They usually spend around 14-18 hours per day sleeping and this is split into three 6 hour sections. Ferrets do sleep more than most other pets but they are very active when they are awake and will need lots of exercise to satisfy their energy and curiosity on a daily basis.

Their curiosity very often exceeds common sense in domestic environments and ferrets are good at getting stuck in drains and holes in walls, doors, cupboards or even in and behind household appliances such as ovens, dishwashers and washing machines where they can be injured or killed by drowning and electric shocks. Serious and sometimes fatal injuries have resulted from ferrets chewing on electrical cords. and dryer vents often become escape routes to the outdoors. Because ferrets also like to chew items made of soft rubber, foam or sponge, which put them at risk of intestinal blockage and death if ingested, make sure that any items of this nature are out of reach in a closed cupboard.

For these reasons, owners usually do “ferret-proof” their home, removing items dangerous to ferrets and covering over any holes or potential escape routes. Ferrets are quite clever and can open cupboards or doors that haven’t been closed properly by rolling over and clawing at the bottom edge.  Putting childproof latches on doors is a good idea and keeping your cleaning products in high, out-of-reach places also helps to prevent accidents happening.

Ferrets are very energetic and take a great interested in their environment.  They will actively choose to play with their owners and have both endearing and difficult behaviours for their owners to contend with.  Ferrets love to play hide-and-seek games and predator and prey games involving their owner attempting to catch the ferret or the ferret trying to catch the human. Ferrets also have a strong nesting instinct and can be seen repeatedly carrying small items or food to secret hiding places. They can also form strong attachments to certain objects and will repeatedly try to find and steal those objects to bring to their hiding place.

When ferrets get excited, they sometimes perform a strange little dance which is a frenzied series of sideways hops. This can often be accompanied by a gentle clucking type of noise and has been identified as an invitation to play or a way of showing you he is happy.  Despite how it looks, this behaviour is not at all threatening. His posture tends to become quite rigid and he opens his jaws wide, fixes his eyes on you and then starts thrashing or turning his head vigourously from side to side, arching his back and hopping side to side or backwards.  You might also hear him panting or hissing and this will likely then turn into a chasing game where he will also start to pounce and wrestle with you.

Ferrets can nip you when they are very young babies, but this nipping is done in a playful way and represents mock fighting and sparring.  as they get older, they tend to chew when teething and can have a tendency to start to bite a bit harder. If you’re on the receiving end of a play bite, a ferret will sometimes let out a high-pitched squeal or hiss to let you know of his annoyance or submission. As they get older, ferrets lessen their chewing and if you train them correctly, will almost never nip a human hand or if they do, will only do so very gently. Just be warned though, that some ferrets who have been abused or are in extreme pain may bite you and they are capable of strong bites which will break through your skin.

Ferrets can be trained to use a litter box, just like cats but they aren’t always completely litter box trainable. They instinctively spread their waste to scent mark a wider foraging territory for themselves so it’s sometimes a good idea to provide them with multiple litter boxes.  As with cats, their litter boxes will need to cleaned out on a very regular basis.

Unlike dogs and cats, many ferrets display little homing instinct and don’t thrive as strays so some ferret owners train their ferrets at a young age to respond to clicker toys, squeaky toys or to the sound of their own food being shaken as a means of tempting the ferret to come back. This is a good way of keeping your ferret under some type of control as wandering ferrets can easily be injured or killed by other animals, local wildlife or passing cars.

The ferret’s small size and speedy nature makes it easy for them to be stepped on so it is adviseable to walk slowly and not shuffle your feet off the floor higher than the height of your ferret so that you don’t tread on him. A ferret’s long spine is very delicate and can be severely damaged if stepped on and care must also be taken when handling him to avoid injury.

Some owners may prefer to house their pets outdoors in sheds, and not indoors. This is becoming more popular, and we at ideas-4-pets have sold many outdoor cat kennels which have been slightly altered to suit the needs of the ferret.  If your ferret is to be kept outdoors, the outside kennel is ideal as it keeps them contained and stops them from placing themselves in dangerous situations or escape situations.

Ferrets can make good pets for some children, but usually don’t make good pets for the very young. As mentioned before, ferrets are capable of delivering a strong bite which can be almost as strong as a domestic cat, so should never be left unsupervised near small children.  Children have been known to accidently hurt a ferret due to rough handling and the ferret will see this as an attack and fight back, so you must make sure that your child learns how to handle the ferret correctly and safely to prevent this from happening.

Once you have decided whether to keep your ferret indoors in a ferret cage or outdoors in a kennel of some sort, then you must consider what to feed him on.  A ferret’s natural diet used to consist of whole small prey, including any feathers and fur and some ferret owners feed their ferret with a meat-based diet consisting of small animals like mice and rabbits along with raw chicken or beef. However, there are some good quality commercial ferret food on the market and your vet would be able to advise you on the best type to purchase. 

Ideally, ferret food should contain a minimum of 32% meat based protein and 18% fat with a maximum of 3% fibre.  Ferrets also particularly enjoy raisins, bananas, peanut butter and certain breakfast cereals but the the high sugar content of these types of treats has been linked to ferret insulinoma and other diseases. Vets tend to recommend that you don’t feed these types of foods to ferrets at all.

As with all pets, make sure that you ferret has easy access to clean, fresh water and keep his kennel or cage scrupulously clean at all times to ensure that your pet remains fit and healthy.

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.

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 !!

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.
 
 

I have spoken to an ideas-4-pets customer this morning who has purchased an outdoor cat kennel for her cat.  She informed me that her other cat was killed on the road outside her house 6 months ago and so she desperately wanted her remaining cat to be kept safe but still wanted to let him have a taste of the outdoors.  She had seen ideas-4-pets’ outdoor cat kennels on the web and bought one as she thought it would be the ideal solution to her problem. 

Cat kennels / outdoor cat houses are a brilliant idea, if like this customer, you live on a busy road and you have a cat that loves to be outdoors.Your cat can have the best of both worlds as she will have the warmth and comfort of the cat kennel area and the freedom of the cat run.

The kennel consists of a large roomy area featuring a sleeping bench about 2 feet from the floor that has a ramp leading through a cat flap into the cat run area.  Cats love the sleeping bench because it places them quite high up from the floor and away from any draughts and the beauty of the bench is that you can place a cat bed on there with food and water as well, keeping the cat litter tray under the sleeping bench out of the way.

Alternatively, you can place the cat bed under the sleeping bench where it will be cosy and dark for your cat to feel secure and you can place the cat litter tray outside in the cat run area, leaving the bench as a place for your cat to stretch out and relax on.

The cat run is a great way to allow your cat the freedom of the outdoors but having peace of mind that your cat is contained and safe. You can put tree branches in the cat run so that your cat can climb and keep his nails down, or you can fill the run with your cat’s favourite toys including a cat scratcher.

Your cat will very soon view his outdoor cat kennel as “his place”, a place he can call his own, where he feels safe and secure but still has the joy of watching things going on around him, smelling the air and running around – how much better than being cooped up in the house all day whilst you are at work !! Just remember to leave your cat plenty of fresh, clean water and some of his favourite food and you will have one happy, healthy cat.

Cats who like to be out at night can also benefit from an outdoor cat kennel and cat run as again they can feel the pleasure of the outdoors but you can rest easy in bed knowing that your cat is safe and secure and will be waiting to see you next morning.

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 !!

Cat owners would be delighted with a cat kennel that offers a shelter for their cat when it is outside so that the cat can escape from the cold, wet, windy weather or alternatively find a shady place in hot sunny weather.

Withs its own outdoor cat kennel, your cat can have all her home comforts but also an outdoor run where it can feel secure when it’s not in the house. This also creates peace of mind for its owners who know that their cat is safe and contained.

ideas-4-pets have cat kennels to suit all needs and pockets. They come in various shapes and sizes such as the pent cat kennel which has a flat sloping roof, a good sized sleeping area and a covered run area for your cat to play or there is the ever popular chalet type cat kennel which offers the same accommodation but looks like a lovely Swiss chalet or summerhouse.

Whichever cat kennel you choose you will be giving your feline friend the best – warmth, comfort, shade, exercise in the outdoors and protection.

Make sure that you add some toys, tree branches, etc. to the run area to provide stimulation and play for your cat and always have fresh, clean water available and your cat’s favourite food.

Your cat will love his outdoor home, especially if you have to go out to work – no longer will he have to sit indoors looking out of the window until you get home. He will have the comfort of his sleeping area when he feels like a nap or he can play outdoors in safety until you return home.

On the one hand, some people feel that to have a cat cooped up in the house all day is cruel as cats like the outdoor life. On the other hand, people think that living in a kennel for much of the time is cruel.

Our cat kennels at ideas-4-pets are made specifically for cats. They feature a large sleeping are which contains a shelf. Bedding can be put on the shelf so the cat is not at ground level and therefore out of draughts. Alternatively there can be blankets etc. put on the shelf with an insulated katkabin underneath the shelf for the cat to sleep in.

A ramp leads from the shelf down into the run area which is roomy and can be built to your own specifications (within reason). If you fill the run with cat nip toys hanging from the roof, activity centres to stimulate and amuse your cat and maybe put in a tree branch for your cat to climb, then your cat will not be bored when he is left on his own.

The cat kennels are large enough for you to put 2 cats in together (provided they get on !!) and they will create their own play between them.

My own opinion is that provided the cat has human company for a number of hours during the day and then goes into the cat kennel in-between times and has plenty of stimulus whilst in there, that this is an ideal situation.

I have spoken to one person who suffers from allergies and she has been advised that a cat kennel would be suported by the RSPCA provided she did as we recommend above. Many customers have bought the cat kennels for when they are out at work because they feel that their cat would enjoy fresh air rather than being in the house all day. There is also peace of mind for their owners knowing that their cat is outside but contained and safe and there is no risk of the cat being involved in a road traffic accident, straying too far from home or even fighting with the local feline bully !!

There will always be arguments for and against using a cat kennel but they are very popular in the USA and I feel that because our roads are getting busier and busier that they will take off here in the UK as well.