Home Alone

Contact: Jill Gizzio or Dee Merica
877-364-8697 Toll Free
Jill@DogToys.com
Dee@ShopByBreed.com

November 4, 2004

Home Alone

WEST CHESTER, PA - Humanization of pets is the latest pet care trend – treating our dogs, cats, birds and pocket pets like beloved family members. As a result more cats now live indoors rather than outdoors. And while it’s much safer for these born hunters to live inside the house, some felines may become bored.

As responsible pet owners, we need to consider the instinctual needs of our domestic cats. Granted, they have a life of luxury -- lounging on the lamp stand, listening for the can opener, and looking embarrassed when caught in the liter pan – but cats need to feel useful, too. Without a sense of purpose, kitty may “get into trouble” – there goes the fichus you’ve been nurturing – and may suffer psychologically or even physically by demonstrating undesirable behaviors.

“Cats especially like to play at dawn and dusk, the best times for hunting birds and rodents.” says Jill Gizzio of CatToys.com. Ms. Gizzio has been reviewing and scrutinizing safe toys for cats and dogs for over seven years. “Our pets play with their toys when we’re not at home. That’s the point -- keep them occupied, but keep them safe, too.” Here are a few of Gizzio’s suggestions for a cat safe toy box.

“Play n Treat Balls are great fun. They actually have a purpose, and that’s to satisfy the instinct to work and hunt for food,” suggests Gizzio. “As the ball rolls it dispenses yummy kibble for a snacking kitty.” She assures that even the laziest couch potato will work for this treat. Aromatherapy – for pets? Try an organic, catnip-filled yarn ball to relieve stress through its activity and scent. Cats are predators. Occupy them with a swizzle bird feather wand, an interactive game. “One of my favorites is the Wooley Bully – not the song, the mouse. When it gets grungy, just throw it in the washer and dryer, and it’s ready to be hunted and caught again.” If your cat could type, she would go to www.cattoys.com for all these purrrr-fect ideas.