I recently adopted two brother and sister cats from the shelter. They said they were inseperable, and I fell in love. Now I have to cats [around 3-4 years old] and I’m not really shure what I am doing right and wrong.
I had a cat before, but I was just a baby when it died. They are mainly my responsibily, so they mostly stay in my room. Tell me what I’m doing wrong…also, any tips could really help me too
*****SURROUNDINGS- They stay in my room [behind a closed door because of the dogs]. I feel terrible about this, but I have to. I dont want to return them to the shelter. I do let them out of my room when the dogs are outside to explore for as long as they want
*****LITTER BOX- The litter box is in my room, and it smells awful! I clean it at least 4-5 times a day, and I have a plug-in and I’m going to try baking soda. I have the plastic liner so I dont have to wash it as often. I use tidy cats multiple cats, and it doesnt seem to be helping. By the way, they use science diet optimal care. it helps keep their organs healthy…does this have anything to do with stinky litter? I know bad foods can do this, but I thought science diet was a pretty good food (not cheap either) I only fed them wet food once, but they didn’t like it so I threw it out [also, the litter box doesnt have a roof]
*****HORRIBLE MESSES- They spill their food and litter all over my room and bring it onto my bed [im constantly wiping litter off my bed, sweeping the floor, and I have a litter-trapping mat] – what can I do to prevent this from happening?
******NIGHTTIME ROUTINE- My male cat keeps me up until about midnight, then he wakes me up at about 4 in the morning. If I try to go back to sleep, be bites me swats me (they were both declawed by their previous owner) and stares at me. He jumps overs me and circles me so iit is impossible to lay back down. I heard you can train them to adjust to our lifestyle and not be nocturnal, but so far its not working. I try to wear him out as much as possible before bed, and it has no effect
*****MOVING?- Would it be bad to move? I have had them for about a week and a half, so would it be bad to change their surroundings so soon?
*****MEDICINE- They hate taking their medicine..the male has an eye infection, and the girl has a respiratory problem. The vet wanted us to give them both the respiratory medicine, just in case it spread. And the male takes eyedrops. They hate it, and its liquid so we can’t hide it in their food..
*****TOYS- They seem to love their catnip toys, but the others don’t seem to interest them at all. I got one of those furry cat teasers, and they don’t seem to like it. I tried attaching fake mice to yarn and dragging/swinging it, but they lose interest quickly. Also, I spent the rest of my money, plus borrowed some from my mom, on a cat condo, but they mostly avoid it. I was trying to do something nice for them to adjust to their new house.. Will I get my money back if I try to return it to Petsmart?
I’m sorry – I know this seems like a lot of problems, but I’m hoping this will work out fine. I want to keep them, so any advice would really save me! Thank you so much!
March 13th, 2010 - 4:30 pm
Surroundings
It is possible for your dogs to live in harmony with your cats, just make sure you supervise when the dog and cats are around, and it will take days, or even weeks, but eventually they will get used to/warm up to one another. I have a dog and two cats and they would growl/hiss/bark at each other, but now they sleep together on the pet bed/ kiss each other as a greeting. The trick is to let the dogs know not to harm the cats, and eventually the cats will warm up to the dogs etc.. etc…
Liter Box
I think you should invest in a liter box that the cats can walk in and walk out of, it will really cut down on the smell, if not then you need to keep your windows open, as you will be breathing in alot of ammonia
Horrible Messes
Most kitty litter boxes come with a top and a bottom, the top part is a gaurd taht keeps them from getting little all over the place (if you are using the gaurd and they are still making a mess, then you need to put a little less in the litter box as for the food that they make a mess with, make sure that where you are feeding them, is far away from your bed, and also get a sterilite bin that is bigenough to house your food and water dish, and also big enough for your cats to go in and enjoy their meals
Nighttime
They need their own spot to sleep if they are bothering you. I know you probably enjoy them sleeping with you (because they are soft and warm!!!) we all need our beauty sleep. The thing abut cats is that they LOVE comfort!!! If you get some very soft and comfy cushions and or blankets for them to slep in (in perhaps a corner) they will go their instead, and they also like high places!
Moving
Your cats might be terrified at first when you take them to a new location ( but they will get used to it)
Medicine
do you give your cats cooked fish/chicken??? You should try it (and don’t worry if you think your cats can’t eat bird or fish, they are carnivorous and will prefer it) just give them their eye medicine when they are sleepy and their respiratory medicine with pieces of(cooked-n-tasty fish or chicken–my cats love bbq chicken, and they will even try to devour the bone)
Toys
If you have the box and the receipt then yes they will take it back (if your cats haven’t damaged it that is) If you invest in a laser point and point the laser at the floor (and never at the cats eyes or your eyes etc..) the cats will go LOCO!!! They will love playing with it!!! Laser pointers only cost a few dollars and allow you to have loads of fun playing with your cat too!
Hope this helps you!
March 13th, 2010 - 4:30 pm
ur doing pretty good, my cat snowball ~i miss her so much~ well she would go to my dad at like 4 in the morning like urs ~she was female though~ and all she wanted was to be petted so my dad petted her and she fell asleep so just give the male cat attention and maybe that will work…for the litterbox spray freebreeze or non harmfull good smell stuff =P and they should be able to explore if there too cooped up in that room they may not be happy
March 13th, 2010 - 4:30 pm
1) If you just adopted them then they are probably still a little scared and just need to get used to things. It wont happen overnight. Try changing the litter. I use the Arm and Hammer litter.I also use Nine Lives cat food. I went through a period where my cats were getting sick from various foods. I don’t know if something was in them or if the store sprayed some kind of bug spray. But this food doesn’t make them sick. It works great. Sometimes litter can get stuck in their paws maybe that is what is tracking it everywhere. As to the messes from food….that just comes with cats =/ Try putting the litter box and food someplace with tile.
2) You won’t be able to keep them in your bedroom forever. If they are scared of the dogs I could see keeping them in their for a week or two but try letting them out when the dogs are inside and just keep a weary eye on your pets. They eventually have to get used to eachother. It can take time and lots of patience with some fur flying but it will eventually happen. And if it ends up they really don’t like eachother, then trust me your cats will stay out of the dogs way.
3) Moving would not be bad if you want. Of course they would be a little scared and stress but they adapt quickly.
4) Try wrapping the cats in a towel when you are giving them their medicine. It will hold them still. Medicine giving is usually not very fun…for anyone.
5) Some cats love all types of toys and some just like a few. I buy toys for my cats and they play with tin foil -.- I bought a tree for them (the cat tree) and nobody touches it. Just their personality I guess. If the condo is still in good shape and looks new then you can return it.
EDIT- to the routine. They will eventually fall into a new routine. But they probably just want some attention or to be let out of the room. You arn’t doing anything wrong. Being a parent to the animals is not an easy road. =D I also always heard that laser lights are bad for cats (and dogs) that it makes them go crazy. I don’t know if that is true but I would rather not chance it.
I hope this helps =D
March 13th, 2010 - 4:30 pm
I know it seems overwhelming.. But it will take a couple more weeks for them to get used to their new surroundings..They will be a time when you will have to introduce the cats to the dogs.. that will be tough at first a lot of hissing and growing (cats growling that is). I use Fresh step for multi-cats litter. I have found that works best. I give my cats purina one dry cat food. They love it.. They have the shiniest coats and bright eyes.. I found it just as good nutrition wise as science diet. They also love fancy feast wet food. Give it a try..
I dont think moving is the best idea right now.. that will give them more stress. My cats are the same way they really dont like toys.. But they love catnip, shoe laces, string.. and the lazer light.. they go crazy chasing the red dot on the floor. Mine dont use their cat condo either.. Some cats love it some dont. Im not sure if you can return it but it cant hurt to ask. I hope this helps you somewhat.. Good luck!!
March 13th, 2010 - 4:30 pm
ok about the litter box, get one that is high and the litter all over the place will stop, and with the food and water, get heavier dishes. trust me ive had cats ever since i was a lil one and im 19 now lol, and about the dog sittuation, let them out when the dogs are around, they will hide and be affriad for a couple of days but they will get used to the dog, ive also had dogs when i had cats and it was no small dogs either so they will get used to the dog, and another reason the cats are bothering you when yr sleeping is probably the cat knip, it gives them energy ALOT. also he might want something… like food or water. about the liter box… i keep mine in my basement and thats good u keep it clean cuz if u didnt they would go other places and once they start that, there is no turniing back lol. plus it is also to soon, they will need a lil more time to adjust to yr lifestyle, and about the smell, arm and hammer sells this stuff for carpets for dog and cat smell, its very very very good stuff and has a very powerful smell so that would help alot, sprinkle it in the litter box tho not the carpet. and get a cover for the litter box to, they sell the litter box cover combo at the dollar store for cheap, and it will also cut down the smell, and dont give them wet food all the time because it isnt good for them, once and awhile is fine. if u go by the things i gave u advice on, the cats will adjust to the way u do things, and u will barely notice they are there. hoped i helped, here is my email if u nee more help with yr cats ball_street_player@yahoo.com good luck!
March 13th, 2010 - 4:30 pm
Other people have given decent advice, with the exception of cat food.
Science Diet is no better than Fancy Feast and other crap like that, but they charge a lot more. Look at the ingredients. The first 3-5 ingredients should be specific meat-derived protein sources (e.g., "venison," "rabbit," "turkey," etc. rather than "meat by-product," "animal fat")
Good foods: Evo, Wellness, Instinct, Nature’s variety, Before Grain
Bad foods: Iams, Purina, Fancy Feast, 9 Lives, Whiskas, Science Diet, everything found in the grocery store.
Foods that are high in fillers (corn, specifically) and that do not meat cats’ nutritional needs will result in a host of problems as they age and will ultimately shorten life spans.