A simple way to train your cat is to engage them in play – this has obvious positive implications for their health and wellbeing, however it is also a great vehicle for training your pet; with this in mind, you could adopt a play “routine” – i.e. play with your cat the same time every day – which will help your feline friend to manage any aggression issues, for example.

With routines in mind, you should also introduce a routine for feeding your cat, which will teach them to expect food at the same time everyday; which should help them to curb any problems with appetite, such as begging for food.

If you want to go a bit further, there are plenty of tools available to help you with cat training, such as cat runs; essentially a cat run will keep your cat in a secure environment whilst not limiting their freedom of movement too much.

Whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s a cat kennel or a cat run, at ideas-4-pets you’re bound to find just what you need to help your train your cat.

Well, that largely comes down to your preferences, and indeed circumstances. A lot of people don’t see the point in having cat runs, thinking that they’re entirely unjustified when you have a perfectly adequate garden, but in reality they can be hugely beneficial.

Not everyone lives in an area where they feel safe letting their cat out at all hours of the day. You might live on a particularly busy road or in the countryside where predators such as foxes are an ever-present threat, in which case a spacious cat run gives your pet the chance to get their exercise in a safe and secure environment. Then there are those cats that have a tendency to wander off, so by using cat runs you’ll again be able to let them outside with confidence.

As you can see, cat runs really can be advantageous. They can be a lot safer than giving your pet the run of the garden and means you can let them out without having to worry about any threats or potential disappearing acts, and with many different options being available there’s bound to be something to suit. Make sure to check out our range here at ideas-4-pets and we’re sure you’ll be impressed with what you find.

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”.

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.

There are reports of dogs falling out of their owner’s handbags and shoppomg bags – why don’t these owners invest in a proper dog carrier to ensure their pets are safe and secure? Some dogs suffered minor injuries whilst others ended up with broken bones.

Other pets suffered the indignity and pain of being trodden on by their owners or children, with the dog being the most likely pet to be stepped on.  We all know that dogs are curious and love to be at our heels most of the time, but if you have enthusiastic children running around or guests in the house, why not either put your dog in a dog cage or maybe his favourite dog bed in a quiet room so that he is well out of harm’s way.

A small chihuahua was being cradled in the arms of an over-indulgent friend of the owner, when he was dropped from this great height and broke a leg in the fall – apparently he nearly died but was thankfully saved by having a plate and pin put in his leg.  This owner learned the lesson the hard way and has vowed not to let her little dog be picked up again.

Most dog owners will admit to accidentally falling over or treading on their dogs but luckily most dogs see the danger coming and will quickly move before you step on them.  Cats are pretty quick to move when they see you coming, but can be sat on if they are curled up in the corner of an armchair.   Again, perhaps a warm, cozy cat bed is the answer to this dilemma.

Accidental poisoning was another threat and this was mainly giving pets things that could potentially kill them eg. chocolate to dogs, avocados to parrots and various human medications to our pets thinking that it was OK to do this and not realising that what cures us can have very different results in our pets.

One in five pets are injured by running in front of cars – a dog run or cat run allows your pet the freedom of the outdoors but also ensures their safety !!

Thakfully, we owners are not entirely to blame for injuries to our beloved pets.  Dogs will continue to eat things they shouldn’t and the survey reported that one third of injuries to dogs was caused by them jumping off furniture or out of cars.  This last one is always a problem and can cause injury to a dog’s joints.  Investing in a dog ramp is a great idea and dogs can be encouraged to use one of these by placing a few treats on the ramp until your dog feels more secure using it.  Dog ramps also help us owners a great deal as they take all that weight and struggling dog out of out arms and our back !!

Other things reported were a cat who got too close to a lit candle and burnst her whiskers off one side of her head and numerous guinea pigs who were dropped by over-affectionate owners.

Cats are very clean and can make very good companions for many people, but some of them will damage your furniture and your carpets with their claws and not all cats like to be stroked or handled.

However, most cats do love companionship – most of them like to be with other cats or you and your family for at least part of every day.

In return, you have a responsibility to make sure your cat is offered a balanced diet every day and a constant supply of clean, fresh water.  Your cats will also need a safe place to excercise and play every day, away from unsafe, bury roads.  A cat kennel could be the answer to this if you have a garden that is large enough to take one.  A cat kennel will allow you cat to be in the fresh air, but will also ensure that she doesn’t stray or get knocked down. Just place your cat’s favourite cat bed in the kennel area and a few cat toys and/or a tree branch in the cat run area and he will have his own den to rest and play in !!

Wherever you cat is, she will need somewhere warm and cosy to sleep in and there a lot of wonderful cat beds to choose from.  There are faux fur cat beds, cosy little teepees or maybe a fleecy donut.

Your cat’s fur will also need grooming to keep it in tip-top condition. Long-haired cats need to be brushed every day and shorter haired cats on a regular basis. This process will help you to develop a bond with you cat and also ensure that her fur is clean and tangle-free which will make her feel so much better.  

Just like humans, a cat’s teeth can build up tartar so try and help to keep your cat’s teeth clean by either brushing or rubbing her teeth with special cat toothpaste or take her to the vet for regular teeth checks.

Because cats are independent creatures, they like to come and go as they please so purchasing a cat flap is a good idea.  Your cat will also have to be trained to use a litter tray if she is going to be kept in the house for long periods of time.

A kitten or adopted cat should be microchipped in case they stray or get lost or even stolen and cat neutering should be carried out as early as possible in order to avoid unwanted litters. You should be aware that most cats are sexually mature at six months, but some cats have been known to become pregnant as early as five months !! Therefore, the ideal age to neuter your cat is between four and five months old to prevent any “accidents” 

You will be responsible for taking your cat to the vet if she becomes ill or is injured and also to ensure that she has the relevant injections to prevent her catching any serious diseases. Your cat will have to be Wormed and get used to regular flea treatments.

If you go away on holiday, your cat will have to be well cared for whilst you are away – this could be with the cat kennels or a neighbour taking her in for you. 

All cats love to play and whilst some cats go mad for catnip toys, others will love to climb and hide.  A good quality cat activity centre is a good idea but if this breaks the bank, then a cardboard box is just as good !!  Cats also love to scratch, so a scratching post in the house or the cat kennel is a good idea as this can help prevent you cat from scratching the furniture and the carpets.

It’s worth remembering that indoor cats need more entertainment than outdoor cats, so why not make dinner time more of a challenge by feeding your cat biscuits through a puzzle feeder toy.  Again, if this is too expensive, take a plastic drinks bottle and cut biscuit sized holes cut into it – Your cat will soon learn that batting the bottle around will releases the biscuits and he will love having to play and work for his food.

Is Your Pet Overweight?

How many pet owners know that around 50 per cent of Britain’s pets are overweight?

Did you also know that overfeeding a pet can be just as cruel as underfeeding him?

Extra fat affects the comfort and the health of your pet and unfortunately most pet owners are guilty of slipping their pet the odd tit-bit, especially at Christmas and “special occasions” when everyone in the family is tempted to over-indulge!

We’ve all stepped gingerly on to the weighing scales after a christmas party binge or a week-end “whopper” and cringed.  But how many pet owners think to put their dog on the weighing scales ? 

We at ideas-4-pets are always being asked about the sizes of the pop holes on the dog kennels and also about the size of the pop holes on the rabbit hutches and the pet owners readily admit that they have a fat pet and don’t know if it will fit through the entrance door !! 

For both these reasons, we have decided to add some dog weighing scales to our grooming equipment range.  They are easy to use, are not too big or clumsy (90cm x 60cm x 9cmH) and have a clear, bright LCD display which is easy to read.

Should you worry if your pet if overweight?

Yes, you should worry.  We all love our pets but we know that overweight pets have shorter lives, just as humans do.  They find it more difficult to withstand surgery and they also find it harder to recover from illness.

Overweight pets can develop conditions ranging from skin disease, heat intolerance, diabetes, arthritis, back and heart problems and general lethargy.  You may find that your dog just wants to laze around in his dog bed rather than wanting to run around outside.  Being overweight also worsens conditions they may already be suffering from. 

Is Youe Cat or Dog overweight?

As a responsible dog or cat owner, you will want to monitor your pet’s weight to keep him healthy, active, and give him a long life.  To do that properly, you will need to know the signs that indicate whether your pet is overweight.

You can ask your vet to weigh your pet each time you call for immunizations or checkups, you can purchase some dog weighing scales or you can look out for the tell-tale signs of an overweight pet.

View your pet’s profile from the side. Your pet’s relaxed stance should reveal a belly that arches up slightly and is neatly tucked up between his hind legs.  His chest will then appear to hang slightly lower.  If your pet’s belly hangs down then he is overweight.

View your pet from above. His belly should also show a defined waist with his hind quarters appearing slightly smaller than his chest.  If you cannot see a waist, then your pet is overweight.

Feel for his ribs. The ribs should not be visibly prominent, but if you find it difficult to find them by touch, your pet is definitely overweight.

Look for pouches of fat in the groin area between the hind legs.  If you find some, your pet is overweight.

For the sake of your pet’s health, you will need to make some changes in his food and lifestyle to enable him to start losing those pounds and start to look and feel better and healthier.

Give your pet more excercise – a cat run or dog run are a great idea to keep your pet in the outdoors, but also safe from harm and walking your dog frequently is essential to keep him in trim.

What about my Rabbit?

Many rabbits could also benefit from a calorie-controlled diet.  Rabbits tend to eat only their favourite morsels from concentrated rabbit food, often leaving the healthier food behind.

A lot of pet owners don’t know this, but rabbits also need plenty of excercise and they are often just left in their hutch day after day and are not provided with enough space to hop around in.  Check out our selection of rabbit hutches and rabbit runs on offer and see what a difference a rabbit run can make to the lifestyle and health of your rabbit.

Rabbits thrive on high roughage diets including lots of hay and grass plus pellets. This diet keeps them slim and also helps prevent intestinal and dental disease.

Before putting any pet on a diet you must have it checked out by a vet. Your pet may be suffering from an underlying medical problem that has influenced the weight gain.

Dog owners should also be aware that chocolate is poisonous to dogs so if you must give your dog the odd treat, then stick to the doggie chocolates which are safe if given in small amounts.

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 !!