Shredded Newspaper as Cat LitterDid you ever think of using shredded newspapers for cat litter? It works!
Baking Soda in Cat LitterI add baking soda to plain cat litter to keep it smelling fresher. I usually sprinkle a little on the bottom of the litter box, add the clay litter, then sprinkle a little more baking soda on top of that.
Making Cat Scratching AreaMaking a cat scratching area is easy if you use an old bath mat and tie it around an old log or a cinderblock or brick. These make good door holders too! They love to scratch on these.
Hand Raising KittensSome kitten formula recipes and advice on hand feeding kittens by Robyn.
Tuna Treats For CatsMakes approximately 60 treats.
Cat KibblesI recently posted some recipes for dog treats - possible Christmas gifts for man's best friend. If your best friend happens to be a feline, however, you may want to make him or her the following:
Tuna Puffs for CatsTasty tuna puff treats for cats.
Gift for Your Cat - Make a Scratching BoxIf you want to make a gift for your cat, but aren't inclined to bake kitty treats, make him (or her) a scratching box. Take a small, flat box and cut off one of the large sides.
Pinesol As A Cat Pee DeterrentI had a problem with our cats wetting in places other than their litter box. I found out if I wash the floor with PineSol they would stay away from that spot. They soon went back to the box where they were suppose to be using.
By Connie
Urinary Blockage in Cats (Feline Urinary Syndrome)Just thought I would share this with all the cat owners out there who don't know this or maybe I'm the only one who didn't. Cats are prone to urinary tract blockage or disease.
No Stick Kitty LitterThere is nothing I despise more than cleaning the litter box. Even when you dump it, there is still litter stuck to the bottom that you have to scrape out, and it stinks to all high heaven. Well, here's a way to keep the stink off and save yourself the trouble.
Sturdy Kitty Litter ScoopIf you have cats, go to a restaurant supply store and buy a metal mess scoop that is used to remove items from the deep fryer. Use this as your kitty litter scoop. It will never break, bend, or fail you in any way.
Milk for CatsCats love milk. I use the lactaid milk made for humans who are lactose intolerant. Since it's more expensive than regular milk, I dilute it with water.
Litter Box In The TubI keep my litter box in my bathtub, as I use a flushable litter (Cat's Pride brand - be careful as they make both non-flushable and flushable). It makes it really easy as the toilet's right there. The litter off their feet gets rinsed down the drain.
Training A Cat To Not ScratchWe have a new kitty in the house and she is fascinated with the edges of the carpet where it joins the tile or hardwood. She scratches and pulls at it, tearing up little pieces of yarn.
Discarding Kitty LitterI keep my Walmart grocery bags and use them to put my kitty litter clean-ups in, tie and toss.
Cats and YarnKeep cats away from your knitting!
Kitty Litter TipTo keep clumping kitty litter from sticking to the bottom of the pan, spray it with non-stick cooking spray before adding the litter. It works like a charm!!
Newspaper Toy for KittensRip up the Sunday paper and put the strips in a shallow cardboard box. I have kittens and this is their favorite toy. At night the kittens sleep in my daughter's room and we can't always find them.
Give Each Cat a TowelThe best pet tip I've found with cats is to get a couple of small towels - one for each cat. Rub the cats with their own towel, then give it to the other cat to sleep with and get used to each other's scents.
Walking Your Cat With a LeashWhen putting a cat, or kitten outside it's best to get a leash. Many cats and kittens have been stolen, hurt, hit by cars or they run away. My cat Molly has always been walked with a leash and she loves it.
Kitty Toy BoxI have kitties that love to romp and play after breakfast in the morning. I just couldn't keep them from getting into my trinkets around the house...
Warning About Elastic Cat ToysWant to hear a strange cat story? Here's the story of the cat that ate the 5 foot elastic string. The elastic string came from a cat toy that you hang over a door and there's a furry mouse on the end.
Grooming Your CatIn case you haven't noticed, your cat is a grooming professional. Cats spend much of their time cleaning themselves! However, if you have a longhaired cat or an older cat, they may need a little help with grooming.
Is Your Cat Tree Too Small?Cat tree too small? Our cats love to climb so we bought a floor to ceiling cat tree, but found the shelves were to small for our cats to enjoy. So we took the seats of some dining chairs that we no longer were using and placed them by the tree to make the shelves a nice landing spot for naps...
Cat FishingCat fishing is a very enjoyable sport! All you need to enjoy this sport is an old fly fishing rod or a stick and a piece of string. Tie a small fake mouse to one end of the string and attach the other end to your fly rod. Now you are ready to go cat fishing.
Clap To Get Cat's AttentionWhen I catch my cat, "Smokey" scratching where he shouldn't or doing something he shouldn't, I used to yell his name, but that didn't work.
Makeup Brushes Are A Good Cat ToyI have found that cats love to play with make-up brushes. From big to small brushes, cats can bat them, carry them in their mouth, hide them, and even play fetch.
Toy Octopus for a KittenThis is a craft to make for a kitten or a playful older cat. I took the plastic strips off of frozen juice cans, put them together so that all the round loops faced the same way and wrapped an elastic band around the base of the loops.
Use A Sealed Container For Used Clumping LitterHaving had cats, and litter boxes, all my life I've tried every combination of things to make cleaning out the litter box quick, clean and easy.
Plastic Bottle Caps as Cat ToysMy four cats were constantly losing their store bought toys under the appliances and furniture, and down the basement stairs. One day I realized they got the exact same amount of joy chasing a plastic bottle cap around.
Easy Yarn Cat ToyI have "Forced Air Heat" with registers on the floor. These registers only get a bit warm, not hot. So I tied a 8 - 10 inch piece of "Eyelash Yarn" onto a register in my kitchen that sits totally horizontal on the floor and my cat is having the time of his life!
Animal Crackers as a Cat ToyI have found a cheap toy for our cat. Half of an animal cracker was on the floor, and our cat chases it all the time. This is a cat who won't play with any storebought toy.
Homemade Deep Litter BoxI always had a hard time finding a litter box that was deep enough for my cats. They kicked loads of litter out the side with traditional boxes. Then I tried a covered box and it just made them stinky when they came out. So I made my own litter box.
Use Expensive Cat Food as TreatsI received a sample of some cat food in the mail, Purina Naturals Plus Vitamins and Minerals. Our cat goes crazy for them! Instead of changing her diet, we decided to use this kind as her treats.
Getting Your Cat to Drink More WaterWe have a cat that won't drink much water. This worries us because we know how many cats die from kidney problems. We started adding extra water to his wet (or dry) food. This makes a sort of "gravy" which he'll lap up like there's no tomorrow!
Using Paper Bags for Cat LitterYou can recycle even when cleaning up after your kitties! I was scooping the cat litter into plastic bags each day, thinking I was recycling the bags, but duh! They still sit in the landfill, not breaking down.
Reuse Bags For Thrifty Litter Box Clean-UpI have this "thing" where I like to reuse anything that's headed for the trash in another way at least one more time (yes, I probably border on obsessive-compulsive). However, in the long run, this practice does save money.
Bouncing Cat Toy from Sewing ScrapsWhen I sew with stretch-knits, I save the fabric scraps and longer selvage strips for making cat toys. I bundle the smaller pieces together, then tie the end of the longest piece around the bundle of scraps. You end up with stretchy scraps on a stretchy string.
Get a Safe Collar for Your CatIf you have a cat that goes outside, please don't use a collar with any elastic because if they get hung up on something they might turn around while trying to get away. This would tighten the elastic and they could very easily strangle themselves.
Make Your Own Cat Box Odor NeutralizerAfter reading the backs of several brands of cat box odor neutralizer, I've found they have basically the same 2 active ingredients BORAX and BAKING SODA. Here's an easy recipe that works to decrease cat box odor: Mix equal amounts of (20 mule team) BORAX and BAKING SODA together.
Keep Cats Off Kitchen CountersMy cat used to get up on my kitchen countertops (always looking for food) until my mother told me to point a spray bottle with water in it at him. At first I had to actually spray him several times.
Quick and Easy Temporary KennelDo you wish there was a safe, easy, and thrifty way for your pets to enjoy the fine weather? How about an easy up and easy down small kennel?
Creative Cat Litter Box TipsI have 10 cat litter boxes for our "always full" cat shelter. Over the years we have learned several things to keep the litter costs down, keep things clean, and we make our own litter boxes for some of our big cats.
Make A Hidden Litter BoxI have found a great idea for a hidden kitty litter box! Go to the nearest thrift store find a decent sized two drawer night stand. Take top drawer out and cut the face of the drawer off.
Tips For Feeding Cats Soft FoodFor those of us who have cats, you know how cat food sticks to their feeding dish and is hard to scrub away. My tip is to cut the top off an empty laundry jug but leave the jug handle.
Make Catnip Toys From SocksOur cats shred the store bought toys we have given them. So we decided to try out making a thriftier version. I use the old mismatched socks we end up with on the folding table. I put approximately 1/4 cup of dried catnip into an old sock and then knot the top.
Making a Big Litterbox from a Storage ContainerWe made this litterbox out of a $4.00 tub. We used a dremel to cut the hole, It is bigger than the normal box and easier to open and clean.
Smells From Other Cats Can Upset Your CatIf you see a tomcat in your area, be very careful when you are outside, because you can bring the tomcat (or any other cat's scent) into your home on your shoes.
Newspaper Kitty Litter AlternativeWe have 3 indoor cats. Unfortunately we have to really pinch our pennies or go without until payday. But when I realized that someone forgot to buy litter, after I had already dumped the cat box, I had an idea. I put our old newspapers to use.
Make Cat Toys Out of Recycled MaterialsReduce, reuse and recycle! That seems to be my mantra now. Hmm, need more cat toys? Take an empty toilet roll tube and cut into 1 inch rings and toss one on the floor, lightweight, easily batted about, cheap (lol) and an endless supply!
Digestive Problems for Manx CatsThis is a solution to Manx diarrhea and their digestive problems. This is very common with the breed. Many vets do not see a Manx in their practice and when they do they are not certain how to deal with it.
Reduce Cat Allergies With Monthly BathingIf someone in your family is allergic to cats, you can still have a cat! Stop the allergies by bathing the cat once a month. My daughter is allergic to cats so we got a kitten and started bathing her once a week for several months.
Prescription For Behavioral Issues In CatsOver the past two years, I have had problems with two of my cats peeing on things after we moved to a new house. I took them to the doctor to make sure they didn't have bladder infections. This had happened before with my parent's cat, and that was the trouble.
Use Plastic Boxes as Litter BoxesCovered cat litter boxes are ridiculously expensive, however they certainly do help contain cat odors. Since we are a multi-cat family I found the best way to cut the cost and still reap the benefit was to use plastic storage containers.
Homemade Cat FoodMake your own cat food by boiling 2 pounds pasta, 2 pound lentils, and 1 pound offal. Cool the mixture and blend to liquidize. Put in portion sized containers in the freezer. When it has thawed, it will have a meat-loaf consistency.
Waterfall Cat WatererMy friend's cat jumped at the chance to drink the water while it was running from a faucet. In fact, she refused to drink it any other way. The friend bought one of those cute little plug-in decorative waterfalls and set it on her hearth.
Super Soaker for Cat FightsI have a cat who protects his territory! Like most cats he will chase other cats out of his yard and this can lead to fights. I was looking for a safe way to break up cat-fights without getting hurt in the process when my mother told me of her "secret weapon".
Cat Snack Recipe1 cup tuna in oil, dash of parsley, some wheat germ, and corn flake crumbs. I just "eyeball" the amount so the tuna sticks together in small meatballs.
Use Shredded Paper For Cat LitterI have nine cats, the result of some volunteer work with a trap, neuter/spay/vaccinate, and release program. (I had trouble with the release part!) With the price of cat litter soaring, I decided to try to use my daily Chicago newspaper, which is large, in litter boxes.
Firewood for Cat Scratching PostsLogs for firewood make a great scratching area for cats and kittens, also you can roll a ribbon rug from the dollar store around one and tie it with a sash making sure there are no loose ends. Lay this around to scratch on.
Citrus Peels to Keep Cats Out of PlantsMy sweet kitty just loves when I dig up the dirt to plant my flowerbeds and thinks that she's discovered a new litter box! After trying other methods: sprinkling in hot pepper (nope), cayenne pepper (nope), even adding clam shells into the soil (nope), I tried this.
Homemade Recycled Cat ToysI saw my foster kittens were entranced by an empty Juicy Juice box that had a hole cut in the box and both ends taped shut and covered with paper, to where it made a box that looked just like a tissue box.
Homemade Kitten FormulaHere is a kitten formula that is better than any you can buy! I found a new recipe for kitten formula for newborn and very young kittens that don't have a mother. It is from Best Friends magazine the May/June 2009 edition.
Homemade Cat CarrierMy kitten, Zephy, jumped in this empty soda box the other day. I need to take her to the vet to get shots soon and thought, "Wow, an instant PET TAXI! Now I won't have to go buy one!
Garbage Bag for Cat Litter PanInsert a clean empty litter box into a large plastic trash bag. It should fit in the bag loosely. Dump the kitty litter into the the box. Using the bread tie twisters or other type plastic twisters, close the bag.
Toilet Train Your CatFor you cat owners out there, please consider toilet training your cat, as opposed to litter training. There's no big mystic around it. It's fairly simple and straight forward.
Carpet Samples Under the Litter BoxI use rug samples under my cat litter box. I buy the samples at carpet stores. They are bound, various colors, and cheap. I usually can get them for $1 and in the color I want for my room.
Product Review: Beech Herbal Remedy for Stress in CatsI have a female cat, Mossie, She is very adorable, like gum on your shoe, most of the time. I don't even notice she is on me. She also has a problem at times regarding peeing or spraying. They both are annoying.
Saving on Cat Litter DeodorizerIf you love the famous brand of cat litter deodorizer, but it is priced too high, try this:Buy a box of the famous yellow carton brand, mix it with 2 boxes of generic baking soda, and a 1 1/2 cup of Epsom salts, and put in a closed pitcher or container.
Dry Pine Needles for Bottom of Cat BoxI'm currently living abroad where cat litter is twice the US price. My house is located in a small pine tree grove. As dried pine needles on the ground are available I decided to try them as a substitute for commercial cat litter.
Use Puppy Pads Around Cat Litter BoxI have a couple of Persians who have issues with using the litter box, so I supplement their potty areas with puppy pee pee pads. When they soil the pad, (which is great, much better than the rug).
Cat Toy from Ponytail HoldersHere's a way to make a free toy for your cats. When you or your kids or family's kids have ponytail holders that have stretched out, loop several together to make a toy for your cats, the longer the better.
Cleaning Multiple Litter BoxesI have 5 cats of my own plus a foster cat, so I have a lot of litter pans to clean. I keep an old Oxiclean bucket with the litter scoop inside a small wicker trash can next to each batch of litter boxes, on every floor of the house.
Make a Cat House from Cardboard BoxesOur cat was bored being cooped up in the house when it was twenty below zero for a week or so. We built him a play house out of cardboard boxes in which he can tunnel through from one box to another.
Change Entrance to Cat BoxI have a cat who was going inside the litter box but accidentally urinating outside the entrance. I remedied this problem by placing two strips of duct tape across the inside and outside base of the dome cover opening, elevating the access approximately 2 inches.
Storage Container for Inexpensive Cat ShelterHaving several cats that needed a place to sleep that was their own, I adapted a Sterilite storage container into a little shelter for them.
Reuse Pet Food Bag Under Litter BoxI always keep newspaper under the litter boxes in case of "accidents". I found by cutting off the bottoms of the food bags, washing them and laying them flat; that they work well under the newspaper to keep any moisture away for the flooring.
Warming Lamp for CatsHere in the Pacific Northwest, we have a lot of days with no sunshine. My cat loves to find a sunny spot and sleep. He looked so bored the other day that I put a kitty bed on my desk and swung the free arm desk lamp, which has a 75 watt bulb in it over the kitty bed.
Use Net Produce Bags to Protect Plants From CatsI use fruit and veggie net bags to protect my floor plants from my bad kitties that like to dig and leave "unmentionables" in them. I cut a bag into a circle to fit the diameter of the pot, then cut down the middle.
Feed Cats Soft Food to Increase HydrationI saw that it is better to feed a cat homemade or canned food than to give it dry food, since a cat will not drink enough water for it's own health. Probably a better idea might be to mix soft food with dry food or do all soft food.
Sow Birdseed For "Cat Grass"If your cat nibbles the leaves off your house plants, sow birdseed in a shallow pot and give him his own private supply of greens.
Use Pillowcase When Transporting CatUse a pillow case to transport your cat. Make sure the pillow case is in new or very good condition and has absolutely no holes whatsoever. Tightly tie a cotton shoelace or something of that nature to tie up the pillow case.
Make a Cat BalconyOutside one of my windows, I made a cat balcony. I attached brackets to the wall, put up a shelf, surrounded it with lattice, and put down foam cushions covered with pillowcases and sweaters.
Lid as Cat ToyHere's another free cat toy. Save the cap from your dish washing liquid, thoroughly wash away soap, and give it a little kick across the carpet or tile. My cat Jack loves to chase these and thinks they're extra fun when it bounces against something!
Use Chicken Feed as Kitty LitterFor an outstanding scoopable, clumping, odor controlling cat litter, try using chicken feed or chick starter crumbles. This is available at feed stores and farm and home stores. It costs about $10.00 for a forty pound bag.
Cat PuddingCats need dessert too! Mix milk, yogurt, mayonnaise, and syrup together well. Bring 1 cup water to boil and mix in Knox gelatin. Set aside.
Cat Toy Using Jingle BellsThis is the time of year to stock up on jingle bells to make cat toys for the animal shelters. Attach a bell on each end of a pipe cleaner then wrap it around a pencil to make a spring.
Vaseline Hairball RemedyTo prevent troublesome hairballs, apply a dollop of Vaseline petroleum jelly to your cat's nose. The cat will lick off the jelly, lubricating any hair in its stomach so it can pass easily through the digestive system.
Talking to Cats QuietlyI have very good hearing and so do cats (depending). You can talk with your young cat in a bit above a whisper when you are together. It's mellow and they hear you. You can relate a lot better by understanding their hearing for one thing.
Cat Cave Using Mini-blind SlatsI have one of those cat beds that is just the bottom with short sides around. I've been trying to come up with a way of making a cover for it because my cat likes the "cave" feel.
Make Your Cat's Scratching PostWhen I got a new kitten, I went to the pet supply store to get a scratching post, but was astounded by the price! So, I made one myself. I got a large cardboard bolster/tube from an upholstery store and bought some sisal rope for $6.00.
Giving Pills to CatsCan't get your pet to take their vitamins? This morning, I had a flash of genius. Take a small handful of a favorite treat and add the vitamin pill. It probably helps if you wipe the treat on the pill, but I didn't do it and it still worked.
Getting Cat in CarrierHere's a slick trick for putting a willful cat in its carrier. First, try to put it in hind feet first to get it thinking that it had to struggle against it. Then, suddenly flip it around and quickly put it in head first.
Kitty Litter SubstitutesFor a cheap or free cat litter substitute, get wood shavings or sawdust from a woodworker or lumber company. It is absorbent, all-natural, and can be emptied in the compost or garden.
Frugal Kitten ToysHere are some ideas for quick and easy cat toys that I've discovered over the years. Cat toys don't need to be expensive.
Combine Kitty Litter For Best ResultsI have been experimenting over the past year with different cat litters to try and find one that absorbs really well, clumps tight, and also controls the odors well. I tried just about every brand available in my area and never could find one that did it all.
Safe Homemade Toys for PetsMany people like to make homemade toys for their children and pets. There are some very serious pros and cons to this idea.
Dishpan as Litter BoxWhile shopping in a department store, I noticed that basic litter boxes for cats cost more than a dishpan. The litter boxes were priced at over $6.00 each. The dishpans were priced at $1.29 each.
Saving Money on Cat ExpensesI took an old board, nailed leftover carpeting onto it for an 8 foot long climber and scratching post.
Keeping Litter From Sticking to the Cat BoxAn application of non-toxic paste wax to a new litter box will keep clumping litter from sticking to the sides and it will be much easier to clean.
Reuse Plastic Easter Eggs As Cat ToysPlease recycle your plastic Easter eggs. Place a pebble or piece of dog food inside the plastic egg and close. This makes a great cat toy for the shelter cats.
