New Job, Diversions for Cats

I started a part time job a few weeks ago, and my cats became very lonely. They were used to me working at home, and always being there for snuggles and clicking away at the keyboard. So, I got them a kitty DVD as a diversion.


I've used the bird feeder for about a year now, and that works well. We have finches, cedar waxwing, sparrows and cardinals pretty much year round. We use a good seed mix.

I also get the songbird mix, and put it on pine cones that I've collected. I take the pine cone and put some peanut butter on it, filling all the crevices really well. Then, I roll it and press bird seed into the peanut butter. I freeze it so that the seeds become set, and then I hang it outside from a tree. The pine cones are recyclable, and can be reused next year. Just be sure to keep them frozen when you aren't using them in the landscape.

So, my cats are adjusting to me being gone several hours during the day. It's so important to keep them entertained!!! If I don't things could get nasty... Cats and dogs left unattended can be very destructive.

Diatomaceous Earth

I'm trying a new type of Diatomaceous Earth. The new stuff is food-grade and can be taken internally. Fleas have been very bad this year, and I can't keep up with them. I have the DE around the outside of the house, but the wonderful product I have has some added ingredients that make it not quite food-grade. There are no pesticides in it, but if the cats or myself eat it, we may not like it.

So, I've purchased a food-grade version of DE, and I'm going to put some on the cats in their flea-infested hotspots, and then rake a little into the carpet. That should finish with any fleas we have in the house.

What I've been finding is that the fleas are not getting in, but they are breeding on the cats. Fleas have a lifecycle that is purely based on their feeding cycle...

They feed and lay eggs. The eggs hatch into larvae about 10-20 days. They mature into adult, biting fleas in 20-30 days, and the cycle begins again. If you can stunt their growth in the larval stage (Frontline, Ovitrol) then they never mature to lay more eggs and die off. If you have adult fleas, you need to kill them (Advantage, Siphotrol, pyrethrins) and then treat again in 30 days - but they may already be laying eggs, so I recommend a third treatment to fully rid yourself of fleas.

And all the places where fleas can hide must be treated: rugs, furniture, pets, bedding (including yours), and the landscaping around the entrances to your home. That's what makes DE so convenient! It can be left out year-round, and not hurt the beneficials. It also kills other pests (such as beetles, silverfish and earwigs) and parasites (such as the worms caused by fleas - when ingested).

I'm also curious regarding DE's general health effects for humans. It clears out the parasites and muck in the digestive tract, and can be good for overall health. So, I'll report back after I've received it and tried it for about a week or so.

Some photos...

Missy Queenie

Miss Bugsy

Mr Beasley

Fluffy

Princess

Articles on the website

Did you know I publish articles on my website? I do. Not all of them by me, either. You can read other author's articles, too. I try to add at least one a week, so the website is always growing. Some of the articles are in a feed, so you get a teaser. Other articles are printed in their entirety on their own page. There are links toward the bottom of the page with all the articles listed that are currently on the website.

Check back often so you can get the latest!

Toys for Cat Sitting?

Yep! Toys for cat sitting, too! When I sit a kitty, they get a couple of new toys, and those toys really do need to be NEW! I never give a cat a toy that has been used by another cat. There are many reasons for this, including disease and jealousy.

I rub the toy to get my scent on it, so the cat will come to me and get used to me. The cat also realizes that I'm not a bad person, and I'll be there to play. That always helps to reduce the loneliness and they toys reduce the boredom while they wait for me.

Catnip for Cat Sitting?

Catnip for Cat Sitting jobs? Sure! I bring a little of the good stuff with me when I first start a cat sitting job.

Cats can be pretty finicky when their owners go out of town. They don't want to see anyone, they are lonely, they are a little snitty. So, I bring catnip and dig around for an old ratty washcloth or clean rag. I'll put a little bit of catnip on the cloth (about 1/2 teaspoon) and rub it around to break up the leaves and get it aromatic. I'll then give the cloth to the cat.

They go nuts!

My favorite catnip is Cosmic Catnip. It comes in a plastic tub and stays fresh to the very bottom of the tub. Much better than the stuff at the local store in a plastic bag!

New Website About Pets

I've joined a friend in his website about pets in Knoxville, TN. If you are a pet-related business, don't be surprised if you get a call from me. We are accepting paid advertising (very reasonable!) and using some affiliate programs to add to and round out our offerings.

Right now, it's only cats and dogs - but we will include horses, reptiles, birds and ALL animals as time goes on. Anybody who has a pet will want to know about us! And we want to know about you!

More Cat Sitting Charges....

This is Poe. He's 17 years old! He likes to sleep a lot, and meow to hear the echos. His mom trusted me to drive 30 miles round trip, twice a day, to see him and feed him. He only has 2 teeth left!

He has bad arthritis, so he needs medicine in his food every other day. He's a black kitty, but he is so sweet, you don't feel scared at all!

Cat Sitting...

This is Mica (meeka). She was my cat-charge about 2 weeks ago. This is the third time I've watched her for her person. I finally remembered my camera!

She likes to play, talk, and eat! She's a real character! She needs to have a good play session every day, because she gets so lonely.

She bites me the first couple of days to show her displeasure that I'm not her mom. But she comes around and snuggles later, too.

She's a cutie pie!

Fur People Update, Life Intrudes...

I've had a really hard time lately, in the financial arena. I put out a call to friends for referrals for work, and was able to make a little money.

One friend stepped up to provide cat litter. Another friend stepped up for cat food.

Meanwhile, I've cut the wet food to one can a day for the 3 who eat wet food, instead of 2 cans. That's 3.5 oz of wet per day. When you force a cat to eat dry food or go hungry, they will eat the dry food. However, that dry food must be of high quality, or the exercise is futile. The food I had in the house was for urinary tract health, which is an excellent start. Low magnesium is a good place to be.

However, my main issue with these 5 long haired cats, is hair balls, so, I've picked up some foods directed toward that malady. I have IAMS, CORE, Wellness and some Purina in the house right now. I've mixed them up for a nice variety, and I'm feeding all at once.

Mr Beasley is not very happy about it, but he's eating the dry food. He's my biggest complainer, and my baby, as you know. I accept full responsibility for making him that way...