50 Your Cat November 2017Q. How do you ensure
continued harmony in
your household?
Rachel: “I swear by the Pet Remedy
plug-in diffusers and atomisers. I’ve also
found that one Zylkene tablet sprinkled
on Skye’s food once a day has made her
less nervous.”
Erica: “Lots of food and water bowls
placed around the house. I also lift the
curtains and drape them across the sills,
so they have something soft to lie on
when looking out of the window. The cat
flap is invaluable for allowing them to
come and go as they please.”
Tracy: “I don’t find the plug-ins much
use. A floor-to-ceiling scratch post is
a real benefit. I try to accommodate
what each of my cats likes.”
Lara: “I have lots of climbing frames in
the house and cattery. I also cut holes in
a big cardboard box and fill it with toys.
On rainy days, I blow bubbles and they
love trying to pop them.
“Another great tension reliever is
a fish tank — alternatively, I find free
fish-tank screen-savers on Google,
and they sit mesmerised in front of my
computer for hours.”Q. To what extent have you had
to adapt your lifestyle/routine
to accommodate your cats?
Rachel: “After having two run over,
I wanted to keep my current cats safe,
so three years ago, we built an 8ft X 10ft
catio, containing wooden climbing
frames, tree trunks, and a little house.
They all love it and are happy and
safe in there. It’s the best investment
we’ve made.”
Erica: “Whenever I have a new cat,
I need to devote more time to changing
the litter tray in their room, playing with
them, and getting them socialised — as
well as having to remind my children to
keep doors shut!”Tracy: “I listen to what each of them
wants, rather than make them conform
to the way I like things done. It makes for
a happy, stress-free environment and it’s
a policy I carry through to my cattery.”
Lara:“I spend about two or three hours
every day in my crafting workshop inside
my cattery. I love their company and
they love lying on my fabric samples!”Q. How do you cope with the
extra expense?
Rachel: “Bandit and Mouse are insured,
while I put money aside in case of vets’
bills for the others.”
Erica: “I buy huge bags of food from
Pets at Home — I must be their biggest
customer! All my cats are insured apart
from Grace — typically, she’s just been
hit by a car and broken her leg, which
has cost £4,000.”Tracy: “I shop around and buy in bulk.
My local suppliers are good, while Pets at
Home currently has a great deal on litter.
M&S has recently started a joint/group
policy for three cats, and I’ve found an
online veterinary supplier that’s cheapest
for flea and worm treatments.”
Lara: “I’m hugely lucky in that my
husband, Andy, is a vet, so I can take
advantage of the wholesale benefits
through his practice. I bulk-order
litter online.”Q. What’s the best thing about
having so many cats?
Rachel: “Their entertainment value!
They have different personalities and are
fantastic company.”
Erica: “Whatever room I go in, there’s
always a cat to cuddle. My son has
autism and is not so good with5050 Y CtN b^2017Lara says fi sh-tank
screen-savers are
great distractions!
Rachel says careful
introductions are important.48-52 YC Multi Cat CS CC(SW).indd 50 29/09/2017 09:45