’s toys? Check out the Martha Stewart toy bin below (from PetSmart). Love it! Click the image for a closer look.

Please click the link to find more Cat Toys at PetSmart.com!

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20 Surprising Household Dangers to Cats

by Joi

Our gorgeous cat Alexa

We do everything in our power to care for, nurture, and protect our cats.  We buy the best cat food available, we provide our cats and kittens with engaging cat toys and can often be found on the ground playing with them – having at least as much fun as they are.  We know that playtime for cats isn’t just fun, it’s healthy and provides physical activity and mental stimulation that are very, very good for them.   In fact, when it comes to cat health, playtime is vital.

But, as mindful and lovingly careful as we are, there are still areas we need to improve in.  There are plenty of hazards in our home and yard that pose potential harm (often fatal) to our cats.

So, to promote better cat safety and care, we’ve rounded up what we believe to be a comprehensive list of tips, advice, and information for keeping our cats safe from harm and illness.  Like children with skin, there’s only so much we can do to protect children with fur!  However, since they mean the world to us, we will do everything and anything within our power.

Personally, I firmly believe that a home with cats (or dogs, for that matter) should be treated the same as a home with small children.  When children are small, we can’t count on them to reason what might or might not be harmful, so we remove all perceived harm and danger.  Animals aren’t capable of always recognizing harm either.  They’re very childlike in many ways and one of the most obvious ways is that they live in the moment.  They see something that looks like a good time, and off they go!

They’re also like children in this way:  Almost everything goes to the mouth!

Alexa reminded me of this truth a few nights ago.  I was fixing an Asian-inspired meal and apparently, somehow, a crispy Asian noodle hit the floor. I hear a little crunching from a few feet behind me and I turn to see her with the noodle half-in, half-out of her mouth!  She’s nothing if not accident-prone, so I distracted her with her favorite cat treats and threw what was left of the noodle away.  Alexa, being Alexa, would have probably choked on the noodle (or stuck it in her ear, or broke a couple of teeth, or poked herself in the eye…).

As I was giving her a couple of treats, I told her that she was “Just like a 2 year old baby.” And it hit me that, yes, in fact, cats are very much like 2 year olds – which is why we need to do periodic “child-proofing” inspections around our home, garage, and yard.

Keep Your Cat Safe Tips

  1. Ironing Boards. First of all, the iron is an obvious danger.  Be certain that you never leave an iron plugged in if you aren’t right beside it.  Also, when you unplug the iron and leave it to cool down, be certain that it’s completely out of your cat’s reach.   Even the ironing board, itself can be a safety hazard.  Although it’s actually the only time I’ve ever heard of the incident (again, it’s Alexa we’re talking about!), a few years ago, our beautiful little baby (shown above, looking for something to get into) broke one of her legs in two places when she ran to jump on an ironing board.  She somehow managed to pull it down on herself.  One of the metal legs fell on one of her tiny legs and broke it.  Needless to say, she was in a great deal of pain.. which probably took a couple decades off of my life…. and had to have multiple veterinarian visits, surgery, a leg cast, and cage confinement for nearly two months.  I will give my husband this, he found the biggest cage known to exist!  It was agonizing and could have been completely prevented if the ironing board had not been left standing.  Yes, it’s a one in a million type of scenario – but if you’d seen how much pain this beautiful little cat was in, you’d know that one in a million is well-worth preventing.
  2. Human Medications.  Unfortunately, for several years now, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards. The ASPCA manages thousands upon thousands of calls each year involving prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Again, approach safety measures as you would if you had a small child in the home.  They can and they will find a way to get into anything that peaks their curiosity.  Be sure to lock up all medicine and never leave any pills, vitamins, herbs, or supplements lying around in the open.
  3. Certain People Food. Grapes, raisins, avocado and products containing xylitol, like gum, can seriously harm cats and dogs. Thousands of pets die each year from the type of poisoning you’d never expect: food.  What many cat and dog parents think of as “treats” are anything but. Onions are another food that should not be given to pets.  One of the worst offenders – chocolate – is particularly dangerous.  Chocolate contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.  Not only should we all keep these foods out of reach of our pets, we should make certain that anyone who is around our pets also knows that people food is off limits.  You don’t have to be nasty about it, of course.  Simply approach the conversation matter-of-factly… “Did you know that many human foods can actually poison cats?  That’s why we make sure (Fluffy, Scratch, Mayor Tom…) only eats cat food.”
  4. Safety for Outdoor Cats in Extreme Weather. For those of us who have outside cats AND inside cats, we know that some simply can’t come in – our babies are destined to live just outside of the walls. When it’s extremely hot or extremely cold, we have to do everything in our power to keep them safe and as comfortable as possible.  Please read Keeping Your Cat Safe in Hot Weather for tips on dealing with summer.   As for winter safety, you might want to consider the KatKabin! It’s a beautiful and cozy cat house that stays warm and dry inside. Click the link to read my review.  Bullet is actually cuddled up inside the KatKabin now.  I have it up off the ground, on a sturdy wide shelf under the carport. He doesn’t seem to mind one little bit that it’s hot pink either!  I went out earlier (it’s the dead of winter now and we have several inches of snow on the ground) and stuck my hand inside the KatKabin.  It felt as warm as it does in our house!  Always be sure to keep your cat’s water bowl filled and unfrozen.  Jelly Bean drinks more than any cat I’ve ever seen, so (in addition to the fact that there are four of them out there) I actually have to refill their water bowl many times during the day.  During winter I go out even more often, to replace the frozen water with fresh water.  Jelly Bean’s always the first one in line!
  5. House Plants. Azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera can be harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.  I don’t allow lilies in the house OR in the yard.  Poinsettias are also known to be toxic.  When it comes to house plants, I actually allow very few in.  Not only do I not want to take any chances with little Miss If There’s A Way to Cause Drama, I’ll Do It – I know she’ll just make a spectacular mess!  As for flowers I add to my flower beds and pots outdoors, I always research them online to make sure they’re safe.
  6. Pet Medications and Tick and Flea Products. Many well-intending pet parents mismanage and misuse pet medications and products.  Please ere on the side of extreme caution.  In 2009, the ASPCA managed 7,680 cases involving animal-related preparations such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.  Also, if you have an elderly cat or dog – I honestly wouldn’t apply or use anything without my veterinarian’s advice.   The last summer Prissy was alive, she and Alexa had a little bit of a flea problem.  I got some “over the counter” flea medication to use.  It was the type that you place a few drops between their shoulder blades.  I used it on Alexa, without incident. However, given the fact that Prissy was 20 years old – and not in the greatest shape – I didn’t use it on her at all.  Somehow, it just didn’t seem safe. I simply combed over her little body and removed fleas monkey-style.  Not long ago, I read that applying medicine like this to older pets can be very dangerous and cause them to have seizures and suffer greatly.  It was a clear case of allowing intuition to guide the way.  Always, always, always treat older pets with extreme caution, love, and tenderness.
  7. Garden Products, Chemical Hazards, and Automobile Products. Each of these can pose great harm, often fatal, to pets.  Again, ere on the side of caution and keep all of these products UP off of the ground in your garage, home, or carport.  Keep lids screwed on VERY tightly and immediately wash up any spills or leaks.  My husband not only keeps all of these products up, off the ground, most of them are even in buckets or other containers.
  8. Plastic bags and other plastic products. Cats can suffocate in plastic bags, so be sure they’re always completely out of reach.  Again, treat it as you would if there were children in your home.  Also, keep dry cleaning bags out of the way.  Throw them away as soon as you bring the garment in the house.  (There are few things I hate more than dry cleaning bags!)
  9. Ribbon, thread, and even dental floss. All of these look like nothing but a good time to a cat but they can easily get choked on them. The long, “curly” ribbon so popular at Christmastime is a potential nightmare to cats.  Many cat parents use it as a toy, but a cat’s claws can shred it to tiny fibers that they can then ingest – either intentionally or unintentionally.   They’re also a choking hazard.
  10. Wobbly tables and plant stands. Double-check the tables and, in particular, plant stands in your home.  Some tend to be wobbly, especially on carpet.  It’s the ideal situation for a cat to either run past (and topple over) or take a running dive at and come crashing down with it.  The latter was Alexa’s ironing board maneuver.  So graceful.
  11. Mini Blinds. If your cat is anything like Alexa (Heaven help you both), she’s fascinated with mini blinds.  When they’re closed, she loves to shove her head between the rungs and look out.  When they’re open, she loves to attack the cord.  I have to keep a constant eye on this little girl!  I’ve learned that I have to keep the cords folded up out of the way and, during the day, we raise the blinds at the windows she frequents.  Cats can hang themselves in mini blinds, so take great precautions.
  12. Household Cleaners. Treat all household cleaners as you do garden products: Keep them entirely out of the way of your pets.  Also, keep the toilet lids down at all times, so the pet doesn’t try to help themselves to a cool drink – not only is this gross (really, really gross), if you use toilet bowl disinfectants or cleansers, it’s potentially poisonous.
  13. Speaking of Toilet Bowls… Keep the lids down at all times.  If a cat were to try to jump on top of the toilet, and the lid isn’t down – catastrophe.
  14. Candles. Never leave candles burning in a room you aren’t in.  Not only is it hazardous for your cat, it’s hazardous for you!
  15. Hot Scented Oil Devices. Hate these!  There are just far too many possibilities for harm.  They can be spilled, knocked over, touched… Even if you have one set up high, in a place you’re sure your cat would never go – they could conceivably grab the cord and pour hot oil on top of them. Can you imagine the pain?!?!
  16. Stove Safety. As with Children, keep all pot handles aimed toward the back of the stove.  It’s too easy to knock against one and send a hot pot crashing to the floor.
  17. Cat Toys. Always double-check your cat’s toys and inspect them for frays, cracks, and so forth.  Many chocking incidents can be prevented if you make sure everything is in place when it comes to cat toys – make sure nothing’s spilling out and that there aren’t any splintered pieces that could pose a problem.  Also, make sure standing scratching posts are secured in place – be sure they don’t topple over.
  18. Heavy Metals. No, not music (although if played loud enough, I’m sure a cat wouldn’t appreciate it much!).   According to ASPCA, heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury,  accounted for 3,304 cases of pet poisonings in 2009, alone. Lead is especially dangerous, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.
  19. Pet Food Recalls. Always stay on top of recent cat and dog food recalls.  Sadly, this has become a regular part of pet parenting.  Would these pet food manufacturers please get their acts together?!?!  Make it a point to check cat websites such as this one regularly for pet food recalls.  Also, here’s a little tip.  Go to Google and set up a Google News Alert (click the link to go directly to the page you need).   Enter the term, “Cat Food” (add another for dog food if your cat has a canine brother or sister!) in the field marked Search Terms, then choose the other specifics and enter your e-mail address.  Whenever there is “news” involving cat food, you’ll get an alert about it in your e-mail.
  20. Cat Collars.  I, personally, would never put a cat collar on an outside cat. Not only would my own outside cats think I’d completely lost my mind, it’s simply far too dangerous.  If a cat is, say, in a tree, the collar could easily catch on a branch.  Many well-meaning bird-loving cat parents will even put bells on their cat’s collar to warn the birds.  I love birds as much as anyone (we even have 4 bird feeding stations in our yard!), but if a cat is attempting to hide from or get away from a predator, the bell could toll for them in the worst way.

It bears mentioning again, so bear with me while I mention it again: Treat cats in the house or yard just as you would treat children in the house and yard.  Treat them like babies because they are babies.

I know there are other tips and safety hazards out there.  If you know of any first-hand, please share them with us in the comments.  In the meantime, pass the link to this post around to all cat parents you know.  What may seem like common advice to one person can cause another to say, “Wow! I never thought of that!”  Every time that’s said… another precious cat can be spared a great deal of pain and suffering.

You might even save her life.

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Beautiful Outdoor Cat House: The KatKabin

by Joi

If you’re familiar with me at all, you know that I have 5 cats. One (Alexa) is an indoor diva and the other four (Hannah, Bullet, Jelly Bean, and Queen Fatima) are outside cats.  Alexa – who was “here first” as she likes to remind the others – will not even consider allowing the others to get so much as one paw through the door.  Fortunately, these outside babies don’t seem to mind the arrangement.  No doubt if they did show interest in coming in out of the weather, I’d have to have a long, hard talk with little Miss Alexa.

We live outside the city limits, on a large piece of land.  There is actually an old barn, as well as a garage (my husband keeps the door cracked for them to come and go, then cleans it out when spring hits…. sigh, I love him).  When Bo and Svenn were alive, they absolutely loved the garage.  They could be found sleeping up in the loft even in the summer!  Bullet is also big on the garage and when the weather is particularly cold or stormy, off he goes.  Jelly Bean likes to go back and forth between the garage and the barn.

Odd that he’s the only one (of the many, many, many cats we’ve had over the years) to seek warmth and refuge in the barn.

HOWEVER, my little outside girls (Hannah and Fatima) will not head for the garage unless it’s storming or snow is on the ground.  No matter how cold it gets, they see no need to leave the carport.  I always make them a little tent in the corner – with many thick covers and blankets draped over a few lawn chairs.  When it isn’t too cold, all 4 cats can be found in their tent!  Yet I always wanted something more – another warm option for them….

…something like a little house.

Ironically enough, I had been thinking about this situation when I got an e-mail asking if I’d like a KatKabin to review for Cat-Pause.com.  I was thrilled to accept and watched for its delivery daily.

When the KatKabin arrived, Alexa and I anxiously opened the box.  The KatKabin was bigger and even prettier than I had hoped for!  They sent me a beautiful hot pink version and Alexa couldn’ t take her eyes off of it.  I put it on the ground – without the little removable door on the front – to see if she’d go in.  She’s kind of an odd duck about things like that, so I was skeptical.  However, she marched right in, turned around and laid down on the soft little pad it comes with!

Unfortunately for her, I had the KatKabin in mind for the outside kids – after all, she has a heated home with warm couches and warm beds!  I hauled the beautiful little KatKabin outside for the fearless foursome to inspect.  It was a chilly day but not cold enough to send the boys off to the barn or garage.  Jelly Bean was the first one to try out the KatKabin.  He actually took up residence for about an hour before the others got a shot at it!  Bullet’s snide, mocking looks (imagine, a tough guy cat lounging in a hot pink cabin) didn’t faze him. He just went to sleep in his comfortable surroundings.

The minute Jelly Bean left the KatKabin (nature called), Queen Fatima (a very small, adorable, fragile gray cat – she’s the spitting image of her feral cat mom, Ming Li) went in. Since we lost Ming Li (I loved that little eccentric cat!), Queen Fatima looks at Hannah as her mother – something that Hannah endures with great humor.  The fact that she separated from Hannah long enough to try out the KatKabin kind of caught us all off guard.

Over the course of the day, all of the cats took turns with the KatKabin. At one point, Fatima and Hannah were in there at once. Fatima looked blissfully happy but Hannah looked like she could use a big old helping of “ME time.”

Even on the coldest days, when I stick my hand into the KatKabin, I’m amazed at how much warmer it is in there.  The cat’s body heat sort of creates a little sauna. When the weather isn’t overly cold (we’ve actually enjoyed some really nice weather for over a week), I take off the little removable clear door.  My cats love to sit in their KatKabin and watch birds, one another, me…..  Bullet actually tends to lie in it toward the front with his little arms sort of sticking out – it reminds me of a dog in a dog house.  A comparison he doesn’t appreciate.

Product Description

Product Description

KKZBL Doors: Single Door (as shown) The KatKabin DezRez is the new outdoor stylish house for cats. It is a light yet sturdy house with unique, feline-shaped ends that will appeal to cats of every type. The KatKabin will stand securely on any type of ground and comes with a KatKushion and a KatFlap door to keep wind and rain out. Please Note: Double-door KatKabins are special orders, and thus NOT returnable. Please allow an extra 24 – 48 hours for processing on double-door orders. Features: -Royal blue is the ideal choice for that cool, confident cat about town. -Includes KatKushion and a KatFlap door to keep the rain out. -Optional double door setup has door on each end (special order, not returnable). -Outdoor stylish house for cats. -Light yet sturdy with unique feline-shaped ends. -Great shelter for abandoned, wild or feral cats. -Specifically developed as an outside cat house which withstand extremes of temperature. -Made from the strongest materials and will not fade in sunlight. -Will stand securely on any type of ground and comes with a KatKushion and a KatFlap door to keep wind and rain out. -Dimensions: 13” H x 16” W x 22” D.

Whether your cat is an inside cat, an outside cat, or enjoys the best of both worlds – he or she will LOVE this KatKabin. You’ll love how beautiful it looks and love the fact that it keeps your baby warmer even more. Read more about the KatKabin by clicking the link or order your’s today on Amazon.

Order the Blue KatKabin.

Order the

Order the KatKabin DezRez Standard in Hot Pink.

Remember, the KatKabin is available in many colors. Just click through one of the links above and find the color you want! Those of us who love our cats like family (which is exactly what they are) do everything in our power to make them healthy, safe, and happy. This is just another way to show our babies how much we love them.

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Keeping Outdoor Cats Warm this Winter

by Joi

See more Lolcats and funny pictures

Brrrrrr… it has already cooled off considerably and thoughts have turned to keeping our outside cats warm.  As you know, we have one inside diva extraordinaire (Alexa).  She claims “squatting rights” and insists that our other cats remain outdoors.  Truth be told, outdoors is all 3 of them know and they’re just wild enough to flip if we ever did try to bring them indoors.

I remember one year we were having a HORRIBLE storm and I was scared for our outdoor cat (Svenn).  He was also what you’d consider pretty “wild,” but I brought him in anyway.  After all, he was my wild baby and I wasn’t going to let anything happen to him.

He went nuts.

He ran into the sliding doors – he screamed and meowed like he were being tortured and no amount of coddling or baby talk would calm him down.  I honestly thought he was going to have a heart attack!

Needless to say, I haven’t made that mistake sense.

My husband keeps our garage door opened just enough for our cats to get inside (and short possums, but they seldom go in for long).  Fortunately we don’t use our garage for anything except storing Christmas decorations, yard work supplies, and other seasonal knick knacks – so the cats consider it a large, wonderful winter home.

Pretty soon, my husband will grab a bale or two of straw and put it up in the loft of the garage.  I’ve climbed up there before and am amazed at how warm it stays with the straw and old blankets.  Of course, when spring rolls around, I have a ton of sweeping and cleaning to do but…. are you kidding me, it’s SO worth it to keep my babies warm and comfortable!

I’ve been looking on Amazon this morning at some items Hannah, Jelly Bean, Queen Fatima, and Bullet would like in their winter home and have found some GREAT stuff.

First up, the K&H 3093 Outdoor Heated Kitty Pad with Fleece Cover.

Product Features

  • Thermostatically controlled to warm to your cat?s normal temperature
  • Made of rugged ABS plastic
  • Ideal for sheds, garages, barns, or anywhere else your outdoor cats hang out
  • Includes 5.5-foot steel wrapped cord and fleece cover
  • 1-year limited warranty

Amazon.com Product Description

If your cat spends a lot of time outside, she needs the K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty Pad to rest in complete comfort. Just plug in the 5.5-foot steel wrapped cord to generate comfortable heat. The pad is thermostatically controlled to warm to your pet’s normal body temperature. Great for cathouses, porches, balconies, garages, barns, sheds, or even in your home. Made of rugged ABS plastic with fleece cover included. UL listed. 1-year limited warranty.

Second of all, the Allied Heated Pet Bowl – Plastic would keep them and ME happy. I can’t even tell you how many trips I make in the frigid cold to give them fresh, unfrozen ice!

Product Features

Size: 5-Quart
  • Thermostatically controlled.
  • Capacity of 1.25 gallons
  • Enables the consumer to remove the heating element after the winter season, which allows year-round use
  • Nonheated Bowl Replacements are available at a fraction of the cost of the entire Heated Bowl
  • Bowl is nestable, and the cord is coiled and secured to the bottom of the Bowl for a neat shelf appearance

Product Description

Allied, Plastic Heated Pet Bowl, 5 Quart. Low-wattage Heated Pet Bowl has a capacity of 1.25 gallons, and is thermostatically controlled. Available in either plastic or stainless steel. The plastic Bowl is dishwasher safe. Both enable the consumer to remove the heating element after the winter season, which allows year-round use. Nonheated Bowl Replacements are available at a fraction of the cost of the entire Heated Bowl. This means economical replacement of a worn bowl or convenient rotation of dirty bowls. Both bowls are nestable, and the cord is coiled and secured to the bottom of the Bowl for a neat shelf appearance. Patented. 50 watts, 120 volts. All of our products are fully warranted against defects in workmanship for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase, unless otherwise noted. U.L. Listed

Last of all, I’m wild about this K&H Outdoor Heated Kitty Camper, Measures 14 by 20 Inches! Knowing Alexa like I know Alexa – I KNOW she’d love this kitty camper even though she’s an inside cat. She gets chilly sometimes, even when we have the heat on. I remember Prissy always burrowed in between pillows or the girl’s stuffed animals on days she was convinced she was freezing! Even inside babies love heated beds and heated kitty campers!

Product Features

  • Outdoor or indoor heated cat shelter with roof and 40-watt heated pad
  • Great for outdoor cats that sleep in garages, sheds, porches and barns
  • Thermostatically controlled for cat?s normal body temperature
  • 2 doors for quick exit; 5-1/2-foot steel wrapped cord for chew resistance
  • Measures 11 by 14 by 20 inches; one-year limited warranty

Amazon.com Product Description

Great for keeping your favorite outdoor kitty warm through blustery nights, the Heated Kitty Camper sets up in any unheated outdoor structure, wood shed, garage, porch, or barn, offering your feline friend healthier joints and happier slumber. The Heated Kitty Camper not only offers protection from the cold, its cushiony comfort makes Fifi feel like she’s living in then lap of luxury. Kitty may make a quick exit, if necessary, by one of the two doors built into the design. Internal dual thermostats keep the temperature at a comfortable 102 degrees F when in use. When not in use, the surface of the bed stays between 10 and 15 degrees above room temperature so it’s always inviting.Built tough enough for outdoor use, the camper can also be used indoors with the same, safe heating functionality. The heater removes for quick machine washing for easy maintenance. And the 5-1/2 foot extension cord is steel wrapped for chew resistance and optimal safety for all. The 40-watt heater plugs into standard household electrical outlet for advanced heat dispersion. UL listed for safety, the camper measures 14 by 20 by 11 inches and carries a limited one-year warranty.

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Protecting Outside Cats in Excessive Heat

by Joi

As I’ve said many times before, I have outside cats that are only “outside” cats because of a certain inside baby (Alexa) who I’m afraid wouldn’t be too welcoming. We don’t call her our little spoiled baby for nothing.

Plus, a few of our outside cats are Ming Li’s kittens – she was a feral cat who it took months of coaxing to even approach. Unfortunately, she’s no longer with us but before she left, I was able to pet her at will – she actually became a pretty big baby, purring constantly.

She left behind several babies and, since they were born to such a wild little momma, I’d never stand a chance of picking them up!

I can pet two out of three of them regularly. They’re very sweet but picking them up would probably completely freak them out at this point.

So bringing them inside is an impossibility. Hannah, of course, can be picked up, hugged, kissed, and held all day… she loves it, the big baby. I’m just very scared of her and Alexa getting into a squabble. Besides, she doesn’t seem to mind living out in the wild.

However, with an excessive heat advisory in effect here in Owensboro, Kentucky today – I’ve been doing all I can to cool off my hot little girls and boys.

I’ve “iced” Hannah down twice – she loves it! Fatima wants no part of it and the boy cats look at me like I’ve lost my mind completely. Earlier, Fatima (the tiniest little cat in the world) looked on the brink of death – seriously. Her mouth was hanging open and her eyes just didn’t look right. I wet a towel down with cool water and laid it on the ground. She wouldn’t let me rub her with it but when I laid it out on the ground, she laid on top of it.

I then took out a big bowl of ice and placed it all around the area she and Hannah were lying in. They both licked the ice and laid down amongst the melting glaciers.

One of the boy cats (Bullet) took off for the barn after a long cold drink and the other (Jelly Bean) enjoyed the glaciers with the girls.

He’s such a little Romeo.

I looked out a few minutes ago (I’ve been checking on them frequently) and they were still chilling nicely. Fatima looks 100 percent better and Hannah seems to be hinting for another ice massage.

Soooo…. I’m off to ice my girl down and HOPE the others will allow me to give them one as well.

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Cat Perch for Pampered Cats

by Joi

Two Level Cat House -Cradle & Perch - Cream

This morning, as I was admiring our beautiful purple morning glories (planted specifically beneath one of Alexa’s favorite windows – so she can admire butterflies and hummingbirds up close and personal), I realized that IF there were such a thing as reincarnation, you could do a lot worse than coming back as a pampered house cat! They don’t have to fight for anything – food, water, shelter, a bed, attention, safety, head scratches, 8:00 am hummingbird shows….

I read not long ago that one of the things we Americans DIDN’T cut back on during the slumping economy was pet food and pet supplies. We love our babies! They bring us so much love, happiness, joy, companionship, and laughter – how could we NOT want to give them everything their little cat hearts desire?

Admittedly, I just returned from the store with cat food, fresh cat litter, and even a bag of Whiska’s Cat Treats. All of our cats absolutely adore these cat treats, especially the Salmon variety.

Now, Alexa’s curled up in her favorite cat bed – belly full and more content than anyone or anything has a right to be!

Three of our outside babies (outside simply because Princess Alexa wouldn’t accept just being “one” of the cats inside… she has to be “the” diva who lives inside with her people) Hannah, Fatima, and Jelly Bean are sprawled out in the shade, enjoying their full bellies and the August breeze.

Our fourth outside cat, Bullet, is apparently off catting around or sacked out in a loft. Hannah ate enough treats for her and him both, though.

The Two Level Cat House -Cradle & Perch – Cream appears to be something Alexa would be very much interested in and, personally, I’m crazy about the beautiful Cream color – though they’re available in 9 great other colors as well. The hunter green is also gorgeous – it might even make the pampered cat feel like she’s out in the jungle!

Product Description:
Whether you have multiple kitties, or just one who is the queen or king of the castle, this Two Level cat house is a great piece of cat furniture. This cat house features two rest areas – a round bed and a curved cradle. Not only is this a terrific cat lounger, it also is a scratching post. A solid pine pole is wrapped in all-natural sisal rope, which provides an outlet for busy paws. Available in nine colors – Cream, Tan, Brown, Red, Navy Blue, Country Blue, Green, Gray, and Hunter Green. With such a range of colors, you’re sure to find one for even your most finicky of felines. And remember – not only do cats love having their own area, but a good scratching post will deter your cat from scratching your furniture! This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 4-10 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping.

See Two Level Cat House -Cradle & Perch – Cream for a closer look. I just looked at the different colors again and now I’m torn – I love them all. The country blue couldn’t be any prettier. But the cream….

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Cat Lovers, Check Out Catios!

by Joi

My husband, and father of our cats, e-mailed me this great article this morning.  It’s always, always, always warm and wonderful to see other people who love their pets to distraction and back, too.

I could give a little background or set the stage, or patio as it were, but it’d be best if you read – and saw – firsthand what these cat lovers have done for their pampered babies.

Alexa’s only question is, “When do the patio renovations begin?”

Enjoy! – Catios Bring Cats Outdoors

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