Kitty Corner

Keep your feline fine: Kerrie McKeon, Bideawee's Feline Behavior Coordinator shows you how!

Kerrie's Gift List for Good Kitties!

image of cat Everyone loves receiving gifts, so why should your cat be any exception? I've made my list and checked it twice, and filled it with ideas for cats, naughty and nice! As an added treat for the humans in their lives, most of these products are reasonably priced, and some are actually free! More information about any of these items can be found by simply typing them into a search engine like Google. Enjoy, and have a great holiday season!

  • "Da Bird." Da Bird is an interactive feather toy like no other! It's a perfect way to help lazy cats jump start their exercise plans, or to redirect a rough player's attacks.
  • Feliway. This synthetic, calming pheromone comes in both diffuser and spray form. It's great to spray in a carrier before a car trip or veterinary visit, and helps soothe your cats during any transition, such as moving or the addition of a new family member.
  • Cosmic Cat Alpine Scratcher. Made of cardboard and scented with catnip, this scratcher is on a 45-degree angle that pleases both cats who scratch vertically and horizontally. When it's time to replace the scratching pad, simply toss the old one in the recycling bin!
  • Cosmic Catnip. Loose tubs of this brand are inexpensive and available at most pet supply retailers.
  • Wellness "Turkey Jerky" Cat Treats. These are all-natural and only one calorie each! They are also chewy, which helps satisfy your cat's "treat tooth" without packing on the pounds! Don't let the seemingly high price ($5.99) fool you. There are 300 treats in each resealable pack.
  • Home Made "Smart Toys." These are all free, free, free, and only require a few minutes of your time to create!


    • a. Cut up a paper towel cardboard roll into one inch thick "hockey pucks", and watch your cat bat them around, and carry them in her mouth!

    b. Hide a Ping-Pong ball inside an empty tissue box and tape shut. Then watch your cat entertain himself with the puzzle.

    c. Crumple up junk mail into a ball, and teach your cat to fetch! Don't forget to throw it in the recycling bin when your kitty is done with it.

    d. And, finally, that old stand by, the empty paper shopping bag (with handles cut off for safety's sake), which any cat person knows can provide endless entertainment for both cat and owner!





    MORE KITTY CORNER COLUMNS:
    Kerrie's Gift List for Good Kitties!
    Play Nice
    Play Therapy
    The Verticle Scratcher
    What to do with Kitty while on vacation
    Let's Talk Litter!
    Let's Talk Litter, Part Two
    Getting Kitty Ready for Baby
    Moving With Your Cat
    How to Get Some Sleep If You Have a Noisy Cat
    Playtime for Seniors! Older Cats Are Frisky Too!
    Ideas for Inexpensive, Homemade Cat Toys


    DO-IT-YOURSELF CAT TOY

    The mystery of where missing socks end up may not ever be solved, but there is finally something you can do with that lonely, remaining sock that has lost its mate to the abyss of the laundry room: turn it into a homemade cat toy! You'll save money and your cat will love you for it.

    Sew Velcro strips into the sock opening so it can be closed up and easily reopened. Next, fill the sock with batting, scrap fabric, or dried catnip, and seal shut. In no time, your kitty will have a new favorite plaything!

    Your cat's playtime can be even more exciting when you attach the sock toy to a length of yarn and pull it along the floor. Thanks to the Velcro, when the catnip loses it potency, refills are easy!



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