Playtime & Toys

10 Cat-Friendly Travel Tips to Ensure a Safe and Comfortable Journey

Jonas JurgellaLeave a comment

Are you a cat owner planning to travel with your feline friend? Traveling with cats can be challenging, but with the right preparations and precautions, it can be an enjoyable experience for both you and your cat. Here are 10 cat-friendly travel tips to ensure a safe and comfortable journey.

  1. Visit the vet before you travel

Before embarking on your journey, it’s essential to visit your vet for a check-up. Ensure that your cat is up to date on all necessary vaccinations and that they are in good health. It’s also important to obtain any necessary documents, such as health certificates or travel permits, required for your destination.

  1. Invest in a high-quality carrier

A sturdy and comfortable carrier is a must-have when traveling with cats. The carrier should be spacious enough for your cat to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. Ensure that the carrier has proper ventilation and is secure enough to prevent your cat from escaping.

  1. Familiarize your cat with the carrier

Cats are known for being fussy, and traveling can be a stressful experience for them. It’s important to familiarize your cat with the carrier before traveling. You can do this by leaving the carrier open at home and placing familiar items such as a favorite blanket or toy inside. This will help your cat feel more comfortable and relaxed when it’s time to travel.

  1. Pack familiar items

Cats are creatures of habit, and being in an unfamiliar environment can be stressful for them. To help your cat feel more comfortable, pack familiar items such as their favorite toys, blankets, and bedding. This will provide a sense of familiarity and comfort for your cat during the journey.

  1. Consider a harness and leash

If you plan to let your cat out of the carrier during the journey, a harness and leash are essential. This will prevent your cat from wandering off and getting lost. It’s important to get your cat used to wearing a harness before traveling to ensure that they are comfortable and don’t try to escape.

  1. Plan your journey in advance

Planning your journey in advance can help reduce stress and anxiety for both you and your cat. Consider the length of the journey, including rest stops and overnight stays. Choose cat-friendly accommodations and ensure that they are aware of your cat’s presence in advance. It’s also important to plan for any necessary stops for food, water, and litter box breaks.

  1. Bring plenty of food and water

It’s important to bring plenty of food and water for your cat during the journey. Familiarity is key, so make sure to bring your cat’s regular food and water bowls. It’s also essential to ensure that your cat stays hydrated, especially during long journeys.

  1. Ensure proper ventilation

Proper ventilation is crucial when traveling with cats. Ensure that the carrier has enough ventilation to keep your cat cool and comfortable during the journey. It’s also important to keep the carrier out of direct sunlight and to avoid exposing your cat to extreme temperatures.

  1. Take breaks for exercise and bathroom breaks

Cats need regular exercise and bathroom breaks, just like humans. During long journeys, plan for regular breaks to let your cat out of the carrier and stretch their legs. Use a harness and leash to keep your cat safe and prevent them from wandering off. Also, remember to provide access to a litter box during breaks.

  1. Be patient and calm

Lastly, traveling with cats requires patience and calmness. Cats can pick up on our emotions, so remaining calm and patient can help reduce their stress levels. If your cat gets agitated or anxious during the journey, try to comfort them and offer reassurance.

Conclusion: Safe and Comfortable Cat Travel with Proper Preparations

Traveling with cats can be a challenging experience, but with the right preparations and precautions, it can be an enjoyable one too. By following these 10 cat-friendly travel tips, you can ensure a safe and comfortable journey for both you and your feline friend. Remember to plan in advance, be patient, and prioritize your cat’s comfort and safety at all times.

In conclusion, traveling with cats can be a fun and exciting experience for both you and your feline friend. However, it’s crucial to prepare well in advance to ensure that your cat is comfortable, safe, and stress-free during the journey. By following these ten cat-friendly travel tips, you can make your journey a successful and enjoyable one. Remember, cats are creatures of habit, so prioritize their comfort and safety at all times. With patience, planning, and a positive attitude, you can have a wonderful time traveling with your cat.

Written by Jonas Jurgella, Animal Communication Scientist and author of the Cat Language Bible – How to finally understand and speak wth your cat.

Top 5 Gifts For a Cat Lover

Jonas Jurgella4 Comments

Being a cat lover (myself) I surely know the best gifts that will thrill any cat lover at any time. In this post, I ventured to showcase the top 5 gifts that all cat lovers should actually try out. Number 1 in my list is obviously irresistible…

Gift 5: Try some Cat Literature…

Literature is the main all-time gift for a cat lover (or a prospective cat lover). If you doubt if cat literature is really important, then you ought to ask yourself how you managed to read this post even. Luckily, there are thousands of good cat literature out there and you can easily tap one for yourself and a friend even on the internet. Top on this list, is the “Crafting with Cat Hair book” by Kaori Tsutaya. You can have this book from Amazon at a price of just $10! This book will teach you how to play with the cute cat hair and with time you may actually become the “purr cat hair consultant” in your estate. …Sorry, I am just kidding.

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If you are buying it for a kid, you can try out the “Sorry, I Barfed on Your Bed ” book By Jeremy Greenberg. This too goes for just $10. In addition, you can also download videos and documentaries as well. As cat lovers, we love everything that teaches us on cats.

Gift 4: Some cat attire can work magic!

There is no doubt about this. If you have checked Amazon lately on recommended cat gifts for cat lovers, close to 80% of their recommendations are purely based on attires. So, they got the cute JJMax feminine socks which goes for $13, the Feline Chiffon scarf that goes for $5 and even the awesome Home-X Cat Print Apron which goes for just $13.

Gift 3: Acquire some cat cutlery too

Now, this is the best gift for mum and dad if they too love cats. The last time I checked my kitchen, I still was the “Best Cat Dad Ever” since my coffee cap was printed so. There are a couple of other such cups out there like the “Local Woman Named Cat Mother of The Year” both of the two going for just $13. You can as well get a set of gift caps here.

Gift 2: The Scrotch Jumbo lint rollers

lint-rollersIf you always carry your cat anytime you get to the house, I am certain you may have gotten irritated by the fur remains on your clotting every time you do so. The pack of Lint Rollers will help you to clear car fur from your clothes and you will be clean always. This pack goes for just $29 only.

Gift 1: The SureFlap pet door

sureflap-cat-doorAre you tired of chasing after your cat every evening? Would you like to tame your house from the entry of those annoying neighborhood cats? The SureFlap doggie is a smart cat dodging exit that identifies your cat and only opens the door for your cat while keeping off all others. This door can also be set to limit even your own cat, let’s say you would like to curfew your cat from going to play with other cats at night, you will only need to change a few setting and your cat till have to figure out a different exit or just remain. The SureFlap mini door goes for a significant $100ish. If you got some bucks to use, please go ahead and get it. It’s worth the cost.

 

 

5 Reasons You Should Play with Your Cat Every Day

Jonas Jurgella1 Comment

Whether your cat is more of a loner or an energy-filled playmate, there are many important and advantageous reasons for you to spend time playing with your kitty daily!

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You can get a cat wand from Amazon from under a fiver

For cats, especially for those that are not raised outdoors, physical activity is an important part of a healthy and long life. No matter how big the house they have at their disposal, cats can sometimes be quite lazy and, getting bored easily, might prefer extending their nap time instead of exercising.

Unless there is a health reason preventing your cat from any sort of physical activity, it is best that you take matters into your own hands and entice your feline friend into playing with you. Exercising prevents obesity in cats, strengthens their metabolism and, maybe even more important for some, keeps your cat busy and entertained and away from your favorite things!

At their origins, cats are all wild animals and, for those that weren’t raised outdoors, it is even more important to be active and physically fit!

Bonding is another reason for you to play with your cat often! Although certain breeds are more independent and prefer spending less time in other people’s company than on their own, playing with your cat will help your strengthen your relationship, build trust and maintain mutual affection alive! All cats get lonely when their caretakers do not spend enough time with them. Plus, there’s always the fact that it’s so pleasant and engaging for both of you!

Let’s not forget that many people play with their cats for therapeutic reasons! This simple activity can be a major stress relief even for the healthiest of persons and for those who suffer from certain ailments it is even more productive! From depression to physical disabilities, cats are gradually given the same attention dogs used to be offered in this regard.

Developing your cat’s hunting abilities is another use you can attribute to this act. Indoor cats have fewer chances to express and develop this instinct than their outdoorsy counterparts. By using an electronic toy like SmartKat you can really bring out the inherent hunter in your pet, but other sorts of toys can be just as useful! Just be careful not to choose very small objects as it is very common for cats to swallow items while playing. Also, don’t frustrate your cat by sending it on a continuous hunt; leave room for success and give your darling feline the chance to go in for the kill every now and again!

Playing together also reduces the risk of aggression in your cat. Boredom can be a powerful enemy and, by avoiding it, you can actually manage to teach your cat not to scratch or assault some of the things around the house you’d rather preserve intact!

There probably are many other advantages attached to this simple act, but whether it’s on a whim or out of concern for your cat’s health, ultimately, do it because it’s fun!

Product Recommendation: SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Cat Toy Concealed Motion Toy

  • 91a5ydnetel-_sl1500_Electronic toy replicates the movements of hidden prey with erratically moving wand under durable fabric
  • Fascinates cats and encourages healthy activity through play
  • Four speeds let you customize the action and 2 replaceable wand attachments for playtime variety
  • Plastic wands and base made from recycled plastic
  • All SmartyKat products are tested to child safety standards and come with our satisfaction guarantee

How To Get A Lazy Cat Active

Jonas JurgellaLeave a comment

Does your cat laze around the house all day long without showing interest in any physical activity? Do you feel like old habits and interests no longer present any significance to your pet?

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Is your cat a lazy boy?

There are various aspects that should be taken into consideration before attempting to raise your cat’s activity levels. First of all, you should take into consideration that there are certain breeds that are simply not as interested in playing and running around as others might be.

It is important to document yourself a bit on this matter before deciding what to do next! If your cat’s breed falls into the more “static” category, you should take extra care with what and how much you feed it or it might end up overweight. This could also lead to specific health issues, so it’s one of the most important things you should worry about.

If, however this is not the case for the breed you have, do not despair! There is nothing wrong with your cat other than it might be bored or uninterested in his current options. So, if you want to get your fur ball up and running, start by gifting your cat with some new toys. This might not garner as much interest as you actively participating in the playing process would, so sacrifice a bit of your time to tempt your cat into chewing, chasing and scratching its new acquisitions.

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Cats sure LOVE napping!

Cats love taking naps! It’s not strange to find your cat sleeping for long periods of time during the day. You should remind yourself that cats are nocturnal animals and that they are more active during the night than during day hours. However, adding vertical space and scratching posts might garner more interest from your cat and you might soon notice your furry friend climbing and jumping around again. These are, after all, general activities these animals are familiar with in the outside world.

On this note, most cats are renowned hunters and having only “static” toys around the house might not be as engaging as they’d like. Why not use battery-operated toys to attract their attention? They are especially useful for owners who find it difficult to spare more time playing with their pets. There are even battery-operated toys which have a timer, making the whole process so much easier for you and more entertaining for your pets. Hunting and pouncing around.

Bringing a new cat into your household is a great option for those who can afford caring for more than one pet. If the new addition to the family is a kitten, you can rest assured that having an active and curious playmate around will easily mobilize your cat. Even an adult cat is a great incentive to any pet as it might be more tempting to run and play games when you have a partner in crime.

In the end, it all depends on choosing the method that fits you best and actively participating in the process of making your cat happy!
Featured Product: SmartyKat Feather Whirl Electronic Motion Cat Toy

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The Feather Whirl combines the excitement of a wand toy with the automatic and erratic motion of an electronic cat toy. The weighted base of the Feather Whirl creates a unique wobble motion while the real spinning feathers at the tip of the wand activate your cat’s natural instinct to swat and pounce. The whisper-quiet motor turns on with a touch of a button. Feather Whirl is guaranteed to become one of your cat’s favorite toys!