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I've used this, SSSCat, to deter my girl from jumping to areas she's not supposed to. But she's a little devil, and if I remove it, she'll go back up. However, now I don't need to turn it on. It's presence is enough of a deterrent.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JHTKQNK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bUzfFb3QB99HT
One of my friends has this bowl and swears by it, but I've never used it for my own cats. Water comes out of the top when they push down on the top part so it's not supposed to spill. I'm not sure if you've already tried something like this but hopefully it helps!
Well, punishment of any sort will have absolutely ZERO effect in a cat, except to make them fearful or aggressive toward you- so quit that idea immediately. There is no way to discipline a cat- its all just abuse.
As for the box issue- he clearly knows how to use a box, but you are right, he’s got a disconnect. Have you left the cage around- open with the litter box in it, so he can go back as he pleases and use it like that? If not, try letting him roam the house as normal, but the box is in the cage.
The normal protocol with inappropriate elimination is to first rule out illness- so go to the vet and rule out illness. The second step is to help the cat find comfort in his “territory”, since that is the number one rule of inappropriate elimination. With your cat you have a clue- which is more than most: that he will use a box in a cage- must be how he learned it at the shelter. Because he also “goes” near the other box you normally leave out, i think he may just have confusion. If the box in the open cage doesn’t work, try putting the litter box where the cage sits, put pee pads down All around the box, take any top off, or maybe by a bigger box: like this: Petco Brand - So Phresh Dog Litter Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078Z4FXVG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_S8PFACPNAMBKYTFHA7NQ
Good luck!
Ahhh, I’m really sorry to hear this. Unfortunately it’s quite common for cats and owners to have differing political views. Fortunately, there is plenty of literature which can really help you both in learning to live together harmoniously. Firstly, you need to consider whether or not there is a possibility of your car bringing firearms in to the house, should your conservative cat follow party lines. I found this book, how to speak to your cat about gun safety very useful for triggering (no pun intended) a meaningful discussion.
Best of luck!
Some cats are climbers and some are hiders. Both of my cats would rather be in a tiny cave on the ground than somewhere up high. Consider investing in some cave-like stuff your cat can hang out in so she can feel comfy and safe, if climbing is an issue. My cats like beds like this.
Some cats just aren't big players, and that's okay. Does she like bird watching? For the money, this suction cup birdfeeder is the best cat entertainment you can buy. It's like Netflix for cats. They can watch it all day and not get bored. Might be a good investment for while you're at work.
Why does everyone think this is a terrible idea?? I’m genuinely confused. Of course some cats are homebodies, but many love adventures. We have two cats who each have their own backpack with mesh sides and they LOVE them. Like, they nap in them, they love it when we take walks with them and they can just chill and watch the world go by, they feel totally safe. Our cats are very attached to us and trust us a lot, and we also started training them young, so that might make a difference. I wouldn’t recommend the dome cat backpacks or the ones with a full clear plastic panel (we used to have one and it overheated easily, so we replaced it), but a well-ventilated mesh cat backpack is a great option.
This is the one we have, it’s plenty big enough for even our long slinky boy to stand up and move around https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P9ZQ18V/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A1ID36P4IX52ZW&psc=1
OP, if you want more insight I’d recommend r/adventurecats 😊 It might turn out that your cat doesn’t prefer being in a backpack, which case you shouldn’t continue, but lots of cats LOVE the outdoors and it’s a great, safe way to let them experience it.
I think there are baby rockers like that. Alternatively you could use a foot or back massaging mat? There are a lot of results if you search vibrating massage pad. This baby one popped up when I searched. My cat loves sitting on my mom when she's in her massage chair
I don't know my cat's birthdate so I celebrate it on her adoption anniversary. This year I got her a new cardboard scratchy lounger, and she got a special treat of boiled chicken and chicken broth (in addition to her regular wet food). I shredded the chicken into a little cake shaped mound and stuck a candle in it. Ok I'm sounding nutty so I'll sign off, happy birthday to your kitty!
EDIT: And I'm an idiot who apparently didn't read the previous post thoroughly and ended up being redundant. 🤦🏻♀️
Additionally, search YouTube and Google for "make cat food puzzle toys." There are tons of ideas out there for how to make these puzzles out of cardboard and other household items, and as long as your kitty doesn't eat non-food items as well, it's a great way to find out if these things will work before sinking money into those listed above and to get really creative with the challenges.
I also saw this treat dispenser at a local pet store the other day, and one of the shop cats seemed to love it. The only problem is if your kitty doesn't stop when they're full, they could end up overweight. But you could put it out of reach during the day. The puzzles are probably better because they slow down the eating process and require mental and physical activity, which burns calories. The dispenser could be a good short-term solution for nights when you're really desperate though.
They make stuffed animals with artificial heartbeats that simulates the presence of mom. You could get her one of those to snuggle with.
Be aware that if mom doesn't have milk you will need to help feed them with KMR kitten milk replacer. I use a syringe with a nipple on it, called Miracle Nipple.
Watch the Kitten Lady videos. Tons of great information there.
At about 3-4 weeks start handling their feet so they get used to it and it will be easier to trim their nails. Trimmed nails + cardboard scratcher + a vertical scratcher will help.
I use a 42 inch pop up kennel like this. This one is smaller though. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B076CVWLSM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_SVC16DTCTWDPAZFFGV97
Second the wipes.
(And diapers. Or belly bands (basically a diaper that just goes around the belly for urine.))
I had an older dog with mobility and incontinence issues -- I had a rear end harness for him that he'd wear for walks (well, I'd basically carry him and he'd move his legs as best he could lol). The incontinence came later after some medical treatments for Lyme disease. I feel dumb it took so long to look into belly bands. Wonderful things. They have disposable and washable (I ended up getting a dozen after the first pack because they wash up great and I rotated them out.) They have sizes small enough for cats, so if a full diaper doesn't seem plausible, a band will help with urine at least (the worst IMO). And pet safe wipes saved both of us the ordeal of constant baths. (I still did baths but with the wipes and bands, it wasn't as often.) I like pogi's because they didn't irritate his skin (I did dry him off after a thorough wipe down before putting his belly band on) and they actually helped with the smell instead of just covering it with perfumes. I've used what was left on my cats when they get into something funky and they didn't irritate them either (I did use a damp paper towel to "rinse" on the kitten, though).
Good luck with your kitty 😊🐾
My cat scoots as well, she has constipation issues so she’s on two meds for that, plus miralax in her wet food, and sometimes her poos are just a little on the wet side so they get stuck on her very hairy booty on the exit path. We use pet wipes to clean her up, I have gotten them at TJ Maxx, Amazon, and Chewy. I think they’re meant to freshen up your pet if they smell, but we use them to get the poop off and they work well. Currently we use these
It works, I have to give my young Maine coon some of the nastiest smelling stuff. You still have to use a firm hold but it works. I also quickly follow it up with a treat. I use a churo, at this point he struggles still but his last memory will be his favorite treat.
https://www.chewy.com/inaba-churu-chicken-puree-variety/dp/184385
This stuff not taco bell lol.
Do you have the budget for a microchip feeder like this: https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-Surefeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
I follow a lot of cat accounts on Instagram and many use that type of feeder when they have to feed multiple cats or have cats that require special food.
The things we do for our babies, right? This is the auto feeder I use. I really like it and I've never had any issues with it!
He doesn’t like sleeping in it but something about laying on it just shuts him right up. He actually got neutered last week and his vet was so happy that I had it because after surgery they just put him into it and he could stay warm while he recovered.
We adopted a kitten at one point that suckled everything, too. I ended up getting him a Kong Wubba Bunny for Cats and it helped him turn his focus to that more than other things. He carried that thing everywhere and sucked on it's ears all the time. I actually had to order a second.
I also got him a cat teether. He liked this but not as much as the Wubba.
He still suckled our necks, his bed, etc but not nearly as much. I think they do it because they were weaned too soon. I would just try to redirect him and give him appropriate things to suck on.
This was my first thought, as well. Here's a link to one. If your landlord wouldn't be happy with you putting a hole in their door, you could just install a new door and then put the old one back when you move out.
Another option would be to put these cat collars on your roommate's cats. I haven't done any research on these, never used them, but I know that they exist and I've known people that have had success with them.
Cats like to have many options (not just different material, but different areas and placements of their scratchers). They are picky little stinkers sometimes. I hope your kitty will settle down with lots of play time and many scratchers blocking his way in his favorite scratching spots. You can try and train him by redirecting him to appropriate scratching spots when you catch him scratching, or you can put scratchers against the areas he's been scratching (when you can't be there to monitor him). Be patient and good luck!
​
Example of a door-hanging scratcher: https://www.amazon.com/SmartyKat-Clever-Claws-Hanging-Scratcher/dp/B07GMYYLB6/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=door+hanging+cat+scratcher&qid=1553867527&s=gateway&sr=8-7
There is an attatchment you can fit into a litter genie that allows you to use normal trash bags:
When we introduced our kitten to our cats it was the same dynamic as you mention. I bought this kitten pop up tent so that the kitten could hid from the bigger cat and they ended up having so much fun together with it. The kitten would hid in there and jump out to spook the older cat or the older cat would kind of play whack-a-mole through the holes with the kitten. The kitten would literally bounce off of the top like it was a spring and jump onto it and slide it across our living room floor. For $8 it provided a lot of entertainment.
Hey, try this! My cats absolutely love it, they lay in the hammock where the sun is almost all day lol, plus they can look out the window.
I have a ceramic fountain and my cats love it. I top it off during the week, wash it out thoroughly on the weekends and for the filter I bought some charcoal refill for aquarium filter and make my own with teabags.
This is the fountain I have for about a year now and love it. Can't even hear it: https://www.amazon.com/Fountain-Porcelain-Cupcake-Stronger-Resistant/dp/B0861Z98FJ/ref=sr\_1\_14?dchild=1&keywords=cat+drinking+fountains+ceramic&qid=1625006588&sr=8-14
What's your budget? I bought a cat tower that goes from floor to ceiling. Screws into the wall. Two platforms (one halfway and one towards the very top) and sisal rope wrapped entirely around the pole. $100 bucks. Best investment ever. Moderate modern, simple, and the cats use it on the daily basis.
You can totally reintroduce cats. Watch Jackson Galaxy for tips on YouTube. Just because they got off to a rocky start does not mean they’ll never get along.
You might want to look into a re-introduction. (On top of continuing to tire out the kitten with play 🌈)
Have you looked into automatic toys to entertain the kitten? You may already know/do this, but play 15 mins per day before each feeding time (ideally portioned out to 2x/day) is ideal, to simulate hunting and exert the cats’ instincts.
Some great toys are automatic lasers like the (1) DELOMO Cat Light Toy, Smart Interactive Cat Toy or (2) automatic hide and chase toys like the SmartyKat Hot Pursuit toy
I have both, and it makes for handy play time when I’m busy, before meal times. Also...check out String String Thing on YouTube. It’s great kitten-tertainment! Throw it on an iPad and embrace the crazy tech cat lady.
Anyhow, hope some of this helped...
So far so good, I can track the signal on my phone and have it play a sound if I get close enough. I like it but of course it's not a camera, so I'm holding my phone up to the fence while she's sitting on the other side under their shed thing
Our cat loves drinking from the faucet and playing with the water, she's flipped a few bowls along the way. We got her this fountain and she loves playing with the water and I haven't seen her trying to flip it https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Pet-Swan-Drinking-Fountain/dp/B07GJMSBXZ/ref=sr_1_39?dchild=1&keywords=cat+fountain&qid=1619797056&sr=8-39
Cat backpacks are just as safe as a cat carrier, and wearing one on your front and your back would be easier than struggling with thirty lbs of cat in your hands. If you leave it out, allow them to sleep in it, etc, they’ll be used to it and it won’t stress them out. I have this cat backpack for my own cats and they love it! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P9ZQ18V/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=A1ID36P4IX52ZW&psc=1
I am thinking something with a more hidden reservoir that doesn’t have a ton of water available at once would be best, but I haven’t tried it yet - maybe something like this catit stainless steel one
I‘m mostly here to commiserate, I have the ceramic raindrop fountain, and they will literally splash all 60 ounces of it onto the floor so that the pump is running dry when I wake up. I have bowls in the sink, in the tub, and on mats/trays to try to at least keep the water contained because at this point I don’t think there’s any stopping mine.
Edit: fixed link
Both of these cat trees were good for my formerly 18.5lb cat.
The Yaheetech : the condo up top is surprisingly roomy. And the top shelf is giant. My cat at 16.8lbs also enjoyed (and still does) the bowl. The hammock was worthless for all my cat but easily taken off and gives my cats another spot to lounge on the bottom.
The Go Pet: even at 18.5lbs, my cat was able to squish herself onto the top shelves. The bottom condo she fit completely in. The top condo, she fits but a part of her body stick out, which she's fine with. I didn't put the ramps because my cats don't use them.
For dry food, I got my cat a feeding ball to slow her down. But there's also bowls you can buy or just put a decent size rock in the bowl so that they have to eat around it. For wet food, there's lick mats that will make them eat slower.
I have 2 Wopet Fountains. They're super easy to clean. Have a regular filter plus a mesh screen to keep the water basin clean. And the amazon page has pictures of how to clean the motor. My cats love them.
ETA: also the motor plugs in close to the fountain so no digging at the outlet to unplug for cleanings.
you might want to look into getting one of these long handle scoopers, if changing out the boxes isn't an option, then you won't have to bend over to scoop them.
here is another option for long handle scooper, with a squared scooper, the other one is round.
I take my cats to get professionally deshedded every couple of months, usually during their seasonal sheds. If your cat is like my short haired, it doesn't stop the shedding, it just abates it a little bit. I still try to brush everyone daily for at least a couple minutes, this brush is my new favorite. I also use wool balls in my dryer which seems to help cat hair cling less to my clothes. I also just don't wear my clothes at home, PJs only. We also have a couch covers that's washable which helps keep the couch a little cleaner.
My short haired sheds like no other! I do get her professionally deshedded, she was just going through her seasonal shed and they really lightened up her coat. I have a Furminator too, it works but it's slow. I just got this Slicker Pro and I gotta say it gets out A LOT of hair in a short amount of time. I do have to make sure to use light pressure as I found my cat can be more sensitive to the bristles than the other slicker I have. But even with brushing my cat daily, she still sheds a bunch. I'll brush her for 10 minutes, run my hand over her back and a lot of hair will still come off. I just tell myself it's way worse when I don't brush her at all
Agreed that a catio is the way to go here. You may even want to look into a large cat kennel that would allow your kitty to be safely outside, hanging out on the patio without supervision. We have this one--my cats would murder me (and destroy my mental health) if they couldn't go outside: https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-3-Tier-Cat-Cage-Playpen/dp/B07CMY5Y1P/
You need to get something like this [Upgrade Version] Pet Grooming Glove - Gentle Deshedding Brush Glove - Efficient Pet Hair Remover - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9KSITZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_HT3T4TCVT6WNJMYK6MN4
Your cat will enjoy the petting and it’ll collect a lot of the hair.
You can get a plastic ball that holds dry food, and they have to roll it around until the food drops out. I think it could work since only a bit comes out at a time, it shouldn’t get too sticky
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0018CG40O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_BrtbGbBRJ4SGS
After going through several mats that just didn't do the job, we ended up buying a bunch of cardboard scratchers and taping them together. They work so well and my cat will often scratch after she's done with her business, so it really makes sure to get every little bit of litter off her feet.
Here are the ones we buy:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XNTL5MC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabt1_oblUFbRSFH06K?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Practical advice. I have three cats and two of them used to bother me while I work. One was a downright pest about it.
The solution was to set two cat traps on my desk next to my monitor and keyboard. The ones I have are like this, but cardboard boxes work just as well. Since cats are naturally attracted to burrows, it was surprisingly easy to train them to stay in their little nests. Once they're in, they just want to curl up and go to sleep.
I usually have one or more cats asleep in the boxes while I work, and now they only bother me when they want to be fed. It's actually very soothing to be able to take a short break and pet a sleeping cat when work gets stressful. If I had the room on my desk I'd get a third trap.
I commented this somewhere else but if you buy this plastic adapter you can use normal trash bags and its been a breeze for me ever since. Litter genie rules.
There’s some cat trees on Amazon that are flat and go kind of under and against the couch. Check out the related products/similar items section as well. I got one for both sides of my couch and so far so good: https://www.amazon.com/MS-MAKE-SURE-Scratching-Horizontal/dp/B093F6CV44/ref=mp_s_a_1_19?adgrpid=62773986870&gclid=CjwKCAiAvK2bBhB8EiwAZUbP1I_98ig73YSKR3BPeYNzGLthl6QBTjPEaoGwe8hfAaT7q4SspWLW7RoC0E0QAvD_BwE&hvadid=617133980831&hvdev=m&a...
I should also warn you that some cats, after being declawed, get gangrene and it’s extremely hard to get rid of and very painful for the cat. Our old cat was declawed at the vet by my mom without telling us and he ended up having to get his foot amputated. I have never gotten over that.
Anyway, good luck!
Most hotels now accept pets, though some will charge an additional $10-30 pet fee. I use hotels.com to find places that are pet-friendly and usually the prices are the same as going directly to the hotel's website. The cheapest prices with clean rooms tend to be Motel 6, Econolodge, Days Inn, and La Quinta, but you're still going to pay $50-75/night. I do recommend booking in advance, since some places limit the number of rooms set aside for travelers with pets. It ends up being a wash, financially, between flying with a pet or driving.
oops i should have clarified, it's this https://www.amazon.com/Music-Cats-Album-David-Teie/dp/B01LTHXUBS/ref=tmm_acd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= it's on google music too.
i have no idea why it works lol. i discovered it during a multi-day roadtrip were they were generally well behaved, but at certain points they'd start crying a bunch. turning this on would immediately quiet them down and they'd fall asleep!! i've used it several times since and it always works. really weird.
Before I got the Litter Robot I was using something like this, There are many different sizes! It was stainless steel so super easy to clean!
There’s tons of different types and styles but they’re essentially a slow feeder bowl but much much shorter. They’re just big enough to let you put liquidy treats like peanutbutter on it to let your dog snack on. They usually have some type of design in them though, like a slow feeder bowl, that makes them more challenging to get the treats off of. Here is a link to a few pretty standard looking ones. you can also Google “lick mat” and tons of options will come up. If you look lick mats up on YouTube there’s tons of ideas and “recipes” of things you can put in them. My cat likes vet cat food smeared into it, with a touch of pumpkin, or yogurt and then add in some cat friendly fruit or meat.
The best toy I’ve ever found is the Cat Dancer.
So simple, but in 30 years I’ve never found anything better. Easy to entertain them while on a zoom call, because it bounces around just right so they think you are paying attention to them and not that stupid screen you keep staring at for no reason. Yes, it looks like you could easily make your own - but the cats clearly understand that a homemade version is inferior, so just spend the $2.
Thank you! We got it through Amazon: PAWZ Road Modern Cat Tree, Cat Sky Castle with 2 Cozy Condos, Large Space Capsule Nest and Interactive Spring Balls.
Training your cat to be comfortable wearing a harness is something I'd recommend for Nero as a part of the transition to your backpack adventures (I use a puppia harness meant for small dogs for my cat and touch wood she's never been able to escape it!).
Means my girl can be safely tethered to her carrier, so can't escape if/when I have to open the pack when we're out, it's also pretty wonderful being able to take her out in a backpack to let her roam on a lead when we get somewhere interesting!
Lot's of treats, and leaving the backpack open with a blanket inside as another nap option before we even tried moving with her in the backpack, I think taking the time to ensure she had positive experiences with the bag was an important step.
I'm currently using a "Ytonet Pet Carrier Backpack" I picked up on amazon for about $30 (there are many like it) it has mesh rather than a plastic dome, which seems a bit better for keeping her warm in summer.
Have tried one of the clear plastic ones, but prefer the Ytonet as it's more comfortable for me to wear and it's easier to leave out and get her into it due to the multiple zipped openings!
Also checkout r/adventurecats, there's loads of great info and tips on there!
Hope this helps!
It seems he is more entertained by you chasing him out of places than the games...when our kitten was that young, he'd climb on top of my partner's chair while he was working and swipe him on the head as his favourite game. The only thing that worked was just walking out the room and shutting the door for a few minutes. If he was still on the chair/doing something we didn't like we just walked out again. Same with chewing wires, again, completely ignore and walk out. My partner tried everything else (blowing on face/loud noises/pulling him off). None of that worked, just totally ignoring. I think even negative attention is better than nothing.
As for keeping games entertaining...I know the struggle. Is he food motivated? We trained our kitten to climb up and down the tree for treats, and also ensured to always feed straight after play which helped a bit to keep him engaged. But to be honest, only constantly swapping the toys out helped. He did go ABSOLUTELY nuts for a crinkly toy: https://www.amazon.co.uk/PetFavoritesTM-Original-Mylar-Crinkle-Balls/dp/B00797NHFC - no idea why, he'd literally growl with it in his mouth and run off. Only toy he went nuts for!
Not sure if any of this will definitely help - my only consolement is even at 4 months he now gets far less distracted and enjoys games more. I think when they are that young EVERYTHING is fun, whilst hunting gets more fun later?
I certainly haven't. Got this washing, cleaning, drying thing sitting here (https://www.amazon.com/CatGenie-A-I-Self-Washing-Cat-Box/dp/B082XGNZC7/ref=sr\_1\_2?dchild=1&keywords=washing+litter+box&qid=1624741922&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-2)..none of my two cats have been using it. And ya really can't go ahead and try selling a used litter box now lol.
I had a cat that exhibited this exact behavior, except without ever being locked out of the bathroom. I kept the toilet lids closed and put litter boxes right next to every bathroom door. Both issues resolved immediately.
The other option is getting more consistent with closing the bathroom doors. For that, I recommend buying self-closing door hinges. These ones are $36/door. That way, you don't have to worry about forgetting to close the bathroom doors anymore.
So my cat is very, very long...he stretches out and easily reaches my hips from my feet. He got a floor to ceiling cat tree for Christmas last year and he absolutely loves it. He can fling himself at it as hard as he wants, fling himself off it harder, and stretch up it more than he can his other trees. Putting it together is super easy, it’s like a shower curtain rod: there’s a plunger with a spring in the top post and you push that down, put it where you want it, and let go of the plunger. It’s braced between the floor and ceiling without any hardware installation and since it’s basically a pole with a couple perches (I have nicknamed my cats tree his “stripper pole”) it doesn’t take up much floor space at all. I like to set it up in front of a window so my cat can watch birds all day. He’s had it for 6 months and has already scratched the tops of each separate pole piece to fuzz because he goes so crazy on it. Maybe once every month or two, I have to slide the bottom back to where it started because it can move some on hard floor when he launches at it but the plunger is tight enough that it has never fallen over, even when my cat hits it at a dead sprint. I’ve had it in three different houses already and have been able to put it up in any room I wanted because it’s super customizable...there’s an extra pole with the plunger if you need more height and you can take levels off if you need less height.
Do you have a reason to give your cat a bath beyond shedding? I have a friend that does it because even though she loves cats she has cat allergies. The combo of baths, regular thoroughly cleaning her house, and allergy medicine keeps it from being an issue.
If the main reason you are giving your cat baths is just because you dislike shedding, I'd recommend investing in several different brushes that get at different parts of his coat, and vacuuming more instead of forcing him to deal with his trauma. The right brushes can be very effective and cats keep themselves really clean anyways. If you only have a basic type of brush, try getting a de-shedding tool.
If you really really want to do baths, the only advice I can come up with is to reintroduce it like you are teaching him from scratch. Slowly, gently, and with lots of treats and positive reinforcement. But I really recommend trying the de-shedding tools first.
We had some rattling mice at home, and a simple string wand toy which our cat didn't love much. So I just tied the end of the string to one mouse's tail and it was pretty much like you describe.
Agreed. An auto-feeder is where it's at. Eventually the cat will realize that you aren't the source of food, and will stop hassling you for it.
I have this one (one for each of my two cats). It's also nice because you can be very precise about how much food they get, so no overeating!
I have two kittens (from 9-wks) and I'd say they need about 5-6 play sessions a day. Fortunately there are two of them, but at least 1-2x a day they get zoomies for about 15 minutes STRAIGHT and chase each other around the house, or semi-destructively explore (stepping on things, knocking things over, jumping on chairs, breaking into the toy box, flying up and down the cat tree). We use a wand toy (this one is great and is only $8 incl a ton of attachments) 1-3x a day.
For "solo" play (never truly solo with two kittens) we found getting a long cat-tunnel with a hole in the middle (like this) worked well - if I throw a toy in the middle they'll play with it for like 5 min and maybe get tired.
We plan to get a window-cat-tree so that they can spend some of their energy staring out the window at passing people and cars which also gets some of their energy out.
After this, I actually don't think I'll ever adopt an adult cat from a shelter because I think most people neglect their kittens and don't give them enough stimulation which probably leads to a bunch of destructive behavioral problems.
Reposting from a previous comment.
Food puzzles are a good idea. Since cats are hunters, they like to work for their food. It'll help stimulate them and BONUS it'll help them not overeat since they have to work for every kibble.
https://www.amazon.com/Catit-Play-Treat-Puzzle-Feeder/dp/B07L73N4KS
You can use a lickimat for canned food and set it down right when you leave.
https://www.amazon.com/Lickimat-Heavy-Duty-Reduction-Alternative-Turquoise/dp/B089DNHM7C/ref=sr\_1\_4?dchild=1&keywords=lickimat&qid=1621729604&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-4
I would also suggest having cat trees, scratching posts, and hidey holes.
Not sure if this will work, but try putting two cat trees in your bedroom, they don’t have to be large. Before bedtime, put S in one of the trees, and put L in one of the trees. Try to get them in a routine of going into their trees when you go to bed. If possible, put them by windows. I had a different situation, where my cat would jump in our bed at night and my husband didn’t like this because he would wake up with cat butt in his face. My husband then enforced a “no cat in the room while sleeping rule,” and would close the door at night. My cat would proceed to cry outside the door. ( My husband could ignore it but I couldn’t, my heart would break) I would let the cat in the room, the cat’s butt would be in my husband’s face again, and husband would be upset with me. So I decided to get a cat tree for the bedroom. We have other cat trees in the house, but I figured, why not?
It’s not as large as the other trees in our house. It’s about 30” high. It’s basically just a bed on a pedestal
Link to cat tree ($35)
Catry, Cat Tree Hammock Bed with Natural Paper Rope
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0835QBWMW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_RRX9045W2EPNRXEGD009
I placed it right by a window in our bedroom. Worked like a charm. When we go to bed, cat goes to tree.
Since you have 2 cats, I suggest two trees. You could start with one, see how well they share. If it becomes a problem get another one.
I recommend using manual litter boxes and a litter genie (https://www.amazon.com/Litter-Genie-Plus-Pails-Black/dp/B00URXMY7W). Scooping daily was made a lot easier for me once I purchased that. You can also find generic liners to fill it so it's not terribly expensive.
I've found automatic litter boxes to be pretty hit and miss on effectiveness and, in some cases, it scares the cats to the point they would rather do their business next to it than in it... Not ideal.
With difficulty.
Then a friend introduced this.
Life changing.
https://www.amazon.com/Nuanchu-Syringe-Feeding-Shooter-Dispenser/dp/B08R9YLFKM
Edit: I don't know what brand, I just found the first one on Amazon. These are freaken aaaaaawwwweeeeeesome. I was able to give a pill to a cat who wanted to bite through my finger reliably.
I’ve had this one for a year- super easy to take apart and clean, all the debris like dust or hair gets trapped at the very top where the filter is, and I love the minimalistic design! the one I have
I upgraded from a different fountain that wasn’t stainless steel on the inside and the previous one (catit brand) had a weak filter that just kinda crapped out after a few months.
So after the first fountain stopped working, I had water in bowls for my cat and he would never drink it! The bowls would literally be full for days. He’s not a faucet drinker either, so I had to get another fountain after going through so many reviews. He took to it again immediately.
Love the one right now by Petkit! The refill filters come in a pack of 5 and are around $20. I’ll usually use one filter for 2 months before changing it.
Edit: I take apart to clean every 2 weeks. Takes me 5 minutes!
I have this one at my house and works well. I have three litter boxes side by side (4 cats) and so it offers the width I needed and depth to allow them to step on it before they hit anything else. I then just vaccum it from time to time and twice a year take it outside and shake it hard to get any deep stuff.
This one fits our two large cats nicely: FEANDREA 67 inches Multi-Level Cat Tree for Large Cats, with Cozy Perches, Stable Cat Tower Cat Condo Pet Play House https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071CFXMZG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glc_fabc_pf32FbMMDQQY9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
as far as litter box issues, my parents had that same problem with one of their cats and they got a litter box on Amazon (searched and found it - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0768H1181/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabc_SYYYFbKWFG461) that they enter from the top, then they can’t get anything outside the litter box at all as far as pee or poop. also less litter itself. all of their 3 cats use it and mine did too when we had all our cats together last holidays.
i’d also ask your friend what his normal behavior is like.
for the eating fast issue, i’m sure you can use a slow feeder or feeding puzzle with wet food also, it’ll take your kitty longer to eat the meal. maybe put them in separate rooms for feeding all together too. best of luck to you
Give it time! Sounds like you’re on your way to a great relationship with kitty. I might suggest getting a Feliway plug in, which might ca him down a bit FELIWAY Classic 30 Day Starter Kit Plug-in Diffuser & Refill for Cat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AVIIFRA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fabt1_OPeXFbB81PYXC
Simple, yet strong, cabinet magnets (I have these, work great). They’re simple to install and as long as they’re strong, kitty won’t be able to open the door but you don’t have to fuss with annoying baby proofing contraptions.
You might want to look into cat bowls that scan your cats microchip before it releases the food, like this it only releases for that specific cat? I don’t have one so i can’t tell you if it works or not, but the reviews here seem okay (although h with more research, you can probably find a better one)
https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-Surefeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY
Get some of the cat calming spray. Give her some hideaways (like small places she can go and sleep in) and a scratching post. A cat tree is great too (includes scratching post) and you can find some relatively affordable ones on Amazon (i.e. this one, which is similar to the one I have). She is in a new environment and trying to adjust. It takes time and I think in time, she'll probably come around. The vet will be able to give you more info on the weight loss, though. Good luck!
Two product suggestions to help you work from home, especially as your kitten gets a bit older:
really thick slippers - my foot biter still tries to chomp on my feet but it doesn't hurt me.
cat traps for my desk - I keep two of them on the desk next to my laptop and the cats just curl up in them and go to sleep instead of bothering me or stomping the keyboard. Cardboard boxes work, too, but the cats liked these so much that I bought a couple extra to keep around the house.
I started out with that one and my problem is since it was built for a dog, when my cat freaked when he hit the end of the leash the first time, he twisted (in the weird boneless way a dog can't) and slipped out of it even though it was the xxs and it was fairly snug. I swapped to this one which has wider straps and velcros in 2 places for a better fit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DBY79MM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_.hOCFbWCM033P
Look for cat specific, especially escape proof, and adjustible. The one the other commenter posted looks like it has adjustable straps so it should be fine.
The one with a pump and the daisy on it is terrific. It also has a filter. My cat routinely drinks from this, and the filter helps maintain freshness. I change the water once a week, and have not had an issue with slime mold. Catit Flower Water Fountain https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KYXFJQ2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_DOKxFbQX190F1
Sorry your friend/her cat is going though this. I don’t have experience re: intestinal blockage surgery, but one of our cats has had 3 emergency surgeries since June 2020 so I can give thoughts on recovery.
For each surgery, his recovery time was 2 weeks & had to bring him back for suture removal at the 2 week mark (10-14 days actually). We got lucky and he wasn’t super interested in getting at his wounds and we were able to pretty much be with him 24/7 because we have been WFH. However, when we did have to leave him alone or when we were sleeping we used this soft collar rather than the plastic cone:
Adjustable Cat Recovery Collar... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085RBKCQK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
We had a separate bedroom that we took all things out of that he could climb on since he was on activity restriction.
We had a plastic tote that we cut a very wide & low entry hole in to use as a litter box so he didn’t have to step high to get in and it was wide enough for the collar to go through.
He had diarrhea due to the antibiotics, so we kept wet paper towels in the room with us so we could clean him up after going.
He was on gabapentin (liquid) for pain. He hated the taste so we would dab FortiFlora powder on his nose to lick off and our finger after giving him the meds to get the taste out of his mouth.
We used raised bowls so he could eat & drink easier with the collar on: Yangbaga Cat Raised Food/Water... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K19R7XX?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Surgery cost varies wildly. We were at the emergency vet so costs were much higher than a regular vet. I will say that most offer CareCredit. Your friend could apply now to see if she qualified and the vet should be able to give her estimates on how much surgery would cost.
Sending them both good juju!
Cat Dancer or similar toy. It’s on a hard wire so you just have to twitch it slightly for it to move wildly. I can even play with kitty while reading a book
Cat Dancer 101 Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N9I68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sNPuFb3XJK28R
It had to be done!!
It won’t last long, just keep being the great cat parent you are!
Play with your kitten extra with their favorite toys and be a little generous with the cat treats and your pal should forget all about it.
Do you have a flea comb? A small tooth comb like this one MoHern Flea Comb for Cats, 4 Pcs Lice Comb for Dogs, Double Sided Cat Comb for Short Hair of Pets or Humans https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YJH96P3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MXcsFbQFDP2AX
This will help you get any remaking fleas so another bath can be avoided and grooming your cat often helps strengthen the bond.
Having watched mouse trap Monday on youtube he recommends ratX. It's a non toxic rat and mouse poison. It works by messing with their specifc digestive tract. Cats are not rats so it's not harmful to them.
You can also get rat traps with enclosures. You want it to be covered as they can do some damage.
You could look at something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Vivaglory-alfombrilla-antiderrames-inoxidable-alimentario/dp/B07WHGRBC5/. The mat should be able to contain all of the water she spills out of the bowl. So she should be able to have her fun, and not make a complete mess.
Mine has done the same thing with that same bowl since we got him at 3 months almost a year ago. I read that they like moving water so I got him the Catit water fountain. That seemed to work for a bit (with the pieces duct taped together since he would chew them apart), but just recently he started to knock it over after splashing all the water out.
My plan now is to leave him a regular water bowl in the shower, I showed him where it it, and refresh it a few times a day.
I should also be receiving this in the next few days. I will let you know if that keeps the splashing contained.
Not exactly a fun process lol. Good luck!
I bought this toy 2 weeks ago and it has worked wonder. My cat would stalk it and pounce on it. These few days I caught him playing with it even when it’s not turn on. This definitely helps in keeping him busy when I can’t play with him.
I have a strong suspicion that there's no "official" way to buy a replacement ball. Would a ping pong ball fit? Maybe a variety pack of cat toys would have an appropriately sized ball?
If the toy you're describing is something like this, I'd probably just buy the entire toy again, rather than spend my time and energy trying to find a replacement ball.
Their wand + bee is a thin metal wire, yes, so it's a lot sturdier than your standard fare wand. If your kitty's not too into the thin metal, though, you can get just the attachment in a 3-pack and use it with any wand toy that has a clip at the end! I've got one that uses a fishing line like material, because it lets me flick the toy around a lot more and it's what we use for their other wand toys.
BinetGo 7L Automatic Cat Feeder with Timer Schedule Feature Cat Food Dispenser with Portion Control and Voice Recorder for Healthy Feeding 4 Meals a Day (7L, White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VDFJTYF/
The one I bought was named “roffie” but they no longer sell it. It’s exactly like the one I linked here and I think it goes by many different names from a Chinese manufacturer. I like how it takes batteries so if the cats unplug it, it won’t shut off or reset the programmed times.
Try a cat “enrichment mat” , they are licking mats for cats and it keeps my 12 year old busy and focused for a bit. Also have you tried YouTube bird videos? Omg mine are obsessed and can watch for hours. I’d also recommend these hunting mice. She loves hunting for these around the house . Doc & Phoebe's Interactive Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder | Award Winning Active Enrichment Cat Feeding System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N90VHZW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_MMNKW485M2PXVHHKJ5Y8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1 I fill them and hide them in easy to find places for her and then she has to figure out how to get the Greenies (healthy treats she loves). Keep us updated!
If you have the space, get a cat wheel!!! Low to the ground too. Lol but who has the space for those- they are huge!
Is this a curry brush?
Really curious as to which brands/brushes you recommend? Having a long hair kitten and just the furtminator, I’d like to help her with her grooming haha
Ah, your concern makes sense then, I wasn't aware of her age! I was thinking of my own cat who is about 3, who loves to sleep with me, but since I toss and turn a lot he seems to have figured out that there is a brief window where we can snug, but any quick movements by me and he scoots to the edge of the bed or leaves!
I know cats are creatures of habit in general so it might be hard to break the habit. One thing I will say is that I recently put a short cat tree with bed on top (something like this) near my bed and my cat loooooves it when hes in his bed and im in mine. So maybe getting a bed that is about as tall as, and nearby, your bed, could help
> I think she’s learned this is a good way to get my attention,
Bingo.
Having dealt with a hungry, chonky cat who has little patience between meals, I’ve become a big fan of food dispensing toys. They allow the cat free access to dry food without over-eating. Without this, my last cat (who was 15 lbs) would start pouncing on our heads at dawn asking for breakfast.
I currently have a 1yo female, who is a healthy weight, and also uses the ball. She comes and gets me when it’s empty, and the rest of the time, she helps herself to her dry food with no mischief.
If you want to contain crumbs, You can put the food dispensing toy in a large dish. I use a cheap baking dish I picked up at IKEA.
I got one of these after months of doing other stuff, like putting my boys food up high vs my chonker on the ground. Honestly, I wish I had just bought it earlier and saved myself the trouble.
Also, for my chonker, because she'll eat all her dry food in one go, I got an feeding ball to slow her down a bit.
I really like this feeder for wet food because it includes ice packs. If I know it is going to be a hot day, I will freeze the later in the day portions of the wet food.
I have a ruggable. The top is super easy to clean as it just goes right in the washer. Pee will get on the bottom layer but it's like a rubbery clingy material that's easy to hose down outside. But what I found to be even better was this indoor outdoor doormat. It's all washable. I wash it quickly in the sink for a small wash for when my cat pukes on it but it does just as well in the washer/dryer for bigger problems. I have the smaller size but if you can find something similar in the correct size I recommend it.
Either mount the TV on a wall mount or use a furniture strap to attach it to the wall. I got straps after I watched my cat attempt to scale the tv and it fell forward and my husband managed to jump up and grab it before it flattened her. Never had an issue with that before, I think she was trying to catch a bug.
I use these and just had my TV strapped to the wall, not the shelf. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H5532V6/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_G5VCCFCTFNRJMPARD240?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Now I have it wall mounted, not because the straps didn't work but because we moved and now wanted the TV mounted.
Scheduled feedings a couple times a day and then you pull the food. I have a feeder ball for my chonker that keeps her from scarfing down her dry food too fast. There's also lick mats to slow cats down for wet food.
For a while, I was able to feed my 2 boys on the counter. But then my chonker lost weight, gained confidence, and started jumping up there too.
I have one too and this is correct. You may be able to swap out ice packs under the feeder to keep the wet food chilled for a while if you're worried about it going bad. Or look into a product like this Cat Mate Feeder that will dispense at certain times but also uses the ice pack idea to keep food fresh.
>Since no amount of boxes seem to help I only have a litter robot to simplify things.
Those are quite high, no? I think you should put another shallow litter box right next to it and always keep it pristine clean. If it doesn't work, instead of litter, try using shredded newspaper. It's possible the litter hurts her paws since she is declawed.
Bitter apple spray for cables works wonders. It's non-toxic but tastes terrible. We did it once in cables and never needed to again as the cat learned quickly.
My cat loves the balls on a track toys - like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000IYSAIW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_GCRVN16SFF5EFWVJ908X. and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DT2WL26/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_MF0GPRK00PY9XB4E847W
I have two cats (16 lbs. and 9 lbs.) and two trees! Both of them have platforms that are large enough for my big boy and are very sturdy, imo. I also think the vast majority of cat trees are ugly and while these trees may not be the best looking ones ever, I think they’re much cuter than a lot of what’s out there.
This Zoovilla one is super minimal and looks sort of like a ladder, lol. My 16 lb. cat basically just does a gymnastics-style vault jump from the first step to the third and then the fourth and it stays steady while he does so!
The second tree is the floor-to-ceiling one from Contempocat. This one is definitely more of an investment, both price-wise and location-wise. It’s not necessarily impossible to move, but it takes some work if you want to move it somewhere else. It’s great, though, because it offers a lot more height than the typical tree. I have 9 foot high ceilings and my cats can get up to like, 7 feet (I’m guessing lol) high on this thing. Also, this probably goes without saying, but it’s really sturdy because of the tension pole setup. They have free standing trees too, though, that don’t look too bad!
I have this one! Limited-time deal: Cat Water Fountain Stainless Steel, 81oz/2.4L Pet Water Fountain with Intelligent Pump and LED Indicator for Water Shortage Alert, Cat and Dog Fountain with 3 Filters, 1 Mat and 2 Cleaning Brushes https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SBXDMZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_M42V86C1EJSRNZ6XGPS3
I upgraded from their older model, it has a light in it that’s blue but turns red when the water is low which I love. The filters aren’t too expensive. If you’re in an area with hard water, keep up on cleaning the stainless top! My cats love it, I wouldn’t go back to standing water bowls this stays MUCH cleaner. I would also highly recommend a silicone mat. My cats are messy and I had a cloth mat that started to mold. I got the silicone and realized just how much water my girls are spilling! The silicone doesn’t soak in water so I just wipe it up and no mold!
We have a waterfall thing which our cat loves. They like moving water more supposedly.
It's really important for her though as she refuses to eat wet food.
Kind of like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001NYGB8W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_FRYZFS946EK6X9DD9N9H?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Might be a bit high for a kitten but there are other designs.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07LB58JQK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I recently got this one after a third cat moved in with me and y two (somewhat) aggressive boys. it's been amazing and has kept everyone safe