Cat in a Santa Hat

I’ve done it so many times now and the novelty still doesn’t wear off, the little kitties look so cute in that red and white hat. You can even get some that include a white fluffy beard or a lacy ruff, making for an even better picture for the family album.

Just make sure that the hat fits properly and the elastic isn’t too tight, and if your kitty really doesn’t like it then please take it off. Otherwise, have fun!

One of the products is the Catit Senses Play Cicruit, a cat ball track much like the Bergan Turbo track. Made up of a series of hollow plastic tubes, the play circuit holds a ball that can roll up and down the inside of the tube. There are slits and gaps along the sides of the tubes which are just the right size for an inquisitive paw to poke through, allowing kitty to give a palyful swipe at the ball as it rolls past.

As with so many cat toys, how much fun the Catit Senses track will offer depends very much on how energetic or curious your cat is, but if you don’t try these things you’ll never know what your cats will think.

Both Arthur and Kitty took a little while to get used to it, as they didn’t immediately realise they could poke their paws into the tubes. In this respect the Bergan Turbo track is better, as it’s open-top track makes it easier to get at the ball.

However, with some gentle tuition Arthur and Kitty soon got to grips with it and they loved it. Arthur, being a lively fellow, would just go bonkers chasing the ball up and down the tube, bashing it from end to end. Kitty, on the other hand, likes to take a more thoughtful approach and she would give the ball a spirited whack and then wait for it to roll back to her.

They both seemed to get more enjoyment when the track was laid out in a single wavey line rather than in a circuit. This is helped by the end pieces which have a sharp incline that sends the ball rolling back in the direction it came from.

To see the Catit Senses track in action check out the video below. This isn’t Arthur or Kitty, just a video I found on Youtube, but it shows how much fun can be had .

One great way of enhancing the circuit is to add different ball toys. With Arthur and Kitty I found that adding a ball with a bell in it was particularly appealing. Either that or they just found it really annoying and wanted to stop the ringing, but either way they bashed away at the ringing ball more than they did the plain ones that came with the circuit.

The tubes are quite strong and can easily cope with the chewing and scratching of an eager cat. In fact there’s very little you can say against the Catit Senses Play Circuit, it does exactly what it says on the box and does it well.

I bought my Catit Senses circuit from Amazon for just $18.99 where I got their usual speedy delivery service.

As you can it’s a vertical triangle and it features three fun kitty toys, all attached to a single pole that’s hinged in the middle. At one end is a wand with some tassles, at the other end is a stuffed mouse, and in the middle, partially obscured inside a hole, is a ball.

The pole works just like a musical metronome and moves back and forth on its axis. As kitty bashes a toy it will swing away and then bounce back again. Also, as one of the toys move so do the other two, giving kitty a choice of three moving targets to play with. Down the sides of the Tick Tock Teaser are additional holes, allowing kitty to wave her paws around inside to try and catch the moving toys.

It’s another nicely built toy from SmartCat, with nice smooth wood and no nasty edges. One thing I would recommend is loosening the fastening screws for the wand to let it move a little more freely, it’s got quite a stiff action straight out of the box.

Both of my cats played with this, although it has to be said that Arthur got a lot more fun out of it than Kitty did. But then Arthur does like bashing things while Kitty is more thoughtful!

Smartcat Tick Tock Teaser With IterchangeableToys Cat US $10.70 End Date: Monday Jun-04-2012 15:56:18 PDT Add to watch list

Smartcat Tick Tock Teaser With IterchangeableToys Cat US $9.99 End Date: Friday Jun-08-2012 0:11:30 PDT Add to watch list

SmartCat 3836 Tick Tock Teaser New Toys Cats Supplies Pet NIB NWT US $26.44 End Date: Wednesday Jun-13-2012 19:51:36 PDT Add to watch list

The idea behind a cat water fountain is that it provides a steady stream of fresh water, something your cat will enjoy, and stops it going stagnant as it can do in a normal water bowl.

For Arthur and Kitty I chose the Drinkwell cat fountain. It features a constant free-falling stream of water (about 5 inches high) that collects in a bowl. A pump then extracts the water from the bowl and passes it through a charcoal filter that cleans the water, removing impurities and bad tastes, and then returns it through the fountain. It holds 50 oz. (about 1.5 liters) of water but you can order a separate reservoir to increase that capacity to 120 oz. although I haven’t tried that.

Photo credit: surferbill

At first I thought it was going to be a noisy device, but it’s surprisingly quiet (although it sometimes get noisy, but more of that in a minute). It’s really easy to setup and in no you’ll have your cat water fountain up and running. Both Arthur and Kitty were a bit wary of it at first, but they quickly came round and are now very happy drinking from it. I’m pretty sure that both of them are drinking more than they used to from their old water bowl.

You can vary the speed of the water flow, but I quite like it on full. At this speed it makes a gentle trickling sound which I (oddly?) find quite soothing, and you’re also sure that it’s still flowing. Even at full speed it doesn’t splash water around, and it’s quite stable too so there’s no danger of you or your cat knocking it over.

OK, the downsides. First of all don’t place it directly next to your cat’s food bowl or you might find small bits of food finding their way into the water. If this is allowed to build up it can cause problems for the pump which could eventually burn out if you don’t do something. The same with cat hair, as this can build up and clog the pipework. For this reason you need to clean the fountain about once a week.

It takes me about fifteen minutes to do. It’s not particularly difficult, but the Drinkwell obviously wasn’t designed for easy cleaning. There are some nooks and crannies that need extra care, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

Also, you need to make sure you top up the water regularly. Not because it’s running out, but because if the water level drops below the intake for the pump it will start to make slurping and sucking noises. At this point there is still water in the bowl so your cat still has a drink, but if the water level falls below the intake the motor will burn out. So keep it topped up and it will run smoothly and quietly.

Overall I’m very pleased with my new cat water fountain, and I can highly recommend the Drinkwell in particular. I bought the Drinkwell Original from Amazon for $50, although there is a more expensive Platinum version that looks a bit nicer and holds more water, but that’s the only difference.

It’s essentially a wooden box with holes cut into it, into which you can drop balls, treats, pom-poms … anything really. The idea is that your cat will then try to fish out the items or just have fun knocking them around through the holes.

It’s a simple idea for a kitty toy but sometimes that’s the best thing. The box is very nicely made from pale wood, with no rough edges for waving paws to pick up splinters. I think it really looks quite smart and is strong enough to last for years.

Smartcat Peek and Play Toy Box W/ 2 Toys Stimulating US $24.25 End Date: Saturday May-26-2012 15:53:58 PDT Add to watch list

SmartCat Peek and Play Toy Box 3841 US $19.99 End Date: Thursday Jun-07-2012 17:56:10 PDT Add to watch list

Smartcat Peek and Play Toy Box W/ 2 Toys Stimulating US $24.25 End Date: Friday Jun-08-2012 0:10:48 PDT Add to watch list

Go Cat Fur Pong Cat Toy Rattle Ping Pong Ball US $4.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 13:52:45 PDT Add to watch list

Toy Shoppe Fabric Catnip Mice Ball Mouse Cat Toy Chew US $3.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 14:34:19 PDT Add to watch list

It’s actually possible to train your cat to wear a harness, allowing you to take it for a walk on a leash in the same way as you would a dog. It seems incredible, and I was sceptical at first, but cat harnesses are proving really popular.

How do I get out of this harness?

The most important thing in training your cat to use a harness and leash is patience. The younger your cat the easier it will be, but older cats will be set in their ways and may stubbornly refuse to wear the harness at first. But be persistent, try it on them for a few minutes each day and eventually they will become accustomed to it.

Don’t rush your cat, and don’t force it to wear the harness if it is really frightened by it. If your cat seems irritated try fitting it loosely at first to allow kitty to get used to the sensation of the harness, and then gradually tighten it up over a few days until the harness is eventually fitting properly and your cat is not bothered by the feeling of wearing it.

Time for walkies?

When your cat is happy with the harness you can try attaching the lead. It is possible to buy extendable leads, but I find it easier to keep my cats under control using a six-foot lead. This way your cat cannot suddenly shoot off in the wrong direction and catch you by surprise, or go and get itself tangled up around trees, fences, gates. park benches or anything else that grabs its fancy.

Cat walking is still something of a rarity and I’m sure you will attract many puzzled looks as you walk down the sidewalk with your cat at your side, but it is a rewarding thing for both of you. You get to spend more time with your cat and she gets to investigate the great outdoors with all of its interesting objects, smells and sights.

Another big advantage if training your cat to wear a harness is that it allows you to take it travelling with you, rather than forcing it stay in kennels while you’re on holiday. You get peace of mind that knowing that your cat is under control (as long as you’re holding the lead!) while your cat gets to enjoy a change of scenery.

Cat Harness

FULL BODY LION IN SCALLOPED FRAME Horse Harness Brass from England LION BIG CAT! US $16.00 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 12:31:43 PDT Add to watch list

1993 Arctic Cat Lynx 340 Wiring Harness US $8.00 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 13:48:49 PDT Add to watch list

Adjustable Cat Harness & Leash / Lead (Black, 4 ft.) US $3.23 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 14:13:20 PDT Add to watch list

For Cat Dog Bag Backpack Harness with Leash Set US $11.33 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 14:43:36 PDT Add to watch list

Arctic Cat Headlight Harness PN 0115-334 (0686-164) US $24.95 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 14:49:34 PDT Add to watch list

Cat Leash

Saint Francis Protect My Cat Pets Animals Leash Medal US $6.95 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 13:24:30 PDT Add to watch list

Adjustable Cat Harness & Leash / Lead (Black, 4 ft.) US $3.23 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 14:13:20 PDT Add to watch list

For Cat Dog Bag Backpack Harness with Leash Set US $11.33 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 14:43:36 PDT Add to watch list

Cat Dog Mesh Nylon Vest Harness and Leash Set Size 3 US $10.12 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 15:21:34 PDT Add to watch list

Cat, Dog Safety or Leash Collar American Blue & Stars Stripes, Charm & Bell USA US $5.29 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 16:04:55 PDT Add to watch list

How To Harness A Difficult Cat

Frolicat Bolt Laser Cat Toy

It’s a laser-based device that generates a red dot on a surface and proceeds to draw out random patterns. This will send even the laziest cat into a red-dot-chasing frenzy, giving him valuable exercise and you plenty of amusement.

The Frolicat can be programmed to run automatically, where it controls the pattern, or you can pick it up and direct the dot yourself much like you would with a laser pen. Whichever mode you choose the laser will shut down after 15 minutes so that don’t exhaust your excited kitty!

The Frolicat Bolt is really easy to use. Just load the batteries (it takes 4 AAs which are not included), press the power button on the top and the Frolicat then runs on its own for the full fifteen minutes. It makes a bit of a whirring noise as the laser moves around which is not so loud as to be annoying but is load enough to tell your cat that the machine is on and it’s playtime!

I found the best place to put the Frolicat was high up on a shelf or table with the mirror directing the beam downwards. This reduced the chance of the cats blocking the beam and losing the dot, and also made it less likely that the cat looked directly into the beam.

One advantage of the Frolicat Bolt over other cat toys is that the cat doesn’t play with the toy itself, just the laser dot. This means the Bolt doesn’t get bitten/scratched/bashed as other toys can do, so as long as the electricals remain reliable it should give your kitty plenty of entertainment for many years to come.

The Frolicat Bolt is available to buy from Amazon and other pet toy retailers.

A cat tree can take many forms, from a straightforward platform on a post to a ‘cat condo’ style maze of posts, platforms, boxes and ladders. The basic idea is that the cat has somewhere to jump onto, scratch and play on.

So what should you be looking for in a cat tree? Probably one of the most important hings is a nice wide base to make sure that it’s stable, otherwise when your crazy cat launches itself onto the top it’s likely to fall over. On the subject of stability, if you go for an enormous 6ft cat tree you may want to look at anchoring it to your wall, just in case it does topple over and injure you/your cat/young child/plasma-screen TV.

Some cat trees will come with toys already bolted on, but even if you get a basic tree you can just attach a spring or piece of string onto it and add a toy of your choice.

Armarkat 57" Cat Tree Furniture Condo Scratchpost Play Scratch Climber Fun House US $109.25 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 12:34:36 PDT Add to watch list

Ruth Morehead Christmas Greeting Card with Kitty Cat and Dog Decorating Tree US $2.49 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 12:43:26 PDT Add to watch list

Armarkat 62" Faux Fur Cat Tree in Beige A6202 US $88.09 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 12:59:36 PDT Add to watch list

Cat Tree 72" Condo Furniture Scratching Post Pet Kitten Cat House Pet Play Nap US $99.95 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 13:10:25 PDT Add to watch list

Blue Butterfly Lantern Cat Painting Print ~ Night Light Moon Magic Giving Tree US $20.00 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 13:12:56 PDT Add to watch list

However, you should bear in mind that cat collars aren’t just decorative items. Your cat should wear a collar that provides some form of identification at all times, even if it’s just a name tag.

It is important that your cat’s collar is made of a stretchable material such as nylon or have some form of release mechanism or safety clasp. If your cat gets caught on something, such as a tree branch, you want to be sure that they can slip free of the collar without hurting themselves. Remember, a break away cat collar is a must.

Collars come in a range of sizes that are usually based on the size or weight of the cat. As your cat grows they will need a new collar, so keep checking to make sure it is not too tight. Ideally the collar should be slightly loose around your cat’s neck  – a good test is that you can easily slip two fingers inside the collar when it is fitted. Take care that the collar is not too loose or your cat will soon find a way to pull it off.

Cat Collars

CATS. White PUSSY in Collar. Vintage Photo PC US $11.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 12:47:52 PDT Add to watch list

Lot of 24: Fancy cat collar (assorted colors) US $39.20 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 12:58:48 PDT Add to watch list

Lot of 24: Cat collar with bell (assorted colors) US $37.60 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 12:59:02 PDT Add to watch list

Diamante Cat Collar 117 Stones Lgt Blue Faux Leather Strap US $15.79 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 13:03:22 PDT Add to watch list

Nylon Cat Collars

12 NYLON COLLARS PlaidFrower With BELL Pets Dogs&Cats 8-12" US $17.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 15:55:39 PDT Add to watch list

12 NYLON COLLARS NO.9 With BELL Pets Dogs&Cats 8-12" US $17.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 15:56:20 PDT Add to watch list

12 NYLON COLLARS C12-P1 With BELL Pets Dogs&Cats 8-12" US $17.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 15:57:09 PDT Add to watch list

Pittsburgh Panthers Old Gold Nylon Breakaway Adjustable Cat Collar US $8.95 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 17:25:55 PDT Add to watch list

Studded Cat Collars

old Photo *Tiger CAT in a BOW with a STUD COLLAR on LEASH tied to a tree* cute US $9.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 17:40:14 PDT Add to watch list

Genuine Leather Studs Dog & Cat Collar Puppy Black US $4.95 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 20:58:23 PDT Add to watch list

FAUX PINK LEATHER STUDDED PET CAT DOG COLLAR 8-11" NIP US $11.95 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 23:48:21 PDT Add to watch list

Green Croc Dog Cat Collar w/ Studded Rhinestones SMALL US $13.00 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 17:08:15 PDT Add to watch list

Break Away Cat Collars

Cat,Dog Collar,Safety or Non-Safety,Purple,Bell,Peace,Patriotic,Heart,Charm USA US $4.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 13:12:36 PDT Add to watch list

Cat,Dog Collar,Safety or Non-Safety,Purple,Bell,Peace,Patriotic,Heart,Charm USA US $4.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 13:12:36 PDT Add to watch list

Cat,Dog Collar,Safety or Non-Safety,Purple,Bell,Peace,Patriotic,Heart,Charm USA US $4.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 13:12:36 PDT Add to watch list

Cat,Dog Collar,Safety or Non-Safety,Purple,Bell,Peace,Patriotic,Heart,Charm USA US $4.99 End Date: Saturday May-19-2012 13:12:36 PDT Add to watch list

It’s a simple idea – take a track and drop a ball into it, and then let your cat knock the ball around the track for as long as it feels like it. The walls of the track are high enough to stop the ball getting knocked for miles with a swipe of a paw, but low enough to give kitty easy access to bash the ball backwards and forwards.

The track is made up of separate pieces that can be assembled into various layouts. If you think your cat is getting bored you can re-arrange the track to create a new layout, or even buy more pieces to extend the track.

Bergan Turbo Scratcher Replacement Pads, 2 Pack US $9.49 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 13:45:40 PDT Add to watch list

Bergan Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy - Colors May Vary US $17.32 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 14:53:16 PDT Add to watch list

Bergan Turbo Track Cat Toy US $28.82 End Date: Sunday May-20-2012 18:07:06 PDT Add to watch list

NEW Bergan Turbo Track Scratch Pads Refill for Figure 8 configuration NR US $0.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday May-21-2012 12:05:46 PDT Add to watch list

Bergan Turbo Track Dual Scratch Pads 8 pack for turbotrack game US $49.99 End Date: Monday May-21-2012 19:19:34 PDT Add to watch list