Jackson answers your questions via video.
”How close to the ceiling is too close for a cat walk?”
Jackson talks about the practical safety considerations when installing cat shelves and cat walks.
For super cool ideas and inspiration on these things, check out our Catification section.
Jackson himself has installed cat shelves by Urban Pet Haus for his cats. This is a shot of Jackson’s living room area; where you can see the Urban Pet Haus Wave Perch between his guitars. He also has a white shelf mounted under each window.
You can get the Urban Pet Haus Wave Perch, and other tools and products Jackson uses and recommends, at his online store store.jacksongalaxy.com
We regret that Jackson does not answer questions posted in the comments. This is due to his demanding schedule and the high volume of requests he receives. But most importantly, since he has not met your cat, it would be contrary to his approach for him to give specific personalized advice for your specific situation. That being said, general questions and issues are addressed throughout this blog, in his book CAT DADDY and of course, the show My Cat From Hell.
Great question and answer Jackson. I would add that if there is any material on the ceiling like popcorn ceiling with asbestos the cat shelf should probably not be close to the ceiling. Unfortunately, I live in an apartment building that has these ceilings. My understanding is that as long as the material is not disturbed by pounding holes or scraping then it should be safe enough but I still worry.
Jackson, You have mentioned that your cats are allowed on your tables/counters. I am willing to give into this (even tho I can’t stand them on my food counter). (The 1 cat is making me absolutely nuts!!!! the other 2 are ok) except for the one- who eats EVERTHING!!!! (literally; beets, gr.beans, sauerkraut, any type of nut, p. butter, apples….) I can’t keep him out of my food or from tearing into every paper/plastic: tupperware, bag, metal can, any type of container….he has actually jumped over my head and landed in my plate of food to snag a huge mouthful. My oven, cabinets (the ones he cannot open)…. are all full of items he may get into or has gotten into. I can not cook because i can’t use my oven (too full of things), or stove because he gets into what ever is cooking. (he has taken a bratt from a simmering pot – and devoured it boiling hot). He has lost 10 lbs, looks great, but feels he is starving to death, gets fed 2x day. I have given him a beef bone to chew on – that kept him busy for 1/2 hr, then he goes after the dogs bones. HELP – how can I cook and keep him out of my food/plate! (when company is over- their job is to guard the counter and food=they never believe me till the cat takes off with someones steak…. and they just stand there- from now on I think the person who was supposed to do the guarding will be one one to loose their meal – not me any more!) ps i do play with them.
Sprite – have you had your cat checked for hyper-thyroid? The losing weight and still ravenous and food aggressive are certainly symptoms. I have a cat who developed hyper-hypothyroidism and is now on medication for it and doing great.
Good Luck!
yes – his thyroid is off a little – I’ve taken him to a “chinese medicine Vet” (can we say awesome- got him off all the medicated foods…. stopped ALL the urinary tract infections…..- this is were he lost the weight – he was a big guy and needed the weight loss) he gets fed 2x a day with digestive enzymes added, and I do feed them veggies (raw and cooked ) in the afternoon. He is just insane when it comes to having ANY type of food around. (He now weights 13 lb and the vet wants more off – but I think he looks perfect-good shape on him). I do have and already started a parasite RX for all of them and he does seem to be a little calmer in just the 1st few days. I do wonder about the parasites (he had the basic RX from my regular vet when I got them, 3yrs ago, but maybe they needed a follow up RX) So I will RX them (all of us) for a few weeks and wait a bit and then again do another round on all of us. (I have to admit – I have not done the RX since I got them – usually do each spring AND fall for ALL of us. This is a natural homeopathic parasite RX. “Cal” aka “the monster” looks thinner than his brother-(Alex is 12lb and is a little smaller build) so the parasites make sense now that you mention it. (I think this was the problem) – He actually seems calmer and is wanting to be around me more (parasite RX- feeling better?) – He used to be like duct tape on me- then he just started obsessing about food and got really crazy with it and that was all that mattered. Right now he seems a little calmer in general – even less testy! This may have been the problem! THANKS ( I will do a follow up with the vet also).
Yikes! Sprite – have you considered that your ravenous kitty may have worms? Threadworms, unlike other intestinal parasites that give a cat’s coat that ‘thread-bare,’ or ‘moth-eaten’ look, have only three signs: a RAVENOUS appetite, and extremely (and uniquely) odiferous feces that often appear clay-colored. Cats get them by eating the eggs of those pesky little gnats that are everywhere – especially, in your cat’s food bowls, on the leftovers, or dry kibble, in the summer. Treat them naturally with Natural Wonder’s FourGone (www.naturalwonderpets.com). Takes 2 doses each day for 8 days, and it WORKS! You will definitely see a leveling off of the consumption (though perhaps not necessarily an interest) in food. Then you can get him on a regular feeding schedule. I would treat all the cats, if they share cat boxes, and definitely read the post on how to get your cats to let you sleep for more feeding tips. Good luck!
Thank You – I never thought about parasites, and I will treat all of them. Thanks Again. xoxo
How do i get rid of the smell of cat pee???
Jackson recommends Fizzion, it’s the C02 cleaner he’s mentioned in the past.