Cat Q&A

The simplest things can easily amuse cats. While people may go to the pet store to purchase expensive toys for their pet cats, it is more probable that cats will take favor to a piece of paper laying on the living room floor! Before you go and buy toys for your pet cat, think creatively and see if any old thing in your house could provide hours of amusement to your furry friend. In the end, you will find that you have saved money and provided your cat with the toy it really wants.

Idle cats can be mischievous cats, so cat owners should provide entertainment for their feisty felines to keep them occupied. If your cat is an indoor cat, he doesn’t have the ample opportunity to get the exercise an outdoor cat will, as it chases, climbs and runs about. Toys and playtime will satisfy your cat’s natural desire to chase prey. And if you join them in their playtime, the interaction will establish a bond between the two of you – something which will be important to you both.

When choosing toys for your cat, keep safety in mind. You don’t want anything with string, ribbon, or yarn hanging from it. This could easily be ingested, and you will have to possibly make an avoidable trip to the veterinarian with a medical emergency. Also, remove any loose or small parts. Chances are, a cat will eat anything that falls off the toy. Again, you will have another emergency. Avoid toys that contain dangerous filling such as beads. Remember, your cat does not know any better.

Some common items cats love to play with are inexpensive, and you may even have them in your own home. Plastic balls are a great source of entertainment for cats. They love to push and chase them. Ping-pong balls are wonderful also, as the holes allow the cat to carry them around. Cats love to chase, jump, and pounce. They also like to play hide and seek, and will while away hours with a simple paper bag. Just make sure the bag doesn’t have handles, which could be dangerous. Empty cardboard tubes, from toilet or hand paper, or cardboard boxes will also provide activity for your pet.

Soft stuffed animals are also ideal for the cat to cuddle with, carry, or even wrestle. Just make sure it is not bigger than your cat. A catnip filled toy makes a good play item, as the cat is attracted to its scent. It also will leave a scent on your carpet that will be pleasing to your cat and make them happy.

With a little imagination, you can turn many items in your house into play toys for your cat. Add this to some store bought toys, and your cat will be in kitty heaven. Just keep in mind, cats can get easily bored, so rotate the toys every week or so. You can even hide some and let the cat find them. But more importantly, interact with your cat to make the most of his playtime. He will get the exercise he needs, the occupation he desires, and the love he will return.

Thru my friends cat high in the air, and broke his leg! I was just playing around with the cat, and I thru the cat high in the air. I dont it all the time, and the cats always land on their feet. This cat I guess I thru 2 high or I thru it at a bad angle. Should my friend be mad?

Okay she has 2 cats. One a spayed female the other a neutered male. The female is fine, the male has been seeming sickly for a few days, then yesterday he got really bad. The vet said to keep getting fluids in him and then to call her this morning. He didn’t make it. Anyway yesterday he wouldn’t really move. In the morning he would walk around a bit but wobbly then by late afternoon he would no longer move. If you moved him he would just stay there. His temp was normal 99.9 and his nose cold and wet, he seemed healthy except for being very lethargic. I left there at about 9:30pm and I got a call at 11:00pm that the cat passed away. She said that she was holding him in her lap and petting him then all of a sudden he went limp and all this like pink fluid came running out of his nose and penis, and that was that. I am thinking antifreeze but there isn’t any anifreeze around and he is a inside cat. Otherwise Renal faliure? Like I said the other cat is perfectally fine.
I have been comforting her but I just can’t help but wonder what may have caused this.
Also he was vomiting and it seemed to have food mixed into it so he has apparently been eating.
Both cats are 7 years old and over weight

I have a crazy staffy that just wants to make friends with our cat and the cat will not be friends with him. Does anyone have this trouble? Can someone help? This has been going on for 7 months!

My two year old rescued cat (female) nervous but gentle kisses alot and very often after picks up my skin(does not break it) is there any behavior modification not lick as much and then bite. She is a very hyper bit nerotic but very lovable

It just seems that some people would be better as fluffy kitties. You can describe how you do it or want it done to you. So give it some thought. Would you use your new decision for good or ….evil?

Also you get to pick what type of cat, and sure its permident if you want.

A friend of mine asked me if I had seen this cat behavior before and if I knew what the problem was: my cat (java) is biting/licking her fur and it is very spotty. Her back legs and butt look spotty and bare If you have seen this or have any ideas on what might be going on – I would appreciate the help.

She doesn’t want to get moth balls.

Cats and kittens love to play. Kittens especially love to play and sharing your life with them is so much more rewarding if you play with your cat. It’s really great fun even if you do pick up the occasional scratch and it’s important for your cat’s fitness and well being too.

How do you keep your cat entertained? After all it’s not the same as a dog; you can’t play catch or fetch with a cat, or can you? To keep your cat enthralled and interested in playing with you, you need to have a challenging and ever changing environment. Now before you go off the deep end, it’s not as bad as you think. All you really need to do is to have a few cat toys out at a time and rotate them to keep your cat interested. It doesn’t have to be expensive toys either. String, paper, balls and boxes are all great cat toys.

Kittens use play as a way of learning. Its fun to watch your kitten carefully stalk a ball, pause, then pounce on it, which causes the ball to quickly scoot off. Your kitten will then chase it all over the house for hours! Even better is having two kittens and watch them play with each other, the toys, and pretty much anything that moves, including your toes!!

As with dogs, you need to take care that the toys you give your cat are safe. Even though a cat is not as destructive, (generally), as a dog, cats can and do pull toys apart. Then they eat the bits . Make sure that the components of the toy are non toxic and have no sharp parts that can cut your cat.

Technology innovation is being applied to cat toys. There are toys are being introduced such as laser pointers and even remote controlled mice. The problem with these is that most cats and kittens dislike the noise of the motor so remote control toys are not a big hit. On the other hand a laser pointer is a huge hit, your cat will chase that elusive red dot all over the house for as long as you can stand it. Beware, this can be frustrating for the cat though, as it can’t get its claws into anything so it can have an affect on your cat’s behavior over time. To relax, what better than to put on a special cat video. Now your cat can sit and watch TV. These videos and DVD’s are supposed to be very effective, but do you really want to turn your cat into a TV addict?

The secret to keeping your cats happy and healthy is to continually challenge them physically and mentally. Don’t forget that cats like to jump and climb too. Some of the best toys are designed to be played with in 3 dimensions and you’ll be amazed by the acrobatics that your cat can perform.

Use your imagination too. Try putting two toys together to make a new toy. Become creative and play with your cat on a regular basis. This helps strengthen the bond between your cat and you, keeps her mentally stimulated, and physically fit. Your Reward will be hours of fun and pleasure and a fit, healthy cat.

Benny obeys commands, plays with the toilet