Conference misery::feline

    I never, EVER buy anything from mall pet stores.  They are expensive,
    and their supply is limited.  I buy from a specialty store (National
    Pet Supplies - "Your Pet Welcome Here") in Nashua NH, or from grocery
    stores, everything my furballs need.
    
    And, a piece of advice...I will never give my furballs any of those
    "catnip-scented" stuffed toys (stockings, mice, etc.) ever again.  Rico
    almost choked to death on the white stuffing.
    
    K.C.

    Regarding mail order being less costly than mall pet shops...that
    depends on the mail order company and the mall pet shop.
    
    I have found several companies that do mail order for reasonable
    prices, they are RC Steele and Foster & Smith.  RC Steele is less
    expensive than Foster & Smith on most things.  I have found the
    Pedigrees mail order company to be very expensive, although their
    catalog is more readily available.
    
    When you order by mail, be sure to factor in any shipping charges, COD
    charges, taxes, etc. when figuring your total cost.  Some things are
    not cheaper through the mail.  Most mail order companies have a minimum
    shipment of say $50. 
    
    Pet stores tend to be more expensive than feed stores generally (at
    least out here in California).
    
    Jo

    I buy cat food at the vet's, since that's the only place CD is
    sold.  I get cat combs at the local pet store, and check them out
    for no sharp edges, etc.  I find the ones with fairly wide
    apart and long teeth the best for getting snarls out.  I stay
    absolutely away from Pounce, which gives my guys FUS in a day or so.
    As far as toys go, I remove things they can chew off, like bells, etc.
    

    RE: .2
    
    Hi,
    
    I am relatively new in the "cat world". Well, relatively is relative --
    I got my first cat a year ago and am up to two already! -- but that is
    another note.  My question is: how/where does one get mail order
    catalogs?
    
    Vilma
    
    P.S. I live in Lunenburg, MA - in case it matters.

    I put complete ordering information about RC Steele and Foster & Smith
    in the addresses and phone numbers topic (topic 9.*).  You can call
    their 800 numbers and request catalogs be mailed to you.  Once you get
    on one mailing list, you seem to end up on all their mailing lists. :')
    I get every cat supply catalog known to man. 
    
    There are other companies, like Revival and Biologics Plus, but I
    didn't have their phone numbers or addresses with me.  I just happened
    to have Foster & Smith and RC Steele with me today since I am doing
    some comparison shopping.
    
    For example, a tokyo cage made by General Cage at RC Steele is $129.60 
    for the one with black epoxy coating.  They also have the Mid-West brand
    tokyo cage for $128.68 (black epoxy coated), or $123.40 for their zinc 
    plated one.
    
    At Foster & Smith, they only have the Mid-West brand cage with zinc
    plating, and they want $139.99 for it. 
    
    
    Jo

    I know there is another note somewhere about this, but I couldn't find
    it, so I figured I'd post this here. (The other note may be in the old
    file)
    
    I received a new brochure from Kiddy Kompany, maker of Whimsical Wands.
    Deb has added a couple of new toys to her line, and has also added a
    couple of package deals for discount prices.
    
    If anyone would like a copy of the brochure, I'd be happy to send one.
    I like these toys a lot, and so do my kitties. 
    
    She has edited her order form so that it states that California
    residents only need to add tax, and she added a shipping charge to the
    form.
    
    Send mail to STUDIO::COLAIANNI and give me either your mailstop, or
    your snail mail address, and I'll get it out to you.
    
    Disclaimer: I have no connection with this company aside from being a
    loyal customer. 
    
     Yonee

    Yonee,
    
    Thanks for posting this.  Deb showed me the new flyers a few weeks ago
    at a show but didn't have any extras to send home with me.  I am still
    waiting for her to send them.
    
    While I was out on disability, someone from the file send a SASE to my
    house asking for one of the Kiddy Kompany flyers.  I wasn't able to
    send one since I didn't have any flyers.  Whoever it was (I can look it
    up at home tonight), if you see this, contact Yonee.
    
    Also, my cats absolutely love the new toy that has two puff balls with
    some feathers attached.  They hang from a leather string.  All the cats
    go nuts with this one.  I can't remember what she calls it.  
    
    Jo

    Hi Jo!
    
     No Problem! I really love these toys. They are well made, and hold up
    well to the abuse they take from the furfaces. 
    
     I saw the new one with the pop poms. It looks neat. I'm going to order
    one. It's called the Kiddy Puff with Feathers! 
    
     She has such neat names for her toys too! The Rabbit Racer is one of
    my guys personal favorites. The No Nap Sack is a packet of catnip
    attached to the wand and it looks like it has feathers and maybe a bell
    from the drawing. Plus she has interchangeable wands and refills for
    those toys.
    
      I've sent out the ones that were asked for today. Just write if you
    want a copy! ;-)
     
     Yonee

    Thanks but I don't need a copy.  Debbie gives me "prototypes" to try
    out on the Birmans.  Birmans are very playful cats, and she likes to
    see what toys they like the best.  The Kiddy Puff is a big hit, the
    Spider is an alltime favorite, and a couple of mine go for the catnip
    bag, but only those that react to catnip anyway.
    
    Lucky me, I get to see all the new stuff while it is still in the
    planning stages. :'}  
    
    Jo

    Hey Jo, that sounds like my kind of field test!!!!!!!  Does your friend
    need a test site on the east coast? :^)

    Hi all,
    
     I just received a catalog in the mail from "Doctor's Foster & Smith".
    I have never received this before, ( I assume I'm om someone's mailing
    list that got passed on) and was wondering if anyone has used the
    products from them. 
    
     It has everything in it. Here are just the headings. (dogs and cats
    mostly) Dog beds, Dental care, Eye care, Oral medications, ear care,
    wormers, stain & odor, odor control, disinfectants, chew and fly
    control, flea and tick collars, all natural flea & tick control, flea
    and tick control, anti-mating, housebreaking, infant care, nutrition,
    skin, care, clippers & accessories, grooming, brushes and combs,
    shampoos, vaccinations, canine and feline vaccines, medications,
    Equine vaccines, equine care, surgical, first aid, rawhide toys, chews
    treats, rubber toys, toys, cat beds and toys, cat furniture, cat treats
    and dishes, sanitation (litter, etc.), cat harnesses & collars, cat
    gifts, dog gifts, collars halters & leads, feeders, library (books,
    videos) electronic trainers, training, cages, pet doors, pens, crates.
    
    Pretty complete I think. The prices seem pretty reasonable too. Has
    anyone had any experience with these folks? Could you put in a critique
    if it's positive here, or send mail if it's really bad? Thanks!
    
    Yonee 
                                         

    I use Foster & Smith quite a bit.  I buy mostly things like Kittylac,
    and the deodorizers for my automatic sprayers from them.  They are high
    on a lot of things, but they are the only ones that carry the refills
    for the automatic sprayers.  I never buy vaccines from them because
    they are really high on those.
    
    Jo

    Thanks for the input Jo. I did notice that some of the stuff that I
    know the prices of (which admittedly isn't a lot) were a little lower,
    until I added in shipping.
    
    I think I'll stick to ordering through my new source here in Mass. If
    anyone wants to know who it is, send mail. I know we're not supposed to
    put that kind of stuff in notes, and this person is a noter.  ;-)
    
    I found the different stuff you can order interesting though.
    
     Yonee

    Moderators,
    Please relocate is this isn't the correct place.
    
    Can anyone recommend some kind of string that a cat can't chew but
    isn't dangerous to them?  I have a feather twirler toy and they keep
    chewing the string and separating the toy from the rod.  I try to keep
    it stored away from them, hidden in a closet of on a shelf or counter,
    but they always find it, open my closet (sliding one).   Or I forget,
    to close something...within 10 minutes they've tracked it down and
    chewed it....I'm getting frustrated...any suggestions.  I don't want
    them to eat it....it's not good for them and they are wrecking the toy.
    
    thanks,
    michele

    I use fishing line on the ones I make. It's smoother and my cats don't
    chew on it. You can pick it up in most stores. The only trick is
    knowing how to make a proper "fishing knot" because it will slip out
    very easy if not tied right.
    
    Mike

    Mike,
    
     I know what you mean about making the proper fishing knot so the line
    won't slip! I had to teach one of the guys I went fishing with last
    year how to tie that knot, as he kept casting his Mepps into the pond!
    ;-)
    
     I use this knot on my kitty toys too, even when I'm not using nylon
    fishing line! Must be a habit! 
    
    Yonee
    

    Michele,
    
         As for the sliding doors, I've cut pieces of wood that fit in the
    tracks of the doors, so that the doors can't be slid open.  Kind of a
    pain in the neck to take the wood out, then open the door to get
    whatever I'm looking for, close the door and put the wood back, but the
    cats haven't figured out (yet) how to get the wood out of the track (of
    course, I cut them *tight* too).
    
    					- Andrea

    i'll try the fishing line, however could you tell me what kind of knot
    it is.  hopefully I can find someone around here who knows what it is,
    because I'm not familiar with different types of knots.
    
    thanks.
    michele

    Michele,
    
     I'm not sure I could describe the fishing knot in words. Mike? How
    about you? 
    
    I don't know where you are, but if your near the Marlboro,
    Hudson area, I'd be glad to demonstrate! ;-)
    
     I'll try writing it out though and see what I come up with. No
    gaurantees though. ;-)
    
    Yonee

    	I think it would be easier to balance my check book than to try to
    explain how to tie this knot. I tried to write it out, but it does not
    make any sense and forget about trying to draw it with just a VT340.
    Even the Navy manual had pictures in it. Maybe someone where you work
    fishes and can help you out? It's not hard once somebody shows you and
    the way it is made, the harder something pulls on it, the tighter it
    holds. 
    Mike

    Mike,
    
     I tried writing it out too, and when I read it back, I almost forgot
    how to tie it! ;-) Too hard to describe. I agree that anyone near you
    that fishes should be able to help you with it.
    
    Yonee

    OK, thanks.....i know a lot of fishers around here...will try them..
    
    just want you both to know, it brought me laughter to picture the two
    of you trying to write this out....but thanks for trying...i appreciate
    it....
    
    michele
    
    p.s.  will let you know how I come out

    michele,
    
     It truly was something to try to write out those directions! Pretty
    impossible! I asked my husband how he would write it down. He thought
    for a minute and said, "What are you, nuts?! You can't explain that in
    just words! You have to demonstrate it!" ;-) Just as I suspected when I
    couldn't do it too! 8-)
    
    Let us know when you learn, and tell us if you understand the dilemma
    of trying to write it out.
    
    Yonee

We adopted two eight week old kittens from a friend. Along with the
kittens came the normal stuff i.e. litter box, scoop, some food and some
toys. There was also a factory-made, rug-covered scratching pad with a 1"
wide nylon web belt loop that we were told was to hang the scratching pad
from a doorknob. This scratching pad is a piece of plywood about six
inches wide and twenty inches long. It's almost completely covered with
carpet.  The belt loop is long enough to go around a doorknob and allow
the pad to hang down but not touch the floor.

The first time I hung it on a door, last Saturday, was the last time.
Because the kittens are new to our home, my wife had been monitoring them
closely as long as they were out of their airline cage (their nighttime
address, so to speak). On one occasion Saturday she left them alone
to go downstairs for a minute (literally). When she returned the little
boy kitten was hanging by his neck with his head stuck in the scratching
pad loop. He was unharmed, but only because she found him in time. He's
back to normal, but we aren't.

These scratching pads are dangerous.

Art

re.                          -< Dangerous cat toy alert >-

Art,

Thanks for the alert.  This reminds me of a toy we had several years ago 
that would have seriously injured our kitty if we hadn't been home.  It was
one of those toys with a long piece of elastic that hung over a doorknob so 
that the kitty could bat the toy part around.  She loved it, but unfortunately 
she managed to get the elastic twisted around her paw.  She howled and panicked
when she couldn't get loose.  Her instinct was to back up to get loose, but 
that only tightened it further.  She normally will let me do anything to her 
but I couldn't touch her to unwind it because she was so terrified.  I just 
grabbed a kitchen knife and cut it.  We felt terrible that we had put her in 
such danger and very grateful that we were home to rescue her.  I wish that 
animal toys went through the rigorous tests that toys for children go through!

			SQ