You are viewing entries tagged 'indoor'.
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Cat trees are a way to create mental stability and physical amusement for cats who would otherwise be “trapped” indoors for their own protection. Indoor cats desperately need mental and physical stimulation and things to do to tickle their curiosities.
A cat tree works towards fulfilling the kitty cat’s need for different vertical levels and hidden spaces and provides climbing, chasing and scratching opportunities.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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One of the places that seems to naturally attract cats is that space behind the refrigerator – it’s dark and warm there. It’s also a terrible nuisance to try and get a cat out from behind the huge immovable fridge.
The best thing you can do is to block off the sides of the refrigerator. Some people duct tape a strip of cardboard (or something more attractive) down the sides of the fridge, blocking the cat’s access to the motor area behind.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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Kittens do not need food that’s too different from what adult cats consume, but they do need more protein-rich food and they need to eat more frequently.
A kitten needs a greater quantity because he has a tiny stomach and a fast metabolism that burns the fuel up quickly, leaving him ready for more food more often.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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You may not think of the interior of your fridge as presenting a danger to your kitty, but if your cat hovers around out of curiosity when you open the refrigerator door, be on the alert for her attempt to “stow away” in there.
Cats will jump into the refrigerator when the door is open and the person, who is oblivious, will shut the door without realizing their pussycat is inside. Learn to be aware of where your cat is when you’re opening the refrigerator and always check inside before you shut the door.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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Until you add a cat to your life you won’t have realized how many cords there are in the average house. From curtain cords to lamps, computers, kitchen appliances, telephones, hair dryers or irons, they’re everywhere.
While cats all like to play with cords, kittens are especially vulnerable because they play with things by putting them in their mouth. If a kitten chews an electrical cord she can get burned or cause a house fire. If she gets tangled up in window blind cords she can get trapped and strangle.
Make sure to always keep all types of household cords out of the reach of your little kitties.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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Even the best cats can be tempted by a new piece of furniture. That clean, perfect chintz just calls out to their claws. But you don’t have to sacrifice redecorating just because kitty has that evil twinkle in her eye.
There are products available that you can spray on your furniture to deter your cat. No-Scratch and Bitter Apple are nontoxic and don’t damage fabric or wood. Scratch Strips which are sticky like tape, are unpleasant to cats. There’s also an electronic alarm that startles your cat when he comes close, claws extended. If you have a particularly diligent cat, there are slip covers. You can always remove the shredded specimen, or your cat, when company comes over. 
Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
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By enriching your cat’s indoor environment not only are you improving her quality of life but you’re also preventing potential medical and behavioral issues from developing, experts say. Here are three easy ways to make your kitty’s life a little more enjoyable:
- Rotate your cat’s toys daily to keep her visually stimulated and interested in playing with them.
- Fulfill your cat’s hunting desire through daily play sessions with a feather wand, or other toys that allow your kitty to stalk and catch imaginary prey.
- Play a DVD created just for cats, like “Kitty Cat Daycare” or “Video Catnip,” which were produced to capture feline interest with images of birds and other small mammals.
Maryann Mott is a pet journalist and author. Her books and articles can be found at Petwriter.com and you can follow her on Twitter here. |
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There are lots of good reasons to keep your cat indoors: safety, health, insurance that Fluffy won’t wander away, and more time that you get to spend with your cat.
But indoor cats can crave the outside as well. Luckily, there are a few ways you can accommodate. For one, there’s the cat harness. At first, you may be dragging your kitty around but he’ll eventually learn to walk with it. Then, there’s the cat stroller. Yet another option is the enclosed cat run. However you do it, your indoor cat will thank you for the breath of fresh air. |
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Cats naturally seek out nooks and crannies to explore and snuggle in. The problem is that even small kittens often cannot extricate themselves from the tight places they squeeze into. Adult cats who get scared or disoriented might also wedge themselves in somewhere. Kittens who are curious will look for the smallest, most hidden spot they can to escape into, but once stuck can panic. In addition to refrigerators and washer/dryers, the other common hiding places of cats are: closets, inside boxes or shoes, drawers (inside or behind), cabinets (audio/video especially), suitcases, bags (paper, cloth or leather), laundry (clean & folded or dirty piles), sofa (behind or beneath), bookcase (behind books or behind shelving itself). |
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When you first bring a cat home make sure there is furniture for him to hide behind or underneath. If you cannot provide that, then put out a couple of cardboard boxes with the ends taped up and a small doorway cut into one side. Put a towel or small fleecy blanket in there for him, or better yet a sweatshirt of yours so she can get used to your scent and make appositive association. Cats need a little time to get things in purrspective. |
Another option is something you add to...