Cat fishing

Of all the cat toys out there, I would say that string and ball (light ping pong size) rank top two fun cat toys for most cats. Even the expensive mechanical porcupine (RM30) and sock on a rod (RM15) would not come in the top 5 of my cats' list! So ever since a few months ago, I've kind of given up on buying pet toys from pet shops.

Back to the favourite string toy. I've tried remnant cloth strip, brightly coloured hand-braided wool, and off-white parcel string.

Of the 3 strings, the parcel string gets the most attention from my cats. I don't know why - perhaps it's something in the smell of the string? My cats (Friesia especially) likes it when I run with the parcel string around our home - over the chairs, sofas, TV, and their gym / tuck shop. Sometimes they like jumping up to catch a parcel string dangled just above their noses. When they're tired chasing the string, they occasionally enjoy lying on their backs and trying to catch the dangling parcel string that poked their cute bellies.

As I said, string is such a versatile toy that my husband even found that it's a good bait to lure Friesia off the top of the kitchen cabinet! Well, it worked for about 10 times before Friesia realised it, and decided to fish for the string from the top of the cabinet ;-)

Scratch Board for RM18.90!

I found this rather expensive scratch board at Jusco Setiawangsa's pet section.

I wouldn't buy it of course because I can make it at home with a small aubergine ;-)

Well, not quite but seriously speaking I did make scratch boards for my cats for much less than that!

To find out how, check out my blog post on DIY scratch board made of cardboard remnants.

Feline Fresh natural pine litter smells like Ikea :)

If there were a title for "World's Best Cat Litter", I would give it to pine litter and not the self-acclaimed "World's Best" corn litter. Like corn litter, pine litter clumps and is flushable but is not edible. In fact, it gives a pleasant pine fragrance just like in Ikea!

For just only RM21 for 2.73kg (6lbs) from Jusco Setiawangsa, the pine litter is good value for money. My two cats have been using it for 2 weeks, and there is still just under half a bag left.

Pros
+ Good value for money
+ Pleasant pine smell
+ Clumps better than clay, so litter doesn't stubbornly stick to tray or floor
+ Flushable, so no need to waste plastic bags for collecting litter
+ Biodegradable, so don't worry about it blocking your loo bowl
+ Not edible like corn, so no disgusting scenes of cats nibbling on litter
+ Fine texture, gentle on sensitive paws and feet. You won't notice you stepped on it like crystal, clay, or paper pellet litter!

Con
- Pine litter bits show up on dark carpets and sofas

Friesia's Tuck Shop Part II

Well, actually it's a cat activity centre made out of reused items. I couldn't help calling this post a tuck shop because Friesia's got her "Can I help you, prrr?" cat sales rep expression. Also the box makes her look like she's in a little tuck shop booth.

In retrospect, I probably wouldn't build a cat activity centre out of old mineral water boxes again in the future. The cardboard is too thin, and would only safely hold Friesia's weight - if she's careful. No chance for Oatey - last time he tried jumping onto the box, the flaps peeved in and Oatey slipped into the box. Needless to say, Oatey was put off by the experience and wouldn't risk climbing the box even to chase a string.

I suppose thicker cardboard boxes would make a cat activity centre more sturdy. Not sure whether there are places in KL / Klang Valley that sell them at discount prices. I managed to get a sturdy cardboard box from a hardware store but I doubt the owners would let me walk away with 10 boxes just like that.

Friesia's Tuck Shop

Yesterday, Friesia discovered another hiding place when I left the kitchen cabinet doors open, and was determined to set up a tuck shop ;-) I coaxed her to come out but she ignored me, and seemed unpeturbed even when I closed the cabinet doors for a few minutes.

Pic 1: Friesia in her tuck shop
Pic 2: "Can I tempt you with a can of Malay Tea cat whiskers ... or rrrrroselle, purrrr?"
Pic 3: Friesia leaps out...
Pic 4: ... onto the 1st floor
Pic 5: "We also have BIRD's custard - don't worry, no real birds used - it's meant for humans"
Pic 6: "Something salty and snacky...? Ah yes, here are the crrrrisps!"

Found what I wanted - not bad for a cat sales rep!

Free home grown cat grass

Cat grass is good for digestion, and helps make it easier for a cat to eliminate fur balls.

In the west, cat grass is typically grass grown from wheat, oat, barley, or rye seeds.

In the east, my friend taught me that you can find the Malaysian version of cat grass around the bushes.

I found mine growing at the roots of trees in a playground. A friendly neighbour's cat was chewing on it.

I scooped some of the grass into my pot, brought it back home, and put it on the balcony banister away from prying eyes. It didn't work because one of my cats is a bit of gymnast. Friesia spotted it, and eagerly leapt onto the banister to chew the cat grass. I kept pushing her down and told her "No" and bobbed her nose. She knows what I mean but she ignored my command and leapt up onto the banister again. That's it, balcony's out of bounds for Friesia, until she learns not to jump on the banister!

Free-range DQ clean chicken at Jusco Setiawangsa

DQ clean chicken is organic in every sense - the chickens are free-range, grass-fed, antibiotic free (owner Mr Wong, prefers to call it "beyond organic"). From my experience, it's difficult enough to find antibiotic free chicken, so finding organic chicken is even more so. BTW, before you list various places to find kampung chicken, let me clarify that kampung chicken is actually a breed name, and does not imply free range.

Food Safari's blog lists only 5 places to find free-range DQ clean chicken, so I was well-pleased to find the 6th place: the new Jusco Setiawangsa (RM23.99 each). Not only that, Jusco Setiawangsa stocks frozen Australian turkey leg and fresh local Boer goat meat, which make nice alternative to raw chicken for my cats :) And for us health-conscious herbivores, and omnivores, Jusco Setiawangsa also has a generous selection of organic veg, pulses, and snacks.