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

.

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.)

Entertainment for House Cats

Indoor cats do not have the same opportunities for fun as outdoor cats. They can not climb trees, run for miles, chase birds and stalk squirrels. Just because they don't have access to this stimulation, does not mean they don't crave it. An indoor cat can be treated to similar opportunities if the right adjustments are made to his environment.

Grow cat grass for your cats to eat. Cats need cat grass to help their digestive systems. Keep some in the house growing in a small planter. Do not leave the grass outside where it can be exposed to stray cats and fleas.

Hide cat my little lion cat treats around your house. Cats enjoy hunting and have a tremendous sense of smell. Hiding dry cat treats around the house allows them to hunt and problem solve. Only hide them in safe places, and not near any household chemicals.

Buy gocat da bird pull apart toys for your cats and play with them. Some cats enjoy mice on strings or remote control operated mice to chase. Others like balls and cat wand feathers. Buy a variety of toys and see which toys your cats respond to. Play with them at least twice a day for 10 minutes.

Buy a kitty condo. Kitty condos are free-standing constructions that are about 6-feet tall. They are covered in carpet and can provide the same exercise and stimulation as a tree. They offer places to hide, places to sleep, and some have balls to play with attached.

Give the cats shelves to climb and walk on. These shelves will provide great exercise for your cats. Affix the shelves to the wall using the manufacturer's instructions. Shelves should be about 6-inches deep and 12-inches wide. Stagger the shelves so they can get from one to another. Do not put anything breakable or that could hurt the cats on the shelves. If possible, leave the shelves free of objects.

Provide sunny places to sleep. Install shelves underneath at least 2 windows in your home. The shelves should be large enough for your cats to comfortably sleep on.

A Cat Play Area you can Build

Outdoor cats are more likely than indoor cats to face health risks and danger , even in rural areas. Predators, other territorial animals, cars and humans can create stressful situations for domestic felines who are out. Many people prefer to keep their cats indoors. If your cat is inside most or all of every day, he will have a greater chance of staying healthy and safe. Creating an indoor play area can help keep him fit and entertained. Some cats respond better than others to play areas.

Find a suitable area in your home where you can set up a play yard for the cat. Cats love to look outside, so if the area has a window she can see out of, she may be more inclined to spend time in her cat playground.

Purchase one or two multilevel scratching posts to anchor the cat's play area. Then consider changing the playthings that you provide each week so that the cat remains curious and amused. You can often find reasonably priced scratching posts in the classified section of the newspaper or on sites such as Craigslist.

Hang one or two practice golf balls or cat toys from a sturdy and safe location such as the bottom of a table.

Place an empty box in the play area, with a hole in the box large enough for your cat to climb in and out of. Alternate the empty box with empty paper bags. Cats love to explore and to climb in and out of things.

Mix and match catnip da bird attachment toys or cat collar lion mane toys. Alternate putting them in the play area along with small balls of unused yarn.

Toss a wicker basket or wicker wastebasket into the play area every now and then, and remove it a day or two later. The cat will enjoy climbing in and out of it as well as scratching the soft wicker.

Provide a comfy area for your pet to rest after play. Cats love enclosed areas to snuggle in, so think about using a cardboard box with a medium-size hole. Place a soft blanket, pet cat clothing or old sweatshirt inside for the cat to nestle in. Place the hole in the box facing a window if possible so he can see outside while resting.

Natural Branches for a Cat Tree

If you have a pet cat, you know that cat toy wand set are not enough. You most likely already know that they need a place to scratch. Otherwise, their claws will grow unchecked. By providing your cat with a designated place to scratch such as a cat tree, it's less likely that they'll scratch up your furniture. You can even make your own cat tree using natural tree branches to provide an earthy and visually interesting piece to your home while keeping your cat happy.

Gather tree branches around the house and in parks. The branches should have a minimum diameter of two inches. Place the branches in a large plastic tub and wash them in a natural, animal-safe insecticide. Consult your veterinarian for animal-safe products. Allow the branches to soak in the insecticide for a day.

Wash the branches off with warm water to remove the insecticide. Air dry the branches for a day or two in a dry lighted area.

Mix up enough concrete to fill a large coffee can half way. Place the largest of the branches in the center of the concrete mix, securing it in place. Allow the wet concrete to set up and dry for a few hours. Fill the coffee can up with more concrete and place the remaining branches in the mix, circling the center larger branch. Allow the concrete to dry and cure overnight.

Cut three sheets of plywood that measure 22 by 12 inches. Screw the plywood into the branches to secure them. Stagger their positions up the branches to make multiple level platforms.

Glue scraps of carpet or thick fabric on the surface and edges of the plywood to add a soft place for the cat and protect it from wood edges and screws. Hang bells, da bird guinea feather refill and da bird mouse toys from the branches and platforms.