Where to see
our Product
July 18-19, 2009
Garden State Cat Show
Garden St Exhibit Center
Somerset, NJ
Aug 15-16, 2009
TICA Great Lakes Regional
Oconomowoc, WI
Sept 12-13, 2009
National Capital Show
Chantilly, VA
Oct 25-26, 2009
Indy Cat Club
Indianapolis, IN
Nov 20-22, 2009
Michigan Family Pet Expo
Rock Financial Showplace
Novi, MI
Mar 19-21, 2010
ChicagoLand Pet Expo
Arlington Race Course
Arlington Heights, IL
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2008 Senior Cat Care Guidelines
The American Association of Feline Practitioners has completed an updated version of the Senior Cat Guidelines These guidelines help focus attention on how to recognize and treat many of the problems our older cats develop with age. Topics covered include "what is a senior cat?", senior wellness visits, evaluation of laboratory data, nutrition and weight management, dental care, anesthesia, pain control, management of common senior diseases and end of life care. These guidelines are available to the general public at no cost, and if you would like to get a copy in pdf format simply click here
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| Greetings!
This May/June issue of our newsletter is packed with great information on a number of diverse topics and many new links to informative sites. Like most of us, if you are trying to save money on cat health products be sure to check out the PetMeds link. Help is also available through links to get your cat to stop scratching furniture, or how to potty train your cat. These and more useful links are found under "Cat Links"
We have expanded our "Right Cat Tree for the Breed" series to include the Ragdoll. Also included are links to back issues where we featured other breeds.
Summer is here, and along with the nicer weather and longer days also come higher temperatures. PurinaCare warns us about high temperatures that are detrimental to cats' health and gives us a list of what we should know and tips on how to recognize if our cat is suffering seriously from the heat.
In each issue we include a list of cat shows we plan to participate in for anyone who would like to visit our booth and "kick the tires" on our product. As a reminder, if you order a cat tree and have us bring it to one of these cat shows where you pick it up - you save shipping cost. Depending on the tree - that could be quite a savings.
As always, we are open to suggestions and encourage you to email us with any ideas or comments about our product or the content of this newsletter. We appreciate your support. Enjoy!
Tom Kartes
greatlakescatfurniture@gmail.com |
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The POD
For the Cat who loves to be close by:
 The POD is the ideal cat bed. It stands only two feet three inches tall and the bed is seventeen inches in diameter and five inches deep. The bottom of the bed in lined with our padded thermal retainer which absorbs your cats' body temperature and radiates it back for added comfort.
This small cat tree is ideal for condo or apartment living where space could be limited. It is solidly made and cannot be tipped over by any cat. It has a cubby hole in the trunk to give your cat a private area to enjoy, or you can store toys when they are not played with.
If you own one of the cat breeds that loves to be close to people and in the center of the "action" then this is an ideal tree. The height is perfect to place next to the kitchen table, or next to your favorite living room chair, or for that matter in front of an outdoor window where your cat will spend hours watching outdoor activity. Anyplace you put this tree your cat will immediately fall in love with it and take ownership.
The original color offering of the POD is Brown or Green. If you wanted to change the color to any of the other colors we use in our tree construction we charged a $25.00 change fee. During the month of July you can order the POD in any color we have available at no additional cost. Simply add a remark to the order and tell us what color you would like us to make your tree and we will do it at no additional cost. (You have to choose from the colors you see on the trees displayed on our website).
The POD is made in the U.S. and is constructed as a single unit, meaning there is no assembly required
Order one for your cat today!
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The Right Cat Tree For A Ragdoll
Large Affectionate Cat With Captivating Blue Eyes
 The Ragdoll is one of the larger cat breeds and can take up to four years to reach full maturity. A fully developed male normally weighs from 15 to 20 pounds and females are between 10 and 15 pounds.
The name "Ragdoll" is associated with the cats willingness to relax and go limp like a rag doll when its picked up. The breed exhibits a relaxed personality and characteristically is a loving quiet cat with a laid back disposition. Ragdolls get along well with other animals and are an ideal cat in a family with young children.
Ragdolls enjoy the company of humans and as a result will greet you when you come home, follow you from room to room, spend time on your lap, and seem to want to be included in all family activity. They are not known as "jumpers", but like all cats will climb because they enjoy high places. It is recommended that pedigreed cats and kittens be kept indoors and that they be spayed or neutered unless part of a breeding program.
If you keep your cat indoors it follows that you have a responsibility to do what you can to prevent boredom and provide the opportunity for exercise. The best way to do that is to supply a properly sized cat tree for your cat that is tall enough to have multiple levels so the cat will get exercise going up and down the tree. Because the Ragdoll is a larger breed of cat you need to consider a larger cat tree than you would if your cat was smaller at maturity.
Any of the large cat trees we make would be ideal for the Ragdoll for three main reasons: 1) they are all five feet high or taller; 2) they have multiple climbing levels for more exercise; and 3) all have leaves that are 12" wide by 20" long - providing a very comfortable place to the Ragdoll to relax. Two of our medium sized trees should also be considered. The Sunflower and the Black-Eyed-Susan are both just under five feet tall, have multiple levels and half of the leaves on each are 12" by 20". In the original design these two trees have flower petals that droop down. To make these trees more appealing to the Ragdoll you have the option of the petals turning up on the flower. This would provide a security rim around the flower that the Ragdoll by its very nature would love to "snuggle" up against. Some customers find the turned up petals more attractive.
Whichever tree you choose from the many various options know that you are getting a quality cat tree, made in the U.S. of only the best and safest material. All of our products have a five-year limited warranty on construction and stability so you can buy with confidence; full details are on the website.
Best cat tree choices for other breeds:
Abyssinian
Bengal
Birman
Persian
Korat
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Protect Your Cat During the Hot Days of Summer
Cats can't take the heat
 PurinaCare(R) Pet Health Insurance, which is committed to help pet owners provide a lifetime of care for their cats, is urging all cat owners to be more aware this summer about the dangers of heat exposure. Pet emergency clinics receive several cases of heatstroke each week during the summer months. Cats of all breeds are sensitive to the effects of heatstroke and can fall victim to it in less than one hour, yet many of the symptoms may not be obvious to the average cat owner.
What cat owners need to know about the heat:
- cats do not sweat - the only way they can get rid of excess heat is though panting.
- exercise with your cat before or after the heat of the day. Limit activity on hot days.
- long hair breeds and over weight cats are especially vulnerable to heatstroke.
- the daily rule for water is - provide one ounce of water for every pound your cat weights.
- general guideline - if your thirsty, so it your cat.
- never leave your cat outside without access to plenty of water and shade. If it is too hot for you to be outside, its too hot for your cat to be there.
- never, ever leave your cat in an unventilated vehicle
(the temperature inside a closed car will reach over 100 degrees in 10 minutes on an 85 degree day. In 30 minute, the temperature will reach 120 degrees or more)
Signs of heatstroke in your cat:
- standing listless or lying on its side unresponsive
- very rapid panting or hyperventilating
- have thick, ropey saliva hanging from the tongue and mouth
- gum tissue and lips will be tacky and dry
- gum color will be blood red in early stage and turn grey-blue as shock sets in
- seizures or coma occur as the brain overheats
If you suspect your cat is suffering from heatstroke, cool your cat's head and body with room temperature water and take your cat to the veterinarian immediately. If left untreated, it can lead to prolonged hyperthermia and cause irreversible brain and kidney damage.
For more information on hyperthermia or other health related issues of your cat visit: PurinaCare
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Cody's Corner
Miscellaneous Kibble
 - April saw pet lovers flocking to 1800petmeds.com as America's largest pet pharmacy saw a jump of 33% in the number of unique visitors (1.68 million) This fact supports the industry trend we reported in March that spending on pet supplies and over the counter medication continues to increase. - Shelters across America continue to see their pet population swell from recession pets. Please consider adopting if you are looking for a new cat. If possible do support your local shelter by volunteering and/or providing needed supplies. - Remember, cats need variety and stimulation for optimal health - buy them a cat tree. - Catch this video of two cats, Tommy and Candy, getting acquainted with their new Sunflower cat tree. | |
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