COMPARE AND CONTRAST

In many ways, kittens are like human babies. Let's compare and contrast!

Babies: Get food everywhere.
Kittens: Think batting around dry and wet food is just wonderful.

Babies: Outgrow their clothes.
Kittens: Run around buck-naked.

Babies: Eventually get tired of their toys and want more.
Kittens: Still wonder how they get the little jingly bell inside the ball.

Babies: Require an adult at bath time.
Kittens: Will bathe anywhere and anytime they feel like it.

WHAT TO DO WHEN BAD WEATHER COMES

Whenever a rainy day came, our parents used to tell us to read a book or watch TV. These are great, but get monotonous after a while. Besides, kittens can't read! Below are some game ideas for when it's pouring outside.

Feline String Chase - Tape a regular piece of string to the back of your shoe. Get your kitten's attention. If they try to catch it, run around the house. For added fun, turn out all of the lights and have a pitch-black match! WARNING: Do not play on stairs in the dark! This can have really bad results.

Dizzy-Dizzy - Take a laser pointer or flashlight and wave the light in front of or near the kitten. If they are curious and chase it, try to run them around in little circles. If you are using a laser pointer, DO NOT POINT IT IN THE KITTEN'S EYES! This can cause permanent eye damage and even blindness. This has the same effect on humans, dogs, hamsters, whatever.

Soda Can Simpletons - Take a soda can and fill it with beads, gravel, or anything else small and round. Then, glue a piece of cardboard to the hole on top and make sure none of the stuff can roll out. Roll the can in front of the kitten and get its attention Decorate it if you want to! Instead of beads or gravel, fill the can with treats or dry food and leave the top open. See how many your kitten can get!

Monkey Ball - This game requires a stuffed animal that has limbs long enough to tie together. First, take the stuffed animal's legs and bring the knees up to its chest. Second, wrap the arms around the legs and tie in a knot or bow, that forms the ball. Roll it around or see which kitten can jump the highest! (Note: This game was named after the type of stuffed animal used.)

CABIN FEVER

My mother lives in a trailer with seventeen or more cats. You should see her Christmas Parties! Here are some easy cures for the worst cases of Cabin Fever in kittens.

Run For All Nine of Your Lives - Kittens and older cats both hate crowded rooms, especially when the people love to argue and yell. A common cure for this is to let them sit in your lap. This way, if something happens where the turkey explodes and people have to go to the hospital with Styrofoam Cup-Related injuries, you can pick up your friend and run screaming into the night.

Dope for Cats - Catnip is something all felines love. When your kitten is stressed, give her/him some catnip. Be warned, it may make some kittens drowsy, but it makes other hyper. For product information, see the Catnip section on Flippy's HEALTH page.

Break Out the Heavy Artillery - This is for only when things get super-bad. Purchase a bottle of Calm Down For Cats. This liquid can either be given directly to the cat or put in its water bowl. (Can be purchased at Petsmart)

FEEDING TECHNIQUES

You know the routine. You barely shake the cat food bag and all of them come running. These are a few easy ways to serve them their food without dumping it on their heads.

Thirsty Kittens Are Your Best Friend - If your kittens are thirsty and hungry, which felines often are, give them their water first. This way, they'll be distracted by the water so you can set their food down for them.

Sneaky - Try to dish out the cat food while they're asleep or using the litter box. Be careful if they're asleep, however. Cats have good ears.

Never Skimp On Food - Always leave a little extra in the food and water bowls. Then you can not only save time, but do the chore less altogether.

CLOSING STATEMENT

At the time of writing this, my cat, Sparkplug, is the mother of four two-day-old kittens. This was a "reminder" to write something that can not only help my Dad and I, but help other people also.

SPECIAL THANKS

Scott Tinch; Terri Elliott; The City of Nowhere, Tennessee; Alessandra Hirshman; Missy Scruggs

Copyright © Jessica Tinch
July 1st, 2004

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EDITOR'S NOTE: I would encourage everyone to have your cats spayed or neutered. For information on the benefits of desexing, please visit the DESEXING page.