Questions and Answers

Go ahead, ask me a question!  Here are answers to questions asked by our customers:

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I recently about 6 days ago adopted a 5 year old cat from the Humane Society. She's sweet but has been hiding ever since coux her out but she alway runs back to hide…what do suggest? leave her alone eventually she'll come out or…? I should mention the previous owner her declawed.
tb

Declawed cats are often more fearful than intact animals because they have little to no means of defending themselves, so the hiding is pretty normal. If you have other animals, they may be adding to her fear, so it would be best to keep them separate until she becomes more comfortable with her surroundings. Certainly talk to her, pet her (if she will let you), try to coax her out with treats or toys, but don't try to pick her up or physically force her out of hiding. You need to convince her to trust you, and you'll have to earn her trust - you can't force it upon her. Six days isn't that long, considering the upheaval she has recently experienced, but if she is still very fearful after another week, you may want to have her examined by your veterinarian, who may decide some anti-anxiety medication is in order.

Thanks for writing,
Kelly@CatClaws.Com

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What would cause our 2 year old cat to attack our feet and ankles?

Boredom, he wants to play, and he has figured out if he attacks your feet and ankles, he gets some sort of response. It's like a game to him. At 2 years old, they are still pretty frisky.  You can try some interactive toys with him, like the Da Bird or the Cat Charmer - playtime helps alleviate bad behavior.  Best thing is to get him a playmate, but I know that is not always feasible.

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Thanks for writing,
Kelly@CatClaws.Com

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I just moved into a Rental Home - therefore I need an enclosed litter box for Mr. Trouble.
Do you have any suggestions?

I actually prefer an open pan myself ( the low-profile plastic storage bins that you can buy make FANTASTIC litter pans) but for an enclosed pan, I like the basic hooded litter pans that you can get at any discount or grocery store - they are inexpensive and generally much easier to clean and maintain than the pricey self-scooping models. The self-scooping models are great when they work properly, but if your cat ever eliminates on any of the moving parts, they are horrible to try to clean.  

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Thanks for writing,
Kelly@CatClaws.Com

What the heck is catnip?

As promised, a discussion on catnip.  One of the most common questions we are asked is "What does catnip do?"  Catnip is a beneficial herb that has been used for centuries in folk medicine for colic, anxiety, sleep disorders, and upset stomach. A compound distilled from catnip, nepetalactone,  is an effective mosquito and fly repellent. Catnip can be used as a calming tea, and even to season food.

Cats, though, are particularly attracted to the scent of catnip. It's believed that catnip produces a stimulatory response in cats, causing them to initially become excited and then quickly to calm down or become mellow. Basically, it turns them on and then they crash.  A small amount of the herb is all it takes to attract cats, which makes it a useful component in scratching pads and cat toys. Catnip can be used to "freshen" up an old scratching pad to make it more attractive to your cat.  Refillable toys, which feature a recloseable inner pouch, are a good value, since you can replace the catnip when it gets stale.

Not all cats are attracted to catnip.  Catnip is not native to Southeast Asia, so cats from that region often have not developed the gene that makes catnip attractive. If your cat is a pure-bred Siamese or Himalayan, it probably will not be attracted to catnip.  However, many big cats, like tigers, leopards, and lions are attracted to catnip, and will exhibit the same behavior your little house cat does - rubbing, rolling, drooling, chewing and licking.

Since your cat will be chewing and licking on catnip, it's important to make sure your catnip is pure and safe.  Certified organic catnip is a good choice. It is guaranteed to be free from chemical herbicides and pesticides which may be toxic to your cat.  You don't want to ruin a fun time with a bunch of nasty chemicals!  Good catnip should be green to brownish-green and have a strong, almost minty, aroma. Obviously, if your cat is attracted to catnip by smell, the best catnip needs to have a strong scent.

If you have any questions about catnip, just post a message below and I'll try to answer it.

Thanks for reading,

Kelly at Cat Claws

Spring Savings Event

I know I promised a discussion of catnip for my next post, but I thought I would offer you a taste of our newsletter instead.  I send a weekly email newsletter to subscribers, with sales, special offers, new products, freebies, etc. If you would like to sign up for the newsletter, just visit our subscription page at Cat Claws Newsletter Sign-up. Don't worry, we won't share your email with anyone else, or spam you with random stuff.  Just great pet products and pet news!

So here is our Spring Savings Event newsletter - browse through for some unique, hard-to-find pet products - over 75% of which are made in the USA.  Oh, and we have pet-themed gift items too!

Take advantage of great savings during our Spring Savings Event. Get ready for Spring cleaning with specially-formulated stain and odor eliminators like Get Serious or Petrotech Clean + Green.  Both products are made in the USA, I have tested them, and they REALLY work!

M.A.X. Orca Scratcher personalized with your cat's name

Replace that stale scratcher with a new scratcher personalized with your cat's name, and don't forget a Harness & Tie-out so your cat can enjoy the Spring weather with you! 

  

Harness & Tie-out

For sudden showers, check out our great umbrellas that open AND close with a push of a button, and keep muddy mess to a minimum with an fresh new door mat - over a dozen different styles to choose from!

Walk in the Park Umbrella

Use coupon code W660 to save 10% during our Spring Savings Event - expires March 24th, excludes oversize and dropship items. Shop now for best selection - these low prices won't last long!

We have lots of great Made-in-the-USA dog items, too! 

If you can't find what you're looking for, or don't know what you need, feel free to email me!

Thanks for reading,

Kelly at Cat Claws