Saturday, September 18, 2010

Cat Stuff That Will Surely Entertain Your Pet

When you are at the local pet store, and you are looking at all the different play products for your your feline companion, you can be assured that one of them will appeal to your cat.

A lot of people do not realize that cats are a lot like kids. They grow up, and there are toys that appeal to them at a certain age, and then they get interested in other ones. Following theses tips will help you find the right one.

.Get a cat tower before anything else, and your feline will love you forever. They are the perfect item for any cat to scratch on while having fun climbing and looking around. Not to mention that they will tear up the tower instead of your furniture.

Toy mice are probably one of the most fun filled toys a cat can hope for. Get the right kind of toy- not too small, not too big, and watch the playful chasing as your cat tosses it around the house all day long.

Get some catnip as well. This stuff drives cats crazy, and if you enjoy watching your cat play, you will get a kick out of how nuts they get when they get catnip. A nice side bonus to catnip is that they will get tired fast, which means they will nap and leave you alone after a while.

Remember that cats can get hooked on catnip really quickly, and you have to be careful with how much you give them. Just like people, they can get addicted, and you don't want to deal with those problems if you can help it.

Because cats are so easily entertained, they can find fun with a lot of different things, including ones that are laying around your house. So, look for old rope, stuffed animals or small objects that slide easily on the floor. The options are limitless, and it all depends on what kinds of things your cat likes.

Cats need to play for their overall health and well being, so the important thing is that they have toys that they like to use.

About the Author:  Lisa Eigenmann

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

The Cat Scratching Problem And Its Solution

Scratched furniture, shredded curtains and carpets - all these 'facts' are signs that the house is 'owned' by a cat! The majority of cat lovers get really angry with their pets when these little disasters happen, yelling at them and trying to make them stop scratching. However, we should remember in such circumstances that scratching is a healthy habit and a natural instinct - it helps cats stretch, exercise, sharpen their claws and mark their territory.

Don't even think about punishing your kitty for behaving normally! She will not understand you, continuing to scratch, this time with an 'attitude'. Declawing is another bad option - this procedure is painful and has severe side-effects on your pet's health.
The simplest solution is to acquire and install a cat scratching post. This useful invention allows a cat to scratch, sharp her claws, stretch and play for as long as she likes without damaging your belongings and your nerves.


Nowadays, the online market offers different models of scratching posts - from the classical sisal-covered vertical pole to the more original scratching pads with surfaces from carpet or cardboard. For those owners who are not afraid to invest a little more in the well-being of their kittens, there are also more extravagant options - cat gyms, cat trees and cat condos.


So how to choose the best scratching post - after all, the diversity is overwhelming! Actually, it's very simple: just study your pet's habits, they are the only 'key' you need! If your kitty is scratching chairs and other vertical surfaces, buy a vertical post. If she enjoys scratching the floor and the carpets, maybe she needs a carpet-covered horizontal pad.


Also, measure your cat and make sure that the post is taller than she is. Otherwise, she won't be able to fully stretch and play! The post should be heavy and sturdy - the last thing you want is a collapsed, useless post! Cats adore to scratch solid things and easily lose interest if the post is too light. If your kitty is still little, attach some toys to the post - this will guarantee many hours of enthusiastic playing!


It's also important to install the post in a 'strategic' place. If your cat's favorite scratching spot is the kitchen wooden cabinet, that's where the post should be placed! Avoid installing it in a dark storage room - kitties with normal self-respect will never go and play in such a place. After all, they like to socialize and show off a little - why not use this to your own advantage?


Teaching your kitty to use the post is the next step. Don't be too strict! Cats - unlike dogs - are not obedient and do not respond to commands. Use patience and affection instead and play with your furry friend near the post until she figures out on her own how fun it is to scratch it.


With a scratching post, you'll soon forget about the stress of seeing how your new things are being destroyed. You'll be calm and your kitty will be extremely content, being able to manifest her natural needs. However, don't forget that cats are very clean animals. They will not scratch a filthy, smelling post - that's why you have to give it a good wash when you notice that it got dirty.


About the Author:Lauren Brooks