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Rachel

Meet Lola new CEO of Portsmouth Cat Sitting

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Back in July I told you all that sadly Mr Ringo had passed away, he was such a character and a big part of both myself and husband Tony’s life. We knew he would be a hard act to follow and we decided to wait and find another cat later in the year. Well after just 6 weeks we realised we hated not having a cat in the house and waiting a while just went out the window and off we went to see a cat that needed a home. Mr Ringo can never be replaced and we wanted a cat that was nothing like him and I think Lola will be fabulous.

Local cats rescue Portsmouth Lost and Found and Rehomed is a charity close to my heart and run by the wonderful Penny. Penny has helped me in the past with various cat issues and was my first place to look. Penny’s rescue is run by herself and an amazing group of volunteers in the Portsmouth area. Penny had a cat called Lola who had been found as a stray and had 4 kittens. As is often the way the kittens all found homes and no one seemed to want Mummy cat Lola. Lola needed to be an only cat as she didn’t appear to like male cats but was more tolerant of females. I suppose most of the people that would have had Lola, already had other cats, so it was hard to find her a forever home.

Lola enjoying her new cat tree

Well as soon as we met her, we knew she was going to be a little character, we had been warned she liked to swipe with her front paws and she greeted Tony with a good couple of left hooks but no claws! Tony is very calm with cats and he just stood there and didn’t react to the swipes…… and so after a while we took her home as a possible foster cat……

Foster cat! well we all knew how that would end……ummmmmm! I’m not sure I would make a good fosterer and there’s only so many cats I can fit into our average sized home!

And so began Miss Lola’s journey to her new home and she’s doing well. She’s so tiny and quiet compared to Mr Ringo and the vet has told us to get her weight up a bit, that won’t be hard as she loves food and also loves to play (especially swiping toys). She has taken an interest in most of Ringo’s old toys and lots of new ones too. We have put her on a high meat content food called Untamed and she loves it!

After a couple of days we knew she was here to stay and officially adopted her and promoted her to CEO of Portsmouth Cat Sitting, so you will see her pop up on the social media pages and my blog here… wish Lola good luck in her new home with us!

Until next time, love and purrs Rachel and Lola xxxx

Lola CEO of Portsmouth Cat Sitting

Remembering Mr Ringo……our boy…..

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Mr Ringo in his garden RIP

I have sad news Mr Ringo passed away on the 4th July, he was 19 years old and had lived his best life with my husband Tony and me. He had lived with a few health issues that were managed with medication but the time had come when he had simply had enough and we didn’t want him to suffer. Heartbreaking as it was and still is, you as responsible owners have to think of the cat and their quality of life. He was always such a lion, sleeping in the sun but keeping one eye on his territory and help any other cat that walked his way…….

Apart from his last 6 months he was always an active and adventurous cat, he loved going outside and would never had been a cat that was happy indoors. His favourite hobby included visiting the neighbours (lots of them, rather a lot!), he once stole a tuna steak from our next door neighbour and spent the night at another neighbours, sleeping on their son’s bed! I also often saw my close neighbours leave for the day to then notice Ringo in their bedroom window!

While cat sitting for my neighbours I would often find him sat on their sofa or eating their cats food, not sure who was more surprised Ringo or me!

19 years ago when I worked at a feline only vets a lady called and said she had a 20 week old ginger kitten that needed to find a home because he had been returned, due to him being too naughty!

My husband had always said he would like a ginger kitten and so home he came with us. We called him Ringo because he had ring markings on his side which unfortunately looked like a target! They fortunately disappeared as he got bigger 🙂

We had him neutered as soon as we could and as I worked at his vets,I was lucky to be present. He was very fortunate in having many amazing vets looking after him in the same practice for 19 years and they knew him well, this was just as well as he could be aggressive towards them when he was young but he mellowed in his later years.

Ringo lived with our two other older cats and they tolerated him, I’m not sure I would ever have a kitten with older cats again and I often had to keep him away from them in their later years. When they later passed away we decided to keep him as an only cat.

Over his life time he brought mice back but fortunately he wasn’t good at catching birds and in true lion style he was happy for someone else to provide the food while he protected his territory.

Both my husband and me are heartbroken and miss him very much but take comfort that he had such a good life and didn’t suffer at the end. We are very touched by the kind messages, cards and even donations remembering him, some from people I hardly know or know him from social media. We feel lucky to have had him in our lives for 19 years…………

We will of course open our home to another cat or cats in the future, when the time feels right.

Mr Ringo you were a legend! Meowsers!!!

Love and Purrs Rachel xxx

Mr Ringo 2003-2022

Indoor Cat-How to Enrich Their Lives and Expand Their World (Book Review)

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Ruby the Maine Coon helping with my reading.

I was very pleased to see a new book has been written for the indoor cat. It was interesting to read a book that looked at the indoor life of a cat and how it can affect not only their physical but mental health. We all know how, we felt in the pandemic when many of us were locked in our homes with only an exercise allowance in which we could go outside for an hour, we now know how that impacted our mental health and how good it felt to be outside if only for a short while.
Imagine being a cat shut indoors with no mental or physical stimulation for most of your life? How sad and depressing never being able to express your real self……..sadly this is true of many indoor cats, but it’s also fair to point out that many indoor cats have fabulous lives and some experience getting outside in some form, be it in a catio, safe enclosed garden area or even being walked on a lead in a safe environment. This book has many tips and advice on how to make your indoor cats life better and happier and that’s a winner for me.
This book will educate and inspire cat owners to make their cats lives better and does not wish to cause controversy in the big debate about whether cats should be allowed to roam free or stay indoors 24/7 but rather put across the cat’s point of view which I have not read so well expressed in many cat books.
Ideas that I love from this book are having a screened window so it can be opened for fresh air and smells for your cat, have a box full of leaves and outside things for your cat to smell and investigate , grow indoor grass, create a window seat or perch for your cat to watch the outdoors, fill a small water tub or bowl (not too deep)and pop a toy in it for the cat to play with, offer scent enrichment opportunities for your cat to investigate and enjoy (not just catnip but anything that’s safe for your cat) maybe your cooking or a parcel that has just arrived?
I think it’s also fair to point out that not all cats do well being walked on a lead and each cat is individual and some do not do well being adventure cats.
I did not feel the authors’ were against cats being kept indoors but rather wanted to educate cat owners about improving the cat’s life so they had more mental and physical stimulation.
If a cat owner buys this book and does just one thing from this book but hopefully more, how much happier that cat’s life will be 🙂
Well done to both authors you have given the indoor cat a voice! 

This book was written by Laura J Moss and Lynn Bahr DVM and available from the usual places.

Catify your home: tips for creating a fun living environment for your cat……

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Hi everyone, I’m excited to tell you that the fabulous cat product company Catit have written an informative and helpful guest blog for me this month. At the end of this post there is a link to use to sign up to their newsletter and get 10% off your first order of Catit products. Myself and Mr Ringo hope you enjoy reading the post. xx

With pet ownership increasing across the UK, many people are looking for ways to ‘catify’ their home space and create the perfect environment for their furry friend. Here, Paul Trott — UK Marketing Manager at the cat care experts Catit —  shares his top tips on how to create a more cat-friendly home.

As of 2021/22, pet ownership has reached  62% of households in the UK, a big jump from 2017/18 and the preceding years where this  figure hovered at 45 – 47% (Statista). With this rise in pet ownership, more and more people have been searching for how to ‘catify’ their homes and make them more hospitable for their feline friends (Pinterest Trend Report 2022). So, how can you create the perfect environment for your cat?

There are many  ways you can add some cat-friendly elements to your home, depending on how much time you want to spend on it and how enthusiastic you are about DIY. Here, we’ll take you through lots of different ideas so that you can get started.

A comfy bed

The first thing that can always have a little makeover is your cat’s sleeping (or napping!) space. Having a comfy bed is very important for our four-legged friends, especially as cats sleep in smaller cycles throughout the day and will often need lots of naps, spending a lot of time in their bed. In fact, some cats sleep over 15 hours per day (Pet MD). Check that their bed is comfortable, and consider adding some other soft space, such as a cocoon, or even a little cat hammock.

If your cat enjoys burrowing into the laundry basket, you might want to consider placing a basket or container near their bed with their own blanket in it, to keep them cosy — and out of your clean laundry!

Multiple water stations

Encouraging cats to drink water can often feel like a real undertaking, as many felines are fussy about what they drink from and when. One way  to ensure that your cat stays hydrated is by keeping multiple water stations around your home that your cat can choose from. Cats often prefer running water to having still water, so investing in a cat water fountain for at least one of your rooms is a great option, especially if your kitty doesn’t tend to drink enough water throughout the day.

Remember to keep all the water stations away from your cat’s food, as they usually don’t enjoy drinking water that is directly by their food bowls. With multiple sources of water to drink from, your cat should  stay well hydrated, and be happier for it.

Climbing space

If you are serious about ‘catifying’ your space, then you’ll want to include some climbing areas or furniture for your feline friends. You could also create one of the increasingly popular ‘superhighways’ for your cat — a long walkway attached to the wall that allows your cat to run the entire length of the room, potentially jumping off onto other corners or furniture.

While constructing climbing space can be a bit of a challenge , it’s also extremely fun and can really add something special to your spare room, living space, or conservatory. If you are considering this addition to your home, take the time to measure the space accurately if you’re building it yourself. You should also take the time to watch your cat, and see where their preferred haunts are, as this will give you a clue about where to install any climbing shelves.

Coordinated décor 

As well as being fun for your cat, it’s important that your home is comfortable and stylish for you as well. So, make sure that you don’t get carried away and add things that turn into clutter, or detract from the look you’ve been cultivating in your house. Instead, pause to think about what will easily fit with the décor that you already have in the house. 

This might mean that you install climbing shelves and walkways for your feline friend, but build them in a certain wood or colour  that coordinates with the existing colour scheme or furniture selection in the room. Or, it might mean that when you choose your comfy array of bedding items for your cat, they fit with the colour palette of the living room so that you and your kitty can both be comfortable and stylish.

Keep it playful

The last thing to keep in mind is that cats are naturally playful creatures — they enjoy exploring, trying new toys, and generally being mischievous! So, add some toys around your house, so that your cats will always have something to play with. You can also add scratching posts in the corners of different rooms, which will give your cat something to occupy their paws , and serve the dual purpose of keeping them away from your furniture.

If you want to make more extensive changes to your home, you might also consider adding small hiding places around the home. This might be underneath countertops, or behind a sofa. Whatever you choose, make sure to place a toy or blanket inside when first showing your cat their new area.

Making your home as comfortable for your beloved cat as possible can be a fun exercise that  allows you to make their accessories part of your décor. So, use these tips to get started and catify your home to make it into a perfect habitat for your feline friend. You can also sign up to Catit’s newsletter and get 10% off your first order using this link, giving you a head start on creating the perfect cat-appropriate home.

Purr by Zazie Todd, the Science of Making your Cat Happy

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This book has something for everyone whether you are beginning your feline journey or are an experienced cat owner.

This extremely readable book has a mix of anecdotes about the authors own cats, which I found interesting and this made the book feel more relatable. There are cat expert opinions and lots of references to scientific studies written in a way that is easy to understand.

Books on feline welfare and behaviour have long been lacking compared to dogs and I welcome this book to my shelves. Cat owners will find this a readable and helpful guide to making their cats lives happier and stress free, which benefits all the family. I especially liked the training plan (yes you can train cats!) to train cats to like the cat carrier, however I would have liked to have read more about training with cats, but may be that’s for another book?

The chapters on problem behaviour and environmental enrichment were useful but I would have liked more detail, photographs or plans for environmental improvements would have been in my opinion helpful.

The chapters on senior cats and special needs cats was informative and interesting. The chapter on end of life was a hard read, but I’m glad I read it as I live with an older cat and it gave me lots to think about, this subject is often not talked about enough or mentioned in cat books.

I would recommend this book to people who are beginning their cat owning adventures and also experienced owners who want to know how to improve their cats lives a little better.

I hope this book does well as spreading education about the cat is invaluable for their health both physically and mentally.

“I was given this book as an advanced copy from Greystone Books in return for an honest review”

This book is published in May 26th 2022 in the UK and is available from the usual places ISBN: 978-1-77164-814-1

10 Things to Make Your Cats Retirement a Good One.

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Mr Ringo is 18 years young and according to International Cat Care he is a super senior! That is equivalent to 88 human years, so I think he is due a good happy retirement don’t you?

Mr Ringo with his ramp added to help him go up his cat tree.

As many cats are living longer lives what can we do to ensure they are living the best life …..

  • Regular vets checks are a must, Ringo’s wonderful vets picked up his various health issues including kidney failure, hyperthyroidism and high blood pressure. He also had a dental last year, which made him much more comfortable and happier. He also had some pain relief prescribed for arthritis which can be common in many cats over 8 years.
  • Giving your older cats medication doesn’t have to be a highly stressful thing for both you and your cat, there are many things on the market that can help. I use easy pill (available online) a type of yummy putty that you hide the pill inside, stuck to the back of a Dreamie for added fun. Some liquid medication can be added to food or yummy gravy type treats such as Lick-e-Lix. Ringo loves his treats and medication giving is a lovely bonding thing for both of us. I realise not all cats are so easy going so chat to your vet if you are worried.
  • Due to Ringo’s arthritis issues we have made several adjustments to his environment including a ramp for his cat tree that has also been lowered. A soft ramp to the bed so he can join us at night. He can’t get out of the garden now but is very happy just pottering about with us. I worry that another cat or fox might stress him so we always accompany him on his walks.
  • We have placed more lower sided litter trays around the house so he has a choice of where to go and cleaned as soon as used if possible this ensures he keeps going back to use them as he’s very fussy with his hygiene as most cats are. He has a soft sandy type litter as it is soft on his paws.
  • He has many water bowls around the home and garden, not placed near his food as cats wouldn’t drink where they eat in the wild. The water bowls and food bowls are high up so to help his neck, you can place on an old book or block of wood.
  • Many older cats with mobility issues prefer to use a horizontal scratcher, Ringo likes the cheap cardboard ones. Older cats claws need to be checked regularly as they can grown very quick and sometimes grow into the pads. Because older cats can have arthritis, scratching to get rid of claw sheaths often isn’t done, this is also common in cats that need dentals because it hurts their teeth to nibble out the dead sheaths on claws, so attention to claw health is very important and often forgotten.
  • Just because a cat is older doesn’t mean they don’t want to play, often cats will like to attack toys and kick them. Large soft toys that can be hugged and kicked with back legs can be popular especially if filled with catnip etc.
  • Puzzle toys can be a great way for an older cat to get some mental stimulation.
  • Lots of comfy cat beds and heat pads can be invaluable to older cats, great on chilly days when the homes heating may not be turned on.
  • Ringo’s cat flap is now permanently closed, this is to keep him safe as I worry that other cats will be in the garden if he goes out on his own and we are not around. I don’t want other younger cats bullying him.

I hope that has given you some tips if your cat is nearing their retirement 🙂

Love & Purrs Rachel and Mr Ringo xx

Bob The Street Cat’s Statue

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Bob the street Cat Statue in Islington Green North London

Being a great fan of Bob the Street Cat, it was lovely to visit his statue in North London recently. If you don’t know who Bob is, he was a stray cat who was rescued by a homeless man and went on to help the man, James Bowen turn his life around. Their story was so wonderful that James wrote their story in many books and later two films were made.

Sadly Bob passed away in June 2020 and a statue has been put up opposite Waterstones in Islington ,North London. James hopes the statue will remind passers-by that everyone deserves a second chance and no-one is alone.

It is a magical place and you can sit on the beautiful benches and watch the busy London world go by . The bronze statue was created by sculptor Tanya Russell and is life size and stunning to see. If you are nearby why not go and see him and grab a coffee and before you go leave Bob a dreamie or two?

Love & Purrs Rachel and Mr Ringo xxxx

5 Things your Cat Wants You to Know….

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Mr Ringo
  • If your cat could talk to you, I’m sure there’s a few things he would like you to know…..
  • Water bowls, never keep the water bowl next to the cats food bowl, your cat will most likely never drink from it and would much prefer the water bowl away in a totally different place in the home. Better still have various water bowls around the home, garden or catio. In the wild a cat would never drink from water near a food source as it will often be contaminated. Our cats have never forgotten this even though they are domesticated. Mr Ringo has 3 water bowls in stainless steel in the home, upstairs and downstairs and 3 in the garden. I like to encourage him to drink as he has kidney disease. He doesn’t like water fountains but many cats do, so maybe try one for your cat?
  • Litter trays, although many of us like a tidy covered litter tray, many cats would rather have an open one. Covered trays hide many things including a dirty tray and odours, and its very easy for the owner to just forget to clean it as often as your cat would like. The tray should be looked at twice a day and any deposits taken away. How would you like to use a dirty toilet everyday? Cats living in multi cat households also have the added stress of using an already dirty tray and can often be attacked by other cats when leaving a covered tray. Really stressful, when you just want to use the toilet in peace.
  • Most older cats suffer from some degree of arthritis, so if you notice your cat is not moving as quickly and easily as he once did then a chat with your vet is recommended. You can as an owner make life easier for your cat in the home. Provide ramps and other items like footrests to help your cat get up or down easier. We have recently provided a ramp for Mr Ringo in the garden and near his cat tree in the home. He also has a stool to help him access the bed easier, he seems much happier.
  • In multi cat households allow your cats to be fed away from each other. They may currently eat together now and yes it may look cute, but feeding time can be very stressful for your cats especially if they are hungry. Cats fed together are often just tolerating the situation as they have no choice, why cause them stress when you don’t need too?
  • Lastly if you notice any differences in your cats behaviour however small, get it checked out with your vet. Any changes can be a sign of illness especially if eliminating away from the litter tray or stops eating or suddenly becomes aggressive towards other family members (human or animal)
Mr Ringo and his ramp

I hope you found this blog helpful lots of love and purrs Rachel and Mr Ringo xxx