![\"kitty](\"https:\/\/mayahoodblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/kitty-on-steps-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\nIt’s not very well known but we have a pet cat. I don’t often speak of her because she’s not top of mind… you know the whole three kids thing. \u00a0She’s also an outdoor cat. She literally spends 20+ hours a day outdoors. Even when she comes inside to eat, she doesn’t stay longer than 5 minutes. She often prefers to stay outside on our porch, even if it’s 30 degrees and humid out rather than stay in our air conditioned indoors.<\/p>\n
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Our cat is also getting older. At 11 years old, she’s not very playful so the kids haven’t had a chance to really bond with her but do love to chase and annoy her. So I don’t blame her for selecting the great outdoors.<\/p>\n
A few weeks ago we went up to the cottage for vacation and we brought our cat along (we often leave her at home on under the watchful eyes of our neighbours). Out cat (kitty as we lovingly call her) was like a kid in a candy store up in cottage country. She spent her nights exploring in the woods and most of the day with us. The boys really enjoyed having her around I strongly believe that a pet has so many beneficial impacts on kids and I was happy to see them come to fruition over the years.<\/p>\n
![\"kitty](\"https:\/\/mayahoodblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/kitty-cottage-with-boys-1024x576.jpg\")
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While we don’t have a snugly cat, she is definitely part of our family. While International Cat Day was celebrated on August 8th, it doesn’t mean that cats shouldn’t be celebrated monthly or even year round!<\/p>\n
Here are a few ideas from my friends at Church & Dwight on how to give your cats the royal treatment and have them livin\u2019 in the lap of luxury.<\/p>\n
Love and Happiness.<\/b>\u00a0Regular playtime with your cat provides him\/her with a stimulating environment and experience \u2013 this translates into a healthy, happy and loved cat. Fancy toys aren\u2019t needed. In fact, you may find that your cat prefers household items you never intended as toys. Some great toys include: ping pong balls, paper bags and cardboard boxes.<\/p>\n
![\"kitty](\"https:\/\/mayahoodblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/kitty-Nate-1024x659.jpg\")
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Go crazy for catnip!<\/b>\u00a0 Cats react strongly to catnip because it heightens their senses \u2013 smell, touch, sight, sound and taste, causing them to run and jump around, roll on the floor and perhaps act a little… insane. While they may appear drugged, this is a natural reaction, and something that cats truly enjoy. You can purchase toys with catnip inside or sprinkle some on toys and scratch posts.<\/p>\n
Keep it clean.<\/b>\u00a0Cats are clean animals and take grooming very seriously \u2013 full stop. So it only makes sense that they\u2019d want a clean litter box area too. Make sure the box always has enough litter in it, is cleaned often and placed in a quiet area with little foot traffic so it feels private and safe. Try Arm & Hammer Clump & Seal Lightweight litter \u2013 it\u2019s half the weight of our regular clumping litter and provides 7-day odor control, guaranteed.<\/p>\n
![\"kitty](\"https:\/\/mayahoodblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/08\/kitty-cottage--576x1024.jpg\")
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Provide a vantage point.<\/b>\u00a0You might have noticed that your cat prefers to be on top of your closet, climbing the kitchen cupboard or finding a warm sunny patch on the window sill. Cats naturally like finding the highest spots in your house so they can feel safe from predators (in our case, it’s my kids), and keep an eye on their territory. If you don\u2019t have great perching areas available, you can create these by bringing in tall scratching posts and cat tree furniture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It’s not very well known but we have a pet cat. I don’t often speak of her because she’s not top of mind… you know the whole three kids thing. \u00a0She’s also an outdoor cat. She literally spends 20+ hours a day outdoors. Even when she comes inside to eat, she doesn’t stay longer than […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":9826,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Four tips on how to keep your cat meow-nificent year round! #Church&Dwight #MustLoveCats http:\/\/wp.me\/p3dEqj-2yp","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[137227404,34960978],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-9821","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-featured","8":"category-reviews-giveaways","9":"entry"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\n