Cat Views

There once was a kitten named Puff
Just a cute little ball of fluff
She loved to run and play
Climbing curtains and making them sway
Away she’d run knowing that was naughty
When confronted she became very haughty
Off she would go and hide in her condo
Round and round in it she would go
Then she’d cuddle and purr to make amends
So Folks, this is how my story ends!

Cats can be very clever and creative when they want something, especially when it comes to opening doors! Ever come home and find your cat’s food scattered all over the floor and spilling out of an open cupboard? How did this happen when you had it safely locked away? Just look to your 4 pawed culprit! Cupboard doors (unless they lock)are a cinch for them when the cupboards contain treats. Treats and food in boxes are not a problem for them to get into once the doors are opened (sharp claws and teeth excel here)! Unlocked sliding doors can be worked open with a little effort. Cats can learn how to jump up and turn door knobs; however they can’t seem to work a safety chain loose. Creative cats need creative play areas to maintain their interest. Cat play stations or gyms are perfect ways to keep them happy, content and out of the cupboards!

Cats can be very clever and creative when they want something, especially when it comes to opening doors! Cupboard doors are a cinch for them. It is even easier when there are treats to be found. Treats and food in bags and boxes pose no problems for them. Sharp claws and teeth excel at opening them. Unlocked sliding doors can be worked open with some effort on their part. Some cats learn how to jump up and turn doorknobs; however, they can’t seem to figure out how to work a safety chain loose. Giving your cat creative play areas that hold their interest such as scratch arch and toys, play stations and gyms are perfect ways to keep them happy, content and out of your cupboards.

Cats are noted for being finicky but how much attention do we pay to their unique tastes, especially when it comes to “people” food? After living for a good many years with seven cats and a dog (who didn’t stand a chance against so many cats), you learn about the individual tastes they acquire. Alex, the oldest was our Italian cat. He loved Oregano (which affected him like catnip), pizza and spaghetti. Next, a Blue Point Siamese named Pye, who favored peanut butter and melons. Candy loved iced tea and would drink your glass down (if she could get it) as far as she could put her head into the glass. Smokey, loved Mexican food, enchiladas but especially rice and beans. Bandit was the pickiest…he NEVER ate any cat food but wanted eggs scrambled (in the microwave only, if you please) stir fry veggies and of course, chicken, fish and hot dogs. The other two cats just ate cat food and never did like anything else but an occasional treat of evaporated milk. One thing for all their different personalities they all agreed on was their perches and kitty condos. The cats had great fun playing on them and then taunting the dog and leaping up out of harms way.

What has your kitten done today? Did it climb your best curtains, or your leg? How about the claw sharpening? Did the kitten use your favorite chair, a choice basket, or a piece of wicker or sea grass furniture? What little rascals they can be! These adorable little balls of fluff can be little (or big) headaches. However, these darling little kittens can provide hours of entertainment and companionship. Cat trees, cat perches, condos and scratchers are all great play areas for kittens and grown cats as well. How we love to pamper our pets with these wonderful play items! These “toys” save our household furnishings while providing a healthy environment for our precious pets.

Some cats are very athletic and love to show off their ability. It is amazing how supple they are and what they are capable of! Our small kitten decided he was a “high flyer” at the age of 3 months. We lived in a second story apartment with casement type windows (they crank outward to open). Accidently we left one of the windows a little more ajar than usual. Our kitten was always in the window wanting to go out. Well, he seized the opportunity to squeeze out the small opening with as much force as he could muster and shot out of the window and dropped to the ground. In a panic we rushed down the stairs and out the door expecting to find our precious little kitten severely injured. To the contrary, our kitten was full of energy and delighted with himself for finding such a quick way to get outside. We watched our windows very carefully after that! As he grew older, he loved to jump and practiced jumping from the top of his cat tree while in the house. In the evenings when the boys were out tossing the football around he would jump up trying to catch it. His trip out of the window must have spurred him on to become a high jump athlete.

Kittens are adorable, lovable little balls of fluff. What fun to watch their crazy antics! Give two kittens a paper sack, and they are in and out of it pouncing on one another and having a great time. A piece of string, catnip mice, and balls with bells in them can entertain them for hours.

Kitten Play Centers provide plenty of exercise while chasing each other up and down and perching precariously on the top. A cozy cat bed provides a wonderful place to nap, although young kittens can suddenly drop in place and fall sound asleep. Curiosity can get them into all kinds of predicaments like jumping into a box that they can’t climb out of, getting a head stuck in a glass while trying to reach the milk. Climbing curtains usually upsets their owners while they are having a good time. Extricating them from some narrow space they tried to explore and can’t escape from is a common occurrence. However, the pleasure derived from watching these mini-clowns outweighs the necessity to bail them out of the results of their mischief.

Turkish Angoras are a rare breed of beautiful cats. It is believed they originated in the mountainous regions of Turkey. Their written history can be traced back as far as 16th century France. These cats have a soft, silky, medium-long coat that rarely mats. They are elegant, fine boned cats with loving, playful natures and easily adapt. They accept dogs and other pets but assert themselves to become the “Alpha” pet of the household. These cats are excellent companions for children, and seniors. Cat trees and cat perches are good choices for these gorgeous cats to entertain you as well as themselves. Turkish Angoras are usually called “Turks” and are all white however; today at a cat show you might see them in black, cream, blue and red. Turks are considered a National Treasure in their native land. Current “Turk” owners consider them a “treasure” as well.

There once was a cat named Ogee
Who loved to play in his Pet House Cat Tree
Up he would climb to the top
Where he really would have to stop
At the top he would stay and play
Before he decided to make his way
Layer by layer down he would go
Till he reached each limb below

Cats are amazing creatures and awesome to watch! Their lithe movements and supine positions are reminiscent of a well-oiled precision machine. Innate hunting skills allow them to survive even in the strangest situations. Independent and quirky personalities of cats are the delight of many pet owners. Several well used sayings about cats come to mind while watching our pets. “She walks on silent cat feet”, and “Dogs have masters, but cats have staff”. It is always surprising when a cat suddenly appears as if from nowhere. It can cause you to wonder!
Most cats love their toys and have playful natures. It is interesting to see what they find to play with that can keep them busy for some time. As much as they love their toys, they love a warm place to snuggle and snooze. Heated cat beds and cat condos are an ideal place for them to nap. They also like cat trees for exercise (especially indoor cats), and are great fun to watch while playing in one. Yes, we pamper our pets, and why not? They are a wonderful source of comfort and companionship. Watching their antics can amuse us for hours.