Should Men Living Alone Get a Cat?

[turbo]

My cousin's cat Simon was mostly indoor, but she let him outside daily. Unfortunately, he was torn to shreds one day by a Rottweiler that had gotten off-leash.

 

[lisab]

I'd say it depends on the cat. I've had cats that love the outside, and would run out the door at every chance. But, I've also had a cat that wouldn't stay outside if you threw him out.

I agree, the cat should make the choice. Some people think it's too dangerous outside for cats, and while it's true that there are hazards, the cat's well-being should be considered.

I mean, there are hazards to children too, but I wouldn't keep a kid locked indoors just to make sure they're safe.

 

[rhody]

My cousin's cat Simon was mostly indoor, but she let him outside daily. Unfortunately, he was torn to shreds one day by a Rottweiler that had gotten off-leash.

Sorry to hear that Simon was killed Turbo, Luna could have doubled as his sister. So sad...

Rhody... sheds a tear...

 

[turbo]

Sorry to hear that Simon was killed Turbo, Luna could have doubled as his sister. So sad...

Rhody... sheds a tear...

Thanks. Simon was a sweetie. Very vocal when he wanted attention, too. He actually seemed to enjoy being bathed in the sink. He was one of the least "catty" cats that I have known. He and my cousin's Samoyed (Cody) got along very well. Of course, if you are a cat, what better "bed" to have for naps than a big fluffy dog like a Samoyed.

 

[FlexGunship]

She's under my bed and hasn't come out since I got home. Just in case I moved her litter box, food, water, scratching post, and toys into the room and shut the door hoping she would come out on her own.

We had a wonderful lunch together... I need to give her her meds... ugh... what am I supposed to do!?

 

[rhody]

She's under my bed and hasn't come out since I got home. Just in case I moved her litter box, food, water, scratching post, and toys into the room and shut the door hoping she would come out on her own.

We had a wonderful lunch together... I need to give her her meds... ugh... what am I supposed to do!?

Patience Flex,

Luna was the same way, she was at the shelter for only two weeks, but was traumatized by the experience, she came around once she started to "own" her environment. The longer a kitty is in a shelter the more time they need to get used to the new "less stressful environment". Maybe coax her out with a toy, but as long as she is safe, fed, watered and medicated, don't sweat it.

Rhody...

 

[Math Is Hard]

Sometimes a little bit of butter helps a pill go down easy. Or you can grind up the pill and put it in a tiny amount of a favorite food like tuna fish or tuna broth. There are also "pill pocket" treats you can get to hide a pill inside a snack.

 

[rhody]

My cat is watching me eat dinner across the table, at times I think she thinks she is human.
She seems to know when we have chicken, won't beg but sits patiently waiting for a few bits, then she is done. Smart cat.

Rhody...

 

[FlexGunship]

Patience Flex,

Luna was the same way, she was at the shelter for only two weeks, but was traumatized by the experience, she came around once she started to "own" her environment. The longer a kitty is in a shelter the more time they need to get used to the new "less stressful environment". Maybe coax her out with a toy, but as long as she is safe, fed, watered and medicated, don't sweat it.

Rhody...

Until 10 minutes ago she was NOT fed, watered, or medicated.

Sometimes a little bit of butter helps a pill go down easy. Or you can grind up the pill and put it in a tiny amount of a favorite food like tuna fish or tuna broth. There are also "pill pocket" treats you can get to hide a pill inside a snack.

Until 10 minutes ago she didn't have a favorite food.

But now...

I finally reached under the bed and gently removed her by the scruff of her neck. She seemed to immediately remember me. It was unpleasant, but first things first, she took her medicine. Then we did belly rubs until the phone ringing caused her to do a backflip off of my lap.

I think that reset her kitty brain because now we are playing, jumping, climbing, and running around like... uh, like... you know... a kitten. She used the litter box for the first time. Drank water for the first time, ate food, and now she is going nuts!

She's very curious and in a very exploratory mood now.

 

[Math Is Hard]

When I brought my cat home from the shelter, the first day was great. All about exploring and eating. The second day he wouldn't eat and seemed depressed. I was very worried about him. But the 3rd day he was back to his happy self.

 

[turbo]

I think that cats and dogs are wired very differently. When we brought Duke home from the shelter, he settled in immediately and was as happy as could be. Still, he would exhibit separation anxiety whenever I had to leave him alone. He still frets and whines when my wife doesn't come home at the "right" time after work. This is exacerbated by the fact that her shift is now working an hour early and an hour late every day to try to get out a critical shoe order, plus the loss of daylight saving time, so that it gets dark real early every afternoon.

I try to spend lots of time with him every day doing fun stuff, and I take him for rides in his Dog Limo, but he gets lonesome for his "momma". He never sleeps soundly unless all three of us are home together.

 

[FlexGunship]

Well, we played a lot last night.

This morning I found her upstairs hiding but not super-hiding (like the chair incident). She came out for me and we hung out for a bit. Then I took a shower, gave her her medicine, we hung out a bit more, I cleaned her box, replaced her food, and went to work.

I think she was bummed that I was leaving.

She's eats so little and sneezes so much. At what point should I worry?

 

[rhody]

Flex,

Just a thought, with all the interest in your new kitty, post a YouTube video.

If it generates enough hits, we can coin a new phrase, "PF Kitty Viral".

Rhody...

 

[FlexGunship]

If it generates enough hits, we can coin a new phrase, "PF Kitty Viral".

That could explain the sneezing! The PF Kitty Virus.

EDIT: I think she might be stirring up a lot of dust from all of her exploring. I think it's making us both sneeze.

DOUBLE EDIT: I'll snag one tonight when I get home. I have bowling, though.

 

[rhody]

That could explain the sneezing! The PF Kitty Virus.

EDIT: I think she might be stirring up a lot of dust from all of her exploring. I think it's making us both sneeze.

Nice...

Rhody...

 

[FlexGunship]

Ugh, I have to say it's the hugs that get me. I know I'm supposed to be a guy, and all... but she's so little and so enthusiastic about hugs. Oh, and nose-to-nose "kisses."

Oh, for the love of science... I'm going to have to go get my testosterone checked.

 

[FlexGunship]

Uh oh... I've just sensed a great disturbance in the force... as if millions of DVDs suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced.

 

[lisab]

Well, we played a lot last night.

This morning I found her upstairs hiding but not super-hiding (like the chair incident). She came out for me and we hung out for a bit. Then I took a shower, gave her her medicine, we hung out a bit more, I cleaned her box, replaced her food, and went to work.

I think she was bummed that I was leaving.

She's eats so little and sneezes so much. At what point should I worry?

Well, my guess about the sneezing would be that upper respiratory infection you mentioned earlier. It's maybe odd that she's still having symptoms even after all the meds you've been giving her - perhaps a call to the vet would be a good idea?

That could also explain her lack of appetite. And the stress of moving, of course. Like MiH said, the first week or so out of the shelter, they might be a bit weird.

 

[FlexGunship]

Like MiH said, the first week or so out of the shelter, they might be a bit weird.

Not Pixel... she's not weird. She's creative.

Sometimes it's difficult for... average... people to recognize feline brilliance. </snob>

EDIT: This was a joke, btw.

 

[Dembadon]

Uh oh... I've just sensed a great disturbance in the force... as if millions of DVDs suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced.

 

[FlexGunship]

Okay, my new nutty cat obsession is combining with my olde-tyme engineering obsession to create a wallet-obliterating combo-attack on my bank account.

Look at this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GA7J8A/?tag=pfamazon01-20:

Product Features

• Modular & Expandable - Unlimited Designs
• Easy Assembly
• Easy Cleaning - Machine Washable Parts
• Sturdy & Lightweight - Easy to Move
• Replaceable Pieces

The manufacturer's http://www.felinefurniture.com/inde...category_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=8"shows the following products:

http://www.felinefurniture.com/comp... back up... I'm playing. You can play after!"

 

[Stephen Tashi]

The respiratory infection is a good explanation for the sneezing. Another cause of sneezing is dust. Perhaps she likes to hide in dusty places. Sneezing can also be caused by dusty cat litter. The "clumping" kind of litter is easier for both cats and humans to manage.

Is Pixel a long-haired cat?

 

[turbo]

You can make her something home-made, Flex. Measure up a place where she is comfortable and figure out how much real-estate her new "apartment" might need, and build her something. You'll want to spend a bit of time asking around for low-nap carpet scraps (not the shag stuff that can snag in her claws -especially since you might be gone for a night or two!), and bits and pieces of luan or other thin plywood stuff to build enclosures for her. You can get perforated MDF (Masonite) for cheap, and that might make her real happy, since she will be safe and secure, and still be able to peek through the holes to watch what's going on.

I loved building a tree-like environment for my parrot, and she truly enjoyed it. If you have a place where you can cut the materials without making a mess, all you really need is some carpenters' glue, some screws, and a screwdriver (a decent cordless one would be nice).

 

[FlexGunship]

The respiratory infection is a good explanation for the sneezing. Another cause of sneezing is dust. Perhaps she likes to hide in dusty places. Sneezing can also be caused by dusty cat litter. The "clumping" kind of litter is easier for both cats and humans to manage.

Is Pixel a long-haired cat?

She sure is! She's a regular Swiffer.

You can make her something home-made, Flex. Measure up a place where she is comfortable and figure out how much real-estate her new "apartment" might need, and build her something. You'll want to spend a bit of time asking around for low-nap carpet scraps (not the shag stuff that can snag in her claws -especially since you might be gone for a night or two!), and bits and pieces of luan or other thin plywood stuff to build enclosures for her. You can get perforated MDF (Masonite) for cheap, and that might make her real happy, since she will be safe and secure, and still be able to peek through the holes to watch what's going on.

I loved building a tree-like environment for my parrot, and she truly enjoyed it. If you have a place where you can cut the materials without making a mess, all you really need is some carpenters' glue, some screws, and a screwdriver (a decent cordless one would be nice).

I have a lot of materials around, actually (MDF, pine boards, etc.), and I love to build. But I have a condo and my work-space is my patio. Between low light in the evenings and cold days, I've given up on building for the season.

I've already thought about it, too. some 11.5"x11.5" pine boards make good surfaces with 1" dowels to connect them. I could even cut up fleece blankets to make the various "hammocks" or fabric walls for her to sleep in or walk on. Speaker box carpeting seems to be good for cats (in general) and I know where to get plenty for cheap.

That being said, I'll just spend the money for now rather than wait for spring.

EDIT: And say what you want, but the promise of reliving my Lego/K'Nex/Girder&Panel days is WAY too tempting.

 

[FlexGunship]

Should I be leaving the TV on while I'm at work? Would that help her not feel lonely? I have no idea if she is lonely, but I would be.

 

[Stephen Tashi]

So she's long haired. Does she have thick legs and big feet? I'm cat sitting such a cat - a Norwegian Forrest cat. They are very talkative.

I doubt TV will keep a cat company. Cats have exceptional hearing. It might mask sounds that disturb her if there are any.

Does she have a good "perch" in front of a window? Most cats like to look out windows, especially if they can see other animals outside. Don't open the window unless you're sure she won't claw through the screen. The ideal window perch would also be a place where she would feel hidden.

 

[Math Is Hard]

So she's long haired. Does she have thick legs and big feet? I'm cat sitting such a cat - a Norwegian Forrest cat. They are very talkative.

Yah, my Skogkatt never shuts up. :)

 

[Math Is Hard]

Okay, my new nutty cat obsession is combining with my olde-tyme engineering obsession to create a wallet-obliterating combo-attack on my bank account.

Hey Flex, have you seen these Cat Exercise Wheels? I always wanted to build one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_2qYNadEYg&feature=related

 

[turbo]

My cousin's Siamese "talked" all of the time. Simon was one chatty cat, especially when he wanted attention. And when he was upset about something, the whole house would know - he'd make these "yowling" noises until somebody figured out why he was upset and help settle him down. He was quite a sweetie, though. I would have kidnapped him (in contrast to my sister's cats, which I would have given up to a shelter in a heartbeat) because he was so calm and collected. Some cats are quite flighty and unpredictable - not Simon.

 

[turbo]

Hey Flex, have you seen these Cat Exercise Wheels? I always wanted to build one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_2qYNadEYg&feature=related

Wow! Hamster-wheels for cats!