Tag Archives: cleo cat

The benefits of igloo beds





Warm environments






Use of living space






Creating a routine





From scratching to jumping – our Cat Climbers have it all!







Your cat loves vertical space






From claws to scratching your cat needs practice




Final Thoughts




Why do cats love Radiator Beds?

Small Red with Brown Insert Cover
Small Red with Brown Insert Cover




Cats like warm environments




Large Bed with Fawn Insert Cover
Large Bed with Fawn Insert Cover

Elevated surfaces



Private space






What exactly is catnip?

If you are a cat owner, you know well enough the unique effect this particular product has on your animals. Catnip has proven to be an alluring, near irresistible attractor for cats, and yet pet owners often have no idea what this mysterious, potent concoction actually is! On an equally important note, the question must also be asked: why do cats enjoy catnip as much as they do? Here are a few interesting research notes which may be prove to be helpful in this investigation.

The first inquiries into the quasi-magical powers of catnip began with the Etruscans, who noticed that a particular weed, Nepeta Cataria, was capable of a number of surprising results, including the treatment of various skin ailments, colds and fevers. Soon enough, individuals began to notice that Nepeta Cataria also stimulated their domestic cats in a very unique fashion.

Nepeta Cataria, also known as catnip, can be found across southern and eastern Europe, as well as the Middle East, central Asia, and certain locations in China. Its relative abundance have allowed this product to be market across the world at large. On a fundamental level, the chief explanation as to why catnip serves as such a powerful stimulant for cats is due to the fact that the weed emits a strong scent that closely mirrors that of cat’s sex pheromones Because of this, cats who come across catnip are often completely overtaken by its presence. Pet owners who provide their cats with catnip should not be surprised if their pets suddenly seem overtly ‘physical’ with the item in question. Common behaviours including rubbing against the catnip-laden item or licking/chewing it. The effects of catnip often last for approximately 20 minutes. Therefore, catnip is often considered to have a ‘short-term’ effect on animals that have been exposed to it.

Although Nepeta Cataria is now commonly referred to as “Catnip”, at one time this weed was also labelled “Cat mint” due in large part to the fact that many individuals consider the smell of this plant a close match to mint.

Pet owners should take note, however, that catnip can be used in excess. Cats who have been exposed to excessive levels of catnip may appear confused, groggy or begin uncontrollably drooling. Although these effects are largely temporary, those who do notice these behaviours in their animals are advised to reduce the presence of catnip in their residence in order to ensure that their animals behaves normally in the future.

Catnip has not always been solely a luxury for animals. In fact, it was not uncommon for catnip to be incorporated into various condiments throughout European kitchens many years ago. Humans, too, enjoyed the unique aroma of this weed. Catnip has also been found to be a natural repellant against various common pests, including mosquitos, termites, fleas and cockroaches, among others.

Ultimately, catnip should be considered a fun diversion for your pets. There is little to no harm that this weed can cause your animals, and should therefore be used at the discretion of the pet owner. Those who may be tempted to worry that their cat has been overexposed to catnip can take comfort in the fact that no lasting health effects have been observed in animals that have been repeatedly exposed to catnip.

As an interesting side note, it is also worth mentioning that catnip is considering an excellent bee-foraging plant and is, therefore, often incorporated into public gardens and other large open spaces. With all of these ideas in mind, it seems reasonable to declare that the benefits of catnip far outweigh any critiques some may have of this naturally occurring “guilty pleasure” for cats. We hope your pets enjoy it!

Our Top Ten Favourite TV Cats

Why are cartoon cats so popular in kids and grown up TV? Some have shaped our childhoods whilst others have stood the test of time. Here’s a run-down of our Cleo Pets favourite TV cats… in no particular order.

1) Tom (From Tom and Jerry)

If you, like us, was reared on Tom and Jerry I bet you are asking yourselves “how did Tom not suffer worse injuries with all the frying pans to the face?”. This cat literally went through all nine lives in one episode, and he never had the better of Jerry… ever!

Tom and Jerry
Will he ever win?

2) Snarf

Children of the 80’s unite, Snarf is on this list for good reason. Forget the high pitched voice and just think to the days of Panthro, Cheetarah and Jaga; you’re already there aren’t you. Ironically, the thundercats were feline, and snarf was an alien, but he was the pet of the grown up human-esque cats; thus he’s definitely a TV cat. Go on, enjoy the intro by clicking here.

Snarf thundercats
Just chilling

3) The Cat for the Three advert

We tweeted Three the other day, no response. But THAT cat, in the basket, singing along to Starship’s “We Built This City” is by far away on the coolest, cutest cats we’ve ever seen. Well done, Three, well done. #SingItKitty

Three Cat

4) Scratchy (The Simpsons)

Based on Tom, from Tom and Jerry (see point no.1 again), Scratchy was the Simpsons’ way of paying homage to cartoon brilliance and exorbitant violence. Scratchy like Tom never got the best of Itchy, although debate rages in the office as someone thinks Scratchy does win, once.


5) Custard

Children of the 70s don’t despair. We have not forgotten about you, Custard. Rhoobarb may have been the king of the show, but there is no Rhoobarb without Custard. Case closed!

There is no Roobarb without any custard
There is no Roobarb without any custard

6) Top Cat

How can a cat who wears a waistcoat live in a bin and still look like the coolest creature in town? If you’re Top Cat, the answer is equally obvious and simple, it’s Top Cat. He also had a gang, he really was one cool cat.

Just look at that waistcoat!
Just look at that waistcoat!

7) Bagpuss

If one of your earliest memories is that of seeing a purple coloured cat, then Bagpuss must have been a firm favourite in the house. Only ten episodes were ever made, but his inception into our collective psyche remains. Bagpuss, we salute you.

Don't be sad, Bagpuss
Don’t be sad, Bagpuss

8) The Coronation Street Cat

How many times did this cat grace our screens from the 60’s to the mid 2000’s? We’ve lost count, all we say is, well done to the producers who have cleverly included a new variation to compete with those pesky Meerkats.

His name was, Frisky, the cat!
His name was, Frisky, the cat!

9) Stimpy

In the days of Nirvana and grunge ruling the airways, one cat represented a new TV generation, Stimpy. Ren was a dog, constantly battling with his best pal. Stimpy wasn’t the brightest but we still loved him.

Stimpy is on the right.
Stimpy is on the right.

10) Cat (Red Dwarf)

After a millennia of evolution, the human formed character of Cat featured on our TV screens in the TV series, Red Dwarf. Cool, collected and more feline that most domestic cats who haven’t evolved how could this cult sci-fi comedy character not make it on our list?

One cool cat!
One cool cat!

Who are your favourite TV Cat characters? Why not leave us a comment and let us know.