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Cool Stuff For Cat Lovers

Cool Cat Stuff Cool Stuff For Cat Lovers

Spoil Your Kitty By Crafting This DIY Cactus Cat Scratcher

by Modi Ramos March 24, 2022

We all want our pets to feel unique and special – this is why we try to spoil them with the coolest-looking toys and accessories. However, purchasing extravagant pet accessories can be quite the splurge – no wonder why most pet owners stick to the simpler models. Cat scratching posts are especially popular among feline owners, as they are healthy for your cats’ claws and can also help protect your precious furniture from falling prey to their attack.

However, cat scratchers are one of the easiest things to make at home! Creating your own DIY Cactus Cat Scratcher with the help of sisal rope is fairly easy and extremely cost-effective. So why spend your hard-earned money at the pet accessories section, when you can save it and buy some delicious treats for your four-legged friends instead?

DIY Cactus Cat Scratcher

What makes this project special is its unique shape, which can brighten up even the most boring room. This vibrant cactus shape will surely draw attention to your scratcher, so your cat can feel truly special climbing it.

What you’ll need for this DIY cactus cat scratcher…

6mm natural sisal rope
Green dye
Round plywood
Glue sticks
Green spray paint
Wood screws
Stones or concrete
Fake flowers
Plumbing pipe
Pipe lid
Single tees
Elbow pipes
Polystyrene baubles
Electric Drill
Glue Gun

Instructions

DIY Cactus Cat Scratcher

Step 1. Prepare your supplies: get your drill ready and take a round wood board (as thick as possible), the lid of the plumbing pipe and 4 wood screws.

Step 2. Take the lid and pre-drill it, centering it on your board. Mark the place of the screws with a pencil and secure the lid with the wood screws.

Step 3. Take an approx. 3 feet long plumbing pipe and place it on the lid, securing it with hot glue.
DIY Cactus Cat Scratcher

Step 4. Fill ⅓ of the pipe with stones, concrete, or other heavy materials in order to keep it stable.

Step 5. Take one of the pipe connectors and connect it with one of the 90° elbow pipes.

DIY Cactus Cat Scratcher

Step 6. Connect the structure with the rest of the pipe. Repeat the previous step in order to achieve the cactus shape.

Step 7. Take two polystyrene baubles and cut them in half, gluing the halves to the uncovered ends.

Step 8. Paint the cactus green using spray paint, so the grey color of the pipes is completely covered.

DIY Cactus Cat Scratcher

Step 9. Dye the majority of the sisal rope green – make sure to use pet-safe textile dye. Leave some rope unpainted, which will cover the board.

Step 10. Start attaching the rope to the pipe using a glue gun, moving from the base upwards to the first junction.

Step 11. When you reach the junctions, glue on smaller pieces of rope. Make them a little bit longer, so you can cover the ends with glue later.

DIY Cactus Cat Scratcher

Step 12. Keep wrapping the rope, going around the elbow, but make sure that you cover the ends left out during the previous step. Do the same for the next junction.

Step 13. Glue the natural sisal rope to the wood board, covering it fully.

DIY Cactus Cat Scratcher

Step 14. You can decorate your cactus scratcher with fake flowers to make it more attractive.

Step 15. Now take a look back and admire the finished cactus scratcher – your cat will surely be excited to try it!

DIY Cactus Cat Scratcher

About the Author

Dora is a DIY enthusiast and she loves all things related to cats. She is a blogger and content creator for Buy Rope and she created this project in hopes of reaching other creative feline owners looking for their next challenge.

Twitter & Facebook

March 24, 2022 0 comment

German Cat Photographer Makes Kitties Shine Like No Other

by Modi Ramos December 21, 2021

written by Modi Ramos

If there’s one thing I could look at all day long, it’s photos of cats. And that’s just because I mean, honestly, have you ever seen a cat take a bad photo? When it comes to cats, they’re oh-so-irresistible and a joy to photograph. The photographs we take of our feline friends look good, but when you put a camera in the hands of a professional, they can make cats look out-of-this-world fabulous.

For a German-based photographer named Beatrice, she’s especially talented when it comes to photographing cats. I came across her work online and reached out hoping to feature her on the site, and thankfully she agreed. So, learn all about her here while you enjoy her purrfectly mesmerizing photos of our favorite subjects.

Thapojere

How long have you been photographing cats?

I got my first DSLR camera way back in December of 2010 and solely used it to photograph my own cats for fun. So the first month was just me shooting whatever my cats did. A bit later I became really interested in the technical basics of photography and began to take all my photos manually. To practice, I started to visit friends and other people with cats taking my camera wherever I went. I was quite passionate about this for some years but due to private stuff, I lost my drive back in 2017 barely taking any photos and all for some years.

Then in 2020 I got a new and better camera, started with Instagram, and met some amazing photographers there, mainly @gnocchilli_the_cats. Seeing all their beautiful pictures inspired me to try photography more seriously again and unlike before I took my time to not only take photos but learn the basics of photo editing which improved the end result tremendously. I’ve done this for almost a year now, doing the first “shootings” with my cats back in January.

What’s the inspiration behind the name “Thapojere”?

It’s a combination of the names of the cats from my original squad. “Tha” from Thalia, “po” from Apollo, “”j” from Jovan and “ere” from Guinevere (Ninnis full name).

Thapojere

What’s your favorite thing (if you had to choose) about photographing cats?

I love to capture the essence of cats focusing on portraits, close-ups and macro shots while always trying to make them aesthetically pleasing with a touch for the dramatic. My main focus is and will always be cat eyes. I’m just very fascinated by their color and shape, the texture, how the light gets caught and is reflected by the iris.With one glance they seem to tell whole stories. I will never get tired of photographing eyes.

Thapojere

Can you tell me about your own cats?

I got six cats at home and one very dear to my heart who sadly already crossed the rainbow bridge some years ago. Without my cats, I would have never found my passion for photography. They are everything. Dear friends, beloved family members, treasured muses and I couldn’t imagine my life without them. My oldest are brothers Apollo and Jovan, two house cats who joined us from animal welfare back in 2010. They were very active in their younger years, wreaking mischief and havoc wherever they went. Now they are getting on in years, cherishing quiet times with us more than playing. Guinevere, or Ninni as she is primarily called, is our “old” Maine Coon lady. She’ll turn 11 in January and always looks a bit grumpy in photos. But that’s just a facade. She is very sweet and loving and takes her job as a hairdresser for Pawpy very seriously, grooming his hair whenever she has time for it.

Thapojere

Between our senior trio and our young squad, as we call it, are some years. Next in age is five-year-old Maine Coon Samu, who is just a big-hearted, fluffy affectionate softie. Samu loves all the cats, demanding kisses and grooming time from everyone while engaging in friendly play with Calla and Lyri. Calla is our three-year-old calico Maine Coon and has true tortitude encompassing every bias one could have for three-colored female cats. She is sassy, she can be moody and she knows, she owns the whole world. Last but not least is little Lyri, our little fluff ball of pure sunshine. I never met a cat as happy and open-minded as her. She just wants to have fun. She loves to play, play, play and tells you quite vocally that it’s always time for it.

And I can not talk about my cats without mentioning my Thalia. Sometimes you meet a cat and you just know your souls are touched. Thalia was this one special cat for me. She was my shadow, my heart, my love. Being loved by this cat unconditionally was one of the greatest gifts I ever received. Sadly she wasn’t a very healthy cat and had to leave us way too soon. I miss her very much.

Thapojere

How do you meet the cats that you photograph?

Currently, I mostly take photos of my own cats but back in the day I met various cat owners through a big German cat board where you got to know each other and I started to visit a bunch of users with my camera for fun.

This year I only photographed a handful of other cats but I hope to expand on this in the future hoping to use Instagram as a way to connect to people who might be interested in getting their cats photos taken by me.

What’s some advice you can share for other cat owners that want to take better photographs of their cats?

The first thing about taking photos of cats is patience. You have to be on high alert and wait for the right moment to strike. Don’t shy away from taking a bunch of photos at once. Most pictures aren’t done with a single take.

Get to know what works best to get your cat’s attention focused on you without them getting overly active (unless you want action shots). Some cats can be motivated by toys, others need treats and some just don’t like to be photographed. And that’s okay too. Never force a cat to do something just to take a pretty picture.

Wait for good light. Especially with phone cameras, you need good lighting to get the shutter speed you need to “freeze” your cat’s movement. A cat is seldom sitting still. Avoid taking photos of your cat in bright sunlight as it often only burns the colors and contrast away.

Thapojere

Try to always be on eye level with the cat. This way it doesn’t mess with the viewer’s perspective and portrays your cat as it is. Don’t shoot from above or below unless it’s for picture composition reasons.

Don’t cut off parts of your cat in a portrait or full-body shot. If you want a whole-body picture, don’t cut off the tail, paws, or ears. In a portrait don’t cut off an ear if you can manage it.

My personal tip: Try to always have the focus on the eyes (except in photos where you purposely want the focus to be on another body part).

And last but not least: Just practice. The more photos you take, the better the feeling for cats and equipment becomes. Never forget to have fun.

Thapojere

I’d like to give a special “thank you” to Beatrice of Thapojere for allowing me to share her insightful thoughts and images with all of the Cattitude Daily readers. If you know another cat lover who would enjoy seeing her work, don’t forget to share this article with them. For more of her lovely images, check her out on Instagram here, and you can even visit her website, too.

All Images Courtesy of Thapojere on Instagram

December 21, 2021 0 comment

Cool Stuff For Cat Lovers

ENDLESS PAWSIBILITIES Is The Perfect Gift For Cat Lovers This Holiday Season

by Modi Ramos November 19, 2021

written by Modi Ramos

For cat lovers like us, our cats are often our very best friends. And they do this without even knowing the same language because our feline friends really do understand us! A fun new picture book called ENDLESS PAWSIBILITIES shows us how friendship makes our world a better place—and it does this cleverly with fuzzy little cat paws!

Endless Pawsibilities

On sale November 23, 2021, this adorable book for all ages is brought to you from the mind of animator, DreamWorks director, and former writer and director of SpongeBob SquarePants, Sean Charmatz.

And the truth is, you don’t even have to be a cat lover to enjoy it—so feel free to get a copy of it for your dog lover friends, too.

ENDLESS PAWSIBILITIES (Penguin Workshop) mixes photography with the cutest cartoons, and a pun on every page, to create an adorable story about sharing love and friendship. A perfect gift book for cat lovers of all ages and anyone who needs a sweet gift for a friend.

About the book

Endless Pawsibilities

If you’d like to order your copy now, you can do so on Amazon, or you can pick it up in person at your local bookstore starting Tuesday, November 23, 2021. They were kind enough to send me a copy, and both of my elementary-aged daughters thoroughly enjoyed it!

About the author

Sean Charmatz is an artist and animator from California, who is currently a director at DreamWorks. He has worked in the animation industry since 2005 and has most notably served as a writer and director on SpongeBob SquarePants, in addition to designing, storyboarding, and developing shows for Disney and DreamWorks.

November 19, 2021 0 comment

Cats Cool Stuff For Cat Lovers

Cat Sitter Chronicles Traveling The World With Cats

by Modi Ramos October 2, 2021

written by Modi Ramos

For Australian-native Madolline, she’s a big fan of cats. But she also happens to be a big fan of traveling, too. So, she figured why not combine two of her greatest loves to create purrfectly memorable experiences. And being a cat sitter that travels the world has other fun perks, too. Madolline says that, “travelling as a cat sitter is a great way to find out about stuff in the neighbourhood you probably wouldn’t have heard about if you were staying in a hotel. You also get great restaurant recommendations.”

In addition to the cats that she cares for in their owner’s absence, she also documents many of the cats in the cities in which she’s staying. (I love writing about cats, but a job like hers sounds right up my alley, too!) Keep reading to learn all about this cool lady who is taking the world one cat at a time.

traveling the world with cats

How did you embark on your cat-sitting journey?

I actually heard about ‘house sitting’ one day at work. It’s only when I went home to Google it that I learned it included looking after people’s cats! The first website to come up was TrustedHousesitters, and this is the main website I use to house and cat sit my way around.

Can you name for me some of the countries that you’ve visited?

I’ve only visited the US (I’ve done six or seven house and cat sitting trips there from Dec 2017 to March 2020) and other parts of Australia, including well-known tourist destinations like Sydney and Darwin.

My favourite/most memorable house sitting locations include in NYC, where I was house and cat sitting in a Brooklyn neighbourhood, at the beginning of March 2020 when COVID really started to unleash on the US. I also really enjoyed house and cat sitting in San Francisco and Boston. And Cincinnati really surprised me—I would love to go back there.

Tell me about a handful of your most memorable cat-sitting experiences.

There was food-crazy Jasper in Charleston. He had been on a diet before I met him and I believe he was down to about 8kg. He (and his sister (because of him)) was on a timed feeder and I would catch him sitting in front of it most mornings and evenings before it went off. When it was time for wet food, he’d get up on his hind legs and put his paws on the counter. I also caught him licking the empty plate once I put it in the sink. He was even going through the trash (under the sink) once to lick the wet food tin dry…
Then there were two cats in Seattle. The lady let them go outside/free roam. Bodhi, the boy, didn’t come home one night early on in the sit and it made me really nervous. Especially as there was light rain outside. I started to wonder if it would reflect badly on me—the sitter—if he NEVER came home. Thankfully he came home. And, thankfully, they were the only free-roaming cats I’ve cared for.
A house and cat sit I got in Boulder over the Christmas 2018 break was an amazing property/location. The family lived on top of a mountain and it snowed about half the time I was there. Not on Christmas Day, sadly, but I was essentially snowed in on New Year’s Eve. That’s not something I’ve ever experienced before living in Australia and all…

Harvey, the first cat I looked after (in San Francisco), was pretty shy, but he warmed up to me as the days went on. His owners had their apartment cleaned each month and I remember Harvey ran to the bedroom to sit on the bed as soon as they entered. When the cleaners had to clean the bedroom, one of them asked me to move Harvey off the bed because they needed to change the sheets, but he just wouldn’t budge. When the cleaners were done, one lady told me that ‘The cat usually hides when we enter the apartment. We never see him.’ and said something like I must have given him a confidence boost. Harvey’s owners later said that he usually hides and poops himself when the cleaners come so I thought it was cute he didn’t do either of these things while I was there!
I’ve cared for a one-eyed (Zoey) in Birmingham, AL, and a three-legged kitty called Bonnie in NYC.
Some of the cats I’ve cared for have Insta and I still follow them and their owners, @che_harvey and @persianpals

Why should someone hire you to cat sit?

Well, firstly it’s free to hire me! The websites I use operate on an exchange model where no money is given to the sitter. The sitter (me) provides live-in pet care in exchange for a place to stay. So unlike pet sitting app Rover, I am based in the person’s home for however long the person’s gone for. This could be as little as overnight or sometimes up to six months (note: The longest sit I’ve done has been about 1-month long). I also think that after completing some 30+ house and cat sits—all over the US and Australia—I have proved I am trustworthy and reliable, and a true cat lover. I think it’s also a bit of a novelty to most Americans to have someone from Australia caring for their cat.

What’s something special you’d like people to know about the cat and house sitting services that you offer?

I still remember the names of all the cats I’ve cared for! There are probably 40 or so cats I’ve cared for ranging from 8-week-old kittens to more senior cats aged 17 and 18. I also still speak to about half the people I’ve sat for which goes to show it’s not just a service—friendships can be formed and maintained long after you’ve cared for the person’s home and cat(s).

I’d like to give a special “thank you” to Madolline for taking the time to answer my questions and for allowing me to share her story and pics with all of the Cattitude Daily readers. For more on Madolline, check out her blog, One Cat at a Time. Curious on what to expect when you hire a cat sitter? Check out her detailed Q&A on the topic here.

All Images Courtesy of Madolline Gourley / One Cat at a Time

October 2, 2021 0 comment

Cats Cool Cat Stuff Cool Stuff For Cat Lovers

Let Paint My Pooch Transform Your Cat Into A Purrfect Work Of Art

by Modi Ramos September 21, 2021

written by Modi Ramos

When it comes to our pets, we often love to treat ourselves with custom paintings, portraits, or other gifts in general that remind us specifically of our best fur friend. Whether you’re simply spoiling yourself or gifting a special pet lover in your life, having a custom portrait of your pet is always something special. And this is even a better way to remember a pet that’s crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. You can gift one to yourself, or have one made in the memory of late pet to help heal a broken heart.

I recently caught up with the cofounders from the Australian-based company Paint My Pooch, which specializes in creating uniquely beautiful pet portraits. From digital portraits, framed prints, and even phone cases, you can trust them to create an eye-catching piece of art with your pet’s face on it. And they don’t just specialize in cats or dogs either—they’ve covered just about every pet—both four-legged and two-legged—under the sun!

How did you come up with the idea for Paint My Pooch?

The inspiration behind the business came from the passing of our family dog, we were hoping to get an art piece created however we couldn’t find anyone that could offer a realistic art style portrait with quality paper. We wanted to create an easy way for pet owners to create a high quality piece of art and the perfect keepsake.

When someone orders from you, what’s the process like?

When an order is placed we review the photos to make sure they pass our image guidelines, if the image isn’t up to scratch we will get in touch with the customer to request an alternative. The reason we do this is to ensure that we can create the best possible pet portrait, as our design team works closely with the source image. Once we have a suitable reference image, our team of designers brings each pet portrait to life, with portraits then printed and framed, or included on a custom pet phone case.

I see cats and dogs on your website, have you ever made other pet/animal creations?

We’ve done lots of different animals since we started! Some of our favourites include chickens, cows and our personal favourite – a bearded dragon.

What’s something special you’d like people to know about Paint My Pooch?

Paint My Pooch is a proud corporate supporter of RSPCA with $1 from every order donated to pets in need around Australia.

Got more than one pet? No problem! Get the whole gang in one portrait with their two or three pet packages like you see below.

I’d like to give a special “thank you” to the team at Pet My Pooch for taking the time to answer my questions and for allowing me to share many of their beautiful pet portraits with the Cattitude Daily readers. If you know someone else who’d enjoy seeing these pretty portraits, don’t forget to share! To learn more about Paint My Pooch, visit their website here.

All Images Courtesy of Paint My Pooch

September 21, 2021 0 comment

Artists Cats Cool Stuff For Cat Lovers

Meet The Brilliant Mind Behind Scott Metzger Cartoons

by Modi Ramos September 21, 2021

written by Modi Ramos

If you’re a cat lover, well, chances are that you’ve come across one of the many brilliant Scott Metzger Cartoons over the years. Whether it’s a funny cat meme cartoon you saw floating around social media, or perhaps you have a copy of his cat book, 50 Ways to Wake Your Human, Metzger’s cartoons have spread laughter to many cat lovers across the globe.

But in addition to all these purrfectly hilarious cat cartoons, Metzger is a man of many creative talents. He’s been tinkering away at comics for over two decades, but it seems he’s found himself the perfect niche when it comes to giving cat lovers a chuckle. I had the privilege of connecting with Scott hoping to feature him on Cattitude Daily, and thankfully he agreed. So, if you’d like to get a peek inside the mind of a creative genius, just keep reading!

How long have you been drawing cat cartoons?

I’ve been drawing cat cartoons for 20 years, but I didn’t really focus on cat cartoons until about 10 years ago, when I began drawing cartoons inspired by my old cats, Simon and Frankie. Simon was a big, fat tabby cat who had a lot of personality. Frankie was a skittish, feral black cat who was always on “high alert”—he’d spend most of his day hanging out under the bed. This was my first cartoon that was inspired by Simon and Frankie. The cat on the left (Clyde) is based on Simon and the cat on the right (Clarence) is based on Frankie. And “Extreme Energy” was based on my love of “5-Hour Energy” at the time. Over the past 10 years, I’ve drawn a bunch of Clyde and Clarence cartoons. They’re regulars in my comics.

Where do you come up with all these clever ideas for your cartoons?

Ideas usually come directly from my cats or from my life. Sometimes I’ll see one of my cats doing something silly or annoying and there’s a cartoon idea right there. Other times, I’ll take something that’s happened to me and put it in the ‘cat world’ or the ‘dog world.’ A few months ago, we went to Six Flags to celebrate my daughter’s birthday and these two cartoons came from that experience.

What is your drawing process like?

I sketch the comic in pencil and then scan it into my computer. Then I color it in Adobe Illustrator with a Wacom tablet. A typical cartoon takes about 60-90 minutes to sketch and color. If it has a lot of characters and/or a detailed background can take up to three hours. Below is a cartoon in progress and the final version.

Do your cats serve as inspiration for your comics?

Definitely. My two cats, Max and Hannah, always provide inspiration for comics. Max is a tuxedo cat and Hannah is a Siamese-Calico mix. Max is super social and jumps in my lap at every opportunity. He also likes my wife and kids (he loves everyone), but I seem to be his favorite person. Hannah on the other hand prefers my wife and daughter. She’s somewhat aloof around me and my son.

Max wakes me up early almost every morning. His go-to move is to flop on my chest and meow until I wake up. If I ignore him too long, he’ll smack me on the nose. The “Sitting on my human” cartoon above was inspired by Max. This cartoon was inspired by Hannah. She can’t stand being picked up or held.

What’s something special you’d like for people to know about the art you create?

Every once in a while, I’ll put in details that I know no one will see. Below is an example. I put text on the plaque even though I knew it would be illegible in the final version. It was for my own entertainment.

One thing that’s changed recently is that my kids—13-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son—will occasionally give feedback on cartoons. They might suggest a color change in the art or my daughter might even suggest a text change. Their suggestions are usually spot-on. My wife gives feedback as well (she has a great sense of humor and is also a good artist).

Here’s a cool story about my daughter: a few months back, I drew this cartoon below—it’s a parody of the Netflix show, Cobra Kai. My daughter watched me as I was finishing it up and she said, “Instead of ‘No Mercy,’ it should say ‘No Purring.’” I was like, “Yep, you’re right. Great suggestion.” It made the cartoon funnier and I changed it.

I’d like to give a special “thank you” to Scott for sharing his wonderful comics with my readers and for giving such great responses to my questions. If you’d like to see more Scott Metzger Cartoons or make a kind contribution to the arts, you can find his social links below.

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/ScottMetzgerCartoons

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottMetzgerCartoons

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottmetzgercartoons

Image Courtesy of MetzgerCartoons.com

All Images Courtesy of Scott Metzger Cartoons

September 21, 2021 0 comment

Cool Cat Stuff Cool Stuff For Cat Lovers

Introducing Pluto Square: A Cat Litter Box That’s Like No Other

by Modi Ramos September 16, 2021

written by Modi Ramos

When it comes to cats, we know they’re particular about lots of things. And this is especially true when it comes to all things litter box. Our feline friends are finicky beings when it comes to cleanliness. But this is just one of their many charms so we oblige their wishes when it comes to keeping the litter box nice and tidy.

Thankfully for the cat owners of today’s world, we’ve come a long way from basic litter box needs. There are automatic litter boxes, a wide arrange of litter options, and now, a litter box that cleans instantly and sends your reports! That’s right, cat lovers. Pluto Square is making waves in the pet industry by changing the experience when it comes to being the caretaker of your beloved cat’s litter box. And how is that? Well, that’s because the Pluto Square “Self-Cleans Automatically Minutes After Your Cat Leaves with Splash & Dust Controls.”

How’s that for cutting edge?! Even as finicky as our feline friends are, no cat can complain about that.

I recently caught up with David Kim, head of overseas marketing for Pluto Square, and he shared with me some exciting details for this modern litter box that eliminates all the guesswork for cat owners.

Featured Highlights of the Pluto Square include….

Square shape
Open-type entrance
Whisper-quiet cleaning
Anti-splash stepper
Anti-dust canopy
Once a week litter change
PLUTO SABRE add-on

What inspired you to create the Pluto Square?

Pluto was founded by Hae Min Yang(CEO) who loves cats. One of his beloved feline companions died of kidney failure, which may have been caused by unsanitary litter. With his background in product design and marketing, he made it his passion to create an automatic cat litter box that was safe to use, always sanitary and reasonably priced. He also knew that litter boxes were considered an eyesore and wanted one that was beautifully designed. The first product launched by Pluto was Circle Zero with spherical shape with scoop rotating design. When it was launched, It raised more than $500,000 on Indiegogo and sold more than 5000 units world wide(US,CA,EU,JP,KR). However, we didn’t stop from there.

Taking feedbacks from the actual customers and trying provide even more affordable Automatic Litter boxes, we developed the SQUARE. The biggest and foremost idea behind SQUARE was that we tried to build the product from the cats’ point of view. We chose open-air and box-type design which is the very natural state cats feel comfy and safe. Also, which double safety functions quipped with weight and touch sensors ensure your cat’s safety.

Were you surprised by just how well it was received on Kickstarter?

We were mildly surprised but, had more high expectations as our former model did very well on Indiegogo.

Do you plan to make the Pluto Square available in stores?

Yes, after Indiegogo Indemand is over we will be launching our own eComm site as well as talking with distributors to make it avail online and in brick-and-mortar stores.

Is there anything important you’d like people to know about Pluto Square?

The price tag of not only SQUARE but also, other automatic litter boxes out in the market may seem like a huge investment. However, if you consider that clean bathroom prevents harm to your cat and saves your time hassle of everyday chores you might get to rethink that it’s worth it. Pluto aims to change all conventional litter boxes to automatic litter cubes.

Do you have any other cat products in the works?

Yes we do. We cannot disclose the details but, we are working on launching own brand litters and A.I cat toy equipped with app integrated cctv features.

What is the best litter to use with the Pluto Square?

All ‘clumping type’ litters will just work fine. We recommend avoiding pellet litters that are too thick.

Is the Pluto Square a good choice for a multi-cat home?

Yes of course. Pluto SQUARE is exactly designed for multi-cat homes. It’s easy to clean and drawer type waste receptacle so easy to take out the collected wastes. I have attached a gif for reference.

I’d like to give a special “thank you” to David for taking the time to chat with me and share all these wonderful details about the Pluto Square. I wish his team the very best of success with this product, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store next for dedicated cat lovers like you and me.

For more on the Pluto Square, check out their press release here.

September 16, 2021 0 comment

Cat News Cool Stuff For Cat Lovers

Pets Come To Life Thanks To The Beautiful Artsy Of Elf Ceramics

by Modi Ramos June 15, 2021

written by Modi Ramos

There’s something so magical about pet portraits. Whatever method is used for creating, it grabs any pet lover’s attention when we see pets come to life through artwork. I came across Elf Ceramics’s Purfect Painted Pets division, which features super cute ceramics with people’s pets on them!

According to Emma’s website, her love of pets matched with a passion for pottery helped to fuel her to create Elf Ceramics. She says that,

“It was in my role as Manager for a local pottery painting studio in 2015 where I discovered a passion for ceramic painting, especially pet portrait commissions and from the amazing results I could achieve using translucent & semi opaque underglazes. It was then that the idea for Purfect Painted Pets was created.”

I recently caught up with Emma hoping to feature her cool work on my website, and thankfully she agreed! She tells me that her small business “was created to provide a unique, distinctive and bespoke service specialising in hand-painted pets, portraits and keepsake commissions on ceramic.”

How long have you been painting pets?

I’ve been painting and drawing for over 25 years working within many creative roles and environments and specifically animals & pets since 2015.

It was in my role as Manager for a local pottery painting studio where I discovered a passion for ceramic painting, especially pet portrait commissions and from the amazing results I could achieve using translucent and semi-opaque underglazes. It was then in 2019 that the idea for Purfect Painted Pets was created.

In 2020 I set up my website —Elfceramics.co.uk—to incorporate Purfect Painted Pets alongside additional services as the company continues to grow develop and evolve.

Do you ship worldwide?

I’m based in Whitley Bay in the UK and ship worldwide using UPS courier service.

How does the process work if someone commissions you to paint their pet?

Here’s how the commission process works:

Step 1: UPLOAD YOUR FAVOURITE PHOTOS

All I require are a few clear photographs that best show your pets expression and personality, I’m happy to advise on the composition of your chosen image and will send an initial draft sketch for you to approve.

Step 2: DECIDE ON SIZE & STYLE

Choose your ceramic bisque size and style and whether you require the portrait to be wall hung, with or without a frame or displayed on a wooden stand.

Step 3: CUTENESS GUARANTEED

It’s normally up to three weeks for completion during which I will send a progress update and a final image before glazing and firing and posting.

What is your goal when creating your pet art?

I offer a warm, friendly , professional and reliable service with passionate attention to detail in creating your best memories on ceramic.

If you’re looking for a unique bespoke portrait, keepsake or personal gift to remember special moments, I’m always happy to discuss your requirements to create a beautifully hand-painted memory to treasure always.

What’s something you’d like people to know about the art that you create?

Each portrait is made from at least 20-30 underglazes, these are highly pigmented clay slips that are individually mixed to achieve subtle hues, tones and tints.

I love the challenge of predicting the final colour change as each colour appears much lighter when applied and dried. It’s only when the underglaze fuses with the clear glaze during the kiln firing process that the paint colour deepens and fantastic saturation and vibrancy are revealed. With the magic of kiln firing I can obtain depth, dimension and brilliancy not always obtained in paint, pencil or pastel methods or digitally created art.

If you’d like to see more of the awesome work that Emma creates, don’t forget to check out her website here. You can also keep up with her on Instagram and Facebook, where she shares all her latest work. I’d like to give a special “thank you” to Emma for taking the time to answer my questions, and for allowing me to share her fabulous art with all of the CattitudeDaily readers!

May be an image of dog

All Images Courtesy of Emma Jeyes-Friendship — Elf Ceramics

June 15, 2021 0 comment

Cats Cool Cat Stuff Cool Stuff For Cat Lovers

Check Out These Crocheted Cat Couches That Are Too Cute For Words

by Modi Ramos April 13, 2021

written by Modi Ramos

I’ve seen lots of cute cat furniture in my day, and I’ve also seen furniture that’s been thoughtfully designed with cat owners in mind. But despite all these purrfect creations that I’ve seen, there is something just so eye-catching and adorable about crocheted cat finds!

I recently caught up with Rae of Pixie and Puck Productions out of South Carolina, who shared with me some details about her purrfect little comfy couches just for cats.

Comfy Crocheted Kitty Couch Pet Bed Made to Order image 2

What inspired you to create these kitty couches?

One of the other volunteers for the rescue I volunteer for saw pictures of crocheted kitty couches on Facebook, and asked if it was something I could make. I said yes, and she said she wanted to order one. I had seen the pictures going around, and thought they were adorable, but had no intention of making one for myself. However, since my husband and I are trying to get our handmade business off the ground, I thought this would be a good opportunity to try a new pattern and see if it could be a good item to offer in our shop.

What are the dimensions of the kitty couch?

The approximate measurements of the couch are: 21in/54cm x 14in/35cm; seat is 4in/10cm high; back is 11in/28cm high.

Comfy Crocheted Kitty Couch Pet Bed Made to Order image 0

Tell me about the adorable tuxedo foster cat featured on your photos!

My family fosters for a rescue called Cat Around Town Project. The sweet tuxedo who modeled for me is Margo. She is one of six kittens we are currently taking care of. She’s a sassy little attention hound, and we love her dearly.

Her estimated DOB is October 5, 2020, which makes her about 6 months old now. She’s a bit on the small side for her age, as she had a broken leg early in life, prior to coming to the rescue, which may have hindered her growth slightly, as her body focused on healing the injury. We have been fostering her for about two months. She has been spayed, vaccinated, and dewormed, and is hoping to find her furever home soon!

Comfy Crocheted Kitty Couch Pet Bed Made to Order image 5

Do you have plans to create any more cat furniture?

I currently have the couch, and one other crocheted cat bed in my Etsy shop. At this time, I am not sure if I will offer other designs. I suppose time will tell whether or not people want them. If there’s a good market for them, then it’s quite possible I’ll offer additional designs of pet beds.

Do you sell any other cat related items on Etsy?

I also sell crocheted catnip mice, and I’ve been considering adding more cat toys to the shop. My 11 year old daughter also crochets, and recently made a tripod kitty amigurumi which is in the shop now. She was inspired by our two recent foster fails, who are both tripods.

Made to Order Plush Chenille Crochet Pet Basket Bed For Cat image 4

Made to Order Plush Chenille Crochet Pet Basket Bed For Cat image 0

If you’d like to spoil your kitty with their very own comfy cat couch or bed, check out Rae’s store on Etsy here!

All Images Courtesy of Pixie and Puck on Etsy

April 13, 2021 0 comment

Cool Stuff For Cat Lovers

Twelve Purrfect Gifts For The Cat Lover In Your Life–Or To Just Treat Yourself!

by Modi Ramos October 22, 2020

written by Modi Ramos

If you’re a cat lover, chances are that you’ve got some cool cat-centric products displayed proudly in your home. Whether it’s just because, or you want to find the purrfect gift for the cat lover in your life for the holidays, Greater Good has a wonderful selection of gifts for cat lovers that are right up any feline fanatic’s alley. But that’s not even the best part! With every single purchase from the Greater Good store, you’ll be giving back to cats in need at shelters.

With so many awesome products to choose from, making the decision isn’t easy. But I’ve rounded up my twelve favorites for you, and I’m pretty sure at least a few of these will speak straight to your cat lover heart!

Super Cozy Merry Paws Throw Blanket

This is a great find for a cat lover during the holiday season, and with all the cute cats and hearts, it even makes a good choice for Valentine’s, too. But, if you ask me, it’s the perfect choice for year-round when you’re snuggled up on the couch with your feline friend. Choose from a single or a set of two, to gift one and give one! Purchase yours here.

Super Cozy Color of Love Slippers

If you ask me, you can never have too many house slippers! The cute patterns and bright colors of these bow slippers make this a purrfect choice for slippers to wear all year long. They retail for only $9.99, and 35 hungry shelter kitties will get a meal with your purchase. Get yours here.

Cozy Kitties Grande Ceramic Mug

If you’re a lover of cats, then chances are that you’re a lover of tea and coffee, too. With this super cute ceramic mug, you’ll get to look at adorable cat faces each time you take a sip of your drink. You can choose from a single mug, or upgrade to two or even four to make a whole set. Cute tabby cat not included! Get yours here.

Pawsitively Adorable Outdoor Welcome Sign

A home is not a home unless you’re greeted by a cat each and every time you walk into the door! With this pawsitively adorable kitty cat welcome sign, everyone who steps foot in your home will know that there’s a cute kitty behind the door just waiting to say hello. This would look great near a front porch or blend in beautifully in a colorful garden. And the best part of all is that 35 shelter kitties will get a meal with your purchase. Get yours here.

Sterling Kitty Cat Earrings

Is there a crazy cat lady in your life that loves jewelry? Well, these super cute sterling silver dangly kitty earrings are right up their alley. These detailed earrings are handmade in Bolivia and overflowing with purrsonality. And the best part of all is that 71 shelter cats will get some much-needed love with every purchase. Get yours here.

Fat Cat Night Light

Since the days of Garfield, it’s been hard to resist a chonky tabby kitty. With this Fat Cat Night Light, you can add a touch of light to your living space in the perfect way. And that might help prevent you from accidentally stepping on that hairball on the way to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Choose from a gray or orange tabby. Get yours here.

Pet Portrait Compact Shopping Bags – Set of 3

Festival Pets Apron

If you know a crazy cat lady who happens to spend a lot of time in the kitchen, this apron is a wonderful choice for them to sport their love for cats anytime they’re whipping up tasty meals. It retails for only $16.99, and each purchase feeds 35 shelter cats. Get yours here.

Festival Pet Bath Towels

These purrfect towels are the same cute print as the apron mentioned above, and they make for a great stocking stuffer or simply a “just because” gift all year long. They’re imported, super soft, and made from 100% cotton. Choose from a selection of sizes here.

Black Cat Face Mask

When it comes to black kitty cats, many cat lovers across the globe have a soft spot for these mini panthers of the domesticated cat world. With the current state of the world, you’re going to need a mask anywhere you go, so why not sport your love for black cats when you’re on the go?! Get yours here.

Pet Portrait Soft Touch Nightgown

Available in size small through 3X, gift this cozy nightgown to the cat lover in your life so they can be the cat’s pajamas any time they slip it on. It’s soft with a stretchy blend that breathes for the purrfect night’s sleep. Get yours here.

Define Obsessed Door Mat

What better way to welcome anyone into your home than showing your clear obsession with felines right on your front door?! The Define Obsessed Door Mat features fun colors and the pretty pattern will look stylish all year long. Get yours for only $22.95, and feed 71 hungry shelter kitties when you do it! Purchase yours here.

Know a cat lover in your life who is crazy for gifts that give back? Share this roundup of gifts for cat lovers with them!

October 22, 2020 0 comment