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There are some great cat trees on ebay for relatively low prices & free shipping!
This is a great scratching post because it’s heavy and can’t be knocked over when your cat is scratching. This scratching post is “Sierra’s” favorite.
All three of these scratchers are good since your cat is able to crawl on top of each one and then scratch.
My husband, Frank, built one of these cat scratching posts by using a heavy wooden base, PCV wide plastic pipe and then by wrapping wide sisal rope around the pipe. The rope was glued onto the plastic pipe.
Just make sure that the base is wide enough and it is heavy enough that a climbing adult cat won’t be able to knock the scratching pole over, especially when the cat climbs to the very top of this pole.
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NEVER BUY kibble or canned food if it’s sitting in a window or a
warm place because the oils will have turned rancid. Rancid oil can cause CANCER! Also...never have kibble or canned food shipped during heat because, that too, will cause the oils to become rancid.
Pictured (to the right and below) are some of the kitten foods I’ve been feeding our kittens (these photos are not to scale). According to information on the internet, you may continue to feed kitten food until your kitten reaches one year.
I prefer to feed different quality brands of kitten food (like Simply Nourish) because I feel if one brand is lacking in a nutrient another brand will have included that nutrient. Our kittens and cats are offered about 7 kinds of canned food, along with about 7 brands of kibble.
A kitten should be fed kitten canned food about 4 times a day. Because a kitten no longer has mother to nurse, I would give the kitten as much canned food as will be eaten.
I feed canned food during the day. At night I put out, at least, 4 bowls of different brands of kitten kibble (see pictures below of sample bowls of kibble.
IMPORTANT — The best kibble is Fromm and Orijen.
Always leave out fresh bowls of water.
(Click on each picture to enlarge...
as these are only some of the foods & treats I provide.)
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We’ve found that these cat litters work well for both mother and her kittens.
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Toys...toys...toys! Kittens need stimulation so provide lots of interesting objects various types of attractions. They don’t need to cost money (see my article titled “The 10 Best Homemade Cat Toys” on my “Cat Articles” page, along with another YouTube link to “Ragdoll Cats Play With A Homemade Cat Want Toy”).
They love small objects which they can pounce on and bat around. For example, try all sizes and shapes of boxes and tubes, plastic bowls (which I buy at Dollar General for $1 each), practice plastic golf balls, bottle caps and large flat plastic lids (washed), brown paper bags (cut handles at one side..so the loop no longer creates a choking danger and NEVER let your pet play with plastic bags because they can suffocate inside the plastic), along with a wide grosgrain ribbon hanging freely on a door handle. Another light-weight toy that they enjoy are hard plastic sealing strips. These sealing strips are about 1/2” to 1” wide. All our cats enjoy chewing them. Maybe it’s because they’re either teething or, possibly, it’s a way of cleaning their teeth since my adult Ragdolls also enjoy chewing these hard plastic strips. I find that kittens prefer light-weight objects which may be pushed around and/or carried.
The brown paper (which arrives in the Chewy boxes) is a popular toy for our kittens. See video below of our kittens playing with this large paper.
It’s always a good idea to rotate your kitten’s toys so he or she doesn’t become tired of them. Keep several out and hide the others. In a few days, present toys your kitten hasn’t seen for some time.
Never let any pet play with or encounter rubber bands, string, tread, yarn, children’s toys, containers with small openings or plastic bags because these can lead to death. Read more “Kitten and Cat Dangers Every Cat Lover Should Know” on this website (click to view).
Below are some inexpensive toys our kittens especially enjoy:
• SmartyKat, Incline Scratcher, Sisal Angle and
• Smartykat, Collapsible Tunnel Toy, Crackle Chute
(both of which I purchased at Menards).
Sorry...I can’t remember the names of these other toys
because I purchased them so long ago, however,
whenever possible, I researched and found
either the original or one similar on Amazon.
You may see our kittens playing with some of
these great toys on this website’s page titled
“Videos of Kittens” (click to view).
This is a SmartyKat, Incline Scratcher, Sisal Angle —
SmartyKat Chaise Corrugated Lounge With Catnip Cat Scratcher —
FroliCat Bolt Laser Light —
Undercover Mouse Exercise Toy —
either “Cat’s Meow’s” or “Yosoo’s” product.
Yellow Soft Strands Wand Cat Toy —
Dragonfly With Rod, Interchangeable Toy —
This is one of the best built toys we’ve ever encountered and, best of all, our Ragdolls absolutely love this toy!
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
And...just in case one of our cats or kittens can’t eat, I always keep these two supplements available: Vetoquinol Care’s Nutri-Cal and Kitten Replacement Milk (KRM) —
VERY IMPORTANT — Nutri-Cal is made by Vetoquinol Care. It’s a Patatable High-Calorie Nutritional Supplement Gel which you may purchase from your vet or on the internet because one never knows when a cat/kitten won’t want to eat or can’t eat.
Every day I give each Ragdoll some Nutri-Cal. Not only is it a lubricant for for the elimination and prevention of hairballs, it’s also an excellent high-calorie nutritional supplement.
In order to avoid getting this sticky gel on your fingers, I suggest that you put a little (read instructions for correct amount) on a piece of paper towel. Then rub it off...onto your cat’s leg. Your cat will lick it all off because it’s tasty.
And, in emergencies, your cat/kitten will be able receive immediately quality nutrition.
I also keep Kitten Replacement Milk (KRM) handy if more or
another type of nutrition is required. I store both in the
refrigerator or in a cold, dark place...until needed.
A great and super healthy treat is: Only Natural’s Pet RawNibs (for cats). Only Natural Pet RawNibs is a meat-based raw dog food using a generous amount of named meats as its main sources of animal protein, thus earning the brand 5 stars. Enthusiastically recommended.
Only Natural’s website: https://www.onlynaturalpet.com/pages/search-results?q=rawnibs%20cat.
Amazon’s website: https://www.amazon.com/Only-Natural-Pet-RawNibs-Chicken/dp/B01LXLEGTI/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=only+natural+pet+raw+nibs+for+cats&qid=1564760084&s=gateway&sr=8-4
(Click on pictures to enlarge.)
Our cats and kittens adore these lightweight, soft furry toy mice with long feather tails.
(Click to enlarge picture and description.)
Cat Crazies are light-weight toys which all cats seem to enjoy throwing in the air and chasing.
Homemade puzzle box, by Petcentric Team —
https://www.petcentric.com/articles/care-and-grooming/diy-cat-toys-how-to-make-a-puzzle-box/
Want to make a fun new toy for your cat while reusing some of her old favorites? See how to make your cat a schnazzy new puzzle box!
What You’ll Need —
1 glass
1 blade — be careful!
1 marker
1 plastic container
What to Do —
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1Using your glass, trace two circles on the lid of your container.
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2Very carefully, cut the circles out of the lid.
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3Throw a couple of your cat’s favorite toys, kibble and/or cat treats inside and secure the lid.
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Talk about easy! Not only have you created a whole new toy for your cat to play with—once your cat gets them out of this new puzzle box, that is.
(To the left— these are the bowls of kibble I leave out during the night. Water bowls are available all the time.
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VERY IMPORTANT — I sprinkle Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora probiotic on both my cats’ and my kittens’ canned food. One package lasts a week. This outstanding supplement has been proven to promote intestinal health and balance as well as a healthy immune system. Proven safe and effective, FortiFlora contains guaranteed levels of the probiotic strain Enterococcus faecium SF68 to provide shelf stability and to arrive alive in the intestinal tract.
(Click on above picture to enlarge.)
I like this product the most for absorbing those stinky litter box odors. It called Citrus Magic Pet Odor Absorbing Solid Air Freshener (Fresh Citrus).
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Fun for all kittens! This is an interactive cat toy with four levels which contains four balls they bat and chase after...round and round...for one or more cats. Make sure your purchase the tower which has a bar across the top of the tower because if it’s open a kitten may get caught when diving into the middle of the tower.
If you kitten begin to jump on a kitchen counter top (or any surface where you’d prefer no kitten climbs), first lay down crinkled aluminum foil. If that technique doesn’t work, then put down this great double-sided sticky tape on your counter top surfaces. Also, if scratching occurs on furniture, this cat training tape works wonder.
This same double-sided sticky tape will stop scratching on unacceptable surfaces.
(Click on each picture above to enlarge.)
Chewy is also offering fabulous cat trees. This super sturdy cat tree (on the right) is available for $65.99 with 1-2 day free shipping. It’s the Frisco 72” cat tree.
(https://www.chewy.com/frisco-72-in-cat-tree-cream/dp/129326)
The 52” cat tree (on the left) is available for $37.99, however, in order to get the free shipping, you would need to purchase something else which would then take your order over the $49 required for free shipping. https://www.chewy.com/frisco-52-in-cat-tree-cream/dp/119898
(Click to enlarge pictures.)
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Best for adults.
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This is a great portable pen which keeps your new kitten safe in your home. It has a zippered top and a zippered door, along with being totally portable.
I use it to introduce my kittens to new surroundings (like our kitchen which has many loud and unexpected noises). Also, it’s perfect for introducing your current pet(s) to your new kitten. Each animal would be safe and secure during the days of introduction.
I join two of these two enclosures (pictured above) by opening each door and using large binder clips to make sure both door opening are attached to each other and securely fastened.
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Some of these tunnels may be connected to each other in order to extend or to add angles to a kitten’s route.
Smartykat, Collapsible Tunnel Toy, Crackle Chute or
All Prine Cat Tunnel, Collapsible 3-Way Tunnels —
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Best for kittens: Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Kitten Attract Training Cat Litter,
https://www.chewy.com/dr-elseys-precious-cat-kitten-attract/dp/32368
(Click to enlarge picture and description.)
This is the kind of cat comb which I’ve found works best (over any brushes, etc.)
“Sierra” will come to me and ask me to comb her!
Make sure you buy a ‘rotating’ comb. I purchased two of these combs on Amazon —
UGroom Non-Slip Rubber Grip Pet Rotating Pet Comb, 7.2””.
I also use a soft, small slicker brush on my cats
and kittens.
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The following supplies are pictured below —
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• Kitten foods
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• Comb and soft slicker brush
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• Cat tree
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• Scratching posts & climber
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• Litter
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• Mesh pen
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• Kitten/cat toys
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• Air freshener
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• Cat training tape
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Almost all of these items may be purchased from either Amazon or Chewy.
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Goodies will continue to be added...so check back often.
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If you want your kitten to come running to you, try shaking the treat container and calling him (by his name). I have taught each litter to come for their treats by doing this.
When your kitten is consistently coming to you, decrease the times when you give him or her treats...until you’re providing treats only every once in a while.
By following these steps, you’ll be able to call your kitten and he or she will always come to you...whether or not he receives a treat.
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Nancy Lee Cathcart
Knightwood_Ragdolls@comcast.net
I will be using “Messenger” to send you both photos and videos.
260-414-2625 (calls only)
Note: I can’t receive a text using this phone number
nor am I able to send photos and videos using this phone number.