Category: Cats

Cat platform

On By CarynIn Cats

My eldest had the idea that if we made a platform outside the new catio window, it might provide a more stable and usable surface for the cats. I used old lumber, cut off the soft bits, and screwed them to supports with a little space between.

Photo description: new catio platform made from recycled planks

On a relatively cool morning, I looped the flap up to open the access, and Thor the cat actually went outside for the first time in over a month. It took him 15 minutes to get out the door. I’ve never seen a cat move so slowly.

Photo description: large gray tabby with his head stuck out of the lifted cat flap

Izzy loves the new platform. She can easily go in and out with the flap in its intended position, and she likes to lounge on the deck.

Photo description: calico cat laying on the platform as seen through the clear cat flap

Since we are approaching fall (yay!) I hope we will have more cool mornings that Thor can go explore. But not now, because our mild summer couldn’t properly be a summer without giving us some 100 plus days. Blech.

Miffed

On By CarynIn Cats

I recently rearranged some baskets in the house. I had a large square basket that used to live under the utility sink full of rags. I had a stack of dog blankets and towels that the basket was more suited for, so I put the rags in an old egg basket. Izzy the cat is miffed that I messed up one of her (many) nap spots. She tried to lay in the new rag basket, but did not care for it.

Photo description: Calico cat trying to curl up in the top of a rag filled wire egg basket

She doesn’t fit, so she does’t sit. And she is now mad at me.

Cat in a bag

On By CarynIn Cats

I have high praise for the “Cat in a Bag” cat carrier. My big boy Thor, the gray tabby, went all popcorn Yoda last year when I put him in a traditional cat carrier for his annual vet appointment. So this year I tried the “Cat in a Bag” carrier (size large). I had a little trouble zipping him in because he is a large boy, but other than making sure I wasn’t zipping body parts, getting him in and the neck fastened wasn’t difficult or traumatic. He was apprehensive about going to the car, and once in the car I used the seat belt to secure the carrier through the provided loop. He made one lunge, didn’t go anywhere, and didn’t try to lunge again. I did have to move the seat up to give him scritches, and my youngest sat in the back seat next to him to offer comfort.

Photo description: large gray tabby in a mauve colored “Cat in a Bag” carrier strapped into the back seat of a Toyota Sienna mini van

The vet thought the bag was fantastic. He was able to listen to Thor’s heart and lungs through the bag, and only had to unzip it a little to do the examination and vaccinations. Thor kept his head tucked into the crook of my arm to hide from all the scary stuff, but didn’t have a full freak out. We confirmed his big boy status: 18 pounds.

Photo description: same cat a little more wide-eyed, same bag, same seat, on the way home from the vet

Going home was also easy. I got Thor inside and took him back to his favorite closet, fully expecting him to hide from me when he was released from the bag, but he didn’t. He followed me around for a few hours, then went back to him normal routine. Two thumbs up and four paws safely tucked away in praise of this product.

Cat shelf

On By CarynIn Cats, dog

We have had a small dog cot for a number of years. Our small dog does not care for the cot, and so it has been under the large dog cot. I thought maybe the cats would like it, but the catio does not have any room on the ground. So I made it into a hanging shelf.

Photo description: pet cot installed in a catio as a hanging cot using the side rails and a shelf bracket
Photo description: cable ties securing the cot to the shelf bracket

I should have thought of this years ago.

Thor the gray tabby still hasn’t figured out how to go back outside through the new cat door.

Mystery solved

On By CarynIn Cats, Uncategorized

I didn’t understand how and why the crocheted cotton coverlet on the bed was ending up wadded up in a heap. I suspected cat action, but it took a few days to catch the culprit in the act.

Photo description: 17 pound gray tabby cat sitting on a crocheted lace coverlet, looking like he’a about to start something
Photo description: gray tabby cat under a crocheted lace blanket with his tail and back paw sticking out

The cat is bored and looking for trouble. He really needs to stop being afraid of the cat flap and go out into the catio again.