At Ideas-4–Pets we have a range of cat products which include cat beds, cat carriers and tools for cat grooming.

As a new cat owner you may be interested in purchasing one of our starter kits which is proving a popular choice with our clients. Check out the cost and the number of goodies for your new feline friend.

Grooming your kitten from the time you bring him home ensures he gets used to the idea of grooming as part of his daily routine. While you are grooming your new pet you are bonding together and if there are any problems with his body later on in life you will notice it immediately.

All cats young and old enjoy feeling clean and self groom all the time. Older cats and long haired cats need more help at times.

Some of our cat litter trays include an odour filter and have a hood for your pet kitten to have a little privacy. Why not choose a colour to match your décor or one that makes a statement.

Enjoy browsing around our website at the cat products we have for your new pet, including various cat collars, cat feeders and cat beds.

We at Ideas-4–Pets are happy to give advice and information on any of our cat products and pet care.

Comfort, safety and minimal stress

Small pet carriers are essentials for travelling with pets. Not all pets are happy to travel and they become nervous and stressed. Even a trip to the vet may distress your pet so it is best to have your small pet carrier ready and everything inside it that your specific pet will need. People often refer to small pet carriers as portable pet kennels because of their functional design.

Also, small pet carriers are useful for confining a cat or small dog during transportation, so they are incredibly versatile. A small pet carrier is a non-negotiable item when preparing to travel by air with your small pet.

We have a specially designed carriers for airline travelling that houses your pet in comfort for the journey. It is important to know that you are not harming your pet or being unkind when you put them inside a small pet carrier when you travel anywhere with your pet. In fact you are keeping your pet safe from harm and in a comfortable environment.

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”.

Make sure you purchase the correct airline approved pet carrier a good while prior to your journey as your pet will need to get used to the pet carrier well before his journey.

ideas-4-pets recommend the vari kennel as a suitable airline approved pet carrier as it is IATA approved.

Most airlines require a health certificate for any animal they are transporting, whether in the cabin or as an unaccompanied shipment.

Remember that only small dogs and cats can go in the cabin and some airlines may not even allow them in and will transport them as special baggage in a heated and ventilated hold.

Don’t worry, cats and dogs actually travel better this way because it’s quieter and they will rest in a darkened environment.

Contact the airline you have selected to confirm that they accept your pet on the day and flight that you prefer. Some airlines restrict the number of animals on a flight so the more advance notice you give them the better it is. Reconfirm at least 48 hours before departure.

Find out how soon before the flight you have to check in as pets become stressed with all the hustle and bustle at an airport.  Tey to keep waiting time to a minimum. If your pet is allowed in the cabin, check in as late as possible. If it is going in the hold, check in early so that it can go to the baggage area and be put somewhere quiet and dimly lit in order to relax.

IN order to prepare your pet for the journey, reduce the amount of food you feed him the day before but give him enough water; take your dog for a walk before leaving for the airport and again before check-in. A light meal 2 hours before tendering the animal to the carrier will help to calm it and is a legal requirement in the United States. 

If you ship your pet as air freight, check with the airline to ensure the air freight facility is open so your pet may be claimed by the consignee. Note that it is preferable to ship your pet on weekdays as all staff are working and liaison is easier all along the route.

The transport of snub nosed dogs such as boxers, pugs, bulldogs and Pekinese, in hot season, is not recommended as these dogs have difficulty in maintaining a normal body temperature in hot weather.

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.

Basically, it’s a 3-in-one mobile pet bed system which ensures that your pet feels safe and secure wherever he is.  Used at home, your pet will get used  to the Sleepypod as a cat bed or dog bed and will love the feel of the soft, furry lining which is washable to can be kept clean and fresh. 

If you have to travel with your pet then the Sleepypod allows your pet to travel safely in the comfort of his own bed which is a great stress-reliever for both dogs and cats and even rabbits.  Because the bed has shock absorbing foam walls and a luggage grade ballistic nylon outer shell it is strong and becuase it is supplied with a carrying strap it is easy to transport.

You just wrap your car’s seat belt around the outer shell of the pet carrier & through the top handle and this secures  it safely to the car seat, making it  ideal for alleviating stress when travelling to the vet or visiting friends or even when on holiday.

The pet-safe, non-abrasive mesh top allows your pet to see out (unlike some travelling boxes with limited visibility) so again, he or she will feel much more secure whilst travelling or whilst in the waiting room at the vet’s.

The Sleepypod is available in 6 exciting colours so you’re bound to find one that suits the eye.  It’s not cheap, but it’s a quality product that should last for years to come.  It even has the option of a warmer unit which fits in the bottom of the pod and warms the bed up to keep your pet comfortable and cozy wherever he is !!

I’ve had cats and have experienced all these emotions with my cats. George loved to be the “boss”. He would lord it over the other cats, jump on the sofa if he wanted some attention and then just when you thought you’d won him over he would scratch and bite just to let you know that he’d had enough !!

Lucy was a darling, she was an old cat but loved to play with her cat scratcher and loved nothing more than snuggling up on my knee (or anyone else’s for that matter) She loved her own cat bed but was sweet and friendly and would happily share her cat bed with George if he wanted to !! She loved being groomed and would let me comb her fur for hours on end.

Mitzi was much younger and came to me as a frightened half-wild kitten who would curl up in the fruit bowl to escape attention !! After much patience, she eventually crawled over and sat on my shoulder and this turned out to be her favourite place. She would sit on my shoulder whilst I did the house-work, cooked a meal or talked to friend on the telephone. If I wanted to take her anywhere she wouldn’t go into a cat carrier, but would happily sit on my shoulder whilst I took her there !!

Sadly Mitzi was killed on the road by a motorist and she was only one year old. If only I’d know about outdoor cat kennels. Mitzi loved the outdoors although she didn’t stray – a cat kennel would have given her some freedom but also kept her safe and secure. Unfortunately I was at work when she was killed on the road and had cat kennels been readily available then, I would have certainly had one for her and my other cats, knowing that they were able to be outdoors, but having peace of mind that they would be safe and unharmed when I returned home.

ideas-4-pets have a selection of cat kennels with cat runs attached and they are ideal for cats who love the outdoors – you can put their favourite cat scratcher, activity centre or other toys in the cat run and even a tree branch if your cats are climbers and their favourite cat beds fit easily the sleeping area so that you know that when they are resting they are warm and cozy.

George lived to be 15 years old and suffered for the last few months of his life with a form of dementia. Again, a cat kennel would have been great because he loved to be outside in the sun, but I had to watch that he didn’t stray too far or he would forget his way back.

Lucy also lived to be 15 years old and she would have been happy anywhere so long as she had some company – the vet said that she was the type of cat he described as “loving to gossip over the garden wall”!! She always had something to say and would spend ages miaowing to anyone that would listen.

Cats are lovely creatures and they all have their own personality. It’s so important to keep them safe and to give them lots of love and attention – the rewards will pay you back triple-fold !!

With cat carriers, the safe carriage of your pets is pretty much guaranteed, if you take some basic precautions.

Properly tag and label the cat carrier
Whether travelling by plane or car, it’s of utmost importance that your carrier is properly tagged as well as labelled. Even if the cat carrier is placed on the backseat of your car during the journey, make it a point to label it in a thorough manner. In case of a mishap, the details mentioned on it will be useful.

Include the following details on the cat carrier:

Name and address, including contact details of the owner
Alternative contact number if the cat is found
Name of your cat
Details of last vaccinations – date and type, especially rabies
Name and address of veterinarian

Other important instructions regarding cat carriers are:

During travel, ensure your cat is confined to the carrier.
It makes sense to secure the carrier with a seat belt at all times.
Remember, loose cat carriers can prove to be dangerous in case of a mishap.

If you own pet cats that get petrified and run for cover after merely sighting a carrier, or are prone to getting car sick even during short trips, you need to be extra careful.

A is for Air - Our large Burley outdoor cat kennels are great for cats as they combine fresh air with safety and peace of mind for you

P is for Play – all cats love to play and what better than one of our cat scratchers, cat activity centres or play tunnels to focus your cat’s attention

P is for Privacy – cats love their privacy and our vast selection of beautiful cat beds will offer your cat this luxury

Y is for Young – keep your cat young at heart with one of our cat activity centres for stimulation and endless fun

C is for Comfort – All cats love their comfort, so take the stress out of travelling when you have to take your cat to the vet or the cat kennels with one of our luxury cat carriers

A is for Activity – keep your cat active indoors with one of our cat activity centres or outside in a large cat kennel with a run

T is for Territory - cats are territorial creatures and they like to have their own space. What better than an outdoor cat kennel with a run where your cat can have its own space outdoors without the risk of being invaded by other cats

S is for Security – whether it’s one of our cozy, warm cat beds indoors, or a cat kennel outdoors, your cat will feel safe and secure