Marmite The Cat, Rescue Cat Award Winner 2010

Marmite is Truely an Amazing Cat, helping Lindsay Davies through here difficult pregnancy and thorught the early stages of labout. Marmite was crowned

Most Incredible Story and Rescue Cat of the Year 2010, in recognition of his lion-hearted efforts.

 

 The makers of the yeast extract presented the magnificent moggy and his owners Lindsey and Huw Davies, 21, and 25, from Portsmouth, with a bespoke luxurious Marmite branded cat basket, Marmite ceramic drinking bowl and a life time supply of the yeasty stuff. They also donated £1,000 to Cats Protection, who organise the awards.

When Lindsey Davies suddenly went into labour alone, she was terrified until Marmite stepped in as an emergency midwife and didn’t leave her side for two hours as she waited for her partner to arrive home and helped keep the mum-to-be calm and relaxed. Marmite was also a constant support to Lindsey who suffered painful conditions of pre-eclampsia and anaemia during a difficult pregnancy. He was thrilled when baby Ruby arrived safe and well, and is just as protective of the new arrival.

Lindsey Davies, Marmite’s owner commented: “Marmite followed me around everywhere during my pregnancy and stayed by my side like a birthing partner. He wouldn’t leave me and kept cuddling me when he knew I was in more pain. My husband and I both love Marmite, which is why we named him that in the first place!”

Tom Denyard, marketing manager added: “it was terrific to hear how Marmite had supported his owner and felt only right to mark his efforts with a little something special. We hope he enjoys his new one-of-its-kind Marmite throne and bowl.”

As you can see Marmites Cat Bed is Truely one of a kind!

 

In toal there were 5 award winners at the Cat Protection’s 2010 Cat of the year awards, Marmite won the “Most incredible Story Award”, Purdy won “Ultimate Survivor”, Oscar was “Best Friends Winner”, Bobby was “hero Cat Winner” (you simply must read this story) and Tess “purina Lifetime Acheivement Winner”
You can see all this years winner and read there stories at http://www.cats.org.uk/get-involved/rescuecatawards/rca-lifetime-achievement/

Cat Beds Fit for a King

Once upon a time, long, long ago, our royal domesticated house cats were content to use an empty shoe box as a bed. My, how times have changed. These days, only a third-class peasant cat would be caught dead sleeping in mere cardboard. Tacky, tacky, tacky.

No, these days, cats require much more appealing and stylish sleeping quarters. They require plush fabrics, sleek lines, contemporary designs, and color choices ranging from popping prints to natural earth tones. Luckily, with all the choices in cat beds today, even a middle class cat can sleep like a king.

Fleece blankets make wonderful, portable cat beds that serve multiple purposes. Usually made of snuggly, soft fleece, they can be draped over furniture or kitty’s other favorite sleeping spot to protect against cat fur accumulation while adding extra warmth. As kitty lays on the blanket more and more, her scent goes deep in the fibers and the blanket becomes her very own safe place. The blanket can then be moved if you want kitty to start sleeping in a more convenient spot. The blanket will comfort kitty during moves, changes within the home, or visits to the vet.

For a cat, looking out the window is a comforting pastime, akin to humans staying in for a relaxing night in front of the television. But laying in a narrow, uneven window sill just isn’t good enough. Now, window gazers have cat beds that fit onto the window sill, allowing for extra warmth, comfort, and space as they watch the world go by. Window sill cat beds usually clamp on to the sill for a cozy, stable resting spot in the sun.

For kitties who like to stay closer to the ground, or older kitties who aren’t as adventurous as they once were, plush pillow cat beds offer stylish warmth and softly cushion kitty’s bones from cold, hard floors. Whether surrounded with plush sheep skin, snuggly suede fleece, or cuddly cotton, kitties can curl up in circular pillow cat beds or stretch out on other shapes. There are even sack, igloo, and cave-shaped cat beds that let kitty climb in and feel secure with extra coverage and shelter from breezes.

Many cat trees are equipped with raised cat beds like hammocks, which suspend kitty in a dreamy cloud that molds to the shape of the body. They can tire themselves out on the different levels of the cat tree, then climb into the hammock to relax and nap until its play time again!

A wonderful space-saving and heat-providing cat bed is a radiator hammock. These beds attach to most radiators and are l-shaped to create a shelf with a hammock in which kitty can sleep safely, close to the warm, radiant heat. Another space-saving hammock style cat bed is one that attaches to the wall, allowing kitty to sleep off the floor and higher up, without taking up floor space or a window sill. From there, kitty can rule over the kingdom below her as they gaze up at her lovingly.

For the most regal of kitties, there are thrones: cat beds that are built to resemble miniature human furniture, like canopy beds, sofas, and chairs. Some mini cat furniture is so gorgeous, you’ll wish you had a couch just like it! These cat beds are not only stylish and structurally sound, but as our cats rest on them, they know that all who gaze upon them will finally see them for the royal, majestic creatures they already know they are.

Help Starts at Home for Feline Arthritis

 The main symptom of arthritis in cats is a general “slowing down.” You know that kitty doesn’t jump as high as he used to, or doesn’t seem to climb in bed with you as much anymore, but you figure it’s just because he’s getting older. It might not occur to you that he may be experiencing pain in his joints or back. Arthritis in the back can cause a fusing of the vertebrae and reduction in mobility.

 Another symptom of arthritis in cats is a clicking noise while walking. Initially this sound might be mistaken for the cat’s claws clicking on the floor, until you realize the click continues while kitty walks on the carpet. This can be caused by inflammation of the joint, fluid build-up around the knee, or even a small tear in the tissue.

 A third symptom could be more subtle: a reduction or change in grooming habits. If the cat’s coat begins to look dull and lifeless, or if dandruff and shedding begins to occur, especially concentrated near the tail, this may mean that the cat can no longer reach back as far while grooming.

 Arthritis can have many causes other than old age. Overweight cats or cats with diabetes often develop arthritis due to having extra weight on their joints. Past trauma to the cat’s body could impede the body’s ability to heal and arthritis could develop at the spot of the previous trauma later on. Infections can cause arthritis, as can some viruses and degenerative diseases.

 There is no cure for arthritis, but there are ways to ease your cat’s discomfort. One of the best tools is a cat bed. A soft, plush cat bed will offer extra cushioning to your cat’s aching joints. There are many different styles to choose from, whether your cat likes to curl up during napping or he sleeps spread out and stretched. You can put a few cat beds around the house, including in his favorite spots. If he loves to lay in the sun but the only sunny spot is on the floor or in a window sill, place a cat bed there to offer extra comfort and support.

 There are also heated cat beds, heated pads, and microwaveable bed warmers that will turn any cat bed into a safe, wire-free heated bed for hours of snuggly comfort. A heated cat bed will soothe inflamed joints and ease tired muscles, helping your cat sleep better and feel more ease in getting around.

 Supplements are also available to assist with cat arthritis. Glucosamine or cosequin have both been found to help greatly. Many cats get relief from acupuncture from a certified holistic veterinarian. Not recommended, however, are asprin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen, as they can be toxic to cats.

The Cat Bed: One Solution for Three Problems

Animal shelter workers and volunteers see cats dropped off and returned to shelters many times a day. Each owner surrender comes with an excuse, often valid. But sometimes after the former cat’s owner leaves, the workers spread the funniest (or saddest) excuses all over the shelter as well as to their friends and family. Many times, there is a simple solution to whatever problem the cat owner claims to be having.

Cat Drop-Off Excuse #1: She Didn’t Match Our Furniture

This was a real excuse given to a staff member at an animal shelter. The staff member was too shocked to find out more information. Did they recently buy new furniture and forgot to take a swatch of cat fur with them to the store when they went shopping? Or did the cat look like it would match their existing furniture, but once they got the cat home they realized that the cat was a slate grey while the furniture was actually more of a blue-toned silver?

In either case, buying a separate cat bed would have been the perfect solution. If it was so unappealing to witness the shear clash of the cat’s fur against the velvet armoire, a stylish cat bed could have offset the entire color scheme with a splash of color. The color of the cat sleeping in the bed would have been separated from the precious furniture. Luckily, the shelter workers concluded that the cat would be better off in its eventual new home, anyway.

Cat Drop-Off Excuse #2: His Fur Gets Everywhere

It’s true. Cats shed. It’s a shame that anyone would be oblivious to this fact prior to adopting a cat. They shed when it’s hot outside. They shed when they are stressed out (such as, perhaps, when they can sense their owner doesn’t really appreciate them?). They shed when they are sick and they can shed when they aren’t fed nutritionally enough.

For this excuse, a cat bed would also make an excellent investment. Many cat beds have removable, washable covers, making cat hair removal a breeze. Many cat beds are irresistible to cats, having been insulated for warmth or lined with lamb’s fur. That means more cat fur ends up in the cat bed and less lands in other places of the home. Cats love having their own spot that they can count on to always been there for them.

Cat Drop-Off Excuse #3: Allergies

Allergies can develop as we age. They can also change for better or worse. But many people who work at shelters and own cats are allergic to cat dander, fur, or saliva. And they would try every solution they could find before they would get rid of a cat they loved.

The first solution to try if allergic to a pet is to stop allowing them in the bedroom; not just overnight, but all day long. Of course, many cats love cuddling in bed or napping on it during the day. So once again, getting your cat her own cat bed will make this transition much easier. You might also want to get a few different shapes and styles of cat beds to situate around the house, so that the cat can reposition herself throughout the day and night and will be less likely to hop in bed with you. And as with the previous excuse, designated cat beds mean designated areas where cat fur and dander will reside the most, and can be disposed of the easiest.

Essential Cat Supplies

Whether you are adopting an adult cat, or bringing home a new kitten, there are a few essential cat supplies that you will need to welcome your new kitty into your home.

Cat Litter and Tray
One of the key essentials,  a cat litter tray provides a defined and sanitary place for your cat to relieve themselves.  It is important to have the litter tray set up before introducing your cat into your home, and make sure that they can find is easily, in order for them to learn that this is the place that you want them to go.  

Cat litters vary a great deal in cost and quality, and some cats can be picky about the type of litter that they will use so you may need to experiment with a few brands before finding one that both you and your cat are happy with.

Cat Collar
Your cat’s collar can be as basic or as flamboyant as you want, but above all it should be comfortable.  If you are bringing home a kitten you will probably need to buy a smaller collar now and a full sized one in a few months.

Cat Bed
Although most cats will decide for themselves on the comfiest spot in your home and quickly take up residence there it is important that they have a space that is exclusively theirs, where they can feel comfortable and safe.  Cat beds are sold in a wide variety of sizes and styles,  so you can choose one that fits in with the decor of your home and the space available.

Food and Water Bowls
Your cat will need his own food and water dishes.  These should be kept at a comfortable height for your cat to reach easily.  Bowls with non-slip feet are great if you will be feeding your cat on a hard surface to stop the bowl from sliding around the floor.  Auto-feeders are also available which will make sure your cat always has the right amount of food when he wants it.  

Food and Treats
There is a wide variety of specialty cat food on the market, so choose the highest quality that you can afford and look for any varieties that are designed for your cat´s specific needs, for example if he is elderly, overweight or an exotic breed.

Grooming Supplies
Cats are great at keeping themselves clean, but it doesn´t hurt to give them a helping hand.  Brushing you cat regularly can help to decrease hairballs as well as reduce the amount of shed hair in your home.  You may also want to buy some basic healthcare items such as ear drops, claw clippers and flea and tick treatments.

Scratching Post and Toys
Cats need to scratch to keep their claws in good condition.  If you want to avoid them tearing up your furniture or even walls make sure there is somewhere for your cat to relieve this natural urge.  There are some amazing, elaborate scratching posts available that offer your cat places to play and rest as well as trim his claws, however there are also more cost and space saving options.  It is advisable to start small and work your way up, as with all things, cats can be particular about where they like to scratch.

Cat Carrier
You will need a secure way to transport your cat to and from vet visits.  Choose between soft and foldable carriers to more robust crates.  A great trick to stop your cat from becoming nervous while in his carrier is to keep it out in your home at all times, as an alternative bed.  Place a snuggly blanket inside and occasionally encourage your cat to get in by putting a treat or two inside.

Fun Cat Beds

There is no question that cats rule the roost!  If their favourite place to sleep happens to coincide with your favourite seat on the sofa you may face a constant battle of wills over who gets to spend time in the best place to chill out.  For this reason savvy cat owners know how important it is to give their cat an irresistible bed to sleep in.

Not only will this make it easier for you to enjoy a night relaxing in front of the TV without having to shift the cat but having a comfy bed provides a cat with his own space to provide a sense of territory and safety.

Cat beds are as varied as cat personalities, but here are some of our current favourite fun options:

Minou Plush Cat Cave
This luxurious cat bed provides a plush sleeping place for cats who like their privacy.  Trimmed with fur,  the cozy cave is an ideal option for cats who like to sleep hidden away from the prying eyes of the world.

Cat Sofa
Reclaim your place on the sofa by getting your cat their very own!  This cute cat bed looks stylish and fun in any living area, and is a comfy place for any cat to chill out while watching “Animals Do the Funniest Things”.

Moscow Cat Bed
This extra deep, soft plush bed is ideal for kittens and young cats who tend to sleep away most of their day.  The cute paw print design is adorable, and kittens will have fun clambering in and out of the gaps between the pads.

The Big Cheese
This colourful cheese shaped bed comes with a full portion of fun!  Three entrance holes give curious cats a choice of how to climb in and out of this bed, and the enclosed space gives them a feeling of safety.

Catwalk Collection Scratchpost Bed Combo
For cats who like to multi-task, this bed provides a soft place to rest with some fun play features.  The scratchpost is great for keeping claws in great shape, while the dangling pom poms are just begging to be played with!

Treat your cat to a new, fun bed today!

How To Pick Just The Right Cat Bed For Your Cat

Cats spend a lot of their time sleeping and lounging around and for this reason it is important that they have a comfortable place to do just this. Of course just going out and buying a bed for your cat does not necessarily mean that they will sleep in it. If you do not get one that fits their personality and behavior the bed will sit empty while your cat sleeps somewhere else.

One good thing to do before heading out to buy a bed for your cat is to watch and observe where they sleep on their own. Some cats like to hide where they cannot be seen while others love to get up high and lay on a shelf. This general tendency will give you the best clue on what type of cat bed will make them happy. For cats that like to hide away get a bed that has a cave design where they can snuggle in. While for those that like to sleep high get a perch type of bed that will offer a view. For cats that tend to lay in the sun or a warm spot no matter where it is there are beds that mount safely to radiators in order to provide them with that warm spot they are seeking.

Of course just picking the right design is only part of the search for the perfect bed for your cat. If they are too big to sleep in the one that you purchased they will not cramp themselves in and make the best of it. Make sure the bed you buy for your cat is big enough for them to stretch out and be comfortable in. If buying for a kitten remember that this bed may not end up being big enough so be prepared to replace it once they are close to being full-grown.

Getting Your Cat To Sleep In Their Own Bed

Few animals are known for their ability to be comfortable and sleep just about anywhere as cats are. But just like anyone else cats love to have a place of their own to sleep and be undisturbed. That is why it is very important for a cat owner to provide their pet with a bed that they will use and enjoy. Of course there are lots of cat beds available on the market in a huge variety of styles and designs. This can make it difficult for a pet owner to get the one that best suits their cat or kittens personality. If a cat does not like their bed or just flat out likes your bed better the result will be them sleeping with you, which can cause all kinds of problems.

Allowing your cat to sleep with you when they are small kittens may be cute at the time but once they get bigger this arrangement will not work out well for either of you. For this reason it is best to get your kitten used to sleeping in his or her own cat bed at a very young age. To get a bed your cat will use it is important to find out how they prefer to sleep. Some cats want to be safely tucked away where things cannot bother them so they will need a cave style bed. While others prefer to sleep on high spots making a bed or hammock in a tree ideal.

Once you have the bed for your kitten or cat then you need to get them to sleep in it. If you are lucky your cat will crawl in right away and see how comfortable it is and continue to use this as their bed. If not simply placing them after they fall asleep inside the cat bed will eventually train them to use their bed to sleep and not yours making it easier for your both to get a good nights sleep.