(Part 2) Best products from r/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.

Man, that's a tough one. It's going to take some hard work, but it can be done.

I also have a male and female who were altered as kittens but it's the 9 year old male who is the problem. I call him "The Piddler" and am hoping that someday Catman shows up to dispense justice. :D j/k

Seriously though, up until recently it's been enzymatic urine removing spray, and blocking access to the problem areas.

After doing some research, I've found that cats tend to present this kind of behavior when they feel very stressed or feel that their territory is being encroached.

I've had some pretty good luck with a few Feliway Diffusers that dispense a drug-free, odorless vapor that mimics a cat’s natural calming pheromones.

They take a bit to fully kick in but you do start to see positive results pretty quick. I have three of them dispersed throughout the house and they really seem to do the trick.

I've also had luck with an extra litter tray. What I've read says "you should have one extra littler tray than you have cats". So you might think about having three litter trays in various locations in the house and staying on top of making sure they stay cleaned out.

So, I guess it all boils down to this:

• Taking a good hard look at things that are potentially causing your female to feel stressed or threatened, and doing your best to remove the triggers.
  
  
• Giving your cat a little extra positive attention in order to try to reassure her that her place in the house is secure.
  
  
• Making sure the areas affected are kept super clean.
  
  
• Adding an extra litter tray.
  
  
• And, (I'm not trying to sell you a product or anything) installing a few of those Feliway things. (Man, they have really helped to drastically alter the behavior.)
  
  Good luck! Like I said, it's going to take some work on your part but you can help provide a more comforting environment for your problem kitty by just taking a few steps to help her along the path of a piddle free existence.

I live in the US so I don't think I can guide where to buy things. However, I can only imagine you have discount type stores similar to Walmart (if you have dollar stores I wouldn't buy food from there, toys should be OK).

TIPS

• Especially being short on money, but regardless, I would put aside a set amount each month into an emergency fund just in case.
  
  
• Set boundaries from day 1. If you don't want kitty in your room, then don't allow her to do so just because she's new.
  
  
• Take your kitten to the vet shortly after receiving her. Many shelters near me offer a free vet check at selected vets, or a coupon. But even so, a wellness visit does not cost much.
  
  
• Jackson Galaxy suggests putting the litterbox in a place socially significant to the cat.
  
  What I must have before I get a cat?
  
  
• Litterbox
  
  
• Litter Scoop
  
  
• Litter - I use Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter. It's affordable (lasts me personally longer than a month), and does extremely well hiding the odor.
  
  
• Toys, buy a variety at first to see what your cat likes.
  
  
• Cat Tree (optional but if your kitty is a climber she will like it.). Amazon has affordable ones as well. You could also try Chewy.com
  
  
• Ceramic or Stainless Steel food dish and water bowl.
  
  
• Collar and tags.
  
  
• Brush.
  
  
• Food - I buy Bambi a 3.5lb bag of The Goodlife in the salmon flavor. She loves it and it's affordable at about $7 a bag. I also feed her wet food. I buy the box of Fancy Feast the poultry and beef mix or something like that this costs about $14 a box and lasts 24 days because I feed her a can a day. People will knock Fancy Feast because there's a grain-free trend going at the moment, but 1) she won't eat the more expensive fancy stuff, and 2) I don't think it's necessary, but to each their own. Like everyone has a right to raise their child however, everyone can raise their kitties however. :)
  
  
• Flea/Heartworm/Tick preventative. May be different there, but I like to be proactive. Even if you have an indoor cat, you can bring fleas inside on your clothes. Mosquitoes fly and can come inside. Tick, not sure, but I assume they could also hitch a ride on your clothes. Personally Bambi is just on a flea preventative as I have not found an affordable product that does it all. Revolution seems to be pretty popular though you have to go to the vet for this. I use Advantage II on Bambi. Can't recall the cost at the moment.
  
  
• Scratching posts/pads - You will want more than one but they last a long time.
  
  Things I should do as soon as I got him/her?
  
  They say to isolate the cat when you bring them home so as to not overwhelm them. I personally just let Bambi out and she looked around the apartment and then hid under a bed for awhile. Don't be alarmed by this as a new environment is overwhelming for a cat and you are new to them. It can take several days to several weeks before they feel comfortable.
  
  Where can I adopt a kitten?
  
  I believe kitten season is coming up (at least here anyways) so you can most likely find them in shelters, and I would recommend you adopt from a local shelters. Most shelters will post their available cats/kittens online or on their website. You can do a search and find both (pet adoption search engine, and local shelters).
  
  
• If you decide to adopt a kitten note that they require much more time and energy. You also should kitten-proof your house as they may get into things they shouldn't or chew on things they shouldn't such as wires. There are also usually more kitten appropriate toys and food to purchase.
  
  Good luck and enjoy your new furball when you get her!
  
  EDIT: Formatting
  

Solid advice above. When kittens do something mama cats don’t like they pick them up and remove them from the situation and physically put them elsewhere. You can do similar by immediately re-directing the unwanted behavior with wanted behavior. Is going to mean having some cat toys stashed all over the place for redirection to correct play at any moments notice.

Cats also do well with their natural rhythm discussed by Jackson Galaxy as hunt, catch, kill, eat, groom, and sleep. Plugging into this natural rhythm of their’s seems to really solve a lot of cat behavior problems.

He has solved so many unbearable situations with cats and has studied their behavior for a very long time. You will learn so much insight and why you are doing certain things to change certain behaviors it is well worth the less than $12 and the time you will spend reading it. 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

Cats do super well with positive reinforcement. I took my cats favorite treat which is freeze dried salmon bites and only allowed her to have those when she did positive steps towards learning to use her new cat wheel. It may have been that she simply walked up to the wheel and took a treat off of it. But within four days that cat was on the wheel running by herself with my encouraging her with a little piece of salmon. For a while the silly girl would jump on it every time I went by the wheel, ran a few steps, and then sat waiting patiently for her treat which I continued to give to her but now she only gets them sporadically because let’s face it she couldn’t possibly run off that much salmon and I couldn’t afford to keep going at that rate with it LOL. Please note that there was a great deal of verbal praise lavished upon her every time she performed positively. Many time she is just happy to be praised still when she gets on her wheel as opposed to the edible treat. The point is it didn’t take much to completely ingrain that into her behavior. She also uses the wheel completely on her own for her enjoyment and getting her cat zoomies worked out. Even the manufacturer of the wheel said to allow your pet at least 60 days to become accustomed to the wheel and begin using it. It is common to see Bengals and other high energy cats on the wheel but mine is a beautiful tabby colored domestic medium hair born into a feral litter who I fostered when they were four weeks old from the local shelter.

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!!!

A good alternative to declawing is to use Soft Paws. They are little plastic coverings that glue onto the cats' claws, thus preventing them from scratching. While these are way better than declawing, also keep in mind that scratching is a natural behavior for cats, and it serves to strengthen certain muscles in their bodies and keep them strong. So, I'd advise using these only if all other options, such as scratching posts, fail =)

Also, I just wanted to mention The Natural Cat. It's a great book for learning about a cat's natural instincts and needs, and what is best for them. There's a bit of holistic stuff in there, but even if you aren't into that kind of thing, there's great advice for day-to-day stuff, like what kind of scratching post or litter is best. I've adopted a number of ideas from the book, all with great results!

Hi! Just wanted to add:

Best thing I ever invested in, was a cat tree! My cat absolutely loves it and I can't image our lives without it. Cats feel much more secure in their environments when they have higher ground they can get to. Here is an amazon link to a great brand: https://www.amazon.com/Armarkat-B5701-57-Inch-Tree-Ivory/dp/B003BYQ100/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1474819240&sr=8-2&keywords=armarkat+cat+tree

Also, to combat an litter box issues, I would suggest investing in a nice litter pad for accidents or for tracking litter out of the box. I just bought this one (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AUU90IW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). It is pricey, I know, but it has made the clean up process so much easier.

Also, please please please invest in some quality cat food. I might get some flack for this from other Redditors, but quality cat food makes a difference (I have found that there is a heated debate about dry versus wet food and whether brands really make a difference). I have chosen to err on the side of caution and buy high quality food to prevent any future health problems. From the research I have done, a combination of dry and wet food is best, and it is not ideal to simply provide dry food for cats, since cats need to get water intake from the food they eat. Here is a good article suggesting some good brands (http://www.reviews.com/cat-food/).

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!

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.

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.

PLEASE do not underestimate litter box logistics.

I live in a small apartment with three neutered males; 10, 8, and 3 years old, indoor only. Currently, I'm not having any issues, but I have worked hard to find the right litter box situation. The older ones have had all kinds of issues, including a serious kidney stone in the oldest, who got surgery a few years ago for it.

Maybe two years ago, we had a litter box problem where they were peeing in corners or close to the boxes. I had 4 of those igloos (rip off, do not buy) in the garage that they could easily access through a cat door. As it turned out, this was stressing out my cats. I can only speculate as to why -- perhaps one cat was being a bully and guarding the boxes, maybe the boxes were too small, maybe the sudden opening of the garage door was scaring them from going in the garage, etc...

so, to make a long story short, here is how I solved the problem:

1. Different litter boxes. big ones. HUGE ones.
   
   Cats do not like to feel boxed in. They are sensitive little creatures. Although they like privacy, they also need to feel like they have an easy escape route if something scares them. Use 50 gallon storage containers, and cut a door for your kitty. Do NOT use a lid. No one likes looking at cat poop, but making them go in a little closed in box at their age could be causing the problem. These DIY litter boxes are cheap, and the high walls will prevent your fur babies from flinging litter all over. here is a good example:
   http://catsadored.com/LITTERBOXES/litterbox-regular-height-wi.jpg
   
   
2. Switch litter, and use a ton of it.
   
   Now that you have 50 gallon tubs, you have plenty of space to fill. kitties like to dig -- let them! I was using the light weight pine shavings for a long time because dragging a giant bag of sand home was awful. That stuff isn't the best, and cheap kitty litter is, well, cheap. This litter had good reviews so I tried it and they loved it! Also, amazon prime will deliver it to your door. hehehe :3
   http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Cat-Premium-Clumping-Litter/dp/B0009X29WK/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1450208844&sr=1-1&keywords=precious+cat+litter
   
   
3. Litter box placement.
   
   The general rule of thumb is one box per cat, + one more. So, if you have two kitties, you should have three litter boxes. I have 3 kitties, therefore I have 4 litter boxes. This way, no one fights, and if one cat is being a jerk, they have lots of other options. The hardest part in all of this is finding a place for the boxes. They're big, they're ugly, and they require easy access every day for cleaning. The important part is that they are spaced far apart. Don't let your cats watch each other go, it makes them uncomfortable. Maybe put one in each room of the shop, or house when you can finally bring them home. :)
   
   
4. Kitty Xanax and playtime
   
   I think I saw someone else posting about this too. The poor things sound like they are stressed. Help them out. You should also be showing your cats love and attention. They might not be around for all of your life, but you will be around for all of theirs. Maybe they are trying to tell you something.
   
   
5. No-Kill options
   
   sorry about the facebook link;
   https://www.facebook.com/greatbigstory/videos/1498230950479333/?theater
   
   look into adoption if you feel like you've tried everything or you are simply done dealing with it.
   
   
   I hope this helps. Also, sorry for the formatting, everything is now step 1. I don't feel like fixing it, nor do I feel like it's important. :)

I second the closed litter box. I had two of these that come with a clear flap and a carbon filter. I upgraded to a Litter-Robot but kept these just in case because they really are great. This style might be rather big for a bathroom though.


Baking soda absolutely does wonders too. I also have some charcoal bags that I keep close by.


Air purifying plants are great too. Some require low light which makes them perfect for bathrooms. Just make sure they’re non toxic. Here’s a list of safe for pet plants. Just because they’re non toxic doesn’t mean they still can’t get a tummy ache if they eat a lot of the leaves. Just don’t let them munch on them :)


And of course the obvious. Just scooping every day, changing the litter and washing the boxes makes a huge difference!

I recommend this brand from Amazon. For 40LBs, the price is currently at $13.10. It goes on a price "sale" often and the price varies a bit from time to time.

Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter
https://www.amazon.com/Precious-Cat-Premium-Clumping-Litter/dp/B0009X29WK

The litter does not smell and clumps wonderfully. The best part is for the benefit of the cat--when the cat kicks up the litter too energetically, there isn't a dust storm!

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.

My cat also likes scratching the carpet. We also have many scratching pads/posts but he likes the rug. We gave him a small rug of his own that he plays under and likes to scratch.

I want to get him this: http://www.amazon.com/The-Ripple-Rug-Interactive-Scratching/dp/B016H3T8EC/ref=pd_sbs_199_7?ie=UTF8&dpID=418U3bELU-L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=09QSQ3ZSZJ4K3HHQYJ96

Most of these are also good scratchers:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dpets&field-keywords=cat+scratcher


Oh and thanks for not considering declawing the cat!! Sorry if this doesn't really answer your question.

Image: Pixie is confused about why she can't get into her sister Trixie's bowl any more!

 

For years, I've used the PetSafe automatic feeder to dispense kibble, because my last cat was a food-obsessed only cat and this was the only way to keep him from begging incessantly. When he passed away and I adopted new kitties last year, I continued using the same automatic feeder as they had no complaints about sharing a bowl. Unfortunately, it turns out that one of them will often not eat her share of kibble, and her sister will happily eat the extra, so a weight problem was developing. Enter the SureFeed Microchip feeder. I had been looking for options and ran across a mention of this here on Reddit, and as it will actually read an implanted microchip instead of requiring a collar, it seemed perfect for my needs, although pricey.

 

I ordered two feeders in early February, expecting to be able to start training the kitties right away. Unfortunately, I missed the teeny, tiny "batteries not included" note on the order page, and so due to weather issues and multiple Amazon delivery failures, it took nearly two weeks to get enough batteries for both feeders (I had enough for one but not both.) In the meantime, however, I decided to set the feeders up with the lid open, and at least start getting the kitties used to the new contraption. Fortunately, since they have a self-cleaning litter box and were eating from an automatic feeder, they're already used to small mechanical noises and just needed to get used to the new bowls.

 

The first thing I did was take the automatic feeder and large shared bowl out, then put the feeder contraptions in the same place inside the cabinet where the kitties eat. I opened the lids on both feeders, and set the bowls in front of them so the kitties could have a new bowl without having to stick their head into the smaller confined space at first. Once they got used to the bowls, I put the bowls in the feeders and left them with the lid open for another week. During this week, I would occasionally call the kitties over, and push the open/close button on the feeder with batteries to show the mechanism without having it be in the way of eating. Lots of "check this out, isn't it cool!" positive encouragement while doing so. Luckily my kitties are young, curious, and fascinated by movement so they got used to it pretty quickly.

 

After three weeks of eating in open feeders, yesterday I finally programmed each feeder to read the microchip from one cat. Luring the cats through the hoop was no problem, a couple of favorite crunchy treats dropped in their bowl did the trick for that. Then once the feeder was programmed and the lid closed, another round with crunchy treats to lure them through and show them that it would open for them when they moved their head through.

 

The first couple of hours with programmed feeders was a little bit dicey, mostly because extra-eating kitty was quite confused about why she could no longer eat from her sister's bowl, and also slightly worried about the bright green light reflecting behind the open lid of her feeder. A couple of times sitting with her an re-assuring her while she approached the feeder and ate took care of that, along with setting the lid to the maximum slow-close duration so she had enough time to approach, open, contemplate, and get comfortable to eat.

 

The biggest problem mentioned in the reviews is the ability for a second kitty to come over the open back of a feeder and steal food while the "authorized" kitty eats. Luckily mine aren't at the food-stealing stage yet, but now that I don't need a cabinet large enough to handle the automatic feeder, I'll be moving the microchip feeders into a small Kallax cube shelf so each kitty is in a walled-off section that her sister can't invade. Bonus for being able to store the kibble and supplies in the upper sections of the shelf. There is also a back cover available for sale for the feeder, although apparently they can't manage to keep that in stock as it keeps going "unavailable" on Amazon. The only other change I need is to order a second set of the stainless steel bowls for the feeder, the included bowls are plastic and based on past experience, plastic bowls often cause chin acne in cats. I'd prefer ceramic over stainless, but so far I can't find the right size/shape of ceramic bowl to use with it.

 

Overall, a pricey option for multiple kitties, but worth it to be able to control feeding portions without having to separate kitties or add more daily feedings or other sort of crazy additions to daily life. Open feeders twice per day, add appropriate amount of kibble, and done. (Supplemented with wet food, which is a whoooooooole other thing. Note, though, that the lid on this feeder closes well enough it could support feeding wet food instead of kibble if needed. )

I didn’t want my post to get removed! But if the mods are cool with it it’s this one from amazon: STARROAD-TIM cat self Groomer... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DHMC5JB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

But on the bright side I’ve seen a lot of adorable cats today so I’m pretty happy lol

Yes - you're not alone. I have a shorthair but I've heard a lot of tales about the tails (ha) of longhairs.


A groomer can do what's called a "sanitary clip" (there may be other names for it) but basically it shears/shaves the fur around the heiny so that it simply stays cleaner. I'd do this at least once, at a pro groomer instead of a vet, to really see how they do it. (Or look at youtube clips - a quick Google of "sanitary clip cat" shows me quite a few videos.)


Then you can also buy a small shaver/buzzer yourself - I have a Wahl Peanut, https://www.amazon.com/Wahl-Professional-Classic-Clipper-8685/dp/B00011K2BA - and shave down the fur around the heiny/back legs. (I use the shaver to trim a spot on the back of her neck for her flea treatment - she's a shorthair but her fur is SO dense that I literally can't part it to see her skin and I have to shave a square spot!)


To get her used to the shaver so she won't go into Ginsu Mode when she hears it, try running it in her presence a couple of seconds and see if she reacts. Reward her if she's calm. Over time, increase the run time and get it closer to her. When she's used to hearing it and she no longer thinks it's going to kill her, you can do the clip yourself - or have someone put her in a serious headlock for a sec so you can do the clip. After, brush the area with a super fine-toothed comb (such as a flea comb) so you make sure you get ALL the shaved/sheared hairs out of the area.


Shaving this area won't hurt your cat or make her too cold, and she'll have a much cleaner tooshy.

Both of my cats love Da Bird wand toys- I’ve bought both the feather and mouse attachments. One loves leaping after the feathers and the other prefers the mouse so I have two now rather than switching them out constantly. and they love Amazon boxes almost as much!

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_sIcFDb19TZ2CC

Yeah, you need a dome on those boxes. I have a litter mat in front of mine, but old carpet would probably work as well.

Edited to add: I bought this jumbo-sized domed litter box off Amazon a few weeks ago for a new kitten. It has a clear door flap on it but I fold it back to make it more open. The foster mom warned me that she was very messy with litter and this has done the trick. It's also, as I said, jumbo-sied. I've also been using this litter mat which I suppose is okay, I'm neutral on it. It does seem to work.

(I included some Amazon links to give you an idea since you mentioned Amazon, no affiliate links just the smile URL for donating to your charity-of-choice if you've set it up. You can get domed litter boxes cheaper if you click around, I just mentioned the one I got because I've been pretty pleased with it.)

Grey Shark Bed for Small Cat Dog Cave Bed Removable Cushion,waterproof Bottom Most Lovely Pet House Gift for Pet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DZITYGU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_uqp1wbE54TNWZ

Hopefully the link above works. I bought it on Amazon for $12.55. My cats absolutely love it.

On amazon! Both my cats loves it! My other cat is 17lbs and the hammock is holding up great :)

Oster Sunny Seat Window Cat Bed https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B005AUM8U0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_rLdEDbQVN52TC

After resisting for ages due to the price i finally gave in and got one of these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00O0UIPTY/
Totally worth it. The healthy cat eats fast and finishes his food so luckily i only need one (to stop him stealing the prescription food), but having used it i now think if needed i would happily bite the bullet and put a second one on my credit card. Not only does it keep other pets out, it keeps wet food fresh for longer which means the little parient is eating more of it and doing noticeably better.

The image of filing a cat's nail is just adorable, for some reason :)

We've had a few scratchers over the years that the cats have really been into:

This cat tree was a big hit and has lots of scratching posts. Both cats also love this bed - they usually give it a good scratch and then settle in for a nap!

Thanks for the response! I have read that before on various posts made by others as well which is why I was transitioned from this cat food: natural instinct raw boost only this only in the mornings and wet food in the evenings.

It's tough having to do all that while getting ready for work in the morning a pure lazy thing I guess..I am going to start by giving them pure wet food on weekends! Any recommendations by the way? At the moment I'm feeding them this wet food

But I'm not sure if it the best? What is raw diet? Any recommendations?


The tower tracks is now in my amazon cart :)

Unfortunately the little dude cries nonstop until the balcony door is open. I'm going to look up how to make a catio and well..make one lol. I understand the danger as he's been over the ledge a few times and I live on the 5th floor apartment..Now I'm constantly outside whenever he is outside..although that can get annoying..

Off amazon! I actually received it as a wedding gift. XD To be fair, it was on the registry.

Specifically it was this one: https://www.amazon.com/Thermo-Kitty-Heated-Cat-16-Inch-Mocha/dp/B00176F9AM/ref=sr_1_3?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1494476531&sr=1-3&keywords=heated%2Bcat%2Bbed&th=1

It doesn't heat up too much, and have never felt it to be a fire hazard(some can become that way tho) and she loves it.

I have a recommendation from a vet-student of mine: Purina Pro-Plan. It encompasses extremely high-quality ingredients, affordable prices and various flavors/specialty blends. The dry food or wet variant are both excellent for your kitty, but the dry food will be cheaper. I would use the wet food if the kitty doesn't adhere well to drinking water as the wet-food contains high amounts of water. If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask. Congratulations on becoming a kitty owner!

Here are my recommendations on supplies:

Litter box: http://www.amazon.com/Catit-Jumbo-Hooded-Cat-Litter/dp/B003RQVGKC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376458653&sr=8-2&keywords=litter+box

Litter scooper: http://www.amazon.com/Duranimals-DuraScoop-Litter-Scoop-colors/dp/B001DCAAP4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376458674&sr=8-1&keywords=litter+scooper

Litter: http://www.amazon.com/Precious-Cat-Premium-Clumping-Litter/dp/B0009X29WK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376458691&sr=8-1&keywords=cat+litter (cheaper if you buy this one at PetSmart believe it or not)

Kitten food: http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Plan-Chicken-Formula-7-Pound/dp/B003R0LLXU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376458746&sr=8-1&keywords=purina+pro+plan+kitten

Litter mat: http://www.amazon.com/PetFusion-SmartGrip-Litter-Gray-Twist/dp/B007SQFRMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376458842&sr=8-1&keywords=litter+box+mat

The New Natural Cat is great, literally an encyclopedia for everything cat-related. It has some stuff that's a little... out there (like how to telepathically let your cat know you're going on vacation) but if you just ignore the woo then it's great! I found the sections on grooming and common health problems very helpful.

My lil guy (Cheeto) had UTIs and the vet said he had to go on a specific diet and be forced pills to help and he would have to go on that diet for life. Well 3 weeks later and after all the pills and diet change he wasn't any better, but we noticed that he wasn't really drinking and he wasn't eating as much wet food, especially with the new diet which was all hard food. Got the following water fountains and all our cats love them (3 different cats, but only the one had UTI problems).

https://www.amazon.com/Catit-Flower-Fountain-Drinking-Triple-Action/dp/B0146QXOB0

https://www.amazon.com/Pioneer-Pet-Stainless-Fountain-Raindrop/dp/B0037NKDSG/

https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-Drinkwell-Platinum-Water-Fountain/dp/B000L3XYZ4/

Take your pick on water fountain, one cat each has a favorite!

I get this brand on Subscribe and Save. Each flavor counts as an item so it's not too hard to get the maximum discount. It's the least expensive 95% meat food I have found.

There's a lot of nutrition in this food, so its real price is lower than it may seem on the surface. I feed 2-3 cans/day for 3 cats depending on impending chonk status.

I used to make raw food, but I only had one cat at the time. If you have the motivation, try it (use a supplement mix!). I had great results.

Yes, take her to the vet. In case it's something physical.

Another thing you should do is get Feliway which is a pheromone that helps cats feel more relaxed / particularly a kitten who has been separated from his litter / mama. Feliway comes in a form that emulates the pheromones put out by the mother cat. We got it for our girl cat who was very skittish. In a couple weeks she was like a totally different cat. It can work wonders:

https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Zone-Feliway-Diffuser-Cats/dp/B00I9SI40S

If you have the space, I recommend a cat tower with the sisal scratching posts. It'll function as a climbing playhouse for the kitten as well as a place to sleep. My cat also loves to sleep on these


For when the kitten is a little older, I think indoor cats should have collars too. The bell helps locate where the cat is and if the cat gets out of the house (knock on wood), people are more inclined to report cats with a collar because they'll know it's not a stray.

Same here, but I got mine (and her two other feline housemates) the Drinkwell Platinum because I thought it looked the most like a faucet, ha. She was scared of it for a few days because she's a weirdo but she loves it now :)

It looks like your kitty might benefit from one of these. Every other cat bed I bought for my cat was ignored. This heated one on the other hand, she adores it.

It's definitely something to consider. Microchip feeders are amazing to have for situations like yours. You can buy one that only your slower-eating cat can get into, so she can graze whenever she wants and your bigger guy can't get into it.

I got one of these for my kitties. It was a GoldBox deal a while back (years ago), but now it will run you about $35. Keeps the water circulating, which they like, and it won't mess with your job :)

Try this Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3NI31Y/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_f8uWBbNN7ZJYD

Makes the kitty work for the food, drops small amounts at a time, making feeding time longer - might help. Good luck!

I have a male (fixed) cat that pees occasionally wherever he wants. We got these and they've really really helped. We put them where he usually likes to pee (corner or counter-eewww).

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

Good luck, I've been trying to fix this with my cat for years.

What cuties! If you haven't gotten one already, you should look into getting them a heated pet bed (like this or whatever suits your fancy). My kitties love them.

What kind of litter do you use?

Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter, 40 pound bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009X29WK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_edvxyb609SWXJ

We use this and it's wonderful at keeping poop smells at bay.

Oh, that inspired me - evidently there are new cat toys that are self-running laser pointers.... something like this: http://www.amazon.com/FroliCat-BOLT-Interactive-Laser-Pet/dp/B0021L8W6K/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1426122481&sr=8-4&keywords=laser+pointers+for+cats

It looks like it only stays on for 15 minutes though.

some cats like http://www.amazon.com/FroliCat-BOLT-Interactive-Laser-Pet/dp/B0021L8W6K

I got my cat a friend to play with.

If you are thinking about an electric blanket, make sure it's approved by a nationally recognized testing agency, has a thermostat with adjustable heat settings, and has an internal temperature control to shut off the blanket if it gets too hot. I use an electric blanket on low heat sometimes when I am at home and my cats love it, but I don't feel comfortable leaving it on when I am not home. When I am not home, they have a heated kitty bed http://www.amazon.com/Thermo-Kitty-Heated-Cat-16-Inch-Sage/dp/B00176F9AM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1382927540&sr=8-1&keywords=heated+cat+bed a self-warming kitty bed http://www.amazon.com/Lounge-Sleeper-Self-warming-16-Inch-20-Inch/dp/B003YIIJGM/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1382928358&sr=8-8&keywords=heated+cat+bed and a polar fleece blanket I made by sewing thinsulate fabric between 2 layers of polar fleece. The polar fleece blanket is the favorite of 2 of my cats. While my other cat prefers the heated bed.

I got mine from Amazon (this one to be specific). It took several weeks to arrive (it came from China), but for $12 it was well worth the money. There's other sellers as well (I think one had prime shipping, but for $39 or so), though I don't know how good they are.


Sadly mine did not come with the little cushion that was supposed to be inside. I suppose it's okay since my cat likes the hard surface of a floor/carpet compared to a bed, but just something to keep in mind.

It's this one! And I absolutely love it. I've had it for a couple years now with no issues! Sometimes all three of my kitties squish into ir. :)

There are a lot of things you can try (and I've had this problem oh so many times).

The first thing I recommend is play with the cat before bed time. Get a feathers-on-a-stick or play mousey-down-the-stairs or laser pointer, whatever it takes to tire her out. She's scratching to come in because she's bored!

Two is deciding if she's allowed in your room or not. Whatever you decide, be firm. Cats can learn that they are allowed in during the day and not at night, but it's harder. Never let her in at night and if she breaks in put her right back out again. Lesson: scratching at the door does not work!

You can get automatic air sprayers that will tsst every time something comes near. You can turn it on at night and leave it outside your door. She will start to just be afraid of the can itself and you will no longer have to turn it on.

Opening the door to punish her is not usually as effective. If you open the door to spritz her with water or something she will more often than not dart in and then her plan worked.

I have also had mixed success with double sided tape where she puts her claws, or something hanging from the door like a sheet/blanket that's unpleasant to get her claws stuck in.

Primary advice however is exercise that cat! A tired cat is a pleasure to have in your room. Good luck!

I forgot to mention that you may want to try a product called Feliway by Comfort Zone: https://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Zone-Feliway-Diffuser-Calming/dp/B00I9SI40S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492095290&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=comfort+zone+feliway&psc=1
It comes as a diffuser or in a spray. It may help to calm her.

One thing you may want to try as well is Feliway.

It mimics a comforting pheromone that may help.

Linky: Feliway with diffuser

I haven't had any trouble with it at all! It's still in the same exact spot as the day I put it up which was 3 months ago. I have another cat that's much bigger, 16 pounds, and he sits up there just fine. They love the heck out of it. This is the one I have.

Could try this...

If it hasn't been recommended to you yet, grab a jug of something like Nature's Miracle, or some other enzymatic urine cleaner for the marked spots.

They have cat bowls that respond to collars on the cats and only open for those cats. Let me see if I can find a link.

https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-5060180391324-SureFeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY/ref=pd_sim_199_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00O0UIPTY&pd_rd_r=V4TQTBM8JNVMGJC7KE7A&pd_rd_w=rx1WV&pd_rd_wg=Secq1&psc=1&refRID=V4TQTBM8JNVMGJC7KE7A

I think this is the one I saw online. Hella expensive but if you don't mind dropping the cash I bet this would be a helpful solution. I've always wanted to get these because our dog eats the cats food, so we have to feed them on the kitchen table, but this is too much money for my taste.

Here's [one] (https://www.amazon.com/Feeder-Bloat-Outward-Hound-Orange/dp/B00FPKNRCS)

but those are for dogs.

Here's [more] (https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Feed-Cat-Dog-Bowl/dp/B015ZTH5CG)

I searched for slow feeder bowls.

Oh and [this one!] (https://www.amazon.com/Catit-Senses-2-0-Food-Tree/dp/B00D3NI31Y/ref=pd_sim_199_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00D3NI31Y&pd_rd_r=K9Q79JW9MQG6Q3M5Q8C2&pd_rd_w=BbNm0&pd_rd_wg=q9DkT&psc=1&refRID=K9Q79JW9MQG6Q3M5Q8C2#customerReviews) The first review is amazing.

Have you tried a cardboard scratching board, kind of like this https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0032GEE8S/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520113420&sr=8-3&keywords=cardboard+cat+scratcher&dpPl=1&dpID=41SxYFAIigL&ref=plSrch ?

One of my girls refuses to use normal scratching posts but loves those and also uses a post that was handmade and has cardboard squares around it. Could be a texture thing for your kitty, too

cat trees, perches or shelves will enlarge the cats living area vertically. There are cat wheels out there, for bangles which are a high energy breed. My cats love Da Bird cat toys. Gets them jumping around

http://www.amazon.com/Armarkat-B5701-57-Inch-Tree-Ivory/dp/B003BYQ100/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373552733&sr=8-2

It feels pretty sturdy, I'm pleased. Frank is a big boy who weighs about 18lbs so we searched for something that could accommodate large cats.

I also agree with the 2nd cat idea. My 3 spend so much time playing with each other, there's no way I could keep up!

Another toy idea is the Frolic cat. An automatic laser pointer. It entertains my cats for ofen 30 minutes without my involvement. http://www.amazon.com/FroliCat-BOLT-Interactive-Laser-Pet/dp/B0021L8W6K

Since the cat has anxiety issues it is probably seeking a safe place or is lonely outside your bedroom. Bedrooms contain a lot more of your scents than other rooms in your house and to your cat those scents can be very comforting. If she has a preferred sleeping or hiding spot outside your bedroom, you could try putting an old t-shirt or something from your closet in the spot for her to lay on. The smells on the clothing could help her relax.

If that doesn't work you may try a more extreme training tool such as this: http://amzn.to/pcaIj9. Just put the device in front of your door at night and it will give her a small blast of air whenever she gets close.

This is the one I have and I love it and so do my boys...When I get home I can upload a video of them playing/fighting over top spot https://www.amazon.com/Armarkat-B5701-57-Inch-Tree-Ivory/dp/B003BYQ100/ref=zg_bs_2975248011_16/141-5522471-1460504?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=S4AV593J9ZSY0K9RXGD9

Yes, SSScat.

You can use regular compressed air cans instead of branded replacements to save money.

Is it this feeder? I've used it when my cats were kittens and we were free-feeding. This allowed both our cats to eat their fill. They've both mellowed out and learned to share both dry and wet food so we don't have to worry as much anymore, but maybe the feeder will help!

Yup, like this http://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Zone-Feliway-Diffuser-Kit/dp/B00I9SI40S/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1464190209&sr=1-1&keywords=feliway

We use one of these until it runs out, then we just buy refills when our cats start to get stir crazy again. You don't need to be running them all the time.

It seems to help calm down our one wild cat when he can't sleep. Just put it in a higher traffic area that she walks by a lot, we have ours in the hallway, but you could even put it right in your bedroom if you want for max effect.

Worth a shot!

Second u/loridee's advice...also, check out Feliway. It's supposed to emit feel-good pheromones to make them feel safe and secure. I bought the diffuser because we took our cats on a trip with us in our motor home! I think it made a big difference.

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

Looks like you could benefit from one of these

Every cat I've met loves this window perch! You wouldn't think the suction cups on the glass would hold an adult cat, but it's surprisingly sturdy.

Something like [this] (https://www.amazon.com/Original-Sunny-Seat-Window-Mounted-Cat/dp/B005AUM8U0) is a good option. We have two of them.

Have you tried any interactive, fishing pole type toys? My cat LOVES his Da Bird toy that we purchased for him a few months back. The attachments can be easily replaced are there are many different attachments that you can get. My cat has learned the sound of me opening the closet where I keep his Da Bird and will come running and meow until I get it out to play and he will cry and whine when I stop playing with it too soon.

Nice looking cat.
Cats tend to like faucets because of the running water. Because of this a lot of cat fountains have been made. They tend to have a filter and emulate running water. Something like this (though I don't have personal experience with that model). You could consider upgrading her water bowl to one of these and seeing if she takes to it.

The ice cubes in the bowl might work too.

I'd also suggest buying some wet cat food with a high moisture rate, as cats generally dehydrate themselves on dry food. So with a wet food she might feel less thirsty.

I have this one for my cat. Holds a lot of water but it's a little difficult to clean thoroughly (lots of angles and crevices on the inside).

He drinks from it all the time. And I honestly have never seen him drink water from a bowl/dish.

It's a Ripple Rug! My cat loves hers.

OP, how do you keep your cats from clawing/climbing the screens?

Mine used to the same thing. When he was younger, he sprayed litter all the way across the kitchen floor once when he was doing his combination kitty dirtbiking and treasure bury. He's calmed down some since then, though still spends a long time burying. I have a combination litter mat in front of the box, and bought these, which helps a lot. There's still a little tracking because paws, but it's nowhere near the mess that it used to be.

This Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Cat Litter plus this Zero Odor keeps my two cat household odor free.

I got mine on Amazon (free shipping!) http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003BYQ100/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And yeah, beware the toys on a string!

Get her one of those cat feeder toy things. My friend with formerly bored/insane city cats swears by these kinds of things.

Cats like running oxygenated water, try buying a pet fountain for your cat.

My parent's cat used to drink from the tap and would only use her water bowl if it was fresh and had ice cubes in it. They bought a pet fountain and now the cat drinks a lot more and leaves the tap alone.

Edit: Here are some cheaper options.

My friend had these set up on the counter and the couch and they work with his cat. They don't like the "psssst" air sound that comes out so they avoid it. May work?

https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-KIT19001-SSScat/dp/B000RIA95G/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1481571204&sr=1-2&keywords=Pssst

If your tap is dripping, fix it and get one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/Drinkwell-Platinum-Pet-Fountain-168oz/dp/B000L3XYZ4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1376074311&sr=8-2&keywords=cat+water+fountain


My cats absolutely love it and it keeps them from making a mess with in the water bowl.

I got one of these off Amazon for $50 because my cat was knocking his bowl water all over the kitchen floor. He hasn't done it since and he drinks a LOT of water now which also means his piss isn't as smelly. Considering my previous rage at mopping up my kitchen every morning/night and his better urinary health, it's definitely one of the better purchases I've made for him.

Link

I would definitely suggest a glass tank instead of acrylic if it is a smaller tank, because it adds a little more weight to it. Water weighs 10 lbs/gallon, though, so its pretty difficult for a cat to knock over anything over a few gallons :) If you are concerned, you can put shelf liner or something similar underneath it to make it difficult to slide. I would suggest that anyways if the tank is on something that you want to protect from water damage though!

Also, be careful of glass lids if there is somewhere above the tank that your cats can access (bookshelf, ledge, etc) because if the cats jump down onto it, you'll probably have a wet cat and some broken glass.

Some cats are really not at all interested in aquariums anyways, which makes it a lot easier! I've been lucky since I have 6 small and 2 larger tanks, and my cats don't even seem to know that they're there!

If they are too interested though, and you think that they pose a threat to the tank, you can use something like this to deter them from it. I had to use that for my parents' very large cat after he broke 3 of my glass lids!

My cats drink TONS of water. A human sized cereal bowl every day or 2. Im gonna try this food:




https://www.amazon.com/Instinct-Chicken-Formula-Natures-Variety/dp/B005HUVYBW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1506722123&sr=8-1&keywords=natures+variety+cat+food
and




https://www.amazon.com/Instinct-Turkey-Natural-Natures-Variety/dp/B007OT56HM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1506722123&sr=8-5&keywords=natures+variety+cat+food




Looks like its gonna cost me $150 a month to feed my 2 cats =(

> I swear he is nocturnal.

That's because he is, heh. Cats are partially to fully nocturnal. That's why they seem so lazy and uncaring during the day, only to become giant pains in the butt at bedtime. (Or 2am, or 3am...)

Firstly, don't feed him too much too late in the evening. If he's a natural grazer, put food out in the morning only. If he wolfs everything down at once, feed him a larger meal in the morning right before you leave, then a smaller meal as soon as you get in. This can help keep his energy levels in check.

If you really need him to stay away from the blinds or off a desk, try the Ssscat. It's pressurized air with a motion sensor. While the air doesn't hurt the cat, it helps to scare kitty away. Also, try draping a blanket over your chair to muffle the sounds and prevent scratching.

Sunny seat cat bed

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005AUM8U0

Something like this cat feeder

It's find to post links. You can't post *affiliate* links, which are links that have identifier bits in them and someone makes $ when you purchase using that link.

It looks like it's this one: https://www.amazon.com/StarRoad-Team-Groomer-Grooming-Massage/dp/B07DHMC5JB/

You could look at feeding them in different rooms. Alternatively, you can get a cat slow feeder for the bolder one and it would make him work for the food and focus on his own meal a little longer.

And if it stays a big problem and you have budget, checkout the innovative SureFlap Surefeed feeder. It is designed specifically for the purpose:

https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-SureFeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY

We have a couple at our house, and they work really well even with our less than skinny cats.

I think this is the laser I bought. It turns itself off after 15 minutes. Sometimes I set it up in the basement and shut the door so my cat can play without the dog. Since your dogs keep stealing the cat toys you might want to only take them out when you can supervise or when the dogs can't get to them. You could also get a cat tower that has toys on it. Hopefully the dogs wouldn't try to climb it.

Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00DZITYGU/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499040954&sr=8-1&keywords=cat+shark

It's not uncommon for cats to not chew their food, but crushing it could help.

Another cause of the vomiting might be that she is eating her food too fast. Scarfing food too fast or scarfing/then drinking water can cause cats to vomit (drinking after eating causes the food to absorb the water and swell in size).

Observe how fast she is eating, and if that's the case look into getting her an enrichment feeder. It forces the cat to slow down on their eating.

https://www.amazon.com/Catit-Senses-2-0-Food-Tree/dp/B00D3NI31Y/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=cat+enrichment+feeder&qid=1572548822&sr=8-7

You can also make DIY feeders.

Amazon! This is the one I got but there are several on the market

Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D3NI31Y/

Get this and position near the door you will have to play with positioning since you will be going out at the same time but it's totally doable. Once the cat associates the door and the air spray they won't want to go near it.

https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-PDT00-13914-SSSCAT-Spray-Deterrent/dp/B000RIA95G/ref=pd_day0_199_1?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B000RIA95G&pd_rd_r=2E58FA72XF8P03590W7S&pd_rd_w=iaJRC&pd_rd_wg=5QG82&psc=1&refRID=2E58FA72XF8P03590W7S

You could look at feeding them in different rooms. Alternatively, you can get a cat slow feeder for Felix and it would make him work for the food and focus on his own meal a little longer.

And if it stays a big problem and you have budget, checkout the innovative SureFlap Surefeed feeder. It is designed specifically for the purpose:
https://www.amazon.com/SureFlap-MPF001-SureFeed-Microchip-Feeder/dp/B00O0UIPTY

This is the one I bought. It does ship from China and takes like a month+ to arrive, and from what I've seen posted they unfortunately don't ship to Canada.

Is this the book? Total Cat Mojo: The Ultimate Guide to Life with Your Cat https://www.amazon.com/dp/0143131613/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.InSDb2QV9EYS

On amazon.com it's 13$ for 40 pounds (so 18kg, so 4 box I was talking about) : https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0009X29WK/

https://www.drelseys.com/shop/ultra/

https://www.drelseys.com/shop/ultra-scented/

https://www.drelseys.com/resources/rebate/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0009X29WK/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_14?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Try one of these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000RIA95G?pc_redir=1409724031&robot_redir=1

Put this next to the monitor: https://www.amazon.com/PetSafe-KIT19001-SSScat/dp/B000RIA95G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1482122472&sr=8-1&keywords=cat+motion+sensor

You can try using an automatic air sprayer that you keep up on the dresser. It detects motion and will spray the cat whenever it jumps up there. Shouldn't take long for him to get the message. SSSCAT Training Spray (And it's on sale today!)

I saw an automated lazer toy in the store the other day. It wasn't too expensive...

http://www.amazon.com/FroliCat-BOLT-Interactive-Laser-Pet/dp/B0021L8W6K

Check this out

Huh?

The cat dancer toy doesn't operate on its own or have lasers. Perhaps you were looking at something else (like this)?

Get one of these automated laser pointer toys and only turn it on at night til he gets over it.

or get the cardboard-type cat scratcher... which you can also hanging on the door

https://www.amazon.com/Catit-Scratcher-with-Catnip-Wide/dp/B0032GEE8S

Here you go!

[Amazon!](Sunny Seat Window-Mounted Cat Bed https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005AUM8U0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Nnkdvb19VEPSG
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005AUM8U0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Nnkdvb19VEPSG)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005AUM8U0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A2QRXZ1I1ZJ1I7

Amazon!

I bought it off amazon.ca but that's the model on the .com site.

Is it this one? http://www.amazon.com/Sunny-Seat-Window-Cat-Bed/dp/B005AUM8U0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-1&keywords=cat+window+suction

this had deterred my cat from going anywhere I don't want him to go.

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

It's just canned air.

PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Dog and Cat Water Fountain, 168 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L3XYZ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_U6hOAbH0VN3FS

That's what I've been using for my three fluffy cats for almost four years. Good with or without filters, high capacity, and the plastic has yet to degrade or crack or anything.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L3XYZ4

Problem solved.

Has he been fixed? A lot of times a male cat will stop spraying after they've been neutered. And they'll feel less compulsion to go out, since they don't have the drive to make baby kitties.

As for not getting out... you could try one of these. If you put one by the door, then when the cat comes near it, it would spray, scaring the cat away. You'd have to teach the little one to walk around it; but even if he gets sprayed, it wouldn't hurt.

You might want to try an auto spray training aid: http://www.amazon.com/Ssscat-KIT19001-SSSCAT-Cat-Training/dp/B000RIA95G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457122057&sr=8-1&keywords=air+spray+cat

It's motion activated and will spray air to startle your cat if they approach the door.

I bought a 2-pack of Feliway two weeks ago, and my cats no longer fight. Had 2 of them that would tussle several times a day, and they slept together on the bed last night for the first time.

So yeah, in my opinion, they work.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I9SI40S

For the counter problems. Could consider putting one in front of the door before you go to bed to keep the cat away.

If you have Netflix try watching a series called My Cat From Hell. The guy who does it is pretty knowledgeable about cats.

I've gotten both of these

The cheaper was was terrible and broke quickly. The $80 one has lasted me for 4 years. I think it's better to spend the extra money for a quality product

https://www.chewy.com/drinkwell-pagoda-pet-fountain/dp/174362?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Drinkwell&utm_term=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1c_Cpv6o5AIVDsRkCh1xxAaQEAQYFyABEgJ0D_D_BwE

PetSafe Drinkwell Platinum Dog and Cat Water Fountain, Automatic Drinking Fountain for Pets, 168 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L3XYZ4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_P7dADbA2J9NFN

I think that could work!! I heard also having a ssscat behind our door will help "scare him away" a bit and avoid him sitting outside the bedroom meowing until he gets fed.

As a temporary solution to the problem you can try an area denial weapon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000RIA95G?pc_redir=1406723711&robot_redir=1

I bought a bunch of these when my tom started pissing everywhere. They work. They work well enough that I don't even put batteries in them anymore; he just avoids them on sight!

My girlfriend's two cats go ballistic if there isn't food available at all times.

My cat eats til she pukes, too. To try and prevent that, we bought two puzzle feeders. My cat also tends to harass us until we go with her to monitor her eating.

Since we got the puzzle feeders, our cats eat a lot less food overall. But mine still needs a chaperone.

You probably won't be able to stop the purring, so your best bet will be to keep the cats out of your room and try to train them not to make a fuss about it.

If the cats scratch at the closed door, you can try covering the door and area around it temporarily with aluminum foil, double-sided tape, or one of those plastic floor mats for rolling chairs (with the pointy nub side facing out).

You could also try placing an Ssscat or two by the doorway, facing out, at night to keep them from approaching the door.

I've also heard of people putting a vacuum right outside the door, with the cord coming into the room -- the idea is to leave the vacuum turned on but unplugged, and when the cats start being annoying outside you plug it in and it scares them away.

My female cat had a horrible habit of peeing and pooing in rooms where we'd buy new stuff. For instance I bought a feather blanket, she promptly pee'd on it. Bought home a new bath rug, promptly poo'd on it. She hated change. Our vet suggested a ComfortZone plug-in and it worked perfectly. It calms the cat down and relaxes them so they don't act out as much. You plug it into the wall and change it out in about 30 days. I would start with just one in the problem room. We had two initially and after a while we stopped using them with no more problems.

When we moved and bought a new couch I was afraid the move and new furniture would trigger her stress again so I put one in the living room with the new couch and one in the room where we kept the litter. No problems at all! They also make a spray and we used that on her cat bed during the move to keep her calm. In our opinion it really did wonders! I hope that helps!

Edit: Just wanted to mention that there is no scent to the human nose. It's like pheromones only the cat detects.