Where should i get my new cat From??
If you are planning on getting a new cat, even if you already have a cat, kitten, dog, rabbit or childern you need to be sure that you can handle another addition to the family. Think carefully and plan before making the final decision. Any New Pet is a big commitment. Once you are sure you are ready you need to know where to look for your new pet.
there are basically four places that you can get a pet cat from:
- Rescue Shelters
- Breeders
- Non Breeders
- Pet Shop or Store
Rescue Shelters: These are great places to find kittens and cats, most have several cats to choose from. In most cases the cats have been assessed and had a checkup from the vet. You will also find that all vacinations will be up to date and often the cat will have been spayed or neutered. When you take all this into account, plus the fact that you will be helping not only your new friend but your local shelter, the fees that your shelter charge seem very minimal.
Breeders: Particularly if you are looking for a specific breed of cat this is the best way to find your perfect companion. Be sure that you are dealing with a reputable breeder, check breed directories and listings. Dig around for 10 min on the internet. It really is very easy now to check up on things. If you can get involved early on, go and see the litter, where they are living and of course both parents if you can or at least the mother.
Non-Breeder: Ask around, many people are looking to give away cats or kittens due to changes in personal circumstances, some cat orgainisations foster out cats and kittens untill they can find a permentant homes. There are also many people who have kittens “by mistake” and are very happy to find good homes for their kittens.
Pet Shops/Stores: There is little to be said about pet shops other than “Stay Away”! Although there have been many improvements pet stores are notoriouse for not taking good care of their pets. It just is not worth the risk.
What do I Need Before Bringing Kitty Home??
Before you bring your First Cat Home, there are some essential supplies that you will need. Please make sure that you plan properly and have everything in place before bringing kitty home. Here are some of the essentials you will need
- Bedding; Your Cat Should have a comfortable place to sleep. Even if he or she is going to sleep on your bed at night every cat should have at least one other comfortable place to sleep and ideally should have 2 or 3. There are many different types of cat beds available to suit all types of cats and owners.
- Feeding Bowls: You should have two bowls – one for food and the other for water. they can be ceramic, plastic or metal. remember to keep both bowls away from the littetray area!
- Food: I know state the obviouse but this is one thing many people forget in the exitment. Cats like a varid diet high in protein. Many pople choose dry food as a staple but suppliment this at least once a week with soft or homemade food. Try to find out what yoru cat is “used to” and get the same to start with. If you do get caught out check your cuboards for a tin of tune!
- Litter Tray: This is particularly important for new cats, in most cases you will keep them indoors for 2-3 weeks whilst they get used to their environment. They are also going to be stressed after being brought home. There are many types of Cat Litter Tray Available, consider a hooded type as most cats apreciate the privacy.
- Litter; There are many different types of litter available, initially consider getting small amonuts of 2-3 types of litter. Cats can be finicky about what they will use so dont be tempeted to buy in bulk before you know your cat will use it! If you can find out what they are used to and get the same to start with.
- Collar; Be sure to buy a collar that has a quick release collar, if your cat gets stuck this will allow your cat to break free from the collar.
- Toys: Cats like plenty to do, if you don’t provide toys, your cat will amuse themselves, usually doing somthing they should not! There are lots of different cat toys available and you could always make your own.
- Scratching Post: A cats instinct is to scratch, particularly in a new environment. Initially consdier getting several small scratching mats and posts, adds some catnip to entice your cat to scratch where you want them to.
- Cat Carrier: Youre cat will be with you for a long time. You will need to take them to the vet or cattery or with you on holiday. Invest in a well ventilated sturdy cat carrier, before picking up your new cat. Stressed cats and cardboard boxes are not a good combination, especially in your car!
These are the basic things you will need before you bring kitty home. Please let us know if you think we have missed anything out.
Where To Find a Pet Cat?
If you are planning on getting a new cat, even if you already have a cat, kitten, dog, rabbit or childern you need to be sure that you can handle another addition to the family. Think carefully and plan before making the final decision. Any New Pet is a big commitment. Once you are sure you are ready you need to know where to look for your new pet.
there are basically four places that you can get a pet cat from:
- Rescue Shelters
- Breeders
- Non Breeders
- Pet Shop or Store
Rescue Shelters: These are great places to find kittens and cats, most have several cats to choose from. In most cases the cats have been assessed and had a checkup from the vet. You will also find that all vacinations will be up to date and often the cat will have been spayed or neutered. When you take all this into account, plus the fact that you will be helping not only your new friend but your local shelter, the fees that your shelter charge seem very minimal.
Breeders: Particularly if you are looking for a specific breed of cat this is the best way to find your perfect companion. Be sure that you are dealing with a reputable breeder, check breed directories and listings. Dig around for 10 min on the internet. It really is very easy now to check up on things. If you can get involved early on, go and see the litter, where they are living and of course both parents if you can or at least the mother.
Non-Breeder: Ask around, many people are looking to give away cats or kittens due to changes in personal circumstances, some cat orgainisations foster out cats and kittens untill they can find a permentant homes. There are also many people who have kittens “by mistake” and are very happy to find good homes for their kittens.
Pet Shops/Stores: There is little to be said about pet shops other than “Stay Away”! Although there have been many improvements pet stores are notoriouse for not taking good care of their pets. It just is not worth the risk.
Is There a Correct Way to Pet your Cat.
So most of you that own cats are saying “you’d better beleive it”. But what if you have never owned a cat or if you have never spent mutch time around cats? Thankfully there are some simple steps you can take to improve your chances of success with cats and to prevent you from getting scratched or worse bitten. Extra care should be take with children also.
There are 4 main steps you can follow.
- Let the cat sniff you before you pet him/her, let the cat get comfortable with you before try to touch them.
- Pet his or her Head Gently with your fingers to start with
- Run the palm of you rhand smoothly from the neck and along the back, all the way untill you get to the tail then begin again.
- Stay Away from the tummy
If you are gentle and take your time you will know if the cat is friendly or not and if it is ok to carry on. Never rush a cat or try too hard to be their friend, they will accept you in their own time.
If you are visiting friends or relatives with cats you should always take gifts. Cat toys for a young cat or perhaps a nice collar for an older cat. Either way this is by far the best way to get in the cats and the owners good books.
for more infomration check out the full article here
Proper Litter Tray Cleaning
Pet product manufacturers are always coming out with new inventions that promise to make cat ownership a breeze. But getting things done quickly doesn‘t always equal getting things done in the best way.
Automatic cat litter tray scooping machines promise that you’ll never have to scoop again. But that doesn’t mean you’ll never have to clean the tray again. Merely scooping does not keep the litter tray clean or free of odors, germs, or harmful viruses that can spread.
In order to properly clean a cat litter tray, obviously the first step is to scoop out waste daily. Twice a day is even better; would you wait a day to flush your own toilet? All litter must be completely removed and replaced at least every other week to once a month. Some people clean once a week. This frequency might depend on whether you are using scoopable litter, how well the litter clumps, and whether you need to scrape off the bottom of the try or not. Non-clumping litter will need to be emptied out more often. If the clumps of your scoopable litter fall apart, you might want to find a better clumping litter. If you are scraping off the bottom of the tray due to sticking litter, you may need to pour more litter into the tray to keep the litter deeper.
Never pour liquid bleach from a bottle into a cat litter try to clean it. If there is any leftover urine, the ammonia in the urine will mix with the bleach to create a noxious gas. Instead, you should first wash out the tray and the scooper with mild detergent and HOT water once or twice, then thoroughly rinse and dry. Then, once you know the box is clean, you may want to kill any stubborn bacteria with a mild bleach solution. If you have an industrial strength spray bottle, you can mix 30 parts water to 1 part bleach and spray the tray, then rinse and dry with paper towels or sunshine, if another box is available to the cat. If you don’t have an industrial spay bottle, regular spray bottles will be ruined by bleach. You will need to fill the litter tray with a gallon of water then a cup of bleach and let it soak for a few minutes. Wipe the sides with paper towel inside and out, then pour out the bleach solution, rinse thoroughly, and dry.
When refilling the cat litter tray, it is safe to sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom. This will help reduce odours. Non-scented litter is recommended, as it is more pure and therefore less offensive to your cat’s sensitive nose, and healthier. Non-scented litter is less likely to introduce perfumed chemicals into your cat’s urinary tract, which can cause infection. A cat with a UTI will be in pain and will visit the litter tray every few minutes. If you notice your cat doing this, take him to the vet immediately. Urinary blockage can lead to death very quickly in a cat.
It is also advised not to mask over the odors around the litter tray with chemical sprays and air fresheners. Not only can these chemicals be harmful to your cat, but not using them will help you keep track of how often the box needs to be scooped and cleaned. If the odour is still overwhelming despite your best cleaning efforts, take a better look into your cat’s health and diet.
How do I Choose a Good Cat Collar?
Many cat owners, especially those living in urban areas, feel that a cat collar is vital for keeping their pet safe. Should your cat ever wander too far from home, wearing a collar immediately lets people know that he is a domestic cat, rather than a feral stray, and that someone is probably looking for him. Accompanied by a tag, engraved with your contact details, a collar can be your pet´s best chance at being returned to you safely and quickly should he ever stray or get lost.
A cat collar also offers a way to hold your cat more securely during transport, those awkward trips to the vet, and a number of other situations where you may need to hold your cat safely despite the fact that they have other ideas!
So how do you choose the right collar for your cat?
Above all, a cat collar needs to be comfortable for your cat. When fastened around your cat´s neck, you should be able to slip two fingers between the collar and your cat´s skin. Too tight, and the collar may restrict your cat´s breathing or swallowing, and can also rub away at his hair and skin, causing bald patches and irritation. Too loose is no better either, as a cat will have no trouble slipping out of a collar that is not tight enough.
A cat collar should be adjustable, so that it can be loosened or tightened to accommodate changes in weight or coat thickness. This is particularly important for breeds that shed large amounts of their coat during the warmer summer months. For long haired breeds you will also need to make sure that any cat collar you choose does not have parts that can snag or tangle the hair around their neck.
You should check your cat´s collar regularly, once a month or so, to make sure that it is still a comfortable fit, and that it is in good condition.
Top Cat Flap Questions Answered
Cat flaps are a great way to give your cat more freedom and independence to explore their neighbourhood. Small and simple to use, cat flaps can be installed easily and offer a secure way for your cat to come and go as he pleases. But there are some things you should keep in mind before purchasing and installing an entrance for your cat. Here are the most frequently asked questions we hear about cat flaps:
Are cat flaps expensive?
No! While many people still perceive cat flaps to be expensive, they are actually surprisingly affordable, with some models costing less than £15.
How easy are cat flaps to install?
Although installation will vary from home to home, in general the process is quite simple. Most cat flaps will come with instructions to help you with installation and you won´t need more than a measuring tape, pencil, drill, saw and sandpaper to create the hole in which to fit the cat flap. Be sure to pay attention to the exact placement of your cat flap to ensure that it is at a height that is comfortable for your cat to use.
Can I install a cat flap on a glass door?
Cat flaps can be fitted in a glass door in much the same way as in a wooden door, however it is recommended that you contact a glazier to help you, as replacing an entire glass pane due to accidental breakage can be expensive! Cat flaps cannot be fitted to doors with double glazed or toughened glass panels.
Can I install a cat flap on a PVC door?
Yes, although the process is a littler trickier than with a single panel wood door. You will usually need to remove the panels from the door, cut out the holes and then reassemble the door before installing the cat flap. You will also need to buy a cat flap that is thick enough for the depth of the door.
How do I know other cats won’t use my cat flap?
Magnetic and infra red cat flaps can only be opened by a ‘key’ worn by your cat on their collar. The key is programmed with the correct signal to open the cat flap, and the chances of two keys opening the same cat flap is very slim.
Won’t my cat flap let in a draft?
Good quality cat flaps are designed to be weatherproof, and feature seals that keep out drafts and rain.
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.
Choosing a Cat Litter Tray
Dealing with cat litter is probably one of the biggest drawbacks to owning a cat. While we love their furry faces, affectionate nose bumping and playful moments, few cat owners relish the task of cleaning up their pet´s toilet area. Fortunately there are a large variety of litter trays that reduce odour and make cleaning quick and easy.
Basic rectangular plastic litter trays cost just a few pounds, but it is well worth upgrading to a slightly more expensive version to save on mess, smells and hassle. Cat urine is slightly corrosive, so line a plastic litter tray with newspaper or a litter tray liner to keep the tray from becoming pitted and difficult to clean. Using a clumping litter allows you to scoop out any urine regularly without the need to fully empty and clean the tray, keeping the litter tray fresher. Some cat litter also contains deodorizing ingredients which help to reduce nasty smells, and this type of cat litter is well worth investing in, especially if you have more than one cat in your home.
A cat litter tray with a rim can stop litter from being kicked out of the tray while your cat is scratching. Some cat litter trays also feature higher walls at the back and sides to protect against this problem even further.
However, the peak of cat litter tray design is the fully enclosed style which provides a little privacy for cats while keeping everything discreetly hidden from any humans in the room. These litter trays come with a hood or cover which stops any litter from escaping, and air filters to help eliminate odors. The downsize is that these litter trays resemble cat carriers, so some cats may be put off switching from a conventional open tray to an enclosed one.
How To Avoid Cat Carrier Chaos!
Every cat will need transported at some point or another, but for most pet owners as soon as the dreaded cat carrier appears, their feline friend is suddenly nowhere in sight. Few cats sit happily in their carriers, with most disliking being restrained in a small space against their will. Add in an uncomfortable experience in a bumpy car, or a particularly difficult visit to the vet and a cat will quickly associate the cat carrier with all things bad. Here are some tips on how to end the typical struggle of getting your cat in and out of their carrier.
1. They say prevention is better than a cure. Rather than only appearing at times when your cat needs to be transported, keep the cat carrier out in your home as just another comfy spot for him to relax. When you see your cat getting into the carrier give him praise and attention, or a small treat, so that he associates it with good experiences, rather than bad ones.
2. Learn the best way to get your cat inside the carrier. Ideally, you should be able to pick up your cat, spend a couple of minutes stroking him until he is relaxed and then place him calmly inside the carrier. However some cats will put up quite a fight against being put in the carrier. If your cat is struggling against you it is important to get him into the carrier while avoiding injury to either you or him. One way to do this is to use a towel. Take a small hand towel and pick up your cat, gently but firmly wrapping the towel around him so that his paws (and sharp claws!) are safely tucked away. Once placed inside the carrier, the cat should quickly free himself from the loose towel and you can pull it out.
3. If your cat is particularly resistant to getting into his carrier, try purchasing a larger size. A small dog carrier is not only roomier, giving your cat more space to move around, but has a larger opening so that it is easier to place your cat inside, even when their legs are trying to grab wildly at the sides.
