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Cat Desk Bed for the Cat who fancies Herself, or Himself, a Secretary

July 1, 2011 By Joi

Cat in Box Desk Bed

The Refined Feline Kitt-in Box Cat Bed in Cherry

Brilliant! As someone who works from home – sitting busily at her computer desk each day, coffee to the left and cat (Alexa) to the right – I can honestly say that this is one of the most ingenious cat beds or perches I’ve ever seen. Before Alexa came along and became my adorable secretary, the position was held for many, many, many years by Prissy. She, too, was an adorable secretary. In fact, Prissy was actually even more fond of lying on the desk – between me and the computer – than Alexa is. Prissy was on the job Monday through Friday!

This beautiful and clever is available online from Amazon for a TOTALLY reasonable price – seriously, I thought it’d be twice as much.

Product Features

  • Clamps securely to desktop; felt pads resist scratching
  • Supports 20lbs including cats and small dogs
  • Comfortable foam cushion with machine washable cover
  • Constructed in solid pine
  • Adjusts to multiple positions

Take a closer look (you’ll love all of the pictures!) and order one for you own little secretary today! – The Refined Feline Kitt-in Box Cat Bed in Cherry

Filed Under: Cat Beds, Featured, The Pampered Pet Tagged With: Cat Beds, Cat Furniture, pampered cats

The Importance of Playing with Your Cat!

June 18, 2011 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?”

Filed Under: Alexa, Cat Health, Cat Videos, Fatima, Featured, Hannah, Jelly Bean, Prissy Tagged With: Cat Health, cat playtime, Funny cat videos, playing with cats

Three Foot Tall Cat House for the Pampered Kitty!

June 9, 2011 By Joi

3 Foot Cat House

The 3 Foot Cat House, shown above, is a cat house to end all cat houses!

Literally 3 feet in height, it offers limitless fun and adventure for your feline kids.

This piece of quality furniture is perfect for your cats (and even small dogs, with the cat’s permission) to play in, on and around. Load with a sisal rope post, cat house and top cat perch. It’s sturdy, built to last, and even features a dangling toy to entertain any cat.

I can picture Alexa sleeping inside the house section, as well as using the scratching post part. Prissy would have chosen the very top level because she LOVED to get up high (in her younger days, that is!). She’d get a special kick out of getting on top of the refrigerator and surprising me when I walked into the kitchen. Alexa, on the other paw, isn’t that fascinated with heights but she does love to get inside boxes, cat houses, and other small places.

I’ve noticed that she’s especially fond of these spots right before a big storm. It’s as though she’s wired to instinctively seek shelter… even though she’s an inside cat!

To take a closer look at this gorgeous 3 Foot Cat House, just click the link. While on the website, look around at all of the other wonderful cat toys, cat furniture, scratching posts, and so on.

It’s never too early to do a little Christmas shopping. Your cat told me to point that out.

Filed Under: Cat Furniture, Cat Trees, Featured, The Pampered Pet Tagged With: Cat Furniture, cat house, pampered cats

Something You Should NEVER Do to Your Cat!

May 10, 2011 By Joi

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.

Filed Under: Alexa, Cat Health, Cat Safety, Featured, Prissy, Scratching Posts Tagged With: Cat Health, cats scratching furniture, declawing, Scratching Posts

Cat Food Delivered Right to Your Doorstep!

March 23, 2011 By Joi

Alexa and Svenn

I’ve been reading about and researching PetFlow, a pet food delivery company. What I’ve come up with is this – how come no one thought of this before?!?!

This is absolutely brilliant and could be a really valuable service for a lot of people.

  • Older cat and/or dog owners who really don’t like getting out often.  Quite frankly, they don’t even have to be that old! Some people simply don’t like running errands and are getting pretty creative about having their errands come to them.
  • Pet lovers who live in very rural areas.  We once lived so far out in the “boondocks” that it took 30 minutes to get to a grocery store.  If we wanted to go to the nearest Wal-Mart, it was an extra 5 minutes.
  • People (like myself) who work full-time from home HATE having to get up, leave their work, go to the store, and come back to the work.  I can say, without a doubt, that this kills any and all momentum you’ve built up.  If you’re a writer, graphic artist, web publisher, or web designer – good luck jumping back ON the train of creativity after you’ve stepped off.  It’s nearly impossible.  But saving errands for the end of the day isn’t much better – that’s when the stores are the busiest… plus that’s when you need to be cooking supper, eating supper, reading the paper, and spending quality time with family (which naturally includes the ones who wear permanent fur coats).

PetFlow is the solution to a time-crunch problem many pet lovers have and it’s just about as simple as it could possibly be.  You search for the product/brands you want, set up a delivery schedule and check out.  In a few days your cat or dog’s food arrives at your door.  Think how excited your pet will be to get his or her own package.  As we all know, they’re just like kids… and little kids at that.

Visit PetFlow to browse the brands they have and read more about their service.

Filed Under: Cat Food, Featured Tagged With: cat, Cat Food, cat food delivery, cats

Fuddles: One Adorable Cat with a Story to Tell!

March 19, 2011 By Joi

Meet Fuddles! He’s a much-loved – and no doubt very pampered – beautiful cat who’s becoming a star. Hopefully he won’t let it go to his head. He’s Frans Vischer’s baby. Mr. Vischer, in addition to being a proud father to 3 without fur and one with, is a Disney animator. How unbelievably cool is that?

Frans says that observing Fuddles funny behavior inspired him to make his first picture book, Fuddles, which will be published by Simon & Schuster on May 3rd.

He also animated the book-trailer above. To read more about Fuddles and Frans, you’ll want to visit www.fuddles.net. I absolutely can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of this book. Alexa has worked up something of a crush on Fuddles.

She loves a cat who appreciates good food the way she does and, by all appearances, Mr. Fuddles knows his way around the food dish.

Fuddles is available for PRE-ORDERING on Amazon.

I’ve pre-ordered lots of books (and even dvds) on Amazon before and it works like a charm. As soon as the product is available – they send it right to you. I love it because it’s in your hands before anyone else really even knows about it. What can I say, that sort of thing sends me.

I’ll also put a link on the side of the website, so you can remember to order the book anytime you decide to. As a fanatical cat lover, I personally collect cat items (art prints, figurines, books, etc.) and can’t wait to add this to my collection. No doubt you feel the same way. Ahhh, cat people. We’re amongst the most passionate people on the face of the earth. But then again, given the objects of our affections, how could we not be?

Click HERE to order Fuddles on Amazon today.

Filed Under: Cat Videos, Featured, For the Cat Lover, Humor, The Pampered Pet Tagged With: cat books, cat lovers, gifts for cat lovers, pampered cats

20 Surprising Household Dangers to Cats

January 26, 2011 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.

Filed Under: Cat Health, Cat Safety, Featured, Personal Tagged With: Cat Health, Cat Safety, cat safety advice, cat safety tips

Beautiful Outdoor Cat House: The KatKabin

January 6, 2011 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.

Filed Under: Alexa, Bullet, Cat Beds, Cat Furniture, Cat Health, Cat Safety, Fatima, Featured, Hannah, Jelly Bean, Ming Li, The Pampered Pet Tagged With: cat bed, cat home, cat house, keeping outdoor cats warm

The Secret Adventures of Louie V: Perfect for Small Cat Lovers!

December 30, 2010 By Joi

As a cat lover, book lover, and home-schooling mother of three daughters (I home-schooled my daughters all the way from Kindergarten through High School), I have fallen in love with a couple of children’s books.  They’re  The Secret Adventures of Louie V children’s books and they are beyond excellent.  WAY beyond.  I was sent two beautiful books to review on Cat Pause and it is my supreme pleasure to do so!

When I taught our daughters to read (when they were between 4 and 5), I relied on beautiful, colorful children’s books filled with fun stories and colorful pictures. I chose books that didn’t talk “down” to the reader – as in keeping the vocabulary ridiculously simple.  As they got older, I always sought books that would expand their vocabulary.  If my daughters were in grade school today, the Louie V books would be right up my alley… and their little alleys as well.

These books are fun, beautiful, colorful, and ideal for young readers.  Best of all, they feature a main character (Louie V, a precocious Siamese cat…. then again, is there any other kind of Siamese cat?  I’ve had 3 and each was delightfully unpredictable!) that the reader will love.

Something else occurred to me while reading through these books, the illustrations are IDEAL for teaching children their colors – there are so many bright beautiful illustrations to choose from. There are also “counting opportunities” with many of the pictures.  They are outstanding and it’s obvious the author has had many, many, many dealings with precious children – she truly “gets” them and knows exactly what a young reader wants and needs.

Book Description:

When ‘SHE’ is away, Louie V will play! The Secret Adventures of Louie V series details the escapades of a mischievous Siamese cat when his doting—and unknowing—owner leaves the house. The colorful caper is meant to inspire the imagination in new readers and consists of two volumes, with a third (and more) on the way.

The debut volume introduces us to Louie V’s world unseen as he explores the closet belonging to ‘SHE.’ In the second, “Louie V Takes the Cake,” the sneaky feline is on a mission to figure out why his owner has been so busy. The answer, of course, is just for readers.

The books are available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com, and a variety of “Louie V” merchandise is available for purchase on www.LouieVAdventures.com. The website also features Louie’s blog, quizzes, and activities perfect for young Internet explorers.

About the Author:

Author Tracey Delio, M.A.CCC/SLP has been providing speech and language services to toddlers, preschoolers and school age children on Long Island for the last 15 years, and she was recently inducted into the Hicksville High School Hall of Fame for her work. Her areas of special interest include motor speech disorders, sensory integration disorders, early language development and PDD/ Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has worked side by side with ABA teams to facilitate speech and language development in the Autistic population. Tracey is a Certified PROMPT Instructor and teaches workshops in various locations throughout the United States.

Tracey is deeply involved in a number of charitable organizations including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Autism Speaks and the VH1 Save the Music Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of The Secret Adventures of Louie V will be donated to the aforementioned charities. Each of the charities Tracey is involved with support children and strive to make their future bright and prosperous.

If you are a parent or grandparent of small children, I know you’ll want to order both of these beautiful books for the precious little ones in your life – the one’s without fur, that is.  The one’s with fur are probably too busy to read.   I’m sure you’ll also want to order a Louie V stuffed animal as well.  He’s absolutely adorable and children LOVE to hold a toy that appears in a book they’re reading.  It seems to make everything extra special for them.  Visit Louie V’s Website to order your books and adorable stuffed animal today!

Filed Under: Cat Shop, Featured, For the Cat Lover Tagged With: books for cat lovers, Cat lovers books, childrens books

iPad Game for Cats: Taking Laser Toys a Paw Step Further

December 15, 2010 By Joi

Now tell me your cat isn’t going to love this! Cats love, love, love laser toys and this iPad Cat Game takes full advantage of the fun. All cat parents know that it’s very important to keep your cat or kitten mentally and physically active. Mentally and physically active cats are the healthiest and happiest cats, after all.

Check out the video!

You can actually download this adorable game for free by clicking HERE. Hopefully there’ll be a lot more iPad games like this for cats and the people who love them like family (and for good reason, that’s exactly what they are!).

Filed Under: Cat Shop, Featured Tagged With: Cat Toys, ipad cat game, laser cat toys

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Christmas Gift Guide 2022!

Christmas Gift Guide for Cats and Cat Lovers 2022

Christmas 2022 Gift Ideas for Cats and Cat Lovers

Welcome to Your Cat’s Favorite Blog!

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and, simply put, cats make my world go round! Please e-mail me with any questions regarding the cat blog.

Disclaimer: As someone who works full-time from home, I use affiliate links when posting about cat furniture, toys, litter boxes, etc. I make a small amount of money each time someone clicks through and purchases a product they see on my blog. This costs you absolutely no extra money whatsoever. It simply allows me to provide my cats with the lifestyle they’ve grown accustomed to!

You NEED This Book!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Magic of Cats

Chicken Soup for the Soul’s wonderfully entertaining and inspirational The Magic of Cats. My oldest daughter, Emily, has a story about one of my grandcats (“Eddie”) in this collection!

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Gorgeous Cat Tree!

Cat Tree

New on the Cat Blog

  • Adorable (and FUN!) Flapping and Chirping Duck Catnip Toy for Cats.
  • Automatic Cat Toy: Cats Lose Their Minds for These!
  • Rocket Cat Tunnel Tower (How Cute is This?!?!)
  • Cat Measuring Spoons: Great Gift Idea for Cat Lovers who Love to Cook
  • Christmas Gift Guide for Cats and Cat Lovers 2022: A Round-Up of Gift Ideas for Cats AND Their Humans!
  • Gorgeous, Deliciously Unique Cat Tree With “Nest Beds”
  • Machine Washable Donut-Shaped Cat Bed, Inexpensive and Gorgeous!
  • Adorable Japanese Style Tea Kettle for Cat Lovers

MinJee

Beautiful “MinJee”
We have inside and outside cats and we love them all like family. The beauty, above, is MinJee and she is as sweet as she is gorgeous.

If the spoiled inside crew would allow it, needless to say they’d ALL be inside. As it is, our outside cats have their own custom-built wooden homes and penthouses and, yes, they are all equipped with heating pads for the cold months.

We also feed and care for feral cats. Some honor us by following us home and allowing us to give them a forever home and to, more importantly, be their forever family.

#1 Best-Seller on Amazon


The Curious Cat Cube, Cat House / Cat Condo is currently the #1 Best-Seller on Amazon in Cat Houses & Condos.

An Ingenious Litter Box…


The Open Top Cat Litter Box Kit with Shield and Scoop is a number 1 best-seller on Amazon and has excellent reviews.

Christmas EVERYDAY!


If you're like me, you love nothing more than seeing your cat(s) with new toys. This collection of cat toys will make everyday feel like Christmas!

Cat Tunnel..


The adorable cat tunnel will give your cat(s) endless fun as they explore every nook and cranny!

Photographs on the Blog

I do not claim to have taken all of the photographs on this website. I did not take any of the “product” or “affiliate” merchandise photos  (unless I am reviewing a product, in which case it will be marked “Review”), nor do I claim to own them. If you are a photographer that sees something you want removed, simply e-mail me.

Keep Your Indoor Cat Active and Entertained

Alexa

Tips for Keeping Your Indoor Cat Entertained!

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