Last summer, during the height of shedding season, I brushed enough fur off my house tigers in one sitting to create the cat-hair monster pictured below.

Then things got worse. Temperatures stayed above 100 degrees for weeks, in what became the hottest Kansas City summer on record. The insane heat may or may not have been a factor, but my cats were shedding at an alarming rate, leaving my clothing and bed sheets perpetually covered in a downy layer of gray and white. The couch became strictly off-limits to anyone wearing dark pants, and billowy floof balls skidded across my wooden floors like tumbleweeds.

As shedding season begins anew and I stare down the likelihood of yet another steamy summer, I’ve started plotting my defense against cat hair, the most insidious of household foes. Here are five tips to help us all survive high-shedding season.

Long-haired Athella gets brushed daily.

1. Brush your cat regularly

This seems like a no-brainer, but its importance cannot be overstated. This is especially essential if you have a long-haired cat, as they are prone to tangles and mats. When incorporated into a routine, regular brushing can be an enjoyable experience for cats and their humans. My mom, for example, brushes her Maine Coon mix, Athella, every morning while she’s drinking her coffee. Brushing removes dirt, spreads natural oils, and keeps your kitty’s skin clean. It also removes loose or excess hair.

If your cat hates being brushed, anecdotal evidence indicates that a lint roller can be used. You could also try vacuuming your cat, as illustrated in the video below, but be aware that this cat is almost certainly in the minority; in fact, he might be the only one who likes it.

 2. Feed your cat good food -- preferably wet food

A diet rich in vitamins and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids helps reduce shedding by moisturizing your cat’s skin. Your vet can recommend foods rich in these nutrients, or you can check the label for ingredients like salmon or flax. Wet food is even better for your cat’s coat, as it does not contain gluten, corn, or soy, which can cause allergies in some cats. It also helps your cat stay hydrated.

Most pet stores also offer vitamins or fish oil supplements in the form of soft chews or gels that can be mixed with food. If your cat is in good health, however, there should be no need to add a supplement. Always check with your vet before supplementing your cat’s diet.

Bubba Lee Kinsey gets his vitamins by stealing my granola.

3. Cover your furniture and invest in a cat bed

Shockingly, the world is filled with people who don’t like being covered in cat hair at all times (or perhaps they are allergic to our feline friends). When one of these sad, sneezing individuals visits your home, she will appreciate it if you’ve covered your couch to protect it from hair accumulation during prime kitty-lounging hours. Your favorite black pants will thank you, too.

Mysterious Purr Padds, available at most pet stores, work great for protecting furniture. They are lightweight and easy to remove and store, and they’re made of polyester fibers that absorb warmth and trap dander, hair, and dust.

Another option: Get your kitty a bed of her own. She may or may not use it, but hey, it’s worth a shot.

Bubba Lee Kinsey *almost* fits in his kitty bed.

4. Acquire the tools of the trade: a handheld vacuum, a high-quality duster, and a lint roller

The key to staying on top of cat hair is making cleanup quick and easy. Otherwise, if you’re anything like me, you’ll ignore it for days -- weeks, even -- and tell yourself it’s not that bad. Then one day, a well-meaning friend (or worse, your mom) will come over and ask if you’ve ever dusted, ever, in the history of ever. Perhaps this friend will even pick up a baseball-sized clump of hair off the floor and hold it at eye level, pinched between thumb and forefinger, as though handling a stinking corpse.

To be honest, you didn’t even notice that clump anymore. Perhaps, in some vague “Wilson the volleyball” sense, it had become a comforting companion.

To which I say: Do not befriend the clumps! The Bissell Pet Hair Eraser handheld vacuum works great for furniture and is easy to use and to store. Swiffer dusters will easily pick up accumulations on window sills and shelves. And every self-respecting cat owner should have ready access to a lint roller. I have one in my apartment, my car, and my office. I use all regularly.

Bubba Lee Kinsey eats the finger puppet I made out of his fur.

5. Turn your cats' hair into handicrafts

You know what they say: If you can’t beat 'em, turn their hair into finger puppets. Check out the book Crafting with Cat Hair by Katsori Tsutaya for the specifics on how to harvest, store, and clean your cat’s fur before turning it into felt, which can be used to create a variety of crafts, such as coin purses, mittens, and pincushions. It’s so much fun you’ll want high-shedding season to last all the way to Christmas!

Well, maybe not -- but the crafts do make one-of-a-kind gifts. (Just remember those sneezing cat-allergic folks we discussed earlier, and maybe give them a popcorn tin instead.)

How do you deal with shedding season? Let us know in the comments!

Check these out for more on how to weather high-shedding season:

• 5 Things Made Out of Cat Hair You Can Actually Buy on Etsy
• 5 Tools for Cleaning Cat Hair Off Furniture and Clothes
• 7 Creative, Crafty Uses for Cat Hair
• Herding Cat Hair: Harder Than Herding Cats

Knowing how our indoor kitties love their nice, warm sleeping spots, it pains cat lovers to see strays and ferals out on the mean streets in the bitter cold of winter with nowhere to curl up and hibernate -- especially when it rains or snows. 

In New York City, the Guardians of Rescue have decided to do something about this sad situation. The Guardians have proven their love of animals many times over, with words as well as deeds, rescuing and rehoming stray dogs and cats. They designated Sunday, December 23 as National Feral Cat Caretaker Day. And one Guardian member, carpenter Joe Caz, devised a simple, inexpensive way to help freezing feral felines by fabricating cold-weather cat shelters.

The beauty of this crafting project is that anyone can undertake it -- and many have, as the positive feedback on the Guardians' Facebook page indicates. Plus, it's a lifesaver for homeless cats. 

Guardians of Rescue has deployed about 1,000 of these outdoor boxes for the benefit of homeless cats all over New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, says Robert Misseri, the group's founder. "600 of the boxes were for cats displaced by Hurricane Sandy," he adds. Way to go, Guardians!

Prepping the shelter: a Styrofoam fish box.

For those who want to follow the Guardians' exemplary, cat-compassionate lead, Misseri shares how-to pointers in this Catster exclusive.

First, acquire "fish boxes," which are Styrofoam boxes designed to keep fish frozen for 20 hours. "The insulation value is tremendous," Misseri explains. Visit your local fish store or supermarket and ask them to give you the boxes, or ask your friendly neighborhood veterinarian to give you the coolers used to ship medicines and vaccinations.

Insulation works both ways, of course, so if a warm, purring creature enters a Styrofoam box, she'll stay warm and protected against the cold. (Plus, you're recycling and upcycling, so it's win-win all around.)

Using a box cutter, carefully carve a half-circle into the side of each box, so that when they're put together, the circular hole is just big enough for a cat to pass through -- you don't want to make the opening too large, or it'll get drafty in there.  

Use straw for bedding material; once blankets get wet, they stay wet.

To construct the cat shelter, "Take the two boxes, match up the cutouts, and wrap them together tightly with shrink wrap," he says. Then, use duct tape and heavy-duty black plastic trash bags to make it waterproof." Where the hole is, cut into the plastic to create a flap as a baffle.  

Wrap the box in a plastic bag and duct-tape it to make it waterproof.

After that, place a handful of straw -- not hay -- inside as bedding material for kitties to nest in; purchase it at an Agway or similar type of farm-suppy store.

Misseri doesn't recommend using a blanket, because unless you're in an area where the climate is dry, once the blanket gets wet, the insulation will keep it wet indefinitely. Obviously that would defeat the whole purpose of this project, because no cat would ever want to nest in a box that's cold and wet. 

Checking out the new shelter.

Finally, you'll want to weigh down the structure, since styrofoam is so lightweight that the wind can easily carry it away. "We always secure ours with bricks and any kind of wood," Misseri concludes. Voila -- your cold-weather cat shelter is ready to be deployed! 

A Guardian puts some outdoor boxes on Long Island, hoping to provide shelter for some cats displaced by Hurricane Sandy.

Have you ever crafted something to help a homeless animal? Please share in the comments! 

1. For the self-aware cat lady: Crazy Cat Lady shirt

There’s no shortage of shirts with cats on them, but I liked this one for its simplicity and silliness. I like the cat face, I like that it’s wearing cat-eye glasses. I’m down with the cooper black font. I like that it’s on an American Apparel shirt, which are soft and comfortable. It all works for me.

Of course, not all cat lovers are ladies. Here’s a mug for the vaguely defensive male cat lover in your life.

2. For people who love the idea of cats in business suits: Business Cats Wall Calendar

Amy Beth Geerling Payne is an artist from Michigan who paints these awesome cats wearing professional clothing. They’re quite nice paintings of a surreal, ridiculous idea. $20.

3. For the green thumb: Cat head planter

You can go either way on these. You might find them a little off-putting or you might find them charming and elegant. I’m choosing the latter. Imagine your catnip or cat grass sprouting out of this pretty little cat’s head. Include some seeds in the box and you’ve got a whole gift right there. 

4. For the cyclist: Moustachioed cat bike bell

There’s a fair amount of moustachioed cats on Etsy, but I found them most adorable on this bike bell. So refined, these cats. And what’s more refined than cruising around the neighborhood ringing a little bell? The adorableness! It is rife! $16.

5. For everyone: Ceramic Cat Water Fountain

Ceramic artist Julie Scheffer’s downright lovely ceramic cat water fountains are one of the nicer items I found, and they’re tasteful enough to match any decor. Check the rest of her store for other designs and bowls. $75.

6. For people who love yellow: Felted cat soap

This year I developed an intense affection for all shades of yellow. I suppose there’s been a bit of cheer in my life after a long time of sadness, so my soul picked the brightest color it could for its new love affair. That could be why this heart-shaped soap ball caught my eye, or was it the cat? Either way, this cinnamon-scented soap looks like a great gift to me. $18. 

7. For a tea drinker: Laughing Cat Mug

Tell me you are not in love with this laughing cat. You are in love with this laughing cat. Imagine looking at this laughing cat face on a miserable Monday morning. This laughing cat is going to save some lucky person’s sanity. $20. 

8. For the parent: I Like Cats onesie

Indoctrination is important. The earlier you can impress on an infant that she likes cats, the more likely she will be a cat person when she grows up. (This is probably entirely false.) Also! Babies who are not already naturally cute are assured to look cute while wearing little cat faces. $15.

9. For a person with an empty space on the wall: Hipster Cat on Penny-Farthing print

This bespectacled cat is named Atticus, and he’s very casually riding a penny farthing. You know, as cats do. He’s printed on a vintage dictionary page and would make a great addition to a friend’s eclectic art collection. $7.99.

Now, go forth and throw a few dollars to these crafters and small businesses this holiday season! But sure to check the sites for delivery times, so you can get your gift in time for Christmas. 

If your cat hates to dress up, consider Photoshopping her into a holiday outfit instead. A cat looks at me by Shutterstock

1. Care2 Greetings

Make a difference by sending a free Care2 e-card -- you’ll be generating donations for worthy causes. For every e-card you send as a Care2 member, you’ll earn Butterfly credits, which can be redeemed for great gifts like safe drinking water for those in need, as well as carbon offsets and help for shelter pets.

The template for Care2's cards lets you personalize your image and greeting.

Care2 has an assortment of holiday templates to choose from, and you can upload a photo of your cat to personalize your greeting.

2. Get digitally creative

If you’ve got some basic photo editing skills, you can dress your cat up digitally for the holidays. Take a photo of your pet, top her off with a Santa hat, and add a seasonal message.

I made this quick digital card featuring my cat.

If you can’t draw a hat, it’s a snap to search for “transparent santa hat png” to find enough Santa hats to dress up a fleet of reindeer. Spread some holiday cheer by emailing your digital artwork to friends and family.

3. Be a merry poet

If being crafty isn’t your thing, express your Christmas creativity by penning a custom carol or Christmas poem to email to your loved ones.

You can digitally dress up your pets if they won't pose. Smiling girl admires sleeping cats by Shutterstock

Here are a few lines to get you started:

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the city

Not a creature was stirring, not even the kitty;

[YOUR PET’S NAME] was nestled all snug in his bed,

While visions of [YOUR PET’S FAVORITE THING] danced in his head;

And I in my PJs, with one promise to keep

Am sending you a greeting before I go to sleep

I wanted to wish you some holiday cheer

Along with a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

4. Get dressed up for the holidays

Another great idea for a festive e-card is to take a photo of you and your pet dressed up for the holidays. Recruit a friend or family member to act as your photographer. Then glam yourself up in festive colors.

Getting dressed up for a holiday snap is lots of fun. Young couple and Christmas tree by Shutterstock

If your cat resists wearing hats or silly clothes, hold a holiday decoration such as an ornament or bow near her when the picture is taken. Just make sure the decoration is out of your cat’s sight so that she doesn’t mistake it for a toy.  

5. Make a handmade holiday card 

You can transform old Christmas cards, scraps of used wrapping paper, and holiday flyers into your own handmade holiday card. 

I made this card from recycled magazines and wrapping paper.

Use a blank greeting card made from recycled paper as your canvas. You can buy them at craft stores or make your own by cutting an old file folder into a card shape. Then cut shapes out of the old cards, wrapping paper, and flyers to create your own festive scene. Here are detailed instructions on how to make this card of a cat eagerly awaiting the treats inside her stocking.

What suggestions do you have for greening your holiday cards? Let us know in the comments! 

Here are five of our favorite photo cards -- some funny, others simply punny.

1. Peace, love & joy by Minted

Minted offers some of the most clever pet-centric holiday photo cards available, including this one featuring a yarn font. Don't let the abundance of dog images in examples deter you from using your cat on a particular card, as many work for both species.

2. Wishing You a Prrrfect Christmas by Paperstyle

Paperstyle also has additional pet-centric photo cards within its overall holiday category. Search by "cat Christmas" to narrow your options.

3. Meowy Christmas! by simplytoimpress.com

Simplytoimpress.com offers other pet-centric holiday photo cards as well, including multiple variations on this Meowy Christmas theme. 

4. Santa's Little Helpers by Tiny Prints

Tiny Prints definitely favors dogs in its pet-centric offerings, but you can easily add three cats to this fun photo card.

5. Happy Howlidays by Minted 

Another favorite from Minted, this card can feature two cats or reflect a two-species household.

All of the above retailers have human-centric photo cards specific to Hanukkah, too. Any could easily star your feline family members.

Tips for creating and ordering holiday photo cards online:

• Gather a few favorite photos of your cat or cats, and choose cards that complement the images. If you lack design skills, opt for a simple layout such as the Santa's Little Helpers card, which simply requires headshots of your cats. 
• Only use high-quality photos with the minimum resolution recommended by the card company. Also, reject photos with blur or red eye.
• Get started ASAP. Factor in delivery time of the cards, as well as sending time to the recipients. Also, pad the timeline for procrastination on your part.

Do your cats star in your holiday photo cards? If so, please share them in the comments! We'd all love to see them.

You know what you need? A quirky papier-mache likeness of your cat to add to your collection! 

I look purrfect in paper mache.

Specializing in the funky and unusual, the eviledna shop on Etsy creates handmade papier-mache cats and dogs that capture your pet's personality in a way no other art possibly could. She uses brightly colored acrylic paint to decorate her 3-inch sculptures, and then varnishes them so they shine. 

Just a few of the quirky kitties you could win.

We're giving away one of these kitties to a lucky Catster reader! You can choose from any of the fun ones she has in stock -- check out all the cool colors! -- or you can choose to have her create a custom one, using your cat's markings as a guide. 

HOW TO ENTER

To enter, visit the eviledna shop and choose which papier-mache cat you'd like to win (or let us know you'd like a custom one) and tell us in the comments below. All entries must be received by Thursday, June 7, at noon PST.

Please make sure we can contact you by using your Disqus account to comment, leaving us your e-mail or making sure your social account settings allow us to message you. We'll randomly choose one winner and notify you, and you'll have two days to respond or we're picking someone else. Sowwy! 

But wait -- there's more! Catster readers can get 10 percent off their purchase with coupon code CATSTER10 at the eviledna shop through the end of June! So if you find something you absolutely must have whether or not you win, you can still be a winner with this exclusive coupon. Yay for coupon codes!

P.S. Congrats to the winner of last week's Crazy Cat Lady keychain giveaway, Huaca53! Her big kitty, Samson, will be so proud of her.

This week's column is for those far craftier than myself.

Happy Monday, pawty people! Missing your weekend already? Sometimes my weekends are so crazy busy, I feel like I need another weekend to recuperate from my weekend! But alas, I haz work, and probably so do all of you — so that's not an option. But cheer up, everypawdy: Mondays can be fun! How, you ask? Papercrafts! It's the purrfect way to brighten your day and your kitty can help. Just kidding; your kitty will make this WAY harder. But whatever! You can let your kitty play with and/or destroy your hard work in the end.

The folks at Tubbypaws want to help you make your own Internet Box Cat or Keyboard Cat. I decided to go for Internet Box Cat.

Here's the diagram. Do not be daunted.

This is what you'll need:

Scissors
Tape
Glue
A dime or two (to weigh down the base)
Patience
Really tiny, dextrous hands would probably help

Follow the links above to free downloads of the diagrams to make these little fools. Print out a sheet and let the papercrafting begin!

If you get stuck, you should also watch this instructional video.

It's freaking adorable, and you will def need it if youre going to make this thing happen fo real!

Halfway through. Not bad, eh?

I took some pictures so you can see how awful mine turned out ... and also how my desk should be on an episode of Hoarders. I'm usually not this messy, I swear! (That is a complete lie; I'm really gross, actually.)

Here is what the final version of the little kitty looks like!

Finished! Not too shabby.

How to make your cat Nyan cat

Ooooh, it's October 27 and you still don't have a costume for your kitty for Halloween? Or maybe you're looking for something a little more creative than the traditional devil, pumpkin, or bumble bee?

We've got the answer! We just stumbled upon this video about how to make your cat a Nyan Cat. I haven't tried it myself, and I'm not exactly sure Pimp or Moo would like rainbow streamers following them everywhere they go, but if any of you try it, we'd love to see pictures!

If your a tabby cat lover, some of these fun tabby items might just be for you!

Stained Glass Brown Tabby Cat Face Suncatcher

Paisley Moon Cat - print

Kitty Cat Hand Painted Pebble Ring- Adjustable, whimsy original wearable miniature art ,for petlovers

original watercolor ACEO-happy tabby cats friends

Sleepy Tabby Cats pinback buttons set of four

Kitteh Plate- Beige Tabby

Steampunk Gray Tabby Cat Framed Piece

Graceful tabby portrait - one postcard by Tanya Bond

If you think no outfit is complete without cat hair and a house is not a home unless it's full of sweet purrs of fur, then here are some fun products you just might need.

Be proud of your cat-ladyness and show it off for the world to see!

Crazy Cat Lady Pin

Crazy Cat Lady Mousepad

Crazy Cat Lady Pendant

Crazy Cat Lady Wall Art

Cat Lady Sign

Crazy Cat Lady Converse

I have to admit I have that mousepad up there! It's on my desk at my office, and it makes me smile every single time I look at it. Love it!

Do you have any crazy cat leader gear? Would you?

This Pussycat Pin project is from Salley Mavor's how-to book, Felt Wee Folk: Enchanting Projects. She showed how to make it on HGTVs The Carol Duvall Show, but don't worry if you missed it -- you'll find instructions in the book and on her blog.

The supplies required are likely to be things you have around the house if you're the crafty type. If not, a quick stop at Michael's or Joann's will set you up:

If you have basic embroidery skills, it's a cinch to make in just six easy steps. CLICK HERE FOR INSTRUCTIONS. (Is it ever too early to start working on Holiday gifts??)

Mavor, who graduated from RISD, is a gifted artist and crafter, and she has a special touch when it comes to cats. This little guy appears in her book, Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes:.

LINKS

• Tutorial: How to Make the Cat Pin
• Book: Felt Wee Folk: Enchanting Projects
• Book: Pocketful of Posies: A Treasury of Nursery Rhymes
• Salley Mavor's "Wee Folk" Blog

Kitties will puke on everything you love

Any of you who own barf-inator vacuums or Vomito de Gato warning signs will love this sly piece of needlework. I spotted it on the Craftzine blog - a must-see site for any crazy crafter. Craftzine puts a modern spin on traditional crafts, and hey, which of your cat lover friends wouldn't LOVE this as a gift?

Craftzine offers video tutes, patterns, a crafter community and about a zillion different projects.

LINKS

• Craftzine
• The Craftzine Blog