Topic: Cat advice thread

["Nookie".]

Yeah, I'm sure he speaks highly of me 

Then again if he'd just bought a new golf top (which he wouldn't obviously as he cant play golf - an opposable thumb thing I think) I wouldn't use it as a scratching mat and then not give a fuck.

That's his job

[redbyrdz]

Yeah, I'm sure he speaks highly of me 

Then again if he'd just bought a new golf top (which he wouldn't obviously as he cant play golf - an opposable thumb thing I think) I wouldn't use it as a scratching mat and then not give a fuck.

He doesn't want you to go out all day.

It must have smelled nice. Or maybe not enough of cat?

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

I've used Liverpool-based The Cat Sit Company to drop in to visit mine once or twice a day the last couple of times I've been away - really thorough reports (including photos & videos) during each visit...brilliant service.

How long would you be away for when you use this service?

If we are away for 1-2 nights, I will ask a friend to pop in and feed the cat, spend a few minutes with her but I have started to build up a bit of anxiety about leaving her, to the point where we rarely go away now :/ even the thought of a summer holiday makes me anxious. If we are away for a week, I will have a friend pop in for the first 2 days we are away, then my mother-in-law will come and stay for 2-3 nights and then the same friend will visit each day until we are back. But I just feel so, so guilty.

[6BigCups]

The mrs has just started a new instagram profile for the cats. I thought it was crazy, though apparently it's the thing to do? If anyone could give her some follows she'd be made up... plus youd get to see our siamese cats 🙂 https://instagram.com/siamese_baxter_and_samson?igshid=1dw40dffmrosh

[Chakan]

The mrs has just started a new instagram profile for the cats. I thought it was crazy, though apparently it's the thing to do? If anyone could give her some follows she'd be made up... plus youd get to see our siamese cats 🙂 https://instagram.com/siamese_baxter_and_samson?igshid=1dw40dffmrosh

It’s on a leash!?

[Riquende]

So I'm locked in an ongoing battle with the cat over the location where she evacuates her bowels. For the last year so, since I had a new lawn, she's decided that the whole thing is a toilet, and it's killed annoyingly large patches of the new grass (whether it's something in the faeces or just when she pulls the turf to cover it I don't know). Therefore I locked her catflap and moved the litter tray in front of it. For a few months she couldn't go out, and was using the tray fine. When I thought she'd got used to the new arrangement I started letting her out, and immediately she was using the lawn again. I tried those granules that are supposed to keep them off, but made no difference. So litter tray it is (now that summer's moving off she won't be so keen to spend time outside anyway).

Thing is, I don't have anywhere 'out of the way' for the litter tray, so it just sits in the kitchen, unpleasant to look at, and continually in the way. What I want to do is put it just outside the catflap in some sort of covered area - almost like an outhouse - that has no access to the wider garden (though it would be nice if it was a little exposed so she could get some fresh air).

Has anyone got a similar setup they could share, or could advise on? I've seen a large dog transportation cage that would be about the right size, and I could probably find some way to cover the end so that the litter isn't in the rain.

[redbyrdz]

Have you tried putting the/a litter tray outside? Maybe the cat has decided the kitchen isn't the right place to go too, especially if her food is in there?

You could try with a big enosure just outside the cat flap, and the litter box in there, so she has to go there. She might just find somewhere else in the house tho if she doesn't like it...

[jackh]

How long would you be away for when you use this service?

If we are away for 1-2 nights, I will ask a friend to pop in and feed the cat, spend a few minutes with her but I have started to build up a bit of anxiety about leaving her, to the point where we rarely go away now :/ even the thought of a summer holiday makes me anxious. If we are away for a week, I will have a friend pop in for the first 2 days we are away, then my mother-in-law will come and stay for 2-3 nights and then the same friend will visit each day until we are back. But I just feel so, so guilty.

Well, worth mentioning to begin with that the house doesn't have a cat flap and so they're reliant on humans for getting in and out.  If they had a cat flap, I'd just ask a neighbour to pop in and feed them, on the basis that a litter tray wouldn't be an issue.

The first time I used the service was over Christmas, when I was away for a good six days.  Then the second time was only a three day weekend recently - fed the cats up before leaving on the Friday afternoon, and they dropped in on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning to give then a feed and a clean.  My brother lives nearby and has a key, so it's only when he's busy and if I'm away for more than 24 hours that I'd really call on them.

[gazzalfc]

I think it's very different with purely indoor cats

We invested in one of these for those 1-2 nights away



Has an ice cooler inside to keep the food cool. Just set the time and fill it up

Last time we went away for 2 nights we got one of our friends to pop in and top up the feeder, empty litter and stay a few minutes for attention

I think if we were to go away longer then we'd go towards a cattery rather than a sitter or visiting service

[Buck Pete]

If your cat goes missing have a good search around your house before printing flyers

[blert596]

An oldie but a goldie

https://thechive.com/2010/08/03/secretary-loses-her-cat-and-asks-graphic-designer-at-her-work-to-create-a-missing-poster/

[jackh]

Ended up collecting these two - Robyn (tabby-tortie) & Wren (black) - late-afternoon Sunday.  Had them in seperate carry-boxes in the car - absolute silence from Robyn but Wren was a touch much vocal during the fifteen minutes or so journey.

Let them out in the kitchen-dining room and they were quick to leave the boxes and explore.  Put some food down on two plates and they were straight over at it, gobbling it up!  Kept them in that back room for an hour or so to help calm them and get used to me, and then opened the door to let them explore at will.  Very calm and relaxed throughout the evening really, even taking it in turns to jump up onto the sofa for a fuss.  Robyn is definitely the more nosey, often following me around if encouraged, whilst Wren's more affectionate - if she's not hiding under the bed she's on my lap purring and kneading.  Wren's more shy but less timid, if that's possible!

They seem like lovely cats...my instinct seem to have picked well!

I'll share a picture later on!

Heartbroken this week, having lost little Wren - I found her yesterday morning, having evidently been struck by a car on Grant Avenue over Monday night.  They only usually stay out one once a fortnight or so, and she's such a vocal cat that she lets you know when she's ready to come back in - of a morning, she'll call out as soon as she hears me moving in the house or notices the curtains move...I had a bad feeling pretty early on yesterday, given the silence.  Thankfully, someone had kindly placed her in the grass on the side of the road - I picked her up in some towels and brought her in.

Missing her a great deal - it's a cliche but she really has been my shadow at home...looking at the post above, it was clear how affectionate she was even after just a couple of days.  Always full of excited energy, she would often arrive in a doorway at full speed.  She often used to follow me to the end of the road if I was popping to the shop or going on a run, and would usually be waiting for me - often announcing my return noisily!

Adopted her, along with her sister, fourteen months ago from RSPCA Halewood (which it seems has since closed).  They'd been found abandoned & malnourished, and both put on an extra 50% of their weight in just their first week in care.  So happy that she's had a happy home here for the last year or so, but we miss her very much.  Going to be giving Wren's big sister Robyn a lot of love this week.

[Shanklygates]

Aww bless her. Sorry for your loss

[S]

So sorry to hear that mate.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

That's so sad, Jack - really sorry to hear that

[Chakan]

Sorry to hear about your loss, condolences

[I've been a good boy]

Sorry about that RIP

I'm dreading the day my cat dies. Might sound stupid but to me he's family, treat him like I would my son.

[Chakan]

Sorry about that RIP

I'm dreading the day my cat dies. Might sound stupid but to me he's family, treat him like I would my son.

Not stupid at all, anyone who says pets aren't family has something wrong with them.

[jackh]

Thanks folks.

Popped back home at lunchtime today; trying to pretend to myself that it's to break up the day a bit for Robyn but it's more just for me really.  Rather that be grateful for the company, she seemed pissed off that she'd waited fourteen months for that amount of peace and I'd disturbed it 

Not stupid at all, anyone who says pets aren't family has something wrong with them.

Completely agree.  Wren was such a noisy, energetic little thing that my home feels completely different without her.

[Ciara (with a capital "C")]

Thanks folks.

Popped back home at lunchtime today; trying to pretend to myself that it's to break up the day a bit for Robyn but it's more just for me really.  Rather that be grateful for the company, she seemed pissed off that she'd waited fourteen months for that amount of peace and I'd disturbed it 

Completely agree.  Wren was such a noisy, energetic little thing that my home feels completely different without her.

I had two cats and one of them passed away. My other little cat was only young - maybe like 2, and when he passed she came out of her shell a lot more. She seemed more settled and after a few weeks, she was strutting around loving the extra attention and the new routines.

Although it's really sad, and will be for a while, maybe Robyn will like to responsibility of being the only cat and enjoy being fussed over.

[Mark Walters]

My next door neighbour's cat has shat on my front doormat.  I often come home and find her sleeping on it and she'd previously shat on the mat at the side of the house. I had no option but to throw it away but didn't take it up with the neighbour. I'm not too keen on confronting my neighbour about it for no other reason than it probably being pointless. She can't keep the cat indoors or stop it from sleeping/crapping on the mat if she lets it out.

So is there something I can put on the mat to stop the cat from wanting to sleep/shit there?

[jason67]

My next door neighbour's cat has shat on my front doormat.  I often come home and find her sleeping on it and she'd previously shat on the mat at the side of the house. I had no option but to throw it away but didn't take it up with the neighbour. I'm not too keen on confronting my neighbour about it for no other reason than it probably being pointless. She can't keep the cat indoors or stop it from sleeping/crapping on the mat if she lets it out.

So is there something I can put on the mat to stop the cat from wanting to sleep/shit there?

A big fuckin dog. 

[Ziltoid]

I think my eldest Kasumi is pissing on the TV screen which is not good, not sure what i can do about it apart from putting a large cover over it before going to bed.

[CraigDS]

My next door neighbour's cat has shat on my front doormat.  I often come home and find her sleeping on it and she'd previously shat on the mat at the side of the house. I had no option but to throw it away but didn't take it up with the neighbour. I'm not too keen on confronting my neighbour about it for no other reason than it probably being pointless. She can't keep the cat indoors or stop it from sleeping/crapping on the mat if she lets it out.

So is there something I can put on the mat to stop the cat from wanting to sleep/shit there?

There are a few recommended things which scare cats away, but really depends on the individual cat. You can try a strong citrus smelling cleaning spray as they apparently hate the citrus smell and see if that works.

[WillG.LFC]

Thanks for all the previous advice on how to train my cat to shit on my neighbours doormat

[eddymunster]

An oldie but a goldie

https://thechive.com/2010/08/03/secretary-loses-her-cat-and-asks-graphic-designer-at-her-work-to-create-a-missing-poster/

The guys website is 27bslash6 and there is some very funny stuff on there

[Mark Walters]

A big fuckin dog. 

I knew that was coming!

There are a few recommended things which scare cats away, but really depends on the individual cat. You can try a strong citrus smelling cleaning spray as they apparently hate the citrus smell and see if that works.

Thanks, I'll try it

[Shanklygates]

Sounds like they have been very poorly treated in the past. Crouching in the corner of the crate isn't a good sign. I think it'll take a lot of time and patience to bring them round. One of my cats is a scaredy cat but wasn't that bad. He's come round quite a bit but it's taken years.
A friend runs a cat rescue so I'll ask her opinion if she has time.

[Millie]

I had a rescue cat that was like that.  He just used to hide on top of the kitchen cabinets.  He eventually came round and turned into a very affectionate cat.  I guess it will take time and patience.

[duvva 💅]

Time and patience sounds like the way go. Have you spoken to the RSPCA place you got them from? They sometimes have behavioral experts attached to rescue places or at least the Blue Cross do, might be worth giving one a call and explaining the situation to see what they suggest.

[Shanklygates]

Reply from my friend who runs a cat rescue:

"Best advice is to leave it as it is ,no cat can be forced to be sociable however hard you try .
Moving furniture or getting into their space will make them less likely to take it as a good thing. Patience is the only answer, they will learn to interact when and if it suits them 
The more interaction will make them nervous and progress will never be made.  They are in it for the long haul I'm afraid. So no moving furniture no coaxing no trying to touch or stroke ,keep hands well away and only use a dangling toy to run across the floor to encourage play .
Patience patience patience!!!
And try a laser pen too but no hands !!!"

Hope that helps. Got my laser pen on ebay.  Get 2 or 3 as the battery doesn't last that long. But mine love them. Only about a quid. Encouragement and patience. Good luck

[El Denzel Pepito]

Thanks for all the replies. Pretty much as I thought, patience is key. Miraculously, however, we made a real breakthrough with them late last night. Frostie came out from behind the sofa at around 9pm after his all-day nap. My partner and I were both laying on the sofa and he came up for some strokes and kept rubbing himself all over our hands. He was genuinely an entirely different cat, giving us tons of affection.

Dennis was watching from a distance and eventually sat down in front of the sofa, although still didn't want any strokes.

About half an hour, they were both back to being a bit scared of us and fighting with each other, with Frostie being a bit rabid. We have one of those lasers and Dennis loves it but he's still scared to play when he realises it's us whos doing it.

They're back to being scared again this morning, but there was definitely real progress for that half an hour last evening! Thanks for all the tips and suggestions. Will keep you all updated.

[Shanklygates]

Nice one. Hopefully one or both venture out again soon and it gradually becomes more frequent 

[soxfan]

Wow, might be one of the most beautiful cats I've ever seen.

https://gfycat.com/periodicunderstatedherculesbeetle-mainecoonofinstagram-cutecatsofinstagram

[I've been a good boy]

My garden is surrounded by a 6 1/2ft fence which my cat loves to climb and them roam around sitting on people's sheds, but he always struggles to get back down. And when he does jump back down, it's with a thud which sounds horrible and must hurt his paws and knees. Any advice what I can put up so he can climb down safely?

[jackh]

My garden is surrounded by a 6 1/2ft fence which my cat loves to climb and them roam around sitting on people's sheds, but he always struggles to get back down. And when he does jump back down, it's with a thud which sounds horrible and must hurt his paws and knees. Any advice what I can put up so he can climb down safely?

One of these, side on:

[jackh]

It is a strong fence?  Could you, for example, screw some pallets/half pallets in at two or three different heights that serve as part-planter part-ladder?

Alternatively, some sort of table with tall potted-plants on the ground around it and shorter ones on top?

[duvva 💅]

My garden is surrounded by a 6 1/2ft fence which my cat loves to climb and them roam around sitting on people's sheds, but he always struggles to get back down. And when he does jump back down, it's with a thud which sounds horrible and must hurt his paws and knees. Any advice what I can put up so he can climb down safely?

Are you able to keep your bins in your back garden, would make a couple of smaller leaps if you’re able place it where he jumps back down?

[S]

My garden is surrounded by a 6 1/2ft fence which my cat loves to climb and them roam around sitting on people's sheds, but he always struggles to get back down. And when he does jump back down, it's with a thud which sounds horrible and must hurt his paws and knees. Any advice what I can put up so he can climb down safely?

Stating the obvious here but just about anything that won't fall over should be fine. A table, bin, chair...you name it, just an in between step for him basically.

[I've been a good boy]

I've actually considered the slide, thought I was being silly Can't put bins there unfortunately. I do have a wooden bench but he never seems to jump on it for some reason.

Pallets is a good idea, might need to cut them down to size a bit though. Thanks for suggestions, might just have to experiment a bit to see what he will use. Fussy cat he is