Cat Trees and Pet Supplies

The purpose of cat condo is a little different than a cat tree.  Cat condos are like a pet house for your cat.  They have more of an enclosure for them to hide in and nap.  Usually lower to the ground, cat condos are still great pieces of furniture for your cat scratch at, and climb on.  Dangling toys also make them a great way for your cat to release their pent up energy.

Cat condos may be a better choice than a cat tree, if you have a cat that spends some of it’s time outside.  Since they can get exercise, climb trees, and scratch on trees while out, you may just want a smaller cat condo for them to relax in and occasionally play on while inside.  In this case, you may not care that it’s not very tall.  Also, if you’re trying to fit it in a smaller area, possibly under a counter or something, you may want a shorter cat condo. Cat condos come in several stylish designs, so you’re sure to find one that you and your cat will love.

If you already own a soft sided pet crate, you probably already know how versatile they are.  If you don’t own one, here are several reasons to consider picking one up.

• Trips to the Vet- If you’ve ever taken your cat to the vet, wrapped in a towel, you’ll appreciate the ease of transporting your cat in a crate.  No more trying to pull your cat out from under the seat, dealing with scratches all over your arms, shredded towels, and trying to keep your cat calm in a waiting room full of dogs.  A crate alone makes transporting your cat easier, but the soft sides keep your cat a little more comfortable.
• Sanctuary- If you have children, your cats and/or dogs may need a place to hide for a little while!  Kids will be kids, and they are intrigued by animals.  Your pets can only handle so much tail pulling, chasing, and “piggy back” rides.  A soft sided pet crate doubles as a home for your pet.  They can comfortably relax, in their own sanctuary, untill they are rested enough to play again.
• Recovery After Surgery- If you’ve ever had an injured pet, or your pet has ever needed surgery, you know how hard it is to get them to stay still to heal.  You can’t guarantee that they will rest, even if you lock them in a room, alone.  With a soft sided pet crate, they will have a comfortable “recovery zone”, and they can be in the room with you. 
• Crate Training- Potty training a puppy can be rough duty.  If you have other dogs, your puppy may follow them, and training will be a breeze.  If you don’t, a crate will definitely help.  Dogs usually will not go to the bathroom when they are secluded in a small area, such as a crate, because they do not want to have to lay in it.  The Soft sides add comfort to their “training area”.
• Travel- Portable, and easy to carry, these crates make travelling with pets less of a hassle.  They are also approved by most airlines.

On top of all these reasons, the soft sided pet crates are sylish, lightweight, and washable.  They also fold up to less than 4″ thick for easy storage.

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.

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!

Alright all you avid campers, it’s almost time to pack up and head outdoors!  If you bring your pets with on your camping excursions, a pet tent is a good investment. 

Also known as portable pet homes, pet tents are a great place for your pet to rest and feel secure when you are away from home.  Make sure it’s durable and waterproof so your pet is comfortable in all weather conditions.  Good ventilation and enough room to move around inside are also a must.  Of course, if it’s cold put a blanket in the tent, and always provide your pet with fresh food and water.

Tis the season for friends and family to get together and celebrate the holidays.  For most pet owner’s this includes their pets.  Here’s a few tips to keep your pets safe and healthy through all of your holiday festivities.

If your dog usually gets stressed out around a lot of strangers, you may want to keep him in a separate room.  With so many different faces coming into your dog’s “territory” they may get over-protective and seem un-friendly.  Small dogs may not be seen and get stepped on, or tripped over.  And with the door opening and closing for each guest, your dog may run outside without anyone noticing.  It’s way too cold for them to be stuck outside for long periods of time.

Cats on the otherhand, will most likely find their own hiding spot when guests arrive.  Especially if they have a cat tree, or their own pet house.  They’ll most likely curl up and nap until most of the guests are gone.

Holiday plants may be toxic to pets.  Mistletoe and Holly are two of the most popular.  Keep these plants out of the reach of your curious pets.  If ingested, contact you vetrinarian immediately.

Do not feed your pet leftover bones.  Every year thousands of pets are treated for consumption of splintered bones, causing pain and sometimes death.

Keep tinsel and confetti away from your pets.  If your pet ingests either of these, it can wreak havoc on their digestive tract.

Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, that our four-legged family members are forgotten.  They are curious and just as anxious as we are.  As their caretakers, we need to be aware of the many hazards around them, and do whatever we can to avoid these dangers.