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PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A NEW KITTEN

November 10, 2024BloggingRita Murphy


PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A NEW KITTEN: DO WE NEED BABY GATES? AND HOW MANY TOYS?
(SPOILER: A LOT!)

So, the big day is almost here. A new kitten is on its way to your home, and let
me just say: this isn’t a small affair. We’re not just bringing in a pet; we’re
bringing in a curious, chaotic, fluffy ball of energy. And let me tell you, once
that kitten steps inside, your home — and maybe even your sanity — will never be
the same. Here’s the sarcastic survival guide to preparing your home for the
little tyrant.


STEP ONE: LOCK DOWN ANYTHING YOU DON’T WANT DESTROYED (OR SPILLED)

You think I’m joking? Just imagine how many surfaces that kitten will treat like
a personal racetrack. Look around you: those picture frames, decorative
figurines, your glassware collection? All prime candidates for destruction.
Kittens don’t just walk on the floor like regular pets; they fly from surface to
surface, defying physics and common sense. So, either put away anything remotely
breakable or accept that your kitten will soon turn it into a mini demolition
site.


STEP TWO: ARE BABY GATES NECESSARY?

Ah, the baby gate dilemma. You might think, “Surely, this adorable kitten
doesn’t need to be gated off like a toddler.” Oh, my friend, but they do. A
kitten is basically a toddler with a thirst for danger and a tendency to see
every nook, cranny, and stairwell as a playground. But unlike a toddler, a
kitten is capable of scaling your furniture and even squeezing through the
tiniest gaps.

Baby gates can be helpful if you’re looking to keep your kitten contained to a
kitten-proofed room or area while they settle in. However, given that kittens
often have the agility of a ninja and the curiosity of a detective, consider
this: any baby gate may only be a brief speed bump on their way to total house
domination.

Animal Intelligence: A Burmese Cat, an African Grey Parrot, and a Border Collie


STEP THREE: STOCK UP ON ALL THE TOYS (YOU’RE GONNA NEED ‘EM)

Now let’s talk about toys. You may be thinking, “Surely a couple of little balls
and a scratching post will keep them busy.” Oh, sweet summer child, how wrong
you are. Your kitten will need options. And I don’t mean just a few — I mean
every toy known to humankind.

Guide to the Life Stages of Cats

Toy mice, feathers on strings, crinkly balls, laser pointers, tunnels, and, if
you’re really in for it, an entire cat gymnasium. You’ll need variety because
kittens are both picky and distractible. They might play with a toy for five
minutes and then decide that the box it came in is the real prize. So,
basically, prepare for a living room that looks like a small pet store exploded
in it.


STEP FOUR: CREATE A SAFE ZONE

Kittens, for all their bravado, do need a place where they can feel safe and
chill out from their grand adventures. Set up a cozy little corner with a bed,
blankets, and a scratching post. This is the zone where your kitten can retreat
after they’ve had their fill of destroying… I mean, exploring, the rest of your
home.

A cardboard box, by the way, is usually a hit. Fancy cat bed? Optional. Empty
Amazon box? Absolutely essential.


STEP FIVE: KITTEN-PROOF YOUR WIRES, CURTAINS, AND BLINDS

If you think a kitten won’t find those dangly curtain ties fascinating, you’re
underestimating them. And anything that can swing, sway, or dangle (curtains,
cords, blinds) becomes an instant jungle gym. You’ll need to pin up cords, or
else your kitten might do a little “redecorating” by shredding them into
oblivion.

For wires, there are handy protective covers you can buy — or you could be a
rebel and go without, and hope your kitten doesn’t mistake the cable for the
world’s best chew toy.


STEP SIX: THE LITTER BOX DRAMA

Of course, you’ll need to show your kitten the ropes (or rather, the box). Place
a litter box in an easily accessible yet private area, because yes, kittens also
value privacy for their “business.” Make sure you have an extra one in case
they’re not keen on the first. Will they kick litter everywhere? Absolutely.
Will they look at you with innocent eyes as you sweep up after them? You bet.


STEP SEVEN: SAVOR THE CHAOS AND PREPARE FOR LOVE

Bringing a kitten home is like adding a dash of adorable mayhem to your life.
The baby gates, endless toys, and obsessive kitten-proofing may feel ridiculous,
but once they’re bouncing around with boundless energy (and occasionally
sleeping like an angel), you’ll realize it’s worth it.

So yes, you may need baby gates, and definitely, you’ll need an embarrassing
amount of toys, but most importantly, you’ll need patience. Because as chaotic
as they are, kittens also bring ridiculous amounts of joy and the cutest little
purrs. Just remember: they’ll have you trained in no time.

Getting ready for a kitten is a mix of preparation, humor, and accepting the
impending adorable chaos. But as much as they’ll upend your house (and sanity),
they’ll also make it a million times cozier!




ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE: A BURMESE CAT, AN AFRICAN GREY PARROT, AND A BORDER COLLIE

November 10, 2024catsRita Murphy


YOU LIKE INTELLIGENT ANIMALS? LET’S COMPARE A BURMESE CAT, AN AFRICAN GREY
PARROT, AND A BORDER COLLIE

So, you’re curious about smart animals? Maybe you’re considering a new pet, and
you want to know if they’ll keep up with your brilliant wit. Well, let’s take a
look at three famously intelligent animals and see who comes out on top: the
Burmese cat, the African Grey parrot, and the Border Collie. We were planning on
comparing them to an elephant as well, but… let’s just say she never showed up.
Maybe she’s off somewhere remembering to ignore us, as elephants do.

Round One: Problem Solving

Let’s start with one of the cornerstones of intelligence: problem-solving.
Burmese cats are known for their curious and playful nature. They’re excellent
at figuring out how to open cupboards, drawers, and pretty much any closed space
they deem worthy of exploration. But let’s be honest, their motivation is often
food-based, or at the very least, mischief-based.

On the other hand, the African Grey parrot is known for its astounding ability
to understand cause and effect. Give one of these birds a puzzle box with a
treat inside, and it will work tirelessly, figuring out each step to get its
reward. This bird’s toolkit includes a sharp beak and some impressive brainpower
— it can problem-solve with the best of them.

Preparing Your Home for a New Kitten

But then we get to the Border Collie, which is essentially the Einstein of the
dog world. Collies can follow complex commands, understand sequences, and solve
new problems all while working in partnership with their human. They’re often
used as herding dogs, figuring out how to manage a field full of sheep with
little more than a nod and a whistle from their handler. If we’re talking
problem-solving, the Border Collie’s adaptability and responsiveness give it a
serious edge.

Guide to the Life Stages of Cats

Round Two: Communication Skills

When it comes to communication, the Burmese cat has one clear skill: telepathic
guilt-tripping. These cats are affectionate and social, but their main mode of
expression is their stare. They communicate volumes with their body language,
and if you’re not getting up to fill the food bowl quickly enough, well, you’ll
feel that burn of disapproval.

Now, African Grey parrots are on a whole different level. They don’t just mimic
sounds; they can learn words and use them in context, sometimes even stringing
together phrases to convey something specific. Some African Greys can learn
hundreds of words and demonstrate what researchers call “functional language
use” — the bird equivalent of knowing what you’re talking about.

Then there’s the Border Collie, which is a pro at interpreting human gestures,
words, and even subtle cues. Collies have been trained to respond to entire
vocabularies of commands, and some studies suggest they can learn and remember
the names of over 1,000 objects. This isn’t just reaction-based; it’s a deep
understanding of words and meanings. For communication, the African Grey and
Border Collie are neck and neck, though for sheer verbal ability, the African
Grey takes the lead.

Round Three: Memory and Learning

The Burmese cat does surprisingly well in the memory department — it can
remember where it hid its favorite toy, even if it’s out of sight for days.
These cats are known to recognize familiar people and routines and to remember
the location of every cozy nap spot and scratching post in the house.

African Grey parrots, though, have minds like steel traps. They can remember
details and learn new tasks well into old age. Studies on African Greys have
shown that they can retain information for extended periods and solve complex
puzzles over time. They’ve even been known to learn concepts like shapes and
colors, which isn’t just memory — it’s abstract learning.

Border Collies, however, are champions when it comes to learning new tasks. They
have incredible recall and a knack for quickly adapting to new routines. In
trials, Collies have been shown to pick up on new words or actions with only a
few repetitions, making them some of the fastest learners in the animal kingdom.

The Verdict: Who Wins?

If we’re scoring each animal purely on traditional intelligence, the Border
Collie is probably the most well-rounded, excelling in problem-solving,
communication, and learning. The African Grey parrot follows closely, especially
for its ability to vocalize and understand human speech, along with its
impressive memory.

But let’s not count out the Burmese cat. It’s not that they’re not intelligent —
it’s just that they have no interest in proving it. Burmese cats are savvy,
independent thinkers who prefer not to waste their time on endless repetitions
just to impress a human. Call it cat intelligence, which is entirely
self-serving and leaves you wondering who’s actually in charge.

As for the elephant? Well, maybe she’s the wisest of them all, skipping out on a
popularity contest she knows she’s already won. Because when it comes to
intelligence, sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to walk away.




GUIDE TO THE LIFE STAGES OF CATS

November 10, 2024catsRita Murphy


FROM KITTEN CHAOS TO SENIOR SOFA POTATO: A GUIDE TO THE LIFE STAGES OF CATS

So, let’s rewind to 2002, when I nearly adopted a Burmese kitten. My parents had
left me to house-sit their place for a year, and I’d promised I wouldn’t turn it
into a pet sanctuary. Of course, one adorable Burmese kitten nearly sent that
promise right out the window.

I could see it already — the tiny furball zooming through the house, a cute face
with no regard for personal boundaries, furniture, or any sense of order. I
pulled myself back at the last second, thinking, “Maybe it’s better to enjoy
kittens from afar.”

Fast forward to today, and I now know that the journey from kitten to
grand-old-lazy-cat is equal parts chaotic, adorable, and outright comical. So,
here it is — a breakdown of the wild ride through each life stage of a cat.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


STAGE 1: THE DESTRUCTIVE KITTEN PHASE

Let’s start with the stage everyone thinks they want. Yes, that little bundle of
fluff might be adorable, but don’t let the innocent face fool you. Kittens are
full of boundless energy and a knack for chaos. It’s like they’ve just
discovered gravity — and they’re determined to test it with every item you own.
Phones? Fair game. Cups? Absolutely. Lamps? A personal favorite.

Preparing Your Home for a New Kitten

And let’s talk about claws. Nobody warned me that every surface, vertical or
horizontal, would become a scratching post. Kittens are tiny, furry tornadoes
with a hidden agenda to find every fragile item you own and launch it to the
floor. I can only imagine the Burmese would have turned my parents’ peaceful
abode into a feline playground. Lesson? If you want to keep your sanity — and
your stuff — secured, brace yourself for the most adorable form of destruction
you’ll ever experience.

Animal Intelligence: A Burmese Cat, an African Grey Parrot, and a Border Collie

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


STAGE 2: THE ALOOF ADOLESCENT PHASE

Ah, adolescence — where that needy kitten suddenly turns into a moody teen with
a superiority complex. It’s a time when the cat goes from your sidekick to an
aloof, judgmental roommate who only acknowledges you for food.

At this stage, your cat starts giving you the look. You know the one —
half-indifferent, half-disappointed, like you’ve failed to meet their royal
standards. Suddenly, they’re “too mature” for toys and don’t have time for your
attempts at bonding. While you once had a kitten who eagerly followed you
around, now you have a cat who stares at you with a level of disdain usually
reserved for low-budget movies.

Looking back, maybe this is the stage where my Burmese dream would have morphed
into a standoff, where the once-playful kitten would judge my very existence.
Thank goodness for the memory — and lack of evidence — of that near-adoption.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


STAGE 3: PRIME OF LIFE – THE “I’M IN CHARGE” PHASE

Now your cat has entered full adulthood, and it’s clear: they are running the
show. By now, they’ve staked claims on their favorite napping spots and
perfected the art of looking regal. They’ve also developed their own sense of
boundaries — for you, not for them. They want attention on their terms, which
means 3 a.m. wake-up calls and an undeniable demand for lap time at the least
convenient moments.

This is also when you realize your home has quietly transitioned into their
territory. Sofa? Theirs. Kitchen counter? Absolutely theirs. Any attempts to
reclaim your space are met with a stare that says, “Excuse me, who do you think
you are?”

A Burmese in this phase would probably have taken over my parents’ place
entirely, becoming ruler of the house and likely developing an impressive sense
of entitlement — all while looking impeccably majestic.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


STAGE 4: THE SENIOR SOFA POTATO PHASE

Finally, after years of treating you like a lowly servant, your cat enters their
golden years. They’re now a dignified senior who’s done with all the nonsense —
and, let’s be honest, so are you. This stage comes with a lot more sleep and a
lot less energy. Your cat, who once defied gravity with leaps and bounds, now
prefers to stay as close to the ground as possible.

This is the phase where your cat’s former judgmental glances turn into sleepy
half-blinks, and you can actually approach without the risk of claws. It’s
almost like they’re finally willing to admit you’re part of their world. Of
course, they’ll never say it out loud, but that long nap on your lap says it
all.

Somehow, thinking of a Burmese lounging in regal slumber almost makes me regret
my missed chance back in 2002. Almost.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CONCLUSION

And there you have it — the remarkable, frustrating, and endlessly entertaining
life journey of a cat. From the chaotic days of kittenhood to the blissfully
lazy senior years, cats bring a whirlwind of emotions and a lot of laughter
(and, okay, a little furniture destruction).

Reflecting on that almost-adopted Burmese, I realize that cat parenthood isn’t
for the faint of heart. But if you can handle the sass, the chaos, and the
surprising bursts of affection, there’s nothing quite like the journey of living
with a cat. They’ll turn your world upside down and make you question your
sanity — and when it’s all said and done, they’ll curl up on your lap as if they
didn’t just destroy every personal boundary you ever set.

So if you’re considering adopting a kitten, remember: you’re not choosing a pet.
You’re signing up for a lifetime of very fluffy, very unpredictable
companionship.




RECENT POSTS

 * Preparing Your Home for a New Kitten
 * Animal Intelligence: A Burmese Cat, an African Grey Parrot, and a Border
   Collie
 * Guide to the Life Stages of Cats

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