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.
Cat Toys Are For More Than Just Fun
An active cat is a healthy cat. Cats are naturally curious and playful animals and love new things to frolic around with. But did you know that providing cats with toys to play with is also great for their health?
Playing is how young animals learn new skills such as co-ordination, hunting and balance, so it is especially important to provide a new kitten with toys that can help with their physical development. Small furry mice or balls are great toys for kittens to improve their co-ordination, although they do look cute while they are in the falling-over stage!
Of course this doesn´t mean that the fun should end when your cat gets older. Playing with toys can help to keep your cat physically and mentally active. Choose toys that will stimulate your cat and prevent them from getting bored. Small cat toys that can be rolled, tossed or chased are great for bringing out the predator in your cat, allowing them to exercise their natural urge to pounce, trap and chew. Choose toys that have catnip included for maximum excitement for your pet.
Dangling toys are another irresistible temptation for cats, and can get them jumping and stretching. Poles with a small toy dangling at the end are a fun way for owner and pet to interact and play together. If your cat has become a bit lazy and is in need of some exercise, get him moving again by tempting him with this kind of toy.
To make sure your cat doesn´t get bored while you are not around, consider a cat activity centre, a scratching tree with play areas, rustling tunnels or bags or a free standing toy that your cat can enjoy on his own. Toys that are on springs, or suspended in some way are ideal for independent play.
For safety, always buy toys that are specially designed for cats, and don’t leave your cat playing unsupervised with a brand new toy.
How To Keep you Cat Extra Safe With Cat Collars
If your cat loves to explore the neighbourhood there are many dangers that he will be exposed to. While the urban jungle might be mostly safer than the wilderness that wild cats live in there are still hazards that your cat will have to face. Some cat collars have been designed with this in mind, and incorporate safety features to keep your cat out of trouble from high vis to high tech, here are some of the ways that cat collars can complement your cat’s survival skills.
If price is no object, and you simply have to know where your cat is at all times, then you may already have heard about GPS cat collars, which are fitted with a device that allows you to track your pet´s movements wherever they roam. However sometimes the best ideas are the simplest, for example, some cat collars feature a small section of elastic. While not as high tech as GPS, this safety features allows a cat to squeeze out of their collar should it become snagged on something. If your cat loves to roam around outdoors this type of breakaway cat collar may save them from becoming trapped in tree branches, hedges or fences.
Another safety feature seen in many collars is some form of reflective material that will make them easy to spot in a car´s headlights, helping to avoid any nasty road accidents. The collar may be entirely reflective or may have some decoration that will catch the light. You can also buy small flashing lights to attach to your cat´s collar, making them easy to find in the dark.
The final safety of a cat collar is a bell. If you can´t see your cat, at least you will be able to hear him tinkling away whenever he moves. Bells are also a great way to prevent your cat from bringing home ‘gifts’ or birds or mice, as they will have a warning before he pounces!
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!
The Cat Pet Shop Opens New Website For Cat Lovers
Ask any pet owner just why they keep a dog, cat, bird, or whatever and the answer more often than not is companionship. Research even shows what most humans have known for centuries, and that is pets make us feel good. It is a scientifically proven fact that pets can lower stress levels, lower blood pressure, ease depression, and more for those who are around them. With our pets doing so much for us it is only natural for us to want to do so much for them in return. Specialty shops such as The Cat pet Shop provide a large selection of pet necessities as well as fun accessories so owners can give their beloved companions the best.
For pet owners cats are one of the most popular pet options available. Not only are kittens adorable but also cats provide plenty of love and affection without many of the hassles of dogs or other animals. Cats simply need food, water, access to a litter pan and of course your love. In return they do not bark, need walked, or even chew up your shoes.
But of course most cat owners want to provide their loving pet with so much more than just what they need and The Cat Pet Shop is pleased to announce that their new web site is designed to help them find all the top cat supplies available for their cat whether they are shopping for their old friend or their new little kitten. With a large selection of the necessary cat supplies such as cat litter and litter trays and even the fun things an owner wants to provide like cat activity centers you will find everything you need. Plus with everyone having such busy lives cat owners can have the convenience of getting everything they need delivered right to their door to take the best care possible of their cats and kittens.
The Cat Pet Shop Blog
Well here we are, ready to start work on our shiny new Cat and Kitten Blog. Over the past twelve months we have been constantly asking our cusomers, “What do you need, What can we do to Help, What would you like us to give you?” and I am glad that you have told us. To all those who asked for next weeks lottery numbers, we are working on it but it might take some time. For everyone else i would like to thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and ideas with us.
After sifting through the thousands of replies that we received one common theme became very obvious. Above all else we found that most people were looking for quality advice and information. It is true that we do offer great range of ever expanding cat supplies But as Chris Tarrent would say “We dont Just Want to Give you That”. Our aim is to become the number one resource on the internet for all Cat and Kitten Owners.
All of this lead us here to our new blog, this is the place where you will get all the very best information, articles, videos, product reviews, tips, tricks and mutch more.
If you have any interest in cats or kittens the subscribe to our blog and “watch this space” we hope you won’t be disapointed, for now i hope you have a purrfect day.
