Kitty Hoots Big Mama's Scratch n' Play Ramp

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!

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

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

Boats, beaches, bars and ballads!

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

"Raw Food for Pets?"

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

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!