KITTY TIPS - TO KEEP US HAPPY Playing with us with fishing poles and other lure toys is really fun – but the best part for us is winning, which means catching the prey. So when playing hide-and-seek and dangle games, remember to let us kitties win a good deal of the time! ^**^    ^**^ We may confuse the feel of the carpet with litter or may use the carpet as an alternative if the box isn’t clean enough. If there is wall-to-wall carpeting where you want to put the box you would do well to place a sheet of clear, hard plastic underneath it. These sheets are available at office supply stores and home improvement stores for use underneath desk chairs. ^**^    ^**^ You can keep your cat amused and his or her natural instincts engaged if you hide a tasty treat in a new place every time you leave the house. A piece of cheese makes great “bait” – a cat has a superb sense of smell and will find the hidden morsel in no time – so you’ll always have to look for new places to tuck the tidbit. Underneath furniture and on top of high shelves are places cats really enjoy. Just don’t forget to check when you get home to be sure the treat was found! ^**^    ^**^ If a cat is bored he can become a pest. If your cat doesn’t get enough physical and mental challenges then he may become pesky, and always trying to get your attention. You should give him that attention in the form of playing with him for (a minimum of) five-minute sessions, which should eliminate his nagging for attention. ^**^    ^**^ Cats will chase sunbeams on the floor, shadows on a wall or a curtain blowing in the breeze. They also prefer dim light – their preferred hunting time is dusk – so turn the lights low and have toys that create motion, if you really want to have fun with your kitty. ^**^    ^**^ Cats get tired of anything that is around all the time and readily accessible. Variety and the element of surprise motivate a cat, so leave out only a couple of toys at a time and rotate them to keep it interesting. ^**^    ^**^ Many people think a laundry room is ideal for a litter box because the floor is washable and not much else goes on in there, but many cats get startled by the sudden noises of washer or dryer. Being frightened once, right when they are getting down to business, may be a deterrent to using that box again, especially for sensitive cats. ^**^    ^**^ One of the reasons cats mark in the house by spraying is because they have seen an intruder cat outside the window. It is also a reason for redirected aggression against another kitty in the household – suddenly picking a fight with him, for what seems like “no good reason.” But now we know that seeing an unknown cat outside can rattle a cat. If possible, keep those blinds drawn and that problem is solved! ^**^    ^**^ Cats mourn for the loss of animal and and human companions just as we do. Signs of grief in cats are very similar to the signs of grief in people. Grieving cats may search for their missing companion, particularly if their companion was taken to the vet for euthanasia. They may also become lethargic and eat less, become disoriented and disinterested in their surroundings, or become aloof and spend time alone. Conversely, grieving cats may become more clingy and affectionate. Provide your grieving cat with more affection and attention. Try to distract her with fun activities and play, but be aware that it may be a few days before she begins to respond to these efforts. Keep tabs on your cat’s eating, drinking, and litter box use. If your cat fails to eat for more than a day or so, contact your veterinarian. Make sure you don’t adopt another animal until you and your cat have adjusted to the loss. Adding a new cat at this time can cause a stressful situation to become even more so. And most of all, be patient and compassionate — with your cat and with yourself. Allow your cat to comfort you while you comfort her. Grief is a process, and time is the only thing that heals the wound. Credits Graphic Design....©http://www.touchamemory.com/ All other content, unless specifically stated, is copyrighted ©A Furfeeder's Christmas.