CRISTY IN THE CITY: pets

pets

Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Why I finally got a smart cat litter box

If you own indoor cats, it is an unwritten rule and obligation that you have to regularly clean litter boxes on a daily basis- once or even twice a day. Cats hate a dirty rest room, and they may hold their pee if their litter sand is not regularly cleaned resulting to a host of urinary ailments. Open style litter boxes in particular need to be frequently cleaned and emptied of any clumped poo or urine to control odor that may spread throughout the room. If you have multiple indoor cats like I do, more frequent cleaning is needed and it takes a considerable chunk of one's time to sift, dispose, sanitize and deodorize. If you are a fur parent who also loves short, occasional vacations and just can't leave the cats behind (because no one's gonna clean the litter box, right?) then an automatic smart cat litter box is for you. I got mine from Lazada PH after researching and comparing available brands and models. An automatic cat litter box may cost more than a manual washing machine but it is worth it in the long run. Imagine all the time and energy you can save!

Anyhow, it was only recently that I discovered the magic of automatic self-cleaning smart cat litter boxes! I could have purchased one earlier if I was aware such thing was available in the local online market.

Here are the reasons why getting a smart cat litter box is a good idea: The machine can self-clean for a number of days as per your desired setting in the smart cat litter box online app. The waste bin has a specially fitted plastic bag that's easy to dispose of. It has a deodorizing function as well. The litter box also weighs the cat every time it enters the barrel to do its business.

If you travel for a few days, you won't have to worry about stinky clumped nuggets that remain uncollected. Best of all, you can monitor all the excretion activities of your furry ones via the smart cat box app! Pair an auto cat litter box with a Levoit pet air purifier for extra clean air.

What I also like about the auto litter box is that the barrel can be detached from its platform. It can be washed and deep cleaned before putting in fresh litter sand. I do deep cleaning twice a month to keep bacteria and funky smells at bay.

Thanks to this wonderful invention I now have more time to play with my furry babies! Smart cat litter boxes are available on Lazada, Shopee and Amazon.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Pretty pet AI portraits from Snow

Coffee, tea or biscuit cat?

It’s bring your cat to school day!

Macky: Forever Meowmy’s little angel

Check out Snow, my fave web portrait AI app! Download on Google Play or Apple App Store.

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Saying goodbye to my soulcat

“What greater gift than the love of a cat.”

-Charles Dickens

Early this month, I lost my beloved soulcat Macchiato "Macky" to a lingering illness that started September of last year. Being an indoor male mixed breed Persian-Himalayan cat he had a genetic disposition of developing urinary probelms. In Macky's case, he developed complete urinary blockage which required immediate perineal uresthromy surgery. Due to the complexity of his condition, he also underwent follow-up surgeries . He initially recovered from his first operation but eventually complications arose that resulted to a decline in his health. It breaks my heart that from a being luxuriously fluffy, pouffy cat he transformed into a skinny, sickly cat in a mother of months. Sadly, despite the intensive medical intervention and best care a meowmy could give, my sweet Macky crossed the rainbow bridge on my late Grandma's birthday. Macky could have turned 2 on April 4. Losing Macky was incredibly heartbreaking as I consider my time with him my life's happiest memory. Oh, to love this sweet kitty and be loved in returm!

After Macky passed away at the vet clinic, I had him cremated immediately. The next day I collected his ashes and in memory of his cute, sweet face I had his ashes kept in a white cat shaped urn. I will always be reminded of how lucky I am to have Macky in my life even for such a short time.

Losing a pet is a devastating experience and it is quite difficult to move on from such loss. If you are grieving for a beloved pet, this article provides words of comfort.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

Macky turns one and gets to visit the Iloilo Esplanade 1

My himmie cat Macky turned one year old last April 2, 2023. Truly a wonderful occasion since that means I no longer have to worry about finding kitten food in the supermarket. Now, I can finally feed him adult cat food which is widely available! As a birthday treat, I brought him to Iloilo River Esplanade 1 for him to experience firsthand the fresh morning breezes and the wonderful feeling of walking on soft grass as he is entirely an indoor cat.

Macky's little foray into Iloilo River Esplanade 1 comes just in time when Iloilo City Government issued Executive Order No. 042 series of 2023 or "An Executive Order Providing Guidelines for the Use of All Iloilo River Esplanades" allowing people to bring their pets (as long as the pets are on a leash and you have to clean up after them). The indoor cat that he is, he was reluctant to walk around and explore his surroundings and just wanted to sit on the grass. He is also extremely shy as he is not exposed to a lot of hoomans! I think we need more Esplanade 1 adventures to coax him out of his shell, err cat carrier. I'm thinking of getting a pet stroller so I can walk him around with ease, comfort and safety.

Iloilo River Esplanade 1 has a cute cafe that I always hang-out in al fresco when I get the chance. Since it was Macky's birthday, why not treat the hooman (that's me) to some super filling Full English Breakfast ? I'm a pescatarian but for the occasion I treated myself to beans on toast, 2 sunny-side up eggs, tomatoes and mushroom, ham, bacon and homemade sausage. Washed down with iced-tea (no hot coffee during these dry season months) for a satisfying breakfast experience. Afterwards, we headed home since the weather was getting warmer and the poor cat was visibly panting from the heat. Next time we should head out at the earliest cafe opening hour.

Iloilo City is a pet friendly city. Enjoy the open spaces with your furbabies. For more tips how to enjoy pet life in the city, click here.