Top 5 Pet Christmas Gifts Give Away Competition
Win Free Pet Gifts 
Take a look at this competition to win the Top Pet Gifts for this Christmas, hurry entries need to be in by 13th December. We are sponsering the top Cat Prize and hope that one of our customers is the luck winner. We will do our best to get the fantastic Cat Scratching Post to you before Christmas.
Please click on the Image Below or click on The Cat Pet Shop on Rock FM to enter today, good look everyone.
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.
Cat Scratching Post Options
Purchasing a cat scratching post is a must if you want to save your furniture, flooring, walls, curtains and patience from being tattered and snagged beyond salvation. Cats scratch surfaces in order to keep their claws clean, sharp and in good condition. The act of scratching also stretches and exercises certain muscle groups in the legs and shoulders. Because it is a natural and healthy activity, cats should not be stopped from scratching, but rather encouraged to scratch in a specific place.
Teaching your cat to use a scratching post is fairly simple, although we all know how stubborn cats can be! Luckily, most cat scratching posts are designed to be great places for cats to scratch, made out of sisal, carpet or other materials which are ideal for cats to use to keep their claws trimmed. Once in your home, you will probably find that your cat is naturally drawn to exploring and then scratching the post. If you do find your cat scratching anywhere other than on his post, tell him “No” and clap once loudly to startle him into stopping.
Because scratching also stretches and tones a cat´s legs, many cats like to have a few scratching areas where they can stand in different positions. This is where a larger, more elaborate cat scratching post comes in useful, as it allows your cat to explore various positions. From basic sisal mats to place on the floor or mount on the wall, to a standard scratching post on a base, to multi-level trees and activity centres, cat scratching posts come in a huge range of sizes and shapes, and can incorporate several scratching areas, toys, hiding places and places to chill out and relax.
Think about where your cat currently scratches, and try to replicate the surface, position and angle of his favourite scratching place as closely as possible to make the transition to a new scratching post as trouble free as possible. Take some time to browse through all of your options to find the perfect fit for your cat.
Getting Your Cat To Use Their Cat Scratching Post
Cats instinctively tend to scratch on things and many owners find this out the hard way when they come home to furniture that has been torn to shreds. Of course simply going out and buying a cat scratching post will safe your furniture from the claws of your cat if you cannot get them to use it.
Cats scratch with their front claws for several reasons and this is not necessarily the behavior of a bad cat. Of course the most obvious reason why a cat scratches is to sharpen their claws but science is finding out that this is not the primary reason. Cats also scratch to leave messages to other cats as well as to leave scent behind which explains why cats that have been de-clawed will scratch despite no longer having claws.
Cats generally do not scratch everything in site up but only one or two places. This makes getting them to use a scratching post a much easier task. When most cat owners buy a scratching tree or post they tend to place it where it will fit into their home. This may not necessarily be the best place to put it if you actually want the cat to scratch the post instead of furniture. The scratching post should be placed where the cat spends the majority of their time. Next to food dishes is one likely spot or wherever their cat toys tend to end up is another. These are areas that your cat has found to their liking and wants to be.
By placing the scratching post where your cat spends their time you can encourage them to scratch this instead of furniture that you preferred stayed in one piece. Scratching posts that incorporate toys, caves, and perches also encourage use simply because they encourage the cat to spend their time at the post.
Choosing Which Scratching Post To Buy Your Cat
If you choose not to have your cat de-clawed getting them a cat scratching post will be essential to keeping them from scratching up your furniture and carpet. Of course scratching posts come in just small simple designs that will work for their purpose but they also come in large cat activity centers that can give your cat not only somewhere to scratch but a place of their own.
A large cat activity center or even a ceiling model that goes from the floor to the ceiling can give your cat or even several cats a fun place to play, excellent places to take a nap, as well as those essential scratching posts to follow their natural instincts. These trees for your cat to have in the home are perfect for climbers as well since they can get high above it all and observe the whole room. Cats love climbing, napping and enjoying these centers so many cat owners feel they are the best purchase they every made for their feline companion.
Of course if you live in an apartment building or small house a cat activity center that goes to the ceiling may be just way too big to fit into your place. There are some small to medium size trees that include more than just a scratching post, and gives a cat places to nap and play as well. These are ideal for those who want to spoil their cat but have less area to keep them or a smaller budget for buying their cat an activity center.
No matter which size of scratching post you choose make sure you place it in the area of your home that your cat spends the most time. This will they will want to spend their time on the activity center and enjoy all that it has to offer.
How to Stop a Cat Scratching Your Furniture?
I just found this really cool video and i wanted to share it with you. Take a look it is packed full of great tips and ideas.
Here is a Summery of the tips in this Video:
1) This is Natural Behaviour, you are not going to eleminate it. Cats simply have to Scratch.
2) Try to Start Early, you can teach young cats what to scratch and what not to scratch.
3) If you cat is scratching already. Let them help you solve the problem! Put a cat scratching pole or mat where they already scratch. Also try to match the type of material they like.
4) Put your cat scratchers in a prominent position.
5) But my cat is already Damaging our furniture what should i do?
- Give them an alternative
- Use cat nip to make this attrative to them
- Deter them from scratching your furniture, double sided tape, tin foil, Citrus Air fresheners.
6) Praise them if they scartch the right thing!!
7) The longer you leave it the harder it will get to fix the problem
8.) Do not De-Claw your Cat
9) Trim cats Claws Regularly
10) If all else fails talk to your vet about Rubber Claw Caps
I would love to here about your storys. Things that worked and things that did not.
Getting The Scratching Post That Is Right For Your Cat
Cats are notorious for their scratching and it is rare for an owner to have a cat that does not have this habit at least a little bit. Contrary to popular belief cats do not scratch so much because they want to be bad it is only in their instincts to do so. While for a long time it what primarily considered to be an activity to sharpen their claws research is showing that it is also a means of communication.
By providing your cat with an adequate scratching post that they enjoy you will save your furniture from being on the receiving end of this behavior. Of course as with most cat supplies there are lots of different styles and designs and no one cat scratching post is ideal for all cats since each has their own preferred texture.
Of course there are some key features that must be included in all scratching posts for them to be useful to cats. The post or tree that you are providing for your cat must be sturdy. Cats can scratch pretty vigorously and will be timid to do so on a post that wobbles and shakes. Many cat scratching trees come in very large sizes that are sturdy simply do to the very large size. Others may be smaller in size but robust enough that the post will not move around when the cat uses it.
The cat scratching post should also be plenty long enough for your cat to stretch out to their full body length. If you have ever watched a cat scratch they often stretch as tall as they can on a post or tree and scratch from this extended position. So a short post is not going to get the job done especially when your cat can extend to fairly long lengths.
