Cat Views

Sly’s modern cat condo arrived this weekend. First, let me extol the excellent packing, delivered in perfect condition even though it traveled all the way from Germany! I am a bit like Rachel Maddow is about infrastructure when it comes to realistic packing. The very second I got it out of the box, Sly was in it! He adores it so much we haven’t had a chance to mount it on the wall. Every time there’s a lull in the chore list I think, now I’ll get the Rondo installed, he’s asleep in it! It is extremely-well made and so beautiful that even if he hadn’t become so attached to it right “out of the box” I would have been happy enough with it to find other uses for it [a multi-purpose cat condo!!] But he does love it so it’s a huge success all round. Thanks! – Diane

Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose. — Garrison Keillor

Inspired by the work of Frank Lloyd Wright, Architectura is a pet house designed for cats – the ultimate cat condo designed by Pre-Fab Pets! Slatted walls on two sides provide excellent ventilation and a fun place for pets to hide but still see what’s going on around them. Or, perch top for premium high-rise snoozing!

Valentine’s Day isn’t just for humans! No, in fact I bet a lot of us live with cats who are a more affectionate than some people we know! In an article featured on our site at The Daily Cat discusses some interesting “I Love You” cat behaviors. Cat behaviorist expert Jackson Galaxy, (wow, what a name!) says, “Absolutely! …. cats are the masters of detached love.” I wonder, does that mean those of us so crazy about cats prefer “detached” love. Hum, that’s something to ponder. “They express love in ways that baffle us”. Here’s just a few “you’re my human” antics:

1. Grooming: Your cat licking you mimics their mother’s love
2. Purring (my favorite!): Associated with “kitty”hood milk-time feeding experience.
3. Rubbing, Kneading, Mock Spraying & Gumming: Scenting you to claim you as there own
4. Blinking: A stare (we all know that one!), followed by a blink, then open eye with second soft blink signifying trust.
5. Gifting Dead Critters (I get LOTS of gifts!!): Rather than a “gift” its bringing home to a safe place.

How do we tell them, “I Love You”? Offer them supreme bliss with a new cuddly cat condo! This is a wonderful article, filled with an insightful perspective on cat behavior. Be sure to take just a minute to learn more about “let me count the ways!”

Yesterday I was bemoaning the exercise of month-end accounting. Interesting how quickly things can be put into perspective! The other day, we got an order for a 47” Kitty Hotel cat condo from a customer inOhio. There order specified a different shipping address from their billing address. We have our system set up to trigger an alert from our credit card processor as an added safety precaution service for our customers. We decided the service it was necessary and prudent when we began to experience a trend of increasing fraudulent sales; unauthorized use of other peoples’ credit cards. Getting back to our Kitty Hotel story, I called the customer to verify the address discrepancy. While on the phone, I like to take the opportunity to bond with our customers. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about what they think of the site (easy to navigate, easy to find) and about why they selected a particular item. I discovered during the call, that our customer had experienced a serious accident, resulting in major life changes one including adopting Bootsie, an abandoned cat. Bootsie has now become a most-favored part of the family, being a wonderful companion to someone suffering life’s challenges.

We lived n a nice 2nd floor apartment in a New Jersey suburb at a time when it was safe for people to leave their doors open at night. My parents always left the door ajar for the cat to come and go at night. She had a habit of waking them up in the mornings by biting them on the nose. If that didn’t arouse them her 2nd ploy was to jump on the headboard of the bed and reach her paw up under the painting they had hung above the bed. She would look down at them, and pull it away from the wall. It worked every time to get them up. One night my dad was awakened by something cold and wet swishing across his face. He opened his eyes and there was the cat with a dead bird in her mouth trying to bite his nose to show him her gift. He got up, thanked her for the gift and told he preferred his birds alive, and went back to bed. An hour later, she was back with a live bird which she turned loose in the bedroom for him. Again he got up, thanked her, caught the bird and put it out. He then shut the door and put some fresh catnip in her cat condo for her. She went in and curled up in her condo and he went back to bed!

Japan has come up with something new and a wonderful idea. They have established “Cat Cafes” which are becoming more and more popular.These “cafes” are a wonderful combination of animal shelter and tea house. Workers in Japan face long commutes and long hours of unpaid overtime. What better place to go and de-stress than a Cat Cafe? You can sip on tea or coffee, read a magazine, and have a cuddly warm cat curled up in your lap to pet at the same time. The cats are provided with wonderful accomodations like cat gyms, perches, condos, scratchers and cat beds. (These are professional cats). Calicos seem to be a favorite. It seems that single men in their 30’s find these cafes very appealing. They can go in, pay a nominal fee and spend an hour relaxing and playing with or petting a cat of their choiuce. These men are probably  gone on frequent business trips and do not have the time or accomodations to care for a pet. What a wonderful way to have a pet plus it is a great situation for the animals! They are loved and cared for while providing a great service to the customers.

I’ve been talking to some friends about the strange habits of their cats. One cat loves to be petted and the more you pet her, the bushier her tail grows until it is a full bush. Another friend says her cat has a very annoying habit. He does not like it when she brushes her teeth. She goes into the bathroom and unless she locks the door, he opens it and comes in. While she is brushing her teeth he will jump up and bite her butt! How many of you have cats that like to sleep in the wash basin in the bathroom? You can even turn the water on mine and he won’t move. My daughter’s cat lines up the heads of his “kills” in her bedroom closet for her to see. (Ugh)! My female cat hates closed doors and will go around opening them. Closets, cupboards or any closed door is okay with her to open and she is very good at it. We have strange habits and so do they. Most of the cats do like their scratchers and condos and a nice cozy cat bed and in spite of their oddities we supply them with these beloved items, because we care about our pets!

We all know how some cats love to “help” their owners with their daily chores while others could care less. My cat is one of the “helpers”. When I make the bed, she runs in, jumps up on the bed and pushes the spread under the pillows. (I couldn’t do it without her)! If I’m cooking she’s in the kitchen doing what she can to help. You know, batting at soapsuds is a big chore! When the Christmas tree went up, she really excelled! Playing with the branches and bits of flocking on the floor and then laying under the tree to keep it safe! The hanging crystal drops fascinate her. Due to her activities I know just what “Santa” will bring her..a  Pawprint Tunnel and Condo Play Center  from My Cat’s Heaven.

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!

With the Holiday Season upon us, we need to be more vigilant where our precious pets are concerned. Dogs and cats love presents! They will get under the tree and open them when they can or work in tandem to do so. Our dog will pull them out for the cat to rip open. That’s teamwork for you! However, cats will play in the tree and bat ornaments around. The broken bulbs can prove to be a hazard, along with tinsel (which some cats love to eat). Ribbons, ties, greenery, berries, are other items which may entice them to nibble. Then there is the delicious aroma of roasting turkey! Cats will hang around the kitchen, and being very mobile can jump on the countertop to access the stove and possibly getting burned. When you open the refrigerator door pay attention as a curious cat may climb in unnoticed. There is a wonderful array of perches, condos, scratchers, and play areas you can provide for your cat in a safe area away from the tree and the kitchen.