The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Cats: Cute but Crazy
EmperorSeth
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I have a couple problems with my cat specifically, but I figure with what I'm guessing is a sizeable percentage of cat owners this could work as a general cat problem advice thread. In my case, I have two concerns with my cat. First, he has a bad habit of ignoring his food. Even on a good day, he leaves a little behind, and sometimes he ignores his meal entirely, though he often will later eat at least a few bites. Is there a problem with him, or is he bothered by his diet. I mostly feed him dry food theoretically suitable for an indoor cat, like he is. I often moisten the food a bit before serving; it this a mistake? Now, keep in mind some of these things have been going on for years. I always moistened it, and every few days I have to empty the overflowing bowl and give him fresh food. And he seems mostly active and health; he sleeps more often now, but he always does in the summer. Still, he's far too light and I worry about his long-term health. I plan on seeing a vet for his annual check up in a month or two, but any suggestions before then would be helpful.
My second issue is more annoying than worrysome. My cat has the bad habit of getting on my table and batting at a low-hanging chandelier! It's mostly harmless but very irritating, and I do worry he could damage the chandelier or hurt himself in the process. However, nothing seems to keep him off the table for long. I yell or use the traditional spray bottle when he's in the room, and I even spray the table with some cat repellent. This works a bit; he still goes on the table, but less often and usually not as close to the chandelier. Even so, he could be weaned off for a year and then start again, doing it again several times a week. Are there any permanent ways that could keep the cat off the table or at least away from the chandelier?
My second issue is more annoying than worrysome. My cat has the bad habit of getting on my table and batting at a low-hanging chandelier! It's mostly harmless but very irritating, and I do worry he could damage the chandelier or hurt himself in the process. However, nothing seems to keep him off the table for long. I yell or use the traditional spray bottle when he's in the room, and I even spray the table with some cat repellent. This works a bit; he still goes on the table, but less often and usually not as close to the chandelier. Even so, he could be weaned off for a year and then start again, doing it again several times a week. Are there any permanent ways that could keep the cat off the table or at least away from the chandelier?
You know what? Nanowrimo's cancelled on account of the world is stupid.
EmperorSeth on
0
Posts
Jordan of Elienor, Human Shaman
2) Have you considered just raising the chandelier?
the "no true scotch man" fallacy.
Also, do you always use the same brand? Then try switching it up, because your cat may just not like this brand. Some cats are very picky eaters.
As for the chandelier, I live in an apartment, so I don't really want to alter things too much, and I don't really have much in the way of technical skills anyway.
Another deterrent I've used is loud noises. I have a Tums chewable bottle that's half full which I will shake when the cats are doing something I don't like. It's nice because it startles them and they'll usually stop doing whatever they're doing or run off, and it's easy to hide after I shake it. I found that they could see me using the spray bottle sometimes, so they started to become afraid of me (and would still chew on my blinds). Shaking the Tums bottle has helped me a lot.
If it's hanging by one of those big chains, you have a couple of options. You could get some sort of metal loop like climbers use, or you can do what I did and go the cheap route by using a couple of keychain rings. Just pick a link near the bottom and a link near where you want it, then connect those two links by your preferred method. Then you can just wrap the excess chain around the top of the chandelier.
He'll get the clue soon enough
If you don't want to apply it directly to the table, then I'd recommend a vinyl cover for the table, and put the tape on that.
And spray bottles are good. If water stops being a deterrent, add vinegar to the water. Dilute it so it doesn't hurt too much, but a little vinegar will give them a bit of a sting if you catch them in the face with it and be a strong incentive to fuck off.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
My cat doesn't go outside and/or hunt, except for bugs at times, and I don't think he's good at catching those, either. I can see the worm thing being an issue. Are there any regular symptoms to look out for? Since this has been going on in one way or another for years, I'm not too worried, but I'll make sure the vet checks for that next time. Given that I have his annual check up in a month or two, should I make another appointment just for this?
I, frankly, don't know enough to say whether your cat has worms--but if you think it's at all likely, and you have the funds to do so, I would strongly suggest you take your cat to the vet. Waiting until you're "sure" is not an option as far as treatment is concerned.
Okay. I'll grab some new and relatively cheap cat food from work tomorrow. Is there any way I can visually test the tooth problem?
As for worms, I don't think it's likely, it just was suggested here. I'd like some more examples of symptoms first.
Kitty doesn't seem to stay interested in his toys. Sometimes when I get him a brand new one, he'll play with it for a few minutes and then lose interest. He's a social kitty and likes lots of attention, but I can't always give it to him, so I'd like to find some sort of toys that might be better at holding his interest than puff balls and fake mice.
He did have one of those mice on a mechanical arm that spun around on battery power that he fucking loved, but he broke the damn thing in less than 2 days, and I don't fancy dropping another $30 on something he's going to immediately break.
Also: Kitty pictures! This is my Magellan
Also, there's this mouse that hangs off the door that squeeks whenever it is touched. It can get really, REALLY annoying when you're trying to sleep, but my cats love that shit.
With that said, I wouldn't recommend moistening the cat's food, as this might result in the growth of mold if the food is sitting out for several days at a time. Unless your cat has dental problems which prevent him from eating the dry food, it's best for him to eat something a bit crunchy, as this will help to keep his teeth clean and plaque-free.
You mention that your cat is underweight; if he is a senior kitty, it's possible he may have a health condition which is preventing him from gaining weight, such as hyperthyroidism or adrenal disease. However, if he is otherwise bright and alert, it's possible you are simply overfeeding him. As long as the cat lives strictly indoors and does not interact with cats that have been outside, I wouldn't think that worms would be a major concern.
If the change in his food intake is very dramatic, I would think that seeing a vet would be the surest way of easing your concerns. However, you may also want to consider other factors; perhaps kitty is simply full because he's eaten elsewhere. Is it possible he's dropping in on your neighbors and they are feeding him? Have you simply fed him too many treats, and he's no longer hungry?
The first thing I would check would be to see if his nose is running. Cats are very picky eaters, and they need to smell their food, or they simply won't eat it. Try offering canned food, or offering a new cat food alongside his current food or mixed in with it.
Additionally, inspect the packaging. Was this food among the recently recalled pet food products? Perhaps the food is making him sick. Where is the food stored? Humidity and heat may affect the flavor, and leaving a bag open may cause it to become stale. If the food quality has been compromised, the best solution is to dispose of it and purchase a new bag. Keeping the food in a sealed container in a cool place will help to preserve the flavor.
Also, if this is a very recent development and you are in the US, it's possible that your cat is just stressed out from the fireworks on the fourth of July. It might take a few days for him to come back to normal if he doesn't like the noise.
[I reread the replies, and it sounds like your cat does go outside from time to time. Cats can be infected with a considerable number of intestinal parasites, but treatment is fairly straightforward and safe for the cat. Animals are routinely treated for intestinal parasites when they enter a shelter, for example, and the treatment is very safe. Treating a cat that does not have intestinal parasites will not harm the cat.
The concern is when heartworms, which are a completely different species, infect the cat. It's true that a worm load of only one to three heartworms can be deadly to a cat, because when the worm dies, or is killed (the arsenic formulation used is also very toxic to cats) it leaves the right side of the heart and becomes lodged in the pulmonary artery, and the cat may die very suddenly. However, the symptoms of heartworms would be shortness of breath and fatigue, and the symptoms of intestinal parasites would be abdominal distention and possibly listlessness. Unless it is a very large worm load which completely blocks the intestine, most intestinal parasitic infections are relatively benign.]
As far as the chandelier goes, I would recommend using either a can, or a glass jar with a handful of loose change in the bottom. When you catch kitty engaging in undesirable behavior, give it a shake. He won't like the noise, and you won't have to worry about getting your table wet (which would be undesirable, if it is a wooden table). The best thing about using the can is that you aren't directly disciplining the cat. Cats are very smart, and they can put two and two together. Spraying them with the waterbottle can be very upsetting for them.
If he's persistent, you may just want to move the table, if it's an option.
DVG: If you have the means at this time, I think the best thing you could do would be to add another kitten around Magellan's age. The summer is always a difficult time for animal rescue organizations, as they are dealing with an influx of unwanted litters, and they are often overburdened with animals in need of loving homes. I adopted two cats at the same time so they would be able to play together when I was busy, and this keeps everyone happy. (Setting out food for two cats, or scooping the litter box for two cats, isn't much worse than it is with one.)
However, if you aren't able to add another cat, try an interactive toy such as a spring toy on a platform, or a battery operated or motion sensitive toy. Even a paper bag would likely keep kitty amused (though you may get tired of the noise). The best thing to do is try a few different things and see what works for the cat. Maybe a catnip toy would hold his attention longer. My cat's favorite toy is a small piece of fabric on a string, tied to a short pole-- she carries it around the house all day, but the other cats ignored it. It seems to vary like it does with people.
Kittens are usually a bit more sociable than older cats, and they may seem to want to be by you all the time. But they usually do grow out of it, so take it as a compliment even if it is sometimes inconvenient.
Do not feed the cat treats for a while.
Do not feed the cat soft food, ever.
Soft food is just really bad for cats dental health. It's also pretty fatty.
Cats will not starve themselves on purpose. Even a food the animal hates will be consumed if they're hungry enough. Not if you keep giving them treats or soft food dinners though, they'll just wait for that. If the animal is actually ill a vet is the only answer.
It may be a good idea to keep rigid track of your cats weight for a couple days. Look at the teeth, is there a red line along the gums? Do they bleed if you attempt to brush them? Oral pain is a pretty common deal, especially from gum disease or infection. Both are something you should see a vet about.
Is the cat still drinking/peeing? How is the stool? You may want to get a fresh poo and take it to the vet if you end out going. Cats also like to eat at really odd ass times of day and will almost universally refuse to eat if it's anywhere near where they shit. Food in a bathroom is a bad idea, especially if that's where your litterbox is.
As for the playing cat that just wont quit, it will stop. All kittens are insane and attack anything, one of the things we got which was awesome was this bubble-soap stuff that had catnip in it. Then you buy one of those bubbleshooters that you set on the ground, turn it on and your cat will have fun until it passes out.
We also use a laser pointer.
Catnip Bubble Stuff
Bubble Blower
Thats not the blower we had, but I figured I'd provide examples in case you wondered what I was talkin bout. Ours was a little flat thing that sat on the ground and used C batteries, it shot straight up.
As for the chandelier. Good luck. The best suggestion here seems to be the can with change in it. My older cat loves to scratch stuff, from scratching posts to household objects to furniture. We can divert him from certain objects (like the furniture) for a time, but we've never been able to eradicate the behavior totally. I suspect he mostly does it because he knows it will garner attention, good or bad. The little fucker.
It has absolutely nothing to do with whether your cat is an only cat as to whether it may have worms. They get worms from eating/biting fleas. A healthy cat is also amazingly thin. To the point where you can almost make out the ribs if it is a short hair. Most indoor cats are overweight.
We've been using a zoom groom on the elder cat we have. He's about 17 and not really prone to washing himself, but the zoom groom seems to help. Just a quick disclaimer: this product is good, but it can overstimulate a cat after a little while--be wary of sudden psycho freakout mode.
Ng Security Industries, Inc.
PRERELEASE VERSION-NOT FOR FIELD USE - DO NOT TEST IN A POPULATED AREA
-ULTIMA RATIO REGUM-
Any recommendations for what to use specifically with the "jar of marbles" trick? Would just, say, an empty and cleaned out pickle jar full of some change work?
I feed my cat purina cat chow, which he seems very happy with, and always gets approving noises from the vet when they ask what we're feeding him.
Do I understand that you have your cat on meal times? If so, that may be the problem. Try a food dispenser, and let him eat at his own pace.