Rufus Raves!

Rufus Update

2011-07-31T10:42:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! Long time no blog!

Just wanted to report that Rufus is doing well! We've moved back to Rufus' hometown, New York City (hence the lack of updates...)! We're all glad to be back!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Toilet Training Update

2010-04-14T22:37:00.000-07:00

Hey fur-iends!

We've been so busy. We moved & I have been logging a lot more hours at work. This has left us with very little time to post about Rufus' progress on the CitiKitty. I plan to write up a very detailed post about how it's going but first, I wanted let everyone know where Rufus is with the training.

Rufus is doing great on the system! We've had our accidents and it has been rough with just ONE lone restroom. But it's been an amazing 3 weeks of training. Rufus is getting it and seems to be aiming for the hole! Ha!

More details and pictures to come soon! We miss our fellow bloggers and hope to catch up soon. :)

Nothing like a random, mis-matched photo of Rufus to go with a post!

Down With Litter!

2010-03-21T20:52:00.000-07:00

We have been a little behind (OK, OK! Really behind!) on our posts but Rufus and I promise that the next few posts will make up for that. What could we possibly have to make up for only one measly post thus far in March?

Well, a picture is worth a thousand words...

No, your eyes do not deceive you! That is, indeed, a cat toilet training kit.

Checking in with his handsome face. :)

On Patrol

2010-03-04T18:18:00.000-08:00

The beans have been busy and so has Rufus. Look who's on patrol!

Looking to the right...

Looking to the left!

Making the most of these windows before we move! Yes, we're moving to a new place this month!

Snuggled Up

2010-02-03T23:19:00.000-08:00

Oh my goodness, the updates are being posted too far and few between. I have been out of town AGAIN! The boys (Rufus and cat daddy) are home alone once more. I don't imagine much more than this going on around the house between the two of them...

A whole lot of laying around!

Nothing like a fleece blanket and pillow to sleep in during the winter... even if it is sunny Southern California!

Laundry Helper

2010-02-03T23:11:00.000-08:00

Look who's helping with the laundry...

Rufus.

And he's "helping" by depositing his furs all over the clean clothes.

His job here is done.

Shoe Lover's Wordless Wednesday

2010-01-27T00:00:00.000-08:00

PETCO Eco-Scratcher Scratching Post

2010-01-21T19:54:00.000-08:00

My, oh my! It's been a while since we last reviewed a product! The holidays are over and now we have all the time in the world! (Ok, I don't but Rufus does...) We are glad to present our very first product review of 2010 for the PETCO Eco-Scratcher Scratching Post .

You may remember this as Rufus' Christmas present, which we all know he loved! He took to the scratcher without any direction or catnip. It is made of 100% post consumer recycled plastic bottles. (The tag it came with tells us it saved four plastic bottles from entering a landfill.) It's better than a cardboard scratcher because it's more durable and much easier to clean up- no cardboard bits all over the floor.

The only thing that could be improved about this product is the dangling feather toy. Rufus ripped it off in hours. I had to re-affix it with a very strong glue. Also, it's a bit lightweight. Rufus pushes this thing all over the room and it gets knocked over quite easily. It doesn't prevent Rufus from digging in with his claws even if it's on its side so it's not a big deal.

We got it on sale for 10 smackers! (What a DEAL!) Rufus loves it to pieces, literally. We are very happy with this scratcher and leave you with these candid photos of Rufus and his lovely scratcher.

Let me warn you, these are the craziest pictures of Rufus I have ever taken...

Cuddling the post violently.

The post is off the ground here...

He is walking and laying at the same time.

There is no caption good enough to supplement this picture.

Rufie Rating: Three Paws!

The Strange Kitty

2010-01-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

Who is this guy, this doppelganger of Rufus!?

It's Leroy!

He lives in Florida.

And he was a roomie of Rufus' for a brief stint in 2008.

So no, Rufus is not getting a brother (not this year at least!). We were in Florida for a week or two for the holidays and we got to spend it with Leroy and two others. These guys...

Sadie

Niner

It was a full house but a super fun holiday! We hope everyone is enjoying the new year so far. (Especially since the mystery cat has been revealed. )

HEY! That Isn't Rufus!

2010-01-05T20:00:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone had a great holiday! We sure did! But Rufus had to spend quite a few days alone since us beans were in Florida... with another cat!

There's a teaser picture! Will post more once everything gets settled!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-22T14:45:00.000-08:00

This could very well be our last entry of the year, so we want to wish everybody a very happy holiday season. Christmas came early for Rufus this year. He's got himself a new scratching post with an attached dangly feather toy.

His 'For me?!' face.

Sniffing, studying, inspecting.

Verdict: He hates it. Haha, just kidding.

Gripping onto it with everything he's got. Good thing he doesn't have to share.

*In true Rufus fashion, it has not even been 24 hours since he received this lovely gift and the feather toy has been ripped clear off the scratching post. Very nice.

See?

Snug As a Bug....

2009-12-16T20:15:00.001-08:00

...IN A BOX!!

It's a tight fit, but a box is a box!

Rufus in complete and utter bliss.

Rufus ends this photo opportunity.

Birthday Box...

2009-12-09T18:52:00.000-08:00

It was my birthday this past Saturday and a friend sent me a package. I brought it to the living room and had to tend to other things before I could open it. Guess what I saw when I came back to it?

Rufus claiming the box.

I pushed it to a different spot. He didn't budge. He kind of enjoyed the ride.

I waited for him to bore of it. He didn't, of course. Turned it into a new napping spot.

His "please share" face.
(I couldn't, it was all chocolate! Even the cat dad barely got a bite!)

Stuff On Rufus

2009-12-01T13:15:00.001-08:00

Guess who's on Stuff On My Cat.com!

Back From the Vet

2009-11-30T14:43:00.001-08:00

Rufus is sick! He's been sneezing a bit for a couple of days and we had to take him in to see the vet today.

The vet says he has an upper respiratory infection and gave him three different medicines. (Neither Rufus nor I is pleased with this! He is quite the squirmy guy when you try to give him something he doesn't want and I feel just terrible for him.) This is the first time Rufus has gotten sick but he is in very good spirits.

Also, the vet says Rufus is a bit overweight at 15 lbs. Looks like we will need to cut back on the stinky goodness! Poor guy, this is not the best day for him!

Wordless Wednesday Peek

2009-11-25T00:02:00.000-08:00

A New 'Toy'

2009-11-19T12:58:00.001-08:00

I've spent a tidy sum buying Rufus toys. Wands, balls, track toys, you name it, I've bought it! He likes them initially but gets bored. Then he discovered a loose shoelace and things have not been the same!

Rufus posing with his new favorite 'toy'!

The bright side- shoelaces are cheap! I wonder what other unintentional cat 'toys' he'll like...

Helping Around the Office

2009-11-14T00:04:00.000-08:00

Here is Rufus hard at "work" in our home office.

Blocking movement of the office chair.

Sniffing table legs.

PETCO Cat and Kitten Shampoo

2009-11-08T14:59:00.000-08:00

There is only one four letter word for Rufus and that is B-A-T-H.

Nobody in this house is a fan of cat baths. But it had to be done. Rufus had a smelly behind.

Rufus knew something was amiss when we got home from the pet store. He tried running but Cat dad, in his thickest claw-proof sweatshirt, scooped him up. There was a bit of resistance but the whole thing lasted no more than five minutes.

The shampoo was great. It lathered up nicely and didn't have an overly strong fragrance. I didn't wash Rufus' head so I can't speak about its tear-free qualities. We picked this particular shampoo because it was for kittens and figured it would be a gentle formula. The shampoo cost around $9, which is not a bad price as I expect to use it for a while.

Here are the few pictures I took before I felt bad and made Rufus the biggest stinkiest pile of dinner.

Ashamed to be photographed in this state, Rufus attempts to hide his face.

He may not be a happy camper but he sure is clean!

Even though Rufus did not enjoy receiving the bath, you could tell he was very pleased with the results. Rufus' coat was so clean and soft! The bath did a super job of washing away much of his loose fur. He was strutting around the house displaying his perfect coat to everyone.

Rufie Rating: Four Paws!

[FYI to those more timid about bathing their feline friends, Rufus thoroughly enjoys waterless baths a la Petkin Kitty Wipes!]

Saving It For Later...?

2009-11-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

Water. We all drink it. But do you know the difference between Rufus and the rest of us when it comes to water?

Dribble. Can you see it?

Too busy contemplating the mysteries of the universe to notice the dribble...

Or maybe he's saving those droplets for later...in case he gets thirsty again.

Woven Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-28T00:01:00.000-07:00

PETCO Coupon Codes

2009-10-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Just thought we would share some coupon codes for PETCO. They are having a sale and offering coupon codes on top of that!

25FS1023 - Free shipping on orders $25 and up!

allnew09 - Get 10% off your online order, no minimum purchase required!

Please note restrictions apply, the coupons expire on 10/29/2009, and they can't be used simultaneously.

We are looking forward to getting a new scratcher and more Petromalt for Rufus!

Now go... GO and SAVE!!

Frontline Plus for Cats

2009-10-21T16:20:00.001-07:00

We had an unfortunate run-in with fleas recently. I was grossed out and had to quarantine Rufus until the fleas went away. Luckily, that didn't last long with Frontline Plus for Cats!

We bought a 6 pack from the vet on our last visit which sat in a cabinet unopened, collecting dust. As everyone now knows, I did not take the vet's warnings about fleas seriously and was not vigilant about giving Rufus regular doses. OK, OK I've learned my lesson!!

Frontline Plus is great. It's waterproof, so you can still give your cat a flea bath. (I personally did not do that. I felt bad enough about locking Rufus in our spare bedroom for a few days. Giving him a bath on top of that would just be too cruel.) It was easy to administer. Just snap the applicator open and drip the liquid directly onto the skin between the shoulder blades. Rufus didn't even know I did it. The package states it kills fleas, flea eggs, ticks and chewing lice and BOY, did it deliver. Within a few days, all traces of the bugs disappeared. I was delighted!!

Now the big question is - How does an indoor cat suddenly catch fleas? We think it has something to do with all the loose neighborhood cats running around at all hours of the night. I am convinced Rufus has a girlfriend who enters our yard and visits him at his window regularly. (My boyfriend swears he has seen the cat and had to shoo it away one night.)

Bottom line, we are very pleased with this product. Please note it isn't cheap but you can buy them in smaller increments (packs of three or six versus a year's supply). And most importantly, it works!

Woohoo, no more fleas!

Rufie Rating: Four Paws!!

Couched In!

2009-10-12T22:34:00.000-07:00

We were shifting our couch around while setting up our home office and look who made himself comfortable before we had a chance to decide where everything should go...

Yep, Rufus.

(Who doesn't look too pleased!)

Equal Opportunity Napper

2009-09-27T19:36:00.000-07:00

Where won't a cat nap?

And what won't they sleep through?

Wordless Wednesday Snooze

2009-09-16T00:03:00.000-07:00

Petromalt Hairball Relief

2009-09-08T18:20:00.000-07:00

Rufus is getting older and is starting to get hairballs. Hairballs had only been the stuff of legend to me, the kind of thing I'd only see in cartoons. Never before had I seen anything like it and now that I have, I will do anything to make sure I don't ...ever again. This is where the Petromalt comes in.

Creepiest picture of Rufus ever.

Lapping it up!

Rufus loves the taste of this stuff. I give him a little strip each day and the hairballs have been gone since I purchased the product. One tube has been lasting us for weeks so that's also a plus.

I've given Rufus other hairball preventatives in the past but he usually reacts badly to them. When I gave him some of the Hartz Hairball Remedy or hairball control dry food, he itches himself to the point of breaking skin and scabbing. Rufus hasn't shown any adverse reaction to the Petromalt. We recommend this product!

Rufie Rating: Four Paws!

Flea Update

2009-09-07T15:32:00.001-07:00

Well, Rufus doesn't seem to be itching much. But then again, he wasn't scratching himself more than usual when I first spotted the fleas.

I've administered some Frontline Plus. I also started rubbing a solution of apple cider vinegar and water on his fur, as close to his skin as possible. (A cheap and safe home remedy) I also bought a flea collar. I haven't put it on him but I placed it right where he sleeps.

So far so good, I haven't seen any other fleas and he's lounging out on the rug right now. :) It's good to know we aren't the only ones who have had this problem!

*Happy Labor Day everyone! :)

Oh, no!

2009-09-05T18:12:00.000-07:00

The v-e-t warned us that fleas were a real problem in our parts but his warnings went unheeded. It was assumed that indoor mancats would be safe. The beans got lax with the treatments and what do you know...

someone's got FLEAS!

(Yea, it's Rufus.)

Any of you lovely readers have any good remedies to get rid of these fleas? We would love to hear them!

Silence While Rufus Is Being Cute Please

2009-08-27T22:52:00.000-07:00

This is his "Shut Up & Look At How Cute I Am" face. I think we all have no choice but to obey.

Wordless Wednesday High Five

2009-08-26T00:00:00.000-07:00

Disheveled Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-19T00:04:00.000-07:00

A Big Thank You To The Monkeys! :)

2009-08-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

Rufus has been meaning to show off the fabulous toy he won from the even more fabulous Monkeys! It's been due for months!

It's very good exercise when Rufus actually gets up and chases the ball.

He wants you to look deep, very deeeeeep into his eyes.

This is the best picture I could get of Rufus playing with the toy. Sometimes he likes to use toys as pillows more than playthings! (Here he's doing a little of both. Feline multi-tasking at its best, yes?) It can't be helped!

We plan to review this toy soon! Thanks again, Samson and Delilah!

Don't Be Fooled By This Box of Cherries!

2009-08-06T21:36:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since Rufus parked his butt in a box. To mitigate your withdrawal...

Don't you just love how he props his head up on the edge of the box? As if he would use his own neck muscles!

Wordless Wednesday's Sweet Reads

2009-07-29T01:36:00.000-07:00

Dinner With An Extra.. Something!

2009-07-26T23:35:00.000-07:00

See this?

I asked my boyfriend to feed Rufus the other night. I didn't think much of it until I walked by Rufus' bowl and saw the above. Yes, folks...that is mozzarella cheese. I am not sure what possessed him to sprinkle extra cheese on the cat's dinner but it cracked me up.

Wordless Wednesday Lick!

2009-07-22T03:51:00.000-07:00

Wordless Wednesday... in a Sweater

2009-07-15T01:24:00.000-07:00

"Happy or Hungry? Deciphering Cat Purrs"

2009-07-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

CBS released a short piece titled, "Happy or Hungry? Deciphering Cat Purrs" today!

Did you know some cats can vocalize their purrs differently when they are hungry? It's supposed to sound like a baby's cry and thus mobilize humans to feed them quicker. Clever!

I'm not sure Rufus knows how to emit the high pitched purr/meow but he always answers out loud when I ask if he's hungry!

That's Not A Pillow!!

2009-07-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

Cats like naps. Naps usually require pillows. Whether they are of the feather-filled variety or a pair of tucked cat legs...

...but a hair dryer?!

Yup.

Our Very First Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-08T19:00:00.001-07:00

Feline Greenies Treats

2009-07-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

Rufus' favorite treats are Greenies. He's walked away from many treats, including but not limited to jerky treats and cheese flavored treats. I know, who would think a cat would refuse meat/cheese flavored anything!? Well, Rufus can't get enough of these babies. Once he hears the bag rustle, he scurries as fast as his little legs can carry him over.

These small, green treats help clean teeth and freshen breathe all at the same time. Though you are supposed to feed a certain number a day for those benefits to kick in. These are a carb-y treat so I usually watch how many I give to Rufus. (I am watching his figure and he's already being fed special food to help with oral care.)

Another plus, they are often on sale and one bag lasts for weeks and weeks. He loves the Salmon and Beef flavors best.

Oh and best of all, everyone can try these out. Greenies is offering free samples! Check it out and see if your meow machine will be a fan too.

Rufie Rating: Four paws! :)

Sprinkles

2009-07-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

What a great July 4th! Rufus wasn't even startled by the fireworks one bit! He spent the better part of the day sleeping and waiting for dinner. Here are a few choice shots.

Not sure why he picked this spot. Maybe the bag still had the essence of cupcakes? Wouldn't be a surprise cause Rufus has been known to sneak licks of icing off unattended cupcakes.

Addiction - New Zealand Brushtail & Vegetables Entree Canned Wet Food

2009-06-29T20:25:00.000-07:00

Rufus received some samples of Addiction and he was thrilled at the prospect of trying some holistic and all natural, hypoallergenic game meat. How exotic!

Rufus gobbled it up with the gusto he reserves for wet food. The stinky goodness was a different texture than the stuff I usually get Rufus. There were meaty chunks rather than a meat paste which made me feel the meat was less processed. (I like that!) The first two ingredients were meat and not processed grains. (I love that!)

Ok but let me point out that the New Zealand Brushtail is a fancy way of saying possum. I didn't realize until after everything was eaten up. It striked me as a little odd but I know Rufus would not hesitate to eat possum or any other meat for that matter. The company states that this type of meat contains more omega fatty acids than traditional wet food meat, which makes for better skin and fur health.

I love the all natural and health aspect of this food. But the one downside I found was the carbon footprint that exporting this could have on the environment. Trucking food from New Zealand all the way to California is a long way to go for one cat's dinner!

Rufus getting on his hind legs for a taste.

Smacking his furry lips!

Overall, this is a good product. It passed Rufus' taste test and offers all natural ingredients with health benefits.

Rufie Rating: Three Paws!

No More Trips!

2009-06-22T18:44:00.001-07:00

I am still recollecting, trying to get my bearings or should I say my "blogging mojo" back. Three weeks off is a long time!

Rufus not so subtly letting me know he won't have any more of my extended trips away from home.

He stands (or lays) firm!

We received some sweet cat swag while I was away. Rufus can't wait to try it all out and let everyone know what he thinks. We are also revamping our rating system from three paws to four paws. (Which makes much more sense since Rufus has, count them, four paws!)

Merry International Box Day!

2009-06-19T04:53:00.000-07:00

It's international box day and Rufus has no shortage of pictures of him lounging/sleeping/people watching from boxes of all shapes and sizes.

Ready for pickin'!

He's sweeter than any peach I've ever had.

Home At Last!

2009-06-16T17:36:00.000-07:00

I got back last night and it feels so good to be home! Rufus almost looks different. That's how long it's been!

Rufus celebrates my return by sleep hula-ing. :)

Gone Two Weeks & Counting

2009-06-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

Two whole weeks have passed since I've been home! Poppa bean has been taking care of Rufus and was kind enough to send this picture.

Classic Rufus, sniffing for treats!

Picture quality is a bit poor but it's nice to see the house is still neat (from what's shown) and Rufus is cute as ever. Good to know, cause it's hard to say what goes down when you leave a guy (& a mancat) alone for so long!

Whiskas Temptations Treats

2009-06-07T09:00:00.000-07:00

I usually buy everything for Rufus from a specialty pet stores but I took a walk down the pet aisle at my local supermarket and found these... Salmon Whiskas Temptations treats.

What a great move on my part. These are economical compared to the treats I've bought from pet stores. They are low calorie and good for Rufus' teeth. The first ingredient on the package is a meat product which I try to look for when I buy anything for Rufus to eat. The treats are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. They come in a resealable pouch to help maintain freshness.

Rufus cannot get enough of them. He knows where I keep the bag of treats and when I step near them, he begins what I believe to be his attempt at mind control. He stares at me, trying to will me to reach for the bag and just dump all the contents out of the bag so he can SCARF them.

I can't wait to let Rufus try out the other flavors! (Which is really important now that I do my best to steer clear of fish treats & food because of an article I read. You can read more about that by clicking here.)

Rufie Rating: Four Paws!

Lovin' That Fort!!

2009-06-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

When he's not guarding the ManCat chair fort™, he's lazing around under/near it.

The paws say it all, don't they! He's such a lover!

Is he winking? Disturbing...disturbingly adorable!

When he's this adorable, it hurts!

*I've been away from home (and Rufie) for a few days and won't be back for another week which might help explain the um, over the top commentary for the pictures!

Staring At His Own Shadow

2009-05-31T15:59:00.000-07:00

I often wonder what goes on in Rufus' head.

Especially when he does things things like this... stare at his own shadow.

Crazy Cat's Cat Quest

2009-05-28T16:43:00.000-07:00

There are battery operated cat toys and there are wand toys. When you put those two together, you get the 'Cat Quest'! It's a wand toy with an attached bug.

Wait, wait... it get's better. The bug has flapping capabilities at the push of a button! Here are some photos from the time I unveiled the packaged toy to full-fledged play.

Giving me the ol' 'I Wish I Had Opposable Thumbs But I Don't, So Can You Stop Fooling Around & Open the Toy Please ' face.

What patience!

He never takes his eyes off the prize!

See what I mean?

Working out those hind legs!

Taking action pictures is much harder than it looks when you have a moving toy and a moving cat! Toys that get Rufus off his tush are wonderful. The charm moves and flaps its wings at your command making it exercise not only for Rufus' body, but also for his mind! If I turn this on while Rufus is sleeping, he will instantly wake up and search out the toy to play with it. Fabulous, fabulous!

Rufie Rating: THREE paws!!

'Tribe of Tiger' Winner!

2009-05-25T15:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day, cats and beans! Today's the day we announce our 'Tribe of Tiger' book giveaway winner!

Here's Rufus stepping up to pick out our winner!

Picking at random. (And by random, I mean putting a treat in there and seeing which slip of paper his paw would pull out first!)

We have our winner!

Congrats to our big winner, Camille!

We had some really great entries! We have more lovely cat reads we look forward to giving away in the future! :)

2009-05-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

This is it everybody... THE FINAL DAY BEFORE OUR DRAWING FOR ...

Send a picture of your cat with his/her favorite book to RufusRaves(at)gmail(dot)com and you could find this book in your mailbox by the end of next week!

Everything sent before 12 a.m. Pacific Time will be eligible!

An Upgrade On Cardboard Boxes?!

2009-05-21T21:04:00.000-07:00

Could it be? Could I have possibly improved on the (nearly perfect) sleeping place known as the cardboard box?!

That looks like a resounding yes!

All this needs now is a paint job, a stocked mini-fridge, and maybe a few dangling nip toys.

FURminator deShedding Tool

2009-05-20T17:35:00.000-07:00

The FURminator is such a blessing. The amount of fur I have extracted from Rufus' body is downright scary. It makes me wonder how Rufus could have any remaining fur on his body after a de-shedding session. It's designed to remove specifically the loose undercoat hair. And boy, does it remove that undercoat... I have handfuls of fur tumbleweeds when I do this! I can't imagine how much fur he would be ingesting if I didn't help him out.

On top of that, Rufus really, really loves it when I FURminate him. It's actually kind of sick how much he likes it. I imagine it must be the equivalent of a very good kitty back rub.

The FURminator comes in various sizes for different sized pets. The purple one is meant for cats. I have the blue one and I don't think there's much a difference aside from being a few half-inches wider or what not.

I've never tried any other de-shedding tool or brush and frankly, I'm not sure I ever will. Also, they have come out with a FURminator with a double edge. (Two times as much fur out of my life with the same effort as before!!) If this one goes, I am going to pick that baby up for sure. This is pricier than most other brushes, but you definitely get what you pay for.

Rufie Rating: Four Paws!

Pawing His Way In!

2009-05-18T19:32:00.001-07:00

Woke up, walked to the door and found a set of these underneath!

'Good morning.. how do you do?'

'Let me in PLEASE!?'

Then he insists on staying outside. Silly, silly.

"The Tribe of Tiger" Book Giveaway

2009-05-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine gave me a few books to prepare for Rufus' arrival when I first adopted him. I've either skimmed through them or never found the time to read them. Why let a good read collect dust when I can pass it along! So here it is...

Our own giveaway of the 'Tribe of Tiger' by Elizabeth Marshall Thomas. It's about cats and their culture (or so it says on the cover). It was a New York Times bestseller. Feel free to google it for more info!

If you're interested, e-mail a picture of your cat with his/her favorite book to RufusRaves(at)gmail(dot) com. (Going to need a cute picture when we announce the winner!) Rufus will help me pick a winner randomly on May 25, 2009!

Are You In Or Are You Out?

2009-05-13T21:33:00.001-07:00

Here's Rufus in bed... or is he getting ready to get up and out?

Betcha can't tell.

That looks like a cozy in bed face to me. Leave it to Rufus to be three-quarters in bed.

Can I Come Too?

2009-05-12T16:55:00.000-07:00

Rufus tried to sneak his way into my suitcase in the middle of packing for a trip I took this past weekend. I'm not sure why considering he hates the airport!

Blending in.

Nice try, Ruf!

Sherpa Pet Delta Air Lines Deluxe Pet Carrier

2009-05-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

This is an awesome pet carrier, great for trips to the vet or on the plane. It should meet most airline standards since it carries the Delta name so it fits perfectly under an airplane seat. It has a small zippered pouch to keep a small bag of treats, toy or papers. It comes with a strap you can pull over your shoulder as well as the handles.

The best feature, in my opinion, are the flaps on the side. You can roll them up or keep them down to control how much your pet can see. I like to keep them down when I walk around and roll them up when we are seated. It's frightening for Rufus to be too exposed when walking through a busy airport but I want him to be entertained when we're settled down.

When we moved across the country, we had to fly Rufus a few times. It was roomy enough for a little cat bed and for Rufus to move around. It was very sturdy. But then again Rufus usually just curls up in a ball when he's in the bag. I'm not sure how it would withstand a cat who freaks out in crowded places.

Another plus, on one of our trips Rufus got too excited and barfed in the carrier. I was grossed out and left it outside in the sun. When I mustered up enough courage to clean it up a few days later, it had dried and caked off in a clump. It wasn't pleasant but clean up was very easy.

Rufie Rating: Three Paws!!

Loungin' In A Box

2009-05-05T23:41:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since we brought home any boxes so Rufus was quick to jump in on the new one.

Never mind that we are already using it as a recycling garbage holder!

"Cat Got Your Fish?"

2009-05-03T17:02:00.000-07:00

There was a very interesting op-ed piece about the use of fish in animal feed in the NY Times that I've been meaning to comment on. You can read "Cat Got Your Fish?" by Paul Greenberg here.

Courtesy: Flickr

Noteworthy quotes from the article include...

'....most American cats ate fish. And a great deal of them — more in a year than the average African human, according to Jason Clay at the World Wildlife Fund.'

'The use of wild fish in animal feed is a serious problem for the world’s food systems. '

'...the removal of wild “forage” fish threatens to starve whales, seals and other predators'

'The pet food industry now uses about 10 percent of the global supply of forage fish. ...Poultry meanwhile takes as much as 22 percent, which means that even when Coco ate chicken, indirectly he was still eating fish.'

The author makes it clear that we should allow the true predators of fish eat them in order to preserve wild populations of fish. He also states that land animals should stick with a diet of land animals. Now that he is looking for a new pet (as his cat, Coco, passed), he plans to find a vegetarian.

This was very eye-opening. I'm not about to give Rufus up but I will do my best to avoid buying food and treats comprised of any part fish. There are so many different options available to Rufus, I am sure he won't even miss it!

Petstages Cheese Chase

2009-05-02T01:35:00.000-07:00

Here's another one of the first toys I purchased for Rufus. It has two balls that are stuck inside their ball track. There's plenty of room for little paws to go in and get those balls moving. (Human fingers too when Rufus decides he'd rather watch than play.) There's also a springy catnip mouse toy.

This is good for mental stimulation. If one ball is going and I get the other one moving, it blows Rufus' mind. He never knows which one to go for if both are in motion. If he gets bored with it, I hide a few treats in there and it's good as new.

It's a good toy but the mouse occasionally falls off. Also, the toy itself is a bit light and can wind up moving pretty far from its original spot if your cat gets aggressive. This can also prove to be very, very loud, especially at 3 in the morning after the most grueling day of work when your cat decides he would like to play with this as loud as he possibly can. At least he's getting some exercise, right?

Rufie Rating: Three Paws

The ManCat Chair Fort

2009-04-30T20:02:00.001-07:00

Guys love forts. Why should it be any different for mancats? We present Rufus' chair fort.

Being stealth.

Side view.

Defending the chair fort.

Pet Food Cover

2009-04-29T20:02:00.000-07:00

Rufus usually gets a mixture of wet and dry food for dinner but I don't feed him whole cans at a time. What to do with the remaining wet food? Easy! After I scoop a few spoonfuls, I pop this on the can and stick it in the fridge door.

This baby keeps the food nice and fresh. None of Rufus' food smells mix with mine and none of mine with his. Plus they are re-usable and very easy to wash. Where would I be without a pet food cover??

Rufus' grandma bean was visiting last week and accidentally threw it away after making him a scrumptious dinner! Poor Rufus won't get any wet food till I pick up a new one. I bought this from Petco but I'm sure other brands work just as well.

Rufie Rating: Four paws!

Watching Television!?

2009-04-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the arts on television. He's one classy cat!

FreshAire with Bio-Filters

2009-04-26T16:10:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest litter we've tried in our quest for the best - FreshAire with Bio-Filters. It's new, having launched only this March. The litter touts itself as the 'World's First Hybrid Litter' because it's a mixture of two types of clay and organic wood.

Courtesy: www.freshairelitter.com

This is one of the 'greener' litter options as it contains biodegradable materials. Out of the tub, the litter looks almost like sawdust. The smell was pine-like and inoffensive.

The litter is great on paper, but it didn't meet up to its hype. Odor control was lacking. I had to supplement it with Arm & Hammer baking soda. Even with this boost, the odors still permeated the room.

The litter is made of soft, tiny pieces of wood. While dust was not a problem, the litter tracked everywhere! When Rufus goes, he must walk down the BoodaDome stairs and wipe his paws on a little towel before he can go about his day. Yet somehow the litter wound up in the farthest corners of the room. I've never seen litter tracked like this before! The litter did a decent job of clumping but not a great one.

We give FreshAire credit where it is due. It can't be said enough how much we appreciate that a company has designed a litter made of chemical-free, all-natural materials that are easy on paws. BUT...there are a few necessary tweaks before we can give it a higher rating.

Needless to say, we are still searching for that ever elusive 'four paw'-rated litter!!

Rufie Rating: One Paw

The Top 10 Cat-Friendly Cities

2009-04-24T13:33:00.000-07:00

The CATalyst Council, a coalition of the veterinary community, academia, nonprofits, industry and animal welfare organizations, has crowned the 2009 Top Ten Cat-Friendly Cities in America!

They are as follows - Tampa, Phoenix, San Francisco, Portland (OR), Denver, Boston, Seattle, San Diego, Atlanta & Minneapolis.

Courtesy: www.catalystcouncil.org

So what makes a city cat-friendly? It depends on several factors, including cat ownership, the amount of cat care available, the prevalence of micro-chipping, etc.

The list was created to draw attention to the popularity of cats as pets and how we need to make sure America's felines are being cared for fully and properly. This is a great way to bring awareness to America's #1 pet, the CAT! Hopefully cities across the country will work hard to land their names on this wonderful list!

You can read more about it here!

N.H.A.D Contest Winner!

2009-04-24T12:38:00.000-07:00

Happy National Hairball Awareness Day!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner! Announcing the winner of www.romeothecat.com and FURminator "Who’s Your Favorite Furball?” Contest:

Congratulations, Madison! Maddie will receive a free FURminator deShedding Tool.

*Want your own? Look for FURminator products at PetSmart, PETCO and other pet retailers.

N.H.A.D Pointers & Contest Reminder

2009-04-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

Don’t forget! Tomorrow, Friday April 24, is National Hairball Awareness Day!

To celebrate, www.RomeotheCat.com and FURminator are sponsoring the “Who’s Your Favorite Furball?” contest.

The winner will receive a free FURminator deShedding Tool and will also see their favorite, funniest, furriest furball featured on www.PeoplePets.com and popular pet blogs across the web!

See entry rules here!

FURminator Tips on Preventing Hairballs in Cats

Fuzzballs, cat scratches and dirty litter boxes may be top complaints from cat parents, but paws down, hairballs are among the worst of the worst. With peak shedding season underway, our cats are in full swing when it comes to grooming themselves, which means an increase in hairballs (since hairballs are caused when the cat grooms itself).

Friday, April 24 is National Hairball Awareness Day, and to help both cat and parents alike, below are some tips on how to prevent hairballs in cats:

Regular Grooming: Hairballs occur when cats over groom. To help cats look and feel their best, it’s essential to regularly brush them. The FURminator deShedding Tool for Cats is recommended by vets and nominated by Tufts University School of Veterinarian Medicine as the number one product to reduce hairballs in cats. Using the tool on a regular basis, as well as the FURminator deShedding Shampoo for Cats, will help reduce shedding, thus reducing the amount of hair your cat ingests.
Home Remedies: Try adding a little butter and canned pumpkin to your cat’s meals once or twice a week. The butter may loosen the hair clod and the fiber in the pumpkin can help move it through the system.
Stay Hydrated: Encourage your cat to drink plenty of water by placing various bowls throughout the house. The water will help flush out the hair before it has time to clump in the stomach.
Consult Your Vet: If you believe you cat has chronic hairball problems, ask your veterinarian to recommend a laxative supplement to help prevent ingested hairs from forming hairballs.

Petkin Kitty Wipes

2009-04-22T02:46:00.000-07:00

I have never given Rufus a bath and this product will probably be the closest thing to a bath he will ever get from me.

These wipes work great after I give Rufus a good brushing. The wipes help remove stray furs and don't have any strange smells. He doesn't even mind that I am wiping him with a damp cloth-like material.

This product keeps well. I've had an opened (but resealed) bag sitting around for weeks and they remain perfectly moist when I need them. We like it!

Rufie Rating: Three Paws!

*This rating pertains strictly to the unscented wipes. We aren't sure how the scented ones feel or smell.

National Hairball Awareness Day Contest!

2009-04-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 24 is National Hairball Awareness Day!

Romeo the Cat and FURminator are sponsoring the “Who’s Your Favorite Furball?” contest in honor of this special day. The grand prize is a FURminator deShedding Tool and the spotlight on your favorite, funniest, furriest furball on www.PeoplePets.com & pet blogs across the Internet! Sweet!

How To Enter:

1. Go to Romeo the Cat and click on the FirstGiving link to donate $1 or more to Romeo’s FURPOWER beneficiary of the month, Kitten Rescue of Los Angeles.

2. E-mail your favorite, funniest, furriest furball photo to Romeo (at) RomeoTheCat (dot) come and tell us how winning a FURminator deShedding Tool will change you and your furball's life. Make sure to include:

Favorite Furball's Name
How winning a FURminator deShedding Tool will change you and your furball's life
Name
E-mail Address
Name you used with your FirstGiving donation

3. A Favorite Furball gallery will be posted on www.romeothecat.com leading up to the big announcement.

4. The winner will be selected via a random drawing.

5. The winner will be announced on right here at Rufus Raves!, www.romeothecat.com, www.PeoplePets.com and other participating blogs at 12 p.m. EST Friday, April 24, 2009.

Contest Rules:

Contest is open to cats.
Entrants must be located in the U.S. or Canada.
Entries must be submitted by 9:00 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 23, 2009.
Entrants agree to allow their photo to be posted on participating blogs.

Kitty Hoots Big Mama's Scratch n' Play Ramp

2009-04-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

The 'Kitty Hoots Big Mama's Scratch n' Play Ramp' is a wonderful scratching diversion for any cat home. It requires just a tiny bit of assembly and includes a bag of 'Zoom Around the Room' organic catnip & springy catnip toy.

This scratcher is very similar to one we rated previously. The premise is the same. It has a replaceable cardboard surface that is positioned on an incline for optimal scratching.

The only difference is the springy toy. There are three pre-cut holes you can stick the toy into. (Strangely, the product photo above doesn't show them.) The toy doesn't stay attached to the scratcher very well. It's a minor annoyance but it's an additional thing that I can step on in the middle of the night or have to fish out from under the furniture.

Rufus likes to address the springy toy and the scratcher separately.

Demonstrating how to use the scratcher. He's such a ham for the camera!

The included catnip is top notch. I accidentally spilled a giant mound onto the scratcher and Rufus was GLUED to the thing.

Note the darkened area near his face. That's ALL catnip!

Big stretch!!

The Scratch n' Play Ramp is biodegradable, takes the heat off the rugs and provides an extra way to get a little stretch for Rufus. We like it!

Rufie Rating: Three Paws!

Twittering Cat Door...You Don't Say!

2009-04-15T12:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, I've seen a lot in my time. They invented the internet, laptops that fit into manila envelopes, car doors that open at the push of a button but this really takes the cake. And by this, I mean the Tweeting Cat Door!

It follows the ins and outs of two cats, Gus and Penny. Every time they get close to their cat door, a Radio Frequency Identication (RFID) chip on their collars triggers the RFID reader and opens the cat door. When that happens, it delivers a funny tweet and picture directly to their page on Twitter! Here's the latest one ...

"Penny is out to sit on the porch."

We are intrigued and following them!

Bonito Tuna Flakes

2009-04-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

Rufus lives for fish flavored...anything. So it's no surprise he loves his tuna flakes. I love them because they are carb-free and make a good treat for cats watching their figures.

Another plus...it took forever to go through a whole tub. That's pretty amazing considering I let Rufus bury his face in the open container every now and then.

The only issue with this is they are paper thin and can crumble into messy, itty-bitty pieces. It's great to sprinkle on food but if you want to take a piece and give it to your cat, chances are there will be as many pieces on the floor as your cat's mouth.

Haven't been able to find these in stores lately but that doesn't stop this from being a great cat treat.

Rufie Rating: Two Paws!

Jimmy Buffet Fan

2009-04-06T17:50:00.001-07:00

Boats, beaches, bars and ballads!

Not sure if he likes the music, but it suits as a great arm rest!

"Raw Food for Pets?"

2009-04-05T14:28:00.000-07:00

I've read in a few places that feeding cats raw food is very beneficial. The San Francisco Chronicle's "Raw Food for Pets?" article debates whether this is actually good for our furry friends. Some pet owners say raw meat is the diet that the ancestors of cats and dogs lived on but some people (vets included) think this is unsafe due to bacteria lurking in the uncooked meat.

I feed Rufus a mixture of dry and wet cat food with the occasional scrap of meat or fish I'm preparing for myself. He eats it up with more enthusiasm than his usual food, taking extra care to smack his little cat lips.

I know there's a risk but I only feed him boneless fresh meat. This way, he won't choke on any bone bits or eat spoiled food. If I'm really concerned, I sear the meat a little bit. The middle stays nice and rare and since it's a solid piece of meat rather than ground meat, bacteria can't get in the center. (This is why eating steaks rare is okay but not so much with a hamburger.) Cats have hardier stomachs than us!

I think we should give them what they get in nature! I highly doubt Rufus' great granddaddy caught things and roasted them over a slow fire!

Rufus' New Hiding Place Has Been Discovered

2009-04-02T14:40:00.000-07:00

The morning after I returned from my week long trip, I woke up and could not find Rufus anywhere. I got so worried. I thought maybe he chewed through a window screen or he slipped out an open door. I kept looking and no furry beast appeared when I called.

After about a minute, I heard something rustling...

FROM THE DRYER! This cat never ever ceases to amaze me.

How on Earth did he find his way up there?

He knew food was on the way, so out he came.

Unbelievable!

Play-N-Squeak's Ball of the Wild

2009-03-31T19:02:00.000-07:00

I was at the local pet store and stumbled on the most amazing toy ever, the 'Ball of the Wild'. It's a ball that can be filled with treats and makes squeaky mouse noises as it rolls around. I've been looking for a toy like this for years!

I brought it home, ripped it open and proceeded to stuff it full of Greenies. (The treat hole is small so I had to break the treats into smaller pieces for them to fit inside.)

Rufus is intrigued.

Giving the ball a sniff.

Rufus had a bit of trouble grasping the concept of this toy. When I first stuffed the ball with treats and set it down, he ignored the ball entirely and followed me around expecting me to give him the treats myself. I put in some fresh catnip and then he understood, quite quickly!!

He's got the crazy eyes.

Rufus doesn't care much for the mouse noises so when the batteries run out, I probably won't replace them. I think this is a superb product and really love that Rufus has to exercise his brain and body to get to the treats.

Rufie Rating: Three Paws!

Two Boxes With a View

2009-03-29T18:50:00.000-07:00

Pictures of Rufus in boxes are becoming a weekly occurrence! This time he managed to be in two boxes at once!

That's right. Count them... TWO!

It's even got built in windows!

Enjoying the view from the window.

Catnip!

2009-03-25T19:39:00.000-07:00

*New posts have been sparse! I've been out of town and haven't seen Rufus in over a week. Poppa bean has been holding down the fort so he's still getting his rubs & grubs. (I miss them both to pieces and can't wait to get home and see them tomorrow!!)

I let Rufus enjoy a few leaves of catnip before I left ...

Chomping fresh leaves, straight from the plant.

Waiting for the nip to kick in.

Eyes becoming vacant.

Exhibiting increased loopiness.

Being horribly and violently cute.

Giving me the eyes in hopes of more fresh catnip. He's hooked!!!

Sun Worshipping

2009-03-21T11:11:00.000-07:00

California has a lot of warm rays of sun for Rufus to lay in. Every morning, he scarfs his breakfast and makes a mad dash to the living room to get his morning sun.

Warming his tush.

Thinking deep thoughts.

Moving off the rug, following the sun as it moves.

Wheatgrass: Day ...who the heck knows, let's eat!

2009-03-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

We've lost track of the days since we started our wheatgrass project but it looks ready to eat! We planted extra seeds in the pot last week so it should fill out more.

Rufus knew exactly what I had for him as soon as I brought the pot inside.

Chow time!

He was munching so loudly! I had to take it away after a minute because he was devouring entire blades of grass. Roots, dirt and all!

Tokyo's Cat Cafe

2009-03-15T22:13:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest fascinating cat article! - "Cat cafe soothes Tokyo's busy cat lovers"

Courtesy: Reuters

Japan has a place called 'Tokyo's Cat Cafe Calico' where cat lovers can come in, have a cup of tea and play with the cafe's kitties. Patrons happily fork over the hourly fees to mingle with the four legged residents as their apartments and lifestyles prevent them from keeping a pet of their own. What a concept!

Another New Box

2009-03-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

Well, if it isn't a new box...

Lovely!

What a Peculiar Nose

2009-03-10T08:08:00.000-07:00

Rufus has a multi-colored nose. I always thought it was odd. Do a lot of cats have this??

Pink, white AND black!

Wheatgrass: Day 21

2009-03-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

We have a puny patch. Note to all others who plan on growing their own patch: make sure to quadruple however many seeds you think you'll need! I've planted more seeds but I just can't wait any longer than till the end of the week before I let Rufus loose on it!

Video: Simon's Cat

2009-03-09T01:20:00.000-07:00

The Great Improvising Rufus

2009-03-08T14:43:00.000-07:00

Rufus is not one to discriminate when it comes to finding a nice place to just lay. Suitcases, old boxes, clean laundry ....or in this case, dirty laundry will do. Silly guy.

Cat Stuffed in Bong in Nebraska

2009-03-05T14:50:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest cat article we read - "Neb. man who put cat in bong says it calmed cat"

A knucklehead stuffed his baby cat into a bong to "calm it's nerves" on more than one occasion and finally go caught.

Courtesy: Associated Press

This is just so mean. Poor thing. We hope he's okay. :(

Wheatgrass: Day 16

2009-03-04T21:29:00.000-08:00

I've got my fingers crossed that some more blades will pop up over the next few days but it's not looking as good as we had hoped. And I've misplaced the other seeds too. Bummer!

Peeping

2009-03-04T16:08:00.000-08:00

Here's Rufus in his favorite spot again (except this is the inside view).

So many passersby, so little time!

Wheatgrass: Day 15

2009-03-03T21:51:00.000-08:00

We planted more seeds than this! We demand more grass!

Feline Pine Cat Litter

2009-03-03T13:59:00.000-08:00

Rufus has tried multiple cat litters as part of our mission to find the very best litter. Fortunately, Rufus has been a very good guinea pig and doesn't mind all the changes with his litter box (I've heard stories about cats revolting against owners when any change was made to their litter boxes.)

Feline Pine was the very first brand we used. The ASPCA sent us home with a bag of this when we first adopted Rufus. I love that it's all natural. This means we could just flush or throw it in the trash and not worry about hurting the environment. The smell of the litter was natural and inoffensive.

BUT... this litter was not easy to clean up. Feline Pine is composed of pellets that turn into sawdust when wet. The poo was easy to get rid of but the piddle was not. We had to dump out the whole tub of litter every week or so because the smells would get too unpleasant. This can be wasteful if there are still pellets.

They have special litter boxes suited for this type of litter but we weren't ready to commit to the first litter we tried.

Feline Pine's odor control could have been better. Also, Rufus would track yellow dusty paw prints around the box. This was the most off-putting side effect for me since dust = 'soiled' pellets.

Rufie Rating: Two Paws

Rufus' First Video!

2009-03-02T16:45:00.000-08:00

Here's the first video of Rufus to grace the interwebs.

Rufus loves gnawing on those drumsticks!

Wheatgrass: Day 14

2009-03-02T12:10:00.001-08:00

There's grass but not enough for me to show this to Rufus just yet!

He's Focused

2009-03-01T23:56:00.000-08:00

There is a giant palm tree in our front lawn. It's probably over five stories tall and in that tree, lives a family of squirrels. This afternoon Rufus spotted them running up and down, digging up their nuts.

Rufus loves to study his bushy tailed neighbors.

He looks like a bank teller. Haha.

Look at that focus!

Wheatgrass: Day 13

2009-03-01T18:49:00.000-08:00

Success!!

Rufus is a Fan of Rufus

2009-02-27T18:23:00.000-08:00

Rufus has really gotten into the habit of sticking his head right into my laptop! He was polite here. He usually hurls his body onto the keyboard.