(Part 3) Top products from r/cats

I'm going to be all over the place a bit here, with little things I've learned here and there.


Canned/wet food. No kibble/dry food. None. Ever. Kibble is horrible and causes health problems in cats - chronic dehydration that can lead to kidney failure (as it did in my own cat) and many urinary tract issues, especially in males. And kibble has no benefits - it does not "clean" teeth (that is a myth) and it can harbor bacteria and toxins. If I could give every cat owner advice, it would be to never, ever feed kibble. I regret feeding my cat a lifetime of kibble so much.


Go for grain-free canned foods if you can, with water/meat as the first ingredient, and avoid fish flavors as a diet high in fish is harmful to cats (weird, I know!) Plus they have small bodies, so mercury from fish such as tuna and salmon can build up in their bodies.


Feed two to three meals a day and don't let kitty dictate the meal schedule ;} Cats evolved as "opportunity hunters" that couldn't always eat just whenever they want to, so they are full able to go hours without eating, despite how they'll beg.


Spring for stainless steel or ceramic bowls and dishes, as plastic can get scratched up and harbor bacteria, and many cats have "allergic" reactions to it and develop cat acne. Cats seem to prefer shallower, flatter dishes to eat out of, since their whiskers might hit the sides of a deeper bowl and they dislike this.


Be sure to get regular checkups at the vet. Yearly checkups at first are great. Check teeth, claws, all the bells and whistles :} Keeping a cat's teeth healthy through regular cleanings will help prevent the misery that most cats go through later in life - extractions, abscesses, difficulty eating, and so on. My cat is 18 and still has all her teeth with zero problems - but I read about people with cats who have had to have all their teeth extracted. :{ Also, if you get the one-year-old (or even a kitten) be sure to ask the vet what your cat's "ideal weight range" should be. Many owners don't know this and thus let their cats get too thin or too fat before they realize how much the cat has lost/gained. For example, my cat's "ideal weight" is 8.5-9 lbs. If she goes down to 8 or up to 9.5, I get worried - that's the equivalent of a 140 lb human dropping or gaining around 9 lbs, so it's a large portion of body weight.


Provide a scratching post (or two!) and some "no interaction needed" toys such as these:

https://www.amazon.com/Petstages-317-Tower-Tracks-Chase/dp/B00DT2WL26

http://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/petmate-crazy-circle-cat-toy


I can leave them out for my cat and she plays with them when she feels like it, which is good. I don't leave out any other toys such as catnip mice, feathers, or anything that can be pulled/chewed off - if a cat CAN tear a toy to bits and ingest it, they WILL! You'll definitely want wand/"fishing" toys and teaser toys for playtime, but I don't leave them out because of the risk.


I have two litterboxes for my cat - I have often heard the advice given, "one litterbox per cat, plus one" - but it's not necessary. I put a litter mat under the litterbox to help "catch" the bits of litter that the cat kicks out or carries out on their feet. This seems like a small detail, but really saves a lot of the angries when you walk over to the litterbox and feel pieces of litter under your bare feet. Scoop the box(es) daily, and don't use a hood - this traps smells inside the box and a cat's nose is much better than ours, so going inside a hooded box is the kitty equivalent of using an enclosed public restroom. If you have the cat on a decent food, the box shouldn't smell much, if at all. My cat is on a fully raw diet and her poop doesn't stink. At all. No joke. It's awesome.


I also bought a bunch of rolls of doggie poop bags, and when I clean the litterbox, I drop the poop/pee into one of those bags and tie it off. So much easier that way.


Also, skip "scented litter" - they can be off-putting to cats since their noses are more sensitive. I've used plain old clumping clay litter - Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra - for the last 10+ years.


Skip special cat beds and stuff like that unless you're willing to potentially waste money - cats are, of course, famous for preferring boxes to expensive beds. I've literally only gotten my cat to use ONE cat bed in her entire 18 years - and now she refuses to leave it for a new, less scrofulous one.


If you get a young cat, get them used to claw trimming and grooming/brushing ASAP. Start with just gently holding/touching the paws, and over the course of a couple of days/weeks, work up to forcing the claw out of the sheath with gentle presses. Some cats will start out pretty mellow towards claw clipping and brushing, but if they don't start out okay with it... make claw clipping and grooming a VERY rewarding experience for your cat. The key to this method is START SMALL and work your way up SLOWLY.


Basically, you will literally start by brushing/combing your cat for just a few seconds. 10-20 seconds tops, maybe even do literally one stroke of the brush and then stop and immediately give them a small piece of a favorite treat/food. Make a fuss over them, tell them they're a good kitty, give them scritches, whatever pettings/attention type they prefer. And that's it for day one. Don't try the grooming again until the next day.


Do very short brushing sessions for a few days. Every time you brush them, give them a reward afterwards. Slowly work your way up to longer and longer brushing sessions. Cats are smart enough (luckily) to work out that they get a reward after the grooming if they stay calm and pretty much "endure" it.


My 18-year-old hates being brushed, but we've worked out a deal where she'll sit there and tolerate a 10-minute combing session because she knows she gets a treat after it. I've actually gotten her to the point with claw clipping that she no longer "needs" the treat reward - I can clip all her claws without fuss and all she gets afterwards is a good scritching and a hug.


The only other thing I can think of now is to "cat proof" your home. Pretend as if a two-year-old Spiderman baby is coming to your home. Hide exposed wires where you can, and tuck away drape/miniblind pull cords, etc. Hide or wrap anything dangling or exposed that you think the cat might pull, eat, chew on, or play with. Make sure nothing valuable or important is within knocking-over reach. Also check all your houseplants if you have any, as many plants are toxic to cats. Familiarize yourself with foods that are toxic to cats as well - there's nothing wrong with giving them a scrap of meat from your sandwich every once in a while, but onions and garlic (for example) are super deadly to cats.
I hope I haven't scared you with anything here! Good luck :D


OH I almost forgot the MOST IMPORTANT thing. Even if you plan on your cat being "indoors only forever", get it microchipped ASAP. Get a collar and ID. Even if you NEVER expect your cat to get out. I have two separate friends who have "indoors only" cats, so they didn't microchip or collar them - one friend didn't even spay her cat, and the other didn't get hers vaccinated. Of course, the cats got out - one friend's brother let them out accidentally through a screen, and the other got out because of an accidental window-breaking. Luckily both friends found their cats again (but the unspayed one had gotten pregnant.....) but the experience was super-traumatizing to my friends. I always advocate ALL cats being chipped, collared, and IDed, even if you never expect them to get out.
I once found a skinny tuxedo boy in my front yard and took him to the vet for a checkup and chip scan. He was microchipped, and we tracked down the owner and reunited her with her cat. He had been missing for nearly two years! It was the most amazing thing :} So, microchips for the win!

I totally agree with TheCatGuardian's post. We just adopted our first cat from a shelter and he is 8 months old, and honestly he's still a bit of a handful at times (but that should be expected with any new pet). Try to get one over a year, if not closer to 2 years, as ours is still learning how to play nice and not nipping our ankles to get attention. My husband has always had cats, but this was my first pet and we adopted because I've always wanted one. I did a ton of research and here's what I would suggest as far as supplies:

A high sided litter box with rim - to keep them from kicking litter around and the high walls help keep everything inside. I didn't waste the money on litter liners. They seem gimmicky to me.

Pooper Scooper - It's cheap and gets the job done. Nothing else needs to be said about it.

Stainless Steel Bowl(s) - This one gets good reviews and is the perfect size for their food. You can get two, one for wet and one for dry food. Though I got this one for dry and got a cute oval dish at walmart for ~$2 for his wet. Whatever you want.

Slightly larger bowl for water - Make sure they have plenty for fresh water. I give him new water in the AM and evening after work. I know a lot of people rave about water fountains...but honestly I didn't want to spend the money initially, and my kitty seems to be perfectly fine drinking from the bowl. It'd be worth it to see how your cat feels about the bowl...esp since they will be drinking from bowls at the shelter...they shouldn't be too picky. You can spoil them later on if you decide to, but definitely not necessary.

A safety collar - Make sure it is either a break-away or elastic to ensure the cat doesn't get strangled if it climbs and gets stuck on something and is hanging by its neck. I liked this one because it didn't have an annoying bell, though some like the bell to let you find your cat in the house. The collar also ensure that if the cat gets out anyone who finds him will know he belongs to someone and isn't just a feral cat that they can take for themselves.

Scratching Board - Simple and good reviews. Seems like it will last. You can also get one or two cardboard cheaper ones and see what they prefer to scratch on. My cat doesn't really scratch that much...he uses the scratching posts that are part of his cat tree.

Cat Perch - This is the one we got so he can look out the window. It seems like a good balance of expense and functionality...especially at first. The cat might not even like jumping up on things, so at least this is a safe buy since it's not that tall but still lets them get up off the floor.

Cat bed - This one is highly reviewed and really durable. It's machine washable and will last forever. I really love this bed.

Simple toys at first: Wand Toy, Jingle Balls, Ball Circle Thing, Little Catnip Critter. He also likes paper bags, toilet paper rolls, and his laser pointer. I highly recommend the laser pointer...ours is green.

Greenies Treats

As far as food, you want to ask what they feed at the shelter and get a bag of that at first even if you read online that it isn't "the best." We wanted to get our cat on a mainly wet food diet, so we left his shelter dry food out at night, and gave him half a can of wet food in the morning before work, and half a can at night beofre bed ~9PM, and took the dry food away while the wet food was out. We feed him Friskies Pate...it's actually pretty good for the price. People will get passionate about cat food. Honestly Friskies is fine for us now...they sell it in bulk at Sam's.

Litter - you want to use the kind they use at the shelter so they have comfort in that. You can switch later if you want.

You might also want to get nail clippers and a brush. Our cat is long haired and I like using a comb, but it's really up to you.

As far as gimmicks I would assume that if it seems like a luxury it probably isn't necessary. Cats are very happy with simple things. The vitals are what I listed...a bathroom, food and water (bowls), a few toys, somewhere to scratch, somewhere to get up off the floor, and a safety collar. The bed isn't absolutely vital, but it's nice for them to have somewhere that they feel secure and happy...even if they don't use it at first.

I just buy stuff at the pet store, but I can try and find a few recommendations. You'll want to avoid things with bells or small parts, at least while she's tiny. PetSmart usually has some pretty good stuff, or you can even find a good selection on Amazon. If you're gone a lot, it also might be a good idea to invest in something you can turn on and leave running while you're gone, like this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WP7F8YC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_2GCMBb2JZP9JV.

Ironically, my cat's favorite toy is a piece of cut up fleece on a stick that I got from the pet store.

Here are a few homemade things that look fun:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/496293492/cat-toy-kitten-toy-kitten-puzzle-cat

https://www.etsy.com/listing/573944129/catnip-toy-medium-kicker-cat-toy-cat

And here are some more things from Amazon that I would recommend:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DT2WL26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bLCMBbEDZ585B

And
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QPLUQXY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dOCMBbRA7B6MM

Just make sure she's careful with the string on this one. As long as she doesn't break it off and swallow it, it should be fine.

Some sort of a laser pointer is always a great toy for kitties, just make sure not to shine it in her eyes.

Finally, make sure to get her a cat tree if you have room for one. Cats like to climb. Something like this would be great:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0794T79KM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ERCMBbM18RTGA

Scratching posts are also important, so here's what I would recommend for a scratching post, if you don't want to get the cat tree:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BY385RX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fTCMBbKA5B15Q

Once you spay her, if she isn't already, feed her adult food so she doesn't gain too much weight. A good kitten food to start her on before the spay is Good Natured, at PetSmart. If she's spayed and you want to start her on adult food, I use this, and my cat loves it, and she's super healthy:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XDQCL13/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_0VCMBbHDBF7XG

If you have any other questions, please feel free to message me. I have had my cat for two years, and raised her since she was three months old, so I can answer a lot of kitten questions.

One more thing, get her a bed. She may not always use it, but she will appreciate it.

You basically need to find a way to keep him entertained in the mornings. Here's a few options:

1. Get him a buddy. My kitten used to be so needy and wanted to play at the worst possible times up until I introduced her to one of my cats from home. I have since moved that other cat into my apartment and they are best friends. They play together and wrestle all the time. Your cat is still pretty young, so this may be a good option for him.
   
   
2. Get him some toys/games that will entertain him for a while. There's actually a lot of toys that cats can play with that will keep them entertained on their own. If you have an iPad or a tablet you can download games for cats. I have a laser game and a mouse game that I downloaded for free and I just leave the iPad on the floor and they play with that for quite a while. Other entertaining toys we have are this (courtesy of this year's Reddit Secret Santa!) and also this. Both these toys can keep my kitties entertained for quite a while.
   
   
3. I've never had to do this, but you could try getting up with him at 6 one morning to play, and then the next morning make it 6:15, and then so-on until you're at the ideal time for you. Again, I've never tried this, but it might be worth it.
   
   
4. After you establish a better sleep schedule for him, keep him in your room on the nights that your roommate's girlfriend stays over. Then she can't really wake him up and make him want to play. If that's not an option, you could ask her to play with him for a couple of minutes in the morning before she leaves.
   
   I hope you figure something out for both yours and your cat's sake. The best solution for me was to just get another cat. Now I don't usually have problems with them wanting to play at bad times anymore. But I know that for a lot of people, getting another pet just isn't an option. So I would definitely try the toys. I'm sure there's plenty of other toys out there other than the ones I mentioned that could work for your kitty as well.
   
   One last note- if your kitty isn't neutered, I would definitely recommend getting him neutered. Neutering cats has a lot of benefits, and it might even help with the howling- source
   Again, good luck!

=) we love to help fellow kitty owners!

I have found that if you play with your kittys paws while they are very sleepy or asleep you'll have a much easier time clipping their nails as they get older. Of course, I always recommend nail grinding over clipping because its smoother, lasts longer and it tickles vs pinches however, shes a baby and that will take some training!

get lots of toys! and play with her often. remember, just like your puppies need walk and play time, she does too! you can even train a cat to talk on a leash so you can take her with you on your walks with the dogs.

i have found my cat likes moving water and will absolutely NOT drink water from a bowl or anything thats sitting still. I use this fountain instead. Makes for happy kitty. hydration is very important!

as others have said, scratching posts are important. don't forget your flea, tick, and heartworm medications. Also, kitties should be brushed. My cat is scared of brushes so I use this which he adores and gets very excited when he sees it.

dogs like to eat cat poop for whatever unexplainable reason. please do yourself a favor and invest in a closed litter box sorta like this. its worth it!!

Please do not yell at your cat or spray your cat with water it will not teach it a thing and it will only confuse it and teach it to be afraid of you.

Increase one on one play time with your cat to get some energy out. Use a variety of toys and rotate them. Some tried-and-true favorites...
This is such a simple toy and a very cheap so order several as they are an add-on item and they’re great to have around in every room because kitties seem to always enjoy them whether it’s dangled from the air or drug along the ground for chasing.
Cat Dancer 101 Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N9I68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1evSCbGX4WXZ4

Order natural peacock feathers off of Amazon for a super fun game with your kitty. The first time my girl are saw one she literally stood up on her hind legs walking across the floor trying to get out it. When you want to get the feather away pull it straight back toward you and it will slip through their claws and teeth. Eventually the quill will break from play so it's good to get a pack of them, they are not very expensive.
ALL in ONE 20pcs Natural Peacock Tail Feather https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HSNADGM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_NHlSCbJAG6FXW

SnugglyCat The Ripple Rug - Made in USA - Cat Activity Play Mat - Thermal Base -Fun Interactive Play - Training - Scratching - Bed Mat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016H3T8EC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dg9vCbVZN8R0Y. My girl goes crazy for this one every time. Dangle a peacock feather or anything else outside some of the holes when your kitty hides in the rug and you’ll see little arms reaching out of holes all over the place it is hilarious and loads of fun.

Your kitty is a lifelong companion so please take a little time to make the most of that relationship and read this book by Jackson Galaxy- The cat daddy himself.

Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143131613/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WRCHCbTMQSY5F

Look into getting this litter box system for your little guy.

I hope this doesn’t get flagged and I’m not a product pusher (check my previous posts and comments) but this is an amazing litter box system. We used to find litter EVERYWHERE; our bed, on furniture until I just had enough. This is awesome. It’s a dehydration system that the pee passes straight through to the weewee pad underneath and the poop’s moisture is pulled out by the dehydration pellets so when you take it out it’s just a dry log. Also, there’s no smell, so easy to take care of and really cheap. I’ve turned 3 coworkers onto this system and they will never go back to regular litter.

Also, there’s a $7 manufacturer coupon on their website so it makes it super affordable.

Cute kitten!!

He may be a little freaked out for the first few days. Try to keep the house quiet and calm. Cats hate loud noise, such as vacuum cleaners and blow dryers. They also are skittish around new people. Don't pick him up if you don't have to.

I read that wet food is much better for losing weight than dry food. Dry food has a lot of grain it. Occasionally give him some canned tuna (in water) for humans. My cats loved it much more than cat food. And if you are having a tuna sandwich give him the water. It's the perfect soup for cats.

You might want to buy a cat tree. You don't need it from day one but most cats love them. Make sure it's at least 6 feet tall. They love being high up. Makes them feel secure. They tend to stay at the top and don't use the lower portions much at all.

I recommend this toy:

https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Dancer-301-Charmer-Interactive/dp/B0002DHV16/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

A good resource to have on hand is the Cat Owner's Manual. It's illustrated, actually entertaining to read, and covers a lot of the basics of cat care.

I will second a lot of the recs below:

• A water fountain is awesome; cats will drink much more water if it's clean and moving.
  
• Talk to your vet for food recs; don't buy cheap.
  
• Clipping claws can become easier if you follow the method described below to accustom your kitty to the process.
  
• Scratching posts/pads are crucial, and there are lots of types -- I keep some of each kind, but you'll want both vertical and horizontal scratchers.
  
  Toys can be any of a wide variety. One called Da Bird is almost universally popular. Catnip toys are always a hit, just consider the size and shape so they can be picked up and carried by the kitty. 'Kicker' toys are almost always a hit. I've had good luck with floppy fish, mylar crinkle balls, and soft spongy foam balls as well.

I second the closed litter box. I had two of these that come with a clear flap and a carbon filter. I upgraded to a Litter-Robot but kept these just in case because they really are great. This style might be rather big for a bathroom though.


Baking soda absolutely does wonders too. I also have some charcoal bags that I keep close by.


Air purifying plants are great too. Some require low light which makes them perfect for bathrooms. Just make sure they’re non toxic. Here’s a list of safe for pet plants. Just because they’re non toxic doesn’t mean they still can’t get a tummy ache if they eat a lot of the leaves. Just don’t let them munch on them :)


And of course the obvious. Just scooping every day, changing the litter and washing the boxes makes a huge difference!

My cat also likes scratching the carpet. We also have many scratching pads/posts but he likes the rug. We gave him a small rug of his own that he plays under and likes to scratch.

I want to get him this: http://www.amazon.com/The-Ripple-Rug-Interactive-Scratching/dp/B016H3T8EC/ref=pd_sbs_199_7?ie=UTF8&dpID=418U3bELU-L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=09QSQ3ZSZJ4K3HHQYJ96

Most of these are also good scratchers:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dpets&field-keywords=cat+scratcher


Oh and thanks for not considering declawing the cat!! Sorry if this doesn't really answer your question.

I'm very glad she is on a diet! Get some cat wand toys (http://amzn.to/1390BRi, http://amzn.to/10O9psF, http://amzn.to/11uazIy) for her to chase around and schedule 20 good minutes of play every day. My cats are indoor cats - it's definitely possible to keep them fit and healthy if they stay inside. Stick to the weight loss though, I guarantee you that she'll be happier and have more confidence once she gets some of that weight off her poor little legs.

I'd suggest starting off with something more like a 5- or 6-foot tree.

For example, this is about $100 including shipping.

Look for platforms that have railings. My cats won't sleep in a place where they're worried about rolling off. I'm hoping the hammocks on this new one serve the same purpose.

Also, cats seem to disregard the first 2-3 feet of the tree from the floor up. Even the kitten goes straight off the second level on this tree, and ignored the bottom house on the old one.

If your cat is declawed, that makes a HUGE difference (and it's a very bad idea.) I've never gotten a declawed cat to climb, even when structures should have been good enough.

Otherwise, if you're building your own, I'd suggest nothing but verticals and maybe a ladder for the first 3 feet. (Healthy cats will ignore the ladder, but kittens and the elderly might use it.) I've been amazed how much my cats want to be UP VERY HIGH. And that's why I got the 8-foot tree. I've got one that will happily hide out in the ceiling if she can find an opening. (We had a leak, so there was a hole.)

Put it near a window or in a central place with a nice view. Cats LOVE being able to watch the world.

yes my friend I do. I hunted a LONG time to find one that I could disable the auto timer, but this is by far the nicest, most comfortable and most versatile heating pad I've ever had. And it's long

it's hard to explain without seeing it. it's not like other heating pads that have a cloth wrapped around a heating element, the cloth in this is part of the heating and the element is inside it. it's also machine washable, and you can use the stuff in the link below (also bought) for a heated moist therapy. the cord unplugs from the heating pad itself so it can be washed in a machine

this thing rocks. but there's one other option, a pressure activated pad that i had for my outside strays when I cared for them. it stays on as long as they're laying on it. it says it's for outdoors, and i used mine outside, but when I moved I brought it in and my inside cats sleep on it most of the day. it doesn't get hot, just warms enough to make them happy

here's one of my cats on the pressure activated pad

heating pad
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005NZ66KU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&th=1

pressure activated cat bed

https://www.amazon.com/Manufacturing-Extreme-Weather-12-5-Inch-18-5-Inch/dp/B0009YWJRE/ref=pd_sim_199_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=P5Y3TJJ9R4F6EK607CAN

this one is a little cheaper (don't worry about the pictures, they don't show the cover that comes with it.) this is the one I bought for the outdoor insulated enclosure I built

https://www.amazon.com/Manufacturing-Lectro-Soft-Outdoor-Heated-Small/dp/B000ICGJZK/ref=pd_sim_199_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=J5ZHG5M2T0B9AK14ZD4M

Please don't declaw!! Your gut feeling on this is correct. There are plenty of ways to save your stuff without harming your new pet.

I can't speak for young kittens, but I adopted a 1+ year old cat and have not had a problem with her scratching anything. I'm not sure if a kitten would be more easy to "train," or more apt to claw everything...maybe others can offer an opinion on this.

Provide your new cat with lots of scratching options -- horizontal, vertical, cardboard, rope, carpet -- and figure out which ones he likes. You can rub or spray them with catnip to attract him, and be sure to give him a treat and pets every time you see him use them. Spritz him with water, or shake a can filled with pennies, if he scratches anything else. Keep his claws trimmed regularly. If you can't do it yourself every week or two, you can pay your vet a nominal amount to do it for you. If it turns out to really be a problem there are always Soft Claws nail caps!

Yeah, you need a dome on those boxes. I have a litter mat in front of mine, but old carpet would probably work as well.

Edited to add: I bought this jumbo-sized domed litter box off Amazon a few weeks ago for a new kitten. It has a clear door flap on it but I fold it back to make it more open. The foster mom warned me that she was very messy with litter and this has done the trick. It's also, as I said, jumbo-sied. I've also been using this litter mat which I suppose is okay, I'm neutral on it. It does seem to work.

(I included some Amazon links to give you an idea since you mentioned Amazon, no affiliate links just the smile URL for donating to your charity-of-choice if you've set it up. You can get domed litter boxes cheaper if you click around, I just mentioned the one I got because I've been pretty pleased with it.)

Okay, I think your cat might be experiencing dehydration, which might account for the highly concentrated ammonia smell. Try switching to wet food. Don't do it cold turkey - start with 50% Iams ProActive Health as normal, and 50% wet food. Over 2-3 weeks, gradually reduce the dry food content to none.

Keep him on a wet food diet for at least 6-8 weeks and see if the smell gets any better. It will be normal for him to have soft poop for a couple of weeks while his system adjusts to the new food.

I would also recommend investing a few bucks in a cat drinking fountain to encourage him to drink more water. Here is a cheap one with good reviews on amazon.

Thanks for the response! I have read that before on various posts made by others as well which is why I was transitioned from this cat food: natural instinct raw boost only this only in the mornings and wet food in the evenings.

It's tough having to do all that while getting ready for work in the morning a pure lazy thing I guess..I am going to start by giving them pure wet food on weekends! Any recommendations by the way? At the moment I'm feeding them this wet food

But I'm not sure if it the best? What is raw diet? Any recommendations?


The tower tracks is now in my amazon cart :)

Unfortunately the little dude cries nonstop until the balcony door is open. I'm going to look up how to make a catio and well..make one lol. I understand the danger as he's been over the ledge a few times and I live on the 5th floor apartment..Now I'm constantly outside whenever he is outside..although that can get annoying..

Are your cats engaged in the ball in tunnel style toys like http://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Design-Senses-Circuit-Original/dp/B001LWRFW2/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_2 ?
These entertain my cats while I am out pretty well, but they only work if your cat will initiate the play. Plus with these you can rearrange the thing to keep them engaged. I have more than one set. If you want the light up balls you need to order them separately.

I have a recommendation from a vet-student of mine: Purina Pro-Plan. It encompasses extremely high-quality ingredients, affordable prices and various flavors/specialty blends. The dry food or wet variant are both excellent for your kitty, but the dry food will be cheaper. I would use the wet food if the kitty doesn't adhere well to drinking water as the wet-food contains high amounts of water. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask. Congratulations on becoming a kitty owner!

Here are my recommendations on supplies:

Litter box: http://www.amazon.com/Catit-Jumbo-Hooded-Cat-Litter/dp/B003RQVGKC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376458653&sr=8-2&keywords=litter+box

Litter scooper: http://www.amazon.com/Duranimals-DuraScoop-Litter-Scoop-colors/dp/B001DCAAP4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376458674&sr=8-1&keywords=litter+scooper

Litter: http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Cat-Premium-Clumping-Litter/dp/B0009X29WK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376458691&sr=8-1&keywords=cat+litter (cheaper if you buy this one at PetSmart believe it or not)

Kitten food: http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Plan-Chicken-Formula-7-Pound/dp/B003R0LLXU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376458746&sr=8-1&keywords=purina+pro+plan+kitten

Litter mat: http://www.amazon.com/PetFusion-SmartGrip-Litter-Gray-Twist/dp/B007SQFRMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376458842&sr=8-1&keywords=litter+box+mat

I understand the frustrations involved in keeping upholstered furniture looking decent while having cats; it takes away the joy of getting a good deal on something if it starts to look like crap immediately. I sprayed diluted vinegar all over my couches to teach my cats not to claw them. It worked pretty well. The downside is that your furniture will obviously smell like vinegar for a while, and the smell fades a bit fast so you'll have to re-spray often. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer and shouldn't harm the couches, but most cats hate it. Also, if your cats hate tape, you can apply double-sided tape to the areas they scratch to deter them; most find the stickiness unpleasant. The tape method worked to keep away my cat that scratched, but I couldn't use it long because my other cat loves tape and would rip it all off and play with it. A third option would be to use a product like soft claws, which are nail caps for cat claws. If your cats are relatively laid back about getting their nails trimmed, they might take well to that method. Good luck!

I would recommend this litter box. Looks awesome and is excellent for keeping in the litter bits. For litter I use ones that are low dust and made for small spaces and multi cats even tho i only have one :)

All 6 of my cats love these :

• http://www.amazon.com/Prevue-Products-Kitty-Power-Natural/dp/B00WO6MFY2/ref=sr_1_55?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1451363516&sr=1-55&keywords=scratching+post
  
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/KONG-Wild-Tails-Colors-vary/dp/B00392OS90/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1450844790&sr=8-11&keywords=kong+cat+toy
  
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/KONG-Naturals-Incline-Scratcher-Cat/dp/B0018N38P2/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1450844790&sr=8-5&keywords=kong+cat+toy
  
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/PETFAVORITES-trade-Original-Mylar-Crinkle/dp/B00797NHFC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1450844867&sr=8-1&keywords=mylar+balls
  
  my kittens go crazy for these mylar balls.
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/Pet-Fit-Life-Feathers-Exerciser/dp/B00UZKBNLK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1450844997&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+teaser+feather
  
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/PetFusion-3-Sided-Vertical-Scratcher-Standard/dp/B00JK0BX2K/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1450845032&sr=8-10&keywords=cardboard+scratcher
  
  
  
  
  
• http://www.amazon.com/OurPets-Original-Play-N-Squeak-MouseHunter-Interactive/dp/B001HWF2W6/ref=pd_sim_199_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=41hI5AjRP1L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=04F02DM93STX1S9ESXET
  
  
  
  
  We have 2 cat trees near a big window with a bird feeder outside in view...it keeps our two 6 month old kittens entertained for hours. I would recommend a cat tree, or a window perch of some sort. :)
  

I get this brand on Subscribe and Save. Each flavor counts as an item so it's not too hard to get the maximum discount. It's the least expensive 95% meat food I have found.

There's a lot of nutrition in this food, so its real price is lower than it may seem on the surface. I feed 2-3 cans/day for 3 cats depending on impending chonk status.

I used to make raw food, but I only had one cat at the time. If you have the motivation, try it (use a supplement mix!). I had great results.

Whatever you do, don't declaw him. Soft nail caps do work and are not expensive. You can also try kinds of double-sided tape on favorite scratching areas to dissuade scratching (http://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Pet-Sticky-Furniture-Deterrent/dp/B0006NE4QC).
Cats do need to scratch something though. Make sure you are providing the cat with a place that he/she can scratch appropriately (scratching post, cat tree, etc.) and clip his/her claws regularly. Sometimes, just spending some time playing with the cat on top of or near a scratching post will be enough to encourage him/her to use it.

These are a huge hit with our youngest: kitty springs http://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Durable-Plastic-Colorful-Springs/dp/B000CMKHDG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1412664646&sr=8-2&keywords=spring+cat+toys
Buy a pack of several-- they disappear all over the house.

Also, Da Bird is a fun interactive toy that will help burn off some of that kitten energy before bedtime: http://go-cat.com Buy an extra "bird" or two for backup. They hold up surprisingly well for being made of feathers, but they still get pretty beat up.

Exactly, the cats not being aggressive its being playful. Give him an outlet for it. I suggest a laser pointer (for when you can play with him) and a track toy when he's alone.

https://www.amazon.com/Petstages-Tower-Tracks-Cat-Toy/dp/B00DT2WL26

(Something like the above has worked great with 6 plus cats I've known.)

I've been putting them on since they were kittens, so it doesn't really bug them anymore. They eventually fall off and I reattach new ones probably once a month. It works for them, but it definitely doesn't work for all cats. I buy the soft claw kit on Amazon . It's a little pricey, but they save my back from being scratched up when they hang out on my shoulders.

A bored kitty is a destructive kitty! Figuring out her preferred type of toys (tracks, balls, crinkle, wands, etc) can take a little time, but giving her lots of toys and scratching targets can make a big difference keeping her from destroying your things instead.

Teach her what "no" means, just a stern voice and then redirecting to something good (such as, when she scratches the couch, say no, then put her on the scratching post and praise her there) makes life a lot easier later. "Get down" can be helpful, too, but some cats ignore that one even when they know what it means (looking at you, my fluffy girl!)

Hands are not toys. If she tries to bite or claw your hands, say no, remove them from reach, and replace with a toy. If she, like one of mine, thinks this means hands are an EXTENSION of toys, then you have to say no, remove hands, and walk away or otherwise remove attention. Then give kitty a toy from a distance.

Here are some of my favorite toy options, none are too expensive and they cover some variety so you can learn what kind she likes:

• toy pack
  
• jingle balls
  
• and most especially CatIt track (or basically any other CatIt product.)
  
  Also a slightly more expensive one, but the Ripple Rug is hugely popular with all my kitties, they like to burrow in and attack stuff, I can hide toys in there, they pop out the holes and attack each other or wand toys.

If you want something else that your cat will love, get a heated cat mat. There are now 4 of those in my house for my 3 cats and they're pretty much on them 80% of the day.

Super cheap on amazon hey? $100 including shipping. The thing is massive.

Or if you like blue

Yeah I thought so too but maybe someone else had some experience with one. Anyways I came across this that looks perfect for me and if I ever wanted to add more space to it you can by extra tubes and tents separately to add on.

This is the one I'm referring to to avoid.. Good luck in your search!

How about springs such as these. They can both spin and bounce. If she's not into mice, you can also try plastic balls (some of them with jingle bells inside like these) or crinkle balls since some cats enjoy the sounds they make.

https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Healthy-Automatic-Dispenses-Digital/dp/B00VIXRB6O/

It kind of just drops the food down. They treat it like a snake or something, elongated necks, bobbing up and down.

My vet said my cat wont starve itself either but she sure is putting on the act.

Adult cats (1yr+) should be totally fine with that schedule, so I would encourage you to adopt adults rather than kittens.

Something like these could be effective for your radiator problem, though I've never used them myself.

Yea, she is hanging around it because it is warm. My kitty loves this one :
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ICGJZK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I have a Breeze cat box. I love that the cat doesn't track litter all over the house. It also keeps the smell down. I rotate the pad 1/2 way through the week and change it at the end of the week.

Cats are like people, they do have preferences. Generally they go for the person feeding them (they are little predators, after all).

'Play fighting' is how cats learn to hunt--kittens do it with each other to learn how to stalk and pounce on their prey.

When they lick you after grabbing and kicking, it's what cats do with their prey once they've caught it--kicking simulates disemboweling their prey.

My new cat likes to bite--I've been having to caution her to go "Easy!" which she's getting better at. Once she's given a couple of 'love bites' she bites once more, gives her head a little shake while she still has my skin in her teeth, then lets go and licks the spot. What she's doing is simulating giving the death shake to a small prey animal.

If your cat turns out to be a hunter, and brings you dead animals, that's not so much a gift, as such, as her teaching you how to hunt, like she would a kitten. They do this even though you're the one putting food down for them.

Litter changing depends on the cat. Some cats go more than others and the litter has to be cleaned more often. I use the Breeze litter system, which I like because there's significantly less smell than the sand or clay systems, even the clumping kind. Plus not having to hump heavy buckets of sand around is nice. There are lots of reviews in that link, and some people use inexpensive pellets used for pellet stoves, but I haven't tried that.

Enjoy being a cat-dad!

The price can add up quick on these things. Worth it though if you want to keep your indoor cats safe while outside.
https://www.amazon.com/Outback-Jack-Kitty-Compound-Playhouse/dp/B00IONBY3M

I use this and it has worked great.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VIXRB6O/ref=emc_b_5_t

It's a Ripple Rug! My cat loves hers.

OP, how do you keep your cats from clawing/climbing the screens?

Catit Design Senses Play Circuit, Original https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001LWRFW2/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_OnT.tb0TSCVZ9 Mostly because of the kitten on the right's reaction to the toy!

Mine used to the same thing. When he was younger, he sprayed litter all the way across the kitchen floor once when he was doing his combination kitty dirtbiking and treasure bury. He's calmed down some since then, though still spends a long time burying. I have a combination litter mat in front of the box, and bought these, which helps a lot. There's still a little tracking because paws, but it's nowhere near the mess that it used to be.

I have a covered box you just roll over to scoop. It's great, and it won't break like the automatic boxes.

It's a Hagen Play Circuit, this is two sets together. One site was about $10 on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LWRFW2/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00

My cats drink TONS of water. A human sized cereal bowl every day or 2. Im gonna try this food:




https://www.amazon.com/Instinct-Chicken-Formula-Natures-Variety/dp/B005HUVYBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506722123&sr=8-1&keywords=natures+variety+cat+food
and




https://www.amazon.com/Instinct-Turkey-Natural-Natures-Variety/dp/B007OT56HM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1506722123&sr=8-5&keywords=natures+variety+cat+food




Looks like its gonna cost me $150 a month to feed my 2 cats =(

Oh!! well...if you don't mind spending a bit you can get this!!!

Tidy Cat Amazon.com

i use it with 2 cats, it costs more but it's much less of a mess. I use more pellets than normal cause my cats like to really cover everything if they can.

I have one of these, while not "auto cleaning" in the sense that you have to physically rotate the box it eliminates the need to scoop. Coupled with a Litter Genie it takes me less than 30 seconds to empty my (2) cat's litter box.

Eventually I'll get myself a Litter-Robot but for now this is just fine.

But we spent a lot on toys for him! Cool toys and all, like this turntable but he likes to steal, I need to face it, he just has the eeeeevils...

There's this. I would apply it to a piece of thick cardboard or something, and then place that on top of (and around) the router.

I like this one. It's expensive but is much easier to use than the cheaper ones which also broke after around 6 months. I think it's more economical in the long run.

Well my last tip is to try something like this

I think they're a pain in the ass (could be my cat's big claws) but lots of people like them. It won't fix the door rattling, but at least they won't be clawing anything else.

Cat Teaser wand like this (flirt pole is actually the term used for a similar toy for dogs):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DHV16

Want to reclaim your blankie? Get her her own heated pad:

https://www.amazon.com/Manufacturing-Thermo-Kitty-Mocha-12-5-Inch-25-Inch/dp/B000S9M2U4

Or one with a lid? They make this one box with little stairs that turns into a dome...let me see if I can find it....this one!

I got my cat this just for the photo ops

http://www.amazon.com/Hagen-Design-Drinking-Fountain-Original/dp/B004L4XR3I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1324337044&sr=8-1&tag=acleint-20

and the small one

http://www.amazon.com/Catit-Fresh-Clear-Drinking-Fountain/dp/B0015Z3RYK/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1324337044&sr=8-4&tag=acleint-20

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004E2H486/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?qid=1368544587&sr=8-3&pi=SL75

Here you go! It’s cheaper now!
https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Products-Thermo-Kitty-Heated-Mocha/dp/B000S9M2U4?crid=XKM20VZW3HZB&keywords=cat+heating+pad&qid=1538102069&sprefix=cat+heat&sr=8-3&ref=mp_s_a_1_3

Here

Cat toy

https://www.amazon.com/Outback-Jack-Kitty-Compound-Playhouse/dp/B00IONBY3M?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_2

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00IONBY3M/

I'm going with this one. Battery life is a year, dispenses as little as 1/16th of a cup. It's bigger than I need, but whatever.

http://smile.amazon.com/PetSafe-Healthy-Simply-12-Meal-Automatic/dp/B00VIXRB6O/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1463344649&sr=1-5&keywords=pet+feeder

This is the litter bin that solved our problem, having to go around a corner seemed to stop the litter being spread around.


Petmate Booda Dome Clean Step Cat Litter Box 3 Colors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002DH8L4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_-80LDb3B2JCW2

Here's the product's Amazon US & UK pages.

There's plenty of reviews there so you should be able to decide from those. I suspect it's more form over function judging from the wide ranging opinions.

They also have heating pads made specifically for pets. Lower wattage / heat to prevent issues. I'd imagine something with the wiring, too. I personally don't have one as I'm too paranoid to leave anything like that on unsupervised.

I bought this one http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ICGJZK?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

No complaints, and it only heats up to cat body temp.

Almost everything has been covered, but may I suggest this litter box?

http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Paw-Self-Cleaning-Litter-Pewter/dp/B005E2S77C

At first, I had one of those boxes where it has the mesh segment that you lift up to sift, but then you have to pour all the litter into the other tray and stuff. It's a mess. It's one of the reasons I had never really wanted a cat to begin with until my wife brought home our two little furballs; I hated scooping litter.

I got this one and it's fucking genius. All you do is flip it over and all of the poop and clumps are in the little pull out drawer. It's goddamn magical.