cat adoption Archives - MyThreeCats.com CatBlog

Do You Have A Harmonious Multiple-Cat Household?

ForbesAdvisor.com reports that of 86.9 million U.S. cat-owning households, more than 46.5 million own more than one cat. These multiple-cat households must have learned that to achieve feline harmony in their homes, they must make sure that there are enough resources and space for their cats. If your cats know they have options on where they can eat, sleep, play, and use the litter box, all the better. If the cats have only one option, expect territorial disputes and added stress among them.

Here are a few pointers on how to create and keep harmony in your multiple-cat household:

The first introduction of cats to each other should be gradual and free from stress. If possible, keep the new cat in a separate living area of your home, with their food, litter box, and toys. Your “incumbent cat(s)” will know about the new cat, but not have the stress of direct contact. After a few days, gradually allow your “incumbent” cat(s) to approach the new cat, keeping their contacts short and sweet. After a few more days, you will have achieved a successful introduction.
Our strongest recommendation: invest in vertical play spaces. Cat trees, shelves and window perches are ideal ways to give your cats privacy in an off-the-ground location. Cats like height, so vertical options are a purr-fect solution.
Your cats need outlets for exercising and scratching. Leave plenty of scratching devices around your home. Whether they are horizontal, vertical or slanted pads, they will protect your furniture as well as your sanity!
Give each of your cats a separate food bowl! If you have common water bowls, have several in different areas. A water fountain designed for multiple cats is a great way of managing this. Just make sure to keep the fountain and the water it holds both clean and fresh.
Keep as many litter boxes in your home as the number of cats then add one! One of the worst problems can arise when cats have to use the same box. Territorial issues may arise, causing them to “spray” the litter box, which signals to the other cats to stay away. No one needs to have cats using undesignated areas of the house. Once that “out-of-box” behavior starts, it’s hard to stop.
Finally, watch your cats’ interactions. Observe body language and catch an early warning signal so that you can diffuse any tension and avoid an out-and-out battle. One great technique for diffusing attention is to introduce a stimulating wand toy to immediately redirect their attention away from one another and onto the moving object at the end of the wand.

Congratulations on your growing feline family! May you and your cats enjoy many harmonious and joyous moments together throughout their nine lives!

It’s National Cat Day!

Celebrate October 29^th in a number of great ways.

Watch an internet cat video (or two, three or four)
visit a local Cat Café, if you’re lucky enough to have one in your town
Adopt a cat from your local animal rescue organization or shelter
Have some serious quality play time with your own cat!

Here’s a video we thought you might like. Enjoy!

Want to live longer? – be owned by a Cat

As I write this for our blog, my 17 year old tuxedo Luna hops up on the desk and promptly walks all over the keyboard which goes berzerk into a frenzied …dghasldkv299u3905790570noasdfekckdddddddd;slkveoinfaldkkkkkkk…..!

Does this ever happen to you?

Of course, it does! In the end, will you erupt angrily and walk out, or will you seize your cat, give her a hug and kiss and tell her in baby talk, “…that’s not nice, sweetie…” Of course, you will opt for the latter!

Whether you realize it or not, your cat has a lot to do with your peace of mind, your reduced stress levels and your general good health and well being.

There have been many research projects undertaken to prove this point. Psychological stress and anxiety are related to cardiovascular events like heart attacks and stroke.

Cats are amazing. They entertain you and can keep you laughing and smiling all day long. They respond to your touch and your voice. They don’t talk back and they don’t disappoint. In other words, cats are stress reducing.

Over thousands of years, entire human cultures have recognized the human-cat bond and appreciate and adore cats for the incredible creatures they are. Just look at the Egyptians – a culture that admired their intelligence, companionship, love and loyalty.

Not only that, cats are easy companions. They are clean, personable and intelligent. They seem to read our minds and they anticipate our moves. When we’re under the weather, they lie down beside us and purr. They do this anyway as a daily routine, since contrary to popular belief, cats are very social creatures.

Kittens – well, that is yet another topic! My daughter recently adopted a calico kitten that literally bounces off the wall at her home in non-stop play. She’s a dynamo who constantly amazes and amuses and — what else —makes us laugh.

Now that you know that cats will help you live longer, happier lives, run like crazy to your neighborhood shelter and take advantage of the quantity discount!