Cats & Cat Health

How many cats is too many? I guess you might answer that its one more than you have in your house, or maybe you say that you can’t have too many. But what might your cats answer? We can’t say for sure but here are some tips for a harmonious feline household.

• Avoid extremes: ie cats that are very nervous or very bossy
• Avoid friendly unaltered male strays. They are not good at sharing with other cats.
• Don’t have too many Burmese, sweet kittens though they are they do tend to be very territorial adults.
• Choose litter mates if possible
• Choose cats that have a history of being sociable with other cats.
• Provide places in your home, such as cupboards and closets, where each cat can be alone. Cats like a little solitude.
• Don’t keep adding to a stable group.
• Have enough cat scratching posts
• If the cats must stay indoors provide enough litter boxes.
• Leave enough food out for them to nibble on during the day.
• Have enough warm places for the cats to sleep in.

For more cat care information download my free ebook.

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When you go on your summer holiday who looks after your cat? It isn’t always easy to find a reliable sitter who you can with your cat’s complete care.

Each time we go away I have a tug of love with Alfie. He just hates those catteries but if we go away for more than a week I feel I must put him into one. Less than a week our neighbour feeds him, but I don’y like to bother him for longer than that. We do go away for up to 6 weeks because our daughter and her husband plus one grandchild on the way live in England, which is 13,000 miles from NZ where we live.

I am planning to get a house sitter for our next trip, if I can find one. I searched online and found the National Association of Pet Sitters. This is what they say about hiring a pet sitter:

Hiring a pet sitter is a serious process. Make sure the person you choose is trained and professional. He/she will not only be responsible for your pet, but also will have regular access to your home. We recommend that you choose a NAPPS pet sitter.

Once you have identified a potential pet sitter:

• Develop a set of questions and conduct a thorough interview
• Ask for references
• Request proof of bonding and liability insurance coverage
• Make sure he/she interacts well with your pet

Services and fees can very widely. Be sure to determine:

• What your needs are
• Exactly how much services will cost
• Whether the prosective sitter will visit and meet you and your pet before you sign her up?
• Is the attitude and approach exhibited by the pet-sitter during the initial
  meeting with your pet positive?
• Does the pet-sitter seem comfortable and confident?
• Does the pet-sitter have regular office hours? Does he or she return
  customer inquiries promptly?
• Will the pet-sitter or pet-sitting service telephone to determine if the
  client has returned home as scheduled, or is the client required to
  notify the company or pet-sitter of his or her arrival home?

I would also ask if the sitter has a cat of her own or has had catsin the past. If she doesn’t have one now why not?. You need someone who loves them.
That is a useful check list but if you don’t have a pet sitting service in your area its not so easy.

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