This town….

🎼 Do you remember the good old days before the ghost town?

We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown 🎶 

Well it certainly feels a little like a ghost town at the Naked Sphynx Cat Hampshire Cattery with 3 boys having left within 24 hours of each other! Paperwork and formalities done, each set off for pastures new.

But how are they doing?

Well young Grogu left first, setting of for a new adventure with his new siblings Willow & Damian. He hit the ground running having discovered that these children make fabulous playmates to run & chase around with. He learned stairs in no time apparently and enjoyed the thrill of racing Damian up & down. So excited by his new fortunes was he that he forgot for a while that he needed to eat, but his mum says that she managed to coax him and after that first taste he soon remembered his appetite. During the night he wasn’t sure where he was but rather than make any “mistakes” he mewed to wake his new mum at silly o’clock to remind him where he needed to go and has been a little like Goldilocks trying out the different sleeping arrangements in various bedrooms, making himself welcome by purring like mad. I think that he has gone in and lit up that household in his own unique way. I can’t wait to see more photos & videos as he grows. 

Today bright & early (well early anyway, the weather is dreadful) Basil was collected & driven home where he will  meet Otis his furry feline sibling, plus 2 sibling dogs & his 5 new sibling hoomans who are all eager to meet him. He slept soundly all the way home & made himself at home. Being a more considered kind of character, I think perhaps he may take a little time absorb his surroundings before he gains confidence in his new habitat and  turns their lives upside down with his antics.

Because Basil was leaving so early, this left space for Vincent to be collected in the afternoon and so his new mum arrived full of excitement to collect him earlier than anticipated. He is currently on route to his new abode.

Prune has definitely noticed the losses. Having eased up on it a lot in the last 2 or 3 weeks, she is once more carrying mice around from room to room as she calls to her kittens to come. She will do this for a day or two wondering where they are hiding and worrying about their whereabouts before accepting that they are not here. 

Humpty “the last man standing” is going to be with us another fortnight, which is not ideal as Prune may have to go through this separation twice, but unfortunately he cannot be collected sooner. He will undoubtedly pair up with Floozy for play. But I wonder too if they might (belatedly), form a partnership somewhat similar to the one Prune did so long ago (in 2018) with Noodle’s last kitten, Nebula as they were inseparable from very early on, with Noodle hardly getting a look in with her kitten! If this does now happen, even though later in the day it might serve to draw an end to the mothering relationship with Prune before he leaves. Prune herself, once accepting that her kittens have gone may not allow him to suckle, and so sever the bond. 

Anyway… Thank you for collecting your amazing kittens Danni, Clair & Andrea. I’m looking forward to your stories now, so it’s over to you ❤️🐾🐾❤️🐾🐾❤️🐾🐾❤️

Last things last

This is our last full day as a chowder of 7 with the 3 blues brothers whose families are all at home counting down the sleeps, champing at the bit for their babies to come home. It’s such an exciting time, kittens are undoubtedly great time-wasters, the source of endless fun, cute as can be, stealing hearts with every gesture & prank. Their families have sometimes been corresponding over many months & weeks patiently watching out for that wonderful pregnancy announcement. We continue together sharing updates  getting to know each other watching as Prune’s belly becomes ever larger. In that time of back & forth conversation a meaningful, lasting friendship develops. Finally, with the birth announcement soon comes that precious first sight of the tiny kittens nestled snug with mum. Now the families can follow along as the litter grows & kittens became little individuals. Always wondering which one would become theirs???? Of course some families don’t come along untilCa bit later on, when kittens are already born, however, the process is the same, there are messages or emails with questions and answers from both sides aa the relationship is formed. 

This whole process fills me with an overwhelming feeling of love, of gratitude and immense joy. There’s also huge pride of course in the nurturing thats afforded the kittens by mum & eager Aunties so keen to help. But those feelings extend also outward toward the people who are to become the kittens future.  

I do ask a lot from the outset be that when I openly advertise kittens or when I am approached for kittens via my website. I question & interview, and I choose. True, I dislike when having to turn someone away, but not everyone can “make the grade” because these tiny little lives, nurtured with such attention are very precious & so their futures must be as secure as I can possibly make them. Make no mistake about it, the people offered opportunity to view & reserve a Naked Sphynx Cat Hampshire kitten are very, very special people. 

Once that bond is made, each family honours us with their openness and, for those new to owning a Sphynx, a keen willingness to learn & be the best carer for their kitten. By the time we get to collection dates, which at first must seem such a long way off, these amazing people are 1000% ready to take their babies home . 

And it’s that point at which we now find ourselves.  It’s true, there is a transaction & a contract drawn up between us; it’s aim, to protect the life of the kitten, but the relationship (for me) is so much more. I’m grateful beyond words for the trust that each family places in me to prepare them and to provide them with a kitten that is everything it should be. I’m thankful too for the  wealth of love that is being laid open before each kitten to walk right on into. This is such an incredible, important, amazing gift. On behalf of myself, & Noodle, & Prune, & each of the kittens who have received & are about to receive this gift THANK YOU. 

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News:

We have visited the vet today. Let me tell you now, that pet carrier was noticeably heavier than it was the last time we visited! From car to vets reception, as often happens, especially when I’m transporting kittens with their little naked kitten faces peering out, there were exclamations & questions from people as I passed by! I do so love people’s reactions to the Sphynx cat!  

Arriving upstairs (the lift thankfully repaired!) we went to book in only to discover that their appointments had been entered incorrectly! Oh. No! After all the effort and time taken to ensure everything was booked and smooth!!!  Arrghhh!  Luckily things were jiggled around behind the scenes (particularly as I expressed  very clearly that I cannot possibly not be seen today) and after a short wait: we were seen. Phew! 

Just as we did before each kitten was examined and weighed - 

Grogu 1.41kg

Basil 1.37kg 

Vincent 1.40kg

Humphrey 1.53kg

That’s 5.71kg in total so fully explains the workout my bicep was getting on the way in!  One by one everyone was given their health check, any advisory notes and then received their vaccinations. Just as before this was specified to be without the leukaemia element. Omitting this is my choice for the kittens in my care. However, it’s important to say that should the new families of the kittens want it given, their veterinarian can administer this in isolation. Alternatively, they can just have it when they have their booster jabs one year from now. My cattery policy to withhold the leukaemia vaccine during the first vaccinations is to guard against the small risk of having a severe reaction to this vaccine which their immature systems may then not cope with. Though I omit it for kittens, I do routinely give it to my adult cats from 1 year onward. .

Almost done, photos were asked for by one of the vets nurses then having secured the chaps back into the carrier it was back at reception where I first needed to collect & pay for Floozy’s prescription steroid medication. Next was to ask why I had not yet received any paperwork from PetLog/Tracer following the kittens microchip implants. Unfortunately I was dealing with a new staff member who was learning the processes on the computer system. The phones were ringing and while receptionists were on the phone or dealing with clients at the desk a queue was forming. It was not ideal environment right then for me to be in. Eventually, after I’d given and spelled my name at least 4 times, one of the more senior receptionists was fetched, along with the nurse we’d seen during our consultation. It turned out that NONE of their chips had even been logged! 

Glad I’d chased it, I ensured they had the info needed in order to do that & an assurance given that it would be dealt with I was able to leave and get the boys back home. As I drove, I looked at the dashboard clock 4:15pn. Just 24 hours before the first kitten exit!

O🙈M🙉G🙊!!!!!

Arriving home, I placed the carrier gratefully down. Mum and the aunts gathered round eagerly, obviously having greatly missed their charges. As I opened the carriers door, the ladies were keen to enquire “where on earth you been? Your mum’s been worried sick!” As each kitten emerged from the crate he was sniffed & tasted as the adults tried ascertain clues as to their whereabouts (was there food?)  and of course to welcome them back. 

The ritual of greeting accomplished, the boys thoughts soon turned to their bellies and it was business as usual as they headed straight for the kitchen.   

After a feed, each boy now received his week 12 worming treatment. This was dosed as appropriate for his weight & is the final one in his neonate schedule. From now on the timing of future worming treatment  will depend upon the worming product preferred/chosen by their family. 

Worming: Although the Sphynx is an indoor cat it is still vital to worm them regularly & with a product that is ingested (not a spot on product). This is because even when the Sphynx is living entirely inside, they might still encounter worm eggs which may have entered their environment e.g. via the outdoor footwear worn by their hoomans (who knows where they’ve been?) or they might easily become infected via another pet in the household who does go outside or, they may even pick them up from their food source. And, if the Sphynx cat itself does occasionally go outdoors (eg into a catio or walked on a harness) there are even more sources of possible infestation. 

The kitten starter packs are filled, the paperwork & documentation is ready, waiting to be completed.…. 

Just ONE (Grogu) - TWO (Basil) or THREE (Vincent)  more sleeps! I just hope that those travelling have managed to get the fuel needed for each of their journeys!!!

Basil’s family is coming from a westerly direction living as they do in Somerset. Depending on the route chosen they will travel between 89-100 miles to get here. Vincent’s family are coming from East Sussex so need to head east to reach us in Hampshire. Again route dependant, they’ll travel between 79-110 miles (there’s such a lot of variation in some routing). Grogu will be much more local as he is remaining in Hampshire - just 10-15 miles away. Humphrey, when he is collected is headed in a north westerly direction into Gloucestershire. 

So now it’s almost the end of this part of our journey. Once Humphrey has his collection date and gone the next 6-7 months is given to Prune to rest & eat good food so that she can fully recover her body strength.  She looks lovely but her internal organs and bones need nourishment since her little body has performed a phenomenal amount since May. She grew her 4 babies from egg to birth in just 65 days, then she has given them 84+days of milk production, 24 hour a day nurturing and care. She is absolutely incredible. 

So she will get lots cuddles. Tonnes of rest interspersed with playtimes & time on the exercise wheel that she loves so much.  Bu the time spring has sprung next year all being well she will be fit & ready for us to consider a new mating for her - & with that a whole new set of stories will begin. That’s a long way off as for now, we are still very much focused on this incredible, unforgettable & amazing litter as we prepare to set them in their way to continue their stories together with their fab families. 

——————-

Dear boys of 2021:                                                       You’ve been a joy. I’ve loved every single second. You have each been blessed having been chosen by incredible families who are all absolutely ready to love you. All we need to do is wish you to be happy & healthy & to continue spreading love & joy with your family as only you can. Send us a virtual postcard every now and then let us know what you’ve been up to and show us how big you’ve become!                                  We love you very much,                                                                   Mummy Prune, Aunty Noodle, Aunty Floozy & Dee xxx

Baths ✅

It’s 11.05pm, the boys are currently running riot in the lounge hallway and bedroom. Every day they’re discovering new heights of mischief (whereby they manage to climb or jump higher than before!) and whichever brother was first to discover he can, soon shows off, demonstrating to his siblings this new move and before long I might catch one or the other either going for it or maybe tentatively attempting to do the same or maybe the more cautious will sit looking at whatever it is at length, as if very studiously thinking it all through, the steps and positions needed so that they can do it too.

This evening I’ve bathed them all so they’re feeling smooth & clean & looking rather dapper & “fresh. Ears have been carefully cleaned - golly can young master  whinge! He ready does like to make it a drama when he doesn’t want something. His ears were very waxy compared to the others this time but Vincent had the worst nail-beds, but the soaping with Johnson’s loosened it and the congealed oils were consequently no match for a biodegradable baby-wipe. Next claws were all trimmed as short as I dare to take them, in efforts to buy their new parents extra time before they need to tackle this themselves. It’s nerve-racking to do if you’ve not done it before and are not used to handling your wriggling tiny-cat in the way that’s needed. However, because our Sphynx become accustomed to being handled regularly for their baths and grooming (whether done as different tasks or as I do as part of the bath-time ritual, it’s a task our cats, while they won’t love it, will tolerate it (despite voicing their anger loudly to anyone who will listen). If you’ve a wriggler, even if not bath-time, using a towel to make a cat burrito is helpful keeping the three limbs you don’t want to work on from getting g involved. I dont mess around, I go about the task smartly, the paw held in one hand to depress between my finger and thumb each pad in turn to expose its talon. The baby wipe in hand I use it to pinch on either side of the claw then rub my finger and thumb together cleaning the gunk away rapidly. Some claws do need a little more effort than others, particularly in adults, but it is not arduous work. I work all 5 (or 4 if back feet) claws then I get the clippers, with the claw guard in place, snip the tip of the talon away. The front claws need more trimming than the back ones, and like human nails, they grow faster in summer. Sometimes, particularly back feet, I might go 4 weeks before needing to snip some claws Experience of course will allow any new parent to gain the confidence required and with that more control of their cat - they will appreciate the task being done decisively, so ignore the yelling. Be gently firm. My new owner handbook contains a diagram showing the part of the claw to clip, and the part you want to avoid as accidentally snipping too deep will cause a Yelp and some bleeding If that happens, styptic powder is your friend, and I do keep a small amount in my cats toiletries case. I’ve needed it three times but only used it twice (the first time, I didn’t k is about it!) . The powder on a dampened and anointed cotton wool Q-tipquicy and painlessly stems blood loss. 

Anyway, with baths done but they’re ready for tomorrow’s trip to see the vet. I’m looking forward to getting an updated weight for each of them & after they’ve been examined one a the other I fully expect for each of them to receive a clean bill of health. Now they’ll be required to brace themselves to receive their 2nd vaccination. At least this time though, they won’t also have the follow up large bore needle to insert a microchip. Hopefully they’ve forgotten all about that by now!

I’ll be back to provide an update tomorrow evening

 

Can I write the emotion?

How do you explain the feeling of love for your pets? 

Do you write about the way your heart feels light when you hold their warm skin close to you, or do you try to somehow describe the way you become aware of yourself physically and realise that you are smiling with your mouth & in fact in every cell of your being… then I thought, why not just show you what made me feel this overwhelming feeling in the hope that you could share in it too!

And a bonus which only happened just 2 minutes ago as I was passing g through (had to go back to grab camera hoping no one had moved!) 

  ♥️ 

 

Admin & sea water drinking!

Yes, you read that right, sea water. It’s new to me too. So, how did I come across this knowledge… well Grogu’s new family asked me about water fountains & asked what I used and I was delighted to let her know about my ceramic fountain bought from www.miaustore.co.uk which is the standard size one, and rather roomy which for one cat is rather a lot of water. So, upon re suiting their website I discovered they now to a mini plus since my purchase had redesigned the flow pump. Anyway, as a breeder who supports use of appropriate products I was interested to scroll a while and I read one review/recommendation about sea water and its benefits particularly with older cats who are prone to kidney issues. This piqued my interest having lost a very old moggy (Willow, who I’d had for 19trs) to kidney issues (though to be fair he had a great innings) but sea water! Really??!! I immediately looked up this feline health professional to ask questions only to find the whole website was not in English and there was no English language version.

Unperturbed I made contact via their Facebook (ashamed that I had no option but to write in English) and same day I received the following important information in response: 

“Hi, Dee Collette! No, unfortunately I haven't yet published any article about sea water, we usually give this information to our clients, but the basics are easy. Be careful as salt water is not the same as sea water, sea water contains many more micronutrients and elements beside salt (sodium chloride). You can get sea water directly in the sea or buy it. For cats you must dilute it, 1 part sea water / 2'5 parts normal water, you can start with less than that as sometimes they don't like the taste and will reject it. You can also put different recipients with different proportions so that they will drink from the recipient they like. All this applies in healthy cats, in case of any disease always consult with an integrative veterinarian that is used to alternative therapies. Hope this is useful for you!”

In case you need help with the above,  maximum/ultimate is a ratio would be 1 part sea water to 2.5 parts water but suggests that possibly using less sea water to begin might help them to adapt. Additional The lovely lady suggests using different receptacles (not recipients!) each with different (lesser( strength ratios (eg 1 / 3pts or 1 / 4pts ) to see if the cat(s) prefer one over the other with the assumption that having some of the sea water is better than to have none at all. 

I wanted a little more guidance before heading off to Southampton docks with a bottle tied to string to collect some local sea water so asked what benefit this has (other than perhaps the living organisms in it) and if actually storing the sea water for cats to drink was wise at all given that if the organisms were the important part they were surely going to die off when stored ….and I then received this extra detail below which has helped me understand: 

“The benefit is not in the organisms but just in the salts and minerals you find in the sea water. It helps with hydration and it provides many minerals that are hard to find in common pet food. All the elements in the periodic table, they all are in sea water, so it's fantastic to maintain the inner balance in cells. It's also good to prevent kidney failure in the future. We've seen many cats in shelter, some with infectious diseases, improve a lot just adding sea water in their bawls, as it's also good for the immune system” 

Here is their website https://almaveganavets.com/ they are in Galicia in Spain and the site is all in Spanish. I’m feeling happier with the information now that I have researched them a bit and can see they are licensed vets! 

I have seen sea water for cooking, wound & skin care and yes, for drinking, is widely available to buy and get delivered. This has to be a clean source (or cleaned) so my girls can breathe a sigh of relief that the murky and undoubtedly polluted water at the local docks is not going into the water receptacles or recipients living here any time soon! 

So, it is with thanks to this year’s new families, that I even visited the miaustore again & ended up seeing this review & following down that particular path. Plus, because they’ve added the smaller mini fountain I’ve started off by treating my dear cats as I always do when they have provided me with beautiful kittens and so I went ahead and ordered for them a new mini fountain. 

It arrived so fast! It’s much easier to lift than the larger one plus having the two will if I decide to try it, give me the option to introduce a sea water element to their hydration routine. I do however plan to first ask my own vet about this first - which I hope to remember to do on Thursday when taking the kittens in ( will I remember!?!)

The new fountain owing to the design difference means that the water sound is much louder than the larger one. I’ve popped on the sensor which I had with the first which means the sound is silenced unless someone triggers it. Actually, it might be that the sound of the water entices encouraging that all important interest in drinking since like us, cats too need to up their water consumption. 

On the admin front I’m feeling much more on top of things after my printing yesterday. I do need to add in handwritten details ahead of time and I’m hoping I’ll get to do this without my “assistants  as I want to use my very best writing on those documents. 

This evening I’ve enjoyed some music much of which has taken me back to my (misspent) youth compliments of Global Citizen Live. Breaking this up into two sessions was week 1 of Strictly Come Dancing (John & Johannes were brilliant, the dance of the night imo and to Blue Monday by New Order too - a stunning 80’s classic!)). The felines meanwhile have been going crazy running around the place like they are powered by Duracell batteries. This might be because they were so kind and allowed me to have a well deserved (much needed) granny-nap earlier on. 

                         

Here’s Humphrey doing his impression of me (only he is much, much cuter!

Aaanyhoo , following my mega-siesta & strictly which everything stops for I’ve made up for “lost time” by going online to set up & activate the complimentary free 5 week Agria Pet Insurance for Grogu, Basil & Vincent so that it’s all set up ready to start on each of their collection days. 

Oh, and this dropped into WhatsApp today & this doting grandma couldn’t resist - that beaming smile - and oh, that hair!

11 weeks & counting!!!

I know that my wonderful new families are eagerly counting down the number of sleeps until their new babies arrive, with Grogu being the first to leave in exactly one weeks time! Just 7 more sleeps Willow & he is arriving on Damian’s own very special diaversery day! 

Firstly, please forgive the lack of stories, images and videos posted during this last week, I’ve been a bit knocked a bit off kilter having had a call to go to get my third Covid (right arm) and at the same time my flu (left arm) jabs done. The first I had were both Astra Zenica, but this time it was Pfizer. Which along with as a sore arm, left me in a shivering within about 12 hours of having it. It’s A a small price to pay for the important protection it offers (or will in 2 weeks time) . 

Meanwhile the kittens have been climbing, leaping & running around all over the place and as each day passes they discover a new ability to reach a surface that up until 24 hours previous had been “#kittensafe” . 

I’ve been revamping & printing out kitten sales agreements so that they’re ready to complete as each collection visit occurs. Willing there to be sufficient ink and started the print run which consisted of 12 pages per kitten (2 identical sets per kitten). Having started the print, I walked away thinking I’d grab a shower then come back to staple them into their sets. Well, you know already that it was at this moment a kitten appeared, eager to learn what this new sound was. And as anything that is moving is magnetic to any kitten worth his salt, young Basil got to interview & have a trial for the role of chief clerical officer.

In the real-world scenario that plays out in my brain (which by now you may have developed sn appreciation of that it’s a little peculiar) security had to be called to show him unceremoniously off the premises. He didn’t get the job but as he was pushed out of the door, Alan Sugar calls after him “You’re Fired!”

I duly picked up the papers which no longer neatly stacked as they were spat out by my Epson and stapled them before having a game of ball with the lads before going to partake in my ablutions! 

I have a draw, the sound of which draws my girls from slumber. No, surprisingly, it’s not the treat draw but the draw where I keep the toys that require supervision or participation. There are three draws and I hold my breath any time I open one of the others because I know they all sound the same and that the cats will appear eager to play and I don’t like disappointing them if al I’d wanted was a new set of batteries or a tealight candle. Anyway, this draw is like magic. 

Inside are the high jinx toys that result in high velocity and high jumping activity. Noodle, the matriarch, bless her heart she still shows up but rarely gets involved these days. I’ve not seen her spring effortless into the air n a very long time. Prune can still execute standing jumps leaping high but like Noodle she has always stepped aside with an awareness that kittens are underfoot Not so Floozy who, Miss Nosey-Got2Be-Centre-of-Attention herself has no such scruples. She gets right on in, launching herself and mowing down anything ir anyone who might think they are playing, and, having won the toy, goes back to her roots and growls. Floozy was one of a litter of TEN and I believe that she had to learn quickly how to fight her own corner where toys and food are concerned. Most of the time now she has learned that she doesn’t need to voice her desire to keep whatever she has, but as I tried to engage the kittens with a toy from this sacred drawer and attempt to make a video that had a whiff of being “professional” first I learned Floozy had no self-restraint & would launch herself unceremoniously in and then that she had reverted to type and growled! 

I fully expect that Noodle & Prune having both mothered their own kittens have an appreciation for nurturing the young, and this is why they hang back so patiently but, while while Floozy was VERY keen to be with and care for the kittens a few weeks ago, now that they are so able when things get exciting (high velocity/speed game play) she forgets her manners entirely. 

On Wednesday afternoon the lads lost their cardboard box fort. It has been demolished, flattened and gone for all time. Sad really as they’ve had THE best time playing in, on, through & over it. Id noticed recently a certain kitten was stood in the cutout doorway, his head tilted back as he chewed the door frame. I looked closer and the door ways were all pitted & peppered with teeny-tiny teeth marks. 

I was enjoying a cuppa with a friend on Wednesday lunchtime, when she said, that kitten is breathing all funny. I looked and said “nope, he is about to be sick”. Now don’t get jealous here, not everyone can have this lifestyle but I noted his little vomit puddle contained something not food. I felt in the warm and wet mess, discovering plastic. No wonder little Vinnie was retching! But I could not recognise where this plastic was from. As I thought and thought as the day progressed, was called for & went for my jabs and returned, I trawled my mind, looking for some way to work out what this plastic was. 

As kittens were sleeping I took an opportunity to tidy up a bit and as I did I saw that the bite marks were not only in the door frames but also on the parcel tape I’d used to create the structure with some integrity of strength. Not only were there teeth marks in the cardboard and tape there were ragged bits of tape missing! There was the lightbulb 💡 moment that I’d discovered the source of Vinnie’s tummy ache and so, the fort was consigned to the recycling bin. 

The kittens have a big week ahead of them. From now until Tuesday we will continue our day to day of eat, sleep, play. Then on Wednesday they will each be bathed for the last time here & their ears will be cleaned and their claws cleaned & clipped so that they are all smart ready for Thursday afternoon’s trip to see the vet. I will microwave my snuggle pad & bundle them all into a pet carrier taking them to receive their final health checks, weigh ins & 2nd vaccinations. And with that we begin our final countdown as just 24 hours later, one by one each of the blue brothers will be off to begin their lives away from us with Humphrey being last to leave being collected during the week. 

As I’ve been typing away, Noodle has been pestering me to cover her with a blanket. She pokes and taps me for service! I looked over to see this absolutely glorious vision unnoticed beside me, if a kitten so totally deep in sleeping that he is oblivious to the goings on over and around him. Heart. Melted. Again.

On houseplants, foods & essential oils. Which are cat friendly & which are toxic?

It struck me that as a teen with my first kitten a black moggy I named Ziggy. I wanted the name Sid, after Sid Vicious but my mother was dead set against it, and besides he turned out to be a she (the cat not the sex pistols front man). Over the years Ziggy eventually had another cat named after her by a friend of mine. Her Ziggy was a boy, but the fact she named him that in honour of our long-standing friendship and live of cats (she had one of Ziggy’s kittens !) warms my heart. But I digress. When I was a teen it was as we came out of the 70’s into the 80’s. We had no clue of an internet of things & the library was the only place to glean knowledge. Apart from the fact that it was no place for an aspiring punk rocker to hang out, I would not have had a clue that cats could be poisoned by ordinary things….

At that time, my sou roundings were the kind were it was fashionable to have houseplants dangling from ceilings suspended in a crocheted pot plant holder granny made. In it would be a common spider plant with its multiple new spiderlings on shoots dangling. In another corner hung a variegated leafed tradescantia or maybe some kind of trailing fern. 

I had hard & desperate crushes, unrequited. There was I yet to be a suitor of the caliber to buy me garage flowers. Even when I did have I had no knowledge that there were things on display or in use in our homes that could cause harm - other than those things mum kept locked in a medicine cabinet or were down in the depths of a forbidding damp & cobweb covered shed.

As the decades have passed our worlds have expanded, & so too eventually my knowledge. Underside developed a thirst for wisdom (and since age did not wholly bestow it upon me as it should, I continue to seek it!). Now the world is open & smaller. We have the kinds of exotic things in our homes we never had before. It’s important to acknowledge the joy in many of these things, but important I think to have an awareness some of what we have is laced with danger to our pets.

If I had a suitor, this mythical handsome dark stranger (& make him wealthy if you please!), he would gallop up, dismounting his charge as he came to a halt to present me with a truly glorious bouquet filled with blooms in all shades & hues. And oh my! it would be heady with its mixture of floral, sweet & musky scents . What possible danger could there that lurks within this extravagant & beautiful gift? 

Let’s take the flamboyant Lily flower as our example. As she bursts open, her showy petals curl back, exposing her leggy tendrilled stamen. I’m sure you already know that as it gets past its best it can drip orange powder which easily stains. But this powder, this stamen is toxic. In fact it’s not just the bloom as most species of lily is toxic to some extent! However, should you become the lucky recipient of a bouquet which has Lily flowers you have no need to despair. The moment she has burst open, rather than risk your cat brushing by and becoming anointed with this powder then later grooming it off thereby ingesting it instead take a pair of scissors and with care & with kitchen paper held in your cupped hand below where you cut, simply snip the stamen away, wrapping the tissue into a parcel in the closed waste bin. 

As well as the weekly (if you are lucky) or occasion flowers you may enjoy, we might have houseplants for greenery or interest. At present actually,  there’s lots of hype for those which are air cleaning. Even though you have a cat, these environment enhancing plants are not to be sneezed at (unless you are allergic - in which case, your beau should instead provide chocolate!) . Like the Lily, some plants can be harmful - especially if your cat wants to sample it. In my 40 something years of experience most cats won’t take a blind bit of notice of your flowers or your plants, however, if your cat happens to be Floozy, then you’ll know that she dies her best not to be like “most cats”. Oh no, this little madam will chew all of the leaves on the carefully chosen & possibly air cleaning cat friendly houseplants that your ever loving cat-mumma has chosen to have and tries to look after in her home! >^..^<

Luckily, because I’m no horticultural or chemistry expert & it’s a new century we have Google - our wondrous receptacle of wisdom with many many resources - as long as you pick the resource wisely. I’m not proud, I’ve spent many long moments squinting at the plant labels in a store or nursery typing in the Latin or common name of a plant in order to seek expert guidance before taking any plant to the checkout. Or not. Just as well isn’t it since Floozy needs to taste sample them all. 

If having read this, you want to know more, do please Google a good & reliable source. Many nursery websites have taken time to provide lists of safe plant species for both indoors and out. I’ll start you off if I may by linking to a Petplan article you can see by clicking >>> Here And one from the PDSA >>> Here

Linked closely to plants since they are the origin of them all, some essential oils which are by nature super concentrated, are highly toxic to cats (& some they just don’t like!) This is not to say that if you enjoy them for fragrancing your home or use essential oils therapeutically or holistically (or to deter certain visitors) that they are out of bounds, only that it’s important to be aware so that you can take that extra care. To know more, have a look at what PDSA says on the subject by clicking >>> Here

Also coming from plants, you may be interested to read about foods that are poisonous to our pets. You can do this by clicking >>> Here and, should you be interested while you are on the PDSA’s website you’ll be able to download their free pet first-aid guide. 

Please understand, in writing this post the last thing I want to do is to scare anybody.  As I write I’m always particularly mindful that my wonderful new pet parents will be readers & may soon be taking home their first cat or may not long have kept cats. Let me say this,  to redress the balance a bit; I’ve lived with cats for over 40 years and I’ve had ZERO events happen to my cats ever whether they’re indoor only or were outside venturing furries. And that includes plant sampling Floozy!  

Additionally it was a looooooong time into my cat keeping before I knew any of this stuff in order to do a reconnaissance of my home in such a way that would eliminate/prevent harm to my cats from this kind of toxin. The reason that I post about this now is for those new pet parents, for all pet parents so that you are forewarned and armed to manage risk & prevent harm.

The point of my going right back to my first cat - and talking about the antics of my most recent addition, is to provide example of how rare such sn event is - even when you are ignorant as I was. Yes, it’s probably true that back then, we didn’t know about such hazards and equally didn’t have quite so many hazards in our homes as we do now (I’m thinking here about exotic oils and foods we might have). 

Yes Granny, your spider plant is cat-safe, but I still say that the crochet thing can go! (Actually, don’t tell Gran but I believe crochet is enjoying a bit of a revival! Oh, and don’t let me stop you, I’m not gonna be all judgy if you want to crochet yourself a pot hanger thingy). 

Floozy is the first and only cat I’ve ever had to bite my plants. In point of fact she has eaten them. And she still will. And yes, when she’s eaten them she’s puked them out again too. I find the evidence plus my poor plants look awful. Phew, luckily for her they are cat safe plants! 

It’s true cats do sometimes eat grass. Fur cats are said to nibble grass to make themselves sick as a way to rid themselves of a fur ball. By the way this is not the same as cat grass which you can buy as seed kit in pet stores grow and give your indoor cat access to if you wish. My miaustore water fountain even has an option of a little cat grass container to set in it.  

Now that I’ve introduced you to this subject and no doubt I’ve put a healthy dose of fear into you which in many ways I’m sorry for. Believe me, I almost feel your anxiety to get to the end of this post so that you can start your home audit to Google every single houseplant you’ve got and lock away the lavender and tea tree oil quick smart! 

But, while I do appreciate that it’s a scary subject. I hope that on balance you’ll be glad to know these things. And, to go with that, maybe you should know what do you do if you ever did suspected that your cat (or dog) had ingested something that she or he ought not to have… 

What are the signs? Again, I’m no expert, but a brilliant source of info for us cat people is the website cats.org.uk and their page on which site this kind of info can be viewed is >>> Here. And in a real life emergency the vet is definitely where you should be headed. 

I’ve deliberately not spoken in this post about our current kitten litter. Please don’t hold that against me. Yes I’ve mentioned my girls the kong departed but not forgotten Ziggy & the very precocious Floozy, but only as an example and to evidence that in the 40 +  years I’ve shared my life & home with cats that in all that time I’d not had a cat who even wanted to taste sample everything. And that when she did, because I did by then know. the plants she nibbles are cat safe plants & while she has been sick in removing them, she has not been poisoned.  The reason I do not wish to speak about a litter here is because in years to come I want to  re-post this so that the next generation of new kitten parents will be given the information that for so long I was ignorant of. 

 

Unashamedly besotted

If you read yesterday’s blog post you’ll know exactly what I did today, and a job well done it was. Now we have a 3rd top entry tray in position plus the side entry tray which is I believe only chosen when there’s congestion in the top entry trays are crowded. The adults don’t ever go in together but the kittens have no privacy issues and will happily get in together or dive in on top of an adult, well their mum I’ve seen receive a kitty ion her back mid flow! Anyway, it’s spic n span job done, all cheap n nasty litter gone. 

Other than that, it’s been a normal day here with play times, sleeping & the regular event of tummy filling while I stand guard to ensure that the adults social distance until every kitten has finished, shaken his back legs, stretched to ease his full belly & shuffle away. 

Play is interesting to watch actually, you get a feel for developmental stage, witness failures, followed by increasing prowess & ability. A sureness in ability, and the best bit of all the characters of each kitten as he (or indeed she when there are girls in a litter) becomes able to appreciate that they have a will of their own - and believe me, some are waaaay more wilful than others! 

Maybe due to his larger size right from birth, despite being last out, Humphrey has made a point of being first and fastest particularly when food is around. First to the kitchen racing me and winning despite his little legs being microscopic in comparison to mine. He is most definitely first to eat (though Grogu has caught up in that department!) he is always first to finish. He was first to work out the adults get different food and when! But he is also most chilled. Maybe he is assured in his largeness! Of course being the only black kitten, maybe he already felt special, same colour as my mum! 

Then there’s Grogu who has grown into himself, in recent weeks. He is a greedy young man, brave in battle with his brothers, he is like a charging rhino, single minded & focussed. He is wilful, he has no qualms about voicing his displeasure when he thinks he is going to be prevented from achieving what he sets out to do. I’ve been told “heeeyyyyy” on a few occasions, mostly when redistribution of kittens around a food bowl is required (we will come back to that topic later!) 

Basil & Vincent might be smaller in stature, but they make up for it during duals whether they’re against each other or one of their brothers, or even their mum! Not that she takes any notice any more than they do. I think maybe it’s cunning, perhaps by crying (wolf) their opponent will loosen his grip or be distracted and when that occurs, the squealer takes his opportunity to strike. I did used to find the yells alarming, thinking that someone was being hurt, but as I watched I would see that the one yelling was also the antagonist, egging the other to rejoin the battle. It’s all play, it’s nature preparing them to be skilled hunters and fighters in the game that is survival of the cutest. I did type fittest but must have mistyped and instead the word cutest was put in. I left it because it made me smile. The fact that none of these boys will need to rely upon his abilities in hunting or fighting does not stop nature from driving kittens to go through the motions of learning those skills. 

Basil is a thinker and sometimes appears more happy in his own company, as it play is somehow beneath him and shrugs it off. He is often last to the bowl, or I’ll have had to go wake him as he has not heard my call (kittens! Kittens!) . He will often secure himself to leave mid meal not having had opportunity to deal with his bladder before being lifted from slumber & taxied to the kitchen. He returns and eats more, but satisfied, and Humphrey already gone, leaves Vincent & Grogu to it. 

Vincent, he is a dainty eater, he takes his sweet time. Even though Grogu wants to be last to leave, he can’t squeeze in another mouthful and goes, while Vincent unhurried, munches on. Around him, like waiting vultures, 3 adult cats are getting impatient, creeping forwards they’ll have the excuse that a morsel is on my otherwise clean floor, but getting brave they might sneak a nose over the edge of the bowl. I say the name and the naughty vulture will retreat, while Vincent munches on. He finishes (eventually) and shakes each back foot, then taking a couple of steps will arch and stretch before sauntering off. 

After food, if they don’t immediately sleep it off, play will commence, and particularly in the late evening this will include Floozy who runs with them encouraging them to race back & forth between rooms. My cats often race in the same way when kittens are not about and then very often I am run over the top of as I lay on my bed, Im used at times as some kind of springboard too.  There’s great interest in football skills, my laminate floor lending itself to this and the chase of the batter ball rather well. Mice of course, and climbing, jumping and hide n seek. The games I object to are those where kittens want to bite fingers (& toes) and I will always offer /use a toy as a play object rather than my hand so that they never get to think or have any expectation of fingers as being play things. My toes will be quickly pulled away and hidden under the blanket if they become interesting to a wakeful kitten!

I am unashamedly adding a video here which I captured after my shower this afternoon. It was about 5:30pm and the sun was coming into my bedroom window. The scene was so beautiful and I’m very aware that this scene is only going to be played out for a short time more. I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. I did however notice yet again my breathing as I listened back. The microphone is so sensitive I sound like I need to be on a ventilator! Apologies for that. I’m fine by the way!  

Why oh why?

When attending the vet recently I thought I’d purchase some of their clumping cat litter. I have a pal who uses it and gets on ok with it. I DO NOT know how. Terrible stuff. I should have listened to myself and gone to Bitiba as I usually do and invested in a decent quality litter. I have since done so and await its delivery. May it please arrive tomorrow so I can change it out at the earliest opportunity. Why do I do this to myself? I frequently go in to feed and scoop her boys when she goes away. I know her litter is rubbish quality. Lesson learned. Mind you, I do enjoy experimenting with litters. With varying results. 

Before Floozy I could happily use eco type corn or wood litters (always the clumping kind!) but Floozy is not keen. I very much like Tigerrino Fresh, a clumping silicate litter however, the grains are very fine and because our cats have very deep footpads it does travel with them despite top entry trays & litter mats etc. I’m currently using some multicat fine grained clay litters. They are due to the clay however quite heavy which with my back is a problem so I will likely go back to Tigerino. Scented litters are a gimmick  - maybe in a single cat household they are noticeably fragrancing or a smaller room might concentrate it a bit more. I look for tight clumping litter & advise litter is kept deep. This way, you can scoop under & lift a tight ball of soiled litter leaving very little break off. Silicate is said to seal the chemical that makes urine smell inside allowing the water content to evaporate and this antibacterial and also this works to petrify the poop. Not that it remains in the tray long . I try to keep right on top of it - which with (currently) 7 poopers, one of whom has a colitis issue (Floozy) means that I am kept rather busy especially at the two top entry trays currently in use. True to form, as soon as they are able to get up and into them (& back out) the kittens choose to use these too. When the new litter arrives I will add a third top entry tray there and will remove the open tray. The side entry one is visited now only when someone can’t wait and there’s a queue! The only thing that haven’t learned is how to go in /out of a litter tray door flap. I remove these as they are difficult for small learning babies to get to grips with amd by the time they would be big enough they’ve chosen the top entry trays anyway! 

A previous family who took 2 kittens in 2019, Karma & Lux a blue and black pair for the same litter (same parents as the current litter) where trained to use the toilet. It is something I’ve considered embarking on . You buy a kit with a system of rings that sit on the toilet seat, first moving the litter tray to the bathroom as close to the loo as possible, you then put litter in the full cover ring on the toilet seat and encourage the cats to use this. You progress through a series of rings about 3 more rings each with larger central holes thereby the cat is encouraged to learn to balance on the toilet seat squatting over the toilet. They can’t however lift a lid, nor can they flush! A Geberit toilet with a flush sensor might work which normally a person could trigger a flush by passing their hand in front of. Positioned well the cat passing it could do the same perhaps? 

This couple did a great job of removing the need for a litter tray, buying litter and scooping - that was until the man came home one evening with a tiny foundling kitten who of course needed a litter tray… the cats started to use the tray again. I believe this is because it’s instinctual to dig. Just before starting kittens onto their weaning I put a shallow litter tray in with them and they dig and squat with no training at all despite still being toileted at that stage by mum (& aunts), so the training they had undertaken was undone and the cats by choosing again to exhibit their natural behaviour had exhibited a choice. 

I’ve an auto scooping tray too. I used that with one cat but no way is it able to be cleaned just once a month. The idea is that the cat used the tray and a sensor knows they’ve exited. After a pause it rakes the (non clumping silicate) litter while raising a hopper lid into which it deposits poop before the rake returns again. The raking is “stirring” the silicate litter which is as you’ll recall designed to allow water in the urine to evaporate while keeping hold of and grabbing the amonia. I just didn’t find it that great. The cartridges are disposable which is meant to mean you never need scoop or touch the litter but they are expensive and don’t last a month. I bought a lm accessory allowing me to refill a plastic tray. It made it cheaper but I still needed to empty and clean a tray. For me it wasn’t a win. There are a couple of other auto trays which do get good reviews ~ the litter robot is one, and the litter genie is another. The genie you plumb into your toilet waste system. It has plastic beads as cat litter which are washed and dried at every use. Of them all this appeals to be most however, it does require an electrician and plumbers and space beside your toilet. The worrying aspect for me is that the plastic beads won’t all be permanent. Some will be stuck to poop and be flushed away. This has an oceanic environmental impact that I just can’t live with, despite never needing to buy regular cat litter (only “top up” beads).

The other kind of tray I had was one you manually rolled. A mechanism inside would as you turned it (once) filter out solids into a lined hopper draw leaving the cleaned litter after a rotation. The hopper could then be regularly changed. Hmmmm, looking at the mechanism which in it’s resting position is now over the top of kitty’s head, this was not a particularly clean system.  No. 

It’s the experience of that manual one that’s stopped me seeking out a robo litter box since this works by the rotation method. 

What about the litters that are flushable? I did use these for a time, following instructions I checked it was ok to do so and I duly began flushing. That was great. However, pretty soon the drainage outside was not doing so great and it become blocked. Despite carefully doing exactly as was prescribed.  That episode proved expensive. I don’t flush. 

So, of all the trays I’ve bought and tried,  I’ve gone back to standard scooping & the only adjustments I’ve stuck with are the top entry trays which satisfies the cats desire for privacy and to dig, looks attractive (I have Modkat in White & in Black and I have the cheaper and more utilitarian Savic as well). And I’m not using cheap litter again either. No. No and No.

On a more pleasant subject, there’s the fact that a certain two kittens have learned the sound of the auto food dispensers I use for Noodle & Floozy. Prune has a microchip feeder and is very good at eating in moderation however, Noodle, once spayed is prone to weight gain & though she had a microchip feeder too, and she also had diet food after a year on that she still gained weight. She has no self regulation. While I’m sure that we can all sympathise with that, she had become a wide load & I needed to do more to help her. I did this with the help of my first auto feeder. This allowed me to control when, how often and how much she ate. Finally she lost weight. A little too much and I’ve allowed some to be put back on. I need to reign that back again slightly which I’ll do over the winter. I added a second auto feeder to manage Floozy who has no off switch and is a very greedy madam. Again, I sympathise, but my job is caring for their health. She is on steroids and this makes her extra hungry so, the inability to have food all the time afforded by these is vital. These units allow you to record your voice (some models can be controlled via an app! ). I’ve tried to synchronise the two to go together but I’ve not quite got it right. This means that food drops in one, then about 29 seconds later, the recoding saved in the other plays before it dispenses. The sound of the food dropping to the stainless steel bowl is all the invitation Floozy needs. From wherever she is, before the last nugget has fallen she is there! Now she is joined by two other hungry hippos Humphrey and Grogu who as you can see, tuck in beside her. Dear Noodle, she sits out of the picture as she knows that here kittens eat first (though doesn’t realise that this means for their food not hers!) . So these to chaos are eating Natures Menu and a small quota of Orijen too! What a cheek! 

Yes, well spotted, unfortunately the water is right next to the food and this is not the correct textbook set up. Food and water should not be together. Sadly, I’m limited by the availability of electrical sockets. Sound familiar? 

A busy few days doing not a lot!

The cats n kittens of Naked Sphynx Cat Hampshire have been  busy these last few days, though mostly it’s been in filling & refilling their bellies & playing.

One of our lovely new families has a daughter called Rose who commented that “Basil is always eating” and she wanted pictures of his actual face. Always keen to oblige any requests, I fulfilled her wishes right away with a short video clip. However, right at that precise moment the chaps  were in full breakfast request mode & increasingly frustrated with me for the delay. First, there was no food in the actual kitchen, so they all ran after me to the hallway cupboard , promptly charging inside as I hauled out a carton of 4 boxes. Since they’d now all gone in and under the shelving I knew I’d not got a hope in hell of rounding them up and reclosing the door, so I left it open & returned to the kitchen, whereupon I’d lost Humphrey who must have stayed in the cupboard to explore, then stopped off to relieve himself n the way back. So, when I then began to video a short cli it was very much as case of  “hurry up, and stop faffing just open the pouches” . 

Im fully programmed to obey a demanding kitten, so promptly dispensed breakfast, standing guard as always to ensure that they get to eat it rather than the ganets, (oops I mean girls!). Humphrey had by now shown up and all four tucked in. Just for fun, I made Rose another video clip which by now featured my two dainty eaters Basil & Vincent (the harvesters Grogu & Humphrey having departed to playland). They might be dainty eaters, but they had very messy eating habits with food falling from their mouths. Chew it boys! 

Daughters are pretty awesome (if cheeky!) and there is a daughter in one of my other new families too, this one named Willow. She is busy on a project of making a memory scrapbook of Grogu’s little life collecting video & photos right from his arrival into the world. It’s heartwarming & fabulous just how much these handsome boys are loved by all of their new families already.  

Last night, the cats big & small all had their baths. It’s quite a mission doing 7 but as I’d had to cut the kittens claws a few days before (my legs were getting torn up a bit) that part was not needed for them again quite yet. Additionally, as I can do the little lads baths in the kitchen sink my back is able to cope a little better! Unless they somehow get themselves into any big mess, this was the last but one bath I will be giving these chaps too! Yikes, where is the time going??? 

The gents all behaved very well - not too wriggly. I’ve got a good routine going, filling a large bowl and the sink itself,  I can wet, then soap up using the draining board if necessary to ensure I can massage shampoo into every litter nook and cranny, then they go back in to the sink to rinse off most of the soap before receiving a final rinse in clean water to ensure no reside remains. I’m using Johnson’s baby shampoo (other brands are available) so it’s unlikely to irritate, but better to be safe. Next they are snugged up into a towel to dry before being made in a dry one into a tasty kitten burrito ready for the ear cleansing ritual to begin. Finally, though claws were already clipped, a baby wipe was is used to make sure all the little folds and creases under the claw sheath were free of clogged up oils that can’t be done easily in the bath. 

Next it was the turn of the girls, but they had already cottoned onto this fact. Now, I’m used to having to capture & wrangle Noodle & Prune, knowing all of their hiding places as they try to outsmart me. By now the chaps were either snoozing or playing & as I passed by the lounge I stoped to watch as two kittens played I spy in the cardboard box fort. Wait, what’s that???  Did I just spot the glint of large eye back there lurking in the darkness beyond the fort doorway? Reaching my arm in I found Prune who I then had to skilfully manoeuvre to extricate. Not easy but I won. The box was still heavy though! Oh, now I wonder why? 

I gave Prune her clean up. I use my wet room for the adults, sitting on the floor is much easier on my back than leaning over a bath trying to keep a hold of slippery cats (even with exfoliating gloves on they can be difficult to keep a hold of!) . Shampoo, rinse, towel burrito, nail cleanse and claw clipping then she was set free. Now for the next one… who would I capture first… silly Noodle, she has remained in the box, obviously not realising I had worked out it’s weight could only be her. The only mystery was how she got her big ol’ bottom in through the door in the first place! I reached in again. This extraction was harder than catfish tickling, but I got her and we began the process again.. Noodle used to grudgingly accept a wash but as she’s aged, and actually since the 4 month hiatus in bathing caused by my ankle break last year, she has been much much less accommodating unfortunately. Her nails are always frightful. Prune & Floozy keep theirs pretty clean but my goodness the congealed oils this girl accumulates deep in her nail beds and folds is unbelievable! Finally, her bath done, it was the easy capture of Floozy as she’s far too nosey ever to hide away! I do make the process as “pleasant” as possible treats (known here as kisses, I’ll tell you about that at some time!) come after a bath, and find it far batter to do the entire routine as one rather than bath one day, ears another, claws another still. Claw clipping some people do when their cats are sleeping but cleaning would defo rouse them (especially Madame Noodle who needs a full on spa level pedicure).

After their baths the two collared boys Basil & Vincent  were given brand new collars to wear then the entire selection of cat bedding (& mine) was changed to take advantage of their newly pristine status (& mine since I showered after becoming a wet in the process)

Vincent rather likes the washing machine and spends a lot of time being hypnotised by it. Just as well as there were now four new loads to go through. 

I have a guest bathroom (sounds posh, but isn’t!) which is where I dry my laundry, in winter it’s always really toasty in there and its all hidden away (who has guests nowadays?) The door is always kept closed so, what I want to know, when I went to hang towels this morning, is how and when exactly this happened ?

I know Prune is keen (yes she is still wondering about with toy mice!) but seriously, this is ridiculous!

Noodle says I don’t feature her shots nearly enough, so here is a couple of her… you won’t be surprised to see someone else getting in on the act though! 🤣🤣🤣

Oh Pru! & Leading a cat to water & helping it to drink

I deliver dinner twice a week to my son & his family. It’s an arrangement that’s occurred partly as a result of covid & partly due to my having triply broke my ankle in April 2020. I used to do one meal a week plus a day of childcare. Covid & shielding has prevented the more hands on Grannying I used to enjoy, but at least I can feel useful to the family in making their meals plus I generally get two little slices of time to spend dedicated to them when dropping off dinner. It’s precious time & I will never take that for granted. 

While I cooked today, after an almost 6 pouch breakfast between them at 9:30 this morning, I was cooking at about 3:30pm when Vincent showed up at my feet demanding food. I fed him until he wondered off surprised that no one else came. I had just dished it all out, lids on ready to wagon roll at 4:40pm when kittens appeared ready to eat. Sorry boys, I cannot stop now but I’ll be back soon!

Well, soon was a tad later than anticipated (I did get to hug & snug with my grandbabies) so I’d imagine the scene at home during my absence was of 3 or 4 demanding boys insisting that since she can’t drive & was there, their mother needed to tide them over. And I’d add the suggestion that they were very, very demanding!

Admittedly I did get back later than I’d expected and as I did, 20 limbs stampeded toward the kitchen (4 kittens and Floozy!) Noodle came slowly after to ask where did I think I’d been and while I’m at it, things smell good, was there any leftovers (no Noodle, no left overs ever - but good try!) but wait! Where in the world was Pru???

Only on top of the fridge/freezer - Officially the highest point in the apartment she could be in! 

I quickly got the pouches opened - they were so eager to satisfy those hungry hippos tummies! Only later did Prune decide to venture down from her perch & since then she’s been carrying around mice calling her sons to eat ever since! 

Yes Clair, you are right, I am always feeding them. Actually it’s hard to believe looking at them now that this time last week their skeletal frames were so visible under their skin as they had all but stopped eating. Happily they’ve set about making up for lost time. Inevitably though I must follow the “always feeding” with with always scooping too - thankfully the after-effects of the antibiotics is slowly righting itself. Pro- Kolin advance has been giving them the help needed to firm up stool & to replace the lost good gut bacteria they need! 

I don’t know who it was but as I’ve been typing away someone has been heard playing with water. I could hear splash splash splash as a paw was bounced on the water, I’m guessing in the pool of the fountain. I didn’t go to investigate at the time because I’d have been heard coming and spoilt the game. Certainly whomever it was would have scarpered and the only way to tell who would have been capture and carry out paw checks! They quickly see there’s a system of capture and release afoot and make it very hard for me to accomplish. It sounded like an adult paw (though Humpty”’s are big!) so it might have been one of them with a game of enticement to mischief. There’s only one little monkey 🐒 I can think of ! It wasn’t Bing Crosby crooning away with his umbrella all a-twirl, so can you guess who? 

Do you use a fountain for your pets? There are several on the market. Often they’re made of plastic and often they feature replaceable filters requiring constant re-investment.

If you’ve read my book you’ll have read my words of wisdom about not using plastic bowls & dishes. This is not advice meant solely for Sphynx cats but is especially important to them. Your bowls, dishes, fountains should be made from stainless steel, from glass or from ceramic. Food dishes, particularly those feeding pouches or raw should ensure that they are cleaned in hot soapy water & rinsed well each feed. Bowls manufactures from those materials & hygienic practices will protect them from feline acne as well as from bacteria. Cats will avoid eating at all if dishes are not clean. 

Grogu’s mum Danni & I had a conversation this week about fountains and having been looking she asked me which I used. I was able to advise her right away that it’s not strictly necessary to have one at all however, it’s important to know that cats do need to drink water - more especially if having dry food diets or grazing. Often don’t drink enough and cats can be prone to urinary or kidney (particularly commercial diet fed animals so it’s important that you watch your cats fluid intake and take steps to encourage drinking as much as possible. Cats are known to be fastidious & they are keen on running water. I’ve known owners who say that their cats will only drink from a running tap - Noodle definitely likes a tap too - actually she is a good household monitor of water quality. If I don’t refresh the water bowls daily she is soon jumping up into to my kitchen sink or bathroom basin licking from inside the taps or asking me to switch the tap on for her. In hot weather she will often want tap water - I assume preferring it’s chill.  If a fountain is more your thing, I can suggest you have a look at the ceramic fountains sold at Miaustore. They have a large one with 8 different drinking surfaces/areas so is sure to appeal to whatever you cat prefers or they also now do a mini version. Both use the same pump - which I noted when visiting this week has been updated since I bought my fountain. There’s a 2 year warranty on that. There is an option to purchase a guard to fit to the pump. This is rinseable (no filters to replace). It’s purpose is to capture pet hair or food particles to prevent them being sucked into the pump. No hair kitties won’t shed hair into it snd, if you follow my advice to have water & food separate (cats prefer this) you won’t get food in their either. Another new feature on the large version is opting to have engraving (I like this!). The large version also offers an option to purchase a 10 year parts cover (all parts including the 4 ceramic elements), but I note that neither of these options are offered on the mini - a design made as one piece. Replacement parts are easily purchased including extra/replacement tubes and pumps or top pieces which can be bought in clear, black or anti microbial sterling silver. Each fountain comes in the same selection of colours, this matching dishes and a “cup” in which you can grow cat grass. Yikes there’s a 24ct gold decorated version of the large fountain too - who would be buying that! 

Accessories:  in addition to those mentioned already other add-ones or accessories include a USB extension cable, useful if your plug socket is too far away from there you’d like to site the fountain, theres a sensor which will switch the fountain on when a cat comes within 1.5m. Benefits of this are that it saves electricity (though the pump uses minimal electricity to run) and switching it off will help to prolong/extend the life of the pump. However, imho, the idea of a fountain and its usefulness at keeping water fresher over several days before changing/refilling is needed , relies on it constantly moving and oxygenating the water and so it being switched off for the majority of the time (excepting for the few moments when the cat comes to drink), is just not enough to keep it fresh and therefore using this energy/pump saving measure would only serve to make the water less desirable to your cat! In which case just use a bowl and change it daily/twice daily. For me personally, I’d rather pay the small amount it costs to run 24/7 and if necessary buy a new pump (currently priced at £11.90) if it breaks down (or if you opted for the 10 year additional warranty have it replaced). 

Other add on items are waterproof mats offered in a few colours and two sizes Oddly, they’re the same look & texture as some older style litter tray mats. They will do the job of preventing the unit scratching your floor if you’ve placed it on a hard floor, and they will contain any water drips which is definitely vital if you’ve got carpet but a lot of water, say if someone somehow knocked it would be a devil to dry from it simply because of its design/how they’re made. I have mine stood on Lino and on a wipe clean place mat that I bought at a local pet store but, if it were on carpet?then I’d look for  a melamine or plastic tray perhaps.  

Another add on item is a cleaning kit. Included in the kit are a couple of extra pump tubes (there can also be purchased as spares) but overall I feel that the kit is rather a lot of money for what it is. As well as the tubes, the thin brushes it supplies and which are used to clean the inside of tubes and the inner parts of the pump are “cheap as chips” to buy on sites such as eBay/Amazon etc. You surely already have a small cross-head screwdriver (not needed the old style pump). Perhaps the most useful part of the kit is the large cleaning brush supplies to clean the outer snd inner surfaces of the ceramic parts. A washing up brush would cost loads less though would not be soft. I make use of a microfibre cloth or use sponge - you could use anything that’s non abrasive. If you happen to have large hands though a long handled brush will be important. 

On its website miau has thoughtfully provided video demos showing how to set up your fountain - there’s an order in which you must place or remove the towers in the large model. There’s vital video demonstrations for both the old & new style pumps showing of how to disassemble, clean & reassemble each which is essential to do regularly to ensure there is no interruption to flow of water or turning off the pump. There’s also lots of other informative content relating to water & your cat so it’s a site that’s well worth a visit even if you ultimately decide not to purchase a fountain there.

If I recall correctly the units are shipped from Spain. In correspondence with miau this week, as I asked lots of questions & asked if they might kindly supply me with a discount code to give to my new families their representative has said that some colours are currently in short supply and they also advised that due to Brexit and the issues Covid has caused with there being a lack of haulier drivers, their deliveries are taking longer than usual. 

Unfortunately they were unable to offer me any discount code but did inform me that there’s an active Facebook page and Instagram channel and that they offer discounts there from time to time so this might be worth a follow! 

If ceramic is not for you, or the styles at miau are not to your liking. I’ve seen some attractive looking stainless steel fountains about online though as I don’t possess those I cannot personally recommend them. What I have noted looking at what’s currently out there is that often the stainless steel part - the area where the cat would take its drink from is there only stainless steel element while the reservoir/bowl holding the water is made of plastic. Yes, it’s design does keeps the face & mouth away from the plastic but it won’t do a thing for water quality. 

Kittens raised at Naked Sphynx Cat Hampshire are offered ceramic glazed bowls & the miau fountain as their water sources & so, when they leave to go into their new families they are able to accept & use bowls or fountains to drink from. 

Always have a cats water, it’s food and their litter trays in separate spaces.