Fur and Feathers 4 Ever

Cat litterboxes have greatly evolved over the years. The first one I bought decades ago was a basic plastic pan. When the lidded type came out I had to have one and would never go back to the open kind. Now you'll find motorized varieties that do the scooping.  I don't have a self-cleaning litterbox, but I'm happy to have one that doubles as decor. It's perfect for cat parents without a green thumb or where space is limited. I bought the original hidden litter box years ago.  I Love Hidden Litterboxes! Before buying my tropical faux plant litterbox I considered one that doubled as a side table. Whoever thought of these was a genius!  Furniture cat litterboxes are the bomb, and they look remarkably better than plastic.  If you can make it work I highly recommend one that doubles as a side table or bench. If I had chosen this option I would have topped it with a thick and comfy pet bed or cushion. It's the perfect height to place beneath a window.  I ended up with...

My Aldi ficus tree was doing remarkably better - until my cat started chewing on it. Yes, I know that ficus is toxic to cats. I keep my bedroom door closed now. She didn't suffer any ill effects and my title was dramatic, but I wouldn't risk it after knowing that it can be harmful. Besides, the leaves are now riddled with puncture marks, and I'd like it to survive another 15 years.  That plant was about six inches tall and started as a bonsai when I bought it a decade and a half ago. It started out with a neatly braided trunk secured with gold twist ties. Unfortunately, one section didn't grow tall like the rest. I quit trying to keep it braided after it became obviously shorter.  Toxic Plants and Cats Back to the subject of my post, since I am covering the dilemma of my cat chewing on my ficus tree. Many houseplants are toxic, including but not limited to poinsettia and lilies. You must keep the cat and plants separated or opt for other varieties. If you can't keep...

My female tabby Mitsy is seven months older than my orange male cat, Teddy. I initially thought that Mitsy was the dominant cat because she was older. Also, from the moment they accepted each other Mitsy took on the role of mother. As I've said before, just as some people love children, some cats love kittens.  Why Would a Cat that Never Had Kittens Act Motherly? I thought it was adorable when Mitsy started licking Teddy's ears. My husband's late cat Baby, would have never groomed my late cat, Panda Bear! They were older when first introduced. They were also still here when I brought Mitsy home.  Baby didn't exhibit motherly instincts toward Mitsy. It was like watching a cranky old lady scold a playful child. She tolerated other animals in the house, but they knew to keep their distance.   Mitsy still grooms Teddy's head, ears, and neck, and he often lies down in front of her as if to say, ' You can groom me now '. It's still as adorable as ever, but it ...