Cats of Dubrovnik

After a recent trip to Croatia and Montenegro, I thought I would share a few pics of the local feline inhabitants who call the walled city of Dubrovnik their home.

If any of these scenes look familiar, that might be because you recognise them from the HBO show, Game Of Thrones. The cats themselves seem pretty unperturbed by the tourists who come to visit their city to see the sites of the old town and the historic walls, as the cats nip in and out of the alleys and side streets. The warm weather and the nooks and crannies of the city are perfect for cats to hang out and soak up the sun in a stunning backdrop.

This white cat is wondering what everyone is doing on her stairs and what all the fuss is about, before scarpering off for a quieter side street.

White ginger cat Dubrovnik walls stairs

Some cats are much more content with chilling out in their own back garden in the shade of the two meter thick city walls.

Some cats are staying in derelict areas near the city walls and seem to be being fed by some generous locals.

Where there are tables and food, there will be cats around! This charming Tuxedo cat is hanging around some of the restaurants in Old Town in the evening hope for a bit of dinner.

As cute as the cats are, we obviously want them to be happy, safe and healthy. A lot of the cats aren’t neutered. Here is a link to SOS Dubrovnik Cats, a UK based team that travel to Croatia to Trap, Neuter and Return stray cats.

Five tips to keep your cat happy indoors

Is your cat happy at home? Take a good long look at your cat and see if he seems cheerful or maybe in a bit of a cloud. Of course, we all love our cats and want to make sure they feel like a true part of the family. In this article we’ll go over some basic tips you can easily implement to make your feline friend happier indoors.

Optimise vertical space

Fluffy tabby cat climbing in tree

Everyone appreciates having his/her little place which they can call their own. Your cat is no different. If you ever watched “My cat from hell” you know that one of the key elements to a cat well being is being able to explore vertical space. You can create a convenient area in your home using cat flaps or shelves for your sweet kitten.

Cat trees are a wonderful option especially for small apartments as they provide a safe and elevated space. When your cat has his own space, he will feel safe while still providing with a sense of independence. Having an elevated position would allow your cat to feel safe while looking down on their surroundings.

Scratch friendly apartment

I think you will agree with me when I say that none of us likes to see claw marks on your wall, carpets and sometimes even curtains. It’s super hard to make your cat stop scratching and clawing through the walls and furniture. One thing to keep in mind is that scratching is a natural behaviour exhibited by cats as they try to mark their territory. It also helps to keep their claws in clean and in shape.

If you do not want to find nasty claw marks on your wall, sofas, carpets, or curtains, make sure you make your home scratch friendly. Observe what your cat loves scratching and provide him with a similar surface for him to scratch. Some kitties love scratching horizontally while other prefer vertical surface. Observe his behaviour and provides him with exactly what he loves. Sometimes a simple home made scratching post can be the perfect solution.

Litter box

It’s no secret cats are among the cleanest creatures in the animal kingdom. Do make sure you clean the litter box at least once a day. Also, some cats don’t react well to enclosed litter boxes so make sure that your cat is comfortable or else go with an open lid litter box instead. During the winter months, you can make the cat’s box more comfy by providing a blanket to keep him warm.

Additionally, providing your cats with more space doubles his pleasure. If you have limited floor space, try expanding the space upwards by use of climbing trees or kitty condos. Choose the taller models with multiple perches so that it appeals to your cat’s natural interests in heights.

How about the great outdoors

cat prowling through grass outside

Cats love to roam around outside, so give them the chance! Depending on where you live this might not be so safe. You may live near a busy road or there may be strays and other animals that could harm your cat away from the safety of your home.

Try walking him on a leash in a safe and secure manner. This could be tricky at first, but it is very simple especially if you use cat harnesses that are specially designed for this purpose. A custom “catio” which is normally and enclosed patio can also be a useful structure that allows your cat to spend time outside.

Good eating habits

tabby cat eating dry food treats

Just like us, cats need a well structured and balanced diet. Keeping your kitten on a routine daily schedule is key. When eating irregularly, cats tend to become agitated and impatient as they are working their way from one meal to the next. Although a cat meows to beg for various things, the most common reason is that he is hungry.

Don’t keep your cat waiting for food for too long. Make sure you are aware that your cat is getting the proper calorie intake it needs per day. Remember, a starving cat is unfriendly and could lash out. Additionally, it is crucial to keep an eye on your cat to prevent him chewing on anything that may be dangerous to his health.

Keep it playful

Brunette women petting ginger haired kitten on the nose inside

Cats are friendly creatures and enjoy one on one time with you. You can do this by playing around the house, grooming petting, or just hanging out.

Final thoughts

Keeping a cat indoors is one of the ways that you will ensure that he has a long and healthy life. However, your cat will not live a happy life unless you add some intrigue to the surrounding. The tips above will not take much of your time but will ensure that you have a happy and healthy cat.

Getting a microchip cat flap – cheat sheet

If you are interested in keeping your cat or small dog safe, then a microchip cat flap or microchip pet door is a great way to help with that.

Using your pet’s microchip, these automatic cat flaps scan the microchip letting your cat into the house and keeping out stray cats and other animals that may harass and stress your cat out or even eat their food!

At the same time, microchip cat flaps let your cat come and go as they please, which we all know they love! I think it is really important to give our cats this independence.

It seems like a bit of no-brainer getting a microchip cat flap for your home, but there are choices to make:

    • Which one to buy?
    • Is this big enough for my cat or dog?
    • I have an indoor cat and an outdoor cat, which one is right for me?
    • Can I fit this in a glass door or a brick wall?

All these questions will be answered on this cheat sheet, allowing you to have your microchip cat flap set up with minimal fuss.

Sign up here for your cheat sheet which is the fast track all the way from choosing the right microchip cat flap for you and your pet to installing, setting up and having your microchip cat flap working in your home.

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If you want to read product reviews about several microchip cat flaps or find out more detailed, step by step information about installing, setting up and teaching your pet how to use a microchip cat flap.

Let me know what you think about this, I would love to hear your feedback and your experiences of using this and having a microchip cat flap for your pet.