Cat Views

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.

A much anticipated long summer vacation included a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park was about to begin. With several children and a very large cat in tow, we packed our supplies in the old station wagon.

We arrived at Yellowstone Park anxious to explore. The camp was set up and the Wicker Pet Crate Cabinet placed in the car, and off we went.

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The Main Coon Cat is America’s only native longhaired cat. It is suggested their origins began with longhaired cats brought in from the Scandinavian and Baltic areas. The old sailing vessels used cats to control the mice population. These cats bred with the heavier-bodied powerful short haired cats common to the seaboard states, creating a Native American and natural breed adapted to the New England climate.
The Main Coons have a long body and deep chest. They have the incredible mass and strength required to catch their prey in the heavy brush of New England. Being night hunters they have extremely long whiskers and a massive tail. Their tail has a thick, muscular base giving them total balance and agility when chasing at high speed or  climbing a cat tree.The Main Coon cats are the most perfect predators of our domestic cats, and they have no wild-species bloodlines associated with them. In spite of their prowess at hunting they are loving and intelligent house pets with a sweet disposition.

Our family loved to camp and we always went as a family unit (including our two adored cats).  Other friends and their families joined us at the campsite bringing along their pets as well. One weekend we were forced to use an “overflow” camping area where there were no regular campsites. After dinner, we discovered our oldest cat was missing. He had slipped his collar and disappeared.  We were frantic! Our house cat was loose in the woods and it was dark! After several hours of calling and searching we all sat down around the dying campfire totally worn out and depressed. One of the girls glanced up and said, “mom, dad, I know where he is”. We immediately came out of our lethargic state with renewed energy ready to resume the hunt. We didn’t have far to go! Alex, the cat, was sitting under the car watching us the entire time. The next trip, the cats will have their own Kat Kabin to sleep in!

For families that go traveling and camping with their cat, this Outdoor Heated Kitty Camper is perfect to take with you. I’m sure it comes to many minds that nights can be very cold and sometimes a cat’s normal bed may not be enough to stay warm. The Heated Kitty Pad that is inserted into the unit ensures your cat will be sung as a bug in a rug! This bed is not just usable for trips away from home and camping, but also for the cat that loves to be outside. Cats with arthritis would also enjoy this bed as the warmth can sooth sore joints and muscles. Worried about energy? Not to worry! The Heated Kitty pad operates at a low wattage! Good for your pet and your peace of mind.

It was summer and our big, fluffy cat, John, loved to be outside.  One bright sunny day a mockingbird landed on our fence and spied the cat! Well, the bird took it from there. He taunted the cat who naturally, went after him. The jumped up on the fence, but the wily bird flew up to the roof. The cat leaped up to the roof and the bird flew down to the picnic table. The cat landed on the picnic table and the bird took off to the fence. When the cat tired of the chase he would retire to his KatKabin.  The bird would then sit on the fence and call, “kitty, kitty, kitty”, until the cat would flatten his ears and shoot out of the Kat Kabin and resume the chase.  After a month, the bird finally tired of taunting the cat and flew off. Once again our summer days were quiet and restful and the cat could enjoy the yard.

We all know about our cats and their sometimes not so wonderful hunting abilities. Some cats really like to show off their trophies and ours was no exception. It was just around suppertime when the cat raced in to show us his prize.   It was a bird! The bird, still alive, escaped from his jaws and fluttered around the kitchen. We captured the bird and placed it safely in the cat’s carrier. The next day, we took the little bird to Game Management. They took one look at our little bird and told us it was a baby Fly-Catcher and were surprised it had survived in the carrier overnight. The carrier door was opened. The bird escaped and flew around the office. One of the gentlemen there scooped it up in his hand. When he opened up his hand, the tiny bird had a firm grip with his little beak on a finger. He commented, “This one is a survivor”.

We brought the carrier home and the cat crawled in looking for his bird. After discovering the bird was missing, he looked at us and spit, scooted out of the carrier and furiously stalked outside with his ears flattened. He had to go and replace his trophy!

We all love praise for things we do well, and like to please others.  Cats are no different for all their show of independence.  Here are two good examples of their love for praise.

My parents were living in an urban apartment complex which narrows cats hunting choices to mice and birds.  In the wee hours of the morning my father was awakened by something cold and wet being dragged across his face.  The cat had brought him a dead bird. He took the gift and praised her hunting ability but told her he preferred his birds alive. An hour later, she again jumped on the bed gifting him with a live bird which she turned loose.

My own cat, Bandit, was a mouser.  He brought me a lovely mouse. Foolishly, I ordered him to take it outside.  This was the wrong approach!   He and his mouse were soon back in the house.  Again, I told him to take it outside and, once again, he and the mouse were back. I suddenly realized it was the wrong thing to say, he had expected praise.  I proceeded to tell him what a wonderful hunter he was, and what a great mouse he had caught. Finally, we were both happy. He received the praise he was looking for and I no longer had a mouse in the house! This just proves a little praise can go a long way!

With hardy winter weather conditions afoot, cat owners become concerned about how best to care for their outdoor cats, particularly their feral feline friends. How cold is too cold, especially on chilly winter nights?

There are a number of outdoor cat condo options, but one of the most economical is a new product by K & H Pet Products, the Kitty Camper. This is the perfect solution for your outdoor or feral cat buddy, the Kitty Camper. It’s like a little pup-tent for cats! Great in the basement, garage, outside shed or patio it can be plugged into any standard outlet. The little side cubby allows for easy access while the ends can allow your cat to snooze & peruse their surroundings. Designed to gently warm the inside of the bed area, the heat gradually radiates to the surface of the bed when your cat lies on it. Safe, energy efficient and therapeutic warmth for convalescent, arthritic and older pets, this nifty little cat bed will a favorite spot for your outside buddy.

Especially now that winter is upon us, our little feral cat buddies are a particular concern. Katkabin outdoor cat condo is an innovative insulated outdoor cat house. Made of durable light-weight plastic, the tubular house is an ideal feline-shaped habitat which appeals not only to our 4-footed feline friends but to human esthetic expectations of a clean, modern look for outdoor cat furniture. Proven to be ideal for abandoned, wild or feral cats, it can withstand extreme temperatures. The special polystyrene floor adds extra insulation for even the coldest winter conditions.