Cat Reviews

StayAway by Contech delivers a short burst of air and an ear piercing whistle to startle cats from jumping on counters, tables or other forbidden places. Once StayAway sounds off, your cat understands the meaning clearly and will leap down immediately.

Setting up this canister is quick and easy.There is a convenient On/Off switch (I suggest that when you are in the room, you turn the switch to off) the canister is very sensitive to any movement. The canister requires AAA batteries to operate.

There are 200 bursts of air/sound in each canister. You have a five-position adjustable motion sensor. Replacement canisters can be purchased through Contech Electronics by calling 1-800-767-8658. StayAway comes with a 2-year limited warranty.

One of the newest arrivals at my home, Cole is a stove jumper. None of my other cats jump on the stove, so I have no clue why this curious, black kitten feels the need to be up there. I set the canister up, placing it at the back of the stove, nozzle and sensor pointing outward. Then I left the room.

A few minutes passed then suddenly, I heard a burst of air release along with a high-pitched squeal. My armed guard had delivered!

I heard the satisfying plop of four paws landing on the floor and then scurrying away.

At night, before I go to bed, I set StayAway on my kitchen counter. It remains on guard until the morning. Periodically, through the night, I can hear it doing its job.

Less intrusive than the standard squirt bottle that some cat owners use, StayAway is a humane method to stop unwanted behavior.

Cats love to jump on to high places, but now that my cats know StayAway is on guard, they keep their paws off my counters and stove. This is purrfectly fine with me.

To order this invaluable training device, contact Contech at the above 800 number, or email info@scarecrow.com. Better yet, visit their website at www.scarecrowinfo.com and take a look at their other products: CatStop, ScareCrow, WaterDog and Scat Mat.

When www.catsapurrin.com sent me this new cat toy fling-ama-string by Moody Pet Inc. to test, my first reaction was “Uh oh another string toy.” Most cat lovers understand that string is an immediate cat/kitten magnet. Whether the kitties believe that string is part of a mouse tail or lizard tail, I do not know. What I do know from personal experience is that string can pose a danger if chewed off and swallowed. With some reservations, I hooked up the fling-ama-string cat toy as directed.

Already assembled, the entire unit was ready to go in minutes. Battery-operated (needs 3 AA batteries not included) the unit is 29 inches long and set up so you can place it on a doorknob. The initial unit hangs on the front of the door; there is a black elastic band that stretches underneath the door with a series of loops attached to the other end, so you can hook that onto the knob on the other side to keep the unit secure. Then you shut the door firmly (be sure the extra elastic loop doesn’t block the door locking mechanism). Painted to look like a festive orange kitty, there is an endless loop that is battery operated. Secured to this loop is elastic neon colored string. At the top of the unit is a small battery box painted with the whimsical face of a cat.

The fling-ama-string has two speeds, Speed 1 (slow) and Speed 2 (faster). The neon colored string is firmly attached to the endless belt. Once the unit is switched on, the string starts moving in a loop around the belt. When the end of the string hits the floor, the movement captures the cat’s attention triggers his prey responses and he pounces.

All my cats, even my most laid-back kitties became interested in either the movement of the string on the floor or the gentle whirring sound of the motor. In the smaller kittens (6-9 weeks of age) they were initially afraid of the string because it has a tendency to pop them gently on the head or paw. But once they figured out that this is all that happens, they move in quickly for the kill.

When the older cats manage to capture the string and move away with it, the string and the belt moves with them to a certain point, then like a bungee cord; the string bounces back into place. Because of the added support of the black elastic band on the other side of the door, the toy holds fast until the string begins to move again. I left the unit running while I did some housework checking in from time to time to see the fate of the string (which stayed intact) and to make sure no kitty claws were stuck on the belt. I am pleased to say that neither has occurred and the toy functioned purrfectly.

One of the features that I like best about this interactive toy is if you time it right, you can stop the unit so that the string is behind the belt and safely out of sight of preying kitties’ eyes. Fling-ama-string is manufactured by Moody Pet Inc. If you have a cat who is obese, bored or just lazy, this toy is what you need to help motivate him. The Miller Lab Cats give this toy their full endorsement, they just wish (I can see it in their eyes) that the string wasn’t so doggone elusive! Regardless of the safety features of this product, it is a supervised activity only with a high entertainment value.

Retails at $24.95 Order online through www.catsapurrin.com

It’s the extra things in life that are important: Time spent with our furry companions racks up to be of major importance for most cat lovers, especially after a stressful day. For PetExtras.com their efforts to supply our feline family with extra goodies translates into delectable treats for your pet.

Always willing to go that extra mile, PetExtra now unveils their latest additions- freeze dried rabbit, bonito, calamari and mouse…Wait a minute, did I just say MOUSE? I did indeed and the inclusion of this treat is brilliant.

I knew I was in a spot of trouble when I set the box down on the table and turned my back for a micro-second. That was all it took for my sharp-nosed shooters to jump on the table and nudge it to the ground. When I heard the box drop, I swung around and saw the faces of Everest, McKinley, Rocky and Mercedes looking up at me as if to say: “Are you going to open this, or shall we do it?”

Inside were several bags of the new POgOS treats. Even though the treats were sealed in heavy duty re-sealable bags, my research team with their feline ESP knew the shipment was theirs!

Opening the bags sealed the fate of the treats inside. The rabbit was more of a hit for the puppy, but the cats went wild for the calimari, bonito and especially the mouse. There were several of my team who doubled as cat burglars during the testing process, stealing the treats from unsuspecting researchers before they knew what hit them (usually just a paw).

Sullivan, one of the newest kitty rescues grabbed several chunks of mouse and slid under the desk with his prize. He reverted back to his feral state, growling a warning every time one of his feline friends tried to help him eat his catch.

According to Jonathan Kildow CSR for www.petextras.com , the rabbit, bonito, and calimari are all human-grade food. The mouse was considered an added benefit based on a study conducted years ago by the Iams Corportion that showed a diet of just mice in test cats prevented every cat from developing UTI. After all, a mouse is the prey that all cats were originally designed to eat. Mice are also the reason that man and feline joined together, because of the cat’s propensity to keep grain barns free of rodents and other pests. Unlike the mice in the wild, the mice treats are parasite free. All the treats are USDA and FDA inspected and Certified by a Veterinary Nutritionalist. Also the treats are grain and gravy free!

As long as I had those bags of treats in my hands, I had a kitty parade following me around the house. Finally in a last act of desperation, I tucked the treats into the freezer, where even my most talented polydactyl, Prowler couldn’t reach them!

The benefits of these treats are that they can be kept indefinitely in your freezer. It would be a good thing to have on hand for a cat who is so ill that eating isn’t on his agenda. One mouse treat ground into powder and sprinkled over his regular food might make him think twice about refusing to eat.

You can hide these treats around the house and let your obese cat find those hidey holes by following his nose.

The treats also roll quite nicely along the floor in a game of fetch, although the game is one-sided because the kitty gobbles up the treat instead of bringing it back.

Although these treats should never substitute for a good quality diet, they are an extra added treat for any cat-lover to have on hand. They come in 21 gram re-sealable zippered bags.

Currently, there is an Introductory Offer at www.petextras.com for a “Buy One, Get One FREE!”

Better hurry, once the word gets out in the cat world, these treats will be disappearing fast!

Five Stars from the Miller Clowder Research Team a definite Purrsonal Favorite was the Mouse!

The eyes draw you in first; they are pensive, fleeting, playful, alluring. All elements successfully captured within the eyes of the cats painted by artist Margaret Loftin Whiting. This California artist’s unique portrayal of cats shows her clear understanding of the distinctive moods that cats portray.Printed on acid-free archival paper these 12″ x 18″ prints offer an uncomplicated look at a complex creature. in “CHAT” one sees a grey beauty sitting on top of the word with a subtle curl of his tail circling the “C”. The look on his face suggests he just got caught dumping over the potted plant you had sitting in the corner of the livingroom.

In her print “GATO” you view the sleek, sinewy shape of a black cat descending over the word in true predatory nature. The eyes show the mystique often attached to black cats as well as a hint of mischief lurking in the eyes. Any cat lover knows well that look when their cat is intently stalking prey.

Margaret’s style is simple but elegant. These multi-colored graphic prints stand out as a visual representation of a world where individuality is cherished and unconditional love abounds. The two prints GATO and CHAT now hang on my wall in the front entrance of my home. They are framed in dignity and elegance that fine art deserves.

Kubota, my four year old neutered feral had worked himself into quite a state. After falling victim to a urinary tract disease, he had been whisked to the vet and was poked, prodded and medicated. Now back home, he was confined to “Sick Bay”, his howls of protest filling the house. He was adamant in his demands. He wanted out, and he wanted out now!

Sitting at the computer, trying to get some work done was proving futile. Any semblance of clear thought was being chased out of my head due to his relentless yowling. This cat serenade needed to cease; calm had to be restored. 

Reasonably sure that when I moved, he would leap up and once again demand my lap, I carefully slid off towards the end of the couch.I was impressed when he remained calm and did not stir. I tiptoed out of the room, turned off the lights and left him and his new buddy alone.

The two retained their close friendship during the entire week that Kubota was in confinement. Peace prevailed; Snugglekittie had delivered on its promise. Every year in the springtime, kitten season brings me batches of orphaned babies. It’s been difficult to watch these infants have to grow up with no mother to cuddle them and no heart songs to help ease them to the transition from womb to independence. But now, armed with Snugglekittie, I am prepared and even looking forward to these kittens’ arrival!

For more information and to order please visit the http://www.snuggleme.com/