Cat Views

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.

Bombay cats are exotic in appearance resembling a “mini panther”! These cats can be leash trained and will even play “fetch” with you. Bombays can be very entertaining just by using their own creative measures. These cats are congenial, outgoing, intelligent, socially inquisitive, affectionate, lap-cats. Easy going, they are very compatible with dogs and other pets. They do well with children and often act as a “greeter” towards guests. Their bodies are medium length with rounded heads and short muzzles. Their coats are short, flat and gleaming black with gold to copper eye color. Keeping these rare cats indoors is essential. It is important to provide them with a variety of scratching posts for the natural behavior of scratching in lieu of de-clawing. Not de-clawing allows them to live a healthy life and you to fully enjoy them and their very unique personalities.

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.

Cats are natural hunters and predators. It is no wonder they become active during the middle of the night! Mice and small prey come out after dark and the cats “natural instincts” seem to take over at that time.

If your cat is a house pet, evenings are for playing predatory and hunting games. The theory offered is that perhaps the cats don’t get enough play and exercise during the day. Young cats have an abundance of energy, and new kittens often feel insecure in new family surroundings, which factor in to promoting nocturnal activity.

Lady Jane offers some possible solutions:

Ø  Help a new kitten to feel more secure by cuddling and gently petting it.

Ø  Provide more opportunities for play at appropriate times ceasing at least an hour before bedtime.

Ø  If necessary, confine the cat to a bedroom or bathroom providing food and water in their pet feeder, litter box, and a scratching post.

Ø  Keep a spray bottle or gun-shaped hair dryer by the bed to thwart nighttime playful attacks.

Remember, each cat is an individual and by trial and error you can arrive at an acceptable solution for both of you.

We stumbled upon a great article about insuring successful pet adoptions. Insuring a happy, permanent home is vital in avoiding the sad and unpleasant experience of returning a pet to a shelter.  Purina Pet Food compiled a great checklist to help families prepare for a success adoption:

1. Commit as you would a child.
2. Plan on life changes.
3. Verify that your ordinances allow pets, especially if you live in a multi-housing complex and association communities.
4. Modify your space for safety.
5. Please don’t gift pets!
6. Select a pet to match your lifestyle.
7. Avoid getting caught up in an emotionally “love at first sight” response.
8. Plan for continued, long-term care past the “newness” phase especially if it is a “kids” pet. 
9. Expect an adjustment period.
10. Provide exercise & stimulation.