How can I help my new cat feel comfortable around me?
I got my first cat ever back in May, and we’re still learning one another.This is how Ghost looked when I found her. Too thin, bedeviled by parasites, and missing patches of hair.She wanted a place to hide for the first couple of days, so I made her a little bed inside the microwave cabinet, leaving the door ajar. She slept inside it for the first three nights, venturing out bit by bit to explore her new home.She soon claimed a salad bowl as her new bed, disdaining the soft and fluffy one I got for her. She still sleeps in it. I’ve given up on the idea of ever getting back the cloth napkins that I stored in it.I have dogs, and I had to learn their different “communication styles. When a dog rolls over and shows you its tummy, it’s asking for belly rubs. When Ghost shows me her belly, it’s not because she wants petting there. She’s showing me she trusts me, and if I try to touch her belly, she’ll be very offended I’m violating that trust.Because of the dogs, we decided to use nail caps, so no one got scratched.They work quite well, especially in the early stages before kitty knows what she’s allowed to scratch on and what she isn’t. It takes me about 20 minutes now to trim her nails and replace any caps she’s thrown.She likes trickling water, so I got her a water fountain of her own.It’s a really good thing because many cats don’t have a big thirst drive, and that can lead to bladder issues. She’s drinking about three ounces of water per day, based on how much I have to replace in the fountain, which is a good amount of water for a kitty. Just don’t place the water near their feeding spot. Cats have an instinct to avoid water that might have been polluted by their food.Cats also like elevated places, and since I have the dogs, I knew that Ghost would probably want a spot she could jump up to and feel safe out of their reach.It has built-in scratching posts! I also placed it by a window because cats enjoy watching the world go by. Ghost made a friend!She loves playing with the laser pointer but her favorite toys so far haven’t been things I’ve bought, but things she’s found or stolen, like Q-tips and bottle caps.Give your cat space and time. She’ll tell you what makes her happy.
Why has my cat started being mean to my other cat, who is sick?
I have two cats, who have been together for about 7 years and got along fine once they got to know each other. I brought one of them home from the vet the other day after having a tooth pulled and a bone biopsy (my poor baby is apparently very sick), and the other one has been hissing at the poor sick guy whenever they get within a foot of each other ever since. If I'm around, I squirt him with water for doing this because I feel bad that my sick cat is already not feeling well, but now he can't even hang out with his buddy. Any ideas what's behind this behavior?
Are you uncomfortable with a dog in your house?
I'm actually uncomfortable without a dog in my house.My dog died away in February 2017. He was my best friend; he gave me sneak-attack kisses, he sometimes slept in the same bed as me (always between my legs; my cousin and I called him The Crotch-Dweller), and his noxious gas could put tears in the eyes of the manliest of men. When he passed away, rather abruptly, I was hollow. Even though I am used to seclusion, I always had him by my side; ready at a moment's notice to ambush me with a curled tongue up my nose or to comfort me when my demons took ahold. Without him by my side, I was hollow. The only remnants of my heart longed for that feeling of unconditional love, acceptance, and belonging. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that I don't get that unconditional love from family but there is something so pure about the relationship between humans and our companions. I started looking on craigslist for another forever dog in May of 2017. Now I have an energetic, one year old, ball of fur and the stark loneliness has slowly been ebbing away. I will always miss my Crotch-Dweller, but bringing another dog into my life to love and cherish has allowed me to begin the process of healing. I hope this wasn't too cheesy ;D
Why does my cat give me attention when my girlfriend is not home but never does while she is ? It seems like he doesn't want her to see him giving me affection.
I’m not a psychologist by any means and I don’t know any jargon from the field, but I think I can help your predicament so I figured I should try my best to answer your question.I have 5 cats. My cats love coming to sit on my lap and rub their heads on my arm to get attention. One of my cats purrs very loudly and shows me the most affection, so I have a closer bond with him. Ironically enough, the cat that shows me the most love and attention will vanish from sight as soon as anyone unfamiliar comes to the house.Think about how long you’be been dating the girl your cat is not giving you attention around. How long have you both been dating? Do you guys live together? Does she make an effort to play with/pet the cat when she is home? The cat might not have any reason to feel comfortable around her. Even though it’s odd, the level of comfort your cat feels in its surroundings (including the people in it) will determine how your cat treats you. Even if you’re not the one making your cat uncomfortable, your cat will make it seem like it.Building a bond of trust with a cat is so much more difficult than other animals. They are independent creatures, for the most part, and they don’t need your affection. Your girlfriend might not have the trust of your cat, and that comes with time, patience, and continual love.Cats don’t like unfamiliar people. I can’t explain the psychology behind it, but all 5 of my cats scatter anytime they sense something out of the ordinary inside my house.Hope this helps!
How can I help my cat adjust to a new apartment?
It’s a little hard to say what’s wrong without knowing what’s changed besides the apartment and a new person to adjust to. It sounds like something your cat liked very much is now missing from her life.Does she get along okay with the roommate? Are you spending less time with her than you used to? Did you leave behind her favorite chair/window seat/sofa/toys?Calming pheromones can help. I also recommend playing with your cat and giving her as much attention as possible. The play will help tire her out and possibly reduce some of the activity and aggressiveness.As always, I suggest a checkup with the vet. There could be a physical reason for her behavior that has nothing to do with the move. You certainly want to rule this out. Also, the vet should have further advice on how to help your cat.Good luck!
Why won’t my cat stop meowing? I had left town for almost 20 days and when I returned she wouldn’t stop meowing. It’s been two days since I’m back but she hasn’t stopped meowing.
Your cat is letting you know she was very stressed in your absence. She didn’t understand where you went, she felt abandoned. Did somebody come to the home and give her enough affection and care? She may have been extraordinarily lonely. Your cat sees you again and she’s letting you know, I’m so glad to see you again!!! where did you go?? I was sad, I missed you, please don’t leave me again for so long . I had two kitties and I went on vacation to visit a cousin. A two week road trip. I drove from California to Wyoming. I had a cat that was diabetic that needed to be monitored so I put him into boarding at the vet, because my pet sitter was uncomfortable caring for his condition. The sister cat was left home. My girlfriend came twice a day and spent a good amount of time with her, but she became extraordinarily lonely. she’s never been without me for that long and she’s never been away from her brother. When I came home she would NOT stop meowing! I felt so terrible she was obviously extraordinarily stressed she ripped a hole into the carpet on the staircase where her brother slept. she could smell him and didn’t understand where he went, she didn’t understand where I went & she meowed for days non stop once home. I thought what happened to my quiet little kitty. I was so upset for her. She must have felt lonely & abandoned, Even with my friend here a couple of hours everyday. 20 days is a long time to be away, unless you have somebody living in your home while away. My cat stopped meowing within a week. . I gave her double affection and stayed closer to home for awhile to comfort her.. your cat will too, if you do the same
Will Cat pee & poop smells effect pregnancy?
We don't have a cat in the house. But I guess some bodies try to make me feel uncomfortable, so put the cat pee inside my room, the laundry & the front door. I could think the wild cat pee in front of the door. But how could it pee inside my room & the laundry? All of our cloths, blankets, bed sheets,... Smell cat pee even after I washed them. It took me around 3 months to get rid of the cat pee in the laundry. But inside my room & the front door still smell even I cleaned alot. Then, I was pregnant, this cat pee smells made me throw up alot & my stomach hurt too. Now, vomitting is gone away. But my stomach still hurt every time I smeel this cat pee. And Now, Not only cat pee, I see the cat poop in front of the door & smell both poop & pee inside my room too. I smell those not just because I am pregnant so sensitive, but my husband also smells those. His stomach is ok, but mine hurt every time & many times already. We asked doctor, she said smell is ok, but should try to avoid smelling them. We really dont know how to avoid smelling them when these smells are inside our room? I just feel like running away from the house, but sure impossible to do that. Please help, I don't want my stomach get hurt longer because of this problem. Thanks for all advices! Also, do these smells effect pregnancy? Thanks!
How do I stop my cat from peeing and pooping in the house?
Your question is a little vague. Do you mean A) your cat is peeing and pooping outside its litterbox, i.e. on the floor? Or do you mean B) that you’d prefer to not have a litterbox at all but train the cat to go outside to do its business?If you meant “A”, get your cat to the vet immediately. It is possible the cat has a UTI, which can become very serious and will only be cured through antibiotic. Cats can also have types of inflammatory bowel diseases which require treatment. If your kitty is still a young kitten, it’s still learning how to use the litterbox consistently, and it requires patience on your part.Keep the litterbox sparkling clean. Clean it every single day. The upside is that if you do it daily, it’s much less unpleasant to do. Cats don’t want to step in filth; imagine trying to poop in a toilet that had not been flushed for a week. You could get a self-cleaning box if you want to invest the money.Get a product called “Cat Attract” litter. It’s kind of pricey, but you can just put a 1-inch layer on top of your regular litter to attract the cat to the box, and that makes it last much longer. It’s worth it, and it works.Now, if you meant “B”, that you want your cat to only poop/pee outdoors, that’s not going to happen. In the summer, my cats will do their business outdoors about half the time, but not because I’ve trained them, just because they want to. (I have a dog door, so they come and go as they please.) They still use the litterbox in the summer, though not as much. Right now, the dead of winter, they are using only the box.Part of having any pet is cleaning up its waste. It’s not fun, but it’s a fact. The joy of having a sweet, purring kitty is well worth the effort.