What's inside your "cat care box"?

chiarabab · Jan 1, 2014

Happy new year everyone!

This morning I decided to reorganize the tin box where I keep all the tools related to the care and grooming of my cats, and I got curios of how other people keep their stuff, what they have, and why.

In my "cat box" I have:

Treats! The box is quite noisy when opened and I want the kitties to associate that noise with something pleasant (they are both well behaved when it comes to grooming, but they do not like it).
A comb, a brush and a FURminator for longhaired cats.
Pet-safe wet wipes
A big towel to wrap them when we have to clean them and they are particularly upset. It's not being used for months now, but it's there.
Claw clippers.
A small cellulose facial sponge: it's natural (no chemicals, no scent) and very soft (I use one of those to clean my face), that I use with warm water to clean them better when they need something more than a quick wiping.
Cat shampoo, never used.

So, what's inside your kitty make-up bag?

jcat · Jan 1, 2014

Mogli's stuff is spread throughout the house - maybe my New Year's resolution should be to get things organized. :lol3: His treats are in a child-proof cabinet so that he can't simply gorge himself on them, with more in a cabinet in the cellar. His combs, including a Furminator, and nail clippers are in a drawer in the living room, as is a pack of pet wipes. There's a ZoomGroom and a wire brush within easy reach on a shelf in the living room and another ZoomGroom upstairs. He doesn't like being brushed or combed, so I have to catch him when he's in the mood. Spare collars and ID tags are on a shelf in my study.

carebearbaby1 · Jan 1, 2014

I have 2 cupboards of pet paraphernalia. The first and most important, at least to the babies, is treats. Also the cats' canned food, the dogs' daily medications, pill pockets, low dose aspirin (in case anyone gets a fever or injury), triple antibiotic cream, eye & nose drops, ear cleaner, spare collars, several bags of cat nip, a slicker brush, undercoat rake (for my Husky mix), nail clippers, liquid probiotics, spare filters for the kitty fountain, pill cutter, pill pusher, a toy that needs fixing, nutri-cal, and uri-ease gel (for my cat who used to have chronic UTI).

oneandahalfcats · Jan 1, 2014

My cat care basket is located up on the bathroom shelf and consists of a deep wicker basket filled with:

Ubavet ear cleaner

Cothivet wound spray

Spare syringes

Lactulose for constipation

L-Lysine for Max

Small tooth combs for grooming

Large size toenail clippers for nail clipping (prefer this to pet clippers)

Other stuff that is close by

Cotton balls for applying sprays and ointments to face

Herbal Pet shampoo (formulated to neutralize skunk odor)

Dentatabs for tartar care

chiarabab · Jan 1, 2014

jcat said:
This is the one we use, it's made of tin and it has two main problems: 1. it's noisy to open and the cats learn to link the noise to the hated grooming or bottom cleaning (we solved this in part by keeping the treats there as well); and 2. it's hard to open with one hand when you have a fluffy 9 pounds kitten – who sat in his poop – in the other hand squirming to get away

As soon as we manage to buy the new dresser I'll devote a drawer to the kitty stuff!

susank521 · Jan 1, 2014

This thread has made me realize that I may need to do a little organizing!

I don't have a central location for the house cats' "stuff". Their non-refrigerated medicines, treats, food, brushes, flea meds, and other miscellanea are all in a single pantry, but I'm sure I didn't plan it that way.

Everything else is scattered all over the house and some of it is in the most illogical places. Their blankets and bedding are in the bottom of the dining room buffet, for Pete's sake!

My supplies in my totes and car for the outside and off-location cats are much better organized. Would you mind, @chiarabab if I copied the idea of this thread over to the stray and feral forum?

chiarabab · Jan 1, 2014

Susank521 said:
My supplies in my totes and car for the outside and off-location cats are much better organized. Would you mind, @chiarabab if I copied the idea of this thread over to the stray and feral forum?

Please do! You didn't even need to ask

flintmccullough · Jan 1, 2014

Oh my, LOL, I got 2, 18 gal totes, full of cat equipment, LOL, as I refer to it, a left over from showing horses, we referred to our stuff, as equipment, LOL. I take both totes to shows with me, as I travel 7-8 hrs one way, and I want to be prepared, just in case.

One thing I noticed that is missing, from everybodys list, and for show people, its thee very most important one, LOL.

Health records.

All health records should be kept in one spot, and each kitty has their own seperate folder. You should keep the printouts of all the kittys vet visits, copies of all tests done, rabies certificates (that one is critical). I keep all, in one briefcase.

We take them, because, we are so far from home, and if we need a vet, on the road, we have to be able to show the vet, the cats medical history, and proof of rabies, they also spot check at shows, and G forbid, if you are on the road, in a state that requires them, and ya ain't got it.

If you need to evacuate in a hurry, you want to be able to grab them in a hurry.

You also need to have an emergency box, with food and water bowls, that don't tip over, bottled water and extra wet food cans or dry food, kitty box and litter. I take extra on the road with me, ya just never know, what might happen.

You should also have a collor or harness, with the kitties tags on them, their name, your name/number, vets name/number, their chip tag, and most important, their rabies tag. You should always travel with them on, even if they don't wear them at home, it increases your chances of getting them back. The few lucky people who got their pets back in Katrina were the ones that were chipped and or, had collors or harness on.

We are so very far from home, and about a zillion things can go wrong on the road, and we have to prepare, that we might be stuck where we are, for a few days, we treat every show, as an emergency situation.

I was up on the East Coast at a show, when Sandy hit, I was looking at having to spend a few extra days there, I was real glady, I was prepared, with extra food, extra water and a covered kitty box. You go to Walmart, get the storage box, that is about the size of a cake pan, only its walls are higher, and it has a top, that closes tightly, ya put the cat litter in there, real handy dandy, for traveling or emergencies.

You should also have your carrier or carriers handy and easy to get to, with soft towels and toys already in them, in case you need to leave in a hurry.

I cannot stress this enough........your kitty needs to be taught to load, don't tell me they won't, you teach them, what the heck are ya gonna do, if ya gotta leave, in the next few minutes, and ya gotta scramble to find your carrier, and try to stuff the kitty in them???? Loading on command, saved my kittens lifes, in a hotel fire, ya just never know.

Being prepared for an emergency, is a must, for your kitty stuff, LOL.

betsygee · Jan 1, 2014

My stuff is all over the house, too, mainly because I want to be able to clip nails, brush, clean eyes, etc., whenever I catch a cat in a calm state or sleeping--which can happen anywhere, any time...

So I have nail clippers and brushes at both ends of the house and in the cat room. Another brush out in the catio. Treats EVERYWHERE. But you know, it's a good idea to put them in boxes, that way at least I'd know where things are when I want to grab them! I'm always sticking tools in drawers or cupboards and then forgetting where they are. :-)

chiarabab · Jan 1, 2014

betsygee said:
My stuff is all over the house, too, mainly because I want to be able to clip nails, brush, clean eyes, etc., whenever I catch a cat in a calm state or sleeping--which can happen anywhere, any time...

So I have nail clippers and brushes at both ends of the house and in the cat room. Another brush out in the catio. Treats EVERYWHERE. But you know, it's a good idea to put them in boxes, that way at least I'd know where things are when I want to grab them! I'm always sticking tools in drawers or cupboards and then forgetting where they are. :-)

Wow, one cat room and one catio, we really do have different homes!

I barely have a people room, lol!

FlintMcCullough said:
One thing I noticed that is missing, from everybodys list, and for show people, its thee very most important one, LOL.

Health records.

All health records should be kept in one spot, and each kitty has their own seperate folder. You should keep the printouts of all the kittys vet visits, copies of all tests done, rabies certificates (that one is critical). I keep all, in one briefcase.

This stuff is in a different place, also very well organized. I keep complete health records with their carriers and a package of pee pads. This is their "vet trip" equipment!

Here in Italy rabies shots are not mandatory for cats, so ours don't have them. We'll do them for sure if we ever move to another country, as there are understandably strict laws on the subject.

Fletcher loves his carrier and we just need to open it if we want him to load. New Kitten still has to learn that

oneandahalfcats · Jan 1, 2014

Some good suggestions Flint. I used to have horses as well so recognize the lingo

I keep my vet records and receipts for all visits in a folder along with other important papers that are in folders of their own but this is separate from the cat care box.

andrya · Jan 1, 2014

Hmm, l don't have much paraphernalia for my cats.

Their vet records, pedigree, registration, microchip info, and city annual registration are all kept in each of their individual health folders. When they get too full, they overflow into the one file cabinet folder l keep them all in at my desk.

Furminator is kept in my bedroom, that is the only place l ever brush them.

l don't clip nails or use wipes etc.

There is a feeding syringe in my bathroom wall cabinet, which has been used a couple of times.

Things l may add to their food, like krill oil, taurine, enzymes, etc, are kept in a box under the kitchen sink beside their canned foods

l keep one box of cat litter beside each of the litter boxes, and if there was a sale and l buy a bunch of boxes at one time, l keep them in the trunk of the car so they're not taking up space in the house.

betsygee · Jan 1, 2014

Yes, records are important to have-- I have a folder for each kitty with their records. I found it was a pain for my old brain to keep track of when each of seven kitties needed vaccines or vet visits, so I also have an Excel spreadsheet where I keep track of vaccine due dates, their microchip numbers, and when they are due for their next vet visit. My plan is to scan their records, too, so I have them as a backup to the hard copies.

flintmccullough · Jan 1, 2014

LOL

I tend to use alot of horse show terms, when doing posts on here, LOL. Loading is one, ya load the horses in the trailer, so I refer to the kitties, and loading them in their carriers, LOL.

My horses walked right in, so I taught the kitties the same thing, I open the carrier door, they fly right in. Taught them the same way, you teach a yearling or weanling to load, same exact principal. I even trained them the same way, you teach a weanling, yearling, 2 yr old etc, on what they need to know to show, same exact principal.

Thats how I know, people can teach their kitties to load, that won't even go near a carrier. Its the same exact way, you teach a horse, that won't even go near the trailer, and flips, when they put a butt rope on him, and try and force him.

I took a horse, that used to flip, when you got on him, to a horse that was winning on the AQHA circuit. My parents told me to stay away from him, which, of course I didn't listen, LOL. I started him all over, from the start, like he was a weanling, that knew nothing. Thats, how ya train kitties. Kittens are trained the same way, as teaching weanlings.

stewball · Jan 1, 2014

carebearbaby1 said:
I have 2 cupboards of pet paraphernalia. The first and most important, at least to the babies, is treats. Also the cats' canned food, the dogs' daily medications, pill pockets, low dose aspirin (in case anyone gets a fever or injury), triple antibiotic cream, eye & nose drops, ear cleaner, spare collars, several bags of cat nip, a slicker brush, undercoat rake (for my Husky mix), nail clippers, liquid probiotics, spare filters for the kitty fountain, pill cutter, pill pusher, a toy that needs fixing, nutri-cal, and uri-ease gel (for my cat who used to have chronic UTI).

You sound like me with my creams and perfumes. I could open my own shop.
You are certainly well equipped.

stewball · Jan 1, 2014

oneandahalfcats said:
My cat care basket is located up on the bathroom shelf and consists of a deep wicker basket filled with:

Ubavet ear cleaner
Cothivet wound spray
Spare syringes
Lactulose for constipation
L-Lysine for Max
Small tooth combs for grooming
Large size toenail clippers for nail clipping (prefer this to pet clippers)

Other stuff that is close by

Cotton balls for applying sprays and ointments to face
Herbal Pet shampoo (formulated to neutralize skunk odor)
Dentatabs for tartar care

Question about the nail clippers. I have normal size and large size. Are they ok to use on the kitties' claws? Doesn't make them more likely to scratch us or something?

stewball · Jan 1, 2014

Well their inoculation booklets are where all the letters are.
Brushes etc on the dish washer. Advantage in a drawer in the kitchen. Dry food in a tin on the stove. Tinned food on the dish washer and extra dry food and cat litter in a cupboard near the kitchen. That's it.

mservant · Jan 1, 2014

Stewball said:
Question about the nail clippers. I have normal size and large size. Are they ok to use on the kitties' claws? Doesn't make them more likely to scratch us or something?

I know a lot of people use claw clippers and the guide to make sure you avoid the quick, I've always used plain old nail clippers that I feel confident handling. I use both small and large, which ever I have close at hand and are new so they are sharp. Once worn then they don't cut cleanly so both kitty is more likely to squirm while you work, and the claw might shred a bit where you're cutting. Use whatever you get the best hold of and you can use giving you a clear view of your cat's claw so you avoid the quick and get a nice line.

I used to leave everything over the house with my girls, where ever I used it, and the vaccination and insurance documents usually got lost and I'd have to hunt them out when needed. When I got Mouse I saw the breeder had her papers in a folder for each cat so I've kept that going for Mouse with his pedigree papers, GCCF registration, vaccination document and chip data all in there along with show certificates and stuff. Then I have his blankets, pet wipes, a microfibre cloth I damp down to polish up his fur, a travel (foil baking tray that slots in to the carrier) litter tray, a Feliway spray, and a towel all in his carrier that I can reach easily near the main door. I guess from what FlintMcCullough says it really would be a better idea to have his harness in there too as he doesn't really like going out and its main use would be if I had to travel with him or an emergency shelter. At the moment it's in my kitchen cupboard for some reason. The cat shampoo that hasn't been used for many years (and never with Mouse) is under the kitchen sink, and all his bulk food and fish snacks are in a big kitchen cupboard I use for bulk storage. A sealed food container, metal tin of fish snacks, L Lysine dispenser, Logic toothpaste and finger brush, a measuring cup and syringe are all at one end of the kitchen work top where Mouse comes up for treats / tooth-time, and also if I am having to medicate him for anything like giving eye drops. I keep any current medication there too and as it's above the fridge it's handy if the medication has to be kept there. I do have a tin with wire slicker brushes and rubber grooming mittens in that I used on the girls, but as Mouse doesn't need his fur groomed other than from stroking they just stay in a cupboard in case I ever get another cat that needs grooming.

The gear is kind of spread out and especially with the comments FlintMcCullough has made about emergencies, despite my apartment being small I think I should look to have it all more in one area like the kitchen, with the carrier bits where they are near the door. I recently read the thread about chipping and collars in the event of evacuation and thought it wasn't the kind of thing I needed to think about, then a couple of weeks ago there was a bomb threat close to my home and I ended up staying home as I was worried about leaving Mouse until I knew we wouldn't be evacuated. I doubt I would have thought about half the things mentioned here!

oneandahalfcats · Jan 2, 2014

Stewball said:
Question about the nail clippers. I have normal size and large size. Are they ok to use on the kitties' claws? Doesn't make them more likely to scratch us or something?

Hi Stewball,

I like to use good quality large toenail clippers as I tend to find them sharper than pet clippers. More precise means less messing about. I think the more comfortable and adept you can be at clipping your cat's nails, the more comfortable and relaxed your cat will be.

After I posted initially I remembered that the enzyme toothpaste and finger brush I use are up in our ensuite bathroom. More light in our bedroom and its much quieter so everybody gets their teeth brushed there.

stewball · Jan 2, 2014

Not a big apartment not much light.
Blighty hates to be held. H cries through his nose when I do.
Whisky's not much better.
I don't know if I'll be able to do it.
:sigh:

What's inside your "cat care box"?

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Mo(w)gli's can opener

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Just what part of meow don't you understand.

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Just what part of meow don't you understand.

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The Mouse servant

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