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(we
are siamese)


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If
you are an experienced cat slave, you probably won't need to read this
section, but if you are a newcomer, we hope you might find some useful
information here.
First
of all, all indoor cats need TOYS!
There is a wide selection of toys out there, from cheap little fur mice
to expensive battery operated gadgets, but many cats will go mad for hours
just with a peace of crumpled up paper. Whatever you choose, just make
sure it is safe! Some toys, for example, come with glued on eyes which
could come of and could be swallowed by your cat. Plastic bags are very
dangerous, but a bag made out of paper can bring your cat days of fun.
Use common sense, and you should be alright.
All
indoor cats need a CAT
LITTER BOX to relieve themselves in. There are many different ones available,
from corner fitting, to hooded, even some rather futuristically looking
dome shaped ones! Choose what suits you and your cat best, and if you
have a dog, too, try to get a box your dog can’t enter. It is really
disgusting when they first eat the droppings and then lick your hand.
(We know all about that..!)
The CAT LITTER
itself will become another important part of your life, considering you
have to clean your box at least once a day. We prefer expensive clumping
litters, which are not all that expensive, really, considering you do
not have to throw the whole content of your box away each time round.
For clumping litters you need deep filling cat litter boxes, otherwise
it will not work.
SCRATCH
POSTS are another must for the happy indoor cat. You want to protect your
furniture? Get a scratch post! There are beautiful ones to buy at most
cat shows, not even all that devastating to your wallet, and if you can’t
get to a cat show, your local pet shop might have something to suit your
needs, too. If your cat does not take to a scratch post, try rubbing some
catnip into
the rope. Catnip is loved by most cats, harmless if digested and you should
be able to find some in your pet shop. That should do the trick.
AN OUTDOOR RUN is of course the ideal solution for any indoor cat. We
have built ours attached to the back of the house with the kitchen door
leading right into it. (Please view page 'Photogallery'.) It was by far
not as expensive as we feared it would be, and the work invested was well
worth it. Don’t think you need something massive! Cats love to climb,
so you can use the height of your run to create additional space. Shelves
or branches will be much appreciated by your cat, and it is wonderful
to sit there and watch your darling sunbathe or play about. It is like
going to the zoo, only you are in with the wildlife instead of just looking
into the cage!
Find a VET
you like and you feel you can trust. There are many wonderful vets out
there, but as with all services - you can have it better or worse. Make
sure you ask questions when you do not understand what is going on with
your cat. Don't forget you pay this man or woman quite a bit of money.
Included in this should be the occasional explanation why a medicine has
to be given and what it is for. You want to learn everything you can about
your cat. A good vet will understand this and be helpful.
Look for a vet before you are in need for one. You do not want
to end up with an emergency, unable to find the street the surgery is
in.
Last
but not least FOOD.
The choice is simply speaking overwhelming! All we can say is, try to
keep your cat on a good dry food. Wet food given all the time is bad for
cats teeth and it spoils if not eaten immediately. Dry food helps against
tartar build-up and you can leave it in the bowl for your cat to nibble
on whenever he or she wants to. But think of always supplying fresh water!
(No milk! Most cats can not tolerate milk!)

DO
NOT EAT THESE FLOWERS, KITTY!!!
Plants you might find outdoors

Oleander
Rosary Pea
Baneberry
Chives, Onions & related plants
Boston Ivy
Deadly Nightshade
Monkshood
Horse Chestnut
Jack-in-the-Pulpit
Star of Bethlehem,
Tulip,
Hyacinth
Iris
Boxwood
Night-blooming Jasmine
Clematis Viginiana
Poison Hemlock
Lily of the Valley
Daphne
Thorn Apple
Holiday & Seasonal Plants
Amaryllis
Bittersweet
Chrysanthemum
Autumn Crocus
Japanese Euonymus
Crown of Thorns
Poinsettia
Christmas Rose
Holly
American Mistletoe
Jerusalem Cherry
Plants you might find indoors

Caladiums
Weeping Fig, Creeping Fig
Mistletoe
Fig, Rubber Plant
Dumb Cane
Hydrangea
Many indoor ivies
Japonicum Texanum
Paperwhites,
other bulbs
Ornamental
Tobacco
Philodendron
Do
not forget - indoor cats might chew plants out of boredom or in search
for some rough fibre to clean their stomachs with. Make sure the
plants you keep indoors are non poisonous. Try to provide some 'kitty
grass' for your cat. (Local pet shop). It might even save your other plants
from being chewed to bits and it is healthy for your cat. Still, you have
to remove all poisonous plants. That is a must -
whether you provide kitty gras or not!

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