I have a frugal minimalist kitty, age 6. She has always had just three toys, also
age 6, all acquired when she was a kitten.
- Toy one is a catnip mouse with a pouch that closes by velcro so I can add fresh catnip when needed.
- Toy two is a small styrofoam ball that I bought in a fabulous pet store in Italy. By now it's perforated all over with her teeth marks, but she is utterly mad for the thing so I won't toss it out no matter how disreputable it looks.
- Toy three is a plaid wool caterpillar with a bell. She dotes on this toy, and when I'm away for the day, I come home to find it on the mat just inside the front door to
greet me.
- She also has a small teddy bear with music box inside that plays Brahms Lullaby. She sleeps with her head in its lap. Her bed is a repurposed basket lined with a small fleece blanket.
She doesn't have a scratching post but she has my permission to sharpen her claws on the indestructible bathmat. She's a very good kitty and doesn't damage anything.
For litter, I repurpose my junk paper by shredding it for filling her litterbox. She adapted to it immediately, no fuss no muss. What a terrific boon this has turned out to be!! No more store-bought litter, no more lugging home heavy bags or plastic jugs, no tracking, no need for expensive high-tech litter systems. I clean and replenish the box every day; it couldn't be easier and there's never any odor.
She eats strictly high-quality organic food and has always been an indoor kitty. I think this is why she has never been sick, nor had fleas or ear mites.
Instead of bathing her by immersion, I wring out a washcloth in warm water and swab her all over like a mother cat licking her kitten. She loves this! Then she finishes the job by licking herself dry.
