Ava arrives in 1.5 weeks!! Ava is our long sought after and awaited female Korat.
Nope, I got that wrong. Ava is KATO's kitten.
We did it the hard way when we got a single Korat 2.5 years ago. I'm talking about the energy level of the Korat and their need for companionship. Frankly, there's something behind the 'mere' tradition of always gifting TWO korats. Anyway, we've seen the light, and for 12 months, have been sourcing a friend for Kato. With such a short wait left, I'm seriously in nesting mode, with an internal imperative driving me to get all things ready. Which is a bit silly, given our apartment is already cat-equipped!
Here's the check-list:
1. Litter tray. We need another. The rule is one per cat, plus one extra. I'm really liking the hooded tray we have from CatIt. It has deep sides on the bottom part. This is super important, as just recently Kato decided he didn't like the 'roof' (he peed on our bed), so it is now operating as an un-hooded or open tray (happy days). The high sides prevent litter being kicked out. The hood meanwhile, if you use it, is not very enclosed. It has approximately one third of the 'roof' as a section that can be folded open (and we've never had the flap down). This is great for ventilation and helping a cat not feel so enclosed.
2. Litter tray mat. To catch the spilled litter when they jump out. I like the Booda one as the surface is pretty 'normal' on their feet (not spiky grass for instance...they might avoid it, or worse, the litter box!).
3. Scratching things. Provide or they'll find somewhere you don't like! I'm not sure I can link all the ones we have, but we have vertical options (sisal covered poles on the giant cat tree), and horizontal options (sisal mats). The mats were bought to travel with, but have since become extra useful as we placed them on the backs of the couches where Kato liked to scratch -it was a lying position thing. His favourite spot is now fine to scratch, and we got away with only a couple of pin pricks before we solved the problem! We also bought a cheap (clearance) wool carpet mat for him - he lurves!
The new scratching thing for Ava is an inclined option - Kato keeps spying it in the cupboard and trying to get the dangly toy, so I think it will be a hit.
4. Climbing things. There is no way around this. An active cat MUST have a usable cat tree. One with a good/heavy/big base so it doesn't wobble or tip. Fortunately, we have this already. At the time, it was $180 (including shipping) from http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/pet-supplies/cat-scratching-poles-trees/. The reviews were helpful in establishing the sturdiness, and we got one with a four-pole construction as we know that 4 legs are more stable than 2 or 3! Don't follow the directions, use common sense when you assemble. After 2.5years, it's still going strong. A little ripped and the cubby wall is cracked (Kato likes hauling himself around upside-down).
Nope, I got that wrong. Ava is KATO's kitten.
We did it the hard way when we got a single Korat 2.5 years ago. I'm talking about the energy level of the Korat and their need for companionship. Frankly, there's something behind the 'mere' tradition of always gifting TWO korats. Anyway, we've seen the light, and for 12 months, have been sourcing a friend for Kato. With such a short wait left, I'm seriously in nesting mode, with an internal imperative driving me to get all things ready. Which is a bit silly, given our apartment is already cat-equipped!
Here's the check-list:
1. Litter tray. We need another. The rule is one per cat, plus one extra. I'm really liking the hooded tray we have from CatIt. It has deep sides on the bottom part. This is super important, as just recently Kato decided he didn't like the 'roof' (he peed on our bed), so it is now operating as an un-hooded or open tray (happy days). The high sides prevent litter being kicked out. The hood meanwhile, if you use it, is not very enclosed. It has approximately one third of the 'roof' as a section that can be folded open (and we've never had the flap down). This is great for ventilation and helping a cat not feel so enclosed.
2. Litter tray mat. To catch the spilled litter when they jump out. I like the Booda one as the surface is pretty 'normal' on their feet (not spiky grass for instance...they might avoid it, or worse, the litter box!).
3. Scratching things. Provide or they'll find somewhere you don't like! I'm not sure I can link all the ones we have, but we have vertical options (sisal covered poles on the giant cat tree), and horizontal options (sisal mats). The mats were bought to travel with, but have since become extra useful as we placed them on the backs of the couches where Kato liked to scratch -it was a lying position thing. His favourite spot is now fine to scratch, and we got away with only a couple of pin pricks before we solved the problem! We also bought a cheap (clearance) wool carpet mat for him - he lurves!
The new scratching thing for Ava is an inclined option - Kato keeps spying it in the cupboard and trying to get the dangly toy, so I think it will be a hit.
4. Climbing things. There is no way around this. An active cat MUST have a usable cat tree. One with a good/heavy/big base so it doesn't wobble or tip. Fortunately, we have this already. At the time, it was $180 (including shipping) from http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/pet-supplies/cat-scratching-poles-trees/. The reviews were helpful in establishing the sturdiness, and we got one with a four-pole construction as we know that 4 legs are more stable than 2 or 3! Don't follow the directions, use common sense when you assemble. After 2.5years, it's still going strong. A little ripped and the cubby wall is cracked (Kato likes hauling himself around upside-down).
Everyday messiness! It gets used!
We also made a toybox-come jumping/lounging thing using the Ikea Trofast system, and cutting carpet for the tops (fixed with heavy duty velcro from Bunnings - more expensive than the actual furniture!)
5. 'Accident' things. Like humans, cats can get stressed. And sick. And this can lead to peeing outside the litter box. I was very glad to have a urine specific enzyme cleaner stocked in my cupboard the first time this happened here...pee place of choice being our sheets! These cleaners actually 'eat' the urine, so no trace will be left to your cat's nose, which is far more sensitive than ours. And we don't want any trace to linger...in case it signals that it needs 'refreshing', or says 'pee here'. Urine specific cleaners are well stocked across pet stores. Look for Urine-Off, or Urine-Free.
Our latest discoveries, after a more serious pee incident involving the mattress and a pillow, are protective pillow slips and mattress covers. I was dubious. I thought they'd be crinkly, or smell of plastic. Wrong! We got bamboo ones from a bed shop (I think it was Forty Winks), and they feel and sound just like normal soft sheets. I think the queen mattress protector was around $80 on special. Pillow slips maybe around $30-40? We also got a new mattress!
And while we are on the pee-thing, if it happens to you, don't stress. Certainly don't get angry with the cat! It won't achieve any behavioural change. Be sad, be calm, get cleaning, stick on the Feliway, and make a vet-appointment if needed. Most instances of inappropriate peeing are due to illness. In our case, Kato had a clean bill of health. We have learned that he is a sensitive soul and is a stress pee-er; he even picked up that husband-man had leukemia - one week before we got the diagnosis -and went and told us he wasn't happy (by peeing on the bed!)
6. Feliway. I have definitely laid in a stock of feliway for Ava's arrival, both for her room, and for Kato's domain (the rest of the apartment). Feliway 'is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone, used by cats to mark territory as safe and secure'. We mainly use the plug-in diffuser (goes in the electrical socket; there is also a spray) as it 'covers' a large area and we know that it makes Kato feel calm and secure. We tend to put one on in any stressful event, including when we travel. In fact, it takes 30mins of feliway for Kato to be perky, cheeky and relaxed when we go to a new home for holidays!
Feliway is stocked at good online pet shops, and is always cheaper online. My neighbour even got 4 refills for around $90 on ebay. I'm generally happy if I can get a refill for about $40.
Our latest discoveries, after a more serious pee incident involving the mattress and a pillow, are protective pillow slips and mattress covers. I was dubious. I thought they'd be crinkly, or smell of plastic. Wrong! We got bamboo ones from a bed shop (I think it was Forty Winks), and they feel and sound just like normal soft sheets. I think the queen mattress protector was around $80 on special. Pillow slips maybe around $30-40? We also got a new mattress!
And while we are on the pee-thing, if it happens to you, don't stress. Certainly don't get angry with the cat! It won't achieve any behavioural change. Be sad, be calm, get cleaning, stick on the Feliway, and make a vet-appointment if needed. Most instances of inappropriate peeing are due to illness. In our case, Kato had a clean bill of health. We have learned that he is a sensitive soul and is a stress pee-er; he even picked up that husband-man had leukemia - one week before we got the diagnosis -and went and told us he wasn't happy (by peeing on the bed!)
6. Feliway. I have definitely laid in a stock of feliway for Ava's arrival, both for her room, and for Kato's domain (the rest of the apartment). Feliway 'is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone, used by cats to mark territory as safe and secure'. We mainly use the plug-in diffuser (goes in the electrical socket; there is also a spray) as it 'covers' a large area and we know that it makes Kato feel calm and secure. We tend to put one on in any stressful event, including when we travel. In fact, it takes 30mins of feliway for Kato to be perky, cheeky and relaxed when we go to a new home for holidays!
Feliway is stocked at good online pet shops, and is always cheaper online. My neighbour even got 4 refills for around $90 on ebay. I'm generally happy if I can get a refill for about $40.