r/cats Nov 01 '24

Weekly Discussion Thread Weekly Open Thread #5 - Discuss Anything About Cats!

Welcome to the Weekly Discussion Thread!

Ask any questions you have about cats or discuss topics that don't require a full post. Whether you're a new cat owner, seeking advice, or just want to share something fun about your furry friend, this thread is for you. Feel free to:

  • Ask simple questions about cat care, behavior, feeding, etc.
  • Seek advice on any minor concerns.
  • Post anything cat-related that doesn't need its own post.
  • Ask questions regarding your cat breed here instead of creating a new post.

Also, if you see someone asking for help and you have the knowledge to share, feel free to jump in and assist them!

Just a friendly reminder to follow the subreddit's rules and be kind and respectful to everyone !

10 Upvotes

93 comments sorted by

3

u/planzxe Nov 01 '24

What are the potential issues if we get 2 kittens vs 1? I’ve been told getting two means they don’t bond to humans as much. Also our house and yard are small, is there much extra space needed?

3

u/Mon_alisa06 Nov 01 '24

Im taking this as ur letting them outside? Keep your new kittens inside please. Cats don’t know what they’re missing when they live their lives indoors. Letting your cats out without 24/7 supervision is the best way to get them hurt, sick, or killed. Cats live MUCH longer lives indoors and are safe. Please please please! Also i adopted two kittens at once and i found it was actually much better for them to be adopted together. They dont have separation anxiety when my family leaves them home alone. They are very bonded to each other and keep themselves happy and entertained. Cats are happy in small spaces so please keep them inside. They are very lovey kitties too, they are bonded to us; maybe not as much as my cat that was adopted alone, but its much better than them having separation anxiety. Adopt the 2! It’ll be so much fun.

3

u/Ok_Potential1 Nov 05 '24

Can anyone tell me what kind of kitty this is?

2

u/Foreign_Fan9956 Nov 07 '24

Looks like Brittish shorthair i've had one too

3

u/MammothTap Nov 11 '24 edited Nov 12 '24

So I found a cat on the highway earlier this evening. And I do mean in the road, directly in a travel lane, unwilling to budge. No visible injuries or obvious signs of infection and seems to be alert/aware, but pretty lethargic—it's been raining and is in the upper 40s F, so chilly but not cold enough to explain that behavior in a healthy cat. I took it home (the fact that I could just pick it up in a hoodie is a pretty good indication that kitty isn't feeling at their best) and vets will be called in the morning. Medical side is/will be handled whether or not this cat has a chip. No missing cat posts in the county match, and it's an extremely rural area so there's a good chance there isn't gonna be one.

I have three other cats so I was pretty ready to set up kitty quarantine zone in a spare bathroom. Some towels down, there's a heating vent in there since it is getting close to winter, food, water, litter box. I picked up some flea shampoo just in case and some wet food (more enticing than the cronch my cats prefer, and I know not all cats are super eager to drink water like my weirdos). I have normal cat shampoo if fleas aren't actually an issue, this cat is covered in mud and smells like asphalt so it's not really a case of "cats wash themselves", though no bath is happening until I get the go-ahead from a vet just in case there's injuries not readily seen or if there's some other risk. Once/if kitty is more active, there's plenty of toys I can give to occupy them while quarantined. However, I've never taken in a cat off the literal street before; is there anything not covered by vet care that I might be overlooking and can grab on my way home from work in the morning?

Obviously the hope is that kitty is chipped, has an owner who can be contacted, and just got lost. But there's no harm in getting stuff I might need if that's not the case, especially since if I turn out not to need it, it can sit in a closet until I do, like the flea shampoo.

Edit: Kitty is not chipped. Not injured, but wormy, flea-ridden, has ticks aplenty, was dehydrated, and is very underweight. Somewhere between a year and two years old. Intact male so he's getting neutered in the very near future. My fiance and I haven't decided what to name him yet but the cat distribution system strikes again it seems. He's clearly been out long enough that if someone was looking, there would be community knowledge of it (small rural town so that sort of thing travels). I'll put out some feelers along the highway I found him on just in case he went missing even longer ago than we're guessing, but right now the assumption is he was either dumped at some point or a barn cat that wandered off. Feral is an outside possibility and he is the sort of cat who shuts down in the face of stress (and was too wet/cold/hungry to move off the road) and therefore he didn't try to murder me when I picked him up, but it seems way more likely that he had some socialization at some point.

2

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

So awesome of you to help that poor kitty! Sounds like you’ve got most of it handled. warm place, food, vet check, etc. Maybe a cozy blanket or bed could help too, especially since it’s cold. When the vet says it’s okay, maybe a gentle brush will help get rid of that asphalt smell. You’re doing great. 👍

2

u/Obvious_Amphibian270 Nov 02 '24

How do you know your cat's birthday? I see plenty of posts saying happy birthday to cats.

All but one of mine showed up via the cat distribution system. I can take a guess what time of year they were born based on when they found me or I found them, but it's purely a guess. The one I do know his birthday is because he was.born to a friend's cat.

2

u/Bhataktisusu33 Nov 10 '24

My cat is a rescue to. Although he is not a year old yet, i assume his actual birthday to be about one month prior to when we got him, considering his size then. You can always just celebrate your cat’s homecoming day instead of birthday!

2

u/Petitect Nov 05 '24

I got my cat five different beds, and she naps in each one for a bit. No idea which one she’s actually gonna love!

What kind of bed does your cat like?

2

u/elpezgrande Nov 13 '24

Hey guys, I just got a new little kitten estimated to be about 15 weeks old. So far everything’s going great, only thing I’ve noticed is he doesn’t really wanna seem to eat much. Last night after I got home with him he ate a bit (same food as shelter) and then seemed to have an upset stomach. Diarrhea and threw up a few times. Today he’s drank some water and ate a bit of a treat out of my hand but can’t seem to get him to go for the wet food. He doesn’t seem overly stressed, he hasn’t been hiding and has been very cuddly and turning to me for what he needs. Last night too did not hesitate to sleep in my bed with me and on my chest for most of the night. So it seems like he trusts me and is enjoying himself otherwise. Maybe just an upset stomach? When should I take him to the vet?

1

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '24

Yes

2

u/TH3B3LD4M Nov 14 '24

I went to adopt my a cat a year ago, while meeting all of them, I found them all to be extremely loving and cuddly. I couldn’t help but notice though, that one rescue kitten was hiding… obviously I chose her. She was extremely shy, but I fell in love with her. Fast forward to today, she is still extremely shy, but when it comes to me… it’s a whole different story. I started talking to her like she was a human the day I got her, and today she understands every single word I say, most people are shocked or unsettled tbh, but she’s my favorite thing ever. I’m personally convinced that she’s a the most intelligent cat ever. Here are some of my favorite things that she does!

She’s a major Velcro cat, she’ll follow me step by step all day. But if I tell her I’m going to the bathroom, she’ll take a seat outside the door and wait. 😂

I have a massive bug phobia, she picked up on it very quickly, anytime I find one, I scream and jump back. Everytime it happens, she gently picks up the bug and moves it far away.

Every night she wedges her head under my blanket and curls up in a ball, sometimes against me, sometimes on top of me, and she sleeps there all night.

Anytime I’m lounging, she walks up to me and falls over on-top of me, she readjusts endlessly until I’m holding her like a baby.

I always try to scratch the itch on her chin or ear for her because she used to scratch to the point she would lose little bits of fur, now she just tells me when she has an itch.

When I first got her I spoke to her so much, that now she holds a conversation. She’s a huge yapper.

When she wants my attention she grabs the ends of my clothes with her claws and tugs on it a few times like a toddler. It’s rly annoying but I’ll never tell her.

When we chill together and I’m petting her, she starts petting my hand back with her paw.

I always kiss the top of her head when we chill, and she’s started just lifting up her head when she wants one, she does it every three seconds.

The first time I tried to teach her hide and seek, it turned into a game of how many times can I spook my pet. I would run and hide and eventually spook the living crap out of her. She started doing it back randomly. Every-time I walk up the stairs she beats me to the top and hides, then jumps out at me fluffy and arched.

I have a lot of toys for her, and she’ll bring them to me constantly, but I stopped playing for a period of time due to school exams, and she started playing with the other end of her toy like I was going to chase it??? Idk maybe she thought I needed to have some fun.

One day I brought home a bouncy ball, I asked her a couple times to bring the toy back to me, she plays fetch now. It’s precious.

She’s an angel for this one, I don’t have to be loud or correct her ever, when I say no, she simply stops. Unless ofc she’s eating flowers, she’s so obsessed that she sneaks to do it.

Her name is Dunkin’ (I didn’t choose it) but I called her babygirl so much that she only responds to that and love.

Every-time I come home she comes running to me… yelling.

She’ll only eat her food while I’m eating. I think that’s sweet.

She plays like a MADMAN. She jumps, does flips, and SCALES THE WALLS. One time I stood on-top of my couch to give her a challenge because she seemed bored, and I swear she jumped at-least six feet in the air, she was far above my head.

Oh and every-time I say I’m going to sleep, she runs to my bed. :)

1

u/[deleted] Nov 01 '24

I want to start treating my cats with wet food after giving them dry food for a long time, but not sure what's the best, healthiest, or affordable choice to go for. I have three cats one two of which are 1 years old and one that is 4 years old.

If I start giving them wet cat food should I start giving them it sparely (around one or twice a week?) or is it safe to give them one meal per day as a special dinner-time food?

1

u/[deleted] Nov 01 '24 edited Nov 01 '24

[deleted]

1

u/raccoon-nb Burmese Nov 02 '24

I would err on the side of caution. Open-mouth breathing (panting) in cats is generally cause for alarm. It could just be anxiety, but I'd ask a veterinarian about it.

1

u/In_Chelsea_I_Trust Nov 02 '24

Hello!

This gentleman is Dexter, he’s 5 months old.

I noticed today that he keeps his left eye open only 80-85%, compared to the right eye.

Upon closer look, I noticed that he has those dark-brown things around his eye. Also,I removed a bigger chunk of this thing from the corner of his eye 10 minutes ago.

Any idea what it is?

1

u/nnacabre Nov 02 '24

not a vet or anything, but recently started fostering. eye infections seem super common in kittens, it might clear up with eyedrops and antibiotic. the rescue i'm with gave us some ointment.

although idk if you'd trust me bc i dont go by chelsea anymore

1

u/nnacabre Nov 02 '24

I have some kitty drama- I adopted a foster of mine, Merlin, who then adopted another foster, Gigi, because he loved her so much. Now we're fostering an entire litter of kittens, about 6 weeks, and Gigi adores teaching them how to play. Merlin is incredibly jealous, evidenced by the fact he is peeing next to the playpen instead of the litter box. He's recently escalating to peeing inside the pen and in the kittens' beds, last night while they were sleeping on it. Is putting a litterbox next to the pen gonna be enough to deter him? He is neutered

1

u/btrame11 Nov 03 '24

I could use some advice on a few things.

  1. Josie, the grey tortie in the picture, is our first cat and is 7 years old. Ono, the brown cat, we got in 2020 and he’s 4. He is a big bully to Josie. It’s going on 4 years of a struggle. It goes in waves when he chooses to be aggressive. In general, what can I do to help him less of a dick?
  2. I think because he is such an asshole, Josie has been peeing in random places. Sometimes on the counter. Sometimes on the basement carpet in the corner. We have 4 litter boxes around the house. They seem to only use 1…
  3. The basement carpet needs help. We’ve used Rocco & Roxy a lot and rented carpet cleaners. I don’t think the problem is going away. Does anyone have experience with replacing the carpet padding and painting the concrete with Kilz? Is this what I need to do?

Thanks for your advice!

1

u/neotic_reaper Nov 03 '24

My friend has yet to neuter his cat despite me and everyone else telling him to do so before it gets to be a problem. Well it became a problem because the cat is now a little over a year old and mounting his brothers (one is about 2 and fixed and the other who is too young to be fixed). He has recently started peeing/spraying on his clothes. He’s going to get him fixed soon but I’m just curious what sort of effects this has on the cat in the long term, getting it fixed at a year old, mid issues?

1

u/thespaceghetto Nov 03 '24

How do folks handle discipline with multiple cats? We have a 6 year old and throughout his life we've used a psssssst sound when he is misbehaving. However, we adopted a kitten a few weeks ago and of course he's getting into trouble. We've been doing the same sound but the poor adult always thinks we're doing it to him and he runs off. I've been trying other sounds for the little one but none seem to get his attention the same. Will the adult figure it out? Should we keep trying other sounds?

2

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

Cats are sensitive to sounds, and it’s easy for the older one to get mixed signals. Maybe try a gentle clap or another noise like a short whistle just for the kitten. And they're smart, so over time, he’ll probably catch on that the new sound is just for him. You’re doing your best and they’ll figure it out eventually.

1

u/QuirkyCampaign2151 Nov 03 '24

Does anyone have a way to keep their cat from eating Christmas lights? We have tried tinfoil and oranges. Thank you in advance.

1

u/Foreign_Fan9956 Nov 07 '24

Maybe black pepper

1

u/Budget-Tell2412 Nov 03 '24

do you guys think she’s pregnant? we can’t tell.

1

u/AshyH2O_Broken_666 Nov 04 '24

What are these!? They don’t move if it is a creature I think they are dead… or is it dropping off a creature?

1

u/UnleashPetWellness Nov 04 '24

What are the friendliest cat breeds for families with kids?

2

u/TheSpeedyAccountant Nov 04 '24

I have a mixed med hair Maine tycoon. Got him as my first cat 2 months ago. First night with him he slept in my bed w me and my gf. 6 weeks in he is extremely comfortable and friendly. Best cat I could have asked for

1

u/Negative_Excuse_2846 Nov 04 '24

I keep trying to post this as a new post and it says the moderator deletes it instantly, why? 

1

u/Negative_Excuse_2846 Nov 04 '24

I’ve been trying to post this as a main post because I’m curious about other experiences but for some reason it won’t post!! I am looking for advice. My cat had a bump appear a month after the rabies vaccination. Can this be normal after a month or should I freak out about my google search showing injection fibrosarcoma can happen? I know after a week or a few days is normal but I'm scared since it's been a month.

I took him to the vet and they said it didn't seem attached to anything and to just "watch to see if it gets bigger or painful" but I'm wondering if I should go to another vet for a second opinion after reading about fibrosarcoma. I want it removed in case it is but am I being dramatic? Any experience? Or is it ok to listen to the vet & just watch it? It's the size of a pea.

1

u/Bhataktisusu33 Nov 10 '24

Get a second opinion please. Even if it’s nothing else, you’ll get some peace of mind. Sometimes vets disregard things that turn out to be serious and it’s always safe to get a second opinion. Hope your kitty is safe!!

1

u/Dry_Value_1969 Nov 05 '24

Hi! I have two seven-year-old cats, a female and a male, both of whom are sensitive to climate changes and suffer from allergies. Recently, I’ve been having a tough time getting them to take their cough medication. I’ve always been able to give them their medicine by opening their mouths and administering the pill or liquid with a syringe, but now my male cat has started to throw a huge tantrum. He not only spits out the medicine but also manages to throw it up afterward. 

Hiding the medication in food has never worked for them, so I don’t even try that anymore. I’ve never encountered this issue before, and I’ve always had happy cats throughout my life. What can I do to help them take their medication?

Thank you!

1

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

Maybe try a pill pocket treat, or you could try wrapping the pill in something strong smelling like tuna juice. Some people also use a “pilling device” to help make it easier. Ask the vet if there’s a liquid version, that might be a little easier to give.

1

u/littlekik Nov 05 '24

My cat is indoor and there is this fuzzy outdoor cat that often visits him throughout the day. At first my boy is very aggressive jumping at the window, hissing, growling and whatnot but everything seems to calm down after an hour or so. The other cat literally just lie outside, sometimes literally even just nap there while my cat observes him for hours (from what I've gathered from my security camera).

Fuzzy cat never come close to the window and keep his/her distance from it while my cat every now and then will scratch the window trying to get to fuzzy cat. Not sure if my boy is stressed or not...could anyone chime in on this?

1

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

Sounds like he’s just showing who’s boss with the visitor cat. If he settles down after a while, it’s likely just curiosity. Covering the window for a bit could help if he’s stressed, but he might just get used to it over time.

1

u/ApprehensiveRock9357 Nov 05 '24

Greetings cat community.
I own a 1Y cat. I would like to add a new cat to my family house.
What is the best approach? a small 4m kitten or give the oportunity to an mid-elder cat. Both from shelter.

The kitten you can educate, but it also has more chances of getting adopted by someone else, while the mid cats probably dont.

Also my cat is male and fixed, what is best a male or a female to adopt? I mean faster integration.
Please advise.

Thanks

2

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

Both options are great, but if you want to give an older cat a chance, they’re usually a bit calmer and might fit in better with your cat. A fixed female might also help with bonding, but it really depends on their personalities.

1

u/Automatic_Role6120 Nov 05 '24

My little cat loves digging. R.I.P my pepper plants, lovingly grown from supermarket peppers. 

1

u/elisauria2129 Nov 06 '24

Hi everyone,
I have a 12-year-old furry friend. He’s an indoor cat and doesn’t have much activity during the day. About 2 or 3 years ago, I started feeding him Wellness wet food, which was recommended by our vet for its high moisture content and low fat. However, recently he hasn’t been eating it like he used to. Has anyone tried another brand with low fat content?

1

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

Maybe try brands like Weruva or Tiki Cat as they’re low fat and moist, which cats usually like. Some cats just get bored with the same food, so trying single serve cans could be good to see if he likes them.

1

u/Eri707 Nov 07 '24

Hello!
I am fostering a kitten for the very first time. He jumps at my leg and bites a lot when he is not in mood to be petted. He is about 11weeks old and not neutered yet. How should I make him not bite people? He hasn't met any cats btw.

1

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

Kittens love to bite while they’re learning. Try gently pulling away and saying “no” if he bites, then give him a toy to chew on instead. It’ll take time, but he’ll get it. I've had the same issue with my kitten but with time she stopped doing it as she grew up.

1

u/Eri707 Nov 11 '24

thanks so much!

1

u/ladyofdragons108 Nov 15 '24

I concur with this, but hissing works even better than "no" I have found. Hissing is just cat language for "I'm uncomfortable/not okay with this" and is one way they communicate their boundaries. Mama cats hiss at their kittens when they are being naughty.

1

u/ladyofdragons108 Nov 15 '24

He's just practicing his hunting skills, which is normal for the critical stages of early development for kittens. Very normal. The best way would be to foster a second kitten with him. Kittens learn manners, boundaries and generally "how to cat" from each other. There is no better discouragement to biting than being bitten back and feeling how much it hurts! He will be better socialized all around if he has another kitten or cat to hang out with. He will get into way less trouble too if he has a buddy with energy equal to his (no senior cats, please no).

If you can't get a second to be his buddy, then interactive play sessions are needed. Play until he's exhausted and panting, then repeat 2 more times! Jackson Galaxy (Cat behaviorist) has some great videos on this topic in his YouTube channel.

1

u/CookieSlayer2Turbo Nov 07 '24

Hey folks! Is there a good guide for a new cat owner? I saw this beautiful little tortie who immediately fell in love with and I had to grab her! I've lives with cats but those were not my cats and they were adults so im lost on basic stuff like how to potty train and such

1

u/Bhataktisusu33 Nov 10 '24

In my case for potty training, all I had to do was put out a litter box and my cat did his business, he was about a month old then i think (he’s a rescue). For food, we just gave him his food at fixed times everyday, now if it gets even a minute late he meows the house down. Cats are, in my opinion, very low maintenance than dogs, they are very clever and don’t need to be trained.

1

u/FigaroYAna97 Nov 08 '24

Hiya! I recently learned the water in my area is high in Copper & Iron. I had a gravity water filter for my cats but it still started showing Pink Mold (bacteria collection). We used to have a plug-in electric water filter but one of my cats HATED IT. He would rip it apart until the thing was in pieces. Any advice on quite yet really good water filter bowls for picky cats?

2

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

The Catit Flower Fountain might be a good fit. its quiet, simple, and keeps the water fresh with a carbon filter. Also the Veken Pet Fountain is low noise and easy to clean. Both should help keep the water fresher and might work well for picky kitties.

1

u/gtck11 Nov 08 '24

Does anyone know of prescription alternatives to Royal Canin and/or Hills prescription food for urine and kidneys that’s locally made and easy to obtain in the US? I’m wanting to get a jump on alternatives, but my vet just keeps pushing these foods for my cats and advised there really isn’t an alternative. (Please don’t be political in responses, I just want options for my kitties. One has stage 2 kidney).

1

u/tamarajade Nov 09 '24

Someone give me hope!

I lost my cat at the beginning of the year, she was very very close to me. Scrolling Facebook the other night and I see a 9month old cat that's been in foster care since she was a small kitten without a lot of interest, felt bad so I went to meet her and kind of just fell into adopting her. Now there was no instant love blah blah she's SO shy but I thought she's never really had a chance to actually have a home so we'll give it a go. I picked her up today and get her home and she's just hissing at me and scratching out etc, I know she's obviously very very scared so I've got her in a huge crate in the lounge with a big blanket covering it to give her some time.

Someone please tell me it'll all be ok, every other cat I've adopted I've kind of had like a weird instant connection with and they've been purring the minute I get them home, now I'm getting the opposite and wondering what the heck I've done

3

u/Bhataktisusu33 Nov 10 '24

It’ll be okay❤️. The environment is just very new to her and cats are not very comfortable when their homes change. With some time and love, she will be very happy with her home. If she has been living in foster care for 9 months, that was her home and she must be given the time to understand that you are her forever family now!

1

u/Potential-Finance788 Nov 09 '24

How do I teach a cat to meow on cue?

My cat isn't very talkative and it has been very difficult to teach her how to meow on comand, actually I haven't succeded yet.

She is very food motivated so I taught her different tricks using her treats but I cannot use the same method for this since she doesn't meow often.

Any tips?

1

u/jonnyrottenpantsss Nov 10 '24

All cats are different , some talk some don't, training a cat to meow forget it..cats are not like dogs, dogs suck up to their owners and wish to please. Cats tell their owners to take a hike.

1

u/genou369 Nov 09 '24

Anyone have an air purifier in their homes that they would recommend for cat smell/allergies? Does it help? We have 3 cats, scoop everyday, vacuum twice a week. I’ve gotten used to my air purifier at work, just wondering if it’s worth the investment for a home one. Thanks!

1

u/Lonely_Point_1912 Nov 11 '24

Yes absolutely worth it! My partner has super bad allergies so I now have an air purifier in my bedroom and living room and he says he can notice a difference

1

u/Bhataktisusu33 Nov 10 '24

My cat got attacked by a dog a couple days ago. His hind legs aren’t working yet (doctor said there’s no guarantee they will heal but there is movement in the legs and tail🧿). Could I get some advice on how to make the healing process more comfortable for him? Tha doctor said to only feed him electrolytes and milk. Also he said to not touch him with bare hands as the dogs saliva may still be on him and it was a stray so that’s risky (but that hasn’t stopped me from petting him on his head at least). He is dragging himself everywhere but is very weak. What can I do to make it easier and comfortable for him?

1

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

Poor guy.. Maybe give him a quiet, comfy spot with soft blankets so he doesn’t have to move around much. Pet safe wipes can help gently clean him up without getting too close to any injuries. You’re already giving him enough love so he's in good hands.

1

u/Bhataktisusu33 Nov 12 '24

Thank you for your advice! We wipe him with wipes dipped in antiseptic water once a day. He usually sleeps on the mats paced throughout the house but we make sure he has his blanket there too for a soft surface, but I’ve noticed whenever the blanket is placed on him he pants a bit.

1

u/Puzzleheaded_Study95 Nov 10 '24

I know there are stories and even some evidence suggesting that cats can mimic the mannerisms of their owner(s). I was wondering if anyone had any stories about adopting adult cats and noticing that their mannerisms changed to more closely resemble yours vs those of their former owner(s).

I have two cats, and one was adopted after having lived with another family for a few years. I want to say she’s more like me today (not necessarily a compliment) than she was before.

Just asking out of curiosity and to see if there might be any fun/funny/cute stories.

1

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

Yes absolutely. Cats totally pick up on our habits. My cat started curling up with me on the couch during my TV time. It’s like they mimic us to feel closer and be a part of the family.

1

u/tastethevapor Nov 10 '24

Looking to get auto feeders for my cats. Any recommendations?

2

u/Ted-Lassi Nov 11 '24

I’d go with the PetSafe 5-Meal Feeder. Super easy, works for wet or dry food, and reliable. WOPET automatic feeder is also good if you want something that can serve more meals a day. Both are easy to clean too.

1

u/SlimPanda69420 Nov 11 '24

I work night shifts, and I live alone in my home. Is it even a good idea to get a cat at this point?

3

u/Lonely_Point_1912 Nov 11 '24

If you are financially stable and feel readily responsible, then go for it! The cat will adjust to your schedule

1

u/SlimPanda69420 Nov 12 '24

I am financially stable yes, will know for sure next month perhaps (currently on probation after 8 months of unemployment)... but I feel like I wouldn't be able to spend much time with the cat, like will he/she miss me?

1

u/Lonely_Point_1912 Nov 13 '24

How long are your shifts? It will be hard at first, you will both miss each other, but they will adjust to your schedule and it will be something to look forward to coming home from work(:

1

u/SlimPanda69420 Nov 13 '24

6:30 pm to 5 am every Wednesday through Saturday

I wouldn't want the cat to wander around in my small room (in fact the room i live in itself looks like a cat room for a human XD)

2

u/bundleofhyacinths Nov 13 '24

I just got my guy a week ago and was worried about that too. I live alone and work an 8-5 in the office for at least 3+ days out of the week. It might be helpful to get a cat and bring it home on days you’re not working. I spent about 2 days WFH before I left the house and him alone for the first time. He did great and has almost made it through 3 full days of me working in the office. It was rough the first couple days changing my own routine, but it’s going well and it’s nice to have someone to cuddle with when I get home.

My peace of mind though is my cameras. Just to make sure they’re okay, but also to check that they aren’t getting into trouble.

2

u/ladyofdragons108 Nov 15 '24

Cats are actually crepuscular (not nocturnal), meaning they are most active at dusk and dawn, so I don't think working nights shifts will be much different than working day shifts. But since you will be gone for long hours and cats are social critters, I would suggest either an older, more relaxed kitty that just loves sleepin', or even better, get TWO cats. Then they can be social with each other and keep each other entertained while you are away. Less boredom induced mischief that way.

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u/Former_Fan_67 Nov 15 '24

Absolutely! Cats are pretty independent and can adapt to your schedule. Just make sure you give them love and playtime when you're home. They might even enjoy having the house to themselves at night! 🐾

1

u/Inevitable_Ad_2050 Nov 12 '24 edited Nov 12 '24

I just got my cat, squid (who is aprox 8 months old) at the start of summer and everything has been pretty great with him, except recently he's started pooping on our dog bed in the living room. :( he has a litter box which I clean regularly. He hasn't been neutered if that gives any hint to why he's been doing this but I really don't know what to do, if he keeps this up my parents will probably make me get rid of him any tips???

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u/iforgorafewthing Nov 13 '24

This is cat related, indirectly but it’s affecting a lot of cat lovers on tiktok so I wanted to spread the word: there is a girl on Tiktok who is making videos about her sick cat Lily but she’s lying to manipulate people into sending money to her. She keeps targeting cat parents and cat loving people to play on their sympathies. She’s making accounts under @ save.baby or help.mama with a different random number at the end (there are so many accounts like save.baby23, save.baby17 etc) and claiming the cat got injured but has been posting since July saying things like “my cat got attacked July 12” and then deleted that video and makes a new one like “my cat got attacked October 22”. I’ve just watched so many people give money to her when she is lying. Stay vigilant and beware of people preying on cat loving individuals online. ❤️

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u/rp1105 Nov 13 '24

i have 2 cats that share 2 litter boxes. my older guy (7) uses the litter box normally and sweeps when he's done. my younger guy (1) tho doesn't understand what he's doing and sweeps the floor outside the box. and you can tell he's frustrated. i've tried to show him but he wants no part of it and runs off.

how normal is this? anything I can do to help my little guy?

1

u/TH3B3LD4M Nov 14 '24

My cat switches between covering up after herself and leaving it out for the world to see, it may be because of the type of litter, some cats are picky about that! If you use a litter that may be a little dusty or get stuck in their paws, that could be it! I’d suggest a litter that’s chunkier like pellet shaped instead of a granulated litter.

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u/rp1105 Nov 14 '24

i get them okocat pellets! honestly i'm wondering if it's a vision thing? he'll sweep outside the box vigorously and yell when nothing changes

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u/NavilusWeyfinder Nov 14 '24

My kitten won't stop tipping over the water bowls and using them as a means to clean his paws. They are always filthy and my other cat can't have clean water. I'm not always home and I know he tips it the moment I leave. What the actual fuck do I do? This is getting actually stressful.

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u/TH3B3LD4M Nov 14 '24

I have a cat that likes to jump in the bathtub and clean his paws. I found out after accidentally leaving a small amount of water in the tub, maybe you could try doing that and seeing if they prefer that?

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u/NavilusWeyfinder Nov 15 '24

What temp do you recommend?

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u/Unable-Kitchen-4374 Nov 14 '24

Omg what can I do don't have money for vet 😭😭😔😔😔

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u/Unable-Kitchen-4374 Nov 14 '24

I love him so much I would die if he left me

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u/cyberbullgod Nov 14 '24

My cat picks up water to from his dispenser in his paw to drink it. THAT I understand, somewhat. But he also stands behind the dispenser and stretches his whole arm around it to get to the ponding water to drink from his paw, and watches his arm through the clear water receptacle throughout the motion. What is this weirdness?

1

u/ladyofr1vendell Nov 15 '24

What type of tabby would you say she is? I’ve been looking at the different coat types but I’m not still not sure. I’m leaning towards mackerel but idk

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u/meetmeinthealy Nov 16 '24

i just had a surgery for my nose today (deviated septum not nose job, boring i know) but anyways- ever since i’ve gotten home my baby has not been more than 10 ft away from me. i started having an anxiety attack and this girl came up to me and is still laying on me as we speak. now i know my cat loves me but when im home she does her own thing and comes cuddle when she wants it but for the most part she doesn’t care about me being home lol. but seriously my baby has been near me all night and i cannot express the love i have for her. and i feel so incredibly grateful that she loves me back even tho she has her own way of showing it she really shows up when i need it most. i literally do not know what i would do without her. picture is of her currently as i watch interstellar @ 2:50 am cus i cannot sleep.

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u/[deleted] Nov 23 '24

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