Cat Trees and Pet Supplies

According to the ASPCA pet statistics, approximately 5 million to 7 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year.  Caring for animals is an expensive business. It also requires a great deal of time, space, and involvement, and these things are not always available for every animal.

Many Animal Shelters are usually privately funded and can do with all the help they can get from the local community. If there is an Animal Shelter in your area, you can consider making a donation or, if they allow it, volunteering your time.  Check with the shelter to see what items they are in need of most. 

For the most part, most shelters need:

• Financial Support- as stated above, it’s a very expensive business
• Litter and litter boxes
• Break-away cat collars and dog collars
• Food-Many of the animals dropped off or found are malnourished and in need of a good meal. 
• Flea treatments
• Toys and Treats- the best way to socialize rescue animals is through play.
• Cleaning supplies (Bleach, towels, trash bags, newspapers,plastic bags, laundry detergent,etc)
• Pet houses, pet beds, and pet cages and crates- If an animal needs to be confined due to an illness then a pet cage or crate is necessary. Pet carriers are also high in demand.
• stand alone scratching posts
• and of course, people willing to adopt

Anything you can do is a big help.  New shelters are going up every day, but they’re filling up immediately and need all the help they can get.

 If you have multiple cats, don’t think you need to spend a fortune buying each of your cats a separate cat tree.  Just buy one decent sized cat tree and all of your cats can play together.  Your cats will love all of the different hiding spots, nap spots, scratching posts, toys to chase, and chasing each other up and down the posts.

Cat trees come in a variety of shapes and sizes.  It shouldn’t be too hard to find one large enough for all of your cats, with plenty to keep them occupied, and even match your decor.  If you choose one with several different levels, each of your cats will have plenty of room to lounge as well, and it won’t take up too much of your floor space. 

Most cat trees are easy to assemble, and come with tools and detailed instructions.  And don’t worry, clean up usually consists of just a damp cloth and vaccuum.

With today’s economy, even pets who had a home need your help.  Families dealing with foreclosure, sometimes cannot find friends or family to care for their pets while they re-locate.  In these instances, their beloved pets end up in shelters. 

You can help.  Shelters need donations.  Some examples of items needed are bath towels, fleece blankets, tennis balls, cat toys, dog collars and leashes, easy-walk harnesses, cat collars (quick-release), large dog crates and kennel cabs, cat litter, and scratching posts. Check with your local shelter to see what they need.  And visit www.theanimalrescuesite.com  for a more detailed list of items needed, more ideas on how to help/donate, and sign the pledge to help pet victims of foreclosure.  (The bottom of the home page has a banner to click on to get to this information.)

When looking for cat trees, there are many different styles and designs to choose from.  Do you want a cat condo, cat scratching post, dangly toys, hammocks, one or more platforms, etc. etc.  Why not get them all!

The 76″ Bungalow Cat Tree by Majestic Pet Products has a main entry covered in Elegant Faux Sheepskin, that measures 22″ X 24″.  The main residence (or cubby hole) measures 12″ X 19″ and  is situated on the second level with a roof deck viewing area.  The Guest House is situated on the third level.  It measures 10″ X 15″ diameter, and also features a deck for lounging.  Above that is a fourth level, the loft.  It measures 15″ X 17″ and has a 14″ X 14″ thick cush bolster bed at the top.  As if that’s not enough, there is a hammock situated between the second floors, two mouse toys, and a rope toy included.  The posts are hand wrapped in sisal rope, and the plush finish is scratch proof.  The full dimensions are: Height 76″ X Length 35″ X Width 32″. 

 At a reasonable price, this cat tree seems to have it all!

This cat tree has it all.  It’s covered in elegant honey colored Faux Fur. The Sisal rope wrapped posts will withstand even the toughest claws.  This beautiful playground features two residencies, a ladder, a ramp, a nest, two perches, and a dangly mouse. 

As a bonus, it assembles in minutes, with simple step by step instructions and tools which are provided.  Cleans easily with a vacuum and damp cloth.  Dimensions: Height 73″ X Length 38″ X width 36″.

1 word- toddlers.  Kids love cats.  But until they learn how to properly handle them, cats usually run for the hills when your toddler comes chasing.  Cats hide under beds, beg to go outside, or may bolt down stairs to get away. 

Cat trees provide a safe haven for your cat that is up in the air, out of the reach of your toddler.  They can relax, in the same room as everyone else, with the peace of mind that no fur will be ripped out!  And most cat trees have the added bonus of scratching posts and/or danging toys attached.  Once your toddler gets a little older, and learns how to handle your cat, the cat tree will still be useful for your cat’s enjoyment.  It hopefully won’t be needed as a safe haven any longer, just a fun and enjoyable piece of furniture for your cat to enjoy.

When getting supplies for your pet, the necessities always come to mind.  Food, water, bowls, litter boxes, collars, etc.  Keep in mind there’s also a wide variety of fun pet supplies to pamper your pet with.

For cats:

• cat trees - add some fun to their day and give them something to climb up and play on.
• cat condos - give them their own “house” to relax in.
• cat cuddlers - a nice bed to lounge in for naps.
• scratching posts - a carpeted post to sharpen their nails on.

For dogs:

• Pet beds - Let them rest in their own bed.  There are many different styles and sizes to choose from.
• Stylish attire - for outings and fun photos.
• Pet tents - their own refuge for camping trips.
• Gourmet treats - healthy snacks to reward them.
• Pet houses - Shelter from the sun and/or harsh elements when outside.

The pet industry has a huge variety of fun pet supplies to choose from.  Pamper your pet, they deserve it!

If you’ve ever shopped for a cat tree, you’ve probably noticed that there are several different terms for them.  Cat trees, Cat climbing trees, Jungle Gym Cat Trees, Classic Cat Trees, to name a few.  Each website or store has their own terminology for cat tree types.

Classic Cat trees are usually a tower with one or more carpeted resting platforms.  They may have scratching posts or dangly toys attached also.

Jungle Gym Cat Trees tend to have more shape to them.  They usually have several different carpeted platforms that might “jet” off in different directions.  Jungle Gym Cat Trees almost always have dangly toys and scratching posts.  They are more of “Playground” for your cats.

Either of the above may come with a cat condo attached as well.  Cat condo’s are little houses for your cat to nap or play in.  They may be at the top of the cat tree, or placed in the middle of the platforms.  With all the choices in cat trees, your sure to find one that’s perfect for your feline friends.

Buying a cat tree can be very confusing.  There’s a lot to consider, and many options out there.  Here are some questions to ask yourself before buying. 

• How much room do you have?   - Cat trees come in many different sizes.  Knowing your size limit will begin to narrow the search.
• How active is your cat?  - If you have an older cat that doesn’t like to climb too much, you can look for a cat tree with less levels.  If your cat is extremely active- go for more levels to help them release some energy.
• How much can you spend?  
• Are you trying to blend the cat tree in with your home decor?  - Cat trees are normally carpeted.  With carpet, comes many different colors.  If you’re trying to match your home decor, start by only looking at cat trees that match your current decor. 
• Do you want a cat condo attached?  - Many cat trees come with cat condos on top of 1 of the levels, or on a perch.  If you’re also looking for a cat condo, look for a 2 in 1!
• Do you want a scratching post too?  - Most cat trees have a scratching post somewhere on them, but this will narrow down your options a little bit.

Whatever you choose, your cat will be thrilled to have a place all there own.

It starts when they’re kittens, and continues as they grow into cats……Scratching!  It might be your furniture, you’re brand new rug, the side of the bed, the wall, the list goes on and on.  Here are some tips to keep your feline friends from ruining anymore furniture.

Since cats need to scratch to remove old nail sheaths, exercise and tone muscles, mark their territory, relieve stress, cure boredom, and take out frustrations, it doesn’t make sense to yell at them.  Or declaw them!  Instead, give them a place that is OK to scratch, such as a cat scratching post, and “train” them to use it.

Cat scratching posts are usually covered in durable carpet, and have at least 1 area of sisal rope for scratching.  Some even have a toy to keep your kitten or cat occupied.  The trick is to get them to use it.

• Put the scratching post in a common area.  An area where your cat or kitten likes to nap, or tends to spend a lot of time.  (Or, in front of the furniture they had previously been scratching on!)
• Try luring them over by putting catnip or treats on the new post.
• Show them how and where to scratch on the sissal rope.
• Place a favorite toy on the post.  They’ll have to climb and/or claw at the post to get it down!

Once trained, your furniture should be safe, and your cat or kitten will feel satisfied.  Claws give cats a sense of security.  They help your cat establish their footing for walking, running, climbing, and stretching.  Scratching posts maximize you’re cat’s scratching pleasure, providing a natural outlet for normal, heathy behavior.