PURRaffection

Archive for the ‘General Supplies’ Category

Okay, let me start off by saying something you’d probably never expect to hear from someone writing an article about cats. I am not a cat person!

That all changed the day I met Tyco.

Tyco was the new cat that my eldest son wanted more than anything. And even though I am a dog guy, I could see that this new addition to our home was something that was going to happen. I also very quickly realized that getting Tyco would mean finding a never ending source for the cheapest cat supplies.

Being an internet savvy person, I knew that the best prices for cat supplies (and most things) happen online because the companies are not paying for retail space and all of the overhead that goes with that.

It’s hardly news that after doing simple Google searches for “cheap cat supplies” that the usual cat brands popped to the top. But I wanted more…I wanted to buy from someone that had a real name and a real face.

The upside to being able to [http://www.gilps.net] buy cheap cat supplies online is the time and money savings. The downside being not knowing who can be turned to correct an order if a mistake is made with the order.

In the end, we bought the flea and tick collars, the fake mice toys and the scratching poles…all of which were delivered as advertised.

I am very happy with the speed, ease and yes, the comfort that I’ve found in being able to buy my cat stuff online. And it makes me wonder constantly how the off line cat supplies distributors keep up.

It’s always exciting to bring home a new pet and a kitten or cat is no exception …but are you ready?  If not, here’s a list of things you’ll want to have on hand when you bring home your new kitty.

1) A name - At the top of the list (if she or he doesn’t already have one) is a name.  If you would like some ideas and inspiration, go to this site for great male cat names and female cat names.

2) A carrier – this is a necessity for transporting your cat.  If you don’t already know, cats are NOT fans of riding in cars so leaving a cat on the loose is begging for trouble!  Make sure that you have a cat carrier that is sturdy and big enough for your cat to stand and turn themselves around  in and take it with you when you pick up your new cat.

3) A cat collar and tag – no matter if your cat is going to be an indoor cat, you never know when it might escape or have to be taken out in an emergency (trust me on this one …I know from experience!)  A collar with a secure tag will make sure that your cat can be identified and brought back to you if it runs away.  Make sure that the tag has your name, current residence and phone number.

4) Cat food – a number of cat foods are made with low quality ingredients and non-nutritional fillers. You certainly want your kitty to live a long, blissful life (and if you don’t want unnecessary veterinary bills), take the initiative to feed them a good grade of cat food! Check out this article to inform yourself about cat food ingredients and find out how you can buy high quality food at reasonable prices.

5) Water and food bowls – they come in all shapes and sizes. Separate water and food bowls are easier to fill than ones that are connected. Some are even electronically operated so that your cat can be fed even if you’re not at home.  Use your lifestyle and budget to guide your choice.  Just remember to ALWAYS leave your cat with access to plenty of fresh water.

6) Cat treats – use cat treats to reward your kitty and even teach it a few tricks (believe it or not, kitties can be trained with a little know-how and perseverance! ) Some kitty treats are all about the taste while others claim to help keep your cat’s teeth healthy.   Your kitty will most likely let you know the ones to buy if they’re anything like my two picky eaters.

7) A brush – brushing your feline on a regular basis will help keep its fur soft , smooth  and shiny.  It will also help reduce shedding so you don’t have to wear fur as your constant accessory.  For serious shedders, products like the FURminator deshedding tool are really good at minimizing the amount of hair your cat will leave around your home.

Flea and tick treatments – use these products if your cat runs around outdoors or if your cat shares your home with flea/tick-prone dogs.  A number of products exterminate and repel fleas and ticks for up to 30 days while others can be worn as collars that also repel fleas and ticks.

9) A kitty bed or condo – cats usually choose their own favorite resting place  (such as a window sill or a laundry basket) but you can encourage your cat to sleep in a place of your choosing by giving them a bed/basket or cat condo.  Our cats adore the two story cat condo we’ve provided them and they even use it to sharpen their claws on occasion, even though the couch remains their favorite scratching post.

10) Cat toys – cats are very playful by nature and nothing gets them going like toys stuffed with catnip (use with caution if you don’t want your curtains climbed) or fake mice made of fur.  Cats also love chasing after laser pointers (never point it into their eyes), and anything on a string or wand that you can wave around for them to pounce on.  A well-exercised cat will help your cat stay healthy and stress free.