A Kitten Meets a 1 Year Old Cat

Cats can be very territorial -- especially adult cats. Adulthood in cats begins around the age of 1. After this age, pet owners need to be very careful when it comes to introducing new kittens into the home. A proper introduction can go a long way toward improving the relationship between the cats in the future. It can also be instrumental to the safety and security of the young kitten.

Take all pets to a vet before any introductions. Some diseases and parasites are easily transmittable.

Set up separate living quarters. The new kitten should be kept in its own room for about a week, while the older cat has access to the remainder of the home. Be sure both animals have access to food, water, clothes for girl cats, toys, a comfortable place to sleep and a littler box.

Show them a new scent. Switch the cats' blankets or original da bird toys to get them accustomed to the new smell before they meet each other.

Give them a glimpse. Let the cat and kitten see each other from a distance a few times before they are close enough for contact. You can do this through a window or screen, or you can open a small crack in the door to the room where the kitten has been staying.

Encourage play. Give them a da bird butterfly toy they can play with under the door. This way they can begin to bond without the risk of confrontation.

Feed them together. After the cat and kitten have been allowed to see each other and have become accustomed to each other's scent, begin feeding them in the same room. Start at opposite sides of the room and slowly move the bowls closer together.

Take baby steps. Let the cat and kitten stay in the same room, with access to each other, for short periods of time. Gradually increase these time increments.

Expect unpleasantness. Even after gradual introductions, there will be some unhappy reactions at early meetings. The older cat may growl, hiss or swipe at the kitten. The kitten may also show aggression, or it may hide.

Watch them closely. For the first couple of weeks the cat and kitten are allowed contact, do not leave them together without supervision.

Add litter boxes. According to the Humane Society, you should have a litter box for each cat, plus an extra.

Cola Bottle Toys for Dogs and Cats

Sometimes dogs are satisfied with the simplest of toys, grabbing a piece of trash to play with rather than their plush new small animal costume or toy. If your dog has simple tastes, you can indulge her--and save money--by making toys out of empty plastic cola bottles.

Choose a plastic cola bottle that suits your dog's size and play habits. A 2-liter bottle is good for dogs who like a bulky da bird gocat toy, while smaller ones are good for dogs who like to carry around small toys.

Clean the plastic cola bottle, removing the label and the plastic cap ring, if it's still attached. Dry the plastic cola bottle.

Crunch the bottle to get your dog's attention. If your dog's like most dogs, he'll come running. Throw the bottle and he'll take it from there.

Increase the sound effects by putting dried beans in the bottle. Cap it and shake it for your dog. If she likes noisy toys, she'll love this version of the plastic bottle toy.

Place some kibble or broken treats in the bottle and cap it if you want to create a noisy toy and give your dog something to do. Cut a hole in the bottle just big enough to let the treats out one at a time. This version of the bottle toy can keep a food-oriented dog happily occupied for a long time.

Create a longer-lasting chew toy by putting the bottle inside a sock before you give it to him. Tie the sock at the top so your dog won't just pull the bottle out and chew on it.

Make a floating da bird rod toy for a retriever by placing a capped bottle in a large sock and tying it off so there's enough sock left over to use as a handle. You may want to add a little ballast to the bottle for a hefty toy that you can throw further.

Cat Shelves You Can Make

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Do-it-yourself cat shelves make it possible to create a unique jungle gym for domestic cats without requiring a lot of time or materials. Regular wall shelves can be modified slightly in order to create feline-friendly platforms to climb, play and sleep on throughout the home or in a special room designated for kitty activity

Materials
Sturdy home décor shelves that can carry decent weight on them are the best option for the basic platforms. Shelves featuring metal fixtures and wood platforms can be easily customized to suit this project. Choose shelves in different lengths to create a variety of different platforms for cats to play on. Make sure the shelves are sturdy enough to support as many cats as are expected to make use of them. Purchase different materials to cover the shelves such as low pile and shag carpeting to create a variety of interesting platforms.

Assembly
Attach carpeting and other materials to shelves, folding excess material over and attaching to bottom of each shelf using nails or heavy duty staples. Other da bird single pole toys and cat clothing accessories can be attached as necessary to create a jungle gym or play area. During assembly process, make sure that shelf hardware can still be attached and that carpeting surfaces are not getting in the way of the hardware. The shelves need to be attached firmly to the hardware to ensure that they can handle climbing, jumping and playing from one or several cats at once.

Installation
Install shelving as described in manufacturer directions for the brand and style of shelving purchased. Stagger shelves in different patterns and configurations to create a play area for cats. Cats enjoy climbing high, and shelves should be installed high enough that they are out of the way of foot traffic in the room. Install shelves away from areas where cats can become hurt such as above a fireplace. Once shelves are installed, monitor playtime with cats to ensure that the shelves are sturdy and safe before allowing cats to play unattended.