Catsparella 2010 Holiday Gift Guide - Cat Edition

Tis' the season to spoil your kitties rotten with the coolest pet gear around! If your pampered tabby is sick of standard issue furry mice, follow my gift guide for fun ideas that your dignified cat is sure to appreciate.

Hand Knit Wool Cat Sweater - Paulette's Creations, $24.00

Keep kitty cozy this winter with a one-of-a-kind, hand knit sweater featuring a stylish Icelandic pattern. This beautiful sweater is made out of Lopi wool, which is resistant to water and snow.

Alessi "Tigrito" Cat Bowl - Bloomingdales, $90.00

Looking to indulge your pussycat with some designer dinnerware?? Check out these chic double bowls designed by Miriam Mirri. Fancy feast, indeed.

5 Christmas Light Certified Organic Catnip Toys - Oh Boy! Cat Toy, $20.00

Keep your curious cat out of the tree this year with dazzling, multi-colored Christmas light catnip toys. These handmade treats are made out of Eco felt, and are sure to keep your kitty busy during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Litter Kwitter Cat Toilet Training System - Modern Cat/Amazon, $49.95

Not so much a gift for your cat, as it is for you. Think of all the YouTube videos that can come out of this endeavor! One of my goals in life is to toilet train a cat before I die. There, I said it.

Custom Sweet Kitty Christmas Stocking - Just Cats Boutique, $15.00

Has someone been a good cat this year? Show them how much with their own cute n' fuzzy Christmas stocking, which can be customized to match the color of your own sweet kitty. You can also choose the mouse color, and color of the faux fur cuff.

Ladybug Scratcher - Nip and Bones, $40.49

While my personal favorite is the Ladybug Scratcher, Nip and Bones has a selection of some of the most unusual scratchers I've ever seen, from Mouse and Reindeer, to Kitty Express. If you stop by the Nip and Bones site, be sure to say hi to Baby Patches, their "Chief Kit"/adorable Turkish Angora cat.

I Can Has Cheezburger Pet ID Tag - Ebonypaws Pet Tags, $10.00 (via Must Have Cute)

For the 100th time, yes you can has!

Happy Hanukkah Catnip Fortune Cookies (set of 2 toys) - Jake and Micah, $9.99

For all the Jewish kitties in the house, represent the festival of lights with these super pretty catnip fortune cookies. As an added bonus, each one features its own special kitty-themed fortune!

Zhu Zhu Pets Version 3 Hamster - Rocky - Toys "R" Us, $5.98

We got one of these for our cats last year (Num Nums!), and it was a big hit. One of the cats likes to sit across the room and watch it run around the kitchen, while the other one likes to bat at it and carry it around. Since it makes random, odd noises (including what sounds like a rooster crowing and a cow mooing), it's also great for cats with a case of kitty ADD.

Cat Play House (Tank, Plane, or Firetruck) - Think Geek, $24.99

Everyone knows that a cat's favorite gift is a plain cardboard box, but why not try to mix it up a bit with these fun, and slightly more amusing looking play houses. Modeled to look like a tank, plane, and firetruck, these cardboard sets are sure to set kitty up for an adventure of a lifetime.

Jolly St. Nick Cape and Pet Santa Hat - Pampered Whiskers, $16.99

Pampered Whiskers is back just in time for the holiday season with their super deluxe Santa hat and cape set. The plush velour fashions even come in their own special keepsake box, so you can continue to delight/torture kitty year after year.

Kitty Movie DVD - Perpetual Kid, $9.99

Another Catsparella favorite. My kitties love the old VHS cat sitter tapes, and this year it's time to upgrade to DVD! This version is a double feature, including "Kitty Goes Hunting" and "Kitty Goes Fishing". For those unaware, these films include all kinds of creatures - birds, mice, fish, butterflies, etc. set to a soundtrack that will keep your cat amused/confused for hours.

Hanukkah Tutu Harness Cat Dress - Lil Yorkie Fru Fru, $75.00

I don't have much to say about this, other than I am in love with this cat.

Stayed tuned for the Catsparella 2010 Holiday Gift Guide - "People" Edition.. coming soon!

Catsparella 2010 Holiday Gift Guide - Cat Edition

You Oughta Know: My Ugly Kitty

Meet Quasi, head cat in charge over at My Ugly Kitty. Quasi was adopted by her owner Renee in October 2005, and is notable for being the cutest "ugly" cat you will ever meet!

According to the official story on her site, "while no one officially knows the origin of my "look", the general theory is that I have a cleft lip that never got corrected and connects to my eye. I can see fine out of one, but not so much out of the other. I also have a difficult time smelling since I have some sinus issue. My hearing though, is excellent - I can hear a crinkly wrapper from two floors up!"

Renee started My Ugly Kitty in June 2006 as a way for her to exercise her creative mind. The original Ugly Kitty Etsy store, with the tagline "Ugly never looked so good!", features Quasi-themed products such as photographs and greeting cards, along with unique (non-cat related) items such as vintage paper journals and custom screen printed wedding invitations.

Sneezin's Greetings - UglyKitty Holiday Cards - $8.00

UglyKitty Photograph - $15.00

Renee also started The Original UglyKitty fund, where you can select to donate amounts of $1.00, $5.00, or $10.00 to Cool Cats Rescue, a no-kill shelter in Annapolis, MD, where she adopted Quasi from. Since the start of the fund in October 2006, she's been able to raise over $3,000 for the organization!

All donations go to funding food, litter, supplies, medical expenses, and general expenses for running the shelter. Everyone who donates receives an UglyKitty button (seen below), along with a Thank You card from Quasi herself!

Very special thanks to Renee for sharing her very beautiful kitty with the world! Please visit her site at MyUglyKitty.com to learn more.

All images via Flickr and Etsy

You Oughta Know: My Ugly Kitty

Cat Patty Cake: The Translation

This shocking video reveals the real drama behind behind an innocent game of cat patty cake.

Cat Patty Cake: The Translation

Leftovers

The kitties of SweetFurr had a very happy Thanksgiving this year, as they noisily nommed down on an unseasoned turkey drumstick.

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As for me, I took some creative license with my leftovers. This cat has a mashed potato head, walnut eyes and nose (taken from the sweet potatoes), stuffing mouth and ears, and turkey whiskers!

Leftovers

It's Caturday!

This is a super special Caturday post, because it's our first to feature reader submitted pictures of their very own fabulous felines!

Reader Ms. Kenneth C. writes in: "My cat's real name is MICHIKO but we usually call her CHI. We got her nickname from a Japanese anime series "Chi's Sweet Home" where the main character's name is Chi, a little gray/white kitten who became lost from her family while they're strolling together and then being adopted by the Yamada Family.

Before I got a cat, I promised to myself that when i'll get my first cat, i will name her Chi...so that's where she got her name. Chi is my first cat and our family really loved her so much!"

Our next kitty submission comes from Dana, who sent in pics of her gorgeous kitty, Tori von der Nollenburg!

Dana writes: "I'm sending you two a pics for your weekly Caturday post, cause I couldn't decide on only one.

She always has this hilarious look on her face. xD Cat's full name is "Tori von der Nollenburg", but Tori is okay too ;)"

Next up, Lana D. posted on Facebook: "Everyone who sees this picture of my BIG boy, Minime, LOVES it. Hope you do too!!"

"Here's Minime without his comical face on, just looking handsome! =^..^="

Lana also has a cat named Sonny, and showed us his adorable transformation from kitten to cat.

"This is my Sonny as a kitten (with his "daddy") My favorite picture of him as a baby."

"Sonny, now grown up LOVES grandma's chair and has claimed it as his own to watch TV, or just relax in!!"

And finally, my friend Alison sent in pictures of her mom's beautiful new kittens, Sophie and Joey!

Joey striking his best pose

Sleepytime Sophie

Zzzzzz

While still tiny, these two have grown quite a bit. Here's a look back at them at the beginning of October. So cute!

Very special thanks to everyone who sent in pictures of their sweet kitties this week!

Want to see YOUR cat on Catsparella?? I'm now taking submissions for my weekly "It's Caturday!" post. All you have to do is email me your best kitty pic at catsparella@gmail.com. Please include the cat's name, and if you would like the photo linked back anywhere, such as your blog, flickr, twitter, etc.

I can't wait to hear from you!

It's Caturday!

Black Friday

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These cats are out in full-force today, purr-pared to shop 'til they drop. The only question is, if cats could shop, where would they go?

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Black Friday

The Holidays Are Officially Here!

This guy has the right idea with the ultimate cat Christmas card.

Via BuzzFeed

The Holidays Are Officially Here!

Modern Family..and Cats

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All-knowing patriarch Phil Dunphy addressed his daughter Alex's serious dating concerns on last night's episode of the ABC comedy Modern Family.

Modern Family..and Cats

Etsy Find: Meowies

Meowies are itty bitty handmade kitties looking for a home! In addition to the holiday styles below, other fun variations include cast members of The Wizard of Oz and Star Trek. Check out the full Meowies Shop here!

Meowie Turkey, $24.00

Meowie Brave, $22.00

Meowie-Claus, $24.00

Meowie Snowman, $24.00

Etsy Find: Meowies

Paparazzi

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I feel like this picture perfectly captures the essence of what this blog is all about.

Via Meine Katze

Paparazzi

The Dreamy Jetoy Choo Choo Cats

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Lovely & amazing reader Marinka B. recently alerted me to the cuteness that is the Jetoy Choo Choo cats series! Not readily available in the states, Jetoy is a Korean company that creates beautiful stationary, accessories, and fashion products adorned with dreamy, rosy-cheeked cats. From a company with the tag-line, "My life will be more beautiful than movies with Jetoy", would you expect any less?

Marinka was also kind enough to share some pictures of her extensive Jetoy collection (check out her Flickr here, which also includes tons of other cute cat related goodies), and she's also set up a group where fans can share pictures of their super-kawaii Jetoy swag.

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You can Google around to find some Jetoy retailers online, and I also found a small, but varied selection of items available for purchase on Etsy. My favorites include the mega-postcard set, and stickers below.

I'm hesitant to recommend any particular retailer, as there appears to be a lot of fake Jetoy merchandise on the market, and I'm not yet keen enough to identify the real from the copy. :3

Set of 30 postcards - nothingelegant, $25.99

Jetoy Choo Choo stickers - RetroNaNa, $5.50

Once again, very special thanks to Marinka for sharing her collection with us, and opening me up to the world of Jetoy!

The Dreamy Jetoy Choo Choo Cats