Oh yes, here’s the direct link (it’s a PDF file).

And since wet food is 75% water, it costs a lot more per ounce of real nutrition, so the same rationale goes here: unless they need wet food for a specific reason, dry will do fine. What with the recession and all, it makes sense to save money on regular purchases (like food) to serve as a cushion in case of unexpected medical bills, or whatever.

Of course, none of this means you shouldn’t buy cans of salmon or fancy treats for your dear cats. Just use them as treats, not everyday meals!

Water, water everywhere. Your cats really need access to a lot of cool, fresh water for their health. Find out why…

All cats need fresh water!

Based on all the veterinary advice we have heard and read — as well as our observations of our cats themselves — clean fresh water is very important to your cat’s health (and it’s not bad for you either!).

Cats must have fresh water every day (they evolved in the desert, you know!). We noticed that in warm weather, even indoors, the water in any dish will evaporate over the course of a day. We refill our cats’ water bowls in the morning and evening.

The water supply from pet fountains and canister waterers can last longer, but we find the reservoir must be refilled almost daily due to drinking by two cats and evaporation. Like water bowls, any type of water dispenser must be drained and scrubbed (no soap!) once a week. This is especially important for non-filtered passive water holders. It prevents any buildup of airborne pollutants in the water your cats drink. Another thing to think about is keeping a waterproof mat under the water supply to protect your floors from the inevitable splashes.

Shed fur, dust and occasional bits of food can contaminate the water in any of the above containers. And then our cats complain!

Traditional Water Bowls

Okay, we all know about ceramic, plastic and stainless steel water bowls or dishes that you wash and change the water for every day. Personally we prefer stainless steel for three reasons:

1. Durability: It is far less likely to crack or become damaged.
2. Cleanliness: If the stainless steel did get a scratch, germs are less likely to grow (this is often a problem with plastic bowls).
3. Health: Our Bengal male has feline acne which is aggravated by drinking from plastic water dishes.

Gravity-Fed Water Supplies

Ceramic water dispenser: accepts an inverted water bottle which you supply. Bottle holder size can vary. Often with cute pawprints on the outside and colored interiors. About $25.00

Several varieties of gravity-fed water systems from narrow mouth bottle which you supply. Some have a plastic water dish and stainless steel food dish, others have both dishes in stainless steel. Some have canisters to hold extra food, too. Price ranges from $10.00 to $25.00.

Petmate Cafe : Three quart capacity with an included transparent wide-mouth water reservoir. Looks easy to fill and clean. Off white colors in a futuristic-looking design. About $10.00 to $14.00.

Petmate’s LeBistro : Looks like the office water cooler to us, in off-white or blue. Comes in 4 sizes, 2 quart extra small ($8.00 to $10.00), 1 gallon small ($10.00 to $15.00) 2.5 gallons medium ($17.00 to $21.00) and 5 gallon large ($27.00).

Buddy Bowl : A plastic, almost no-spill, 2 piece water dish for travel or boisterous cats. A funnel piece which snaps into the bowl prevents spills when tipped, unless the bowl is filled too high. We have one and used it in our large cat carrier on hot days. Our cat and carrier arrive dry. If used outdoors, keep it in the shade as the plastic will get quite hot otherwise. Speckled white/gray. Regular and large (1/2 gallon) are about $12.00 to $18.00.

Electric Water Fountains for Cats

Prices vary considerably between large pet food stores and online stores. You may find them occassionally on sale. Circulating and filtered water can prevent stagnation and probably tastes better to your cats. After all, you probably drink filtered water, too. For best prices, shop around, especially if you buy the add-ons. All these are for indoor use only.

Drinkwell Pet Fountain: Creates an audible circulating stream of water for your cat. Price ranges from $40.00 to $50.00 without an extra reservoir. With the 75 ounce reservoir included you may pay less than $60.00. Or you can order two sizes of extra reservoirs separately (50 ounces and 75 ounces) for an additional $15.00 and $20.00 respectively. Check for warranties. Basic statistics:

• Your cat drinks from a flowing stream of water or a pool of water
• Basic model holds 50 ounces of water
• Dimensions of basic model without extra reservoir 9"W x 11"D x 7.25"H
• Adjustable flow rate knob
• Rinseable, replaceable charcoal filters (sold in packs of 2 or 3, about $4.00 to $9.00 each pack)
• Optional removable water reservoirs available
• Disassembles for cleaning

Petmate’s Fresh Flow Fountain: Creates a quiet circulating stream of water for your cat. Three models are available. Regular holds 50 ounces of water ($20.00 to $35.00), while the Deluxe model holds 108 ounces ($35.00) and the Jumbo holds 216 ounces ($50.00). Only add-ons are buying the charcoal filters. We chose this product ourselves, as it is in our bedroom and we wanted a more quiet fountain.

• Your cat drinks from a flowing stream of water or a pool of water
• Basic model holds 50 ounces of water
• Dimensions of basic model 8.50"W x 13.25"D x 7.5"H
• Adjustable flow rate knob
• Rinseable, replaceable charcoal filters (sold in packs of 2, about $4.00 each pack)
• Transparent removable reservoir releases additional water when needed
• Minimal assembly required
• Low voltage AC adaptor provided
• Disassembles for cleaning

Cat It Fountain: A different shape altogether, this has the water flowing over the interior of a large plastic dome and into a water dish. Detachable food dish also provided, and additional dishes are about $5.00 each. The fountain averages about $30.00.

• Your cat drinks from a pool of water
• Basic model holds 100 ounces of water
• Dimensions of basic model 11" x 18" x 8"
• Replaceable charcoal cartridges are about $6.00 each
• A matching waterproof Cat It Mat 16" x 24-1/2" is sold separately for about $15.00
• Low voltage AC adaptor provided
• Disassembles for cleaning, "dishwasher safe"

Ranging from multi-platform “condos” to simple scratching posts and cute fabric tents, and from store-bought to homemade, our cats have a huge selection of furniture to choose from.

When choosing what to buy, consider your cat(s) level of physical activity, age and size. We never buy any furniture until we see our cats displaying behavior at home that makes us believe they will enjoy the furniture if we buy it for them. At best, you can bring your cat to one of the growing number of pet supply stores that allow animals to visit, and let them try it out for themselves!

If you buy sight unseen (catalog, Internet or magazine advertisement), be sure it is from a reputable dealer that has a money back guarantee. Don’t be afraid to call and ask questions about the product you are interested in buying. And always keep your receipts!

To get our cats used to a new piece of cat furniture, we either spray Feliway or sprinkle catnip on it (depending on which one the cat likes better).

Remember: Color is a matter of human choice. Whether to use it or not is up to the cat.

Scratching Posts

The urge to scrape, scratch, and “sharpen” their claws is universal in cats. Scratching is also a form of territorial scent marking, a way of saying “I was here”. The best method for humans to preserve furniture from this normal feline activity is to have scratching posts available. These allow your cat to shed the outer sheathing from their claws keeping them clean and growing properly. Sadly, many cat owners decide to have their cats “de-clawed”, a particularly cruel operation analogous to cutting off your fingers at the first knuckle, and which permanently prevents a cat from defending its life if it should ever find itself outside the house.

Jute or sisal rope, wound around a wood board or post, lasts the longest. These can be upright on free standing platforms, or hang from a doorknob. You can easily make several of these yourself from scrap wood and $3 worth of rope in an hour…longer if you let your cats play with the loose end of the rope

Some cats like to scratch an upright post, others are happy with one on the floor. Panther, our dominant male cat, likes to scratch heavy floor mats, and Glory, our queen, prefers her sisal board on the floor, rather than the doorknob. Jennifur enjoys shredding a 4×4 attached to a workbench, which we allow her to do because it’s rough wood homemade furniture anyway. She will occasionally also use an upright sisal post. Charger, our youngest male, enjoys both heavy floor mats and an upright sisal attached to a platform.

Basically you have to see where your cat(s) prefers to scratch, take into account the age (older cats will prefer something easy to reach) and size (a long-bodied cat can reach higher than a kitten) and find something that can accomodate your home and the cat’s needs.

Play Areas and Condo Units

Play, climbing, hiding, sleeping and watchfully resting are all important cat activities. These units, usually constructed of wood and carpet, can be wonderful additions to your cats’ life offering hours of behavioral enrichment.

Take measurements with you so you know the maximum size unit you can fit into the area you selected in your home — and also through the doors!

We have seen both well-made and poorly constructed units for a wide variety of prices. Exhibitors at cat shows often have great deals on these. Tightly woven carpet is best (not shag, which can catch on claws and collect fur and dust).

• Does it wobble? Your cat won’t like this new thing if it does. Push down on all ends and corners and make sure it’s stable. If your cat jumps on it and it rocks in a way that makes her doubt her safety, you will have just brought home a very expensive dust collector!
• Can you see staples or glue? This is a bad sign. If you can see it, your cats may end up hurting themselves on it.
• Is the carpeting securely fastened? If you scratch with your nails or rub with your hands, does it move? If so, you can bet it won’t last two weeks with a cat.
• Is the dangle toy (if any) securely attached when you tug on it?
• Are the platforms or cubby holes a good size for your cat to lie down on tucked in or stretched out in her favorite pose?
• If buying for a kitten, can he reach it now to play on, and will it accommodate him as he grows?
• If you have more than one cat, can they use it at the same time? Are there platforms or cubby holes at different heights, and can your cats easily climb them?

Cat Shelves

If your cat is like Jennifur, she loves to watch the birds. Another of our cats, Panther, enjoys napping in a sunny window.

We have bought and built window shelves for our cats and placed them at strategic locations (OK, virtually every window in the house, we admit it). All have soft fabric that we clean of shed fur weekly. Two are like a modified hammock, one is plastic with a felt-like top, one is wood with a recycled sheepskin car seat cover on top.

Measure your window(s). Be sure to see if the installation will work with your type of window, especially where the window sill is. Check that the general construction is sound before purchase.

Fabric Tents, Beds, Nests

Check that the seams are nicely finished off, with no loose threads to snag your cat’s claws.

Important questions:

• Can it be easily washed?
• Does it look and feel comfortable to you?
• Do you have a dry, draft-free location that your cat will go to all picked out? The best is one area that your cat already uses for sleep. Just introduce the new bedding (a spray of Feliway may help as it calms them).
• Does your cat like to snuggle and stay hidden while napping?
  Then a tent may be a wonderful gift for your feline friend.

Glory enjoyed her furry tent all through one winter and spring — she could sleep inside, or pounce on it and sleep on top (it crushed down into a very cushiony bed). Then she suddenly decided that our bed or an area rug were the only places she wanted to sleep. We keep it in hope that one of the other cats will adopt the tent someday. Besides, it’s fake leopard skin and looks so cute…