Posts filed under 'Cat Products'
Most people don’t give buying a litter box a second thought. I am not like most people. I have been trying to find the “perfect” litter box for years. Not just a box that looks good (after all litter boxes just don’t usually give that nice decorative touch to your house), but also one my cats would like. Having had cats with litter box issues, it has become personal.
We’ve used regular open litter boxes, the litter gets all over. We’ve used covered litter boxes, but I can’t help comparing them to having to use a Port-A-Pottie (I have to be on the verge of desperation). I have looked at the automatic litter boxes, but haven’t heard good reviews from friends, and the thought of 6 cats using it, the thing would be going constantly. I went to plastic storage totes and have been happy with them except for one thing- my 14 year old cat. Tyke has arthritis so getting in and out of one was painful for him. So our current set of has been several of the storage totes upstairs, 1 small box in the living room and 2 regular open boxes in the first floor bathroom (Tyke spends most of his time on the first floor).
At the beginning of January, I was contacted by the Biddy Cat Company and asked if I would be interested in trying their litter box, the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box, and reviewing it. Before contacting them, I went to their website and read through the product information. Hmmm, looking at the pictures it was huge. Hopeful that this box might be the “one”, I replied that I would be happy to try it.
When it arrived, I was more than impressed. It was HUGE. It actually took the place of the 2 regular litter boxes in my first floor bathroom. It is also a great size for my Ragdoll, Woody. Woody is a really big cat, he towers over my other felines and this box is ideal for him.
The sides of the box were high, great for keeping the litter from being thrown over the sides by my more exuberant diggers. But they weren’t too high to be a problem for Tyke’s arthritis. he has no problem getting in and out of this box.
The box is made of very high quality material. The plastic is smooth and thick. I have had boxes become stained really quickly and after almost 2 months of use, haven’t had it happen with the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box .
The box design is great. It was designed to not have those corners that collect the litter in them. The way this box is designed, you can scoop along the entire bottom of the box from one side to the other. Even my mother who sometimes pitches in for litter box duties commented on how easy it was to scoop.
I was also impressed with how the company keeps in touch with their customers. They were concerned about the box tipping when used with some lighter weight litters and contacted their customers asking for input. They do recommend using about a 2-3 inch depth of clumping litter for best results. I use regular clay litter (when you have a cat with litter box issues, you use what he wants to use) and have had no problems.
This is a product I have no problem recommending to others. In fact, I really need to measure the space upstairs and see if the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box will fit so I can get a second one.
For more information on the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box and to order a box yourself, please visit the Biddy Cat Company.
March 10th, 2008
I bought the Petstages Cheese Chase Cat Toy 2 years ago when I added Bitsa to my household. I was really surprised at what a hit it was not just with Bitsa but with all my cats. The Cheese Chase 11-1/2″ dia x 11-1/2″ high is an interactive cat toy made of plastic. In the very center is a stuffed mouse mounted on a flexible pole that springs back and forth when swatted at. On the very outside is a track that goes around the circumference of the toy. It contains a plastic ball for the cat to swat and chase. In the center of the circle is another ball for the cat to try and get through the 3 halls in the cover.
My cats thought swatting at that ball on the outer track was the most fun. They would lay there and swat it back and forth for 5-10 minutes (a long time in the cat world). It was funny to see 12 year old Tyke acting like a kitten over this toy. Interesting enough, they paid no attention to the ball in the center or the mouse. The outside ball was the only thing they played with.
After a few months, they lost interest in the Cheese Chase. Bitsa grew and had more fun exploring the house or playing chase with Pyro. Adding Charm to our household has created renewed interest in the Cheese Chase. I moved it to the center of the living room and the older cats were more than happy to show Charm how it worked. She picked it up quickly and has a blast playing with it. Not only does she play with the outside ball, but she also plays with the inside ball and occasionally wrestles the mouse.
Overall, the Petstages Cheese Chase Cat Toy has been a winner in our house. Not only do the cats find it entertaining, but it is well made and easy to clean. Not something I have had an easy time finding in the cat toys that are available.
You can find the Petstages Cheese Chase Cat Toy at Drs. Foster & Smith
Let me know what you think about the Cheese Chase toy or visit afFURmation to talk about pets.
August 13th, 2007
According to the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy’s Shelter Statistic Survey taken from 1994-1997, less than 25% of cats that enter a shelter are adopted. You can do something to help change that number. Adopt a Cat Month, sponsored by the American Humane Association and 9Lives® Morris’ Million Cat Rescue™, helps encourage people to consider adopting from a shelter when they are looking to add to their furry feline family.
Adding a new pet to the family is not something to do the spur of the moment. Adding another cat to a household that already has a cat should also be carefully considered. I’ve been lucky and over the years all my introductions have gone well, no matter if it has been an adult cat or a kitten being introduced. The picture is of 2 of my shelter adoptees, Tyke, who was adopted as a kitten 14 years ago and Pyro, adopted as a 9-month old, almost 4 years ago. Cat Watch, a newsletter put out by Cornell, has an article that offers good information on introducing a new cat and getting your household set up so problems are minimized.
So think adoption, if you are thinking about a new pet. You’ll be enriching 2 lives.
Visit Petfinder to find a shelter near you.
June 9th, 2007
My quick picks are products that I have used or became familiar with through my work and recommend to people. Please feel free to add your comments on the products as well!
Scented Pooch Pick-up Bags
If you see me out with my dogs, you can pretty much guarantee that I will have dog treats and poop bags with me. It’s part of being a responsible dog owner! The Pooch Pick-up bags are just the right size and they tie nice when you are done. Check out the scented and the bio-degradable versions.
Swizzle BirdÂ
I confess. I am a lazy pet owner. While I would love to run around all day and play and entertain my crew, I don’t. To conserve my energy, I love using teaser toys like the Swizzle Bird and Swizzle Mouse for my cats and ferrets. I get to sit in one place and move it around, while they chase it and get some exercise. They don’t seem to mind!
Hay Tumbler 6-1/2″ x 6″
Like the Vegetable Basket, the Hay Tumbler helps provide enrichment by letting your bunny work for his food. Made of safe to eat cardboard, your bunny can chew or throw the Tumbler around to get the hay. When it empties, just fill with more hay.
Hanging Ferret Nap Sacks Cotton Twill
The Hanging Ferret Nap Sack is a paws down favorite among my fuzzy crew. I’ll usually find one or two curled up in it. They like it because they are enclosed, I like how it has stood up through repeated washings.
May 19th, 2007
In an effort to spare my furniture and wall moldings from damage, I offer my cats several different types of cat scratchers. They have a floor to ceiling cat tree with 3 shelves on it, great for sleeping on. They also have a 2 level cat condo, also a great place to hang out and sleep. Then there is their favorite, a cardboard cat scratcher. Okay, so it’s not trend-se
tting and it doesn’t match my decor, but you can’t beat the price!
There are a couple different styles of cardboard cat scratchers. My cats have no interest in the cardboard scratchers that hang from door knobs, but really tackle the ones that come in the slanted cardboard holder. Basically, these cat scratcher have a cardboard frame, usually the outside is decorated. The ones I have seen also have a small hole on each side where a cat can reach inside to play with a little toy hanging inside the frame (none of my cats have shown any interest in the toy or the holes). The part the cat scratches is made up of pieces of cardboard bonded together.
Cats like to be able to really stretch and scratch and with this even my biggest cat can stand on it and use it. Inexpensive when compared to other scratching posts, the cardboard cat scratcher has inserts that can be turned over so both sides can be used. Once that insert is worn, replacement inserts can be purchased. To get your cats interested or to keep them interested, you can rub some dry catnip or use a catnip spray on the insert. My cats will use it without catnip, but I occasionally put some on it to give them some excitement!
Likes:
The cost- very inexpensive, especially when compared to other scratching posts.
Replacement inserts- very easy to replace. When my carpetted cat scratchers get trashed, there is not much you can do to revive them (unless you have some basic DIY skills, which I don’t). Since the insert is the part that gets destroyed, you can have it like new it just a few seconds.
My cats like it- A cat scratching post is worthless if a cat won’t use it.
Dislikes:
Appearance- it would be nice if someone could design a nice frame something that would look better when company comes over
February 24th, 2007
