<em>YOUR OTHER CATS AT HOME</em>

If you already have another cat at home, make sure that your new kitten or cat comes with proof of a negative feline leukemia test and first shots, at least. Also, be certain that it is free of fleas and has either been "wormed" or has had a recent stool sample test negative for intestinal parasites. So very important! Because even though you will purchase another litter box if bringing in a new cat to your household that already has a cat, the cats will inevitably crossover when it comes to litter boxes - in the beginning, at least, and if the new cat has intestinal parasites, your other pets will become infected. That applies to your canine companions as well - - intestinal parasites are contagious by way of feces - - and if you have a dog in your home who likes to visit the kitty box occasionally, your dog is at risk as well.

Otherwise, it is super simple - from a health standpoint - to bring a cat into the home that has a dog or dogs and nothing else because very few diseases or health risks are transferable between cats and dogs. As I mentioned, fleas and ticks, of course, would be considerations. Fleas and ticks do not discriminate, and neither do intestinal parasites. So, out of respect and concern for your pets who already share your home, make sure that your new companion is pest-free and get that stool sample tested before bringing in your new companion.

A dog can live on cat food, but a cat cannot live on dog food. If your cat is sharing a home with a dog and seems to prefer the dog food over his/her own cat food, don't laugh too much about this because a cat needs TAURINE which is in cat food but not generally in dog food.

If you are having a problem with bugs of any kind in your home, and you have turned to the services of an exterminator or are using a spray or bombs in your home, please make sure that your bug problem is taken care of prior to bringing a new companion into your home. Chemicals of any kind are not safe for anyone or anything. Better to be safe than sorry. Once your bug problem is taken care of, and you have sent your exterminator packing, clean every baseboard, crevice, and any other common area in your home or outdoors (enclosed patio or balcony) thoroughly in an attempt to remove any unsafe chemicals and to reduce Ms. Kitty's exposure.

Make sure you have dedicated bowls and dishes/plates - preferably unbreakable - for your new companion to eat dry food out of, have access to fresh water, and eat canned food from (for this, I prefer a flat dish). A weighted water bowl never hurts, either.

I know - the pets won't like it. But being unhappy for a few hours is far better than being lost, or run over by a car. Selling a home means a bit of inconvenience for everyone in the family - even the pets.

So plan ahead. Spend a few dollars on kennel cages or take your pets with you when you leave during showings.

But expecting our real estate agents to protect pets during showings and open houses is unrealistic.

Putting Fluffy or Fido in a bathroom or laundry room with a "Do not open" sign on the door won't do it either. For one thing, people viewing your home with an eye toward purchase want to see every room. Secondly, a sign saying "Do not open" is almost like a challenge. At least some visitors will be compelled to open that door!

Once you've answered these basic questions, you'll be ready to consider things like structure, privacy needs, and furniture. Observing other homes with outdoor living spaces is a great way to get ideas. This can be accomplished by simply taking a walk through your neighborhood or a drive through your town. You might want to take a note pad to jot down ideas as you see them. Many resources are also available through books, magazines, and the internet. There are also many inexpensive computer software programs that can help you design your outdoor living space. Be sure to keep your home's architectural style in mind during this designing phase, to assure a cohesive outcome.

You may want to get some safe toys for your new companion, perhaps even a scratching post. A word on scratching posts: Did you know that some cats are vertical scratchers and some cats are horizontal scratchers? If you catch your kitty sharpening its nails somewhere in your home, pay attention to what it was using -- was it the arm of the sofa (from a standing position) or was it your carpeting? If it was the arm of the sofa, and your kitty was standing while scratching, go get a vertical scratching post. If it was the carpeting that kitty was using, go get a horizontal strip for your kitty's use.