With over 600 million pet cats worldwide, they have been a popular pet for thousands of years. Cats are very sociable in nature, and most enjoy attention from humans; they use a variety of noises such as meowing or hissing and use their body language when trying to grab your attention.

If you shower your kitten with love and attention, you can guarantee they will grow up to be a friendly and sociable animal; if you buy an older cat they may not be as friendly or playful as they are not used to so much affection. The more attention your cat receives, the friendlier she will be to you and your family. To show your pet you love them, a luxury cat bed is perfect. As it provides them with their own spec in the house that is both comfortable and warm. Ideas4Pets have a wide range of comfortable cat beds such as Fleece Cat Softy Bed which is sure to allow your pet a restful night’s sleep allowing them to wake up alert and ready to play.

All cats love to play, and if your cat is a particularly playful then you can guarantee she will enjoy an activity play centre, as they will provide hours of entertainment for your cat.

Here at Ideas4Pets we have an extensive range of cat products for both you and your cat to enjoy, visit our website today.

Purchasing a cat bed for your pet will give him a familiar place to sleep in.

At ideas-4-pets we have many different types of cat beds. Our range includes some cat beds that are lined with cotton or you can go for one made with sheepskin.

The designs of cat beds have altered over the years and now there are ones that resemble a large chair, some look like a fish, there are ones that resemble a duvet and heated ones for an older cat.

Other cat beds include one that is intended to hang from a warm radiator or one shaped like a hammock for extreme pampering.

Cat beds come in different shapes and sizes for your pet. If you are unsure of the correct size of you cat, try to measure your pet while he is asleep and at full stretch.

The cat bed you choose should be large enough for your cat, but not too large. A cat bed that is too large will not allow your pet to snuggle up and keep warm.

Ideally, a cat bed should be placed where there is no loud noises so your cat can snuggle in for a peaceful sleep. We have a variety of cat beds at ideas-4-pets alongside other pet accessories, such as dog beds and rabbit hutches.

We have a range of cat beds on our website to keep your cat warm. Your pet cat will have his own characteristics which will help you to decide on the ideal cat beds for your pet.

If your cat is a cat who likes to curl up on your chair or settee, we have cat beds that is raised up so he will think you have provided him with his own ‘chair’.

Included in our range of cat beds is a novelty cat bed which is made in the shape of a fish. Too large to eat but can keep your cat warm and comfortable. Other novelty cat beds include a log cabin or a telephone box.

You may decide to opt for a plush comfortable cat bed to match your décor or an orthopaedic one for the mature pet.
If you travel away or take your pet with you in the car you may decide to choose one of our cat carriers as a safer option.

Ideas–4–Pets have in stock a range of pet carriers that at first glance look like fashionable handbags so you can have your kitty travel with you in style.

Each of our cat beds and cat carriers are made of the highest quality material comfortable.

Many of our customers who have house cats have realised that their cats are missing out on the great outdoors but have been reluctant (and rightly so) to just let their cats roam.  Some of our customers own expensive pedigree cats and others have standard “moggies” but all are loved and cared for.  These owners have told me that they are just so very frightened that something will happen to their cats if they let them outdoors unattended.

They can roam far afield and get lost, they can be stolen, they can be injured or killed on the roads, they can be attacked by dogs or foxes and I have even had reports of them being shot at and tortured by cruel people who seem to find it amusing to hurt defenceless animals.  And so these caring cat owners are purchasing cat kennels with runs so that their beloved cats can be allowed outdoors in safety.  

ideas-4-pets have cat kennels with cat runs to suit all requirements.  They can be made in many sizes and are available as a standard pent cat kennel or a chalet type with an apex roof.  The cat kennel areas are large so your feline friends have plenty of room under-cover – just put their favourite cat bed in there and they will be warm and secure and protected should the weather turn.  The cat run areas are also large and can accommodate from 1 cat to probably about 6, dependant upon the size you choose.  Just put some cat toys like a cat scratcher, a cat scratching post, a cat activity centre or even a large tree branch  for your cats to climb and they will be happy and amused whilst in their cat run.

There is easy access to the cat kennels via a full sized door and there is the option of a safety porch on the larger models if you have a cat who thinks he’s a good escape artist !!  There is a cat bench in the sleeping area with a cat flap and ramp to lead into the run area and there is also an access door directly into the run via a mesh door. 

Don’t forget to ensure your cats have access to plenty of fresh, clean water and their favourite cat food and you’ll find that once they’re used to their new surroundings you will have peace of mind knowing that they are outdoors but safe and sound.

Our cat kennels are delivered and fitted free by professional fitters within 7 working days so once you have made your mind up you will not have long to wait and with the summer approaching now is a great time to make arrangements.  All you need is the available space in your garden and a concrete or flagged base and off you go …….  Decking would also be suitable to erect the cat kennel on.  ideas-4-pets also have a smaller version of the cat kennel and run called the Kitty Shack which is ideal if you have just 1 or 2 cats and you intend to keep your cats outside for shorter periods of time.

Take a look at what’s available and give your cat a taste of the outdoors – let him smell the garden and see the sky and breathe in some fresh air !!

Although a cat who has never known the outside won’t miss it, the chance to feel the sun oon their backs and smell the outdoors is something they will love.  They can amuse themselves in the cat run if you provide them with cat scratching posts, cat activity centres and cat climbers or a tree branch that they can climb and sharpen their claws on.  Place their favourite cat beds in the cat kennel area to rest and sleep in  and make sure they have plenty of fresh, clean water and your cats will be happy.

You will also have peace of mind knowing that although they are outside, they are safe.  They cannot get themselves run over or bitten by another animal and they cannot be injured or stolen.

Cats are generally inquisitive and curious creatures and so a cat run makes the ideal place for the cats to either hang out on a lovely, warm summer afternoon or evening or a placee to climb about in and chase each other round.  Most of the cat runs and can kennels have shelves for the cats to jump up on and you could also hang a few cat-friendly plants around and of course some catnip to add to their pleasure.

There are some really attractive cat kennels with attached cat runs around and at ideas-4-pets we have one called the Burley Cat Chalet which looks like a summer house or a Swiss Chalet.  The cat kennels and cat runs we have can usually be built to your own specification and can be as large as you can manage in your garden.  You can also have them with a safety porch if your cats are great escape artists !!

Spring is around the corner so why not think about purchasing a cat run and cat kennel for your feline friend so that she can see and feel the sun too!!

It’s always adviseable to do your homework before making the all important decision of what type of cat to purchase.  You might have some preconceived ideas of which particular breed of cat you want or that you must have a kitten instead of an adult cat, but there are many factors involved in choosing a cat and you might not have even considered some of them.

For instance, families with young children are aware of the responsibility that bringing them up takes and a new cat will be much like having a new child in the family.  This means you must be prepared for the costs of looking after a cat.
 
Small children usually love kittens, but if you bring a very young kitten into your home you may find them loving it too much by squeezing it to death -literally.  Alternately, a small kitten could inflict some very painful scratches on a curious child.  If you have small children you may be better off either getting an older cat that’s used to being around small children or maybe waiting a couple of years until the children are older and more responsible.  It’s worth knowing that most older cats tend to make the transition into a new home easier than kittens do and older cats are much more grateful!  The benefit to the older cat is that most of these cats tend not to find loving homes because most people naturally gravitate toward the kittens. 

If your furniture is important to you but you still want a cat, then make sure you have a good scratching post or your new cat will use your furniture to sharpen his nails !!  A good, clean litter box is also an essential item along with the necessary training to go with it.
Make sure your new cat has a quality soft, warm and cozy cat bed to snuggle up in and maybe a cat carrier for if you have to take her to the vet or to the cat kennels when you go on holiday.  Your cat will also need grooming, so you may need to look at a grooming table.   Cats love the outdoors but it isn’t always safe for them if you live near a busy road so look at an outdoor cat kennel with a cat run attached so that your cat can have the benefit of the outdoors sometimes but within the safety of the cat run.
  
Personality-wise, there really isn’t a lot of difference between male and female cats if they are neutered.  Whole male (unneutered) cats will usually fight for territory if they are outdoors and will liberally spray their strong scent on walls and curtains indoors to mark their territory.   Not a good choice if you value your furnishings !!  Neutering will stop this behaviour and will also prevent unwanted pregnancies in the area.

Did you know that whole (unspayed) females will also spray on occasions and will make themselves and their owners miserable each time they go into season with their loud wailing and bizarre body gyrations.  Another good reason for neutering.

After spaying, a cat’s personality will usually improve which means that both male and female cats will become loving and loyal towards their owners.

It’s always a good idea to bear in mind your own age before purchasing a cat.  If you’re 65 years old or older it’s always possible that you will not outlive your cat, so an older cat would be an excellent choice. You might even want to adopt a disabled cat, one that is blind, an amputee, or otherwise “unadoptable.”  These cats can make wonderful companions and compensate for their disabilities with a wealth of love and devotion for their human saviour.

Whichever cat or kitten you decide upon having done your homework, make sure that he is more important than your furniture and be prepared to change your lifestyle somewhat.  It would be terrible to adopt a kitten or a cat only to want to get rid of it because it is too much “trouble”.

Take into consideration things such as the cost of pet food, medical expenses, toys, dog beds, cat beds, dog kennels rabbit hutches etc. and also the effect it will have on your lifestyle and your time.  

Buy quality pet beds that will last and that are washable or have spare covers to change.

Remember that smaller pets such as rats, mice and hamsters are much less expensive to buy than larger pets like cats and dogs and they also cost less to keep.  However, bear in mind that a good rat cage can be quite costly but you will certainly have it for some time.

All pets need toys to keep them amused and to stop them from being bored if you are not with them, but why not consider buying second hand toys from car boot sales or flea markets.  That way you can get them at a fraction of the normal price and leave yourself some spare cash for a new dog bed, cat bed or rabbit hutch.

Think about adopting a pet from your local animal shelter rather than going to a pet shop or a breeder – they will be much less expensive and you will also have the satisfaction of knowing that you could be saving a pet’s life as well.

Find out as much as you can about the pet you are considering purchasing.  There are forums on the web that are focused on the type of pet you want and you can learn lots of knowledge and advice from these forums that could save you hundreds of pounds in the future.  Read as many books as you can and ask other pet owners so that you are sure that you are investing in the right pet for you and your family. 

Look carefully at the type of food that you give your pet.  By all means try and give your pet the best, but look around for shops that sell it at discounted prices.  A complete dry dog food works out better for your dog’s health and also costs much less than biscuits and meat from the supermarket.  Buying pet food in bulk from discount pet shops or supermarkets can also save you useful cash.

Remember that the more homework you do before you purchase a pet can save a lot of heartache for you and your pet than realising that you have made a mistake after the event.

Purchasing a pet is a huge commitment that is lifestyle-changing.  Please make sure that you have given the idea much thought, have discussed it at length with your family members and that you are all ready for this.  If you are, then the rewards of pet-keeping are tremendous and you will form a loving bond with your pet that should not be broken.

Firstly, be aware that sudden noises can cause a blind cat to be extremely frightened, so if a member of the family drops a large toy or a pan or even if there are loud noises from a car or machinery outside, make sure you reassure your cat so that she knows all is well. 

Ensure that you keep her food and water bowls in exactly the same place all the time so that she can work out exactly where to go to eat and drink and if you don’t have your blind cat outside in a cat kennel or cat run and she is in the house all the time, then ensure that her litter tray is easily accessible and kept in exactly the same place all the time.  You will of course have to keep the litter tray clean and hygienic for your cat just as you would for a sighted cat.

If you don’t have the inclination or the room for an outside cat kennel or cat run, then why not invest in a cat carrier so that you can take your blind cat out safely for short periods of time to get her used to the sounds of the outdoors.  We at ideas-4-pets have just added a fantastic new product to our range of cat carriers – it’s called a Sleepypod and is a cat bed, cat carrier and will also fix into the car so your blind cat will have the safety and security of her own cozy bed which will help to reduce her stress levels. 

If you have to move any furniture around in the house, then give your blind cat time to adjust – you may need to help her to find familiar things until she gets used to the changes.  Turning the TV on whilst you are helping her to find her way around will help her to find her bearings and bear in mind that it could take her quite some time to get used to the changes you’ve made.

If you have to go out and leave your cat in the house, then it’s good practice to leave a radio or the TV on as she might be afraid of the silence.  When you get back to the house, make a big fuss by calling her name and pick her up to reassure her of your presence.  Talking to a blind cat is very important as she will need to hear your voice in order to feel safe.  She may also want to follow you everywhere you go because she will want your company often as a constant reassurance.

Don’t leave any outside doors open and make sure any visitors that call are advised to close the doors behind them.  Carelessness can cause your cat to be lost as she would never find her way back to your home and she could even be killed by walking in front of a moving vehicle.  It is also likely that if she is not used to being outdoors that she will panic and run even further away.
                                   
A blind cat will tend not climb or jump onto things that are high or unfamiliar like a sighted cat would, but if it is something she has got used to, like the chair or the bed, then she may try to jump up.  She will almost always love the safety and comfort of her own special cat bed because just like most cats, she will want to have her private space and just curl up and sleep in a cozy place.

Your blind cat will want to play, but will tend not run around like a sighted cat.  She will enjoy toys that make some sort of noise or rolled up paper balls that will crackle.  If you have some dangling toys then carefully sew a bell at the end of them so that your blind cat can hear where they are when she paws it around.

Your blind cat will love to feel the warmth of the sun and will lie in it’s rays either near the window or outside in a cat kennel with a cat run.  She will probably try to catch flies as well, because she will be able to hear their wings when they fly past her. 

Adopting a blind cat will mean that you will probably have to make some adjustments to your life and your home but you will be well rewarded in the long run if you are prepared to make the commitment.