#27 in Pet Supplies
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Reddit mentions of Go Cat Cat Catcher Teaser Wand with Mouse Cat Toy
Sentiment score: 28
Reddit mentions: 41
We found 41 Reddit mentions of Go Cat Cat Catcher Teaser Wand with Mouse Cat Toy. Here are the top ones.
or
- Flexible wire
- Recommended by veterinarians as an interactive exercise toy
- Public alert: Hide toys when not in use and supervise your pet while playing at all times
- Hand crafted in the use
Features:
Specs:
Color | Assorted |
Height | 0.1 Inches |
Length | 12 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Size | 46 IN |
Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
Width | 0.1 Inches |
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:
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
Your kitten is very young -- I assume that she has no other kitten companions in your household. The first two-to-three months of a kitten's life should be spent with their mother and litter so that they can properly develop and socialize, as this time is crucial to their development.
That being said, she may still see it as a 'playtime' activity when she grows up. It is not recommended to let her continue doing this, as she'll get stronger and more dangerous as she ages. I would recommend that you train her to not play in that way, since it can be painful.
One suggestion I have is to make a high-pitched noise or shriek when she bites or nibbles your hands. When growing up in a litter, kittens often playfight with their brothers and sisters, but use a high-pitched noise to signal an 'okay, that's enough, it's starting to hurt.' The same can be taught to your cat through you and your family.
Another suggestion is to give her more toys to play with. You don't have to spend a lot of money on toys -- a crumpled paper ball, a big brown paper bag from a grocery store, they're all viable toys. One toy that my cat loves is the Da Bird Cat Catcher ( http://www.amazon.com/Da-Bird-Catcher-Feather-Toys/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1346535251&sr=1-2&keywords=go+cat+mouse ). It's not an expensive toy, but it keeps my cat busy!
I'm a senior veterinary student (doctor in 6 months) and I love cats and cat behavior.
This is one of the best websites out there: http://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/
Understanding cat behavior (video lecture by Dr. Buffington: http://streaming.osu.edu/vetmed/indoorcats/indoorcats.wmv
Best book: http://store.wexarts.org/yhtt.html
Litter boxes: 1 per cat plus 1 extra. 1 Litter box means one in a single room. Two litter boxes right next to each other or in the same room count as one box. Think about it like a toilet. You put two toilets together and no wall between them then two people are NOT going to use them at once.
Cats prefer deep, clumping litter and dislike litter liners (they get stuck in them).
The litter box should be as long as your cat is from nose to tip of tail. Put it in a quite room away from doors, drafts, windows, children and loud objects like washing machines. Clean at least once every three days.
If your cat messes outside the box DO NOT punish it. You're cat won't understand you (it doesn't speak english) and you'll just make it fear you. Do NOT clean it up with normal cleaning products. They'll set the stain and the smell will stay forever (encourging you cat to remark the area). DO use an ezymatic cleaner made to remove urine such as http://www.natures-miracle.com/ or anti-icky poo. For dirtied clothing use Dreft baby detergent as it's made to take out urine and feces from diapers. Remember to DROWN THE URINE CONTAINING AREA. Dump a full half gallon if you half to. If you don't completely drench the stain (ie you just try to dab or wipe) it'll still be there and the cat will remark again. Don't be stingy. Clean it up the first time.
Remember: your cat has the final say in what it uses as a litter box. Cater to the cat least the cat decide your rug is more attractive.
Scratching Post: Scratching is a normal cat behavior and should be encouraged (never punished). Declawing involves amputating the last bone in your cat's paw and is exactly the same as cutting off everything from the last knuckle on up on your hand. Declawing should always be a last resort for cases where the cat having its claws puts someone's life in danger (ie AIDs owners, hemophiliacs, or people who would have to give up the cat if it scratched them). There are plenty of alternatives to declawing such as claw caps, nail trimming, and MOST IMPORTANTLY providing a place for the cat to scratch.
An appropriate scratching post needs to be sturdy (never tips even if your cat leaps on it), and tall enough that your cat can stretch out to their fullest. I recommend this one. If your cat scratches on flat surfaces like the tops of chairs or the carpet get a horizontal scratcher instead such as this one. DON'T go cheap. Flimsy crap like this or this will just make you cat pick the nice big sofa instead. Also, most cats hate door hanger scratches so don't waste your money.
If your cat does scratch off the post DO NOT punish it. You'll just make it fear you and it won't understand what they heck you're trying to say. Positive reinforcement is always safer and very effective. Grab a great wand toy and run it over the scracthing post. NEVER take your cat's paws and try to "show them how to use the scratcher". Your cat WILL HATE IT and may become adverse to the scratcher.
Remember: Your cat will always choose their favorite place to scratch. You'd better offer them something better than your couch if you expect them to pick that instead. Cat's aren't stupid. They have good taste.
Medical: Indoor cats can absolutely still get rabies and I'm sad to say I've watched two indoor only cats die because they contracted rabies from catching a bat that got into the home. In both cases the owners never had bat problems ever and swore to me up and down that it was impossible. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get your rabies vaccine every year. I don't want to ever have to comfort a crying owner again and you don't want to get the rabies post exposure shots. They hurt. Trust me.
Cats should be on flea and heartworm prevention year round in most areas. Cat's are more resistant to heartworm than dogs but when they get it, it's devastating. They can have a sudden allergic reaction and die. I's much harder to identify cats with heart worm because they usually only get 1-3 worms and may not always test positive. The safest bet is year round protection like revolution or advantage multi.
Cats get VERY painful dental disease, so if your cat's mouth smells bad take it to the vet. Waiting just increases your bill. Trust me on this one. Cats will eat through the pain until they get so sick they're nearly dead. Don't wait for your cat to stop eating.
Fleas are not a sign that you are dirty. Mice bring them in when they move into your house for the winter. If you see one flea then you will need to treat every pet in your household with prescription flea medication for at least 6 months. 1 live adult is only 5% of the fleas in your house. And for the love of all that's holy USE CAT PRODUCTS ONLY. Many of the dog products will kill your cat because they have different ingredients.
This that will kill your cat:
onions/garlic
ibprofen (motrin, etc)
tylenol (acetaminophen)
rat poison
antifreeze
lily plants (easter lilies, tiger lillies, asian lillis ANY LILY IS BYE BYE KIDNEYS in about 4 hours)
chocolate
sugar free gum (xylitol)
chewing on electric wires
string (thread, dental floss, yarn etc. think $2000 surgery and no guarantee your cat will survive)
chrysanthemums
See full list: http://www.catvets.com/cat-owners/caring-for-cats/feline-toxins-and-poisons
When to get in the car and drive your cat to the emergency vet RIGHT F-ING NOW:
cat ate any of the above plants or medications
seizures
cat has not urinated in 48 hours and/or is in and out of the litter box, crying and straining to pee (blocked cats will die in less than 24 hours without immediate treatment)
cat is open mouth breathing (cats don't usually pant except MAYBE after very hard intense play and even that should wane in less than 1-2 minutes)
cat is reluctant to move, vomits more than twice in one day, or seems weak and unable to stand
cat possibly ate something like a rubber band, hair tie, string or metal object
cat has not eaten for 2 meals or more
cat seems dazed, is bumping into walls or acting suddenly excited/drunk (this is a sign of poisoning)
When to go to the vet in the next 24-48 hours
Cat skipped a meal or has decreased appetite or only eats wet food when she used to eat dry food
Cat is drinking more than usual
Cat is peeing outside the box or going more frequently (cat's almost never get UTIs but they sure as heck get kidney disease, diabetes, cancer, hyperthroidism and urinary stones. Please don't dick around trying to treat this with those useless "medications" as the pet store. You could make things a LOT worse and you're just wasting money)
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:
Good luck!
Edit: I fail at Reddit formatting, apparently. ;_;
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.
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!
The specs keep changing week to week with firmware updates. Here's the current setup:
-5200mAh, good for about 20 minutes of flight time before needing a recharge (battery life keeps increasing with use)
-Here's the remote controller I'm using, surprisingly awesome battery life!
-range: about 20 laps of indoor around the house flying
-motors: 4 individual of unknown make (catdrone found in crawl space)
10/10 would purchase again
It isn’t out of character but needs fixing.
There are a few things you can do.
Ideally, he should get a kitten companion if at all possible, especially if he’s alone a lot. Better even if the other kitten has been properly socialised by mum and siblings.
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!
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:
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!
You're in Pennsylvania, too? Hi! We're in the EDT zone. :-P get your zoo on gurl
This cat toy is $6.99 with free shipping (through Amazon Marketplace) or this catnip for $4.99 as an add-on item ($5.99 with free shipping through Amazon Marketplace). If that doesn't work, I do have Pet Sematary on my WL...
LOL, here's the toy that we bought him. The mouse is about 2 inches long. Yeah, he detached the mouse from the fishing line (which is made of metal). He's swallowed other stuff in the past, like hair-ties, zipties, and plastic, but has pooped it out. This time, it was causing him to vomit so we figured a trip to the vet would be in order.
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.
Get a laser pointer and a wand toy. My cat goes absolutely bonkers over this toy:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000LPOUNW/ref=mp_s_a_1_25?ie=UTF8&qid=1500044914&sr=8-25&keywords=cat+toys+wand
This Go Cat Cat Catcher toy. One of my cats will drag it around the house. You put it in a cardboard box and she's in heaven. http://www.amazon.com/Go-Cat-Catcher-Teaser-Mouse/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1427228912&sr=1-2&keywords=cat+toy
Our cat's favorite toys are "prey on a string" things he can chase and paper/crinkly containers he can jump into. For chasing, his absolute favorite is this. Any paper grocery bag instantly becomes his lair, and he spends a lot of time chasing phantom prey through his crinkle tube.
Also, this may just be my weirdo cat, but he loves chasing a radish around the floor. It's easy to roll and has a "tail", which turns it into endless entertainment for him.
Sassy and Martu stop fighting!
Congrats on the new kitty! I have two recommendations;
This is a time when my pup Hank drove me up the wall. It's hard to keep him out of trouble. This is my kitty, Nieko. She's obviously a little angel that can do no wrong (yeah right!)
Best of luck with your kitty clan. I'm sure things will work themselves out!
I have always had kitties, and have 3 right now. I wouldn't get her started on live animals, that could make her always wanting live prey, and if she's eating them on a regular basis she will most likely always have worms (that's how they get them). She is playing with you, and you should get her some toys and just wear her out. A laser pointer is a great one, as well as any feather dancer type toy or something like this:
http://www.amazon.com/Da-Bird-Catcher-Feather-Toys/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342728269&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=fealther+dancer+toy
My oldest kitty was crazy as a kitten, attacking and biting me even as I slept, and playing with him on a regular basis helped. He mellowed out a lot as a grew older.
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...
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!!!
https://www.amazon.com/Go-Cat-Catcher-Teaser-Mouse/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mouse+wire+toy&qid=1570430393&sr=8-1
He loves this mouse want toy! I move it in a circle and he follows with a backflip, its insane! He's definitely lost some chonk since the extreme gymnastic training.
Here is something to try. Both of my cats like this one -- and they don't agree on much.
On the other hand, my lazy cat wants to lay on her back, and bat at it in the air above her. But my boy jumps up into the air to get it. He's more active with this than even da bird.
Is it this mouse? with the metal string and it attaches with a fishing thing? My cat freaking LOVES this thing.
My cat is obsessed with this wand toy. I’ve bought several of them, and he never gets tired of it! Pretty sure he loves it because the mouse looks like an actual mouse: https://www.amazon.com/Go-Cat-Catcher-Teaser-Mouse/dp/B000LPOUNW
How much time do you spend each day playing with them? I mean with toys, like this. Cats bore easily, and in the absence of being worn out by play, they're going to find other stuff to amuse themselves - like picking fights.
They need stimulation... interesting vertical surfaces to climb, places to hide, stuff to chase. They're cats... they're not stuffed animals who spend all their time sitting and looking pretty.
If you still have aggression issues despite wearing Nip out (15 minutes of heavy play should do it), then plugging in a few of these may curb his aggressive nature a bit.
We have a male that was constantly after our old grumpy female. He'd stalk her and pounce, she'd freak the fuck out and back in a corner growling, he'd menace her, and she'd end up even more neurotic than before (she was a rescue, suffered abuse previously). The combination of really active play and the diffusers has made our home peaceful again for all three of our furkids.
This would not only make me happy, but my kitten very happy as well
Make me smile, Rasta - its a dreary Monday here too :(
Yup! He's got a Da Mouse toy that he absolutely loves and he's surprisingly good at hunting it.
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!
This just happened to me this week, except instead of a dime, it was my cat's toy. It's a mouse on a wire, kind of like this, except it had no wand and you hold on to the end of the wire. It managed to get in between a wallflower (Bath & Bodyworks). It sparked, burned the wire in half, and ruined the plug for the wallflower, but surprisingly didn't shock me.
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.
I've currently got 6 little monsters, and will probably have more soon... yeah I'm a crazy cat lady... Here's a few pics of them, aren't they cute?
I'm sure this toy from my wishlist would get lots of use. I've got several other similar toys, but I've heard lots of people recommend this one and would like to give it a try.
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"&gt;&lt;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!
Or, for a mere $6, you can get this, which we have dubbed the BEST cat toy ever:
http://smile.amazon.com/Go-Cat-Catcher-Teaser-Mouse/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1453833049&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=cat+mouse+toy
I'm not sure what it is about this toy, but I have not seen a single cat able to resist it. Jackson Galaxy uses it very successfully to engage shy/upset cats in play and redirect their energy. All of mine have gone nuts for it (we have 6), and I've given it as gifts to other folks with cats who say the same thing.
We have resolved to play with jack more. He's a machine though. He has a metric shit ton of energy. Right now we mostly use this thing to play with him because he absolutely loves it. We also have one of these but he is hit or miss on it. Do you have any suggestions for interesting fun toys?
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&amp;qid=1417628066&amp;sr=8-1&amp;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.
The Cat Catcher drives my cat wild, even more so than Da Bird. I've also heard great things about Tiger Teasers.
Would a slow feeder toy be a possibility? I let my cats forage food out of one and it's legit just sit and use one paw to get the food out.
This is pretty much my cat arsenal. Not sure if these will work with your man but figured i'd put them out there. I also buy cat sticks for them to chew on but usually you have to supervise them because big chunks get chewed off.
Links: Slow Feeder Toy Springs. Cat Wand. Wand Attachments. Wand Attachments 2. String Wand. Tower Feeder
My cats love these.
Man's best friend.
This Swedish House Mafia song has been stuck in my head lately.
My Voltron would love this toy.
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.
I would suggest buying a leather glove and teach who is the boss. I'm not saying to hurt him, just a bit rough play to show that you can't be intimidated.
I also recommend this toy:
http://www.amazon.com/Da-Bird-Catcher-maker-Feather/dp/B000LPOUNW/ref=zg_bs_2975303011_3
Disclaimer: I have semi-outdoor cats, so what works for me might not work for you.