The committed indoor/high rise dwellers enjoying some evening air at their garden in the sky....
My Mama has been bombarded with questions by people who are fascinated by our (Brad and I) very clean and well groomed appearances. Hmmm...she actually adheres to a set of rules that translates to Hygiene! Hygiene! Hygiene! Also, she's helped by the fact that we belong to that special species that actually self-groom.
There is no such thing as "one answer solves all" when it comes to handling cats. Sorry to say that we are a "hard" lot...so much so that some people actually hate cats. Well, not hard as in "stubborn" but as in we like to do things in the tradition of "it's either our way or the highway". Get it? har har har *evil laughs*
Anyway, here are some tips that my Mama finds useful. www.PETS911.com is a very useful website that you can refer to for tips, she added.
1. Be honest. Let the landlord know you have a cat(s). (You don't have to do this if you're not renting.)
2. Do your research to find cat-friendly rental options. Keeping the family together is important!
3. Clean up. Practice good cat hygiene before and after moving into your new apartment – clean out your litter box regularly. Keeping odours out of hallways and out of your apartment will keep your neighbors and landlord happy. And, it’s healthier for you and your cat.
This is the look of our litter box when it's not cleaned. Mama cleans ours twice a day.
Having a timed air freshener/perfumer in the litter box area is very handy too.
4. Mind the claws. Does your cat scratch? Provide a scratching post for your cat instead of the door frames. It’s cheaper than losing your security deposit.
Our scratching pole! Well used and well loved.
Mama sprays this on any new furniture or gadget she bought.
5. Preview your new pad. Prior to moving in, be sure to do a “pre-move-in damage inspection” and have your landlord sign off on this as well. This way, you won’t be charged for pre-existing conditions. Better yet, your landlord will probably fix them prior to your moving in date. Best to opt for an unfurnished place rather than fully furnished. At least, any damages will be on your own stuff.
6. Money talks. Be prepared to pay a little higher security deposit and/or monthly rent if you have a cat. Not all landlords will require this, but some may. It’s better to be prepared for it than not to have it.
Oh yes...money talks. So, be prepared to sacrifice for your cats.
7. Get it in writing. Ask what the landlord considers to be “pet damages” and make sure what is agreed upon is in writing. Be sure to follow any pet guidelines in the apartment complex. This way, you will know what you can be charged …and what you can’t be charged … when you move out.
8. Oh behave! Get behavioral training for your cat if you know they have some issues (e.g. spraying). These behaviors may be corrected before you move…and may even have a medical basis behind them.
Honestly, spaying/de-sexing/neutering solve many problems.
9. Stay healthy. Be sure your cat is current on all required vaccinations. This benefits your cat as well as other pets in the apartment complex. While at the vet, ask about the benefits of having your cat microchipped.
Microchipping is so easy to do. We didn't feel a thing. Honest!
10. Play tag. Please put a collar and identification tag on your cat. For added security, consider a microchip. Even indoor cats can’t resist an open door or window all the time. Plus, when moving, there are greater opportunities to escape or become skittish. A collar and tag will get your cat back to you much faster. Many cats without collars are thought to be feral and not turned in to SPCA. So, please protect your best friend.
Some fancy schmanzy tags available Down Under.
The important information displayed at the back of the tag.
And, last but not least. When you're having a party:
Switch this on for a couple of hours before the guests arrive.
purrr.....meow!
22 comments:
I don't have any pets, but kucing, ayam, burung, katak, biawak all come to my house to "cari rezeki". The cats siap bergaduh to claim that it's their territory. How do I tell them it's MY house, not theirs? ;-)
Good advice here. And just as applicable for dogs and their pets, too.
Especially when it comes to cleaning up after them. In my area, people open the gates and send their dogs out - to use the neighbourhood as their toilet! Is that not disgusting?!
And I so agree about a little air-freshener before guests arrive. Mine is a doggy house, and before anyone arrives, I get some lavender and serai oil on the burner :)
Great tips, dear Kitties! My cats are indoor cats and I find that having lots of shelves is a great idea! Shelves are a cat's adventure playground! All my kitties get fortnightly baths and they are quite used to it by now. Love the look of your 'seasoned' scratching post!
Aunty Pi,
You'll have to start spraying your area with your own "liquid" to claim as your territory. That's how male cats claim theirs. har har har *evil laughs*
Aunty Pat,
Your lavender and serai oils also work as insect repellent. So, no flies or mosquitoes when guests abound, eh? All those people who don't clean up after their pets - we must spay them!!! har har har *evil laughs*
CO78,
Fortnightly baths? hmmm...don't let my Dad hear that. He's the designated "slave" who gives us hydrotherapy, mani/pedi, grooming, fluffing up our fur etc. Mama can't stand the sight of us wet and dripping water everywhere.
Someday we'll post Bringing Up Cats 103 that will talk about how to keep indoor cats amused. purrr....meow!
Hi Cat, wish I can keep a cat, then will get one Siamese, one Persian. But wife allergic to cat fur. She sneezes like no tomorrow when there's a cat around.
Lucky Katrina doesn't, heh heh.
Aloha oe from Tahiti, Lee.
Hiya Doll,
I love the idea of switching on some perfume contraption. Non cat owning visiotrs tend to be able to pick out 'catty' smells in a home with kitties (and they might not be cat people) so this is great and very conscientious idea. Brilliant!
Uncle Lee,
You can start a cat sanctuary in Tahiti and Katrina can help you. Am sure Mr Tentutipu will even allocate one of the chalets to start you off....har har har *evil laughs*
Instead of being sad, left alone in cold Toronto, Mrs Lee will turn into a "cougar" and get a string of toy boys....how about that? Eat your heart out you naughty young man!
Uncle Razee,
You mean, you haven't already? Another smell that people would appreciate, and definitely can camouflage that "catty" is the smell of food, glorious food. That's why Mama always cook spicy Malaysian dishes when people come...tantalising smell... purrr...meow!
..but my Ayam is self-cleaning, self-grooming and does her toiletries in the garden..:) talk about a cat who knows her place..and sometimes she sleeps with me..I bathed her once a month and a rub with disinfectants once every 2 days..I thought she is very clean for a female cat..:)
Abe Mat,
I wouldn't want to walk barefoot in your garden, for fear I might trip on one of Ayam's "presents". Well, Ayam is an outdoor cat, right? So, you can't really follow my Mama's tips. Everyone in our family is totally indoors. We're urban cats...you know, kucing bando! purrr...meow!
CIS, one of ours is going through some traumatic experience and doent leave the house like before to do his stuff. So, he leaves some smell. No matter how many times I wash, I can still smell something. any suggestion?
Excellent post - testimony to the wonderful parenting skills of your mama!
Wish I could play and kiss you and Brad!!
Take care and salams and ear tickles to you and your family!
Mother of Tabby,
A few suggestions. One is to provide him/her with an indoor toilet. Just like what we have. Ours is located at the laundry room so any smell is away from the main human areas. You'll have to toilet train him/her, not going to be easy if he/she is already an adult.
Second, if he/she is not de-sexed yet, please do so. Especially if male as they have the tendency to mark his territory by spraying his urine at the "border" points.
Third, you have to prevent him from doing "it" again at the spot where he did it. You can do this by washing that area with some citrus smelling stuff, or even use lime or lemon juice. Never was with anything that has ammonia coz he may mistake it for his toilet. Also, you can put his food bowl on the spot where he did it before, after you've washed it of course. As a rule, we cats don't make poo where our food is. (unlike humans....hahahaha....) purrr...meow!
Aunty Paula,
My Mama had good practice. Remember, she already Tom & family before she has me. So, I benefit from all the trial and error she had gone through. purrr...meow!
Dear Cats...
may be i could use some of that no scratch spray when i come n visit u, i may not sneeze like Mrs Lee but i sure will do the indoor sprint n jump with u around..hehehe...
"...So, be prepared to sacrifice for your cats"...n i first read it without catching the word "for"...what? ur mama is willing to sacrifice u?..hahaha...
btw, just had a chat with ur mum...looking frwd to "see" u do the joget pahang!..
:-)
Cheqna,
And I sure would like to see you do the indoor sprint n jump! har har har *evil laughs*
Brad
Cat..your Mama's tips ae so handy..will follow whatever I've not done before.
But the kitties in my house are allowed to scratch anywhere..I don't mind at all.Its okay with me.
Hahaha Cat!
Your mum is so rajin! All the steps she takes to ensure you and brad stay healthy and happy...go lick her feet and give her a massage...she deserves at least a wet smooch.
Yummy Mummy,
Cannot-lah scratch anywhere... My Mama says she can't afford to replace furniture all the time... That No Scratch spray is cheap, go get one... purrr...meow!
Aunty Anne,
Whoa! Lamanya bertapa...welcome back! My Mama knows I love her soooo much..though I leave the licking to Brad... purrr...meow!
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