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.

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.

Celebrating a Cat Birthday

Your cat is a very important member of your family. Whether you picked out a special kitten from a breeder, rescued an adult cat from the animal shelter, or took in a stray, why not choose a special day to celebrate your cat?

Choose a date. If you know your cat's actual birthday, you can use that date, or you can use the anniversary of the date you adopted your feline friend. If you can't remember, though, don't worry, your cat will forgive you. Just pick a date you like and go with that.

Shop for presents. These need not be anything too elaborate, and you need not make a special trip to a pet store as most grocery stores and drug stores carry at least a small selection of cat da bird replacement bee toys and treats. Do try to take your cat's personal preferences into account, though--does he actually enjoy playing with catnip da bird mice or those feather-on-a-stick things, or small cat clothes, or would he prefer presents of the edible variety?

Wrap the presents up in some sort of paper--leftover Christmas wrap is fine, or you can use newspaper if you're into recycling. The important part from your cat's perspective is that there be plenty of paper to shred or to chase after some kind human has crumpled it into a ball.

Make up your guest list. Most cats aren't sociable enough to welcome the addition of strange felines into the household, even on a temporary basis, but you may feel free to invite any human friends of which your cat approves, or you could limit the guest list to family members only.

Bake your cat a special kitty cake if you're feeling creative-you can find recipes for homemade cat treats on the internet. If you're not feeling that creative, you can just open a can of cat food and put a little birthday candle on the top. (Don't light it, though, or if you do be sure to blow it out before you get it anywhere near your cat, as you don't want to scare her.)

Be sure to have some treats for your other party guests, too. Perhaps a kitty-themed "people cake" or cookies, and any of your other favorite party snacks. (Your cat would probably vote for cocktail shrimp or some type of chicken, in hopes that some of it might find its way to the floor.)

A Cuddly Cat

Some cats are natural-born cuddlers, while others will make you work for their affections through treats and attention. Others will remain standoffish no matter how much attention you lavish on them. For best results, start training them young and don’t push a kitty who prefers a hands-off approach.

Build Trust
Bond with your cat by establishing trust. Feed her, provide her with a clean litter box and offer her toys and enriching, interactive activities. Don’t chase her or grab her for forced cuddling if she’s resistant. Instead, take your time and work up to a more physical relationship.

Use Positive Reinforcement
Get your cat to associate you with positive things. For example, talk to her while you feed her, and while she’s eating a special treat, stroke her gently so she associates your touch with good food. Similarly, sit on the couch with treats in your pocket and when she comes over to you on her own, offer a goodie. Your cat will soon figure out that when she’s in close proximity to you, good things happen.

Play Often
If your cat is a bit standoffish, interact with her through play. Use a cat toy wand feather dancer or a cat toys teaser wand toy to grab and keep her attention. When she seems worn out, slow the rate of play and put the toy beside you, or in your lap. When she comes to you, give her a treat to make the interaction a pleasant and rewarding activity.

Start Early, Go Slow
Kittens who are handled from a young age are more likely to be social and physically interactive than those who are not. If you adopt an older kitty or a rescue cat, it may take time and patience to establish trust and for your new pet to let her guard down. Don’t push your cat to cuddle. Some cats may need to work up to physical contact.

Accept Loners
While some cats will land in your lap from the first day you bring them home, others are destined to be loners forever. Older, re-homed cats, abused animals or semi-feral cats may always resist being touched or held. Try to consider this part of their personality and be content to love them from afar.

Making a Litter Box Attractive for Cats

Up to 10 percent of all cats develop elimination problems during their lives, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Cats stop using their litter boxes for a variety of reasons, including a medical condition, anxiety or territorial aggression in multiple-cat homes. When your cat stops using its litter box and eliminates in other parts of your home, it stresses out you and your cat. Prevent this messy behavior and train your cat to use its litter box properly by making it pleasant and safe to use.

Place the litter box in a quiet area of your home that your cat can easily get to at all times. Avoid noisy areas such as a laundry rooms, or inaccessible, dark places such as closets or basements. Put the box in a location where the cat can easily escape and does not feel cornered. If possible, place the box in a spot your cat has been eliminating in inappropriately.

Give your cat a litter box without a lid that has enough room for it to turn around comfortably. For young kittens or older cats, provide a litter box with low sides so your cat can easily step in and out of the box.

Use unscented, clumping cat litter that you can scoop and fill the box only 2 to 3 inches deep. Your cat will not use a dirty litter box, so clean it at least once a day with a litter scoop. There are several options for clumping litter, including clay-, wheat- and corn-based formulas. Determine your cat's preference by placing litter boxes side-by-side and fill them with each type. Continue to provide the type of litter in the box your cat uses the most.

You  can also place da bird feather toys around the litter box. Choose her favorite cat clothes toys so that she'll know where the litter box is too. You can also but the litter box around the area where she usually plays these da bird kitty puff toys. This way, she can often see the litter box and learn where it is.

Place Cat Attract Litter in the litter box if your cat still refuses to use the litter box with unscented, clumping litter. This specialty litter contains ingredients designed to attract your cat to use its litter box. You can also sprinkle Cat Attract Litter Additive in your cat's regular litter to make the box more appealing to your cat.

Provide an ample number of litter boxes if you have more than one cat or more than one story to your home. You need to provide enough litter boxes for each of your cats plus one extra, according to the ASPCA. Place at least one box on each level of your home so your cat always has easy access to a litter box.

Clean previous sites of inappropriate elimination by your cat with an enzymatic cleaner to remove all traces of the urine or feces odor. This will prevent your cat from returning to these locations instead of its litter box to eliminate.

Taking Care of Your Feline

Caring for a cat comes with a lot of responsibility because you have to provide her with everything she needs to live a healthy and happy life. You'll need to give your new feline friend food, water, a litter box, shelter, environmental enrichment, medical care and plenty of love and affection. Fortunately, the love and companionship you'll get in return make it all worth it.

Give the Cat Litter Boxes
Provide your cat with her own litter box and at least one additional box. In multiple-cat households, have one litter box more than the number of cats. Place the boxes in quiet locations, away from noisy appliances and high-traffic areas. Have at least one litter box on each floor of your home. Use clumping litter and scoop the boxes daily. Doing so keeps the stink down and limits risk of infection.

Provide Fresh Food and Water
Provide each cat with her own food and water dishes, accessible to her at all times. Place them away from her litter box. Feed dry kibble, canned food or a combination of both, one to two times per day. Commercially prepared cat food diets are nutritionally balanced for cats. Follow the feeding recommendations provided on the label of the food you choose so you don't underfeed or overfeed your kitty. The average cat needs about a quarter-cup of dry cat food per day for each 5 pounds of weight, according to the petMD website. Don't forget to change your cat's water a few times daily so that it's fresh and clean.

Visit the Vet Regularly
Bring your cat to the vet at least once per year to make sure she's healthy. Senior cats, 7 years old or older, may need two visits each year. During the visit, your vet will give your cat any necessary vaccinations, check your cat's weight, give her a full physical exam and possibly take blood, urine or fecal samples. In addition to her normal checkups, any time your cat appears ill, lethargic or otherwise unhealthy, get her to the vet right away for an exam.

Groom Your Cat Regularly
Brush your cat's coat daily to prevent her from developing hairballs, improve her skin and coat and keep her coat free of mats. Long-haired breeds may require longer grooming sessions and even the occasional professional trim near the hindquarters. While most cats groom themselves, if you need to bathe your kitty, do so with a cat-safe shampoo and warm water, or schedule a session with a professional groomer. Check her nails weekly and have them trimmed when necessary -- it's a good idea for indoors cats, despite that they sharpen them on everything in sight.

Provide Plenty of Human-Cat Interaction and Exercise
Spend time with your cat daily, letting her snuggle near you in a comfy cat bed. Interact with her using laser cat toys and feather cat wand toys to exercise her. Exercise is necessary to keep your cat physically active and prevent her from becoming obese. Provide her with plenty of da bird cat toys to keep her busy during the day and even when you're at home. The toys will help keep her active and prevent boredom.

Keep Your Cat Indoors
Keep your kitty inside and provide her with scratching posts, cat trees and a window perch or screened enclosure to enrich her environment. Indoor-only cats live longer than those allowed to go outside, according to the Humane Society of the United States. To expose your cat to the outside safely, take her for walks on a leash.