DANGERS OF CLUMPING LITTERS
Clumping cat litter is very dangerous and we do not use it. Non clumping litter is the safest for you and your pet. We recommend, and use The Purina Tidy Cats BREEZE litter box system. This system is available at Pet stores and Amazon. It has great odor control and no tracking or dust.
The pellet bedding such as Feline Pine is good non clumping litter. Equine pelleted stall bedding found at many feed stores is the same thing.
Please read the following website for further information on the dangers of clumping litter:
http://thelighthouseonline.com/articles/clump.html
Essential Oils & Cats
There are no safe essential oils for cats. Cats lack the glucuronyl tranferase enzyme to process or detoxify the oils in their liver as other animals do. Cats who survive this toxic poisoning are lucky but they have liver damage that will shorten their lives if not kill them outright. Some people say they have not had adverse effects or that some essential oils are safe if made by a certain company. No number of anecdotes is going to change the fact that cats lack the enzyme to process the oils. They can be poisoned by oils that are diffused into a room as readily as applying it to them directly.
Here's a good article explaining the science by Dr Khan http://www.thelavendercat.com/3201/index.html
Here's a good article explaining the science by Dr Khan http://www.thelavendercat.com/3201/index.html
A Safe Outdoor Enclosure - you only need a hacksaw and a screwdriver
 This is made from wire closet shelving purchased at Home Depot in 12 ft lengths, easily cut to whatever lengths you want. The bricks keep the bottom solid.  Simple clamps fasten it to the building. |
 The door is formed by only fastening one side and using a clamp on the other side of the shelf.  The shelves are held on with zip ties as well as the pieces are held together the same way. The clamp holds the indoor outdoor carpeting on the shelves. |
 view of shelf. spring clamps hold on the carpet. |
 There is a cat door in the window to allow kitty free access to the enclosure. |
DE - CLAWING why you should avoid it
Onychectomy, popularly known as declawing, is an operation to surgically remove an animal's claws by means of the amputation of all or part of the distal phalanges, or end bones, of the animal's toes. This procedure is not just removal of the nail.
This would be like having the your fingers & toes cut off at the first joint to prevent fingernails from growing.
The veterinarian cuts the skin back and uses a scalpel or special pair of scissors to cut off the bone (chop it off) at the first joint, much like you would cut off the drumstick on a chicken when removing it from the bird to cut it up. The skin is then either glued or sutured back over the cut off bone.
Since cats walk on their feet and use their toes daily the pain endured afterward is significant. They have to use those feet immediately to dig in the litter box and must walk immediately as well. The risk of post surgical infection because of these activites is high with more pain and problems. There are also issues with phantom pain from the amputation.
This is a cruel practice that can, and often does, lead to behavior problems such as not using litterbox and biting problems which result in the animal being euthanasized at a later date.
Cats have a natural need to scratch, not only for removal of the old claw sheath but for their mental well being also. If you observe a cat you will often see that they will scratch on their posts after playing or running around with great enthusiasm. It is very clear it is a pleasurable activity for them. Cats use their claws for grip & as tools in various tasks in their everyday natural behaviours. In addition, they have scent glands in their feet and it is a territory marking behavior.
Like us with our favorite ratty old pair of jeans, the more ruined and destroyed the scratch post the more the cat likes it. It is comfortable, worn in, has their scent on it, and is familiar. If you need to replace a worn out scratch post bring in the new one and once the cat is using it regularly then get rid of the old one. Remember, what is pretty to us may not be appealing to the cat.
Some cats prefer the cardboard scratchers, others the sisal rope ones, others the carpet. Some prefer horizontal, others vertical. You may need to try several to discover what your cat prefers. If they go after the furniture clapping your hands at them as they go after it and telling them No, or squirting with a water bottle when you catch them ( I like the Super Soaker water guns as you can pump them up and they shoot a long ways) will train them to stay away from furniture. Sometimes taping a piece of sandpaper on the corner or area of the furniture they are going after can be a deterrent as you get them used to a scratcher will work. It appears to have the same effect as us running our fingernails down a blackboard.
Scratching is a natural part of a cats life. If you plan to have a cat for a pet you need to be prepared to accommodate the natural behavior of the animal. If this is not acceptable to you I would encourage you to find a different pet.
This would be like having the your fingers & toes cut off at the first joint to prevent fingernails from growing.
The veterinarian cuts the skin back and uses a scalpel or special pair of scissors to cut off the bone (chop it off) at the first joint, much like you would cut off the drumstick on a chicken when removing it from the bird to cut it up. The skin is then either glued or sutured back over the cut off bone.
Since cats walk on their feet and use their toes daily the pain endured afterward is significant. They have to use those feet immediately to dig in the litter box and must walk immediately as well. The risk of post surgical infection because of these activites is high with more pain and problems. There are also issues with phantom pain from the amputation.
This is a cruel practice that can, and often does, lead to behavior problems such as not using litterbox and biting problems which result in the animal being euthanasized at a later date.
Cats have a natural need to scratch, not only for removal of the old claw sheath but for their mental well being also. If you observe a cat you will often see that they will scratch on their posts after playing or running around with great enthusiasm. It is very clear it is a pleasurable activity for them. Cats use their claws for grip & as tools in various tasks in their everyday natural behaviours. In addition, they have scent glands in their feet and it is a territory marking behavior.
Like us with our favorite ratty old pair of jeans, the more ruined and destroyed the scratch post the more the cat likes it. It is comfortable, worn in, has their scent on it, and is familiar. If you need to replace a worn out scratch post bring in the new one and once the cat is using it regularly then get rid of the old one. Remember, what is pretty to us may not be appealing to the cat.
Some cats prefer the cardboard scratchers, others the sisal rope ones, others the carpet. Some prefer horizontal, others vertical. You may need to try several to discover what your cat prefers. If they go after the furniture clapping your hands at them as they go after it and telling them No, or squirting with a water bottle when you catch them ( I like the Super Soaker water guns as you can pump them up and they shoot a long ways) will train them to stay away from furniture. Sometimes taping a piece of sandpaper on the corner or area of the furniture they are going after can be a deterrent as you get them used to a scratcher will work. It appears to have the same effect as us running our fingernails down a blackboard.
Scratching is a natural part of a cats life. If you plan to have a cat for a pet you need to be prepared to accommodate the natural behavior of the animal. If this is not acceptable to you I would encourage you to find a different pet.
COMMON POISONOUS PLANTS, FOODS, AND SUBSTANCES
Foods:
Alcohol
Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks)
onions and members of the onion family including garlic
Chocolate
Grapes
Raisin's
Xylitol (found in sugarless candy, gums and toothpaste)
many fruits such as blueberries can be toxic if given more than a couple every few days at the most (cats are carnivores and meat based protein should form the basis of their diet)
Medicines:
painkillers (aspirin, tylenol, ibuprofen)
antidepressants
vitamins and supplements
diet pills
Plants:
Yucca
Aloe Vera
Marijuana
Azaleas, chrysanthemums, lilies, tulips
Insecticides and Common Household Chemicals:
Antifreeze
Bleach
Detergent
Dog flea and tick medicines including flea collars
Insect perimeter sprays such as Home Defense Max, mouse and insect baits
Herbicides and Fertilizers
OTHER HAZARDS:
Holiday decorations such as tinsel and tree lights
Yarn, string, dental floss, sewing things such as pins and needles
Toys with small parts that cats can chew off and ingest
This gives you an idea of some common toxins and dangers to be aware of but is by no means complete.
BE SURE TO CHECK FRONT LOAD WASHERS FOR YOUR CAT SLEEPING IN THERE BEFORE RUNNING THE MACHINE. THEY ARE ALSO QUICK TO JUMP IN WHEN LOADING THE MACHINE AND ARE NOT VISIBLE, THEY THEN GET TRAPPED WITH OTHER CLOTHES BEING LOADED ON TOP OF THEM. THE MACHINE IS THEN RUN WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCES. LOAD CLOTHES FROM THE HAMPER ONE AT A TIME AS CATS WILL BURROW IN TO SLEEP IN THE CLOTHES AND CAN EASILY BE PUT IN WITH AN ARMFUL OF CLOTHING OR BEDDING.
Foods:
Alcohol
Caffeine (coffee, tea, energy drinks)
onions and members of the onion family including garlic
Chocolate
Grapes
Raisin's
Xylitol (found in sugarless candy, gums and toothpaste)
many fruits such as blueberries can be toxic if given more than a couple every few days at the most (cats are carnivores and meat based protein should form the basis of their diet)
Medicines:
painkillers (aspirin, tylenol, ibuprofen)
antidepressants
vitamins and supplements
diet pills
Plants:
Yucca
Aloe Vera
Marijuana
Azaleas, chrysanthemums, lilies, tulips
Insecticides and Common Household Chemicals:
Antifreeze
Bleach
Detergent
Dog flea and tick medicines including flea collars
Insect perimeter sprays such as Home Defense Max, mouse and insect baits
Herbicides and Fertilizers
OTHER HAZARDS:
Holiday decorations such as tinsel and tree lights
Yarn, string, dental floss, sewing things such as pins and needles
Toys with small parts that cats can chew off and ingest
This gives you an idea of some common toxins and dangers to be aware of but is by no means complete.
BE SURE TO CHECK FRONT LOAD WASHERS FOR YOUR CAT SLEEPING IN THERE BEFORE RUNNING THE MACHINE. THEY ARE ALSO QUICK TO JUMP IN WHEN LOADING THE MACHINE AND ARE NOT VISIBLE, THEY THEN GET TRAPPED WITH OTHER CLOTHES BEING LOADED ON TOP OF THEM. THE MACHINE IS THEN RUN WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCES. LOAD CLOTHES FROM THE HAMPER ONE AT A TIME AS CATS WILL BURROW IN TO SLEEP IN THE CLOTHES AND CAN EASILY BE PUT IN WITH AN ARMFUL OF CLOTHING OR BEDDING.
