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”.

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.

Although cats are very clean and they make good companions for young and old, they can sometimes damage your furniture and carpets with their claws and they can be quite pedantic and may not always want to be stroked and picked up.
 
However, cats do need companionship and they love to be with other cats or people for at least part of every day.

They need to have easy access to fresh, clean water and be given a suitable good quiality cat food to ensure they stay healthy.

Cats love the outdoors, so they need a garden or a safe place to play and exercise every day.  If you have a garden that is enclosed and away from busy roads then this is ideal, if not, have you considered purchasing an outdoor cat kennel? This will provide your cat with somewhere warm and cosy to sleep and also a safe, enclosed cat run for her to play in.  Think how wonderful it would be to go out shopping or to work knowing that you cat is outside in the fresh air, but is safe from other cats, dogs or fast cars.

Place her favourite cat bed in the sleeping area and some of her favourite toys, a cat scratching post or a natural tree branch for her to climb in the run area and she will love to have her own private territory. You can also place her cat litter tray in the cat kennel so that it will always be clean and hygienic in there.

Cats should be brushed regularly, especially when they are moulting and long-haired cats in particular should be brushed every day. As cats may suffer from parasites it is adviseable to look out for these during your grooming sessions. These will show up as breaks in your cat’s skin or discharge in her ear. The fungal disease ringworm can be passed to other cats and to people, but the characteristic breaks in the cat’s skin cannot always be seen. If you suspect that your cat has ringworm, seek the advice of your vet immediately.  Good grooming also helps to eliminate hair balls.  Cats often eat grass which makes them vomit and this is to make the hairball come up. It is nothing to worry about unless the vomiting is persistent or your cat begins to show any other symptoms.     

Their teeth need checking regularly and any changes in their behaviour should be checked out. If your cat has bad breath and difficulty eating, it could be that she needs to have her teeth scraped clean by a vet.
Always have a good vet at hand so that if any health problems do arise, they can be dealt with quickly.
 
On average cats live for about 12-14 years, but some can live for 20 years or more. This is worth knowing, because a pet needs your time and interest for the rest of its life and this is a bit commitment.

Cats like to be alone and will look for company when they feel like it.  They can somtimes be very aloof if they are not in the mood to be stroked or played with.  They spend a lot of their time resting and sleeping but also love to play and climb when the mood takes them.  Again, a cat kennel allows them to have their rest and privacy when they want it but also offers them the cat run to play and climb in.

Whatever you decide to do to make your new cat happy, remember that above all, cats need love, attention and care and if you can make this commitment to your cat she will provide you with years of fun, warmth and entertainment so it will all be worth it.
 
 

You very often find at this stage that you kitten will want to scratch with her claws and this could be anything – the curtains, the furniture, your clothing, your knitting – anything with a bit of texture.  Sometimes this is just for fun and other times it is to keep her claws in trim.

If you cat is left alone all day whilst you are at work she may long for the fresh air but of course there is always the dangers of her getting out of your garden and into someone else’s who maybe doesn’t love cats the same way as you do or she may even venture into the road.  How can you encourage your cat to stay in your garden, so as not to upset the neighbours?

It is impossible to stop your cat’s natural desire to explore but it can be curbed.  You can  encourage your cat to stay in your garden by making it as interesting as possible so she won’t want to leave it but this is not always possible or 100% guaranteed.  Alternativey you can buy her a cat kennel or a cat house with a cat run attached.

This is an ideal “home from home” for your cat.  She will have her very own space to sleep comfortably and warmly under cover in the kennel area or she can play to heart’s content in the run area.    Just place her favourite cat bed in the cat kennel area and her litter tray somewhere she will use it – either in the kennel area or in the cat run area and fill the cat run with her favourite toys. 

Place a cat scratcher, or a cat activity centre in the cat run or even put large tree branches in there and hang catnip toys from the branches so that she can climb and play as much as she likes.  Don’t forget the essential bowl of clean, fresh water each day and some of her favourite treats !!

An outdoor cat kennel is also cheaper than  trying to enclose your back garden using a fencing kit which is not always 100%effective.

Cats are natural hunters and will tend to be more active at night time when their nocturnal prey are also active.  Some cat owners put their cats out at night as they won’t settle in the home at night because they want to be outside hunting, but there is an increased chance of road accidents when cats are out in the dark.  Again, another good reason to purchase a cat house or a cat kennel. 

A cat kennel with an attached can prevent cats that are used to being out and about at night from becoming restless and stressed because they have to be kept in but their owner can rest easy knowing that although their feline friend is outside smelling the night air and watching for little visitors, she is also safe and secure and will be waiting for her breakfast in the morning !!

As cats have a mind of their own your cat will not take kindly to you waving a toy in her face expecting her to suddenly wake up and become interested in playing with you. Unlike dogs, getting your cat to play, jump about and get excited about exercising to a schedule is not going to happen. Cats are very independent and so the key is to get them to think that playing is their own idea. It’s not difficult if you have the right cat play equipment.

Cats will often amuse themselves for hours inventing their own games. Provide your cat with a small ball like a ping-pong ball, a toy filled with catnip or even a tightly wound ball of wool and your cat will amuse herself for ages. If you use a catnip toy remember to replace it when your cat loses interest. Catnip loses its scent after a while and once the scent is gone, so has all the fun !! If you give your cat a ball of wool to play with, make sure that you supervise her play or she may end up trying to eat it and could choke or she may end up wound up in it !!

If you decide to treat your cat with the best then look for a good quality cat scratcher, cat scratching post or cat activity gym. Ideas-4-pets have a great selection to choose from and they suit all sizes of wallets and all sizes of cats !! Scratching is a natural part of your cat’s behaviour and not only is it great fun but it also helps to keep her claws in trim. With added catnip, Scratch Posts encourage cats to scratch the post – not your furniture!

Many scratch post also incorporate little places for your cat to sleep and hide and have little outposts on top for them to sit and survey the situation !!

A new concept in cat play is the activity gym which offers stimulation and exercise for you cat and hours of fun too !! Activity gyms are usually made from a tubular frame covered in both soft material and corded carpet. The design of them allows your cat to lie underneath them and they have little toys filled with catnip hanging from the frame for your cat to play with.

Whatever you decide to purchase for your cat, make sure that the activity is both safe and fun and that if offers the type of stimulation that cats crave.