Archive for the 'Cat Trees' Category
Christmas Cat Poem in June!
Twas the night before Christmas still all through the house,
Doofie was napping on her cat perch with mouse.
She got a Lazy Mouse Laser by CMI Pets,
Voted “#1 Cat Toy” – a mouse it projects.
But she didn’t even swat, ‘cause it doesn’t smell or taste,
Like anything natural and no tail to chase.
And even though it touts pet wellness & play,
Only time will tell but perhaps one day it may.
Funny! It’s covered by a 5-year warranty,
Rather only to collect dust next to her Lotus cat tree.
Lotus Cat Tree Brawl
Sledging out to see who gets first dibs on top! Meet Zeek & Nicodemus, a couple of very spoiled male Ragdolls battling over trying to be king cat on the top perch of their new Lotus cat tree! That’s 30-40lbs of cat & fur! I bet they don’t even care that the mahogany finish matches their beautiful coats! Pretty classy, though. Thanks to Constance, their human who has a keen eye for clean modern cat furniture.
Cat Furniture Conundrum
So what’s the difference between a cat gym, cat tree & cat tower? I have no idea! I’ve decided that in truth they’re all about the same. But, for the sake of order … (I love to organize!!), I’ve categorized as follows:
Japanese “Cat Cafes”
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.
Cat Quirks
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!
“Joe” and His Cat Tree
And he NEVER moved very slow
Cat trees were his treasure
Each providing him with pleasure
Up at the top he figured he was safe
From a great big fluffy dog named “Rafe”
He would tease and torment his pal
And then he’d race down the hall
Up his cat tree he would go
This fast moving kitten named “Joe”.
Cats Love Holidays!
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.
Creative Play for Cats
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!
Welcoming a New Cat to the Family
I’m so attached to my cat Lucille that I even promised her I would never get another feline as long as she was around. As it turns out, that was a bold-faced lie. I didn’t intend for it to happen, but a friend who works at the humane society described an orphaned kitten and I just had to have a look. Needless to say, Lucille had a cuddly new roommate within the week.
The introduction went better than expected; I learned that the older cat isn’t all that territorial. In fact, the cats have already started to clean each other and play just as though they were siblings. I found a creative cat playground online to help them bond even further. Shockingly, they were happy to share the climbing apparatus equally. My friends were surprised to find how well adjusted my cats had become in just a month’s time.
The Athlete and His Cat Tree
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.