Friday, January 30, 2015

Best cat scratchers for cats

The best cat scratchers are the ones that your cat will use. But beyond that, some are better than others, i.e. more sturdy, longer lasting, etc. Here, I'll show you which ones are best according to what I have observed with our cats.


The most common cat scratchers that I have throughout our house are the corrugated cardboard styles. The preference for our kitties are the larger ones, that they can do multiple things with, like laying on them too.

The flat ones and wavy ones also work well. Our cats do seem to prefer the wider ones.


We do have a narrow one that hangs from a door knob. One cat likes this one, the other doesn't. The hanging style does make some noise when it is being used, so I added pieces of weather stripping to the back. It helps to reduce the banging sound against the door.

Both of our cats like scratching both horizontal and vertical surfaces. I have multiple types of scratchers around to give them a choice, and also the opportunity for them to use different muscles.


Our tortoiseshell cat prefers the cardboard vertical hanger above. Our tuxedo cat prefers the vertical sisal scratching post. After a couple of times of hearing the cardboard bang the door, that was enough of that one for her.

So overall, my recommendation is to observe your cat(s) to note any preferences, and to offer some variety.

The larger ones will probably cost more up front, but they last longer, so they can cost less in the long run. I will probably have to replace the larger cardboard styles from time to time (even after turning them over.) However, the sisal covered post has proven to be very long lasting and was well worth the cost.




Cheryl Paton


Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Cat beds - location matters

Hello cat lovers.

We have several different types of cat beds in various rooms, throughout our house. In 2014, I purchased two new cat beds for Christmas presents. The two new ones were the same exact style and print. Both of the cats have laid in one bed multiple times, but not in the other bed.

I had gotten the new beds to replace some that weren't being used. One in particular was a larger bed. I thought it was all about the size and style. So I had purchased two smaller type beds, figuring they could snuggle in them better.


I placed this larger bed on the bench under the dining room table. My plan was to clean it up and donate it to the cat shelter. But lo and behold, once it was placed in this new location, Sunny has claimed it.

She has gotten in this bed on a daily basis since it's been moved. Who knew? Location must matter to cats.

So if your cat is not liking a particular cat bed, maybe try placing it in a new location.

If you need a new cat bed, check these out on Amazon.



Cheryl Paton

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Cat is dogs' best friend dog pet tags

I've heard it many times before, and perhaps so have you; they saying - "Dog is man's best friend."

I do beg to differ and also to ask the question, "Who is dog's best friend?"

My answer to who is man's best friend and who is dog's best friend, is the same, - a cat.

I've had both dogs and cats as a kid as I was growing up. Perhaps I developed a closer relationship with my cat, as she was a house cat and she would curl up in my lap, snuggle close by, and listen to all my ramblings with no judgment.

Most of our dogs were kept outside. So it might have been different were they inside dogs. But nevertheless, I and many others, claim cats as our best friends.

And I've seen many dogs also appreciate and love cats. I've seen them bathe kittens and snuggle up with the furry felines. Yes, some have had their differences and have argued over whose bed it is. But brought up together, they can also be the best of pals.



This custom pet tag is made of burnished silver and features an outline drawing of a cat, with the statement, "My best friend is a cat." It is UV resistant and has a waterproof coating.

It can also be customized with a phone number for ID purposes.

Do you have a dog whose best friend is a cat?

Cheryl Paton