Trimming your cat’s nails is one of those tasks on the cat grooming checklist that many pet parents dread doing, but that has to be done to keep your kitty safe and healthy. If your cat’s claws grow too long, there is an increased risk of infection or other issues. In fact, they can even grow into your poor kitty’s paw and then you may need to take them to the vet to get them professionally removed.  Read More
We know just how much people love their cats, but we also know that caring for them at home isn’t always smooth sailing. While cats are independent, they can also be mischievous.
Young cats love to scratch and play, and they don’t always make it to their cat litter. As a result, household furniture often takes a battering. We’ve cobbled together some top tips for buying cat-friendly furniture — to save you money and keep your home looking its best.

1. Cat-Friendly Fabric

Believe it or not, some furniture fabrics are better suited to homes with cats. Playing, clawing, fur-loss and little accidents can all take their toll on chairs and couches, so it’s best to choose items that feature tougher fabric weaves.
Furniture covered with microfiber fabrics tend to be both durable and relatively easy to clean. Opt for stain-resistant materials wherever possible.
Leather and the various synthetic alternatives are easy to clean after accidents, but they won’t stand up to nicks and scratches from little paws. Crypton, however, is a patented fabric treatment that guards against stains and restricts the growth of bacteria — perfect for your little pride and joy.

2. An Appropriate Color


Cat Sleeping on Couch
Despite all your best efforts, your cat will always have little accidents. Not only that, dirty paws are one of the facts of life all cat-owners have to contend with, and if all that’s enough, dropped fur can be more noticeable against certain color schemes.
Think about all these issues when you’re choosing the color of your furniture. How prominent will stains and fur be on the items you’re looking at? Buying patterned chairs and couches is often a good way of masking such issues.

3. No Sharp Edges

Cats love to play and explore, and at times, they can be a little clumsy. This means that the furniture in your home can become dangerous if you don’t choose it wisely. Look for items with rounded or padded edges and corners. Of course, there will be times when an item of furniture poses a risk. Make sure you position these items in a way that minimizes the chances of nasty accidents.

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4. Nothing with Wooden Legs

Cats are instinctive creatures. Many of the instincts that help them to survive in the wild are present in domesticated cats today. One such instinct is claw sharpening. Cats love to dig their tiny talons into wooden chair and table legs. They do this to keep them sharp, but also to keep them clean and free from infection.

If your cat doesn’t have a dedicated scratching post in the house, your furniture will be as an attractive alternative. Your cat may view your furniture as an attractive sharpening tool if there isn't a scratching post in your home. Buy one, and place it near your cat's bed.

It’s not just legs that are at risk, though. Any type of wooden furniture is a potential sharpening tool in the eyes of a cat. Think about where you’ll position these items when they’re in your home. Hide or obscure wooden elements where possible, and ask yourself: Is there a way of restricting access to wooden furniture?

5. Robust and Affordable


Cat with Tiny Furniture
Cats can be inquisitive and precocious, particularly when they’re young. They’re going to play on your furniture, and they’re going to cause a degree of damage. You’ll simply need to get over it. Don’t buy dainty or fragile furniture that won’t stand up to the test, and don’t spend a small fortune, otherwise, you’ll always worry about damage and breakages.
Cats can be hard on household furniture. Make your life easier by choosing the right items made with the most appropriate materials. Take time to select chairs, couches and everyday furniture that are conducive to life with cats, and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress and worry.
What is your favorite cat friendly piece of furniture? Let us know in the comments!

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It’s a myth that cats can’t be managed or trained. In fact, if your cat is laying waste to your favorite piece of furniture, there are a few quick tricks you can use to train your cat to scratch safe surfaces and leave your comfy sofa alone. Here’s your step-by-step guide to saving your furniture. Read More

 Are you guilty of not always following the doctor’s orders?

We humans are like that. But don’t let that bad habit extend to your fur babies.

When it comes to following the Vet’s recommendations, these are the big four that your cat’s doctor really wants you to remember.

Litter Boxes

 

group of kittens

 


One of the hardest recommendations to get cat parents to comply with revolves around litter boxes. Have you ever wondered how many litter boxes you need? According to veterinarian Dr. Geoff DeWire, households with multiple cats should have at least one litter box per cat, plus one.

For example, if you’re a two-cat household, you should also be a three-litter-box household. If you have four cats, you should have five boxes. And so on.  

Also, each litter box should be located in a different part of the house, says Dr. DeWire. This ensures that each cat can have his or her own privacy if your cats need to use their boxes at the same time.

It may seem strange to think that an animal who has no problem licking himself in the middle of the living room floor needs privacy, but when it comes to potty time, cats have different standards. From an evolutionary perspective, using the litter box is the time when a cat thinks he’s most vulnerable to predators, which may include other cats. Giving each cat his or her own space can go a long way to reducing stress and health problems for your furry friends.

Of course, it’s not always realistic to expect cat parents to accommodate this request when they have two or more cats. It’s pretty challenging to find three or more places around the home you’re willing to surrender to your cats’ bathroom habits. Try to get as close as possible to meeting the “1 box per cat + 1” rule and your cats will thank you for it.

Home Environment

cat looking out of window


Despite the fact that cats have been domesticated for hundreds of years, there’s a fine line between your pampered cat and her natural instincts. Cats are driven by instinct, even today. That’s why they love to look out the window, watch birds, and hunt down any little critters that may get in or near your house.

When cats can’t express their natural instincts, they can become stressed - and for cats, stress often manifests as illness. Make sure that your home has plenty of environmental enrichment that caters to your cat’s natural instincts, recommends Dr. DeWire.

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This means setting up perches where your cat can survey her territory both inside and outside the home. If your cat is of the indoor-only variety, be sure she has access to windows where she can keep the birds in check.

Your cat also needs to hunt. Since we’re not proponents of pitting your cat against another living thing, we recommend investing a couple bucks in a cat-friendly laser pointer. Spend 5 to 15 minutes each day playing with your cat so she can let out her wild side. Not only will she get some much needed exercise, but she’ll also get to scratch that instinctual itch and relieve any pent up stress.

Food & Water

cat drinking water


Like fighting over or waiting for an available litter box, your cat doesn’t want to struggle to get food or water either. What’s more, when it comes to food and water cats can be territorial, meaning they will protect what’s theirs even if it means causing another cat grief or physical harm, says Dr. DeWire.

If you’re a multi-cat household, make sure each cat has his or her own space. Observe your cats and note where each one likes to hang out. Chances are, each of your cats has a favorite lounge spot, perch, or hide out.

Those are the areas that each of your cats have claimed for themselves. Respect their self-imposed territories and give each cat a food and water dish within his or her own borders.  

Weight Gain

cat with food bowl


This is a big one, says Dr. DeWire. Since the days of Garfield, the big fat cat phenomenon has been an uphill battle for veterinarians. While many cat lovers find fat cats to be cute, funny, or even normal, it’s an epidemic that needs to stop.

It may seem like no big deal if your cat has a bit more to love around the middle, but it’s actually a major health hazard. Even one to two extra pounds can lead to problems like inflammation, urinary blockage, and diabetes.

Consider this: a healthy cat weight is about 10 pounds for domesticated cats. If your cat gains 2 pounds, that’s a 20 percent body mass increase. That would be the equivalent of a 150 pound adult woman gaining 30 pounds.

Preventing cat obesity should always be a top priority for pet parents. If your cat is overweight, there are things you can do to help your cat lose a few pounds.

Start by reading the label on your cat’s food. Most pet parents simply fill their pets’ bowls to the top and let Fluffy be the judge. Help your cat with portion control by only giving your cat the recommended amount of food based on his ideal weight.

All cats need exercise, too. If your cat is an indoor cat, he’s likely not getting the daily exercise he needs. Spend at least 10 minutes giving your cat a cardio workout by playing with him. Use a laser pointer, a feather, or any toy your cat’s shown an interest in to get him moving.

By preventing overweight and obesity in your cat, you’ll go a long way to preventing disease and enjoying a long, healthy life with your fur baby.

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Cat Claw Care 101

November 03, 2023

cat care  

Anyone who has ever been around a scared, angry, or just overstimulated cat can attest to how dangerous and sharp cat claws are. Given that cats have sharp reflexes and often move too quickly for us to respond in time, cat scratches are an unfortunate risk that comes along with sharing a home with these loveable furballs. Read More

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