Get Your Kitty Supercharged For Spring + $100 AmEx Gift Card Giveaway!

I've partnered with Apartment Guide to serve as an Official Apartment Guide Pet Blogger! As an official blogger, I will be sharing articles filled with tips for living on a budget.

It's springtime, and I'm officially done being cooped up inside - or at least ready to make time to step out for a few minutes and get some fresh air. But what about your indoor cats? It's not like they have the pleasure of visiting cat parks, and many only leave the house once or twice a year to go to the dreaded vet. Since my Apartment Guide posts are about living on a budget and keeping your cat happy and healthy in any space, I was inspired to offer of a few ideas on how to keep your cat physically and mentally stimulated this season, no matter what kind of environment you live in.

Charlie on-the-go!

Exploring the outdoors is a no-no for many indoor cats, but what if it can be done in a safe and comfortable way? Taking your cat for a walk on a harness and leash is a great way to help them burn energy and socialize, while also keeping them (and you) in tip top shape. Cat behaviorist and "My Cat From Hell" star Jackson Galaxy extolls the virtues of leash training, although he warns it may require some behavior modification on behalf of the owner and the cat. Last year, Galaxy worked with New York Times writer Stephanie Clifford to leash train her cat Mac, and also offered some tips on how to get started in the process. Before you set off on your journey, make sure you have the right gear, and choose a safe area away from free-roaming dogs. You'll also want to keep a close eye on your cat to make sure they don't attempt to climb any trees, or chew or ingest anything they shouldn't when they're out on the prowl.

For the cat who's not quite as active, a stroller is another possible way to give them the taste of the outdoors without really putting paw to concrete. Once again, it really depends on the personality of your cat, and what they feel comfortable with. My cat Charlie enjoys a short jaunt around the block where he can catch the breezes and check out the birds, but will start to fuss once the stroller stops moving. I've heard stories of other cats who are able to attend different events like parades and festivals in their strollers, and others still who don't tolerate the experience at all. Listen to your kitty (and your gut) to see what works for you, and prepare to have some fun with the neighbors when they ask to see your fur "baby"!

Sure your cat has a million and one toys, but are they the right ones? Out of the zillions of options in my house, Charlie's favorite (and cheapest) toy is still a plain old plastic spring. I wrote a post about how the original green coil took a permanent vacation a few months back, but since then a new package has been purchased, the contents of which are usually half missing. He literally plays with these things for hours on end, but I'm still not sure who gets more of a workout: Him running around and batting them all over the house, or me fetching them from under the furniture.

On the other hand, Priscilla doesn't touch them at all, and prefers to get her rocks off with a furry mouse that brings her immeasurable joy. The point I'm making is, if your cat's toys aren't driving them to pounce around like a kitten again, maybe it's time to do some experimenting to find out what does the trick. Try out different brands of catnip, get a wand (it will also give your arm a nice workout!), or invest in an electronic toy to rev up your cat's predatory instinct. Just like little kids, not all cats like playing with the same toys, so mix it up and open up a whole new world of fitness for your finicky feline.

Enter to Win!

Throughout the Apartment Guide How-To Guide for Living on a Budget series, I've given ideas on cool kitty decor (for cats and humans), offered ways to get your kitty cat craft on, suggested tips on moving with cats (presented by kitties in boxes, natch), and even fashioned Charlie his own DIY cat palace using little more than a discarded peanut box from Costo and some scrapbooking paper.

As a thank you for following the series, and to give you the chance to splurge on some goodies of your own, Apartment Guide has generously offered one lucky Catsparella reader the chance to win a $100 American Express gift card!

To enter, leave a comment on this post with your name and some way for me to contact you if you win (email, link back to your blog or profile, Twitter, etc.). The winner be will chosen in a random drawing next Monday, April 2nd at 5:00PM EST. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents aged 18 and up only. One entry per person, please.

***

Whether you're living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide offers how-to tips for making the most of a space for you and your pet on a budget on http://www.movingtoday.com and http://www.apartmentguide.com/blog.

If you’re ready for a whole new space or are looking to move, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect pet-friendly apartment community.

Like Apartment Guide on Facebook at facebook.com/ApartmentGuide, follow them on Twitter @AptGuide, and "circle" them on Google+ for real-time tips and updates on making the most of your space and living on a budget.

Disclosure: Apartment Guide and owner Consumer Source, Inc. have partnered with bloggers like me as Official Apartment Guide Bloggers. As part of this program, I have received compensation. They have not told me what to purchase or what to say about the products used, and believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

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Get Your Kitty Supercharged For Spring + $100 AmEx Gift Card Giveaway!

My Cat Strolling Adventure & $50 PetSmart Gift Card Giveaway Winner!

Strolling incognito (yes, there's a cat in there)

It was all doom, gloom, and bad hair-days last week, and this week's forecast isn't looking much better (although temperatures seem to be rising, at least!)

GUESS WHAT! IT'S GOING TO RAIN

Fortunately, the clouds parted for a few brief moments over the weekend, during which time I took the opportunity to take the kitties out for a ride in their brand new pet stroller, which I purchased as part of Apartment Guide's "A New Place For Your Pet" Blogger Challenge!

Before we get into that whole adventure though, let's take a minute to discuss how I decided on what stroller to get.

I didn't feel like we were ready for a super deluxe model ($200+), because I don't plan on jogging up mountains with this thing, and who even knew if they were going to end up liking it? That being said, I also wanted a slight "step up" from the models available in-store at PetSmart and Petco (which were priced at $74.99 and $107.97, respectively), which left me somewhere in the more moderate range.

The only two requirements I had were that the stroller had to be sturdy enough to hold my cats, and that it be a 3-wheeled "sportster" model. After doing some research and reading a few reviews, I finally settled on the Pet Gear Special Edition. The stroller retails for around $139.99+, but I was able to find it for less on sites such as Overstock and eBay, where I ultimately purchased mine for $109.00, including shipping.

The stroller is available in three colors: Blueberry, Raspberry, and Sage. While in my normal life when given the option between those colors I would ALWAYS chose raspberry, the pink stroller just seemed too ostentatious for me (haha!), and I didn't want to subject poor Charlie to even more humiliation.

Pet Gear Special Edition Pet Stroller in Blueberry

The features of the stroller include:

• Classic Euro-Canopy
• Deluxe thick fleece pad*
• Waterproof interior pad
• Interior tether
• Large easy access storage basket
• Parent tray
• Front locking swivel wheels
• Rear shock absorbers and brakes
• Easy fold mechanism

It arrived in a big box, and was folded and completely assembled except for the wheels and parent tray. I'm not the most technically inclined person, and the directions weren't entirely clear, so there were a few hiccups in the wheel "installation" process, but overall it was pretty easy. The "parent tray" as it's called - two cup holders and a space to store your cell, keys, etc., easily snapped into place.

I also want to point out that there's another Pet Gear Sportster stroller that sells for slightly less. I did a side-by-side comparison, and from what I could tell, the only difference between the regular sportster and the "special edition" is the color options are different, and the special edition comes with an extra pocket on the side (not pictured), along with a "deluxe thick fleece pad," which I'm going to discuss in a minute.

Deluxe thick fleece pad

Now, I don't take umbrage with the use of the term "deluxe fleece pad", as much as with the inclusion of the word "thick." As you can see in the picture above, the "pad" is really nothing more than what you might call a lining, with one side covered in thin black fleece (that's completely covered in cat hair after 4 rides, haha), and the other in blue nylon.

That being said, the cats seemed completely comfortable with it, especially since black cats, plus an all black stroller interior might get too hot with a real thick fleece mat anyway. The only other criticism I have is that I had a little bit of trouble with the front zipper (the stroller is front and rear "loading"). All this means is that I'll be keeping the front zipped at all times, so the kitties can just enter and exit through the back, which really isn't an issue.

Can you see Charlie's little yellow eyes peeping out?

The stroller has a capacity of up to 45 lbs, but there was no way Charlie and Priscilla were going to ride in it at the same time. Even if Prissy would tolerate it, I wouldn't say it's overly spacious where two normal to larger sized cats could ride together. One thing I noticed is that they both liked turning around every so often to look out a different side (views are available on all sides, including through the top and back), so strolling solo definitely afforded them the space and opportunity to do so.

For Pets Only!

Charlie went on the maiden voyage, if only for the fact that he was practically in the stroller before I even had the wheels on (Prissy was off taking a nap somewhere). After he hopped in, I quickly zipped up the back and could tell he was extremely confused. As soon as we got outside, his eyes grew wide and his head was spinning in a hundred different directions trying to get a better look at the new, mysterious world around him. I kept recalling a comment someone left on my last post about her cats getting motion sickness from their stroller (ohhnoo!), so we kept the trip short, just a 10-15 minute jaunt around the block, to get him used to the ride.

After returning to the house, I unzipped the back and he popped out looking a bit dazed. He sniffed the stroller and the path from the kitchen to the front door, and I could tell the wheels were turning inside his little kitty head, like, "Woah! What just happened??"

Priscilla put on her big girl pants and enjoyed the ride!

Priscilla's turn was next. She's not quite as laid back as Charlie, so I wasn't sure what to expect. Luckily, she was half asleep at the time, so I whisked her from her usual nap time spot into the stroller without any problem. Once inside, she immediately let out a little hiss, but I think it was aimed at Charlie standing directly next to the stroller, not at the stroller itself. She also got a little swatty when I tried to zip up the back, and looked a bit alarmed (a typical look for her) as we left the confines of her kitty kingdom, but her only audible show of disdain was a plaintive "meow" she let out as we descended the driveway.

After we hit the sidewalk, she appeared to relax and laid down to enjoy the scenery. I didn't particularly see her move around or get up, but every few minutes I would check on her and notice she had rotated to face a different direction. At one point, a neighbor from across the street who was out walking his dog asked, "Is there a baby in there?" to which I replied, "NO, a cat!!"

He crossed the street to get a better look, dog in tow, and I was very curious to see how she would react. This is a cat who's terrified of people, even under normal circumstances (instead of acting out, she usually hides or plays dead). The man peered into the stroller, and the dog barked furiously, but surprisingly, she didn't make a peep, or show any sign of discomfort. She didn't even get up and move further back in the stroller as I'd expected, which leads me to believe that maybe she thinks no one can see her, thus adding to her sense of safety and security.

"I'm invisible!"

When we got back home, before I had even entirely unzipped the back, she jumped out. Like Charlie, she seemed a bit dazed, and plopped right over to contemplate the mystery of what had just happened. I think she enjoyed the trip, but it may take some more time for her to get used to.

For his part, Charlie is completely obsessed with the stroller and makes it a point to sit inside of it whenever he can. He even takes himself for mini-rides around the house, when he leaps in and it rolls across the floor. Even more hilariously, if the back is closed, he puts his paws on it and "pushes" it across the room! I told him he needs to keep working on it, as it may be his closest shot as viral video fame.

Overall, I'm really happy with the purchase, and believe the stroller will change my cat's lives for the better by exposing them to a whole new exciting and stimulating environment, just in time for summer!

Special thanks goes out to Apartment Guide for asking me to participate in their "A New Place For Your Pet" blogger challenge!

As you know, as part of the challenge they are giving one of my lucky readers a $50 PetSmart gift card! I went old school and tossed all of the entrants names into a hat (ok, a bag..I don't wear hats) and the winner of the whole "kitty" is...Sara!

Congratulations!

Whether you’re living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide will help point you in the right direction. Apartment Guide has tips for owning and caring for your pet whether you are in a large or small space. It’s helpful information no matter where you live. If you’re ready for a whole new space or are looking to move, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect pet friendly apartment community. You can easily narrow your search to display communities that allow furry friends. Search for available apartments right within Apartment Guide’s Facebook page on the Search AG tab, and search for apartments with your Facebook friends by using the Search with Friends application on ApartmentGuide.com.

Apartment Guide is owned by Consumer Source, Inc. Apartment Guide partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “A New Place For Your Pet” Blogger Challenge. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used for the “A New Place For Your Pet” Blogger Challenge. Apartment Guide and Consumer Source believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

My Cat Strolling Adventure & $50 PetSmart Gift Card Giveaway Winner!

$50 PetSmart Gift Card Giveaway & Apartment Guide’s “A New Place For Your Pet” Blogger Challenge

This post was originally published on 5/11, but was permanently lost as a result of last week's Blogger outage. Fortunately, if you commented on the original post to enter the giveaway, I have a copy of your entry saved in my email, so there's no need to enter again. I've also extended the contest until Friday, to give everyone a chance to enter. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

When I was first approached about participating in Apartment Guide's “A New Place For Your Pet” Blogger Challenge, I was pretty excited, but also for lack of a better word, challenged. How was I going to find a way to create a new space for my cats, and still make it fun, interesting and most of all, relevant to my blog?

I thought, I could get them new beds or spruce up their lounging areas, but Charlie is averse to pet beds, and Priscilla has all the cozy spots she needs. New toys? They both have more than they could ever want, yet their favorite items are paper bags and boxes. I started thinking about spaces in general, and the unique challenges indoor cat owners face in providing a comfortable, stimulating environment for their kitties who never get to go outside. I settled on the idea that the best way to truly create a new space for them and enrich their lives, would be to literally think outside of the box, and open up a whole new world for them with their very own pet stroller!

Oreo in stroller by Jimmie

NO, not that kind of stroller!

I've been thinking about getting a pet stroller for quite awhile now (I even did a post about it back in March), and whether you live in the suburbs, more urban areas, or smaller spaces, like apartments, strollers could be a great way to safely expand your cat's horizons, while giving you an excuse to explore your neighborhood, and get some exercise, too!

I really hope my cats don't read my blog

The stroller should be arriving sometime this week, and I'm curious whether my cat's will end up loving or hating it. I'm also looking forward to seeing if we get any weird reactions from people on the street. Just keeping my fingers crossed that it will be a fun adventure for all of us, and that no one ends up too traumatized! (I'm looking at you, Priscilla.)

Enter To Win!

As part of the challenge, Apartment Guide has generously offered a $50.00 PetSmart Gift Card to one of my lucky readers, so you can buy whatever you'd like to pamper your pets too!

To enter:

1. Like Apartment Guide on Facebook (facebook.com/apartmentguide)

2. Follow Apartment Guide on Twitter (@aptguide)

3. Leave a comment on this post to confirm you entry

(Note: If you already entered last week, you comment has been saved and there's no need to enter again.)

Please, one entry per person. The contest is open to U.S. residents only, and the winner be will selected in a random drawing this Friday, May 20th, 2011 at 5:00PM EST.

Good luck to all! Make sure to stop back next week to see if you're a winner, and to hear all about our pet strolling adventure(s)!

(If you have any trouble entering a comment, please email me at catsparella@gmail.com.)

Whether you’re living, looking or moving, Apartment Guide will help point you in the right direction. Apartment Guide has tips for owning and caring for your pet whether you are in a large or small space. It’s helpful information no matter where you live. If you’re ready for a whole new space or are looking to move, Apartment Guide has the photos, floor plans, features and tips to help you find the perfect pet friendly apartment community. You can easily narrow your search to display communities that allow furry friends. Search for available apartments right within Apartment Guide’s Facebook page on the Search AG tab, and search for apartments with your Facebook friends by using the Search with Friends application on ApartmentGuide.com.

Apartment Guide is owned by Consumer Source, Inc. Apartment Guide partnered with bloggers such as me to participate in its “A New Place For Your Pet” Blogger Challenge. As part of that program, I received compensation. They did not tell me what to purchase or what to say about the products used for the “A New Place For Your Pet” Blogger Challenge. Apartment Guide and Consumer Source believe that consumers and bloggers are free to form their own opinions and share them in their own words. Consumer Source’s policies align with WOMMA Ethics Code, FTC guidelines and social media engagement recommendations.

[Comments now closed.]

$50 PetSmart Gift Card Giveaway & Apartment Guide’s “A New Place For Your Pet” Blogger Challenge

Cat Walking with Mo Rocca

Must watch! Comedian Mo Rocca recently filed this adorably hilarious trend piece about cat walking in New York City for CBS News Sunday Morning. Rocca meets with Radar, a cat who loves being walked, along with a veterinarian, the creator of the Kitty Holster cat harness, and the inventor of the Kitty Walk cat stroller for more perspective on the issue.

Cat Walking with Mo Rocca

Cats on Wheels: Let's Talk Pet Strollers

They see me strollin'...they hatin'..

Last Caturday, I featured a post on Kalimah, the Evian drinking diva kitty. In addition to her hot feline fashions, a lot of you also took notice of her super styling stroller, which her owner Tasha reported, "she loved riding in on warm spring days."

Who wouldn't want their cats to come running for an activity?

It all got me thinking, what's the deal with cats on wheels? My two are strictly indoor cats, but like most, their favorite time of year is when it's warm outside and the windows are open. They delight in the breeze blowing through their whiskers, and cooling off their sun-soaked black fur in a shady windowsill. Could a pet stroller be the perfect way to safely allow them some extra fresh air, while adding excitement to their lives?

I did a Google search for "Cat strollers," and was overwhelmed by the variety of results that popped up. I quickly learned that buying a stroller for your pet is not much different than picking one out for a human baby (something I also know nothing about). What was I getting myself into?

Wanting to start with the basics, I pondered these three points suggested by Just Pet Strollers:

• Size - Is the stroller the appropriate size for your pet? You want to make sure that they have enough room to sit and lay down comfortably, and that the stroller will support their weight.

• Privacy - How social is your cat? Some strollers have sections where cats can see outside, but also have a private, tented space for shyer kitties to enjoy the ride incognito.

• Enclosure - Pet strollers are mesh enclosed so your cat can safely enjoy the view, but some have the option to remove the covering, while others do not. The site suggests a benefit of cat strollers that may be opened is that they can be used as beds or perches inside the home, and can help get your cat used to them before going outside. Besides whether or not it opens, I think that the strength of the mesh used to make the stroller would be my biggest concern overall. What if my cat gets scared or overexcited? Will it withstand the force of rogue kitty claws?

In addition to these factors, The "Pet Stroller Buying Guide," (also from the Just Pet Strollers site), goes into a lengthier list of detailed points to think about, such as:

- Consider the terrain. (Are you taking kitty hiking, or on a jaunt around the cul-de-sac?)

- Travel and storage needs

- Use (Will you be jogging or walking?)

- Consider if you'll stroll in inclement weather. (I can safely say the answer to this question is no.)

- Storage (Some strollers come with "parent trays" to lug all of your junk in addition to Snowball's water, treats, toys, etc.)

- Safety features

Got all that? Congrats, because once you've figured out the answers to all of those questions, you're ready to move on to the final step: Selecting the stroller size, style, and color that's right for you! I'm hesitant to recommend any particular brand, because I haven't tried them myself, but here are a few models that stood out in my search:

The Basic Stroller (Are you going to mess with this lady? Because I'm not): Sahara Happy Trails Stroller - Doctors Foster and Smith, $116.99

The Super Deluxe "For Your Trip To Mt. Everest" Stroller: All Terrain Pet Stroller - Nip and Bones, $277.00

The Double Decker "My Cats Hate Each Other" Stroller: Kittywalk Double Decker Pet Stroller - Just Pet Strollers, $269.95

I think pet strollers are a great idea, although they can be an investment, and there's a lot to think about before getting one. I'm curious to know, do any of you want or have one? If you have one, do you and your cat like it? What's the reaction you get from strangers on the street?? So many questions, so little time..Please let me know in the comments!

And lest we forget, if a cat stroller isn't for you, there's always the "cat pack," like this one spotted on the streets of Brooklyn a few months ago - purrfect for your kitty on the go!

Cats on Wheels: Let's Talk Pet Strollers