Reddit mentions: The best cat supplies

We found 9,048 Reddit comments discussing the best cat supplies. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 2,686 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.

6. Cat Dancer Cat Toy Cat Charmer Safe Wand Teaser Colorful Fabric Ribbon Safe Flexible Exercise Toy 1 Pack

    Features:
  • THE CAT’S PAJAMAS – The multicolor cat charmer teaser wand is a great way to play with your cat. Safe, simple, and one of the prime cat toys your favorite furry one will want. Whether light on its feet or not, your cat will love the cat charmer.
  • FELINE FINE – Aerobic exercise can keep your cat healthy, flexible, and full of fun. This interactive catdancer is designed to charm, not harm. Whether for kittens, cats, or kids, this exercise toy can keep them entertained for hours.
  • YOU’VE CAT TO BE KIDDING – A good toy given to the wrong pet can be a bad toy. No fear here! This interactive no harm cat dancer cat toy lets your favorite play cat and mouse with a colorful fabric ribbon it will love no matter what.
  • THE WHOLE KITTEN KABOODLE – Our interactive cat and kitten toy wands are made in USA and use a safe, strong polycarbonate wand and attaches to four feet of colorful fabric. This multicolor fleece stays connected to a rubber safety collar and has been tested to over thirty pounds.
  • PAWSITIVELY FUN – The clear polycarbonate wand is for you to hold; the cat chaser cat ribbon is for your cat to chase! Enjoy fun, exciting, interactive aerobic exercise with your kitten or cat.
Cat Dancer Cat Toy Cat Charmer Safe Wand Teaser Colorful Fabric Ribbon Safe Flexible Exercise Toy 1 Pack
Specs:
ColorAssorted
Height6 Inches
Length3 Inches
Number of items1
Size1 pack
Weight0.04 Pounds
Width2 Inches
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20. PetSafe Dog and Cat Food Dispenser, 5 Meal with Digital Clock or 2 Meal Tamper Resistant with Dials Automatic Pet Feeders, Portion Control, Holds Dry Food

    Features:
  • SCHEDULE MEALS AND TREATS: One meal is ready to eat as soon as you fill the tray with your pet’s food, and you can schedule the other 4 meals (or treats) to be served at a later time
  • FOOD CAPACITY: Each compartment holds up to 1 cup of dry or semi-moist pet food; feeder is best for cats and small to medium sized dogs
  • GREAT FOR FAST EATERS: If your cat or dog tends to eat too quickly, use this feeder to break their meals up into smaller portions
  • MULTIPLE OPTIONS: Press the “feed now” button to give your pet an extra meal; Suspend feeding option stops the feeder from serving the next meal without losing the schedule
  • HELP MANAGE PET’S WEIGHT: Schedule smaller meals throughout the day to help keep your best friend healthy
  • DISHWASHER SAFE: Place the removable tray in the top rack of the dishwasher for easy cleanup
  • U.S.-BASED CUSTOMER CARE: Our pet product experts are here to help you and your pet and are available by phone, email or chat if you have any questions
  • QUALITY PROMISE: PetSafe brand has been a trusted global leader in pet behavior, containment and lifestyle innovations since 1998 to help keep your pet healthy, safe and happy
PetSafe Dog and Cat Food Dispenser, 5 Meal with Digital Clock or 2 Meal Tamper Resistant with Dials Automatic Pet Feeders, Portion Control, Holds Dry Food
Specs:
ColorTaupe
Height16 Inches
Length12.625 Inches
Number of items1
Release dateJune 2006
Size5-Meal
Weight3.96 Pounds
Width4.438 Inches
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🎓 Reddit experts on cat supplies

The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where cat supplies are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
Total score: 2,406
Number of comments: 788
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Total score: 34
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Relevant subreddits: 2

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Top Reddit comments about Cat Supplies:

u/salire · 53 pointsr/TheGirlSurvivalGuide

Your questions aren't silly! It's great that you're thinking about how you can make you both comfortable before you dive into a new situation. Always set yourself up for success! :)

> do I buy a litter box/food/scratch-post before I plan to bring a cat home?

That's generally a good idea, yes. Means less stress for both of you as you're scrambling to get everything ready for him. You might ask the shelter what food the cat has been eating, as cats can get an upset tummy when switching brands/types. Not a big deal, but he will have poops that are a bit stinkier/liquidier than normal poops. That should alleviate within the week. You can lessen the tummy troubles by doing a more gradual change, mixing the food he is currently on with the food he will be on more and more, until he is eating what you want him on. But you can honestly just do the change, too, and just deal with the sadpoops for a little while.

I suggest a couple of different scratching posts, if you have the space! Cats like having options, like a horizontal post and a vertical one. Cats also like being high up, so if you can swing a tall post with platforms, he will probably like that.

Get two litter boxes! A lot of people don't realize it, but the rule of thumb for number of litters you should have is NumberOfCats + 1. So, 1 cat + 1 = 2 boxes. Clean them often. Cats are very clean creatures (especially compared to dogs) and are MUCH more likely to have accidents when they feel they do not have a better option than peeing in your bed. That's not their fault. You wouldn't want to step on your own pee/poop either! If you have problems with litter getting kicked out of the box, a litter mat can be helpful.

> Do I need to buy a carrier for the cat?

Yep. You'll eventually need to take him to a vet in all likelihood, and a carrier will make that so much easier, as most cats despise the car. I recommend a hard carrier. The softer ones seem nicer in general, but the hard carriers are easier to clean out, and you never know how a cat will be in the car until... well. They're in it. One of our cats poops and pees every. single. time. So he always gets the hard carrier.

> Should I contact a vet before I get the cat?

The shelter might require you to have a vet already, so I'd probably at least pick one out from google search. They might require you to go get a checkup, but probably not. That's more of a rescue thing, I think. Most shelters have their own in-house vet, so it's not really necessary. Don't be afraid to contact the shelter if he seems to be coughing and wheezing. Upper respiratory infections are very common in shelter environments due to the crowded nature of them, but they are also very treatable, and the shelter will be able to give you medication for him.

> How do I train a cat?

Someone mentioned Jackson Galaxy, who I generally agree is pretty good for training if you have some problems. But most of the time, cats are pretty out-of-the-box ready pets. That is to say, if you have an environment that is good for cats (where you let them have some space, where you don't make a huge amount of loud noise, where they aren't prodded and poked at constantly), they generally don't need training. We've fostered tiny kittens that automatically knew how to use the litter box. We also have boy cats who were not fixed until well into adulthood and have never had problems spraying.
It's instinct to go in the box, especially once they're fixed and don't need to mark territory really.

> For those of you who own a cat/cats, any advice for this first-timer?

Give both of you time to get to know each other. Don't force it. He will come to you, given time and space, and you'll be able to cultivate a better relationship built on trust and mutual respect if he knows that you won't force him to do things that he doesn't want to do (especially at first--think about it like building a friendship with a person; you would trust your friends to do things that you would never trust a stranger to do, and it's the same for him).

Cooing and gentle words are generally pretty good for coaxing, as is letting him smell your hand/something that smells like you before you approach for pets. Think about it like introducing yourself. You wouldn't go up to someone you didn't know well and just touch them without at least saying hi.

Every cat I have ever known, male or female, fixed or not, will pee in a pile of anything if it is left long enough. They see it as 'trash,' and I think it just registers as litter. So, if you are the type to leave clothes on the floor... I would try to stop that.

Keep nails trimmed. Scratching posts are for sharpening nails, which is an instinct that they have to fulfill, and you're giving them an outlet for. Some people think it's for 'filing' the nails down, but it's not. It's for keeping them sharp enough to get prey. You'll have to trim them.

And this is just my own personal opinion, but... young--but not kitten--boy cats are best for first timers. I have one girl, and I absolutely adore her, but she is very high maintenance/prissy/touchy, whereas my three boys are all pretty chill. Each cat is different though, so obviously your mileage may vary! It's just something I've noticed in general in my time of owning and fostering cats, that boys are more laid back/forgiving than girls (and thus I think a little easier for a first timer). Young adults are also great for first timers because you have less accidents (though that's generally not a big concern anyway) and they're more able to be on their own for longer periods of time. Older adults/seniors are great too if you want a really, really chill, more stand-offish cat, or if you want a cat that you'll have for <10 years, but if you want a little more energy and time, a cat that's about 1-2 years old is a GREAT way to go.

Some toys that are great for cats include the classic laser pointer, the feather toy, catnip toys, and crinkle balls.

Cats prefer to drink away from where they eat, so place his food bowl and his water bowl apart from one another! Some cats also prefer running water to still water, so if you notice your cat likes drinking out of the faucet (or if you just want to spoil your cat like I spoil mine...) you can get a water fountain for him!

Finally, if it's not working out for some reason, like your personalities just don't mesh well... take him back. I know it sounds hard, but it's best for him if he is in an environment where he is understood and his needs are met. There's no sense in forcing both of you to be miserable. Some shelters let you do a foster-to-adopt sort of thing, where you sort of try each other out for a bit. I like this option, because you hope for the best, but it feels a little bit easier to tap out if you need to. Either way, there's no shame in tapping out. Sometimes things just don't work the way you thought they would.

Sorry for the novel, but I wanted to be as thorough as I could. My parents recently got their first cat, and it's been... an ordeal for them, getting used to it.
It's great that you have some experience with cats though, so I think you'll be fine! Seriously, cats are sort of the next level up from a goldfish as far as easiness. Should be fine.

I hope you and your new furbaby are super, super happy together! :)

u/imalittlepiggy · 2 pointsr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

YAY! I love cats, and am commonly described as "a cat lady" if that helps you take my suggestions a little seriously... hehe.

First I recommend figuring out the species of the cat, and look up personality traits of them. Sometimes cats are super attention whorey and some keep to themselves mostly. Just be prepared for whatever yours is, and don't try to force it to be otherwise. Not that you would, of course, but yeah.

My cats loooooooove to play with balls. More so than cat-nip mice and stuff. They like the little tennis balls and basketballs (those are made out of the stress-ball type material) and they like them because they can use their claws to throw it around! Also any wand, but they looove feathers. My cat will eat rubber bands so she's not allowed to play with them. Make sure to keep an eye on what she eats/plays with! Also they love the sit n spin it seriously is their favorite. Our cats also love bags of all types, and boxes of course, but I think they just like small spaces. We usually keep a few of these tent like things around, the ones we get at walmart are less than five dollars and usually last a few months before being destroyed.

Some cats really like to climb or be up high. You just gotta let them. Usually if you have a few spots they can get at, they'll keep away from the no-no zones. Try not to punish the cat for doing cat-things. It's sad when I see friends who I thought were great with animals yell at their cats for just doing their thing. I also recommend getting a specific scratchy thingy for her, whether it's just the cheapo cardboard ones (as low as $3 at walmart) or a fancy pants tree thingy. But usually if they have a designated space they won't scratch much else. If they do instead of spraying them with a waterbottle, pick them up and place them in front of/on their designated scratcher. That's the best way they learn that.

Also cats don't respond well to being punished like dogs do. They don't understand that their actions correlate with what you're upset about. They just think you get scary is all. The best way to "punish" a cat or "train" it to not scratch/swipe/bite is to blow in their face. It's not super threatening but will establish you as Alpha (they do have a "pecking order") and it won't scare them like yelling does. My cat was abused and a little shit to people, but in less than a year she shaped up with the blowing on her face thing. She responds well to it now still, and she's warmed up to people. I recommend you make sure everyone who visits your house knows your rules on how to treat the cats- I've yelled at people before for fucking with my kitties too much, that's how cats get mean!!

Also the cat will probably take some time to get used to you. Don't push it. That's the best way to become besties really fast! Let her come to you, let her decide when she's done being pet or sitting in your lap. It'll build trust between you too. :) And also be careful with picking her up, some cats hate it (my bf's cat haaaates it, when he was a kitten my bf's friends wouldn't let him escape so now he freaks out every time someone grabs him. Definitely should not do that haha).

Also be wary that cats are suuuper allergic to garlic. Therefore people food is extremely dangerous to them. Chocolate doesn't really bother them, but most cats won't eat it. Also lots and lots of cats don't actually like fish or tuna flavors! My kitty only eats chicken flavor treats, but she'll drink the water from a tuna can (not the meat, she's weird) so just be watchful when you start buying her food. They won't eat if they don't like it. Little shits (hehehhehe) Also along that topic, they have super super sensitive tummies and often puke just from eating too fast! So be careful of that too hehe. But treats and nip will make the kitty know you're someone to warm up to really fast, hehe. Even if it doesn't seem like it at first and is shy from you. Also try and get it in the same room as you when you feed it for the first bit, they'll realize you control food then too.

Only other thing I can think of is to "cat-proof" your house. My kitty tears up anything paper, including my ex roommates homework if left out, toilet paper, newspapers, posters, etc. Bf's cat just lays on paper but they both have eaten through plastic bags and attempt to open cupboards and doors, we had to get child locks for our pantry. Consider those things and remember a cat is ornery and mischievous so don't get too mad at it for it's nature. (once again, not that you will, but sometimes people forget!) just blow on it and get it away from the area it's been naughty in if it does get into something. Also if it's a boy and it sprays, ask your vet what you can do to help that. Some cats are hopeless once they start, but some only react when upset/nervous/sad/scared/angry. Also, clean the litterbox as much as possible. even with one cat everyday is best, but every other day or every three days can be enough. cats will poop on the floor only as a last resort, but will as opposed to a messy litterbox. maybe consider even getting two boxes if you have the space! to cut back on smell use extra baking soda in the litter, clean often, and get the tall box covers for the litter boxes. my cats won't poop without them too, they like the privacy as well hehe.

Really cats that young adjust well, and once you build trust they should be pretty great little friends. You should like you're totally set for this, I'm sure you'll be a great kitty mommy!! And holy WOW, Sorry that this is like a hundred years long.... I just really fucking love cats. Also watch "my cat from hell" because it's funny and usually you can learn a thing or two. Also doing any other research on cats/your cat is good. Of course. :) YAY HAPPY NEW KITTY BABY DAY FOR YOU!!!

u/vannah08510 · 1 pointr/cats

Let her into your room! She'll be much happier with more space. I highly recommend having a cat tree or two in your place. Give her a box to hide in. Or even try one of these out!

KOJIMA Shark Round House Puppy Bed with Pet Bed Mat, Small to Medium (Gray, Small) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HRXQ90I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_dcINybCJMQWEE

Don't prevent her from hiding, but do challenge her once in a while to be comfortable in different rooms and open spaces.

Try the toy distraction on your 2 year old cat. That's what I meant. If she's showing aggression, it's one of the best ways to distract her from the cat who's more shy.

Make sure the new cat isn't doing anything to provoke your 2 year old cat. If she is, that behavior will need to be adjusted before the 2 year old cat can be comfortable with her.

100% agree on the tuna. If you'd like to learn about cat nutrition, I highly recommend http://www.thecatsite.com for its active forums and articles on feline nutrition (they can also give great input on behaviors)

Here are two nutrition articles to get you started:

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/how-to-choose-the-right-food-for-your-cat

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/grain-free-cat-food-what-does-it-mean

You'll find that grain free high protein wet/raw foods are best for your babies as unlike people and even dogs, cats are obligate carnivores. (Here is some of that science: https://www.waltham.com/document/nutrition/cat/dog/differences-between-cat-and-dog/284/ )
My recommendation is making a small trip to an independent pet food store (not petco, petsmart, or even pet supplies plus) Take a look on yelp for good ones in your area. (Just search for pet food stores) If there are none, try Chewy.com. They sell all sorts of pet foods (you can filter by grain free) The forums on thecatsite are very good in terms of discussion of different commercial and home-made food options. (As you might be able to tell, I've done a lot of my own research!)

But yes. You are correct. Plain tuna does not contain the amount of Taurine (that's just one or the major ones) cats need to thrive. Fish generally is something you should stray from due to high mercury content and addictiveness. (Dry food is also very addictive and contributes most to obesity, digestive issues, UTIs, urinary crystals, and more)

And good! Yes, be creative in your ways to distract her! If she's not enjoying her favorite toy, try a new one. (Cats love Da'Bird and similar long (~3 ft) fishing pole type toys. ) Check out these links.


GoCat Da Bird Rod and Feather Cat Toys, Assorted Colors https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BOVEU4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_wzINybW7DMFV9

Cats really jump for these types of long fishing pole toys that use feathers or other fur like parts. I do recommend always having a handy supply of strong duct tape to fix minor issues and strengthen the parts of well-used toys. (I had to tightly reinforce the end of the rod that connects to the string so the end piece holding the string wouldn't come off)


Petmate Jackson Galaxy Cat Crawl Solid Tunnel, Green/Orange https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O3GWKHS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_UDINyb34HXAEW

Great space for stalking and hiding during play


Nature In Hand Cat Play House with Catnip and Scratcher (Cat Scratching House) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AJAHOC2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_DFINybC4C5TWA

Triple function hide, stealth play, and cardboard scratcher. I have one that my cat loves! You can sometimes find seasonal looking ones on clearance at local pet stores (I have a gingerbread xmas themed one that I got on clearance for half the price on amazon) Cardboard scratchers, to me, are a must. Whether it's something like this or just by itself.



Nano Robotic Cat Toy (White/Blue) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RWU17KS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_kyINyb5FX7DB2

This one is great if you have hard wood or tile floors. Otherwise, pass.


The idea here is to give them more enrichment, hide space, and ways to play.

That said, having more vertical space is also a really good idea.

You know how cat trees (especially the 6 ft ones) are like 200 dollars at pet stores?
Check this out:

Go Pet Club Cat Tree, 50W x 26L x 72H, Beige https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WGGWQA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_awINybGSAA2EB


BestPet CT-9073 Cat Tree Scratcher Play House Condo Furniture Toy, 73-Inch, Beige https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NOL7OQU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_-wINybKYYYCDX

You can find more on amazon. Groupon or eBay are also good sources. Your cats will be more comfortable if they can observe their territory from a high place rather than hiding behind a toilet. I really do think it would help give them more confidence. You could even install cat shelves on your walls if you want to. But a cat tree(or two!) goes a long way!

Give them their own favorite places to occupy so that they are better able to share their space.

u/redsharpie8 · 1 pointr/cats

I totally agree with TheCatGuardian's post. We just adopted our first cat from a shelter and he is 8 months old, and honestly he's still a bit of a handful at times (but that should be expected with any new pet). Try to get one over a year, if not closer to 2 years, as ours is still learning how to play nice and not nipping our ankles to get attention. My husband has always had cats, but this was my first pet and we adopted because I've always wanted one. I did a ton of research and here's what I would suggest as far as supplies:

A high sided litter box with rim - to keep them from kicking litter around and the high walls help keep everything inside. I didn't waste the money on litter liners. They seem gimmicky to me.

Pooper Scooper - It's cheap and gets the job done. Nothing else needs to be said about it.

Stainless Steel Bowl(s) - This one gets good reviews and is the perfect size for their food. You can get two, one for wet and one for dry food. Though I got this one for dry and got a cute oval dish at walmart for ~$2 for his wet. Whatever you want.

Slightly larger bowl for water - Make sure they have plenty for fresh water. I give him new water in the AM and evening after work. I know a lot of people rave about water fountains...but honestly I didn't want to spend the money initially, and my kitty seems to be perfectly fine drinking from the bowl. It'd be worth it to see how your cat feels about the bowl...esp since they will be drinking from bowls at the shelter...they shouldn't be too picky. You can spoil them later on if you decide to, but definitely not necessary.

A safety collar - Make sure it is either a break-away or elastic to ensure the cat doesn't get strangled if it climbs and gets stuck on something and is hanging by its neck. I liked this one because it didn't have an annoying bell, though some like the bell to let you find your cat in the house. The collar also ensure that if the cat gets out anyone who finds him will know he belongs to someone and isn't just a feral cat that they can take for themselves.

Scratching Board - Simple and good reviews. Seems like it will last. You can also get one or two cardboard cheaper ones and see what they prefer to scratch on. My cat doesn't really scratch that much...he uses the scratching posts that are part of his cat tree.

Cat Perch - This is the one we got so he can look out the window. It seems like a good balance of expense and functionality...especially at first. The cat might not even like jumping up on things, so at least this is a safe buy since it's not that tall but still lets them get up off the floor.

Cat bed - This one is highly reviewed and really durable. It's machine washable and will last forever. I really love this bed.

Simple toys at first: Wand Toy, Jingle Balls, Ball Circle Thing, Little Catnip Critter. He also likes paper bags, toilet paper rolls, and his laser pointer. I highly recommend the laser pointer...ours is green.

Greenies Treats

As far as food, you want to ask what they feed at the shelter and get a bag of that at first even if you read online that it isn't "the best." We wanted to get our cat on a mainly wet food diet, so we left his shelter dry food out at night, and gave him half a can of wet food in the morning before work, and half a can at night beofre bed ~9PM, and took the dry food away while the wet food was out. We feed him Friskies Pate...it's actually pretty good for the price. People will get passionate about cat food. Honestly Friskies is fine for us now...they sell it in bulk at Sam's.

Litter - you want to use the kind they use at the shelter so they have comfort in that. You can switch later if you want.

You might also want to get nail clippers and a brush. Our cat is long haired and I like using a comb, but it's really up to you.

As far as gimmicks I would assume that if it seems like a luxury it probably isn't necessary. Cats are very happy with simple things. The vitals are what I listed...a bathroom, food and water (bowls), a few toys, somewhere to scratch, somewhere to get up off the floor, and a safety collar. The bed isn't absolutely vital, but it's nice for them to have somewhere that they feel secure and happy...even if they don't use it at first.

u/SirEDCaLot · 5 pointsr/cats

Okay a few cat suggestions.

  1. http://www.catgenie.com/ buy one of these. It will save you a LOT of scooping, and the soap cartridges it takes last a long time (months) and are cheaper than cat litter. Because this device uses a plumbing connection (water supply and drain) it flushes the cat waste down the drain so there is nothing to scoop or empty. Buy the normal retail unit, then sign up for the VIC program- over the course of a year they'll send you a ton of supplies, but it doesn't auto renew. The VIC supplies are cheaper than retail and work in the normal retail cat genie.

  2. To litterbox train your cat, look up a product called Cat Attract spray. If you get the Cat Genie, DO NOT put the cat attract litter in it- it will clog and destroy the machine. Use the spray, or litterbox train the cat with a normal litterbox and then switch to something automatic.

  3. Keep your cat inside. Inside cats live longer, healthier lives. However she should still have a collar and a microchip- cats can sometimes escape.

  4. Learn to communicate with your cat. Cats do most of their communication through body language, not meows. Most domesticated cats adapt and use meows to communicate with humans to some degree, but if you learn to read the cat's body language that can be a big help. There are lots of resources on cat body language so I won't go into it much here. But a few tips- tail straight up plus long meow is a greeting when you get home, tail up generally indicates happy or curious, ears back plus cat/tail low to the ground equals pissed off. Staring straight at a cat can be a sign of hostility. However if you look at the cat and blink very slowly, sometimes the cat will return the sign- that is a sign of non-threatening familiarity. Same thing if a cat does it to you, do it back. Cats rub against things partially to scent-mark them- so the cat rubbing past your leg is partially an affectionate sign, and also marking you as part of the cat's property. If a cat rubs its face on you (especially your own face) that's a strong sign of approval, it's considering you to be part of its family. When a cat rolls over and exposes its belly this is a sign of trust, not necessarily and invitation for a belly rub. Some cats like the belly rub, some don't. If you want to try it, start at the top under the chin.

  5. speaking of things cats like- scratching between the ears, rubbing around the ear sockets (there are a lot of little muscles in there which orient the ears), scratching lightly on the underside of the jaw and off to the sides below the cheeks. Some cats like having an ear lightly rubbed between two fingers. Right above the base of the tail is another good scratching place. Most cats would prefer having their legs and paws left alone.

  6. Don't declaw your cat. Declawing in human equivalent is the same as tearing off the end of each finger at the last knuckle. Get a good scissor-type nail trimmer- petsmart has them in the dog aisle. The cat designed quick detector one doesn't work at all. DO NOT cut the 'quick'- the pink area inside the nail. That will hurt a lot and bleed. Nail trimming time should be when the cat is very tired and relaxed so she will sit still. Plenty of treats should be involved. It's not always possible to do all the nails at once, sometimes more than one session is required. If you absolutely must declaw your cat, only declaw the front paws. However a better solution is to get a good scratching post and reward the cat for using it. Get something fairly tall- cats like to stretch out when they scratch.

  7. The more water your cat drinks, the better. Cats in the wild get most of their water in the meat they eat, so this is especially important if your cat eats dry food. This gadget works really well- cats instinctively know that running water is cleaner than stagnant water, so a bowl like this can encourage the cat to drink more. Proper hydration can prevent kidney and bladder issues.

  8. It IS possible to train a cat. The difference is that unlike dogs, cats are not pack animals. With a dog, once you establish yourself as ahead of the dog in the pack order, the dog will naturally obey as long as it understands the command. Cats have no such compunction, so you have to train them that it's in their best interest to obey. Negative reinforcement doesn't work well with cats, positive rewards work much better. IE, if you want your cat to come to you when called, having a treat ready as a reward is more effective than punishing the cat who doesn't come. You can train your cat for 'OFF!' or some similar command- for a while, when you say OFF, if the cat doesn't move chase her off whatever she's on, then ignore her. You don't want to create the association that 'off' is the start of a fun hide and seek game.

  9. If you need a punishment, a spray bottle full of water works nicely. It's totally harmless but cats don't like it. There are a handful of automated defense systems like static zapper mats and motion-detector compressed air spray things that work pretty well for training cats to stay off tables and stuff.

  10. If the kitten gets low to the ground, looks at you, and starts wiggling her butt, prepare for a incoming kitty-missile.

  11. Back on training- you can train the cat to not bite or use claws when playing. If you are playing with the cat and she gets a bit too rough, make a loud 'OUCH!' type sound, and end the play session (just walk away and ignore her). Then wash off your hands- any cat bite or scratch should be washed with soap and water.

  12. All cats go through a phase where they bite all the time. The bites are generally soft play-bites that don't hurt.

  13. Cats are smart. If you feed your cats by hand, they will usually figure out that rub against the leg + meow anxiously + be adorable = get food. Keep an eye out for when your cat is training you. Alternatively, get the cat an automatic feeder (only works well with dry food).

  14. Keep your cat entertained. Get a bunch of balls and toys and stuff and leave them laying around. This is especially important if you only have one cat- two cats will entertain each other, one cat will be bored out of its mind when you are away. Many cats prefer toys that make noise of some kind. A cat tower is another good investment.

    Hope that helps!
u/theRacistEuphemism · 2 pointsr/Pets

Apologies in advance for the book.

It does sound like she's getting too big to manage herself - I know a cat like this, and getting that stimulation especially where she can't reach it in a spot that is already a sensitive sweet spot for cats probably elicits this overreaction (like she's SUPER overstimulated), and the cat I know has also overgroomed a spot she can reach to a bald patch, but not to the point of bleeding. This isn't so much behavioural as it is a reaction to her own condition, and it seems more physiological than anything else.

First thing is first: when is the last time both cats saw a vet? Do that first. You don't want to be making big changes in her life if she's not in a good place health-wise already. A vet will be able to suggest ways to manage this cat's weight by providing things like an ideal weight for you to strive for, to treat her bleeding and overgroomed areas, and if needed, give her a bath or a groom (or recommend someone who can). Ask about a good way to help her clean herself, like by wiping her down with a warm damp cloth and following it up with a thorough brush. If she has a tummy problem like diarrhea frequently, let them know because it may be something that needs addressing, even if it's as simple as changing her food or adding a probiotic to her diet/routine. Get blood tests done, and check the functionality of her thyroid.

I notice overweight cats tend to get greasier more easily because, as you said, they can't reach parts of themselves. I imagine any litter problems are exacerbated by her inability to groom herself back there too, which can also be quite problematic as they age.

What kind of diet are they on? If they eat a dry food diet, look to transitioning them to a wet food diet. Wet food is higher in moisture, higher in protein, and lower in carbohydrates. Carbs are a huge problem in fat cats because they come from sources like plants that cats aren't built to digest the same way they do meat, so avoid foods like Science Diet since I think all of their foods contain corn as a higher ingredient (meaning the protein it advertises it has comes from plants, so it's in one end and out the other, and the cat comes back hungry all the time). Super cheap brands will contain corn too, and other foods will contain some starches or grains - if you're on a budget, look for something like Sheba, Fancy Feast, Friskies, Authority in pate. Gravies and shredded foods contain more carbs because they need to thicken up the "sauces". You get more bang for your buck with pate, and having the water built right into the food helps satiate a cat's hunger better, as most cats will eat dry food and forgo water until they start feeling crappy. Generally cats don't drink enough water on their own.

For cats who need to lose weight, 18-20 calories per pound is a general guideline I've seen around (some say it's generous - you can ask the vet about this), but it's based on their ideal weight. If you're starting a diet, start at 1lb less than her current weight so it's not a total shock to her body, and then start working your way down to her ideal weight's caloric requirements. Most of the food I've come across, high end dry food is 116-120 calories per ounce and wet food is 28-30 calories per ounce. I have a food scale that helps make it easier to measure, but to give you a general estimate, one of those wide, round soup spoons heaping gives me 1.5 ounces of pate style food.

You can also work on feeding the other cat by himself, like in another room, or in a crawl space the female is too big to fit through. That way he always has the option, but she's limited to the food she gets in the wet meal feedings you give her.

Dashing from the litter box could also have something to do with where the box is set up. If you only have one litter box, get one or two more so the cats have the option to use a box that hasn't been soiled by the other recently, or so one isn't waiting outside or preparing to ambush the other. If something happened to spook her in there once, she could be afraid and may want to get out as fast as she can. When you get another litter box, place it in a different room and see how she takes to that one - keep the same type of litter so she still recognizes it as a litter box.

I don't mean to sound like a jerk saying this, but as someone with long hair, I've seen our cats hoover up a few of my hairs, which is pretty gross but just do your best to keep the place swept and vacuumed to best prevent her from accidentally ingesting long hairs.

When it comes to exercise, do you guys play with her frequently? The upside to working regular day jobs is that cats tend to be more active at night anyway, so she can nap while you're away and you can work her while you're home! Toys aren't fun to cats who are waiting for something to move that they can stalk and chase. Especially if she isn't big on going outside and exploring or chasing whatever's out there, you'll have to fill that gap here.

Laser pointers, Da Bird, other wand toys, and you can even improvise since cats will play with garbage if they think it's fun. I've had great success with small plastic pieces, like the caps holding the wand toys together, and just tossing them. My cat goes NUTS chasing them, making 6 foot leaps in the air just to catch it in her mouth or between her paws, and they do the same for dried out little pieces of black licorice. Straws? Our cats go wild for these Sproket straws that are at Pet Valu because they're woven and very bouncy, so the weave can catch in their claws and what they end up doing while they fling their paws around is tossing it around, so they go chase it again. If we're around, we bunch them up and let them fly for them to chase. Flouncy little springs?

If all else fails, get some healthy treats, even a high end, low-carb kibble that you can break into pieces and throw around the house so she'll have to chase it down if she wants to eat. The food I feed is 13% carbs and 48% protein - grain, soy, gluten, and byproduct free (though the last one isn't a huge deal to me - the others are). Cheap foods can be anywhere around 30-40% carbs. Drop those like rocks and find something better elsewhere.

Here are some links that will be helpful to you, but just a note that the first one tends to push towards raw diets. If your cats have lived on wet or dry all their lives, and especially if you don't have the time or money to dedicate the research towards committing and feeding raw, don't do it. Wet food is a better "biologically appropriate" compromise, which the author also thinks, but her stance is a bit strong towards raw.

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=felineobesity

http://www.catinfo.org/docs/FoodChartPublic9-22-12.pdf (a bit outdated, but still a good gauge)

http://fnae.org/carbcalorie.html

Good luck!

u/kolkolkokiri · 2 pointsr/Siamesecats

I assume he's a kitten? Up to three months old cats generally are super bitey because they are infants learning their litter mates limits and sticking everything in there mouths. This will likely end by like 6 to 10 months naturally, still worth training though.

Dogs and cats have kinda similar bite inhibition training (aka the big ones being dramatic like owie or like no bad and shoving off with a paw) so the dog may help but I would not keep them around each other without someone to keep an eye for a while.

I think that's enough but for the first 8 months his energy will be endless. So don't feel bad he's up at 3 am like hey play? You essentially have a 6 year old on a sugar high.

Depending on the size of dogs I'd get some toys, and a way to keep a dog out of a room like a baby gate or area so you can leave small cat toys out. For a kitten I highly suggest a box of random assorted toys to find what they like, and avoiding cat nip filled ones. You don't need all these but if your family wants to get the kitty presents for Santa these are my suggestions at a young age.


General


  • If your parents allow it maybe a climbing wall will make your cat happy as fuck.
  • Most cats in my experience prefer both those cardboard scratchers and one solid almost unmoveable one. Like the couch. Save the couch, get a wall mounted one or one that is weighted to keep from moving. Double sided sticky tape, or aluminum foil are both good things to keep a cat from going on something you don't wanna.
  • If you study at home lots or your cat likes cuddling you while on the computer get a shallow box or tray and fold an old shirt in it. They will like it better then most beds. Otherwise those USB heated pet pads will be super popular but obviously only if you trust cat not to chew on it. A cheap desk hutch also seems to work well as most cats will be happy to look down on your homework.
  • PS when you move if you get the generic cheap IKEA cube shelf / bookcase / tv unit there's DIYs for a cat climber that's hidden and stuff.

    Toys


  • Bouncey springs milk jug rings and hair elastics (be careful with these) are super popular with younger cats because they move erratically.
  • Myler balls are super popular with one of my cats, paper bags and those cat tunnels that make crinkle sounds are also good.
  • A treat ball is a super great way to get some silence while studying.
  • They make laser toys that sit on a shelf and randomly turn on and off but my cats weren't interested. If you can borrow one before buying as those toys are 20$ to 40$. But a kitten might enjoy it more.
  • That ball with a tail will be adored I'm sure, they also sell remote control mice, Hexbugs for cats and other battery operated toys. These again should probably be used under supervision.
  • If your cat likes hunting, get a catnip kicker or fill a sock with batting and maybe a toy that makes noise. This is basically a long thing big enough for the cat to do those bunny kick things. It's a fucking sock, just sew closed a sock.
  • [Over the door cat toy](Ethical A-Door-Able Bouncing Mouse Cat Toy https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0002DJ6XW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_X4E.zb9R0EQRJ) is probably also good.


    This is super long but tdlr, your doing good, he's a kitten, he wants to play a lot when he's nibbling, here's a shit ton of cool cat stuff.
u/[deleted] · 3 pointsr/Pets

The Kickeroo is stuffed with soft stuff, like cotton batting. My cats hate paper filling in such toys but love the Kickeroo. It's been my experience working with cats that this is basically the only Kicker toy worth buying. This is only helpful if she is a kicker, i.e. when she plays, if she lays on the ground and uses all four paws to kick/shred the toy/your arm. It's a natural instinct cats have to disembowel prey. But not every cat is a kicker, so not every cat will benefit from this.

Not every cat responds to catnip, so no biggie there.

It sounds like she's just too intelligent for her own good. Either there is some physical quality to the wand that is attracting her (can test this by either removing the string part or just holding the toy in your hand so essentially the toy is only a stick, then moving the stick on the ground like it's prey), or she has figured out toy -> string -> stick, so if you get the stick, you win. I'd recommend a wand toy with a longer string. Da Bird entertains 98% of cats in my experience. Also, the cat dancer is 100% worth the $3.50. It moves like a bug would. In my experience, 100% of cats under 5 respond to it. They might get bored after 5 minutes, but I'm usually bored after 5 minutes, too.

Your cat sounds like a really good candidate for clicker training. The idea with clicker training is twofold: one, you train her to do what you want her to do (be quieter, leave you alone when you are doing certain things); two, she gets a sense of intellectual fulfillment and satisfaction. Cats are designed to hunt prey. When they live in our homes all their lives, they never get to do what they were meant to do, so I think it's natural that they are frustrated at times. When you clicker train a cat, you are stimulating a part of their brain that makes them think. If they respond to certain stimuli, they get a reward. Even if you just do this 2-3 minutes a day, you should see improvements in her temperament.

I've used an assortment of free resources (there is a great Yahoo group for clicker training cats) to teach myself. There are also two books that are considered the gold standard for this: this and this. I haven't read them, but if you're looking for a quick way to start, I've heard good things about both. The clicker is important - you can also use an old jam lid (one with those pop up buttons) as long as it makes a distinct, regular, loud-enough sound. This is all based on psychological research, so don't skimp on that part.

Wish I could be of more help! Good luck.

u/problemcat · 6 pointsr/Pets

Oh! Excellent!!! You'll be so happy with your kitty. Here are some of my cats' favorite things:

(1) A view out an open window, facing a tree or some kind of natural shrubbery where he can chirp at squirrels or birds (if you have access to such a thing). Even if there's no "wildlife" in the area, cats like to look outside at passersby too.

(2) High places, like cat trees, or window ledge lookouts: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/normal/p-21651-43327-cat.jpg

(3) Multiple sources of water, and preferably a running fountain. Amazon has one for $20 I think. Cats don't have much of a natural thirst drive but (males especially) are prone to urinary crystals. One of the best preventatives is drinking plenty of water, which cats are more likely to do if you give them a running source of it. You'll also find that some cats like to drink out of your own water cups lying around. It may not seem important that they get that much water, but my cat has been hospitalized twice for urinary crystals and that's way more expensive than a fountain.

(4) Scratchy posts and such. Keep them off your furniture!

(5) A litter box, preferably a covered one, in a private area. A rug underneath it will help with your own sanity because they'll kick the litter everywhere. I've turned the closet under the stairs (the Harry Potter closet) into a cat bathroom for my babies with a motion sensor light to give them privacy. I currently use this litter: http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Cat-Premium-Clumping-Litter/dp/B0009X29WK/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1370152220&sr=1-1&keywords=cat+litter I used to use World's Best but it was like they were crapping in crushed diamonds, it was the most expensive thing I was getting for them.

(6) A furry bed or basket with blankets. Cats love that velvety furry texture. Mine seem to love baskets, but really anything with high walls that encloses them. If you are low on $$ then even a cardboard box with some squishies to line it are excellent.

(7) Toys that act like actual prey. My cats love Da Bird and they love this crittery thing even more: http://www.amazon.com/Da-Bird-Catcher-maker-Feather/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1370151820&sr=1-3&keywords=da+bird, and I find it's more resilient than Da Bird (they yank on it). Toy mice and crinkle balls are also a favorite. Laser pointers, catnip-stuffed anything are also favorites. I've never known cats to really like balls or larger toys much. If it looks or acts like something they'd hunt, they basically go crazy for it. Again, if you're poor, you can easily make crinkle toys out of plastic bags (just watch the kitty during playtime and put the toys away when you're not engaging), or catnip-stuffed socks.

(8) Microchip! Collar! Kitties are good at sneaking through open doors. My cat is also insured and I've saved hundreds on his vet bills, it can be a good decision.

I can't say I'm the best with food recommendations. Sometimes it just really depends on your budget and how your cat likes and responds to food you're feeding him. If he has a glossy coat, minimal shedding, and a healthy weight, it's a good food choice. Hopefully someone else can chime in with what they're feeding their kitties!

u/innovativesalad · 6 pointsr/Pets

Your problem is... you have a kitten.

Honestly, all of this sounds like a normal young cat with a lot of energy who's bored out of her mind. Different cats have different energy levels, and your mom also had multiple cats together. Your kitten is alone, so all of her entertainment comes from you or from finding things to do herself, many of which won't please you. I would check out something like this book, which is a quick, easy read and covers strategies for all of the problems you're having. In brief, here are some things to try:

  • Scratching: Offer lots of acceptable scratching surfaces, both vertical and horizontal. Sisal posts and pads as well as cardboard are all great and really cheap. Put them in areas where your kitten likes to scratch. If you see her scratching the carpet, pick her up and gently move her to the scratching toy. If necessary, reward her with a treat the first few times she uses the toys.
  • Scratching: At the same time, you want to make the carpet less appealing to scratch. Try putting down double-sided tape or tinfoil in the affected areas. Both of these are cheap, easy to remove, and won't hurt the cat or the carpet.
  • Scratching: Keeping the cat's claws trimmed will also reduce her need to scratch, but keep in mind that scratching is completely healthy and necessary for all cats. (For one, it's how they stretch their back muscles.) If you're totally unable to get the scratching under control with toys, you might also look into getting Softpaws for her, but you probably won't need to.
  • Activity at night: Cats are most active in the evening by nature; they're technically crepuscular. To help you get your sleep anyway, you'll need to do multiple play sessions in the afternoon and evening. Yes, that takes time, but it's a pretty fun investment in a good night's sleep. Laser pointers, Da Bird-style toys, and this weird thing are all great for high-energy play. Cat playtime should mimic hunting and stalking prey, so avoid just waving a toy in her face (which can get the cat frustrated and more wound up). Hide the toy in various spots around the house, peeking out just a bit, and make her hunt it. Make her run and jump. With my 16-month-old, playtime isn't really done until he actually starts panting. (Be reasonable with this, obviously.)
  • Meowing: I would revise feeding times. Ideally, you should play with the kitten before bedtime, then feed her. That way she'll be worn out and ready for a long nap when you go to bed. If you're currently free-feeding, consider moving to one or two distinct feeding times. This will allow you to make food a bonding event, and if you play with her before feeding time, you'll also reinforce the sense that she's hunted successfully and can now settle down. Important: Avoid feeding her first thing in the morning, which will encourage her to meow at your door to get you out of bed. My cats eat dinner when I come home from work, then have playtime and treats right before bed. (They eat high-quality dry food for treats, but they're kind of weird.)
  • Activity at night: Simply speaking, your cat gets bored at night, so offer entertainment that doesn't involve harassing you. There are lots of inexpensive toys she can use by herself, including puzzle toys that dispense treats. Leave her with one or two each night; change it up to keep her interested. A cat tree by a window can be a good way to let her observe nocturnal wildlife and secure her territory, and it can be a good place for her to sleep as well. If you can get her sufficiently worn out before bedtime to make this feasible, I've found that letting my cats sleep in my bedroom actually keeps them calmer and quieter. They take their cues from us settling down and going to sleep, and they feel safe to do the same. My older cat would meow at the door all night when she was young too, and we didn't start getting normal sleep until we let her sleep with us.
  • Deterrents: You've already figured this out, but punishing cats doesn't really work. They don't understand what's going on and can get anxious and neurotic, and if they're sufficiently bored, even getting water sprayed at them can be a fun way to get attention. The best way to modify cat behavior is usually to offer more fun and interesting alternatives, while making the undesirable behavior less fun and more difficult. In your case, your kitten has figured out that meowing at your door will get you to interact with her for a solid hour and a half. To avoid this, something like the Ssscat may be a good way to keep her away from the door at night without interaction from you. However, you'll have to do this in addition to, not instead of, all the stuff above; otherwise she'll just meow at your door from three feet away.

    Good luck!

    Edit: I fail at Reddit formatting, apparently. ;_;
u/Purple4199 · 3 pointsr/cats

I can help with this! This info is not coming from things I've read or seen, but from an actual cat behaviorist (yes those are a real thing/person) that I had to hire to help with a very similar situation you are in.

  1. Is this your only cat? If not some cats really do need a buddy if possible, that might not solve all the nighttime problems but can help get that crazy energy out.

  2. Even though cats tend be awake more at night you can get them used to your sleep schedule.

  3. We were told the kitten needed to be physically and mentally stimulated so he would sleep better and get that excess energy out.

  4. I commented on a previous post on how she taught us to play with the cats, this is what I wrote:
    I second the playing tactics. I had to hire a cat behaviorist for one my cat (yes it was that bad) and she taught me how to correctly play with cats. Mimicking how a prey acts and behaves makes play time physically and mentally stimulating for kitty. Just changing how I played with him changed some of his misbehaving.
    I totally got into the roll of the "prey" and actually really had fun figuring out new ways to do that. I've found one of my cats loves to catch things in the air and jumps super high. My other cat is super fast and after the initial stalking period he loves the toy to be whipped around like crazy.

    This is the toy the behaviorist recommended and it is amazing. It's cheap, the cats LOVE it, so I always keep a supply of them in the house. The other thing is to make sure you don't leave these special toys out all the time. Put them away when you are done playing so it remains an exciting thing for them to do.

  5. She told us to play with him until he was breathing hard, NOT panting just breathing hard. As a signal to the end of the game let the kitten "win" by getting the toy and playing on their own for a few seconds.

  6. If you play with the kitten in the morning and the evening at the very least it helps get all their little energy out.

    This of course is by no means the only way to do things, but it really worked for us. Hope your kitten calms down and you can start getting more sleep.
u/i_grok_cats · 2 pointsr/LifeProTips

For my cats, it took a lot of trial and error, but we found that our cats like wand toys best, especially if there was spring that stimulated more than one sense, like a bell or something hard that could be tapped. We really like the neko-fly toys, but those are expensive (like twenty dollars for wand and toy) and we found that the wand wasn't sturdy enough for our cats.

The wand toy only works for ours because we will run down the hallway with it to the bed, where they like to attack it with pillows in strategic locations for optimal pouncing. Also, my backpack is a great barrier because they love the smell of it so will often play around that while a wand toy is in motion.

One of our cats also enjoys playing fetch. We use small stuffed mice. If they have real fur, the cats love it the most but I've found that those last barely a day. I have also used leather straps that I got at hobby lobby. They like chewing on the ends.

For awhile we had a track with a light up ball that they would play with.

Also, the standard laser works. The only problem with that is cats like to chew on things, abs the laser really didn't have that. Give them treats after playing with the laser.

Also, is your cat lazy? We found that when our cats are fatter they are more lazy, but much more active when we started cutting back their food intake. Also, not playing with them near their food dish is useful to, as they will tend to think they are getting fed instead of being played with (will think this if you have set feeding times, mostly).

Finally, you're going to have to try different toys. My cats really like the stuff they can chew on our hold onto. We had foam balls for awhile that basically disintegrated from being chewed up so much (lol!) And also, those craft fuzzy balls were fun. The smaller ones, we found out one of our cats had eaten when we cleaned out the litter box. Since, we've gotten large fuzzy balls.


Oh I also remembered that they liked sniffing and chewing those antlers that you can get dogs. A small one is large for their mouth, and I'd recommend one that was split open, but they liked it a lot. We never let then have it without our supervision though.

Oh, and like I said in my earlier comments, anything that has my sweat on it, they will go insane for. Try running your hands over toys to get them interested.

So, going off that, some dog toys can be just as much fun. Just think like a cat when looking at toys. And don't restrict yourself to just the cat toy section. Try the hobby aisles or the dog aisles.

Sorry I can't be too much help on toys but perhaps these suggestions will help!

u/the_skyis_falling · 2 pointsr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon
  1. Something Grey. Manatees love tea too.

  2. Something reminiscent of rain. I have have a 6 hour thunderstorm on my iPod that I listen too almost every night to help me relax and go to sleep. But, my pillow finally gave up the ghost, so I use ear buds...not as comfy.

  3. Food related, yet unusual. May seem tame to most, but my brain can't wrap around how these will/would taste.

  4. On my list for someone else. Slightly NSFW! For my wife who has sensitive...well, you'll understand when you look at the link. She needs this stuff to be more comfortable. I only have to look at them funny and it's too much for her.

  5. A book you should read. The Red Tent, is a book based on the fictional life of Dinah from the old Testament. She is is mentioned only once I think in the bible, but the author of this book weaves a life story based on how women where treated and lived back then. Dinah lives in a harsh world but learns from the women around her and see the workings of this mysterious entity called God in her world. It is a wonderful read and having to tell you about it reminded me I want it again to reread. Really a great book.

  6. Item that is less than a dollar. This awesome awesome fantastic song!

  7. Something for my kitty Cassie May. I've always wanted one of these for my kitty and this was the perfect opportunity to finally add it to my WL.

  8. Something that is not useful, but so beautiful I must have it. Isn't it a beautiful ring?

  9. A movie everyone should watch once in their life. Because it is so imaginative and awesomely made with the puppets and sets. And David Freaking Bowie and his cod piece and hair are sexy yet so evil. ....you remind me of the babe

  10. Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Keep my shankin' knives sharp yo!

  11. Something that would have a profound impact on my life and help me to achieve my current goals. Currently I have no real space to do my painting and in a month and a half I'm moving and will have even less space to myself and my painting. This would enable me to paint at any table. For without being able to take a breather and paint, I can not be myself and have those moments to detach and relax so I can later go out and be the best adult I can be.

  12. Pesky add-on. To make your hair o'so happy.

  13. The most expensive thing on my list. My phone is currently my only camera. I've always dreamed of owning a "professional" camera to go take pictures of all the things!

  14. Something bigger than a bread box. Vroom Vroom

  15. Something smaller than a golf ball. Tee Tiny!

  16. Something that smells wonderful. Romance by Ralph Lauren. Has been my go to perfume since highschool.

  17. SFW Toy. She's evil but she's suitable for any setting!

  18. Something that would be helpful for going back to school. Everyone needs to look stylish and stay cool for school!

  19. Something related to my current obsession. I've become crazy about all things tea!

  20. Something SO AMAZING! BEHOLD the splendor It's adorable, handmade, and I have seriously become so enamored with it! Thought you might like to see it's awesomeness.

    fear cuts deeper than swords

    Thanks for the fun contest
u/stillnotaswan · 1 pointr/PetBehavior

Have you considered placing him in another room for mealtimes? That way, your other cats can eat in peace.

You may want to consider portioning his meals using a timed feeder. I own a similar one, with an ice pack built in for wet food, available on Amazon as well. You can set it to dispense food up to 5 times per day. I’ve also heard that these are good for cats that eat too fast, as they have to “hunt” for their food little by little (alternatively, you can also hide his food in small portions around whatever room he eats in, inside puzzle feeders, etc). I think the food dispenser is probably easiest. The version I linked to above is $36, but I’m sure you can find it cheaper on OfferUp or eBay.

As for fighting, Jackson Galaxy and Pam Johnson-Bennett have some great suggestions. Pam has a great reintroduction guide here. They also stress the importance of playing with your cat to get any excess energy or aggression out.

My guess for why he attacks the other cat may be some insecurity on his part about his status in the home. Do you have any cat trees, or high perches where he can sit? That may help him feel secure. Does he get to spend adequate time with you? I know it sounds silly, but some studies now show that cats view their owners in the same way that children view their parents, in contrast to dogs, who view their owners as pack leaders. Maybe your cat feels like the child who is always getting disciplined (however well-deserved it may be). In either case, reintroduction would likely be the first thing to try. It can take weeks, but it may be worth it for some peace in the home.

Another option is Feliway Multicat . It is a diffuser system (and I believe they have a spray version) designed for homes with multiple cats. The diffuser contains artificial pheromones designed to mimic the ones produced by a mother cat to calm her kittens. A friend of mine volunteers at a local shelter that utilizes these extensively to help keep the peace among their cats, and I know they’re quite popular in households with cats that don’t get along. It’s a pricey product and you may need multiple diffusers throughout your home for adequate reach, but again, you may find them cheaper elsewhere. Additionally, you can try placing them specifically where the two cats fight.

Good luck with everything. If you do choose to re-home your cat, the best thing would be to find him a loving home yourself, or at the very least, be sure you are looking at no-kill shelters (they often have waiting lists, by the way, so you’ll likely have to wait a bit - but it would save his life!) Be transparent about his issues and his need to be an only cat (in probably an adults-only home) so he can be placed where he’d be a good fit.

I hope it all works out for you and you can all live peacefully together!

u/Odow · 8 pointsr/SiberianCats

congratz !! :D

Our siberian favorite toy is this one
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B075SZCLZR/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

He absolutely LOVES it, he hides, he plays, he plots against us in there, the wrinkly sound make it super fun for him, and it's extremely robust couldn't find a single tear even with him putting is claw through it.

for a cat tree, it's better that you invest more money in a basic one, than paying for a cheap huge tree, siberian are BIG cats that LOVES to climb and jump and he will throw himself on it and you don't want an accident happening. Molyy and friends does amazing tree, we bought this one
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000OSIJA6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It think he would have love one that his higher than this one but they get pricier, He's spending 80% of his time on it. the top bunk is his bed, he love to run and jump through the loop, playing pick a boo in there, and it comes with the scratching post that is high enough for him to stretch plainly.

this brush is a must have, not a choice YOU NEED IT, Siberian need good brushing often to avoid painful matted fur, get him use to being brush EVERYWHERE very young (especially the butt, and under his "armpits")
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B0040QS3PO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Best laser toy ever. you don't have to keep your finger on the button for it to work, it's super bright, and the cat will recognized the toy when he sees it before of it's bright color. we just need to say " Gaspachio wanna play ?" and show him the paws and he starts puring and getting ready to hunt. Make sure to train him to play with laser when he's young by rewarding it at the end of a session with a treat and making him stop on toy (so he has the feeling for catching something) after a few month he will have understand that the red dot CANNOT be catch, it's just fun to run after, and you won't have any mental issue with the cat.
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B074Q2YK3L/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This window bed is super strong, at first we though he didn't like it because we didn't saw him on it, then we realized he's always on it during the day when we're not home. And when we start pulling the curtain over it he starts going even more often since it's an "hidden place"
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B005AUM8U0/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Absolutely NEVER feed you cat with crap cheap brand, if you can afford a 1k cat you can afford good food and treat for it. and brush his teeth regularly.

Also, plenty of soft hugs <3

u/vinceravivere · 1 pointr/BabyBumps

Oh man I know some about this one - cat enrichment is a passion of mine, as well as cat training through positive reinforcement!! Cats DO NOT learn from or respond well to negative reinforcement (actually a misnomer, but basically 'punishment' or deterrents), and this might increase his anxiety. Definitely begin this process before baby gets here, as others have said! For you guys, enrichment will be the name of the game. Buckle up, and apologies for the long post....

Give him as many things to do at night as you can - puzzle feeders, try feeding him right before going 'in' for the night with a puzzle feeding bowl, lots of toys. Hide little stashes of food around so he has to 'hunt' for it; you can even make little scent trails. Feeding on a schedule, not leaving it down all the time, makes food much more high-reward and fun to discover. You can also leave worn shirts or bras of yours out, either next to his favorite sleeping spaces or even in them (like cat beds) so he has some 'momma smell' to comfort him when you're separated!!

Put the toys and food away during the day, except for his breakfast!! Night time can become a 'fun' time for him, but only if you do it very positively! Exiling him from the bedroom with negative stimuli (picking him up and carrying him out, chasing him out of the room, shutting the door right in his face) will reinforce the negative associations; try to get a toy that he will chase out and then shut the door once he's left of his own accord.

Some major things to think about are - active playtime, not passive play. These are things that move (either on their own battery-operated or because you drag/swing/point them), versus balls or toys that sit on the floor. Cats have a LOT more energy than we give them credit for! They have an absolutely huge hunting instinct, and get a lot of satisfaction out of using that. Try toys like battery operated laser pointer stand, ones that move with very little jostling, mice that he has to 'hunt'. Here are a few I've used - a butterfly on a wire, a mouse that goes around a track for about 7-8 minutes, a laser tower. You get the idea. None of these are perfect, but they will be new and fun! You might have to come back out a few times a night to turn them back on at intervals, but hey, you'll be up with baby or to pee anyways!! Again, put these away during the day so they are 'new' at night. You can also try cat tunnels like these for fun new territory to explore.

Speaking of territory, try to get him using his 'vertical space' (shelves on the wall, cat trees, etc) as much as possible with treats and catnip. More places to explore means more places to hide food and toys!

In general, look into as much 'fun stuff' at night as possible. He's definitely going to want to explore and get to know baby; this is normal and fine as long as it is safe. Babies actually benefit from contact with animals as it helps their immune systems!! I think that night time is definitely going to be your hardest bit, but just be as consistent as you can and start small. Start with just 15mins locked out, but again, have him chase a toy out and then have something high-value (treats, a favorite toy/game) out there to keep him occupied. Just keep building those positive associations with 'outside the bedroom' and make the bedroom as boring a place as you can for him!!!

Another good page with a lot of the same info, a little better worded haha!!

u/melini · 6 pointsr/AskVet

Hey! Vet student/cat owner here. /u/ads215 has already answered a lot of your questions, but hopefully I can provide a bit more info on others!

Regarding vomiting: it's true that some cats vomit regularly (though usually not as much as 1-2x per week) BUT there could be an underlying cause, too. Is there always heaving with the vomiting? How digested is the food? It could be because of eating too fast (you can get dishes that help with that, or try something like this), or it could be a sign of disease.

My cat poops 1-2x per day. Again, your cat having a bowel movement only every few days might be normal for her, or it could be disease-related.

As for separation anxiety, it is seen much more often in dogs. Cats are really good at entertaining themselves. Like the other poster said, toys, windows, even little twist ties are great ways to keep your cat busy and active during the day. (Side note: to keep it fun, have "sets" of toys that you switch out periodically. Makes it seem like brand new toys every few weeks!)

I have a Sunny Seat for my cat in the window which he LOVES, he's either there or on top of his scratching post most of the time. Which leads me to another thing - do you have a scratching post for her? It's a behavioural need for cats to scratch, and if they don't have something appropriate to do it on, you can expect other things to get shredded.

Also, her breath - normal cat breath definitely exists, but it can also be a sign of dental disease.

Overall, most of my points go to the same conclusion: I think it would be of great benefit for both of you to visit a veterinarian for a wellness check. You can bring all of these issues forward to the vet, and they can check out the cat physically and figure out if they're normal or concerning. Not only that, but you can also talk to them about looking into pet insurance, which, in my experience with bengals, every owner should have. They tend to need a little extra veterinary care.

It was really awesome of you to take in this cat! I hope that she's with you for a long time, I can see that you're having fun with her!

u/Meeowkitty · 3 pointsr/MaineCoon

Congrats on the MC!

I have two MCs....

  1. Invest in a water fountain! Cats naturally don't drink enough water (which is why they tell u wet food is better to feed ur cat than dry food)

    https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Drinkwell-Platinum-Fountain-Drinking/dp/B000L3XYZ4/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1542680300&sr=1-5&keywords=platinum+water+fountain

    ​

    Also, cats don't like their food and water in the same spot . I found my cats tend to drink way more water and it stays cleaner when they are in different areas. Previously i was cleaning their water daily because my silly cats were dropping their kibbles into the water, or their food was getting sugar ants.

    ​

  2. Your new baby will need a scratching post he/she can grow into. My boys use this one religiously (we have 3 posts scattered around the house) but this is their favorite because they can stretch all the way to the top. WARNING: its massive. its very sturdy and pretty wide so if u have a smaller place this may NOT be the post for you.

    https://www.amazon.com/MidWest-Homes-Pets-Scratching-Extra-Durable/dp/B00JEADDCO/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1542679782&sr=8-9&keywords=cat+scratching+post+for+large+cats

    ​

  3. Food: my kitties were fed taste of the wild at the breeders, but I transitioned them to Orijen cat and Kitten Food. Extremely pricy but as far as dry food goes some of the best.

    https://www.amazon.com/Orijen-Dry-Cat-Kitten-Food/dp/B01I3IBQG2/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1542680125&sr=1-4&keywords=orijen+cat+and+kitten+12

    ​

  4. Cat litter: My previous cats developed issues from the dust from clay based litters. We switched over to something more natural when i got these MCs...like walnut shells!

    https://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Fresh-Multi-Cat-Quick-Clumping-Litter/dp/B00BPA12MO/ref=sr_1_7?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1542680260&sr=1-7&keywords=blue+litter

    ​

  5. Cat Shelves - If you have a blank wall i definitely recommend this! We had to tweak ours a little because the shelves we purchased were entirely too small for Maine Coons. And also had to add supporting brackets. Everyday its a fight on who gets the cat shelves! and if its in a common area, its definitely a way for them to be present and still in their own space up high.

    ​

  6. Pet insurance. If you can afford to get ur kitten Pet insurance I recommend this. Maine coons since they are a larger breed are prone to things like hip displaysia, HCM, and other genetic diseases. It makes caring for them a little easier as they get older. We use Healthy Paws Pet insurance for our two Maine Coons and i highly recommend them! I want to say as a kitten they started out between 10 and 20 dollars a month?

    ​

    ​

    Everyone has given u a lot of wonderful advice here! Some of which i actually wish I knew when i was getting my babies! Good luck and enjoy your new kitten :)

    ​

    ​

    ​
u/Amonette2012 · 2 pointsr/curledfeetsies

So precious! If he's your first, I really recommend a few things if that's ok! Amazon/ ebay links but products can be found elsewhere.

Watch My Cat From Hell - it's FULL of good ideas and knowledge, despite the cable TV format.

Harness and leash train your cat asap. Not only can you then take them for walks (which takes a couple years to do but is well worth it), being ok with a harness and leash will make him way easier to travel with and take to the vet.

Cat backpacks are easier than cat carriers; I like the solid rectangular ones best.



Check out robot toys that your cat can play with on their own, as well as bouncer toys (basically a long wire with a little cardboard thingy on each end that you can wedge somewhere for them to play with.

Couple of things mine love:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006N9I68/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WP7F8YC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1



A cat tree next to a window with a bird feeder outside (you can get ones that stick onto your window) will make them very happy. Note on cat trees - I got a really good deal on ebay recently, and the same cat trees were way more expensive on Amazon - I totally recommend checking ebay for cost comparison on this. They were like 30-40% cheaper.

He looks like he's going to be a floof. I recommend these two brushes - the first is for removing extra hair every so often in the summer months, the second is a general daily brush (I just keep them in the powder room seeing as my cats insist on going to the bathroom with me anyway). This seriously reduces the amount of hair all over your home. We barely have cat hair on anything aside from their regular spots on cat furniture.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CWCRFUW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YIWUXI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

If they do turn out to be floofy, watch out for them seeming bit light/ skinny in hot weather - they can get dehydrated, and this is a real life-shortener. Avoid cheap cat treats, which tend to be too salty (Temptations/ Dreamies etc) get the vet recommended sort.

My cats also love this fountain (we've gotten them three and this is the top pick and the easiest to use):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TY5D6C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_image?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Learn to trim his claws yourself - you'll save your furniture. I use these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002RJM8C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

u/littlestray · 3 pointsr/Pets

There's already been a lot of great advice here, but I want to stress that should your parents engage in abusive behavior again (such as the slapping and throwing) and even just the neglect of tossing the cat outside and leaving care up to you (if they fail to scoop/maintain litter, food and fresh water), report them to animal welfare. This could be an SPCA or other similar welfare organization, but NOT animal control and it's best to go straight to an animal welfare organization than the police (who are more concerned with people).

You've made mention that things for animals (like shelters) aren't so good in your country, it may help us help you with recommendations on humane resources if you mention what country that is (and if you're comfortable, smaller area like province/state/et cetera).

A lot of the kitten's behavior (being a 24/7 pain in the ass) is normal and expected, and they'll be a handful for most of their youth. A kitten is considered a cat by one year but it may take two or even three years to mellow out into a full grown cat personality. However since they've been separated from their mom and litter mates too early it's on you to provide the extra care they need until they're of weaning age, so be sure to do plenty of research on providing care to an overly young kitten. It's been over five years since I raised my last litter so I'll leave further advice on that to others.

Additionally, you can easily never buy cat toys. Mine loves just plain ole straws, many thoroughly enjoy other "garbage" toys like crumpled paper or crumpled aluminum foil, hair ties, milk caps, et cetera. The only mandatory "cat toy" will be the cat scratcher. There are all types, even just corrugated cardboard. If you wanna get fancy when they're a bit older if you can't find a better home, these turbo scratchers are amazing.

Good on you for stepping up to the plate, good luck in training your parents. I hope you also have access to therapy and a strong support system (like good friends). Best wishes.

u/Justanotherflower · 1 pointr/cats

You basically need to find a way to keep him entertained in the mornings. Here's a few options:

  1. Get him a buddy. My kitten used to be so needy and wanted to play at the worst possible times up until I introduced her to one of my cats from home. I have since moved that other cat into my apartment and they are best friends. They play together and wrestle all the time. Your cat is still pretty young, so this may be a good option for him.

  2. Get him some toys/games that will entertain him for a while. There's actually a lot of toys that cats can play with that will keep them entertained on their own. If you have an iPad or a tablet you can download games for cats. I have a laser game and a mouse game that I downloaded for free and I just leave the iPad on the floor and they play with that for quite a while. Other entertaining toys we have are this (courtesy of this year's Reddit Secret Santa!) and also this. Both these toys can keep my kitties entertained for quite a while.

  3. I've never had to do this, but you could try getting up with him at 6 one morning to play, and then the next morning make it 6:15, and then so-on until you're at the ideal time for you. Again, I've never tried this, but it might be worth it.

  4. After you establish a better sleep schedule for him, keep him in your room on the nights that your roommate's girlfriend stays over. Then she can't really wake him up and make him want to play. If that's not an option, you could ask her to play with him for a couple of minutes in the morning before she leaves.

    I hope you figure something out for both yours and your cat's sake. The best solution for me was to just get another cat. Now I don't usually have problems with them wanting to play at bad times anymore. But I know that for a lot of people, getting another pet just isn't an option. So I would definitely try the toys. I'm sure there's plenty of other toys out there other than the ones I mentioned that could work for your kitty as well.

    One last note- if your kitty isn't neutered, I would definitely recommend getting him neutered. Neutering cats has a lot of benefits, and it might even help with the howling- source
    Again, good luck!
u/bestwhit · 8 pointsr/Pets

this may repeat what others have said but this is a fairly exhaustive list of things that have shown really good response from my cats:

  • Go Cat mouse teaser - made by the same people who made da bird (next bullet) which is featured a lot on My Cat from Hell and is a very popular toy; my younger cat goes APESHIT for it every time and wants to play with it whenever we let him - he will jump higher and run faster than with any other toy
  • Go Cat "Da Bird" - simply put, a great cat teaser; it will whistle through the air if you guide it at the right speed (pretty easy to get after practice) and both of my cats love it (and as mentioned above, very very popular)
  • pom pom balls, fluffy puff balls/"mice", etc. - basically balls that are soft, fuzzy, and can fit happily in cat mouth - my cats bat these around (under couch/table/etc. :/) and carry them around the apartment proudly
  • mylar balls or other chewy/noisy balls/"mice" - great for making noise to pique their interest and also fun to bat, carry, etc.
  • random shit filled with catnip - I first bought one of those little animals that you fill with nip, but now I just fill an old sock, tie it off, and it works just as well
  • laser pointer - I linked the one I use, but obviously doesn't matter which you buy; however, you need to commit to some time with playing with this each session, as I've felt that starting a play session only to stop before your cats are exhausted is asking for trouble, as the laser pointer gets them SO EXCITED that they stay crazed and they have to burn off that extra energy somehow...
  • BOXES - do you buy things? KEEP THE BOXES - they are probably the most easily/cheaply accessible toy you can get with the most use because cats love playing in, sitting, sleeping, squeezing into, etc boxes like it's nobody's business. also - keep the bubble wrap/air packs because those are also fun to pounce on/attack
  • straws - I bought a pack for like a dollar and have tons still - not always a hit but are fun to chew and bat

    that's about it as far as things that remain interesting... and that fit in nice categories

    note the Go Cat toys will become destroyed if you leave them out unattended/after play so keep them somewhere out of reach when not in use
u/laterdayze · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

Hi there, what a great contest! :)

My Sofie kitty is 2, so not quite a kitten anymore, but she is such a sweetie pie and loves to play!

I found this, and thought it was really cool! Sofie likes to drink fresh water the best (directly from the faucet) and this seems like a neat alternative!

As I said, Sofie loves to play and I know she would love this mouse toy on my For the Kitty wishlist. :)

Thanks so much, I hope you and your kitty have a wonderful Christmas!

u/RaccoonGiraffePizza · 3 pointsr/PetAdvice

I agree with the other posters who advise you to be patient and let her adjust to this big transition before you worry too much. When I moved recently, my cat was so shook up about it that he hid for three or four days and had no interest in even his favorite toy.

One thing you can do is cat-ify (to steal words from Jackson Galaxy) her environment so that she has lots of options to "own" her new space. Perches, cat trees, scratchers, etc. Access to a window where she can watch outside. Don't be too worried if she doesn't use something right away. Simply having plenty of spaces where she is free to be a cat should help her start to feel at home.

Wait for her to "ask" you to play when she's ready. What I mean is: as she grows more confident in your home, she'll start taking an interest in play. She may find your phone cord and start batting it around. Or seem very intrigued with the birds outside the window. Or you'll be petting her and she'll start trying to bite your hands like a toy. Whatever it is, one day you'll see that kitty instinct come out in some way.

When you see it, that's a good time to try to engage her with a toy. She'll be less likely to be fearful of it because she'll be in her hunting mode. It can also help you determine which kind of play she prefers: some cats love the chase, some cats love batting a toy, some cats love to hide and watch a toy move before pouncing..etc. One of my cats absolutely loves to chase toys around as I wave them while the other seems to prefer observe-pounce-run away-repeat.

Finally, as far as treats... don't worry so much. First of all, she may just not be into treats because she's adjusting and (kind of like a human) has other things occupying her attention. But I have found many cats that just aren't as food motivated as others. It seems some cats live to eat and others eat to live. There is nothing wrong with her if she's just not that excited by snacks.

I hope this helps and reassures you that you're doing a great job and she'll grow in confidence over the next few weeks and you'll see her personality start to come out more. As an owner of a treat-picky cat, I have had huge success with these treats. For toys, I haven't met a cat yet who doesn't end up loving [this thing.] (https://www.amazon.com/Go-Cat-Catcher-Teaser-Mouse/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=sr_1_5?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1527026128&sr=1-5&keywords=cat+wand)

Good luck and congratulations on the new kitty!

u/retryNarrowingKnee · 2 pointsr/cats

Your first mistake is thinking your cat has a master. There are three things that could be happening here. One is that he doesn't like you. One is that he likes you and is playing with you. One is that he likes you and is playing with you but could really use some more toys. Get him some toys. Might be fun to get some of those toys on sticks and play with him since he clearly wants to play with you. But I wouldn't assume this is aggressive. Try filling a sock with catnip and sewing it closed or buying something similar. My cats love kicking and biting those. He just sounds like he's having fun, though. Just get him something he can rabbit kick and bite and direct his attention there. And have fun so he knows you love him and that it's just more fun for everyone to use the toy!


He might do this with you because he thinks you like it, too. But I think he's just being a happy cat and doesn't mean to be aggressive. Try something like this so you can play with him and he gets his kicking and energy out: https://smile.amazon.com/Go-Cat-Piece-Apart-Handmade/dp/B000F9JJJE

u/llamalamaglama · 3 pointsr/AskVet

Vet student and cat lover here. Undersocialized kittens, kittens separated from their mom too early, and Bengals can all make challenging pets, so I'm not surprised you're having some trouble with that combination!

It sounds like your kitten has play aggression. Basically, he's bored and under-stimulated, and his pent-up energy is being directed towards you. Here's some information about play aggression from the SF SPCA, a well-respected behavior consultant, and VCA hospitals. I hope you'll find it useful!

My cat used to be play-aggressive, and here's what's worked for me:

  • Lots and lots of play. Aim for at least two sessions of 10-15 minutes per day of active play, and try to wear him out!

  • Try lots of toys! Kittens will have different preferences and may get bored over time, so switch things up. I'm giving some links of toys that, in my experience, cats go crazy over. They're not affiliate links, I don't work for the companies, and you can find them in pet stores as well: Cat catcher, Cat Charmer, Da Bird, and Cat Crazies A lot of cats also go crazy for foil balls and drinking straws if you throw them around. Try to have a variety of toys- wand toys, sparkle balls, bouncy balls, big catnip toys your kitten can kick, little catnip toys he can carry around, soft toys, plastic toys- you get the idea. If your cat is an ambush hunter, he may also like if you dangle a toy at one end of a cat tunnel so he can run through and grab it.

  • Try to engage in play before you see any signs of playfulness or aggression, and definitely learn to recognize those signs and act on them! I've found that while redirecting with toys is the smart thing to do, at that point, it's usually too late.

  • Cat tend to have a hunt-eat-groom-sleep cycle. Try to feed twice a day at regular times, and play for a bit first. Cats like being on a schedule.

  • More cat trees and build/buy cat shelves if you're able!

  • Wear shoes/boots in the house if you have to. Doing this saved my ankles, and I wonder if part of the reason he attacks you more than your BF is that you react more so it's more fun for him.

  • Food puzzles! Here's a site with a ton of options, including super cheap or free/recycled ones.

  • Look into clicker training! Good way to keep him physically and mentally occupied.

    I hope this helps! I realize I've just thrown a ton of info at you, and my main suggestion is to take just a couple little ideas and start incorporating them. Maybe find one toy he loves and use it twice a day, scatter his food over his cat tree or in an ice cube tray, and try to keep yourself covered so he can't hurt you.

    Also, definitely take him to the vet! I agree he can probably be neutered now or soon, it's always good to take new pets to the vet, and they may have behavior advice. Best of luck!
u/ski3 · 1 pointr/dogs

I have a Golden Retriever puppy, Summit (8 months old tomorrow, he came home at 8 weeks old) and an indoor-only cat, Sprocket (1 year old). The big thing is to be patient and monitor all interactions.

Our cat is very tolerant and go-with-the-flow. He has never hissed or clawed at the dog. Thee was one time the dog did get too rough with him, and the cat meowed loudly for help, but never fought back (which in a way, makes things harder for our situation). Our dog is extremely playful and although he doesn't mean to harm that cat and just wants to play, he doesn't understand that the cat is too little, is not a dog, and cannot be a wrestling buddy.

Tips

  • Start by sequestering them in separate parts of the house/apartment. Let them get used to each other's smells. Since we live in a small apartment, we couldn't exactly close them completely out of certain rooms, but if you can, this can be a good step.
  • Invest in an exercise pen for the dog. Let them sniff each other through the pen. This allows them to see and smell each other without physically interacting with each other. (It's also extremely useful for keeping the dog and your home safe when you can't 100% of your attention to the dog).
  • Until you begin to trust the dog, make sure she is leashed for all interactions. We still only let them interact when Summit is leashed because he still doesn't understand that he's bigger than the cat and could potentially hurt him. Reward both animals for reacting calm around each other. Initially, reward the dog of nicely investigating the cat as well. Be ready to separate them if one of the animals gets overexcited, or if the interaction is becoming dangerous for one of the pets.
  • Create a safe space for your cat. Shelves and high-up places for her to go to escape the dog. Maybe even invest in a baby gate similar to this one so that the cat can access a room that the dog can't (note that the dog will have to grow a bit before the size of the door will prevent her from entering the room).

    Additional Tips for living with a puppy and a cat

  • Contain the cat's supplies. Find a way to cover the litter box or place it in a room that the dog can't get to. Move the food to a place where the dog can't get it as well (we put Sprocket's food bowls on some shelves that the dog can't reach).
  • Many Golden puppies will eat anything that can fit in their mouths. This can cause fatal bowel obstructions. Put away all small cat toys and keep them in a place where the dog can't get it. Also, if your cat enjoys toys, invest in some larger ones that the dog cannot easily swallow such as the [Kong Kickeroo](https://www.amazon.com/KONG-Moppy-Kickeroo-Catnip-Colors/dp/B0037PNC1O/ref=sr_1_7?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1488061069&sr=1-7&keywords=kong+kickeroo+cat+toy0, https://www.amazon.com/Bergan-Turbo-Scratcher-Cat-Toy/dp/B000IYSAIW/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1488061298&sr=1-4&keywords=cat+ball+track+toy, and the ball-track type toys.
u/SimplyBohemian · 2 pointsr/cats

I’ve bought my kitten this (I forget how to link on mobile so sorry for the ugly link) and of course it’s the cheapest toy I’ve bought, but he will play with this until he’s panting, go eat, come back and play over and over.

You can also kinda DIY some toys. My older cat (5 years) hates anything and everything I buy for her. I bought a bungee mouse toy you can hang on doors and stuff, and tied a long ribbon through the ring. She will play with that forever. (Also linked)

The one they both agree is with the Yeowww catnip banana. They go absolutely bonkers for it. (Linked)

Some also love little chirpy toys. You can find plenty on strings, or little strong free ones (linked).

Go to town with feathers, bells, and whatnot to figure out what your kitty likes!

Crinkle balls are also a hit with both. They love the sound and it’s their jam. My youngest will play with them for hours. Be careful of which brand you buy of these though, some people have issues with the dye.

If you don’t want’em scratching on anything, try getting a couple scratching posts and place them near where they scratch the walls or whatever else. They also love being up high, so a cat tree is always great! Preferably near windows since most cats enjoy looking outside.

Cheap toy: Cat Dancer 101 Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N9I68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_R7yTBbDYBC4T8

Mouse bungee toy: SmartyKat Bouncy Mouse Cat Toy Bungee Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FK62YM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_2.yTBb1ECB06G

Catnip Banana: Yeowww! Catnip Toy, Yellow... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AUJFHE?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Crinkle balls: 12 Mylar Crinkle Balls for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VVY88VR?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

Chirpy toy: Your pet will love this Pet Zone Play-N-Squeak Backyard Squeaking Raccoon Cat Toy: https://app.chewy.com/pEfewDgnJQ

u/NonEdible · 1 pointr/cats

Hi TurbinePoweredVagina, sorry to hear about your kitty. I hope some of this information will be able to help!

First off, good on you for introducing wet food back into his diet! I also suspect that the change to all dry is triggering these blockages. The number one issue concerning cats with urinary crystals water consumption. Cats naturally have a very low thirst drive (as they get virtually all water from their prey, which is ~70% water), and often will not drink until extremely dehydrated. So a transition from a primarily wet diet (70-80% moisture) to a primarily dry diet (~10%) moisture would undoubtedly cause your kitty to consume less water. In essence, a uretic dry food isn't going to do much more for your kitty than if he were eating a generic dry food, as he is likely chronically dehydrated.

When looking for a canned food for your cats (and this applies to all cats, including healthy ones!), look out for a two important things:

  • actual named protein source first and second on list of ingredients ("chicken" or "turkey" as opposed to "meat by-product")
  • free of grains (rice, corn, wheat, etc)

    Cats are by design, obligate carnivores (teeth shape, short digestive tract to minimize bacteria in prey). They haven't lived with humans long enough to evolutionarily adapt to the consumption of high-carbohydrate diets, and thus, their bodies still lack the necessary enzymes to properly digest carbohydrates. Note that most dry foods are very high in carbs (30%+), due to the necessity of a starch to bond the kibble together. As a result, high-carb dry diets (upwards of 30% - 50% carbs) contribute to maldigestion, hairballs, obesity, kidney diseases, high blood sugar leading to feline diabetes, and chronic dehydration leading to urinary blockages.

    In terms of good common canned food brands, may I recommend Wellness (the 12.5 oz cans, look for the Grain Free yellow triangle) or EVO (13 oz cans)? The Wellness website often has promotions and will provide coupons for their products, and EVO offers a frequent buyers club, in which the 10th purchase is free. I find that buying the large cans in bulk (two boxes at a time) is enough to last my cat almost two months. They're pretty economical as the large cans (the EVO ones are $2.69 where I live, no doubt cheaper in the US) end up being around the same price if not cheaper than supermarket brands like Friskies or Fancy Feast, per gram. You should be able to find Wellness in big box pet stores like Petsmart and Petco, however EVO isn't as common and it might only be available in smaller or privately-run stores. If you're in a rush and need to get food fast, Fancy Feast actually isn't terrible; as their classic variety lacks grains and has named protein sources at the top of the ingredient list.

    As the main concern with a cat with urinary tract issues is water consumption, here are a couple things you can do to alleviate his condition:

  • if your kitty is fascinated with running water, try getting him a pet fountain. The sound of running water encourages many cats to drink more.
  • give him chicken broth, water from a tuna can, or a cat milk such as CatSip as treats
  • add one or two tablespoons of water to his wet food each meal

    I leave you with some resources that you may find helpful:

  • Feline Urinary Tract Health: Excellent feline nutrition website written by a veterinarian, very in-depth
  • Feline-Nutrition.org: Library of interesting articles
  • Forum for Cat Health/Nutrition: Knowledgeable people, can go to them for more advice

    tl;dr Cats naturally don't drink enough water so eating an all dry diet will cause dehydration and urinary blockages. Best solution is to switch to a primarily wet diet (grain free for optimum health), get a pet fountain, give tasty broth and lactose-free milk as treats, and add additional water to food during mealtimes.

    Hope this helped. Best of luck to you and your little guy!
u/littlewootiewoo · 8 pointsr/BabyBumps

Okay, first of all, if you genuinely think she'll make you more miserable and stressed when baby arrives, you won't be a horrible person if you can find someone else to take her. Any pet is a lot of work... and an infant is even more.

That said, I want to offer my 2 cents because I feel really bad for you and I've worked with a lot of problem cats (both mine and others')!

I'd say priority one is discouraging the sleep attacks. Try keeping a can of compressed air by the bedside and spraying it when she attacks you. It's pretty effective with our cats as an immediate "no way" reaction for very bad behaviors.

You can also adopt some cat body language if you're not afraid of looking silly. Just like dogs, cats have communication behaviors that you can take advantage of with a little patience. Jackson Galaxy (the cat whisperer) has a ton of resources on this if you're interested; my husband and I have used a lot of his techniques with positive results! There are several, but one example is the "slow blink." Next time she's just staring at you, stare back and then slowly blink your eyes. This is a way of communicating you're not a threat and it tends to calm really wild/anxious felines.

It definitely sounds like she has some pent up energy, too. She's still pretty young and kittens can be pretty wild (all of my cats have mellowed out considerably as they've gotten older). Different cats like different toys, but some that I've noticed have been favorites of all have been those little fuzzy mice that come in multipacks, feather teasers, and this turbo scratcher cat toy. The last one is nice because they can play with it without any help from humans.

Finally, if there's ever a time and place where she's sweet (even if those moments are few and far between), keep a few treats handy around the house and try to just reward her occasionally when she's chill, nicely sitting in your lap, etc. Just like dogs (and people!), it's often more effective to train them by positively rewarding good behavior than just punishing bad behavior.

Sorry for writing a book! I really hope you can work things out with your psycho little fluffball.

u/postc88 · 7 pointsr/SiberianCats

Congratulations! Our siberian is about 1.5 years old now and has been an incredible cat and great experience for us. Here's a couple points from my perspective and experience:

  1. Establish a consistent feeding schedule and plan for how you'll approach food with your kitten. Your breeder should be able to help with this - understand what food to start them on initially, how frequently and when to give them food, and then in the next 6-9 months where you're trying to take them food wise (off kitten food, to what kind of feeding plan). Changes in diet can impact their stomachs and behavior so it's good to have a plan here.

  2. Change their litter box daily. Having this clean will help ensure the kitten uses it. I've never had any issues with our kitten on this which is a great breed trait.

  3. Get a good combing comb for grooming. You'll want one that is specific for dematting, they tend to get matts in their fur due to their long coats. Something like this one: https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Pet-Products-W563-Shedding/dp/B0002AQUSE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1523036227&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+comb. You'll also likely want to find a local cat groomer as their matting may require an occasional grooming and this will avoid any issues with their litter box and long fur as well. We have ours groomed on a 3x per year cadence and have found a groomer that will come to our house which is nice.

  4. Early on, if you're bringing just one kitten home, give them a ton of attention. Siberians are very social and will look to be around you all the time and to ensure the kitten develops to be social and friendly i'd recommend adhering to this. Between my wife and i and our 2 roommates, for the first 3 months or so we tried to have someone with the kitten at all times more or less. Get some good toys - a mix of bird like toys (with feathers on a string) and balls they can chase are likely best. They all love this thing too: https://www.amazon.com/Bergan-Turbo-Scratcher-Colors-vary/dp/B000IYSAIW/ref=sr_1_6?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1523036334&sr=1-6&keywords=cat+toy

  5. After 1-2 weeks at home, gradually begin to increase their interaction with
    strangers and introduce them to people. This worked well with our kitten to make him very social and unafraid of visitors at our home.

    Those are my thoughts! Feel free to post any specific questions as they arise.
u/schmin · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

Declawing is the same as surgically removing the last bone from each of your fingertips. Learn to keep the cat's nails trimmed correctly. Too short and if a cat's not used to it, they can't walk, run, or jump without wobbling until they grow back.

Not all cats like scratching posts -- mine prefers cardboard, but not the 'on-edge' cardboard cat scratchers, so my dad helped me add a wooden 'tray' to the top of the post in which I place flat squares of cardboard cut from boxes. She scratches and sleeps there, and sometimes just perches there to watch out the window. Don't get a carpet-covered scratching post or pad unless you want to teach your cat that scratching carpet is a good idea. =P

I have a Booda Dome for a litter box -- she still tracks some litter. I don't think there's a system out there that will keep cats from tracking any. Some litters are better than others. Covered litter boxes are nice for the humans, but not all cats will adapt to the flaps. Some litters are lower 'dust' than others, and this is better for cats' lungs and humans' alike. =)

Not all cats will respond to catnip or all types of toys. My cat is indifferent to laser pointers, and only likes the actual fur-covered realistic mice. She doesn't care for bell toys, but those little plastic springs drive her nuts (when she's in the mood). Her favorite toy is a wooden wobble 'bead' in which you can place catnip. Also a Da Bird Feather Cat Toy which you can make flutter to sound like a real bird. I'd suggest the non-collapsible one, as I'd suspect my cat would pull that apart. =P

Talk to your vet about what food(s) are actually good for your cat. From my research, you want to avoid bone meal products or and 'meal' products as they include ground bone which is hard on your cat's kidneys. Also avoid grains. Turkey is better than chicken; not all fish are terrible, but you have to consider mercury levels. You should consider only feeding your cat wet food, but this is more expensive, and difficult to manage with hurried schedules. Mine loves kibble and hates having to give that up, so I leave that out all the time and supplement with a big scoop of wet food at night. (These are the best quality, least expensive per-serving foods I've found.) A 6-lb. bag of kibble seems to last my cat ~3 months. At four days (servings) per can, the 12-pack of 12.5 oz. cans last about 1.5 months. You'll need two snap-on plastic can lids. My cat adores salmon as you may see. =P

Not all cats will like all types of cat beds.

Mine LOVES water (she literally demands 'cat showers') and she likes to play with the dripping tub faucet, so next I'm going to get a cat drinking fountain. Cats in general prefer 'fresh' or moving water, so mine always wants clean water in her bowl every time.

Because no one cat will like every toy or bed or litter box, you may have to buy more than one. Talk to your vet about what types to try and how to encourage a cat to like what you buy. I put catnip on my cat's things -- that seems to have worked, but not all cats respond to catnip.

u/DigitalOsmosis · 2 pointsr/cats

I'm kind of a new cat owner myself, but that said I remember looking for a cat pretty recently :)

Typically shorter hair cats shed less, but my domestic short-hair still sheds more then I expected. Regular grooming with a good brush (my Furminator is amazing) keeps my lap pretty much hair free after petting sessions.

I wouldn't worry too much about the washing thing. Any smell associated with having a cat around is typically coming from the litter box, not the cat, and that can be controlled to some degree by changing the litter more frequently and putting it in another room. Unless they get into something, his/her regular grooming should keep her pretty clean. My cat hates it, but do give her a bath every 3-4 weeks mostly because I love how soft shampoo makes her fur.

As long as you try to make your house a nice place for a cat to live (toys, scratching post, maybe even a cat tree) cats can do very well being inside only. Without toys and something to exercise their claws on they can terrorize your stuff and your furniture though so be careful.

There is some correlation between breeds and personalities, and I did a TON of research before I went out to look for a cat, but what it really comes down to is the individual animal you end up getting. If you are adopting from an animal shelter (they have lots of great animals at least here in the states) just talk to the people that work there. They typically love the animals a lot and working with them everyday gives them a lot of insight into each of their personalities. I went to the shelter trying to get a particular kitten I found on their website, but he wouldn't come out to see us and was all around pretty grumpy. I talked to the shelter workers and explained what I was looking for, they introduced me to Winkie, and wouldn't trade her back for anything :)

u/ThePatches · 3 pointsr/Goldendoodles

I figured since I've never taken my dog to a groomer I may be able to help with this. I'm not a professional groomer at all and the equipment is expensive but I figured that if it's going to cost me $80+ every time I take her to the groomer then the expensive equipment pays for itself in no time. The thing is, it does take forever and I personally recommend having a second person to help you only because I've never done it alone and can't imagine how long it would take if I did. The other thing too is that it will depend on your pup. Have you spent time getting them used to being handled or learning to basically hold still while you groom them? I knew this would be important for me and my pup was exposed to blow dryers, scissors, and the electric razor regularly from the moment I got her at 8 weeks. I have regularly trimmed her nails since she was a pup too so she is very used to being handled. I also taught her that if I'm working on her fur (when she was a young pup I would use a comb and brush regularly for this) she is to hold still. I didn't give her her first real hair cut until she was 8 months but she was already used to the strange sounds and holding still by that point. Before the 8 month mark I did trim her paws and around her eyes though.

If your pup isn't patient with you, its going to be a challenge and may not be worth it. Mine holds still for everything and it still takes my husband and I about 3 hours to get the job done. That said, here is my process.

The first time we groomed her it was awful and it took us almost 6 hours start to finish. This was because her fur had a lot of mats. If you can't get a regular comb through the fur then you aren't going to get the trimmers through either. So taking them to the groomer first is probably a good idea to stick with because they will handle the mats and such for you that first time. After that, you need to keep up with the grooming regularly (mine is groomed every 6 weeks) in order to make the process easier for yourself because the mats won't come back if the fur is trimmed regularly so it won't be an issue. The other issue we had the first time was that we tried to use these and they really didn't work out. They would snag in her fur, they also seemed to kinda push her fur down and out of the way so that it wouldn't get cut. It was just a huge waste of time trying to use them and now we just use this blade directly and it works perfectly.

So basically this is our process. We use a regular folding table because you do not want to do this on the floor. We did it on the floor the first time and it was awful on our backs so you want to be standing. One of us is always holding her so that she will not fall off of the table and we take turns trimming her fur going along with the grain. Be sure to check the trimmers temperature regularly because they can get hot. When they get hot, set them down and use the down time to trim the paws, face, tail, or ears with scissors or comb out any mats that may be in the way (we no longer have a problem with mats since she is groomed regularly). Once the blade is cool again continue trimming the entire body, taking breaks to cool down as needed and repeat the scissor trim every time the clipper needs to cool. We trim everything with the electric clippers except for around the eyes, ears, snout, tail, paw pads, and around the paws. Those extra areas are scissors only for us but you can do whatever you like. After her entire body is trimmed we switch to the shorter blade and trim her sanitary areas. We like the poo area to be extra short in order to avoid the dingleberries. You can also use the short blade to help with trimming around the paw pads. Finally, after everything is cut she gets a bath and blow dry.

It really is a lot of work but we both think that the 2-3 hours we spend doing it is worth it over the cost of a groomer. But it's definitely not for everyone and I also think it depends on the dog. If the dog won't cooperate it's going to make it that much more time consuming and difficult. Here is a list of all of the grooming tools I use:

  • Andis Detachable Blade Clipper - For all of the trimming that doesn't use scissors.
  • 3 3/4 Blade - For most of the body, switch to the short blade that comes with the clippers for the sanitary regions and around paw pads.
  • Scissors - I use these for everything that needs to be trimmed with scissors. I like that they have the ball tip making them less pokey.
  • Thinning Shears - Not required but they do help make her snout and tail less choppy looking after they've been cut with regular scissors.
  • De-matting Comb - This has been a must for me! It is great at getting out those mats.
  • Comb - I recommend having a regular comb. If this comb can't get through then your clippers won't either.
  • Blow Dryer - I don't know if it's absolutely required to blow dry after baths but I do and I recommend getting a powerful one.
  • Shower Hose - Not required but I use this for her in my shower and it has made bath time much easier.

    I think that covers everything, I may be forgetting something but that's all I've got for now. If you do decide to do it just make sure you have a decent time block for it since it may take a while. Good luck!

    Also, here are some pictures of my pup right after being groomed with the clipper size I've mentioned above.
u/purebredginger · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

Hi!!!! I'm PBG and not a lot of people know that I was supposed to be a twin! I guess there were two embryos, but the other one stopped developing after the first trimester. Thank God, right?

I love love love my cats and I think they would love this sunny seat window cat bed thing. Ezra loves to sit in the sun and I bet he would just love it =)

u/Bibbityboo · 1 pointr/cats

Yep, normal kitten behavior. My cat was like that until he was about a year or so old, then he was still like that but in shorter and shorter spurts. It can be both adorable and frustrating at once! (Especially at night!).

Redirection like someone mentioned does help a lot. The spray bottle never worked with my cat. He just figured out that if I didn't have the spray bottle in my hand he had X amount of time to misbehave and run. I also found that attention worked a lot too. Like making sure you spend a fair amount of itme playing and tiring them out!

My cat had a ton of toys to play with,, which kept him occupied. Simpler tended to be better -- small plastic balls to bat around were probably his favorite. The other thing he LOVED was http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Dancer-101-Interactive-Toy/dp/B0006N9I68 Its a cheap toy. Nothing to it, but its a stiff wire and when he batted at it, it owuld move in an erratic fashion (like a bug). So that would be something he'd do to entertain himself all the time.

Good luck!

u/zangelbertbingledack · 2 pointsr/SiberianCats

I've bought a ton of toys for our kitten in the last few months, but these are his absolute favorites: Bergan Turbo Scratcher, a crinkle tube like this one, Cat Dancer, and the Go Cat mouse on a string toy. With the Go Cat mouse toy especially, he definitely lets you know he loves that toy. It's the only one he never ignores and the only one he will pick up in his mouth and carry to his "den" like it's real prey.

We also got him a fluffy mouse puppet that he loves to wrestle with. I might just be projecting, but it seems like it kind of makes up for the lack of another furry companion to play with. Bonus points: it lets you play hands-on without getting your hands scratched up.

The bitter apple spray doesn't seem to deter our cat much, but liberal application of Sticky Paws (double sided tape) and taping loose cords to the wall helps keep him away from scratching and biting things he shouldn't be messing with.

Also, if you have house plants, look them up to make sure they aren't toxic to cats. The kitten's interest in chewing on plants may vary, of course, but ours loves chewing and climbing on plants. The ASPCA has the most comprehensive list of plants that are toxic to pets.

u/pjpancake · 30 pointsr/aww

Former veterinary nurse here. Everything you said is on point. As far as regular kitty maintenance, I cannot recommend a Litter Genie enough. It's definitely sold me on the concept, and if I ever have any babies, I'll definitely get one for them.

I will say though that timed feedings are a great idea if your cat will tolerate it, mostly because you end up knowing exactly how much kitty is eating. One of the first things to go when a cat is feeling unwell is their appetite, and they're notorious for masking symptoms until it's gotten bad. My sister has a cat in end-stage FIV right now for that very reason.

Oh, OP, by the way? If kitty is going to go outside AT ALL, you MUST do two things: parasite prevention and a microchip/FIV vaccine combo. Revolution is my personal favorite parasite prevention, as it's a monthly does and handles heartworms (yes, cats can get them), fleas, ticks, and most intestinal parasites. You have a ton of options, though. As for the FIV vaccine... Feline immunodeficiency virus behaves similarly to HIV/AIDS in humans. It's passed on through saliva, usually from deep bite wounds, as opposed to sharing a water bowl, but there is still some risk there. (This is probably how my sister's cat acquired the infection, as she spends a lot of time outside and has an ultra-nemesis cat that lives nearby.) The vaccine is effective, but it can cause a false positive result on a blood test. The only real solution is to have your kitty microchipped, which IMHO is something all kitties should have done. Here's the imaginary scenario which plays out all too often: Kitty is vaccinated for FIV but doesn't have a chip, gets picked up by animal control, get tested for FIV, and shows a false positive. Any cat that comes in the door with a positive FIV result is likely to be euthanized. However, the first thing anyone does these days is check for a microchip. If it's established that this cat has an owner, the medical workup will continue, but they can't just euthanize your cat anymore. It sucks and it sounds harsh, but it's the same thing as a puppy coming in with parvovirus.

As far as the rest of basic kitty care, a water fountain is definitely an excellent idea. We have one for our two cats and they L O V E it. It's cute and didn't cost very much, either. Here's a link: Catit Flower Fountain https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0146QXOB0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_MWVmzbNH28CMW

This sounds ridiculous, but my cats learned to love their scratching posts because we would scratch them together. If one of them ever started to scratch the furniture, I'd go over to the Correct Scratcher™ and mimic scratching it, and they'd go bonkers running over to do it with me. It's pretty cute, tbh.

u/dimesfordenim · 1 pointr/goldenretrievers

Congrats!! If you've never had a puppy before, my #1 recommendation is to get a trainer who will come to your house and work with you. They are more for you than for the dog. We did that and while it was really expensive, it was a blessing!

One thing our trainer told us is to let the puppy have access to only a little bit of the house at a time. A crate helps with that, but we didn't want it to feel like punishment and we wanted to be able to let him play around just as a dog in a controlled area. So we bought this playpen and zip tied it to the crate. You can also get linoleum to put underneath the playpen area, but make sure it's all one sheet (otherwise he'll chew on the ends). That also helps clean up potty mistakes!

Speaking of potty, we got a little bell to put on the door. We made him nudge it with his nose or paw (basically picked him up) every time we went out. Then when we finally let him explore more, he knew how to let us know he had to go. Of course, he also used it just as an excuse to go outside, so there's that.

You mentioned you're good to go on crates--did you get one that is life stages and lets you adjust how much room is available? Not a huge deal if not, but if you did, make sure you use it. They don't need a whole lot of room in the crate because they'll just pee on one end and sleep on the other.

For grooming, you don't really need a lot for a puppy (at least in our experience, and our older dog grew up to be a HUGE fluffball). You're more likely to hurt him and turn him off. For our grown up guys, we use a pin brush, a rake brush, a de-matting comb, grooming scissors, and dremmel. We also do your normal ear cleaning solution (we get ours from the vet, so I don't remember the brand offhand, it's the same thing as online) and shampoo. This is what we used when they were puppies. Another essential is puppy wipes for pesky danglers and muddy paws.

For a puppy, though, I really wouldn't use all that stuff. We used a little kong brush to get him used to a brush on his fur, but we didn't even use that until his fur was a little longer (but still too short to use the other brushes). The big thing with grooming a puppy is getting him used to you touching him EVERYWHERE. Stick your fingers in his ears and mouth, rub all over his paws, make him lay down on his back in your lap, etc. Definitely start on nails asap--even if you don't actually trim them, just holding the dremmel up to their nails and getting them used to it helps A LOT. Also the ear cleaner is an essential for golden puppies. Our trainer and vet both told us to drop it in their ears, let them shake their heads, then use q-tips in all the nooks and crannies.

Other essential products are LOTS of toys. You'll figure out real quick what your guy likes. Our first dog was more of a casual chewer, so fabric toys worked, but our second dog LOVES to eat fabric so we had to go with hard toys only. I highly recommend toys by West Paw! As you know, golden puppies will chew on LITERALLY EVERYTHING so you need a backup distractor toy at all times to replace the flavor of the minute. Keep in mind that if you give up trying to stop them chewing on something (say, for example, your computer chair), they will think it's ok to chew on that for the rest of their life. :(

We also got a slow-feeder bowl because our guys gobble down their food like it will disappear if they don't. And if your guy is really annoying with the water bowl (i.e., repeatedly knocking it over), don't worry too much--he'll grow out of it. I recommend keeping a towel under it until he learns all he wants to know about water!

Have fun with your little guy!!!! I'll add anything else I can think of later but feel free to ask if there's anything else you're curious about!

u/blonderengel · 11 pointsr/cats

Breed: domestic short-hair, a.k.a. moggy.

She looks to be older the 6 weeks as her default blue eyes (almost all kittens, including those of the "big" cats are born with blue eyes) have already turned to green.

Looks like you are giving her Temptations treats; those are good for an occasional treat, but not for feeding real meals. Cats are obligate carnivores; they need meat--check labels on cat food and avoid anything that has fillers like corn.

Good wet food (esp for the price!): https://www.amazon.com/Purina-Fancy-Feast-Flaked-Shrimp/dp/B0012KB466/ref=pd_sim_199_3?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0012KB466&pd_rd_r=B8MQ2M7BCPCJGWPBQD1N&pd_rd_w=SpSRe&pd_rd_wg=Cwzvx&psc=1&refRID=B8MQ2M7BCPCJGWPBQD1N

Set up a feeding station somewhere quiet, where you have little foot traffic and no noise (like washing machine etc).

Make sure she drinks enough water. The watering station needs to be away from the food station (cats do not like to drink next to food; it's an evolutionary left-over -- in nature water next to killed prey might be contaminated).

Cats like running water (signals "fresh" to them); try leaving a faucet on a slow drip or get a water fountain.

Be sure to get her a break-away collar with contact info in case she gets out. Microchip her as well.

Take her to a vet soonish to check her over and get her spayed (no more kittens!). Do NOT get talked into declawing her.

Get a couple of GOOD scratching posts, one where she can do a full body stretch vertically without tipping over the thing (this one is good: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000634MH8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Try cardboard scratchers, too. Cats love those!

Most cats love "da bird" to play with (https://www.amazon.com/GoCat-Cat-Feather-Assorted-Colors/dp/B000F9JJJE/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1504644018&sr=1-4&keywords=da+bird)

Here's a great resource for any cat appreciator: http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/

That's all I can think of right now ... except this: have fun with her. Cats can enrich your life in immeasurable ways!

u/nunca · 1 pointr/doggrooming

Whew lad. Sounds like you're in for a bad time but don't let me tell you how to live your life. I'll try to help you as much as possible, but I'll tell you right now that you're better off spending the money you'd be blowing on professional grade tools (which are absolutely necessary on a Newfie, those are one of the breeds you can't cheap out on, even for home grooms) on having a professional groom your dog instead. Newfies are a challenge even for professionals, taking 3+ hours to groom even with all the tools and experience available to them.

All that said, you're going to want to get a good shampoo and conditioner. I personally really like the Espree brand for shampoos, especially the hypo shampoo, because it's gentle on dog's skin and this particular brand still smells good. I recommend the Furminator conditioner. When you're washing your dog, you're going to want to really make sure you're working the shampoo and conditioner all the way down to the skin. Do shampoo first, rinse thoroughly, then conditioner, and rinse forever because holy hell it's gonna take a while to get all that out.

I'm just gonna tell you to not even bother with the hair dryer. That sounds like an exercise in futility. You're probably just going to want to wash your dog one day and then cut the hair the next when it's dry.

You can brush your dog's hair when it's wet, but I caution you to be extra gentle and to be sure to keep an eye on the skin to make sure it's not turning red. If it is, stop immediately (and possibly reconsider your decision to groom at home-- if the coat is in bad enough shape that you're irritating the skin by brushing, you probably need to see a professional). In addition to a slicker brush, undercoat rake, and greyhound comb, I would get one of [these] (https://smile.amazon.com/Matting-Dematting-Detangler-Grooming-Pet/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=safari+mat+remover+for+dogs&qid=1558802854&s=gateway&sprefix=Safari+mat&sr=8-3). It's great for breaking up mats and loosening undercoat, but a word of caution: they are extremely sharp and you will cut yourself badly on it if you're not careful. Fortunately they're designed such that you're much more likely to cut yourself than your dog.

Assuming that your dog is now thoroughly washed, dry, and brushed out, you're going to want to take your clippers and put an attachment comb on them. I prefer the Wahl stainless steel set. You can buy the combs individually, as well. You can put your comb on over the #10 blade that comes with the clippers, or a #15 or #30 for a cleaner cut. Then you just go to town. I very strongly recommend against going no shorter than 3/4" (that's an A comb in the Wahl set). Anything shorter than that is going to ruin your dog's coat. (So don't do a #10 blade either, for the love of god). Use a decent set of grooming scissors to clean up the clipper work when you're done.

I hope that helps. Good luck!

u/LAJuice · 2 pointsr/cats

There are many things you can try, and ultimately it’s just the more responsible cat guardian to do. Most people think cats like to sleep all day, but my 45years of cat parent experience definitely shows otherwise. Cats will sleep if they have nothing else to do, but the two main things your cat is going to need are 1. Stimulation and play and 2. Territory.

Outdoor cats have established territory, it will take a while for your cat to adjust, so be prepared for many attempted jail breaks. A tall baby gate at the door may help, you can get a 48inch gate on amazon.

Secondly, your cat needs attention and distraction- but a couple of cat wands, one with a feather twirly at the end and one with a deer hair mouse - every cat I have ever known love these:

GoCat Da Bird Rod and Feather Cat Toy, Handmade in The USA (1 Bird) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001BOVEU4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_5zHZDb58EY5F7

Go Cat Cat Catcher Teaser Wand with Mouse Cat Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_LAHZDbYVCB38S

But what ever it’s your cat likes, work towards 10 solid hunting minutes in the morning and again at night. Use the cats favorite toy to distract when they want to go out.

Finally- there is an amazing calming product called “licks”. If your cat starts howling, you squeeze the packet on their front arm, work it into the Fur, they lick it off and it was better for calming my cat than Prozac.

Licks - Cat Zen - Calming Aid and Stress Management- Tryptophan, L-Theanine, Eleuthero Root, and Ashwagandha Root - LiquiPaks - 30 Use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SLBMLR0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_4CHZDbM1TA9DC

Good luck!!!

u/anotherdamnanthony · 6 pointsr/Awww

Wow my heart broke and also grew reading all this. Thank you so much for giving Pepe Le Pew (loved his name!) such a happy life. Roland sounds like he’s very happy with you and I’m so glad to hear he’s got such a loving parent! It takes a beautiful heart to want to do what you’re doing, and I think it’s just amazing. My condolences again friend.

If you don’t mind me asking, how do your cats drink water? I learned that cats don’t drink water often like dogs, and to help prevent kidney issues it’s recommended to get a cat fountain. They are pretty cheap, and I have noticed my cats drink SO MUCH more water now. You can find the one I use here

u/Dahlianeko · 6 pointsr/Indiemakeupandmore

My cat did this when he was a baby too. I put him in the bathroom at night after the first few days. He cried for a bit, but was fine and all happy in the clothes basket when I went in to shower in the morning . :)

Cats aren't supposed to like citrus, but nothing has really turned him away from me. Just be careful with Tea Tree oil, it is very toxic to cats! Enjoy your new baby(pictures please :3)! At that age, mine was jumping on me because he wanted to play and I toss and turn under the covers, which makes it like a game to get whats under the covers. My SO sleeps like a rock with the covers pulled up over him. What also might help is getting a toy and playing with him until he is SUPER tired. http://www.amazon.com/GoCat-Apart-Feather-Assorted-Colors/dp/B000F9JJJE this is the ONLY toy that our cats will freak out over(some stores sell it too!). Our fatty will not play unless it's this, he really likes the mouse attachment and will chase it up our hallways. I have never seen my cat jump so high! Wear him out until he won't get up again before bed, give him some food, then he should go to be for a bit and give you some time to sleep. Jackson Galaxy's show is interesting(he does the play/food/sleep thing and it's the only thing that stops our cats from crying at our door at night).

Sorry if this is all unsolicited XD I am a crazy cat lady and I went through some hell with mine for a bit. He is my best little friend through and I wouldn't trade him for the world. :)

u/jonilholt32 · 2 pointsr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

Baby Josie is beautiful! I had a Maincoon named Tiki. He lived to be 16! BEST CAT EVAH!!!!

She would love this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006VMN4O

A Mini me for her to snuggle with: http://www.amazon.com/Davey-Maine-Coon-Douglas-Cuddle/dp/B004YSH3Y0

A Kitteh tunnel!!!: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EFMLBW?ie=UTF8&tag=maicoocatnat-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000EFMLBW

Toys: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000PVTLWW?ie=UTF8&tag=maicoocatnat-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000PVTLWW

Toys: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IYSAIW?ie=UTF8&tag=maicoocatnat-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000IYSAIW

Toys: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000M1B7I6?ie=UTF8&tag=maicoocatnat-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000M1B7I6

And more toys: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002DHV16?ie=UTF8&tag=maicoocatnat-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0002DHV16

Maincoons LOVE to play and have that kitten play aspect to them for YEARS!!!Mine loved balls, and a good old laser pointer was the best thing ever. He would get running after that red dot, and couldn't stop well on our hardwood floors and would slide in walls....

Oh and a cat bed on top of the Fridge would be great for your girl. Tiki always slept on top of the fridge :)

u/84Dublicious · 2 pointsr/cats

First, I suggest listening to the vet :) Kittens grow quickly and are quite active so they need more calories per pound that an adult cat. If your vet thinks he'll grow into it, he probably will.

There are a few ways to tell if your cat's weight is appropriate for his size. You can apparently tell by feeling his ribs or the base of his tail to see how easy it is to feel bones. This seems like a pretty solid resource. I've had trouble with this method since I thought my cat was fine, but turns out she was just a bit overweight.

My cat is pretty much as grown as she'll be. So now I weigh her, which seems much more precise to me. It's tough to get your cat on a scale, but an easy way to do it is to pick him up and hold him while you're on the scale, and then weigh yourself alone and note the difference. It's not quite as exact as a scale made for cats, but it's got the benefits that 1) Your cat is more likely to sit still in your arms for a few seconds than in a scale you put him in every so often 2) it doesn't cost you any more money. It should be accurate enough for the purposes of monitoring weight changes as they can change by as much as 1lb without you noticing otherwise. It doesn't seem like a lot to a person, but for a cat 1lb can be a lot!

It's good that you're getting your cat on quality food. Again, as a kitten, personally I would not worry so much about the feeding pattern as long as it's consistent and he's getting what he needs. If you have a strong bond and he's vocal, there's a good chance he's going to whine for food a lot anyway (my cat makes the most pathetic sounds nearing feeding time, but she's perfectly healthy). I fed my cat 3 times a day as a kitten but now that she's grown she gets fed once in the morning and once in the evening. Unfortunately I can't leave any food for grazing since she'll just eat it all as soon as I fill the bowl.

Also, especially if you're feeding a lot of dry food, make sure you have water available for your cat and that he's drinking it. Cats naturally tend to get most of their water from their prey and have a low thirst drive. That doesn't exactly work when you're feeding them dry food so dehydration is a problem for some cats. They tend to like running water more than still water (you may notice he's interested by a running tap) so an inexpensive fountain like this one works for my cat.

Good luck, and I wish you and your new buddy a long healthy time together!

u/stumpside · 2 pointsr/cats

I don't have a website, but here's my experience:



food - it's pretty basic, but make sure you provide them with clean, fresh water every day. also (and this is just my personal opinion) try not to feed exclusively dry food. it is convenient, but is very high in carbohydrates (not good), whereas wet food has more fat and protein, and of course a lot more moisture! more moisture means less chances of your kitty getting a UTI or blockage, both of which are pretty bad. the very best thing you could do would be to feed only wet food, but that may not be possible as dry food can be more economical. also try to avoid by-products and grain IF possible. many brands will have a recommended feeding guide on their site or on the package so you'll have some idea of how much food your kitty needs.


play - cats have a reputation for being lazy, but they do require stimulation (some more than others)! try to play with them at least once or twice a day, even if it's just with a laser pointer or letting them stalk and chase a toy like this.


litter box - keep it clean, scoop it out at least once a day and dump all the old litter and replace it with fresh litter when it starts to get smelly (for us it's about once every two weeks). this will help prevent litter box avoidance.


affection - depends on the cat. some are super cuddly and want a lot of attention and petting, others not so much. one of my cats will ONLY want affection/cuddles in the morning, and typically ignores me for the rest of the day. the other chirps at me when she wants scritches or to get on my lap. ymmv.


other needs - kitties need to scratch! to save your furniture, get a couple of vertical and/or horizontal scratchers to place around your house. discourage them from scratching on furniture (a firm "NO!" will usually be enough of a deterrent) and if they still do, invest in some sticky tape. cats also like to climb and look down on their ~kingdom~, so a cat tree or at least a small perch is always a good investment.

ugh that was REALLY long, I'm sorry. if you have can, watch "My Cat From Hell" (it's on Netflix!). You'll learn a lot about cat needs and how they operate. Good luck and good for you for considering adoption!

u/sciencekitty · 7 pointsr/AskVet

Preface: I am not a vet! I'm just a pre-vet student who has successfully gotten her chubby kitty to lose weight, so take my advice with a grain of salt...

Do you free feed or do you only give the recommended amount per day?

If you free feed, kitty is probably still eating as much as he wants and the weight may never come off. I would recommend switching to a regulated amount per day (I quickly looked up the feeding directions and it looks like you should be aiming for about 2/3rds cup daily; however, you should confirm this with your vet) if you haven't already.

In regards to wet food, try out several brands and see if you can find one he likes. My kitties are mostly fed Weruva or Best Feline Friend, but I've recently had to switch back to Hill's Ideal Balance wet food for just my Siamese because she is super picky.

As for exercise, you should be playing with him several times a day to the point where he starts lightly panting or flops over and refuses to move. I enjoy using the laser to run my kitties up and down the stairs and around the house. My kitties also lose their little minds for Da Bird, so you may want to check out your local pet store for something like this to encourage your kitty to use all his energy going after a toy.

When I was having my kitty lose weight, I would use this to feed her her small daily ration of dry food, so she actually had to work a bit to get her food and couldn't just sit there and gobble it!

Hopefully some of my experiences will be of help for you guys! Chubby kitties are stubborn, but once you find the right balance of food and exercise, the pounds will start coming off! Good luck :)

u/beansandcharlie · 3 pointsr/catqueries

Have more of a routine with your kitten!
Start by having a long play session(10-20minutes) with a wand toy that you only bring out during this time. Have a variety of like 2 or 3 different wand toys, my favorites are:
Da Bird - this one is great because the wand part is super long so you can sit while still making your cat cover a lot of ground! ,Cat Dancer - For the feline who likes trash like toys but seriously this thing reminds me of a moth if you move it just right, cat charmer - just a great toy very durable great for cats who just like string!

After your long play session give your cat his dinner and he should be good for the night!
Cats natural routine is to hunt, eat, groom, sleep.
If you are still having issues you could try leaving out different types of cat enrichment to keep your cat entertained through the night. HERE is an article about the importance of enriching your cat and a few ideas!

u/skyblueandblack · 1 pointr/cats

Cats bury their waste by instinct, so they're technically born litter-trained. ;) You'll want to have two boxes available (if you have the room in your flat, of course). Open boxes are supposed to be way better than ones with covers, but mine actually much prefer the enclosed ones. *shrug* There's a bunch of different litter box designs, too... take a look at the selection on Amazon, if you get a chance (I recommend this one).

Some cats are much messier than others with the litter; one of mine flings pawfulls of litter out of the box. Another one of mine finishes, and races out, tracking little grains of sand as far as she can. We have litter mats in front of all the boxes, which helps a lot, but you might want to invest in a dedicated little hand-held vacuum to keep nearby.

And you'll need something for claw maintenance -- a scratching post or pad. Don't go for expensive, fancy things, because it'll need replacing periodically. I tried a bunch of different ones, but ultimately, mine prefer the cardboard ones (specifically, this one). Well, that, and one of the living room chairs. *sigh*

An adult won't be as hyper and needy as a kitten, but play is still important. A laser pointer does wonders. If you're crafty, you can make some little catnip-stuffed toys (I crocheted some little mice and things that mine love, although they usually bat them up and down the hallway around 4am).

Another thing I noticed, and others have similar stories, was that a couple of my cats would bump the water dish before drinking. Another would dip her paw in. I'm pretty sure they couldn't tell where the surface was when the water wasn't moving. I got a drinking fountain for them, which solved that, and has the added benefit of filtering the water, keeping it fresher -- and cooler (so important, here in California).

u/NextDayAir · 2 pointsr/cats

get a covered littler box... and get the arm and hammer double duty cat litter... it's the best I have come across so far to absorb odors...

also, you will probably have to promise her to clean the litter box all the time... if you decide to get multiple cats, you need at least one litter box per cat... plus one more if you get several cats... but that's a little down the line... gotta get the first one in the door first...

what you may have to do is just go out and get one... get a kitten because who the hell can resist their perpetual cuteness... she should fall in love instantly... but, if you don't want to take a chance of having her kill you and want her to be in on it, one thing to know, that I have experienced, when you get a kitten, the person who holds it on the ride home will become it's mom/dad (this may be theory, but it has happened with all our cats) so you may want to have a friend take you so the both of you can be there to play with it on the way home...

whatever you do, DON'T get a cat declawed... it's wrong and mean and needless if you have the proper scratching things for them to... well, scratch on... our cats like those disposable cardboard scratchers you see at the pet store...

you'll probably want a cat tree too... something where it has places to hide and a platform to get up above most of the action... if you have the tools and ability, you can even make your own out of wood and carpeting... cats will even scratch on those...

when you bring them home for the first time, open their carrier and let them come out at their own pace... don't force them out... and if they do bolt out and hide somewhere, let them stay hidden until they come out on their own... but have plenty of toys for them to choose from... I suggest one of these and one of these because our cats love them...

as for food, get the appropriate food for their age... preferably an indoor formula that helps with hairballs... because they WILL hork up hairballs regularly... be ready to clean those too... for water, I suggest one of these since cats love to drink from the faucets... so break that habit before it even starts so you're not here in three to six months asking about cats and drinking from the sink...

umm... that's all I can think of off the top of my head... I am by no means a professional, but just someone who cares about their cats (and I have a girlfriend so I am not a crazy cat guy)

any other questions, just ask... someone will be able to answer what I can't

TL;DR: none. it's a lot to read, but it's good info as far as I understand...

u/FakeWalterHenry · 1 pointr/cats

Not sure what your budget is, but there are a few suggestions I can make.


2. Make grooming easy with bribes! Healthy treats like Catty Shack or Greenies make Brush Time easier for both parties.


3. A lot of professional groomers charge an arm and a leg for cats (because of their arms and legs), so do the grooming yourself! You will need a Furminator, nail clippers, and cleansing wipes. Groom often, and invest in a scratching post.


4. As long as you are using a tool for grooming cats (i.e.: Furminator) you don't have to worry about overdoing it. Brush as thoroughly as you can, and stop when your brush starts coming out clean (or nearly free of loose hairs).


5. General tips: Buy the best food your budget allows. Preferably wet food, or a diet half wet food and half dry food. Go grain free, like Merrick and/or Soulistic. For a healthy, shiny coat I would recommend Pet Naturals' Daily Best; And to reduce hairballs, Hairball. Don't use hairball remedies that contain petroleum jelly, it will give your baby the runs :(

EDIT: Formatting

u/Msc2117 · 1 pointr/CatTraining

Personally, I'd say the cat can tell that you don't like him in that you're actually paying more attention to him than you think you are. Every time you pick him up and move him or talk to him or shoo him away you're interacting with him, which is what he wants, attention. And now he's afraid of you so he matches your frustration in some actions and you apply your feelings to him for the other ones. So first things first, ignore him completely. Don't look at him don't pet him don't react positively or negatively to his actions. Especially the peeing thing, don't just stare at him. If you do want to play with him pick a room or a place and only play with him there and ignore him the rest of the time. That way he associates playing with you with that spot. A bell on his collar might be a good idea if you want to be able to tell where he is so you don't accidentally pay attention to him.

Secondly, for the peeing. Make sure you clean that spot with an enzymatic cleaner. Nature's Miracle is a really good one. Clean that spot OBSESSIVELY. As soon as he pees there. Then provide better alternatives. How many litter boxes does he have? Are they in a private calm spot? How often do they get cleaned? Have you tried putting a litter box over that spot and then slowly moving it to another room if he starts using it? http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com is often linked here. Check it out for litter box help (and help with the other stuff too).

For keeping him off furniture I would try remote methods. That way he has bad associations with those surfaces and NOT you or his owner. Something like the scat mat or sssscat. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/petsafe-scatmat-indoor-pet-training-mat

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000RIA95G

https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Pet-Sticky-Deterrent-White/dp/B007I08FI4/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_199_bs_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VVYJYPG4MSAWVGJQB5C9

Eventually he'll get the hint and stay off those surfaces. You can also reward him for hanging out where you want him to hang out by leaving treats hidden in "his spots". And same for the peeing problem, you have to provide preferable alternatives in addition to the negative reinforcement. If you don't want him on your surfaces you have to provide higher surfaces that are HIS. Cats like to be high up. You're never going to get him off the surfaces without providing an alternative for him. Look into Jackson Galaxy's Cat Super Highway or "catification".

Finally, this cat seems bored. I would make sure he has plenty of stuff to play with on his own or that his owner is putting at least an hour a day into playing with him (think of it like walking a big dog. The dog needs that activity or else it goes nuts cooped up). You don't mention how old he is but younger cats or high energy cats need A LOT of play time. He's looking to you for entertainment and interaction because it seems like you're the only option he has. If you don't want to be his source of attention, provide positive alternatives. (Also I would keep some treats on hand to bribe him out of your room if he gets in there again. You could probably train him to come when called no problem)

I'm a relatively new to cats myself so this is just stuff I've picked up in my research. Hopefully some of the more experienced cat people on here can help! Check out those links and just search through the archives on this subreddit for more ideas.

u/waitwuh · 1 pointr/CatTraining

>do you have any recommendations for things he might be more inclined to play with on his own?

Yes! This circuit toy is a wonderful example of a self-play type of toy that can keep a kitten's attention a bit longer than balls or knit toys, because in the cat's perspective it keeps moving- but less predictably so- after the paws are off :P. As a bonus - it's pretty quiet, and your cat isn't going to lose this one under a dresser or something (because it can't leave the track). This toy was a savoir during my own cat's super-playful kitten period.

Electronic motion toys such as this one are also a possibly more-enticing option for your cat. (Though - the "motion madness" toy the same maker puts out isn't really worth it, IMO, if you see a link to that- it's loud and get struck on things easily).

You can also find corrugated cardboard scratchers that have holes in the bottom of then with dangling feathers or shiny balls inside, such as this one (although i have a cheaper version I got from wall-mart). The benefit of this combo is that your cat may be inclined to go scratch the scratcher and then get "distracted" by the play item, so basically it increases the chance the cat will play with it.

Additionally, you didn't seem to mention any toys that aren't on the floor and are perhaps a dangling attraction - that can matter a lot, as some cats perfer that type of play, and even those that don't can get tired of just one type. Do you have any dangling attractions, such as doornob hanging scratchers, or even posts that include a dangling toy of sorts, such as this one? They also make these tent-like contraptions with dangling toys. If you've ever heard of the "play types" such as "bird, mouse, bug, snake.." - that's ideally what you want to emulate with your options. Even if your kitten prefers to hunt "mice" - chasing a bird or a bug every now and then can break things up more.

Additionally, if you don't have something like an "activity mat", it might be something to look out for on the cheap. Or those tunnels - both can offer a different type of experience (the crinkly kind, I guess).

u/LoverlyRails · 3 pointsr/Pets

First of all, let me say that you're doing a good thing. So many people abandon pets when they just don't fit into their ideal lifestyle anymore. It's easy to get jaded when you constantly see that. (So ignore downvotes- What's important is that you recognize the issue and are working to resolve it.) You're clarification does help.

Trying a different type of scratching post may work. For example, my current cat adores one made by Kong that has little rubber bristles like this, but he doesn't care for any other scratcher.

Another thought would be a cardboard ball chaser like this. Every cat (other than my current one) always loved to scratch these... plus, ball to chase. And, quite frankly, I've found babies/toddlers to be fascinated by the balls, too.

Plus, as you know, once they find a place they like to scratch- it can be very hard to break that habit. You can also try putting a sheet of tinfoil over the couch (where she likes to sharpen her claws) when you can't be there to monitor it.

The cat quiet space is a great idea! I'm sure she'll appreciate places that she can go to be alone with her kitty thoughts. (I've even used an upper cabinet above the refrigerator to give my cat a break from the children. He could reach it and survey the land, but the kids' couldn't touch him.) High spots are always good. Cats feel safe there and can see (and enjoy being with the family) without having to endure unwanted attention.

u/catznbeerndrugs · 3 pointsr/aww

I used to be terribly allergic to cats, but with a combination of drugs and anti-allergen products I hardly ever get any symptoms from my two cats. Some drugs work well for certain people and others don't work at all. You just have to try them until you find what works for you, but here are some of the common ones:

Loratadine (Claritin), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and fexofenadine (Allegra). These are newer antihistamines that are supposedly non-drowsy and last all day. I take cetirizine since loratadine doesn't seem to do anything for me and fexofenadine costs about twice as much.

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine. These are older antihistamines that work differently than the three mentioned above. I find them to be much more effective, but they only last a few hours and make me sleepy. Useful if you get allergic before going to bed. Oh and here's a tip: if you're buying generic diphenhydramine, look in both the allergy section and the sleep-aid section. The same exact drug is sold as allergy relief and as a sleep-aid, and sometimes one is cheaper than the other.

Cromolyn nasal spray (NasalCrom). This drug works by preventing the release of histamine in the first place, so it's best when taken prior to cat exposure. For me, this is the most effective one since most of symptoms are in the nose. It's also safe to use in combination with other allergy medicines.

In addition to medication, there are products you can buy that reduce the amount of cat allergen in the home:

ADS Anti-allergen Spray can stain some fabrics, so they make a different formula that doesn't stain but requires more frequent application.

Allerpet C is a solution that you can apply to your cat to make her less allergenic.

And I'm sure there are many more. Brushing your cat regularly can reduce shedding, which should help with allergies since cats lick themselves and the Fel d 1 protein comes from the saliva. I recommend a FURminator.

If you are planning on getting a cat, you might want to look into the different cat breeds as some are less allergenic than others. I've also read that on average female cats and cats with lighter coloured fur tend to be less allergenic, although I'm not sure if this is definitively true.

And even if none of this works, I'd say that having cats is worth putting up with a few allergies!

u/critterwool · 1 pointr/cats

Please do not yell at your cat or spray your cat with water it will not teach it a thing and it will only confuse it and teach it to be afraid of you.

Increase one on one play time with your cat to get some energy out. Use a variety of toys and rotate them. Some tried-and-true favorites...
This is such a simple toy and a very cheap so order several as they are an add-on item and they’re great to have around in every room because kitties seem to always enjoy them whether it’s dangled from the air or drug along the ground for chasing.
Cat Dancer 101 Cat Dancer Interactive Cat Toy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N9I68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1evSCbGX4WXZ4

Order natural peacock feathers off of Amazon for a super fun game with your kitty. The first time my girl are saw one she literally stood up on her hind legs walking across the floor trying to get out it. When you want to get the feather away pull it straight back toward you and it will slip through their claws and teeth. Eventually the quill will break from play so it's good to get a pack of them, they are not very expensive.
ALL in ONE 20pcs Natural Peacock Tail Feather https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HSNADGM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_NHlSCbJAG6FXW

SnugglyCat The Ripple Rug - Made in USA - Cat Activity Play Mat - Thermal Base -Fun Interactive Play - Training - Scratching - Bed Mat https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016H3T8EC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_dg9vCbVZN8R0Y. My girl goes crazy for this one every time. Dangle a peacock feather or anything else outside some of the holes when your kitty hides in the rug and you’ll see little arms reaching out of holes all over the place it is hilarious and loads of fun.

Your kitty is a lifelong companion so please take a little time to make the most of that relationship and read this book by Jackson Galaxy- The cat daddy himself.

Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143131613/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WRCHCbTMQSY5F

u/RushIndustries · 1 pointr/cats

Firstly, it sounds like you are doing a lot right. I would suggest feeding wet food twice a day, supplementing with dry. Cats get a lot of their hydration through food in addition to water in bowls.

As others have mentioned, I would get a tall sisal cat post, tall enough to let her obtain a decent full body stretch. Also, try to set aside 10-15 minutes a couple times a day to play with her using a wand type toy to help satisfy her predatory instinct, which will help with overall behavior. You mentioned biting... never use your fingers, hands or other body parts for playing as you are teaching her to bite you. Don’t let guests do this either as consistency is important for behavior modification. When she bites, immediately distract by using the wand toy, such as DaBird to play instead. Never use punishment, only positive reinforcement when she does things well.

If you are truly interested in learning about your cat and cat behavior, I suggest watching Jackson Galaxy videos. He has tons of great information on his YouTube channel. If you do these simple to implement activities, you will develop a much better relationship with your cat which will benefit both of you.

Jackson Galaxy:

https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCatDaddy66

We have this scratching post and our cats love it and use it.

https://www.chewy.com/smartcat-ultimate-scratching-post/dp/49133

Wand type cat toy:

https://www.amazon.com/Go-Cat-Piece-Apart-Handmade/dp/B000F9JJJE

u/NotSuzyHomemaker · 2 pointsr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

I know this is over $10 (but not by much!) but I think it looks like an amazing kitty toy!

I love those kind of cats. I am the only person in my family who does! They're pretty amazing and the ones I've met were all very friendly, active and curious.

u/lanmansa · 4 pointsr/AutoDetailing

I haven't tried these but heard good things about them on other forums and the reviews are very positive, especially since Nature's Miracle switched scents and ruined a good product. Just a few suggested Amazon links that might work well for you. Not sure if anyone else can suggest them or not.

Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKFL93K/

Sunny & Honey Pet Stain & Odor Miracle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J4Z5B24

Zero Odor Pet Spray: https://www.amazon.com/Zero-Odor-Eliminator-Trigger-ounces/dp/B0049PBWEA/

Bubba's Rowdy Friends Pet Supply Company Pet Stain and Odor Remover Enzyme Cleaner Spray: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GK56SVE/

u/extra_supervery · 2 pointsr/knitting

Bring him home and set him up in one room for a couple days, especially since he's little. Let him explore that room and get comfortable before you let him have free reign of the house, it can be really overwhelming.

One of mine really liked to bite- there are many cat chew toys of rubber/mesh/catnip/whatever at Petco/Petsmart. It doesn't hurt so much when they're kittens and it's cute but their adult teeth are not so cute. Also, he indiscriminately bit everything. Cardboard boxes? Yep. Power cords? Yep. Cushions? Yep. Toes? Yep.

If he is adventurous, once he's really settled in, get him a harness and leash and take him for walks! Much like dogs, cats have a bunch of energy, and walking satiates some of their natural curiosity.

These springs are some of my very favorite toys and they haven't gotten tired of them yet, but they have lost about 15 under the sofa and fridge. This bird wand is also amazing.

Also- start brushing/grooming him now. It's also recommended to brush their teeth, which I was never successful with (have two skittish cats). But at least brushing, so that they get accustomed to it.

u/dalesd · 3 pointsr/Pets

Maybe try some new toys?

I've been meaning to make a list of my cats' favorite toys. I have two cats, brother and sister, Millie and Smokey, now about 9 months old.

First, I can't explain it, but this carrot. I bought it on a whim at a pet store because it was on clearance and I thought it kind of looked like the Minecraft carrot and I thought it would be cute to see them playing with it. It comes with separate catnip container and you can fill the carrot with catnip, but I didn't use any. OMG, they go crazy for the thing. They get super possessive of it. If the other cat comes near, they'll growl and run away. Smokey likes to be chased when he has the carrot in his mouth. I lunge like I want to steak his carrot and he runs a few feet away, daring me to try to take it again. Millie will self-play with the carrot, batting it around on our hardwood floors. They've gone through two already. I think it's time to get a third.

Da Bird. It was recommended here and it's awesome. Something about the movement, the twirling, the colors, the noise. They can't ignore this thing. If the feather thing gets destroyed, replacements are available and cheap.

Cat Dancer 101. This is a stiff wire with some cardboard bits on one end. Move it and shake it a bit and I guess it looks like a flying insect. On the plus side, when they catch it, it's fairly easy to get them to release it.

Cat Dancer 301. This is Millie's favorite. She knows where I keep it and "leads" me to it at every opportunity. Like, first thing when I wake up and when I get home from work. It's a short stick with a long strip of fleece material. Wave it as you move in a circle and they're mesmerized. When they catch it, it's a bit difficult to get them to release it.

u/Midgers · 6 pointsr/Pets

I have a puker. Things that really improved his pukeyness was a cat supplement that helps them with their gut. (Links below) Its advertised to help with poop issues, but will definitely help with puke issues as well.

You also need to make sure that there is NO grains in his/her food. Cats shouldn't have any grains in their food. Lots of cheap pet food use that as filler. Secondly, a lot of cheap food uses sub par ingredients. Check your cats food for chicken by product. It's bad for them. Its basically all the parts left over from taking the good stuff from the chicken. Wikipedia defines it as "It is made from grinding clean, rendered parts of poultry carcasses and can contain bones, offal and undeveloped eggs, but only contains feathers that are unavoidable in the processing of the poultry parts." Sounds pretty yucky, huh? You wouldn't eat it, so why should you feed it to your cat?
Crappy cat foods use a ton of fillers that are basically the equivalent to a bag of cheetos to humans.

Switch to a brand that is grain free and uses whole meats such as the wellness I linked below. Blue buffalo is also a good alternative. Do you feed your cat wet food? If not, try feeding a good wet food (Linked below). My cats love the core wellness wet food and really eating wet food is better than an all dry diet.

All this stuff is a little pricey, but its worth it in the long run. Taking him to the vet all the time is probably more expensive than switching to a better food. Do it slowly as well, like over a week or two.

Basically anything you can find in your grocery store's pet isle you shouldn't be feeding your pet. Its all junk. Even the "high end" purnia foods. Junk. I know purina makes a sensitive stomach formula for cats. I tried it and it didn't help my furry little puke machine at all. All these crappy foods don't really fill your cat up as much as a good food will so they will be hungrier more often because the quality of the food is just crap.

How I solved my cat puke problem was feeding them wet food in the morning and evening and leaving out a small bowl of dry food for them to snack on throughout the day. If your cat isn't really super hungry than they will eat a bit slower and that'll keep her from throwing up. Some cats don't handle the self regulating diet and instead just end up eating more food, so figure out if your cat(s) can handle grazing between wet food meals.

You can also try getting a cat water fountain and placing it somewhere separate from their water. Cats are weird and don't like their water near their food. Cats get most of their water from their food but having a flowing water source can really help them up their water intake. If cats don't get enough water they are prone to developing kidney and bladder problems. The Drinkwell Platinum Pet Fountain is really good. I have mine in my bathroom and my cats really enjoy playing with the water and getting their paws wet and licking them etc etc.

As for the stains, the stain remover I linked below is a god send. It's a good product that cleans up stains really well. It even does cat pee. I have light carpets and this stuff takes it right out and leaves no marks behind. It should even work on your old stains, you just have to leave it a little longer.

I know all this stuff adds up to a ton of money but its so worth it not to have to clean up cat puke all the time. I did a ton of research for my puke machine and he went from puking 3-4 times a week to puking maybe every 3 months and then its usually just a hairball. His coat also looked better and he was softer.

Let me know if you have any questions. I'd be happy to help you figure this out and field any more questions about how I solved my cats puke problems.

Wellness


Core Wellness Wet Food


Stain Remover


[puke helper](
http://www.amazon.com/Purina-Fortiflora-Feline-Nutritional-Supplement/dp/B001650OE0/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1368101518&sr=1-2&keywords=fortiflora)

Cat Nutritional Supplements

u/cavalier_queen · 1 pointr/cats

I wonder if some puzzle toys or a Turbo Scratcher might be good options for him? They shouldn't tax his heart too much, but they might provide more of an outlet for his prey drive. You could also feed him regularly via food ball.

Is he really food-motivated? If so, more mental stimulation could be had through clicker-training.

I don't know a ton about heart conditions in cats, so I'm not sure what activity levels would be safe for him. Your vet would know better. If more exercise (physical and mental) doesn't help, and he continues to be aggressive without warning, or it gets worse, I might explore medication options. I'm NOT advocating this as anything but a last resort, but sometimes mood stabilizers can improve everyone's quality of life. It doesn't sound like he needs this AT ALL right now, but it's not bad to keep it in mind if it ever does become an issue.

I hope your vet has some good suggestions and information for you! Good luck with everything, and if you feel like an update after the appointment, I'd be interested to hear how it went!

u/salziger · 2 pointsr/rescuecats

Routine helps. If he knows what to expect, he'll settle down a bit more. Also, wand toys like da bird are wonderful. Playing will help him burn off some pent up energy but it will also be a way to earn his trust. Follow up with super tasty treats (cooked chicken, Temptations, bonito flakes). Two 15-minute play sessions a day are recommended.

If you do decide to try to hold him, wrap him in a towel. Sometimes this helps them to feel more secure. The more you touch him the better, in my experience anyway.

Edit: Also, thanks for taking him in :)

u/theskyisblueatnight · 1 pointr/Pets

I also live in a two room apartment. Mine has access to every surface, but the food prep areas. I created a floor level, then a metre higher level. She can move across the space without touching the floor. I rent so it's a combination of little stools, boxes as tunnels, little cat bed on top of storage boxes, a pillow on my computer desk for her to sleep on. Make sure you use interactive toys and lots of play time. Set up little beds at windows with a view so they can watch cat tv (one of mine is a chest of draws with a blanket on top placed next to the window and I moved the curtain around the outside draws.

Have a look at harness training. Then you can take him out for a walk. I found this was a great way to calm mine when she was a kitten.

Foil is great to deter a kitten from doing something. When mine was that young all my walls and doors were covered in foil because she was starting to scratch at the walls. Hang your towels and place your toilet paper higher up and out of reach. Also look into a double side sticky tape, or http://www.amazon.com/Ssscat-PDT00-13914-SSSCAT-Cat-Training/dp/B000RIA95G. Consider getting a water fountain so he has fresh water. Allot of annoying kitten behaviour goes away when they find something else to play with.

I don't have any littler smells, but I scoop twice a day. I use a litter which is flushable and poos get flushed straight away. Invest in a blacklight as it can help find any urine or spraying in your house. Is he desexed yet?

When mine was that young her bed was next to the litter, due to having a small bathroom. I used a carrier with blankets inside. Which she continued to use as her safe spot for months after she was allowed out all night. She now uses the carrier to stand on and give me noise kiss while i am on the loo.

u/alabardios · 2 pointsr/dogs

Hi there. I'm not sure if it is the same for all breeds. I had a Pyrenees and we had two mats saved out and that never grew back. There was a lot of debate about it when I was looking if it grew back or not for pyrs. Some said theirs grew back just fine others said it never grows back at all.

I do know that the furminator is damaging to the top coat regardless of it growing back or not. I never recommend it for any dog with two coats, but if the dog has only one then I think it's a fantastic tool.

I linked to what I used in my last comment, it worked great was durable, survived my pup chewing on it for a few minutes too.

I'm told that slicker brushes work great for removing undercoats, stainless steel combs too, my groomer used a combination of tools for my pup.

Here's links to what they used

https://www.amazon.com/Andis-2-Inch-Steel-Comb-65730/dp/B004UTDHP2/ref=zg_bs_2975366011_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WXPAQEGMAZBGCYFVXDRA

https://www.amazon.com/Safari-W6116-De-matting-Comb/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=zg_bs_2975366011_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WXPAQEGMAZBGCYFVXDRA

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00O0WOME4/ref=mp_s_a_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1494480770&sr=1-11&keywords=pet+brushes+for+dogs

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01MUABBQS/ref=mp_s_a_1_71?ie=UTF8&qid=1494480894&sr=1-71-spons&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=pet+brushes+for+dogs&psc=1

I thought it was a lot of different tools myself, but it's hard to argue the results because he came out looking fantastic Everytime.

I removed the undercoat myself, which the two ladies really appreciated, with just the comb but never made him look as good as they did.

u/valiantdistraction · 1 pointr/ragdolls

I got stuff to set up a cat agility course for my kitten. He loves the tunnel and the hurdles, but isn't so keen on the weaving. He screams at me multiple times a day for me to let him into the room where it's at and take him through the course. I bought orange cones for the weaving, a cheap tunnel, and these hurdles: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B075MSPYVG

I have a feather toy I keep in that room to lead him through the course. It's the only feather toy I have in the house and he only gets to play with it when he's successfully done what I'm trying to get him to do. So it adds a mental challenge as well, and by not letting him use the toy unless he does things right it keeps the toy more special.

If I forget to take him through the course on my schedule, he screams at me until I do. He loves the hurdles most. We just started this around two weeks ago but he's already learned pretty well (again, not the weaving, lol). I just have the hurdles at about six inches but will eventually raise some of them up. I have a dedicated room for this but I think keeping the stuff in a closet and pulling it out twice a day would be fine.

For toys they can play with by themselves, both of my cats like sparkle balls and the captive ball on track toy. I can hear my older cat playing with the latter right now. He's lazy so he likes that he can just lay down and play. He recently had a leg injury so I haven't tried the agility course with him yet but will when the vet says it's ok.

https://smile.amazon.com/Bergan-Turbo-Scratcher-Colors-vary/dp/B000IYSAIW

u/MotherCybele · 6 pointsr/Pets

Keeping him indoors is truly the best decision you could make for him. He will live longer, be at a reduced risk for parasites and diseases, and the local wildlife will be safer.

  • Make sure your cats are neutered and spayed. Intact animals naturally want to get out and mate.

  • Schedule regular play time when the puppy is out in a secure fenced yard or on a secure tie-out, preferably with another person to supervise. The cat will learn that super fun play time happens inside while the puppy is out. Use a toy like the Da Bird and really wear them out.

  • Harness train the cat and take him for walks when the puppy is out. Or schedule walks while the puppy is in if the cat wants alone time from the dog.

  • Provide a variety of cat trees and perches. Try to turn a room into a cat haven with many lofty perches for them. Ideally they should be able to move all the way around the room without touching the floor. Cat Shelves make a great addition. This will give the cats an enriching environment to keep them occupied.

  • Stay strong and don't give into his pleading.
u/kayleighh · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

I am very sorry to hear about your family member. I hope you and your family have wonderful memories of them and that they were able to accomplish what they wanted to in life. I'm sure they were very loved by you and the fact that you celebrate their memory by giving is wonderful.

---

My highest priority items are this outdoor habitat and this pet fountain for my cat and this bag for myself.

I ask for items for my cat in every contest I enter, because I want her to be happy and I can't afford anything for her right now. Once I start working again I will be getting her everything on my list. But until then she is my priority!

The bag is something that I'd like to have because my current purse-thing is starting to wither. I also would prefer a cross-body strap because it would be better for my back. Also, it's pretty. :D

Sort my priorities Candroth, I BESEECH YOU.

u/Runawaii · 3 pointsr/Pets

First step is cleaning and vet. Take both cat's to the vet because sometimes this behavior is due to bladder infections, kidney issues, UTI's.. etc. It is essentially them saying "Hey something is wrong".

Get a good Enzymatic Cleaner and start scrubbing. Everywhere they have peed on the floor (or pooped). Buy or use a good scrub brush and some rubber gloves and just get it really good.

Next step is to clean out the litter boxes and put fresh litter in both (you really should have 2, 1 for each cat) but save some poop (just one scooped bit) from them and put it in the fresh one. It kind of helps them with association. Make sure the litter boxes are big enough for the cat's (1.5 cat lengths long and 1 cat length wide). Also make sure they are in low traffic areas of the house or covered (even kitties like privacy).

If none of this works then I honestly don't know what else to do. This is all the things I have done and they have worked in the past when we had kitties that had bathroom issues. Good Luck :)

u/tb3648 · 1 pointr/CFBOffTopic

Just saw this.

Source: Cats my entire life.

  • I don't think 10 hours alone everyday is good for a kitten, a young-middle age cat would be better. The best thing would be to get 2 cats so they aren't lonely, but that's obviously a big commitment. Cats are totally ok alone for a long time but they still miss you. My cat acts out if I'm gone for too long.

  • It's pretty easy honestly. I wanted a dog too but decided on the cat because they are relatively easy to take care of and can be alone for longer than dogs. Changing the litter, feeding, clipping claws, occasional bath, and then playtime are all you need. If you get 2, you can cut back on playtime some.

  • Kittens are obviously the ideal choice cause they're so freaking cute, but I would consider an older kitten in this circumstance.

  • Vet bills are expensive. Cat food and cat litter are expensive, but not as much as dog food. Be ready to not be able to leave for a weekend at moments notice. This is the only thing I don't like, it limits my mobility. Have to find someone to watch them or put them up somewhere which is expensive. I've left my cats alone for a weekend before plenty of times when I was younger and had multiple cats though. I only have one now so I feel terrible cause I know he'll get lonely.

  • I recommend feeding them dry food and saving canned food for small amounts as a treat. I've had cats get hooked on the wet food and refuse to eat the dry food which is substantially cheaper. It's worth it to spring for the more expensive litter to make it last longer (clumping) and so your house doesn't smell bad. Also no need to really spend much money on toys, just get them a box lol. One toy my cat does love is this though, totally worth it. Don't use lasers, I was for a while but it started driving my cat mad and found out it bad because they never get the satisfaction of catching anything.

  • Beware plastic. My cat is legit addicted to it but it's super dangerous for them. I didn't care at first and just thought he was weird until he threw up plastic (thought the idiot was just licking it not eating it) and found it in his poop.

    Good luck!
u/PurePerfection_ · 1 pointr/Pets

This approach may take some time, but my cat eventually learned that if I am in the bedroom with the light off and fan on (its an oscillating one that makes a fairly strong humming sound), I am down for the night and it'll be at least a few hours before I come back. After a few weeks of this routine, he gave up on screaming outside my door. The bedroom is off-limits to him at all times, as well. If I'm in there with the light on, he will meow at me, because he knows I'm likely to come back soon.

Mine's a door-rattler, too - he can fit his paw in the crack under the bedroom door and wrap it around the door. To protect the bottom of the door from his claws, I put some rubber weatherstripping on it. For the floor, consider getting a protective film to put down where she usually scratches. Hardware stores sell them to use during painting / construction, and many of them are affordable and tear-resistant.

It may be inconvenient, but do your best to cat-proof the house so you can ignore her acting out with minimal collateral damage. Keep anything fragile in drawers or cabinets unless you're actively using it. Consider making the bedroom a no-cat zone and putting as many valuables as possible in there. Don't leave food or drinks unattended - if you have to step away, stick them in the fridge or a cabinet while you're gone.

Also consider an electronic toy that moves around or something more interactive that will keep her engaged at night or while you're busy without the need for a human to facilitate playtime. Here are a few ideas::

https://www.amazon.com/SmartyKat-Feather-Whirl-Electronic-Motion/dp/B00KQGRIKI/

https://www.amazon.com/Catit-Design-Senses-Circuit-Original/dp/B001LWRFW2

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WP7F8YC

https://www.amazon.com/Tower-Tracks-Track-Interactive-Petstages/dp/B00DT2WL26

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0714D3FDT?psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002DJ6XW

https://www.amazon.com/Hex-480-3030-Nano-Assorted-Styles/dp/B01B45AMIO/

Also, if she ignores the scratching post but loves to tear the crap out of your floor, she may prefer a horizontal scratcher. One wasted $30 scratching post later, I figured that out about my cat. Something like these would be worth a try:

https://www.amazon.com/Bergan-Turbo-Scratcher-Colors-vary/dp/B000IYSAIW - doubles as a toy

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009YQ5KJM/ - this one is nice because you can lay it flat on the floor, prop it up at an angle with the cardboard flap, or hang it from a doorknob to see which works best. Also comes with catnip to sprinkle inside it. These have corrugated cardboard surfaces and don't last as long as carpet or sisal rope, but my cat seems more satisfied with something he can actually destroy. He'll jump on it, attack it with his claws, then roll around in the bits he tore off. You will vacuum a lot of cardboard flakes off the floor as it starts to wear out, but for me it's worth the trouble. If you don't like the mess, you can buy this one to test whether horizontal, inclined, or hung against the wall works best, then invest in a similar style of scratcher made from more durable material. That was my plan, but he just loves this stuff so much I order one as an add-on every month when I buy litter.



u/asvinni · 3 pointsr/Goldendoodles

My doodle has tight curls as well. I use a slicker brush, a wide tooth comb and a dematting comb for matts that can’t be brushed out. These are the tools I use
Chris Christensen Long Pin Slicker Brush, Large, Coral https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KAJQJ74/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jLorDbT0ZDW58

OmniPet Leather Brothers Cocker/Poodle Wooden Handle Comb https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003E71QEA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lMorDb60BC8E5

Safari De-Matting Comb for Dogs, Pet Supplies for Dogs, Dog Grooming, Dog Gifts, Dog Accessories, Dog Supplies, Dog Brushes for Shedding https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARR2W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HMorDb1BAJBTH

I really love the Chris Christensen slicker brush, it’s pricey but the quality is great. It has long firm pins and the tips are soft, so it won’t hurt your doodle. Also it’s highly recommended for doodle coats. It’s best to get a slicker with long firm pins to really get down to the skin. I then follow up with the wide tooth comb to check for any missed tangles. I prefer to use the wide tooth comb because it’s not harsh on the coat and does not cause hair breakage. I rarely use the dematting tool, because I usually can get matts out with the slicker brush, but for the really tough ones I use it sparingly. You should never use a furminator, it’s harsh on the coat and skin, it can damage it. Also I supplement fish oil in my dog’s diet and I’ve noticed his coat is much more shiny and softer. The fish oil I feed is the from the brand fera pet organics. Also I really think it helps to have your doodle on a grooming schedule such as every 5 to 6 weeks, especially with super tight curls. Also be sure to brush and properly dry when ever your doodle gets wet. Might be a good idea to invest in a high velocity dog blow dryer. There’s some great affordable ones on amazon. Brushing your doodle twice or even three times a week is ideal.

u/kristephe · 1 pointr/cats

I totally hear you. Good luck! It's so stressful but worth it Our 3 yr old male kitty had crystals and was hopitalized for 4 days in December. He's great now and even happier than before, playing even more vigorously. I haven't read as many research papers as I'd like to about it but we kinda feel like stress and dehydration/dry food might have factored in though I know that there are cats with other urinary tract issues with different causes or prognosis. He loves drinking out of the tub and we had multiple foster cats/kittens getting in his life and added quite a bit of stress then most of them left but my husband got really ill, my parents visited, so there was even more home stress then he got blocked after a few weeks of me thinking he was marking due to the momma cat he hadn't liked but I think in reality was him having urinary issues.

Anyways, we buy the prescription Royal Canin food on Chewy.com but I am thinking of phasing him over to the over the counter Purina Pro Plan Urinary. He's happy now, plays even more, loves the tub water and his fountain. Got stainless steel to avoid kitty acne but keep it clean! I wish you the best and hope it's a smooth recovery and he makes it through! Ours was on anti spasm meds for awhile after and it took him some time to get back to normal due to the trauma of the catheter. He was dripping and acting quite weird but eventually got back to normal.

u/chmt88 · 1 pointr/Shihtzu

I was struggling with mats in my shih for a while and then settled on a decent routine that has kept him mat-free for the last few months. I keep his hair grown out to some degree, but not to the floor (yet).

I brush every other day for around 30 min with this comb:
www.target.com/p/comb-pet-grooming-tool---up-up--153-/-/A-52305812

It isn't the greatest quality, but I like the design and it gets daily maintenance done. If you want a higher quality comb, maybe consider the style and order a better one?

When he gets mats (it's really wet and snowy where I live and he usually gets one or two a week from running in the snow), I like this brush:
Safari De-matting Comb
www.amazon.com/dp/B0002ARR2W?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

It is basically a curvy one sided blade, so read the directions if you end up trying! It is kind of sharp. My dog doesn't care for this one, but it is so efficient at removing mats I have been convincing him with treats when using it haha.

I have found the best technique is to brush daily to every other day at the latest. I was shocked by how few mats he gets now with the every other day routine. It takes a long time the first few brushes, but once in the habit and mostly mat free, it goes pretty quickly.

Hope this helps!

u/sarahnicole97 · 2 pointsr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

This is a collage of my pit bull, Angel, and my cat, Suki (:

~I wub my animals~

We're not too sure about Angel's background, since we rescued him off of the streets, but considering the fact that he was scared of literally EVERYTHING for about 2 months, we think he came from an abusive home. He still struggles with anxiety and fear, but he's getting better and better everyday (: He's so sweet, and loves of snuggle!

Suki, our Calico, was also a rescue. We weren't too sure about bringing her into our house, considering the fact that we already have 2 pit bulls there. But Suki is an odd individual. Somehow, she has managed to become the "alpha" of our group of pets!! The dogs know not to mess with her, because she WILL bite back, lol! But she is affectionate and friendly with all people, and doesn't hide under the bed like other cats. She also goes outside every night and hunts for us! It's kind of disgusting, but adorable (:

Lol believe it or not, This toy will thoroughly entertain both Angel and Suki!
Thank you for the contest!

u/short_stack · 1 pointr/cats
  1. Make sure you are feeding good food. Wet food is better than dry, and high protein/minimal grain is best. Check here or search r/cats for the many threads on this subject. Grocery store brands like Friskies, and even brands advertised as "high end' like Science Diet and Purina, are not good foods!

  2. Slowly decrease the amount of food they each get until it is close to the recommended amount, and until their weight is ideal and stabilizes. Be careful not to reduce the amount too drastically as hepatic lipidosis is always a concern. If you're not sure of the ideal weight, check out a weight chart or consult your vet.

  3. Make sure they get enough play time. You should dedicate 15-30 minutes a day to getting them active! Try Da Bird or the Cat Dancer if they aren't very interested in play.

  4. Do not give in to begging!
u/superstretch21 · 1 pointr/Pets

My cat is a real fatty and isn't into toys that much but he LOVES the Cat Charmer. It will have you and your kitty running around the whole house! Honestly one of the best toys I've ever tried. It's pretty cheap and the reviews are really good, highly recommend.

u/lazer_potato · 3 pointsr/catproblems

The first thing to resolve is playtime. It's possible she just loves plastic, but the fact that she doesn't want to play with you at all suggests either a picky cat, or one that doesn't yet trust you. You're the food provider, but playtime is also quality bonding time for a cat. She's already fully grown, so maybe it's a learned thing, but it's something that you should be able to correct to some extent.

There are some motion cat toys that you could try using to get her playing more on her own.

like this

this

this

or this

It's also possible that you aren't playing with her the way she wants to be played with, cats can be very fickle about this. My own cat is very picky about how my SO and I play with her, and she picks one of us based on how she wants to play. She'll pick me when she wants to chase a stick toy, and my SO when she wants to wrestle, that kind of thing.

Have you tried using the straws to play with her? Maybe try hiding a straw under a blanket where she can see it move from wiggling it. You could also try new tactics with the stick toys like this, hide them under things and move them. My cat only likes the stick toys if I alternate between moving them very slowly while in her line of sight, slowly moving out of her line of sight, and then moving it quickly to get her to chase it when she tries to pounce it.

I'd also suggest looking up different playtime techniques for cats online, like on YouTube or what have you, especially related to more wild/feral cats, as they also don't really like playing with humans. I'm not saying she's wild of course, but because she's more standoffish from you it may be along the same lines.

If you can get her to play with you consistently, then you can very easily tire her out and get her on the schedule YOU want her on. The idea is that cats hunt/play and then eat the reward of the hunt, and then sleep.

My own cat used to be very similar with waking us up very early for food, usually by making lots of noise and biting if that didn't work. Once we were able to get her on the hunt/eat/sleep schedule with her timed meals, we basically stopped the bad morning behavior entirely.

Sorry for the long post, hope this helps!

u/mycatisadog1 · 1 pointr/stopdrinking

Aww, I love this. My cat was very similar. She got me through some incredibly tough times. She doesn't like to play with much (she's more of a hang out on the bed in the sun kind of chubby kitty, waiting for food and requesting belly rubs) but she LOVESSSS this silly toy and it makes her go crazy. She previously wasn't very interested in wands but this lit a fire in her! Sweet, silly cats.

Another thing I love about animals is how non-judgemental they are in a world full of judgment. They just want you to be well and they know when to support you. It's an amazing form of support because it's pure love.

u/EatYourPills · 2 pointsr/evilbuildings

I don't know about this particular one, but I got a really nice one on amazon for $90 and free delivery to my house, which was nice because it weighs a lot. Mine has little rooms with openings like this one but it also has open platforms that they like a lot better. My three cats love it. Here's the one I got Go Pet Club Cat Tree, 50W x 26L x 72H, Beige https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003WGGWQA/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_cAf4yb5YQZHWJ

u/RussetWolf · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

Firstly, thank you for the contest! I'm sorry you're not going to get what you want, but hopefully gifting makes you feel better (it always does for me)!

My last birthday, I had asked my girlfriend to sew me a new pillowcase for my travel pillow (which I sleep with nightly so as to relieve pressure from my ear piercings) since she is handy with a sewing machine and we are pretty frugal. I had been saying I needed a new one for months (I really do, my current one is ratty and ripping because I can't sew for the life of me).

I never got a gift from her for that birthday. ): I know she's busy with life and the table with the sewing machine is very cluttered, but it still makes me a little sad thinking about it.

If that doesn't count as a disappointing gift, since it was a non-gift, the next would have to be every gift ever from my dad. It's always just been money, sometimes just casually taken out of his wallet after birthday dinner and tossed in my general direction. I mean, I know my dad loves me, and it's a nice sum, but it's a bit sad that he's never tried to think of an actual gift for me.

This is my item. (:

u/ScribblerJack · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

I want to be friends with Hanners and Viktor!


HI!!!!1!!!! I'm Gandalf. I know I look lazy lying here in bed, but I'm actually a pretty damn good runner. I want to spend the day with Viktor the Hypnocat! NO, REALLY. I LOVE CATS. They smell wonderful. I bet hes a good runner too, if I chased. I would love anything off my wishlist! (Except maybe those nail trimmers. I hate when Jack wants to do my nails! PFFT, humans!) Viktor, you would love this thing. I mean, just look at those pictures! You're practically going to be flying through the air.


WOOF!

u/Iamtoast_toastisme · 1 pointr/AmItheAsshole

NAH except for the cat. (I say this as a proud owner of a terror of a cat when he's hungry)

Just a suggestion, because I used to have this same problem: You can get one like this that lets you measure out each portion in advance and just opens that compartment: PetSafe 5 Meal Pet Feeder for Dogs and Cats - Food Dispenser - Portion Control https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GEWHNS/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_SfNODb68GREPW

I have been using a similar one for probably five years now. My cat is super wily, so I had to weight it down with a two pound weight but it was totally worth it.

And my cat still super super loves me. He goes to eat in the morning while I sleep in then comes back into bed and cuddles with us. Good luck!

u/Karebear921 · 2 pointsr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon


1.) [Something that is grey.] (http://www.amazon.com/PetFusion-SmartGrip-Litter-Gray-Twist/dp/B007SQFRMU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=35DW5BWHD972D&coliid=I38TYTP3QO3VYV)

2.) [Something reminiscent of rain.] (http://www.amazon.com/Musical-MP-200-8-Inch-Rainmaker-Shaker/dp/B000CBURPU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2YFT1UP19UC6T&coliid=I3SD8BF3BVM32F)

3.) [Something food related that is unusual.] (http://www.amazon.com/Nut-Milk-Bag-New-Improved/dp/B00158U8DU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3S72V8PR4PYO1&coliid=I2AH1R1GSQ52JT)

4.) [Something on your list that is for someone other than yourself. Tell me who it's for and why. (Yes, pets count!)] (http://www.amazon.com/Mommys-Helper-Car-Seat-Shade/dp/B00125NZSQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2YFT1UP19UC6T&coliid=I1TXQG28XXBC0I) For my daughter, so she doesn't melt in the car.

5.) [A book I should read! I am an avid reader, so take your best shot and tell me why I need to read it!] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Girl-Left-Behind-ebook/dp/B00BSY6U6K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=ZJTYBG9S817P&coliid=I13JIN1E80H7G) Well, I haven't read this one yet, but I read her last book, Me Before You, a few months ago and LOVED it.


6.) [An item that is less than a dollar, including shipping... that is not jewelry, nail polish, and or hair related!] (http://www.amazon.com/Home/dp/B002G690B6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=LVUGPBTDLHFS&coliid=I2V27LFTC98I6K)

7.) [Something related to cats.] (http://www.amazon.com/Da-Bird-Cat-Toy-Store/dp/B000F9JJJE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=35DW5BWHD972D&coliid=I32WEJ4UV0RR)

8.) [Something that is not useful, but so beautiful you must have it.] (http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Colorful-Rainbow-Synthetic-Costume/dp/B00966CIAO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=VF4I3JWXLPHE&coliid=I3J6CNZ64SMNW5)

9.) [A movie everyone should watch at least once in their life. Why?]
(http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Prejudice-Restored-Edition-Colin/dp/B00364K6YW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=ZJTYBG9S817P&coliid=I2JAGS8BIXE6M9) Because Colin Firth.

10.) [Something that would be useful when the zombies attack. Explain.] (http://www.amazon.com/Lodge-L10SK3-12-Inch-Pre-Seasoned-Skillet/dp/B00006JSUB/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=3S72V8PR4PYO1&coliid=I14266M2SVKSXM) Well, if I had to survive on my WL items alone, I would surely die. BUT, I figure this could at least come in handy to cook over open fires and it is the most weapon-like thing on my list.

11.) [Something that would have a profound impact on your life and help you to achieve your current goals.] (http://www.amazon.com/Reebok-Kettlebell-10-Pounds-Lime-Green/dp/B008R5HY54/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=39MD4F4AQ4MXM&coliid=I2XGPU1DE4SJW5&psc=1) Gotta get off the baby weight!

12.) [One of those pesky Add-On items.] (http://www.amazon.com/Kotobuki-Plastic-Egg-Mold-Fish/dp/B002TZ04JG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=LVUGPBTDLHFS&coliid=I2PHEI57WW2PIY)

13.) [The most expensive thing on your list. Your dream item. Why?] (http://www.amazon.com/Burley-Encore-2013-Bike-Trailer/dp/B00AVUHUEI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2YFT1UP19UC6T&coliid=I15NA2PJZUXBY4&psc=1) Maybe not my dream item, but the most expensive for sure. My husband and I love biking, but right now I'm sidelined since we have a 1 year old. This would let us all go!

14.) [Something bigger than a bread box.] (http://www.amazon.com/Tree-Condo-Furniture-Scratch-House/dp/B003XLIVZ4/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=35DW5BWHD972D&coliid=I33YA670HLM8GP)

15.) [Something smaller than a golf ball.] (http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Gold-Peridot-Dangle-Earrings/dp/B001H54K4O/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=24R3M5GIPRKSE&coliid=I25YHXC05Q9VTT)

16.) [Something that smells wonderful.] (http://www.amazon.com/Tea-Forte-Loose-Leaf-Canister/dp/B006TZFOVU/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=28JN11TB2DHP4&coliid=I3P4PBFBU5HWL6)

17.) [A (SFW) toy.] (http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Little-People-Friends-Exclusive/dp/B008ZUGOAW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2YFT1UP19UC6T&coliid=IIMNWL3OA8808)

18.) [Something that would be helpful for going back to school.] (http://www.amazon.com/Wilton-2109-0309-Ultimate-Professional-Decorating/dp/B008GXE7P2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=29KYW0DBB8ME2&coliid=INH34JY48VH4F) If you are going to school to become a baker.

19.) [Something related to your current obsession, whatever that may be.] (http://www.amazon.com/Blendtec-40-620-54-Twister-Jar/dp/B0087Q1T1S/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=29KYW0DBB8ME2&coliid=I394DCB2QJ4RAZ) Making my own sprouted nut butters!!

20.) [Something that is just so amazing and awe-inspiring that I simply must see it. Explain why it is so grand.]
(http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Little-People-Friends-Wheelies/dp/B00650F5SG/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2YFT1UP19UC6T&coliid=I3RS9BP4QYQAC7) Because tiny Super Friends in cars are awesome for raising a baby nerd. (On a related note, this question made me realize that I am boring and practical.)


fear cuts deeper than swords

u/MsStardust · 1 pointr/AskWomen

Hmm, well, just like people, individual cats have different preferences and interests. Definitely get some little mice (or similar-sized toys) that he can bat around. I like to look for sales on the multi-packs at PetSmart for some variety. Some cats like longer toys that they can hold with their front paws and kick with their hind legs. I would also get a long "teaser" type of toy (something like this or this), and a laser pointer is usually a safe bet.

Additionally, while not a toy, something for him to scratch is also pretty important. If you don't have room for a scratching post, there are other options like those refillable corrugated cardboard scratchers.

Congrats on your new kitty, and thank you for adopting from a shelter!!

u/The-Dudemeister · 9 pointsr/pics

Price of owning kitten: $60 to buy includes all shots

flushable litter: $34 for 32 lbs at local shop; last for 4 months (called worlds best litter: http://www.worldsbestcatlitter.com/ ) This is the best litter you can get. Trust me on that; plus you can flush it and it won't go bad over time like others.

food: Evo cat food $35 for 15 lbs at local pet shop. Feed 1/4 cup twice a day. This will last 2 months according to food regulation. Note: you shouldn't let your cat gorge, it will get fat and poop alot so regulating it will make poop duty easier and save you money on litter and food. I recommend this because it has very little grain which is why the cat doesn't have to eat much. It's also as healthy as it gets, so you save money in the long run vs friskies or something.

Litter box: top entry Top entry causes the cat not to make a mess using the litter (when it kicks it up)

I'd go with an adult cat for your first so you don't have to deal with the kitten phase plus usually they are already housebroken. So all in all its actually affordable if you can commit to it.

u/CobaltMoon98 · 2 pointsr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

fear cuts deeper than swords

  1. [Here is a grey Batman.] (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Knight-Rises-Action-Figure/dp/B00856ZPK6/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I27AJ57RLKJIF5)
  2. [Well, it is rainy.] (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Knight-Comic-Poster-Lightning/dp/B003XNCK5Y/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1376355786&sr=8-5&keywords=batman+rain)
  3. [Do drinks count as food? If so, then this is food related.] (http://www.amazon.com/ICUP-Comics-Batman-Cube-Tray/dp/B005MUAPOO/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I217LY4KTSIWBE)
  4. [This is for my wonderful little niece. Actually, the majority of my wish list is for her and her brother.] (http://www.amazon.com/Tabby-Plush-Stuffed-Animal-Orange/dp/B008UH3PYI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I2Z2HJV442A08W)
  5. [I'd suggest this one since I love Stephen King. I haven't been able to read much of it though, since it got stolen.] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Stand-Stephen-King/dp/0307947300/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I1IL4AU89KR1NG)
  6. [Does a pin count as jewelry?] (http://www.amazon.com/Imagination/dp/B003ZT3QIQ/ref=sr_1_14?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1376358078&sr=1-14&keywords=pin)
  7. [My sister's cat would love this.] (http://www.amazon.com/Catit-Design-Senses-Circuit-Original/dp/B001LWRFW2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1376355861&sr=8-3&keywords=cat+toys)
  8. [This game is awe inspiring, so I'd love to see the artwork.] (http://www.amazon.com/The-BioShock-Infinite-Irrational-Games/dp/1595829946/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I23ZRYZ9JQIOEG)
  9. [This has always been a favorite of mine. It was also filmed in Oregon. I got to visit the house.] (http://www.amazon.com/The-Goonies-Sean-Astin/dp/B000P0J09W/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376358133&sr=8-2&keywords=the+goonies)
  10. [A knife is always useful. Plus, it's Batman.] (http://www.amazon.com/WarTech-Batman-Knife-Assist-Blades/dp/B00C87ZRRY/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I2UCKA5S75K356)
  11. [I really need to get organized. This would be amazing.] (http://www.amazon.com/2014-Injustice-Gods-Among-Calendar/dp/1423822110/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1376356012&sr=1-1&keywords=batman+calendar+2014)
  12. [Those dang add ons...] (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Knight-QuickTek-Flight-Strike/dp/B006O6F3U6/ref=pd_sim_t_21)
  13. [Well, it's not really my dream item,. but it's expensive.] (http://www.amazon.com/Funko-POP-Heroes-Vinyl-Two-Face/dp/B005D5U5LQ/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I36SNIFSQ73X9E)
  14. [The things it makes smell wonderful.] (http://www.amazon.com/Oster-3883-Belgian-Wafflemaker-Chrome/dp/B00006FMT8/ref=sr_1_14?s=appliances&ie=UTF8&qid=1376358434&sr=1-14&keywords=waffle+maker)
  15. [My wish list is full of toys, so here's one for my nephew.] (http://www.amazon.com/Marvel-Ultimate-Spider-Man-Strike-Figure/dp/B00AKDJUQ2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=I2TOQWD7NGD1VW)
  16. [Since I'll be doing a lot of work on the computer, this'd be great.] (http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-Creed-2-Mouse-Pad/dp/B00BGD5OK6/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1376358322&sr=1-2&keywords=assassins+creed)
  17. [As you can probably tell, I love Batman.] (http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Knight-Samsung-Galaxy-plastic/dp/B0090HER8K/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_S_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=2HTHRVKNRES31&coliid=II9039CFAMLKH)

    [Here is a neat book about Oregon.] (http://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Curiosities-2nd-Characters-Roadside/dp/0762749717/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1376357656&sr=8-3&keywords=made+in+oregon)

    [Here is something made in Oregon.] (http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Shine-Breakfast-Gift-Set/dp/B0011UNLKY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376357656&sr=8-1&keywords=made+in+oregon)


    PS: Are you from Oregon? Also, thank you for the reminder.
u/sancasuki · 3 pointsr/cats

He may be a little freaked out for the first few days. Try to keep the house quiet and calm. Cats hate loud noise, such as vacuum cleaners and blow dryers. They also are skittish around new people. Don't pick him up if you don't have to.

I read that wet food is much better for losing weight than dry food. Dry food has a lot of grain it. Occasionally give him some canned tuna (in water) for humans. My cats loved it much more than cat food. And if you are having a tuna sandwich give him the water. It's the perfect soup for cats.

You might want to buy a cat tree. You don't need it from day one but most cats love them. Make sure it's at least 6 feet tall. They love being high up. Makes them feel secure. They tend to stay at the top and don't use the lower portions much at all.

I recommend this toy:

https://www.amazon.com/Cat-Dancer-301-Charmer-Interactive/dp/B0002DHV16/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

u/leconfuseacat · 1 pointr/Pets

My cat is some sort of world destroyer, too. I've had success with field hockey balls and ping pong balls. While the ping pong balls don't last quite as long, they are insanely cheap. I leave them propped on shelves and things all over the house for her to find, and she basically plays teeball with them.

this is pretty much the most awesome toy ever. You can configure different shapes for the track, and while she bites it and plays rough, it's really held up well. She goes absolutely positively insane for this thing. The ball inside moves fast, and there's a slight incline at each end that will send it back to her. It's awesome. We bought a second track with hills and made a really long one. It's awesome for my super energetic cat.

u/sh3llsh0ck · 2 pointsr/aww

The cheaper, the better.. I've bought some expensive toys in my life, but I once went to petsmart with 1 dollar, and a plan to make my cat's life better.. I ended up with this (which cost $1 at the time, and is still for sale there to this day). This lasted over 6 months before they destroyed it, and I had a box laying around, which lasted over a year.

Honestly, somehow the simpler the toy, the more they love it. Add a $2 bag of catnip, and you're done. I'm able to afford high-end cat food because the entertainment fund is so cheap. My cat's are now aged 6 and 7 years old, and act like kittens to this day.

Add Costco cat litter, and a good de-shedding brush, and life is good. I do my own vaccinations through farm supply stores, flea drops through petshed.com, and you're talking like $150 per year to own 2 cats who are healthy, vaccinated, and flea free. I still take them to the vet, but they don't ever prescribe anything more than what I already give them. I don't enjoy giving them shots, but it's so simple that anyone on a low budget could do it without a care in the world. Nobody should ever not own a cat due to "operating costs".

u/maulyaface · 5 pointsr/Pets

Wet food naturally has moisture so cats will drink less anyways.

After my cat had a urinary obstruction, I also switched to wet food. In addition, I add a little filtered water to their wet food to increase its moisture even more (like an 1/4 cup per can) and I got a pet fountain. The cats now have plenty of moisture in their diet, and while they do drink less than with wet food, I still see them playing with the fountain and licking water from their paws / drinking from it occasionally. I know you already have one, but I got this one and it's awesome and super easy to clean. Maybe it might be worth switching it up?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0037NKDSG/ref=zg_bs_2975263011_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=W5GYSRYZ2RJ9ZNBFDFKT

Also, don't keep your water directly next to the food supply- cats have a natural instinct to find clean water, and avoid water sources near their killed prey to minimize contamination. Try moving the water further away and see if it helps!

I'm so glad your cat is alright!

u/StuddedMohawk · 2 pointsr/Havanese

My 1 year old Havanese has never been cut. We put his hair up with a hair tie so it's not in his eyes and he gets a bath once a week, brushed nightly, and sees a professional bi weekly.

This is the brush I use, Its pretty standard.

Here's the de-matting tool - This is a super important piece to the home grooming puzzle. It will allow you trim the matts into smaller matts that can be brushed out. I highly recommend watching several youtube videos of people using it so you don't hurt your little guy.

Detangling spray - I use this at every brushing. I use one hand to push his hair up and i pat and swoop the hair down to make sure I get every little hair on his body. It's a process.

and finally Leave-on conditioner - I give him baths with a 2 in 1 puppy shampoo and then i use this leave-on conditioner. Hydrated hair knots less so using as much moisturizers as you can will help.

​

I understand I spend a lot of time and money on my dogs hair, but for me, I wasn't going to spend thousands of dollars on a purebred to just shave him. I want my purebred to look like a purebred and he's the happiest boy ever! I hope this helps!

u/pandarawr · 40 pointsr/AdviceAnimals

I'm allergic to cats, so I'll share a couple of things that helped me live with two cats for several years.

Wash them every week or so, not because cats need baths every week, but because it will greatly reduce the amount of allergens deposited on furniture, the floor, and in the air. I used a mild puppy/kitten shampoo for mine, or sometimes even johnson & johnson's no more tears shampoo.

Get a furminator. There are also off-brands. It's not battery operated or anything, but it's the only grooming tool/brush I needed or used.

If he can keep them out of his bedroom, that would be ideal.

If he can afford it, whether he has carpet or hardwood, a roomba is absolutely wonderful. It'll self vacuum the carpets/floors every day and that'll keep a lot of allergens out of the air. If not, vacuuming/sweeping daily is a good idea.

Didn't mean to go on a tangent, but some of those tips might help a lil'.

Take care, and your friend rocks :)

u/cruelladekill · 1 pointr/cats

I'm so sorry you're having to treat infections, it sounds like your cat has a more severe case! :( I am happy to tell you what has worked for us.

To cure this particular flare-up, we added water to her food for hydration and gave her some tuna (more pungent so she would eat it even with her nose clogged).

We also purchased this moving water fountain. She slurps out of that thing where she wouldn't even look at her water bowl before. We also ran a humidifier for a while. She might have been on the up and up anyway, but all of this seemed to do the trick.

I mainly try to reduce her stress by keeping everything consistent, especially the kind of litter I use. If you're not already, do consider using a dust-free corn based litter like World's Best. Their lungs are smaller and the dust can really aggravate them.

Anitra's Vitamineral Mix is something you might want to look into as a wet food supplement. I considered using Feliway like one poster here suggested, but the price kind of kept me from pulling the trigger and we've been fortunate to not have another outbreak.

You might have known all of this already, in which case just ignore me, but I really hope your kitty gets feeling better. The Natural Cat is a book that really helped me after I first adopted. I don't agree with everything she prescribes and she's big on holistic treatments (avoiding the vet and medication as much as possible) but the lady knows her cats and I think everyone has something to learn. When nothing else has worked, it might be worth a shot! Take care!

u/bbdoll · 1 pointr/cats

toys:

cat dancer

the hot pursuit

cat tunnel

crinkle balls

litter:

my favorites in order are:

Arm and Hammer Seal and Clump

Ever Clean with activated charcoal (clumping)

Tidy Cats clumping

litterbox:

jumbo high-back litterbox

i would avoid covered or anything that makes the kitty feel trapped. no reason not to have tall walls, especially with sloppy kittens. you're also going to want a litter mat so they don't track it everywhere.

food:

kittens. eat. constantly. so keep out dry food 24/7 and feed a little wet food morning and night. this is temporary, don't free-feed dry food when they're an adult. you'll want to transition kitty to scheduled feedings when they're 6-8 months old, and i recommend wet food only at that point as kibble really isn't great.

my kitten has been thriving on premium edge kitten food but purina's kitten offerings look good and are a bit easier to find. with wet food supplementation. if you want, tell me your budget and i can give you some recommendations.


misc:

72" wooden cat condo - (or something like it, you definitely want something 6 ft+ for them to climb)

a tall scratching post - random one i found. tall scratchers are healthy for your cat, they have vertical muscles that need to be exercised.

cardboard scratchers - i like this one as it lasts a long time and you can flip it over for a new side.

not sure about flea meds as my cats are indoors. your vet will know what is effective in your region (some flea meds are completely useless in certain states). i would keep your cat indoors though.

u/dejarnjc · 1 pointr/Pets

He's young so it'll take a while still I imagine. In order to keep him out of her bowl we would scold him forcibly, physically move him, and occasionally squirt him (though I don't think squirting is very effective on cats in my experience). The key is is simply consistency. He'll still occasionally try to steal her food but he's pretty good about it all in all.


A laser pointer can be fun for the cat but you should use other toys. When playing, cats get satisfaction from both the chase AND the the capture of toys. Since cats can't capture laser pointers it can get frustrating really quickly. All cats are different but my cats are both obsessed with this toy. I try to get both cats interested in it and alternate with them. It can take some practice (my wife sucks at engaging them with it) but I can pretty much always get my cats' attention with it and they always want to play.
http://www.amazon.com/Cat-Catcher-Teaser-Wand-Mouse/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417628066&sr=8-1&keywords=go+cat+cat+mouse


Also, while moving definitely helped their relationship it was very stressful on both of them. Before moving I'd recommend you look up some tips about moving with cats and follow them too.

u/olalaelaine · 1 pointr/cats

SSSCAT Cat Trainer
http://www.amazon.com/Ssscat-PDT00-13914-SSSCAT-Cat-Training/dp/B000RIA95G

This is a canned air device with a motion activated sensor. Just put it outside your door at night and when the cat approaches the door it will spray. Hopefully discouraging this behavior.

You could also try placing packing tape sticky side up around the door (or maybe aluminum foil). I hear these can deter cats, though they have no effect on my cat.

It sounds as though the cat is likely bored. Maybe getting some self play encouraging toys. They have kinds with a laser pointer. I personally have a "weezle ball" (a battery operated rolling ball with a fuzzy creature attached) I'll turn it on and let kitty play with it. It keeps her busy and happy, but out of my way so I can focus on other things.

I certainly wish you the best and hope you find a solution. Please work hard with your cat before resorting to getting rid of her.

u/your_an_moron · 3 pointsr/catcare

If he's slowly warming up to you and improving as time passes, he will hopefully continue this trend. It's only been three weeks. If he starts biting you just say "no" and stop petting him or walk away. Maybe try just sitting next to him for a while without petting him and see if he will come to you. I know you said you play with him, but make sure you are tiring him out during each play session. Wand toys are great for this because your hand is nowhere near the toy part so he will eventually associate the toy with biting and not your hand. This is the absolute best wand toy in my experience.

u/rabidstoat · 1 pointr/cats

I'm a fan too. I and several friends have this big bad boy, but they have smaller ones too. Actually, I have a smaller one of theirs upstairs and the bigger one downstairs. They aren't the most stylish but they get the job done.

Mine have stood up pretty well. The smaller one is a bit less steady than the bigger one, probably because it has a smaller base compared to height. It also probably wasn't put together as well.

I wouldn't call them the sturdiest of cat trees, though. Mine have held up relatively fine, except that the sisal has come unwrapped on one of the posts. And though the mice-on-a-string on mine have held up surprisingly well despite getting beat up routinely, most everyone else I know have had their mice strings break from cat abuse.

Still, they're my favorite, they are relatively cheap for the size and my cats seem to love leaping about them. They are second only to window perches for things that my cats enjoy.

u/librarychick77 · 5 pointsr/CatTraining

Your boy needs to RUN.

He's an adolescent (actual maturity is between 2-3 years) and has lots of energy. You're his only outlet, so it's up to you to give him appropriate ways to drain his energy.

Use a distance toy like this to run him until he's panting twice a day.

Then you get to work his brain.

If you're feeding him dry food from a bowl get one of these instead. Also, check his food for added sugar. I usually recommend grain free as well.

Look into clicker training for cats, catification for your home, and a bird feeder for outside a window.

Smart energetic kitties are fun, and he's trying to play with you because he likes you. Stop punishing him for trying to play, it won't work and it's not fair.

Take it from someone with 4 cats who fosters kittens, your boy will calm down some. But he needs to be burning more energy to be tolerable until then.

u/Humm1ng131rd · 2 pointsr/CatsAndPlants

Hi,

If you are referring to this one I highly recommend!!
https://www.amazon.ca/Oster-Sunny-Seat-Window-Cat/dp/B005AUM8U0

My cat is 12 lbs. This thing holds up to 50lbs and is sturdy. Only thing was initially when he went on it he heard the velcro and got a little scared. The material moved a little but still stays in place. My cat loves it!! So great to add this to the window and easy assembly. It's also very reasonably priced. I added a little bit of catnip on it to entice him to rub against it to leave his scent.

Hope this helps! I was also skeptical so hope you enjoy it if you choose to purchase one.

u/wwelchh · 2 pointsr/Pets

Not sure this is exactly the kind of thing you’ll want, and it’s right at that $50 cutoff, but I love this PetSafe feeder. It is battery operated and rotates through five vestibules. Works for either wet or dry food but I imagine wet would get rather crusty?? Anyway, we use it for weekends away because it’s perfect for covering two days with two feedings a day. You could easily refill it throughout the week though, to use it all the time. It’s especially helpful if you’re trying to only feed your pet a certain amount or monitor their food intake. The only downside is that it’s better for smaller animals probably—cats or smaller dogs. Or smaller food portions, anyway.

u/adidashawarma · 1 pointr/dogs

Adolescent regression! This happened to mine as well. I was shocked at first but asked my vet about it and she said it was normal that dogs between 4 mos- adulthood to suddenly "forget" their training because they are becoming bolder and more independent. It will just take extra and consistent effort on your part to solidify his housebreaking. Same techniques as you used to do when she was a pup- directly outside if you catch her in the middle of an accident. Frequent outdoor trips with her and praise when she goes, etc.


Interesting, I found that this is a great time to really solidify dog leash manners/ stay/ heal/ no jumping etc. It is EXTRA challenging but if you can lock these skills down during adolescence, they will likely stick through adulthood.


And for pet cleaning products that are specifically designed to remove the desire for dogs to remark, I'd use an enzymatic cleaner. Like this one.


Good luck and enjoy your pup's teenage angst. :)

u/rebelplum · 2 pointsr/Pets

How often do you play with Finn? Does Finn have any type of routine with you in the evening?

Even though Finn has cat buddies, that doesn't mean he is entirely entertained by them 24/7. I would suggest dedicating a good 30 minutes to play time in the evenings, every day. Cats need to "hunt" every day. Finn sounds like he would really benefit from a cat toy like THIS.


Also, perhaps a different type of "watering hole". Cats like to think that they are drinking fresh water. Think about it like nature... cats in the wild tend to drink from bodies of water that are at least, slightly, moving. Still water breeds sickness. Maybe try THIS.

If those options don't work.. try the vet.

u/SugarSugarBee · 7 pointsr/Pets

depends on if your wife is allergic to the cat itself or the dander. Dander you can sometimes get used to if it's the same cat (I'm allergic to cat dander and i've had cats my whole life. two weeks living with a cat and i'm acclimated to them and the allergies aren't bad.).

You can get a test at the doctor and talk to them about allergy shots or Rx-strength meds to take. Change your pillowcases often so she's not sleeping on a pile of cat fur and remember to wash your hands before touching your face/eyes.

Get a Furminator. It is the best de-shedding/brushing tool on the market. It takes off so much excess hair and dander and will help a LOT. Plus, cats LOVE getting brushed!

Febreeze has an allergen reducer spray. I can't verify how well it works and I wouldn't use it as the ONLY way to reduce allergies but it could be very helpful in certain areas like the bed or couch where the cat and your wife might share space consistently.

Invest in Lint Rollers to help keep fur off yourselves.

And know that there are certain times of year where your wife's allergies may flare up, regardless. I know mine do even though I've have the same cat for 9 years and my previous cat for 10. During the spring/fall I would be much worse than the rest of the time and had to amp up to claritin/benedryl.

I hope you can keep this wonderful kitty! And post pics!

u/TieflingTeaFling · 23 pointsr/datingoverthirty

okay person, here's how you do it with cats. If you value your cats, train them. I've trained my cat to Sit, Scratch, and Run on his exercise wheel on command. He is also trained "Gentle" to stop playing / drop claws, "git" to go to ground level if he's on something, and Come when called by name. Cats LOVE structure. Cats like rules and consistency. They don't like change (who does!?) and while it can be hard to see them struggle with adjustments, they will be okay, and it might end up being a lot happier long-term for everyone if you learn to teach them structure and rules in how they interact at home, starting with this.

Training that Meowing =/= attention (open door)

  • Cats meow to communicate with us. Cats operate under the "If I do X, I get Y" premise. So if your cat meows and then you give them attention, they learn that. So you have to ignore it. and it will get worse before it gets better, like a kid throwing a temper tantrum to get what they want. Your cat will start by normally meowing, and scratching. They may increase the volume of their meowing and start yowling. They may start body slamming themselves against the door. You have to ignore it. This is where some of the training tools below will help.
  • Get a deterrent to keep that makes their interaction with the closed door unpleasant. That could be double-sided sticky tape. Maybe a Motion-sensor spray. Or it could be something like putting down a matt that makes being in front of the door impossible /unpleasant. I found that an upside down office chair mat (spikes up) worked pretty well for training my cat to avoid certain areas.
  • Get some earplugs and find something for some ambient white noise to help making dealing with any meowing / yowling easier.
  • Only open the door when it is quiet. This trains the cat that quiet = open door.
  • When you DO open the door, ignore them for a good 10 minutes. This prevents them from learning open door = attention + good things immediately.

    I would recommend in addition to this, you work on rewarding quiet behavior through the linked process of training to sit, then training to be quiet. It's a lot harder with two cats, but all cats can be trained. it's def a lot more work than dogs since cats only learn via rewarding positively, and not via punishment.
u/1bdkty · 4 pointsr/CatAdvice

absolutely. However a cat needs more stimulation than once every couple of days. Get a wand toy (like Da' Bird https://amzn.com/B000F9JJJE ), get some treat balls (https://amzn.com/B0018CE8LG ) that you can put treats in for him to find. There is this butterfly toy that is very popular and pretty cheap (https://amzn.com/B01AJJOJGC $9.99 US) that most cats seems to love. Pet him, brush him, just talk to him (read him a book or reddit posts you think are funny or homework or whatever).

He probably don't want to go out but is bored. Cats can do fine inside and live long happy lives. Just find what he likes to do and make sure he gets his favorite activities.

u/jwallwalrus26 · 1 pointr/Dogtraining

I actually just wrote a post on my new shiba facebook page on my top 5 shiba toys that offer great exercise and stimulation.

  1. Flirt Pole - my go to and my shiba's favorite toy, don't know where I would be without it.

  2. Kong Wobbler - great way to help them if they are fat too.

  3. Hide a treat puzzle toys - so many different types of puzzle toys to choose from!

  4. Cat toy with ball thingy - my girl loves cat toys

  5. Kong - which is pretty much universal to all dogs.
u/andreablondie · 4 pointsr/Pets

Ok, there's the issue. Call your vet and see if you can get him fixed now. He's likely getting restless because he's maturing. He doesn't need to be 6 months to get fixed, it won't make him a "girly" cat if he gets fixed before that point.

Stop trying to "punish" him. Cats do not respond to punishment like a dog or a child would. They are more likely to see it as a game (avoid the water spray!, you holding him down = wrestling, etc.) or start to fear you if it hurts or makes them too uncomfortable. Putting him in "time out" in a bathroom or hallway is ok, but don't use his crate for this. It will just make him want to avoid it, making necessary trips, like to the vet, harder later on.

Another thing that may help is for you to make sure you are playing with them enough. Kittens require a ton of play time to burn off energy, and just letting them play and wrestle together won't be enough. You need to play with them using a wand style toy or playing "fetch" with them for at least 45 minute to an hour every day. They need to get running back & forth through your home and jumping after the toy at the end of the wand until they don't want to chase it any more and may even be panting a bit. Cats will also get a second wind after a bit, and a third, fourth and even a fifth sometimes, so don't give up the first time they do.

As for keeping him out of and off of things, try taping slightly rumpled foil or putting double sided tape on the counters when you aren't using them. There is also a device called a Sscat which is a great way to deter them from certain areas without you having to be directly involved, so they are less likely to develop a negative association with you specifically.

u/ETL4nubs · 1 pointr/kittens

Thank you for this thorough reply!

"Are you able to sleep in the room she currently is comfortable in? Maybe put a sleeping mat or cot in there?"

Yep I can actually. Currently there is a futon bed on the floor that I lay on when I'm in there with her. I could sleep on that one night or take a long nap on the weekend. I do agree with getting her used to me, it makes sense because she will be more trustworthy in the other rooms.

Great point with the food too as I was a bit iffy on that. Currently I put the food in her bowl and swirl it around so she hears it and her bowl isn't always filled.

It's been exciting. Those 2am spazz wake up calls when playing with this are reallllllll.

u/rachelrad · 1 pointr/Wishlist

Yes, /u/drusual is a super swell guy!

Yes, isn't it awesome?! It is made very well and is super sturdy!

I bet your kitty loves it!

Ahhh, thank youuu!

u/JTK89 · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

My goodness we could be twinsies. We seem to have the same taste in cat trees for one thing. I don't know about you, but I picked that specific tree because my little guy likes to explore high spaces, and loves hiding in boxes. So between the height and the enclosures, it seems perfect.

As for an item off my list I'd like, this weight watchers cook book would be perfect. The used one, of course.

u/kaizendojo · 2 pointsr/homeautomation

This may be kinda lower tech (not really since it includes a motion sensor) but I have had great luck with 4 different cats (2 of mine and 2 of my parents) with this device. I've also recommended it to friends who have also been successful with it. It's also low cost enough to warrant giving it a try.

https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-PDT00-13914-SSSCAT-Spray-Deterrent/dp/B000RIA95G

u/CorporateDroneStrike · 2 pointsr/cats
  1. An adult cat can probably tolerate for it about 3 days, on an infrequent basis. It is pretty dependent on the personality of your cat - some cats might act out destructively or gobble all their food. Most cats can regulate eating dry food so you can put a lot out at once. They definitely won't guzzle water for fun, so just put out an extra bowl. Destructive behavior from boredom can be managed with some interactive toys - maybe a Kong treat ball ect. Unless your cat has some issues, 1 litter box scooped once per day should be fine. I have 2 cats and we sometimes skip a day- nbd.


     



  2. I spend about $10 a month for food (Taste of the Wild) and maybe the same on litter (Tidy Cats clumping) for each cat per month. So $20. I would plan on some start up costs for scratching posts, toys, and a litter pan. I tended to go high end on these: https://www.amazon.com/SmartCat-3832-Ultimate-Scratching-Post/dp/B000634MH8

    https://www.amazon.com/Clevercat-77000-Top-Entry-Litterbox/dp/B0002ZS20I

    But it's not a requirement. That scratching post is great though because it's nice and big, and indestructible. Also, I urge you to get sisal scratches because the texture is more unique. Carpet style scratchers teach your cat that similar fabrics are for scratching... As for vet visits, I would just make sure you have a credit card. A healthy cat, who doesn't go outside or get fleas/worms from other pets, is probably not going to cost you much. Spaying/neutering is a one-time expense, that may be taken care of by the shelter, and there are groups that do it for around $35-60.




     




  3. Domestic mongrel 100%. They are going to be healthier in expectation, and I'm not a fan of the breeding industry. As for adult vs kitten - it's hard to say. Adult cats have more fixed personalities, that can include bad habits. Kittens have random personalities but you have a chance to influence them and for the two of you to gel. Look into local shelters to see if you can foster - that way you can make sure you have a good fit without committing. If you foster kittens, get at least 3. If you get a pair, you have a higher chance of keeping both.



u/Lunar3 · 6 pointsr/breakingmom

I think everyone reaches a point when they just feel like they have had enough, you simply tossed him into another room where it was okay for him to throw up. You didn't throw him up against a wall, smack/hit him or try to hurt him on purpose you wanted him out of the room and if he wasn't getting out himself it was kind of like an instinct to toss him into the other room. I don't see it hurting him at all and I am sure he landed on his feet just fine, you'd be surprised the height cats can fall from and be perfectly fine.

How are they toy wise? Maybe you could buy one or two of those interactive cat toys, like this or this to help keep them more engaged with each other and with a toy so they don't feel so needy?

u/gooberfaced · 1 pointr/NoStupidQuestions

The best cat toy ever is Da Bird.
Refills are available for when the bird gets destroyed and it will.

My dogs love anything but a super nice orthopedic bed would be a great choice for an older dog.
I find the Foster and Smith beds to be really well made and the replacement covers are always available.

u/NeedingVsGetting · 1 pointr/catcare

Some cats are CRAZY food-driven. I've got 4 cats, and 2-3 of them (depending on their mood at the time) are food-mad. And all but one definitely prefer their super expensive prescription dry food over wet food.

To make it less of a food-panic and introduce play, our vet recommended these to stop the scarfing. They work beautifully!!

That, and slo-bowls

And Puzzle Bowls

Keeps them all from scarfing it down so they eat slower, don't "scarf & barf", and it reduces desperation at the next meal time.

Good luck!

u/littlest-topo · 16 pointsr/TwoXChromosomes

This is geared toward dog owners, but "Impulsive Rehoming Phase" can happen to any pet owner. (http://familypaws.com/2012/impulsive-rehoming-phase/) You're certainly not alone (even if you don't feel impulsive).

Can you pinpoint other specific behaviors that are annoying? Your example of meowing makes sense, because presumably you work very hard and are tired, so your son's nap is your only time to relax. Plus, cranky baby. Discrete behaviors can be modified (whereas general feelings of annoyance cannot).

First, is your cat healthy? Illness or stress can cause your cat to vocalize excessively. Adding a baby to the home is definitely stress (as can be moving furniture, etc). Is your cat using the litter box normally? Missing the box can be a sign that it is dirty or that your cat has a UTI. If the vet gives a clean bill of health, you can help stress by using a calming pheromone plug-in.

Make sure you are providing your cat with enough enrichment and opportunities to exercise. For example, interactive toys, a bird-watching window, scratching posts, vertical spaces, or even a catio.

Finally, schedule in some TLC. If you have a cat that enjoys grooming or petting, carve out 10 minutes to do that activity (or even 5 if it is a long day). You might find that not only does it meet your cat's needs, but it helps to redevelop the bond that you once had with your cat, but aren't really feeling lately.

I've gone off a bit on a tangent, but a behavior counselor can help you identify plans to solve specific behavioral issues (if you can identify them), if you can't solve them on your own. Hopefully that would result in a happier cat and a happier mom.

u/mx_hazelnut · 3 pointsr/Pets

I used to get so mad about friends and guests using their hands to play with my kitten. Luckily, when the people she saw most often stopped using their hands entirely, she learned to play with toys that were meant for her instead.

Try big soft toys stuffed with catnip, or this thing. Those are basically the greatest hits among my six cats. Some of my cats like toys that twirl in the air, while others like it when they're dragged along the ground, so try lots of different ways to play. Cardboard scratchers with catnip rubbed in are another much-beloved toy.

As for training the people around you? Remind them that claws won't be cute when your cat is big and strong, and put a toy into their hands. Kittens who are trained to attack people are the same cats who end up in shelters as adults, because their owners are too scared of them! I'm sure your cat will be fine since he has you to look out for him, but things like this do happen.

Good luck!

u/TranquilTrill · 1 pointr/mainecoons

Have you tried other brands of canned food, rather than pouches? My MCs tend to prefer pouches to canned food, so I wonder if your girl is the other way around. Also, have you tried the Applaws brand? I saw they have it on Petonly.ca. It's pricey, but my cats like it and I get it every once in a while for them.

Is she getting enough water? If so, then maybe she doesn't need so much wet food. Would she eat more dry food if you put it down for her? Maybe if you got one of those food balls (https://www.amazon.ca/PetSafe-SlimCat-Interactive-Food-Dispenser/dp/B0018CG40O) it might make it more fun for her to eat?

I've read many times that MCs continue to grow until they reach 3 years old, so she may need more food. But ultimately, what does your vet say? If s/he thinks Twix is underweight, then you may really need to find a solution to this. If not, then I wouldn't worry too much. Good luck!

u/mandarex87 · 1 pointr/cats

I'm actually a grad student as well, and am always looking for ways to keep the critters busy while I'm gone or studying. I've found a few helpful toys, though the best entertainment I have is a bird feeder on my deck, they will sit and chirp at the birds for hours.

I've heard good things about this toy, unfortunately you can't set it to go off while you're gone. But it has a setting to turn off after 15mins so you can set it and leave.
http://www.amazon.com/FroliCat-BOLT-Interactive-Laser-Pet/dp/B0021L8W6K

This one is amazing, it was recommended to me by a vet. If your cat is food driven this will keep him busy. You can put treats or cat nip in it, or even their whole meal.
http://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-SlimCat-Food-Distributor-Ball/dp/B0018CG40O/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1348904553&sr=1-1&keywords=food+ball

This is also great for food motivated cats, one of mine will walk over and move the sliders around asking for treats. If he seems particularly bored I'll put most of his meal in this and make him work for it.
http://www.amazon.com/Ethical-Seek-A-Treat-Shuffle-Bone-Puzzle/dp/B0038WP1YC/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1348904645&sr=1-2&keywords=dog+puzzle+toys

I have this one as well, this works better for when you're home and can turn it on and off, there is no timer. My cats love to chase things under blankets, and they come running when I turn this on. It is kind of loud, so I put it in the other room while I'm studying so I don't have cats all over my books.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11539790

Hope this helps! I would highly recommend starting with the food ball or the laser light as they're a little cheaper, but I also know us pet parents like to spoil our critters.

u/Xaeonis · 2 pointsr/videos

http://www.amazon.com/Drinkwell-Platinum-Pet-Fountain-168oz/dp/B000L3XYZ4

Its awesome. Only fill it about once every few days, and I clean it every week or so (though Ill admit sometimes I get too busy and forget).

It dismantles into bottom, middle, cover and the motor. The motor has a few little parts to be taken apart, but its all easily done and cleaned in about 5-10mins.

Ive had it for YEARS. Since 2010 I think. I thought it stopped working the other day, turned out the motor had just gunked up and I had not cleared it out well enough.

He loves it too. Better than him drinking out of the damned tub.

Oh and you cant see it, but i also have this
http://www.amazon.com/Animal-Planet-Programmable-Electronic-Feeder/dp/B00ATJSH4S/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1422348072&sr=1-1&keywords=animal+planet+pet+feeder

2 times a day, half a cup. Keeps him from chowing down and me from overfeeding him. I wipe it out when I refill it, but its pretty cool.

He does get antsy though and will start yelling for food about 2 hours before the thing goes off.

u/christyelaurel · 3 pointsr/videos

HAVE YOU TRIED SSSCAT?!?! Our kitten is very frisky at night, so we bought this product off Amazon called Ssscat—essentially a canister of compressed air that has a motion detector on it and releases a puff of air if kitty walks by. Not enough to really scare him, but enough to deter the behavior! We use it outside our bedroom and it has HONESTLY been a lifesaver because kitty doesn’t bug us every night!!! He doesn’t even really try to get inside anymore. Just bought one for the guest room for when people sleep over. Can’t recommend highly enough! You’re $30 away from better sleep.

Buy Ssscat on Amazon

u/Adalwolf · 9 pointsr/Pets

I'd recommend you buy a Ssscat. I place mine right by the door facing perpendicular to the threshold so that if my cats want to come scratch the door/carpet right in front of the doorway, it triggers and scares them off. It's motion sensored to trigger a harmless blast of air. Should work perfectly. :)

In addition, it's great for keeping cats off counters or wherever else they shouldn't be. The downside is you do have to buy refills eventually, I feel like the fact that I can place it pretty much anywhere is worth it.

u/applejade · 2 pointsr/Pets

You definitely need to stick with some sort of reduced food regimen. I wouldn't be surprised if domesticated animals don't get how to hunt anymore... I mean, can YOU hunt down a moose for dinner? =)

Maybe you're switching up the food locations too quickly for him. You could try less random locations around the house to "hide" the food. Pick a few set locations. Take him to it at first. Make sure he remembers where they are. Then switch it up after he's getting it. It might take him a month to get it. Give him time. You may never be able to just randomize the locations without showing him.

Maybe try a food-dispensing toy like this or this or this - Edit: that last one seems to work the best, based on the reviews. Try looking locally or more internet search. But don't give him more than the 1/4 cup daily.

He might not recognized the wet food as food, or he doesn't like that brand. I'm not sure if it works to slowly add some wet food to his dry food to make him understand that it's still food.

See if he'll chase a wadded up paper ball or tin foil ball. Try to make him bring it back for a kibble =) See if he'll chase string. The idea is to try to make him run. A friend of mine had a cat that would chase a chain so I'd sit cross legged on the floor and drag it along the floor in a circle around my body. The cat would chase it around and around me while I kept switching it from one hand to the other.

u/Zoobles88 · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

A couple of things - nothing huge and nothing any one individual did for me specifically. I'm one of those shutdown people - it sucks as much as you'd expect. But...my leasing office has agreed to let any of us effected negotiate a payment plan to cover rent after the government opens back up. So basically, if I can't pay rent - I can make it up to them in small increments later. Then, there are a lot of companies giving away things at a huge discount OR completely free to people like me (I've seen restaurants, hotels, and EVEN a company giving away free vibrators) just to try and help cushion the blow.

Honestly, this would be awesome, as I'm trying to teach myself to groom my dogs, that way I don't have to decide between forking over $120 at the groomer or letting my dogs get matted and shaggy and sad.

u/mybotanypowers · 6 pointsr/dogs

When you get a dog that requires grooming, you must not be "scared of hurting him". You won't hurt him if you use the right tools and you're patient. If you try brushing him and he wiggles around a little, that just means he's unsure. You aren't hurting him, promise. You have to brush your dog, and using that tool above, you are not using the right brush, at all. You would never need that type of brush for a cavapoo. Those brushes are designed for short hair dogs with undercoats-- that is a deshedding comb.

Your first step would be to take the dog to a professional groomer, and bite the bullet for the cost. Although typically unless your dog is a real handful, at least in my area the cost for a cavapoo ranges from $45.00 up. Depends on where you go, really. There is no way to get 'dreadlock' mats out of the coat save for shaving them away completely. To try to comb those out is extremely painful for the dog. From there, keep up with the brushing yourself. You will have to get this dog clipped if not every six weeks, every eight weeks, roughly. As you said this dog doesn't shed its hair, it just keeps growing. Even with regular maintenance you'll be looking at a little mophead eventually.

Please, take him to a groomer. Look up groomers in your area and find the one with the best reviews for being gentle and patient. Dematting even through shave downs can be stressful on the dog if they're very bad, although they're by far the gentlest option.

I am a groomer, and just as a tip for the future here are the tools I would use to take care of this pup.

  • Firm Slicker Brush. You need something with longer bristles to get through his thicker coat, and something that won't bend as soon as you start brushing. When you brush, use gentle pressure so that you aren't scratching him.
  • Soft Slicker Brush. For less intensive brushing around sensitive areas like the muzzle, ears, tail, paws, and belly.
  • De-matting Comb. Used to maintain the coat before any bad mats occur. This comb has blades on it and cuts through clumps of hair gently. Do not use this if mats are down to the skin!
  • Metal Comb. A wide-tooth and fine-tooth comb, used just as you would use a comb. Use the slicker first to kind of 'loosen' the coat a bit, then go through with the wide-toothed side, then the fine-toothed side.

    Make sure you're combing through his tail, ears, and muzzle as well as those are all prone to matting also. Check between his toes, as that area with dogs with a lot of hair like him also gets matted up quickly.

    Best of luck and I hope this helps.
u/baethan · 1 pointr/CatAdvice

I'll link you the ones I've had that I can find...

The go pet 72" tree has been our longest lasting one, looks to be $77. It has the stupid ramps, but overall is a pretty good design imo. My cats have not been interested in the lower "condo", but one does use the upper condo.

This is our most recently bought tree, the armarkat 74", which I don't recommend. It's not sturdy: the base is very small, and the two posts in the top half are right on top of each other.

I'll hunt around and see if I can find the model one of our cats peed on found it! It was also an armarkat. If you look at the picture, see that platform on the lower right, with short post and mini platform on it? Yeah that cracked in half pretty fast, it's only supported on one side. One of my cats also peed in the hammock, but she really loved sleeping in it until then.

u/anthrogeek · 4 pointsr/ragdolls

This toy? My little guy looooves it. Best toy ever. I got the ball that lights up for it (mostly so I can see it in the dark). I now gift them to all of my friends with new kittens because they are amazing.

My guy loves catnip mice and leaves them everywhere; like the bathtub, my bed ala godfather style under the covers, in purses and shoes mine and visitors.

u/addywoot · 1 pointr/Pets

It's been an unseasonably warm winter here so it's starting too.

The defurminator brush is really good for pulling loose hair. It's a robust grooming tool but even 2 minutes can get a handful of it.

Also for the super long haired coats, a groomer's comb is the best for separating the hairs down to the root and preventing mats.

I have four cats and those two tools along with a general slicker brush really help me manage. I had to shave down my maine coon due to gastrointestinal issues but still have two long haired cats and a short hair.

u/stonewalled87 · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

This is my cat Stonewall (yes my reddit name is after her) I adopted her from a shelter 2 years ago & fell in love. [Here](<a href="http://imgur.com/JC3eyt8"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/JC3eyt8.jpg" title="Hosted by imgur.com"/></a>) she is when I first got her from the shelter in the "get to know you room"
This is a good toy for her or this to help with grooming because she sheds so much!
Since I am a cat person I would want to spend the day with Viktor the Hypnocat. I think a laser would be a great toy for Viktor!
I want to be friends with Hanners and Viktor!

u/ThatHowlingWolfhound · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

I want to be friends with Hanners and Viktor.

But I'd love to spend a day with Viktor because I'm a sucker for cute little kitty cats, even though I'm a tattooed metalhead with green hair. Love those little cuties <3

Also, here's my kitty. Can't wait to see him again in a few hours after months of being away!

He asked me to put this on here, because he chewed through his a while ago and would love to have another one sometime.

u/nerdalertdirt · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

My name is Flynn Rider. I want to be friends with Hanners and Viktor. If I had to choose, I'd love to spend time with Viktor because I need some new cat friends. My mommies are driving me crazy! I can't have any fun ever :( I would love one of these since the one I had before broke.

Here's a toy that I think is the best and you would sure love! I am a simple cat who gets enterained by anything shiny

u/ThisIsRecompense · 2 pointsr/Pets

The best way to prevent doggy messes is to immediately start crate training. Get your dog used to the crate, and over time you can slowly let your dog have a bit more freedom in the apartment. And if he's out for play or hanging out then you have to supervise him and hopefully distract him and take him outside if you see him about to start his business.

You can get an odor/stain remover and have that handy for accidents. As far as killing the carpet, you have to let them know that there are better, more fun alternatives.

Zak George's Dog Training youtube channel is a good place to start learning, imo. But honestly, I can't stress crate training enough. You have to teach the dog where it's okay to go.

u/far2frail · 2 pointsr/aww

I have the Pioneer Raindrop fountain (here) for $30 and I use these filters. I only need to replace the filter once every one to two months. Totally worth it because of how much the cats love it, and it gives me peace of mind knowing that it's helping them stay healthy.

Our first cat, Roger (whom I originally bought the fountain for), was terrified of it at first. A month went by before he finally had the courage to drink from it, and then he quickly adored it. Unfortunately he passed away, and we adopted two kittens. Simon and Chloe instantly loved it as soon as we brought them home. So there's a chance she may hate it at first, but running water is very natural and appealing to cats. I think she would grow to like a fountain very quickly. :)

u/Mephiz · 3 pointsr/Pets

That cat sounds like he needs play and his own space.

Since you have no option but to live with this cat you could probably fix this behavioral problem yourself. Play the aggression out of him for about 10 to 15 minutes a day. (Play until he's tired.) You could use a laser pointer or something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Go-Cat-Catcher-Teaser-Mouse/dp/B000LPOUNW. (It should go without saying don't use your hands and teach the cat that hands are toys.)

If you can afford it, get some cat furniture near a window. (Or just make a space for him on a shelf near a window.)

Reinforce good things and good vibes whenever he's near you. Carry treats and give them to him. (Don't use your hands at first unless he's played out.) Slowly work up to petting him.

If there are other cats then it could also be anxiety about those cats. In that instance all of these things apply but the importance of establishing a safe territory (either with or without the other cats) becomes important.

u/Kitticus_kattus · 6 pointsr/CatAdvice

Every cat is different as to what they want to play with. Some acts like fast prey, others like to do sneak attacks. Some like air prey like birds and some prefer their toys on the ground, like mice. This toy sends most of my cats into a mad playing frenzy

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cat-Catcher-Mouse-Wand-maker/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1496066031&sr=1-1&keywords=Da+bird

And a lot of people have brilliant success with laser pointers. Treat balls, where you put the treats inside and they have to work out how to get them out, are also a popular one.

Basically, just try lots of different types of toys and you'll find one he likes... and then you'll be stepping on it and retrieving it from under the sofa for all eternity.

u/aquanautic · 3 pointsr/AskWomen

My kitty loves this thing. I got her the "starchaser" one, which basically means that the ball lights up when it's moving.

She's suuuuuper playful for a 7 year old cat. She's got her claws and previously had a regular cardboard scratcher that she loved. This thing takes the cake, though. She plays with it at night when I'm sleeping (and leaves me be!) and I can play with her with it too, by cover it with things (tissue paper is a favorite) or spinning the ball. She tears up the cardboard and loves the ball. It's like kitty crack.

Luna with her toy after about 2 months of play.

u/GZiggie · 1 pointr/cats

Obviously the solution is to just take your baby with you on your trip! :D

lol no I'm just kidding. I would recommend this one, or a style like it:
https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-5-Meal-Automatic-Pet-Feeder/dp/B000GEWHNS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1498146424&sr=8-2&keywords=automatic+cat+feeders
Since you'll have someone coming over every other day, they'll be able to refill the bowls. I like it because it works with wet food! But if your cat is too curious they might be able to pry open the door...Best of luck! And enjoy your vacation!

u/eraser-dust · 2 pointsr/TrollXChromosomes

Just any higher quality soft food, to be honest. They will probably try to sell you on the Science Diet food that is supposedly formulated for urinary tract issues. A good quality soft food that isn't, say, friskies, offbrand, or fancy feast, will be good. Iams is pretty decent with their soft food, but it has been a while since I used that brand. As for water fountains, ones with removable carbon filters tend to work best. They do require thorough cleanings every now and then because cats saliva will always get into the water dish and cycled through so it eventually makes it dirty and a bit slimey. I use an old toothbrush to clean the harder to reach spots. Takes me about fifteen minutes every two weeks. This is with multiple cats, though. I'm not too sure how long you can go between cleanings for less than three cats.

This fountain is generally well-recommended and works decently. It has replaceable carbon filters so once they get pretty nasty you can just replace with a new one.

As for the methionine, if it ever comes to that, you can order it online, I believe. They sell it in some sort of meat flavored chewable tablets for cats, I believe. We crush them up and mix in with their soft food and that's that. It's not super expensive to order, either. My mom has always had a very limited budget and we have managed perfectly fine.

Honestly it's alright to keep feeding your cat some hard food, too, just read the ingredients beforehand. Ash is what you want to look out for. The main thing is to just introduce more moisture into your kitty's diet. We usually will mix a small handful of hard food with a can of wet food and feed them that way.

u/thehostilehobo · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

So, I've always been a dog person. But about a year ago, my boyfriend convinced me that we should get a kitty. Although she destroys everything, I still love her!

Here is Taarna (Bonus points if you know where that name is from!)

I honestly still don't know much about kitties, but I think she would like this or this. If anyone knows something their cat loves, please share! :p

u/6June1944 · 3 pointsr/aww

Strongly recommend anyone with a Maine coon (and anyone who likes to help their purrkid out grooming) gets a furminator


I know they are a bit pricy, but They are the best things ever and worth their weight in gold. My mom has a Norwegian snow cat and it’s the most gigantic fluff ball ever and the furminator is a godsend

u/msscrabble · 1 pointr/cats

I'm very glad she is on a diet! Get some cat wand toys (http://amzn.to/1390BRi, http://amzn.to/10O9psF, http://amzn.to/11uazIy) for her to chase around and schedule 20 good minutes of play every day. My cats are indoor cats - it's definitely possible to keep them fit and healthy if they stay inside. Stick to the weight loss though, I guarantee you that she'll be happier and have more confidence once she gets some of that weight off her poor little legs.

u/The_Sleep_Walker · 5 pointsr/teefies

I got an answer for this! I too noticed a while back my cat loved drinking from the sink more than his bowl, and it turns out almost everyone who has a cat has the same issue!

So after some researching it turns out that cats are not fully domesticated (this is why they have such a strong need to hunt) and because of this they don’t drink water the same way dogs do.

A cat won’t want to drink water from a bowl, however if a cat hears running water it’ll kick start their instincts (just like when a cat sees a bird, something inside them clicks) and they’ll want to drink as much water as they can.

Without the sound of running water, a cat will get most of its water from wet food, because they will only drink when they are very thirsty. This is why it’s so common for cats to get kidney and bladder problems.

The best thing you can do is get a fountain for your cat.

There are some on amazon that very affordable, I use the catit water filter. I like it’s design and the way it uses it’s filters. You can also use it without filters, but if you make sure to clean out the water more often. Like once every day or so.

You’ll also have to keep an eye on the fountain, they’ll need to be cleaned often because if it it can get mold.

It’s a little bit more work, but it’s a HUGE difference. My cats drink so much water, it even reduced the stench of their urine.

Please consider doing this for your cat, and spreading the awareness. This alone can make your cat live so much longer and healthier.

cat fountain that I use

u/AWildRisuAppeared · 1 pointr/AskVet

Hi, congrats on your new cat. I'm a vet tech student interested in behavior and a cat shelter volunteer so if someone with higher qualifications posts, by all means listen to them. When you take her to the vet to get a UTI ruled out, ask them about this on the behavior end, too.

Is there one specific spot she's peeing in, or does it seem to be more random? Where are the litter boxes located? Does she scratch or otherwise mark things, like by rubbing on them? Make sure you're using an enzymatic cleaner when you clean up the pee spots; it's something you can buy at pretty much any pet store.

As far as her interactions with the other cat, she probably just wants to play and has, obviously, a higher energy level than your 13 year old. Get her some interactive toys, we have one of these and my cats love it. Obviously, different cats like different toys, but from my observations with both the cats at the shelter where I volunteer and my own, a wire instead of a string makes the toy move better. You said she's "adopted" your son, and since he's 6, he's probably old enough that this is something he can do with her.

u/wingwalker86 · 3 pointsr/bengalcats

It’s called a “Cat Dancer”. They’re super inexpensive ($1.99 on Amazon last time I bought one). My bengal would make these adorable chirping sounds he didn’t normally make while playing with it. It’s also great because you can tape it to the wall when your arm gets tired and they can bat at it on their own time. I’ve given them as gifts to several friends and every cat seems to love it. Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N9I68/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_W5V7BbWNMZ1VK

u/peppermintsticks · 2 pointsr/Pets

For the meowing before his feeding, have you considered getting an automatic feeder? Right now he meows to wake you up because he associates your waking up with getting food. You might have to put up with meowing for a few more weeks though. Or if you don't want to get the feeder, you could spend 10-15 minutes doing your morning routine (change, brush your teeth, eat breakfast etc.) after waking up before giving them food, so they don't think that you getting out of bed = food. I do this with my cats and it has worked for me.

For the scratching, you can also try using an automated spray like this that sprays out a loud puff of air whenever your cat activates it and put it near the doorway where you don't want him to be.

As for the biting, I've never experienced that problem myself but it sounds as though your cat is bored. I've read that having structured play time with him is important.

And yes, cats can totally be trained! I'm working on clicker training my cats myself and you'd be surprised at how smart they are. :)

u/whenwillthewaitend · 11 pointsr/BabyBumps

>Ours will howl and bash on the door when we kick them out, which presumably won't help a baby sleeping.

My cat does this also if she's kicked out of the bedroom. She usually sleeps with us from whenever I go to bed till around 5am when she goes into "play mode" and starts running around the room getting into everything being super noisy. So usually around 5am we'll put her outside the room and close the door so she can go play literally anywhere else in the house but she more often than not comes back to the door to bang on the door and yowl. The solution my husband and I have found is to place a Scccat cat sprayer by the door so when she comes to the door to bang on it the sprayer sprays her with a little puff of air that scares her away. It isn't like it's hurting her or anything but she's scared enough of it to leave the door alone which means we get to sleep in peace.

And for what it's worth the Ssscat is great for training cats to stay off kitchen counters and things like that also. We originally got it for our older cat (who is now an outdoor cat due to other issues) to keep him off the kitchen counters and it worked like a charm after about 2 weeks of kitty jumping on the counter, getting sprayed, and running away. Eventually he just stopped jumping up at all and we were able to put the Ssscat away.

u/Draco_Dormiens · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

Hi! My name is Albus and I'm not sure how this reddits thing works. My owner sure is on here a lot, sometimes I have to jump on her to get off of it. Viktor, you look like a pretty classy feline with a super awesome name and I think I'd love to share some catnip with you. I think you'd really like this laser pointer, my owner has a laser pointer she uses for me all the time and I go CRAZY for it.

I know my owner has a couple of toys on her list for me, but this one is the one i want the mostest.

I want to be friends with Hanners and Viktor