Cat Views

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.

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!

My two young cats are “indoor cats” and love to look out the window.  I have provided a window perch in the living room for them. They both love it but it has created dissention among the ranks! It seems that neither cat wants to share.

They keep coming up with all kinds of ploys to entice each other away from the perch. This results in much hissing, growling, swatting and spitting. It is very comical to watch and to see just how crafty they can be. I kept searching for a solution and discovered My Cats Heaven online products web site. Right in front of me was the very thing! A dual perch! It was ordered and delivered and placed in the window. I now have two very happy cats that get along just fine!

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.

What a beautiful time of year winter is when the ground is covered with new fallen snow and trees glisten with a crystal sparkle! We were warm and cozy inside enjoying the beautiful view outside when our cat strolled into the room and jumped up on her window perch. While she sat looking out the window a few deer ambled into the yard. One of the deer spotted her in the window slowly, and full of curiosity made its way to the window. The cat sat perfectly still while the deer inched closer and closer to the window until their noses were touching through the glass. They spent some time communicating with each other in this manner. A week passed and the cat and deer met daily to visit. Sadly, the deer moved on but the cat kept sitting in the window looking for her friend. She realized her friend had gone but kept looking and hoping her friend will come back and visit another time

There once was a cat named Sue
She was a gorgeous Russian Blue
Very prim and proper she was
Everyone says that it is because
Petted and pampered beyond belief
Their only comment was “good grief”
Lounging in her kitty hammock so fine
Is where she spends her time

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.

Meet Kiki…. She likes to read her Sunday morning paper lying in the middle of the family room floor in her not-so-snazzy box lid. Pet parent, Alan decided to upscale her digs with a custom 3-sided window cat perch. Although she already had a window perch, he thought perhaps she might especially enjoy the luxury of style by mirroring the design of the perch to match her proclivity to her cardboard lid. It fostered ‘almost’ instant snuggles, happily perched during her afternoon naps to enjoy the outdoor neighborhood happenings. Another spoiled kitty!!

My grandson has a very acrobatic cat. She loves her Cat Tree House and spends a great deal of time performing regularly in it. One of her favorite tricks is to swing down from layer to layer and hanging over the edge. One day she went too far and found herself caught between the cat tree and the wall. Finally she extricated herself and decided playing on the floor next to it with her tail was safer but she soon got bored with that and was back in her cat tree. Once again she was entertaining us with her antics by swinging from layer to layer like a monkey. She really loves her cat tree!