Tired of finding dead birdies on your doorstep?

ok - had to post something... your last bite featured "froggy" the cat. my cat of 13 years (died last year) was named Frogg. No lie. Just thought I had to say something 'cause it's such an unusual name. I'm curious why yours is named Froggy. Ours was named Frogg b/c he didn't use his back legs when he was born... and when he sat -- his back legs stuck out to the side like a frog's. Now, we have a cat named pigg too, but that's another story!

Posted by: candice | January 30, 2007 at 06:10 AM

Another way to avoid dead bodies on the doorstep -- and prolong the life of your cat, according to the HSUS -- is to keep it inside. (And of course, give it lots of toys there!)

Posted by: Judy Gee | January 30, 2007 at 08:23 AM

How about a new life for an old wool sock? I use my old wool socks to make cat toys. I fill the foot with catnip, stitch across at the heel, double over and stitch again. I find some old buttons and findings to decorate. The cats love the wool toys, they hold up better than store-bought toys and the old socks get a new life.

Posted by: Scout | January 30, 2007 at 08:55 AM

"Save endangered birds. Keep cats (top predators of small wildlife) stimulated with non-living playthings." Your statement above is incorrect. Top predators of wildlife are humans. Habitat destruction, polluted air and pesticide use (by homeowners as well as industrial agriculture) account for about 95 percent of deaths of birds.

Posted by: Constance Alexander | January 30, 2007 at 09:20 AM

Constance wrote: "Your statement above is incorrect. Top predators of wildlife are humans. Habitat destruction, polluted air and pesticide use (by homeowners as well as industrial agriculture) account for about 95 percent of deaths of birds." Yes, and cats are placed into the bird's environmnet by humans. So you are right and Ideal Bite is right. With all the natural obstacles and predators birds are faced with, adding in all these human induced problems is over-whelming some bird populations. In general, we are depleting the earth and all its resources so fast that it can no longer keep up. If you have a cat and refuse to keep it indoors, not only for the safety of wildlife, but for the cat's safety, then at least help with some research on cat predation by filing out this survey every time your cat murders wildlife and brings it home: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6728958 There are many alternatives to letting cats go outdoors. For instance, you could build an outdoor cat enclosure for them - plans are available on the Internet. Signed, mom to three happy indoor cats

Posted by: Maggie | January 30, 2007 at 09:28 AM

I read somewhere (I think it was in my local wildlife magazine) that cats are second only to humans in the amount of extinctions they cause. So, yes, they may not be the 'top' predator, but they certainly are close! And it's not just birds! My old cat used to bring back rodents, snakes, etc. As a former veterinary assistant (and former outdoor cat owner), I've ssen all too well what can happen to an outdoor cat. Fights, rabies and other diseases, parasites, hit by cars, getting locked for weeks in someone else's garage and just plain disappearing! I plan to keep all future cats indoors/outdoors with supervision only. I feel it's just safer all around.

Posted by: H Strom | January 30, 2007 at 10:07 AM

Something else that cats enjoy is a big piece of paper. The best I've found so far is the sheets of (blank) newsprint that some companies use instead of peanuts for packing material. Just put one of these big sheets of paper on the floor, and some cats will love to walk on it and make a crinkly noise. They also love to burrow under it. I also agree with the people who said to keep your cats indoors. You can also make an outdoor enclosure, or buy one. Finally, some cats will enjoy walking on a leash. The ideal cat to check out for a leash is a very energetic young one. I base this on personal experience volunteering in an animal shelter.

Posted by: Susan | January 30, 2007 at 10:11 AM

This is my first post. I love being a Biter and I REALLY do love cats, but I had to write in after reading the hint on cat toys. I am a National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward, trained to encourage others to preserve natural habitat for local wildlife, and show them how they can create new habitat for wildlife in their own yard, etc. In creating a certified NWF wildlife habitat, we encourage people to keep their cats indoors. Housecats are considered an "exotic" species, introduced by man, that when let outdoors, even if spayed or neutered, are proven very hazardous to many species of wildlife, and can play a part in disrupting local ecosystems. (BTW,thank you for the tip on how to report "cat killings;" this information is invaluable in educating the public and in understanding and protecting our native songbird and other wildlife species.) Even worse, unspayed and unneutered outdoor felines are highly prolific, and can quickly create populations of feral cats, like we have in the Daytona Beach area. Feral cat populations can exterminate populations of native wildlife species, and often live horrible lives of abuse, disease and neglect! Outdoor cats can also be maimed in catfights, attacked by larger wildlife or dogs, or run over by cars. My cousin's precious siamese kitten was killed by a car. Our local botanical gardens' outdoor cats have to compete with raccoons for food--guess who wins! All the toys in the world won't keep cats from following their natural instincts to hunt and kill. Even if Fluffy doesn't bring you any presents from her trip outdoors, that doesn't mean that she isn't hunting down critters. Even if she doesn't end up killing them, her stalking and, perish the thought, "playing" with them is highly stressful to wildlife, and can interrupt behaviors necessary to survival such as breeding, raising young, food gathering, rest, etc. Raising young and food gathering, even without having to be on guard for predators, can be stressful enough for our wild neighbors! Our rare local scrub jay populations are threatened by outdoor cats, as well as local development. So please, for your cat's sake, and for the sake of our wild neighbors and the ecosystems they live in, PLEASE keep your cats indoors! If anyone is interested in creating much needed habitat for local wildlife species, please check out our Backyard Habitat section on National Wildlife Federation's website: www.nwf.org Habitat can be created in as small an area as a 10'x10'garden plot, or even on an apartment roof or terrace! Some common habitat residents are butterflies, songbirds and hummingbirds, and "mosquito-eating" amphibians, such as treefrogs. Backyard Habitats--now there's an idea for a great BITE! Hint Hint! OK, I'm getting off my soapbox now!

Posted by: Sharon | January 30, 2007 at 10:23 AM

I do find it interesting that after clicking on the link for the "SmartyKat flutter toy"--topped with feathers-- then into the "Cat Toys, you Need them" link to the humane society, there is discussion within there that indicates avoiding feathers. That being said, my four boys are indoor cats, two of which came to us as outdoor strays. We learned a lot of years ago after having one of ours caught in a car engine and losing his tail (only that, thank goodness) to keep them inside. I have to wonder the thinking of the "owner" of the female that roams the neighbourhood, most of the time pregnant. But, I also wonder about people who drive Hummers. We're all different people. My boys play with paper bags, empty boxes, and toy mousies...

Posted by: Barbara | January 30, 2007 at 12:32 PM

Thanks for telling everyone about the NWF Backyard Habitat program, Sharon! I had my Dad's backyard certified for a Christmas present in 2005, and he loved it! A great eco-present. And you're right, it doesn't have to be a big, sprawling yard, either.

Posted by: H Strom | January 30, 2007 at 01:54 PM

Large sheets of paper, cardboard boxes and bags -- cats love to investigate shadowy spaces. After my cat has thoroughly searched and then sat in a box, I like to watch my cat approach the same old box as something new (after I've moved, flipped, or leaned the box against a wall.) >> meows never knows if mouses inside <<

Posted by: Rhampton | February 02, 2007 at 12:36 PM

Here's a quick toy you can make for your favorite feline friend that is sure to amuse both cat and humans alike. Take two pieces of string that you zip to open large cat food bags and tie them together, then tie one end to a stick you've pruned off a bush (a dowel will work too), finally poke a hole through a mouse toy with a nail and hammer then use a crochet hook to thread the string through the mouse and tie a square knot. I have two inside spay cats that put on quite a show when I play with them. They can reach heights of over 3 feet leaping after that darn mouse. They also chase it when I drag the mouse. Of course I let them catch it. I have a loose grip on the stick just incase they snag it quickly which jerks it from my hand. LOL... too funny to watch them.

Posted by: Roger | March 29, 2007 at 01:10 AM

My cat's all-time favorite thing to play with is a wine cork. (If it hasn't been done already, I could probably submit an entire "tip" about what to do with old wine corks!)

Posted by: Tara | July 19, 2007 at 03:45 PM