Recently, with my cat sitting business just getting busier and busier, I found myself reflecting on what, or who started it all. Her name was Omi. Omi  was a beautiful senior calico I rescued out of a crappy situation in April 2022. I ended up giving her to a dear family friend where I knew she would be well looked after, loved and be queen of her castle! Fortunately for me I got to see her lots - when her owner would go away regularly, and then when she was diagnosed with mammary cancer in August 2022 as a result of never being spayed, and I became her nurse and caretaker (I'll save this for another post). While things did not stay rosy for too long - I helped her cross the rainbow bridge in late September 2022 - I realized while I was looking after her everyday, how much I liked cat sitting. It isn't just about getting to snuggle cats all day, but it's about being able to make a difference and enrich their lives. It is certainly my therapy, and for that, I love it! 

* I don't get any commission from these! I just want to make your lives as cat parents better! 
** You can get most of these products at Pet Valu and PetSmart!

1. Litter Locker: The Litter Locker is a great way to dispose of your kitty's business, while keeping odours in the locker! I don't know how I lived without it! All you do is scoop the litter box 1-2 times a day with the included scoop, pour the scoop contents in the top compartment, close the lid, pull out the locking tray, and no more smell! Everything goes into a bag down below! 
2. Catit Drinking Fountain: My cat loves his drinking fountain! With BPA-free plastic, a 3-litre reservoir, and a triple action water filter, I know that he will always have access to clean, fresh water, and be enticed to drink more! ​It's so cute too! 
3. Van Ness Ecoware Cat Bowl: This is my cat's favourite bowl. Not only is it made of around 50% of recycled materials and bamboo, with no BPA, no chemicals or metals, it also features an anti-slide bottom - very good for this messy eaters! I also like to bowl because it has such low sides to help prevent 'whisker fatigue'. 
4. Van Ness Giant Litter Pan: This is the litter box that every cat wants! It has high enough sides to keep *most* of the litter in, but still low enough it's still easy enough to get in and out of! It also eliminates the possibility of a cat being cornered/trapped in the litter box as there are virtually infinite exits. It's also made of some recycled materials and available in several different colours!
5. Fresh 4 Life Odor Destroyer Litter: If you are looking for a litter that is low-dust, has maximum odour control and clumping, and is long lasting, then this is the one! This litter is made of premium clay, making scooping easy, dust low, and hardly any smell! The clay granules are also very fine, making them comfortable on little cat paws! 
6. Jump Peekers Cat Scratcher: My cat's favourite scratcher!! Some kitties prefer horizontal scratchers over vertical ones, and for those that do, this is the best one that I have ever found! My cat loves to scratch cardboard, and this scratcher is beyond durable. It's made of sturdy corrugated cardboard with a couple different angles to allow your kitty to fully stretch their muscles and claws!
7. Whisker City 70-inch lush Mansion Cat Tree: If your cat is like mine, then they will LOVE to climb! This 70-inch cat tree offers so much kitty fun! Lots of places to climb, scratch, snooze and more! 
8. Feline Greenies Oven-Roasted Chicken Dental Treats: My cat's favourite bed-time snacks! Not only does each treat have less than two calories, but these treats are recommend and approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) to reduce plaque and tartar, as well as freshen breath! 
9. Go Cat Da Bird Wand Toy: According to behaviourists, in order for cats to be completely be happy they need to be able to activate their hunting instincts! This little bird-like feather flying through the the air (safely) can help replicate their natural environments, and help kitty satisfy their natural hunting and predatory behaviours! 
10. Cat Silly Plastic Springs: I have never met a cat who doesn't love these! They are easy to bat around, easy to carry around, and just bounce all over -their unpredictable nature is very exciting for your kitty! The bright colours also make them easy for us pet parents to find under ovens and fridges! 

​What is enrichment?
Cats can become bored very easily. Enrichment can help! Enrichment's main goal is to improve and enhance a cat's daily life by providing environmental and behavioural stimuli that will satisfy its natural instincts and behaviours! It is a good idea to try to bring a new thing into your kitty's life every day, it doesn't even have to be anything big! *Remember, each new item/experience must be 100% cat safe and supervised!

With the warmer weather finally here, sometimes you must be wondering how can I keep my cat cool? It isn't just outdoor cats we need to be mindful, but our indoor-only fur babies too! 

Remember to always consult your veterinarian if you are concerned about your kitty's health and wellbeing.

Cool Tips:

1. ​Wet Food: It's a well-known fact that wet food has almost 60% more water than dry food, helping to prevent dehydration. Sometimes even serving wet food slightly colder than room temperature can help cool a cat down (provided they will eat cold food!).
2. Water Fountain: Fountains are able to do what a stationary water bowl cannot: entice your kitty to drink more water. Cats scarcely drink enough water, but studies show that they prefer to drink water that they prefer to drink from sources that replicate what might be found in their natural environments. Adding extra water to your cat's wet food can also help with hydration. 
3. A Little Trim: Some cats may require haircuts to help keep them cool during the summer. Long-haired cats especially, can benefit from a hairdo called the lion cut. Remember, it is best to have a trained groomer to complete this for you! 
4. ​Cooling Mats: Even with an air conditioner, cooling mats can still help keep kitties cool in extreme heatwaves. Just make sure the mat is durable enough for cats! 
5. Paw Dips: Another helpful trick to keep your kitty cool is to put damp, cool cloths on their paws. Cats are not very good at regulating their body temperatures, but can do it a little bit through their paws. 
6. ​Fans: Whether you have an air conditioner or not, using fans to keep the air moving can also help keep kitty cool. Opening windows (provided it isn't too hot outside) will also help.

Signs of a hot kitty:

• Rapid breathing
• Panting
• Drooling
• Lethargy
• Pale gums
• Hot ears
• Excessive vocalization

If you are concerned that your cat has heat stroke or is dehydrated, contact your veterinarian immediately

June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month 
And what better way to celebrate this wonderful time than by adopting your own shelter kitty?

Why adopt from a shelter?
There are many reasons to adopt a shelter cat!

1. Many lives will be saved: when you adopt a shelter cat, you not only save the life of the kitty you adopted, but you will be making room for more kitties who need help, and who knows? Maybe the kitty you adopted will end up saving you too.
2. Purrsonalities are not surprises: Shelter kitties are with staff and volunteers daily, as well as with other cats. Because of this, a cat's personality is known, as well as their likes and dislikes. This way, a cat's prospective forever family can find a kitty with the type of temperament that would best suit their needs and lifestyle. 
3. Lots to choose from: In most shelters, there are many different ages, breeds, colours and other types of cats to choose from to suit many different needs and lifestyles. 
4. More savings: At most shelters, cats are often already vaccinated, microchipped and spayed/neutered, saving money in the long-run. Some shelters even send new owners home with food and a few other supplies. 
5. Great for small spaces: With the downsizing trend still very prominent, cats make wonderful pets for smaller houses, condos and apartments. Generally speaking, cats do not need a ton of room, but 'vertical expansion' is still possible in a small apartment! 
6. Good for mental health: Many studies have shown that adopting any animal, including cats has positive effects on our mental health. Loneliness, stress, depression and anxiety are all reduced with the companionship of a kitty,  and well-being and happiness are increased and improved. 
7. Allergy & asthma resistance: Other studies have shown that with cats in the house, children, and even adults, will likely become more resistant to any pet-related allergies and asthma. 
8. Heart Health: Several studies have recently found that cats can also have positive effects on hearth health, significantly reducing the risks of strokes, heart attacks and other related diseases and conditions. 
9. ​Increased Happiness: It is proven that cats increase a family's happiness - including other pets. Certainly other pets can benefit from a new playmate due to decreased loneliness and many other reasons (after proper introduction and an adjustment period).
10. Increased Companionship: Cats make wonderful companions for busy, specially-abled and older individuals. Cats do not require a lot of exercise or high levels of care. They are relatively easy to care for, and have positive effects on us. 

Shelters to adopt from:
There are several local organizations featuring lots of lovely kitties looking for 'furever' homes to call their own;

• Barn Cat Co-op: Uxbridge ON
• Edward's Animal Sanctuary: Zephyr ON
• Uxbridge Cat Rescue: Uxbridge ON
• Uxbridge-Scugog Animal Shelter: Port Perry ON

Inspiration from: https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/news-blogs/a-vets-life/10-great-reasons-adopt-a-cat-a-shelter

Almost everyone who knows me that I am a huge cat lady, but not too many really know why! The credit squarely belongs to my cat, Oliver.
​It was October 2020 when I first brought Oliver home, I didn't realize then just how much he would change my life for the better. Before I got him, I felt so lost in my life, depressed, anxious, and many more negative emotions and feelings. Certainly after the passing of my mom in 2010, I had a huge hole left in my heart. It wasn't until I adopted a kitten that I realized part of that hole was cat-shaped!   
In my early days as a cat mom I learned that having something to love and care for was just what I needed. The responsibility of looking after a living being gave my life purpose and direction.
But it is more than just caring for my Oliver, it is also about how he has cared for me in the past almost three years. Even to this day, Oliver seems to have this knack for knowing precisely when I need him and his little sandpaper kisses. I truly believe that we share an incredibly deep connection that just cannot be put into words. 
It is like we have our own secret, non-verbal language, we cannot sleep without each other near, we always eat our meals sitting together, we suffer separation anxiety from each other, and we just have nothing but love for each other. If that isn't a kitty soul mate, I don't know what is.