Any creative ideas for keep cats busy?
Posted By: DW on 2007-09-18
In Reply to:
My cats have plenty of toys and there are two of them so occasionally they'll chase each other around the house, but does anyone have any suggestions for keeping them busy? I just had to go throw their toys around for a while because they jumped up on the desk and started pushing things off - I guess they were bored! They are indoor cats and one is overweight. Any ideas for things they can play with and maybe get some exercise?
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Creative ideas needed for an adoption party...sm
Hi,
We are finalizing the adoption on Monday of our 7-year-old foster daughter. We're working on setting a date for a party to honor this event and are trying to come up with some creative ideas of how to make this extra special but without spending a cazillion bucks.
Please post your ideas. Thanks!
I have used these ideas for my cats - see inside
Scat mats. They are rather expensive, but I cannot tell you how happy I am with them. :-) I also have used carpet protector turned the wrong way up before. Cats especially hate anything that is offensive on their paws. Good luck to you!
Hey, Busy
I just wanted to say, YOU ROCK!! You always have the best advice. Thanks for sharing. :)
I think cats look beautiful - love pics of cats
They can also be he!! on wheels to live with and a major PITA.
I say this as my dog is barking at a leaf blowing by the front door.....
Yes, we have to be creative
for this website and smarmy isn't strong enough but it'll have to do...LOL
Sorry I am not very creative so
I don't have a caption, but I am loving reading the posts.
How creative
That is such a creative idea. My husband owns an SLR digital camera and loves it. It is one of the best cameras we have ever owned.
I'm not very creative so
no suggestions on names here but I like the other ones that were mentioned below. Actually I posted a while back about wanting to find a way to make extra money maybe through farmer's marketsm craft shows, and such, focusing on jams and jellies and maybe a few single serving cakes, pies, scones, shortbread-type cookies to go with the other products.
Anyway, the point of my post is to wish you good luck! I have been too scared to start this venture yet but hope to in the spring, giving myself the winter to prepare. Please keep us posted! I know nothing about starting a business, licensing, etc. and that is the scariest part for me. I don't even know where to start! I think this could really work for you if your prices are right. I'm trying to do more homemade/from scratch items for my family for the sake of cost so you could provide the convenience to those who can't do it themselves and still provide them with some cost-savings not to mention all the controversy surrounding autism, ADHD, preservatives, etc. Seems like everything these days have something artificial in them and I like the idea of feeding my family without that.
Anyone know of a creative
type of profession one can train for without too lengthy schooling? I'm in my upper 40s and am never quite satisfied with "normal" jobs. I really need something creative but now don't have tons of years ahead for lengthy training (wish I knew then what I know now). Any ideas out there? Thanks! 
I'm never too busy for my kids....
for having a slap fight with another child before school started. I will never in all my life forget that. It was awful and felt even more so because I am female. I don't know what your daughter did to deserve this, but whatever it is as opposed to paddling she should be asked to write a report on why whatever she did is not appropriate. It should have to be so many words and so many paragraphs, grammatically correct, and put forth in a positive manner. I can see her having trust issues with men after this paddling situation especially older male figures in years to come.
I hate to sound judgemental, but your post comes off like you are just way to busy to deal with your children when in fact you are responsible for them until they are 18. I sure hope she doesn't hold this against you, but that's what I did at first. I blamed my Mom for letting this man paddle my private area. 
you should really do that...keeps a body busy. NM
..
he can't be too busy if he's able to call that often...lol..nm
x
Creative Memories
My mother loved Creative Memories. She passed away last year, so I already have so much stuff, and I can say the items are well worth it. Creative Memories has nice stuff if you like to scrapbook. My Mom started a few books, which I will cherish forever. She was trying to make one for each child and grandchild, but she was cut short by an illness. I am loaded with Creative Memories stuff, but wanted to share that you will have so much fun being a consultant. I had a great time at one of the functions. I also saw a new twist on scrapbooking by using favorite recipes. Not only could you include pictures of family gatherings, but also type up the recipe for the scrapbook page. Fortunately my daughter spent a lot of time with my Mom and she will be able to use the supplies we have inherited through learning the techniques with my Mom and she's only 7. This is not something just for adult, but kids like it too! Good luck and happy scrappin'!!!!! I think you'll have fun meeting new people! 
Any creative people out there?
In giving gift cards to kids on Christmas, how would you do that? I think it would be sad to just hand several gift cards to a kid that are in a tin or such. No christmas fun in that!
Creative Outlets?
Do you all have creative outlets? Just curious what you do, used to do when you had more time, or would like to try.
I used to paint and draw some and write poetry. I'd like to learn to play the violin and the drums.
Response to Busy MT'ing
Love your post. In fact, I copied and pasted it in a personal folder under "Parenting". Thank you -- it's very clear and concise, EXCELLENT advice.
I'm a single parent of an 11-year-old (my two sons who are 25 and 21 are no longer living with me). My daughter is well behaved (I'll eat my words, I'm sure) right now; but I know that with the preteen and teen years, I'm going to have my hands full w/her.
One more thing I'd like to add to your post is to be sure to watch all computer activity. The Internet is a dangerous place for developing minds if used in a negative manner.
Thanks again!
Right back at ya' busy mt'ing..
May you and yours experience the wonderous joy of the holiday season now and in many years to come!!!  
Merry Christmas to you Busy
Thanks. That was a lovely post. 
My SO is too busy working to have many outside interests.
He's a workaholic in the best sense of the word. He has his own company, is passionate about what he does, and looks forward to each day's work. He's too wrapped up in his company right now to do things like hobbies, although he does run each day.
Please explain "too busy"?...nm
//
Has anyone ever tried being a Creative Memories consultant ...sm
If so, how did that work out for you? I just signed on to supplement with transcription and was wanting to know if anyone else had tried this before.
Have a great day!!
You are all so creative! I need help! I will choose the best answer sm
and so I hope you can help us!! My husband and I teach an adult Sunday School class married couples class. We need to come up with a catchy name to put in the bulletins, on-line, on the screen in the sanctuary to let others know about our class. We can't come up with anything! One couple suggested Married Rockstars! How hilarious is that? Of course, my husband and I don't look anything like rock stars. Couples of all ages and personality types come to the class. Can you think of anything?? It's been 2 weeks since we've been trying to come up with something! The ages range from 25-45 or so. Thank you so much!!!!!!!! 
Squirrels are creative, aren't they?
They can figure out a way to get into most birdfeeders. True acrobats!
I love it - very creative (true too). nm
:)
That sounds so nice. With teenagers we seem to always be busy
on Sundays. Until just a few weeks ago I could say that 5 out of 7 days we all had dinner together. Both my kids now have after school jobs. Each only work 2-3 days a week but this week the only night we will all be together is Wednesday.
yes, the dogs are left outside to run around, right next to a very busy road sm
yesterday i took my son to ball practice to see if he wanted to join. the friend i talked about in this post, his mom was there. (i knew the boy played ball, that's why my son wanted to play ball too). so i told my son that we'd go watch and see if that's what he wants to do. so i'm sitting there talking with the mom and i told her that i was a little scared of my son playing football because of getting hurt, etc. that he had already had two broken bones. she said that her husband (the dad that kicked the dog), has had several broken bones, from wrecks and she said when he was younger, he used to fight (like street fighting type stuff, not boxing). but she said that he doesn't do that any more, we grow up as we get older. i thought to myself, i guess he just beats up dogs now. i'm going to check into what rescue groups are around here. it's very obvious these dogs don't go to the vet for checkups. even if there is no child abuse going on, the kids are going to think it's ok to hurt animals.
thanks for your opinions
Bicyclists on busy roads at 5:00PM
I know they've got just as much a right to be on the road on their bicycle as I do in my car, but I wish they wouldn't. If they're on a narrow road and there's lots of traffic coming in both directions, it can sure make for a traffic jam, and I worry about them hitting a rock or something and then flipping off their bike in front of my car.
All very funny and cute! What a creative group of mom's!
My son wants to be a french fry this year. I had it down and was ready to make a great costume until he clarified to me that it was 1 single crinkle cut fry...now I'm lost. I'm going to the fabric/hobby store today to get ideas. I don't know how anyone is going to know what he is! lol
That's a creative idea. I'd love to have a listen, but I'd never have the nerve to ask! n
OP
I agree, mani-pedi! But that day will be busy, so make an appt if you can. nm
nm
Good church being the key phrase. Some are just a treadmill to keep you busy with "busy work"
x
Cats
My only suggestion would be to have set feeding times for the cats, that way you can monitor which cat is eating what. Just a thought -
Although my cats have started to eat my dogs' food, so I guess I shouldn't be one to give out advice!
cats
Iams has been notorious for cruel treatment of their animals in research - you might want to switch brands.
cats
I have the same problem, getting my cat declawed tomorrow. She has clawed through the leather.
Cats
My sister uses Soft Paws, which you glue on to a cat's claws. She said that they last about 6 weeks. My cat loves to jump on counters and scratch chair legs. I have used Sticky Paws, which is a double-sided tape. I have also heard of products that you can spray on furniture that makes it undesirable, though I haven't tried that myself so I'm not sure if they work.
Cats
What cat food was he on there is a HUGE recall of many many brands of cat food - they changed the source of their wheat gluten and cats and dogs are dying from liver or renal failure - check it out on MSN or CNN . The same manufacturer makes about 60 different brands.
Val Curtiss Boston Terriers Just Bostons
cats
We never had a cat till the kids brought home an abandoned one. He is just like one of the family. I like everybody else would spend money I dont have on him.
Cats
My sister uses Soft Paws with her cats and really likes them. She said that the Soft Paws will fall off about every 6 weeks due to growth of their claws.
We have no more cats
You are going off on ME because I was looking for some suggestions to get HER to understand the destruction her pet has caused.
If it was anyone else but family, I would have shot the dog without hesitation.
As a matter of fact, I have used the pellet gun to pop him in the rear several times. That only keeps him away for a few days at a time.
You can say what you want but if I just went out and shot her dog, that WOULD be like killing her kid to her.
My husband's sister is more important than the cats. We loved our cats but my kids have one aunt. Only one.
Thank God for no more cats
Like I said watch your kids around the chow as the older they get the nastier and more protective they get and are much more aggresive than a lot of other dogs. Even if it were my sister, if her dog did that and she would not accept responsibility for the dog's actions -- would not accept it. My animals are members of my family (I have no kids just step) and my dog is part chow but if she had ever shown agressive behavior in her past 16+ years or had killed a couple of cats, I would have had her put down and hated doing it but would have felt it was necessary. Again, if another dog did that to one of my two cats -- either family member or not -- something would be done especially if it happens more than once. Just my thinking -- again you were asking for suggestions just don't like the obvious ones. Cannot treat this situation nice and sweet like ice cream and cake as it is ugly.
These are cats though
not doggies so dominance in the cattie category? I don’t know but still my sensitive one.
Cats
I had to laugh when I read your post, I have often told my husband that if I had to chose, he'd have to leave. LOL.
3 cats and a dog
Cats names are Bailey, Max, and Scooter. My German Shepherd is Kodiak.
Six cats...sm
Fidget (combination of freaking midget, small when he was born), Dogfood (don't know why, hubby named her), Mother One Eye (obvious, she is the mother of Fidget and has one eye), Big (outside male cat, named after Carrie's Big on SATC), Ellie Ann (she actually looks like an alien cat, changed up the name a bit), and Mr.Pinkas (huge, longhaired boy, loves to sleep in the attic area and comes in with pink insulation all over his backside, hubby said no way to calling him Mr Pink A$$, so Pinkas it is).
cats
 I don't know much about San Francisco....probably too high a risk to let the cats out by themselves. Watching the "real thing" is not quite enough for the felines....I mean, when you got one that can jump 12 feet in the air and snag a red bird (cardinal), beats up moles, chipmunks, and cottomouths (snakes)....that's Napster....I've seen my friend's cats nearly hurt themselves trying to go through a plate glass window after the birds, chipmunks, et al.....it's such a tease. .I've had many, many cats and they would walk for miles with me...Fioma was the best......Right now Napster (12 lbs) and Zeus (120 lb Great Pyreness dog) walk together with me in the morning....I get the most curious looks and smiles from the kids on the school bus seeing the 2 of them together. If you can manage some time to take your cat out to explore and play in the grass (there are leashes for them) you'll find a happier cat. Napster won't even use a litter box...meows at the door or window by my desk to go out. Remember, you don't own them....they own you....you're just a custodian of these sweet beings..Cat.
cats
Just for you San Fran.....Congrats on your new rescue kitty! What's it's name?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8
re: cats
Do you have one of those cat towers? I know they're kind of expensive so I haven't bought any for my cat. What about a bookshelf that they can climb up on? Also my cat loves feathers tied to a string and hanging from doorknobs. She bats at them constantly. My cat tends to sleep all day cause she doesn't have a playmate except for me so she plays when she wants to when everyone is home at night.
cats
 I'm so sorry about this; I am now very sad. I love cats/kittens so much, even though my husband, son, and I are all allergic - only my daughter is not. I will pray for this special kitten. This gets to my very soul.
cats
I, unfortunately, am allergic to cats, as is my husband and son. My daughter is the only one who is not allergic to cats. On a recent outing to dinner in the evening recently, a home we walked by after parking our vehicle had Halloween decorations up, with a live black cat sitting on the porch and looking at me with its glorious green eyes. How fitting for the season. I love it! Cats are so very agile and preternatural, absolutely gorgeous and fascinating to behold. I love them all, even though I cannot be a cat owner. I have a beautiful blue merle sheltie.
outside cats
Please please try to keep you cat indoors. The #1 kiiler of cats is the out-of-doors. They will pee on anything to let you know they are sick. When my daughter was born, my siamese pooped in the doorway of her bedroom every morning for yrs. You can learn to live with it. My sense of smell is totally gone. How old is your cat? Male cats are extremely prone to GU problems. Oh well.
cats
I am so very sorry for the difficult situation that you are now dealing with. I am giving you and your precious cat a long-distance hug.
I absolutely love cats and all of their special qualities, but I, my husband, and one of my children are allergic to them, so I have never had one as a part of our family.
I will pray that you can muster the strength to get through this. God and his angels will take care of this special creature.
Whenever one of our dogs had passed, it was so very difficult, of course. We embrace and so very strongly love them when they are with us, but it hurts so much when it is their time.
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