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Rachel

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

The Cat with 3 Passports

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Louis approved!

I came across this book on Instagram and being a huge fan of books featuring our feline friends decided to read it. I have been fascinated by Japanese culture since discovering Reiki many years ago, so was intrigued to read about an English woman going to work and live there. 

From the first chapter I was captivated and didn’t want to put the book down. I love the author’s honesty about her anxiety and self doubts in her life, often made harder by living and working in a country so different to other places the author had lived previously.

I admired her bravery for getting stuck in and forming many new and lovely friendships along the way. The author’s feelings about her relationships with family members especially her Father’s resonated with my own life experiences and it was heartfelt. I had no favourite part of the book as I was interested in all of it and it flowed so well.

But let’s not forget the cats! I loved how the author bonded with Gershwin and how he was family and was definitely going with her in the next adventure in Australia.

The trip to Cat Island was very enjoyable to hear about and is now on my bucket list. The cat rescue stories were lovely too.

I recommend this book to people interested in cats or Japan and hope that there is a sequel soon!

Take care and be safe everyone xxx

Love and Purrs Rachel & Mr Ringo

Catnip-what your Cat Needs to Know

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Batman enjoying some nip…..
  • Catnip is a plant that cats are attracted to whether dried or fresh, it is the oil nepetalactone that they inhale that triggers behaviour from your cat.
  • Not all cats are bothered by catnip and its affects about 70-80% of cats including lions and tigers too and is hereditary.
  • Behaviours include rolling their body around on the floor, dribbling, becoming vocal, highly aroused and sometimes aggressive. If aggression develops then remove safely from your cat.
  • This behaviour normally only lasts about 10 minutes.
  • Kittens are not bothered by catnip until they reach sexual maturity.
  • Catnip is a member of the mint family, which explains why Mr Ringo loves to remove my mint tea bag from my cuppa.
  • It is non-addictive and harmless.
  • When a cat eats catnip it can calm them down.
  • Interestingly there has been recent research suggesting cats roll in catnip not just for pleasure but to protect themselves from mosquito bites, this is extremely useful in the wild when hunting and not wishing to move when stalking due to insect bites. Catnip contains chemicals that protect the plant from aphids.

So just watch your cat when you next have a cuppa of mint tea!

Love and purrs Rachel & Mr Ringo xxx

Paws for Thought Cat Cafe Romsey

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Rachel chatting with Nala

After waiting many months during lockdown, I finally made it to Romsey to have High Tea with all the cats! Paws for Thought Cat Cafe is a really magical place and a must for all cat lovers.

I know cat cafes can often be a bit controversial and I have sometimes worried that all the people visiting would stress the cats and make them unhappy and ill, but I have visited a few now and this one is very special. Its important to remember that yes these cats live indoors but indoor cats can have happy and fulfilled lives given enough mental stimulation and some cats that have outdoor access don’t always have good lives. The moment I walked in I was welcomed by friendly and efficient staff. Staff that have to currently deal with all the covid restrictions and rules, and ensure both customers and cats are happy.

All the cats looked very chilled and totally at home, considering they haven’t seen many people for months, it was lovely to see. Everything in this cafe is designed with the cats welfare and needs in mind. There was lots of environmental enrichment going on with cat shelves, beds, hiding places, scratching posts, a cat wheel and even their own catio! Lots of toys for the cats and people to play with and everything was spotlessly clean and I felt very covid safe. The staff could not do enough for me and my friend and we had a really enjoyable time.

The high tea was delicious with sandwiches, cakes, scones and tea and other hot drinks.

The manager Emma is very passionate and knowledgeable about cats and is very keen to promote rescue cats and pet bereavement in the cafe.

Some of the cats are related which helps socially and they all seemed to get on with one another anyway and there were 7 cats in total. I cannot recommend this lovely cafe highly enough and I’m already planning another cat lady tea soon!

You can find more details at their websitehttps://www.pawsforthoughtcatcafe.com/

Paws for Though Cat Cafe Romsey

Funny Things That Could only Happen To A Cat Sitter Part 2

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After I blogged a few months back, many of you have asked for more funnies, so here’s a few laughs……

I was once asked to pet sit for a house that had many different animals including a wallaby! When I was first approached I just dismissed it as a joke, but it wasn’t. I looked after the lovely menagerie for a couple of weeks, they got used to me and I enjoyed my visits. The house was next door to a pub and could be a bit noisy at times with lots of merry drinkers. One evening while I was putting the animals to bed for the night, a very drunk man climbed up the very high pub wall and watched me with the wallaby,  to the amusement of his mates, he fell back down and shouted very loudly that there was a Kangaroo next door!! After I had popped Mr Wally into his hidden enclosure for the night, I finished up in the garden but another head appeared over the wall and asked “where’s  Skippy?”  I just looked at him and replied ” Skippy ? I think you guys have had too much to drink, we are in Portsmouth not Australia!”

I once entered a home and called “Hi gorgeous boy! Auntie Rachel is here for a cuddle!” to be greeted by a red faced builder!

A remember a funny but scary at the time moment when I was upstairs in a house and could hear someone in the room downstairs. No one had a key apart from me, so it had to be a burglar! I went downstairs and heard more noise from the room and so I knocked the door and asked “who\’s there! I\’m calling the police!” No one answered and the door was locked on my side, so I nervously entered……..I found to my surprise a room that did indeed look like it had been burgled, by a very large bird. The poor bird had fallen down the fireplace and was obviously frightened. I opened the door to the garden hoping the bird would just fly out, which it did but only after the resident cat appeared and tried to catch it!

I once had a white cat climb up an open fireplace and come down covered in soot and walk all over new carpet! The owners had shut her in the room in error…… vet trip for a bath was in order as she wouldn\’t let me wash her…

Lastly I once looked after a very nimble pawed cat, who could open the lid on the fish tank to drink and try to catch fish. The same cat could also open a locked cat flap! Little monkey!

I hope that has given you a few laughs and I hope to be cat sitting again soon, when we are allowed to travel.

Love and purrs Rachel & Mr Ringo xxx