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Archive through December 02, 2005

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Dec. ~ 2006 Feb.: Hairball Haven: Cats (ARCHIVES): Archive through December 02, 2005 users admin

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Watching2
Member

07-07-2001

Saturday, November 26, 2005 - 8:14 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Watching2 a private message Print Post    
Yep, right you are, Costa! That's why I like the Frontline Plus - it deals with the eggs, too.

Also, a couple of times when either myself or my mom had a problem it was in the FALL here in the east when it got cold outside and they weren't a bother at all in the summer. It's like they grabbed on whatever they could to get inside for the warmth and it was also really bad at my mom's in the fall AND after her kitty passed away. It took months to totally get rid of it all and I was getting room sprays, etc., from the vet, not the over-the-counter kind. Was so glad when we finally got it under control. At the time I had kids who would sit on her floor and get all bit up and then I'd be stripping my clothes off at the back entryway so as to not bring them in MY house... what a trip.. a bad one!

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 9:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
I've already vaccuumed twice but eggs can encyst and go dormant so you also want to go stomping around to get them hatched and dead.. but yeah the frontline plus is said to kill eggs too, probably through dessication.

AND it didn't stink so the cats had no complaints in that area :-)

I bought a six pack which also got me a free seventh application and it seemed to be a bit less expensive than anything at Petco. My Petco didn't have the frontline plus for cats.

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 1:20 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
Ok fellow cat people/owners, I need some advice about my cat Boo. Two weeks ago, Boo pee'd in my bed. Her litterbox was dirty so I thought it might be that. For the rest of the week, I had no problems; I also got a new litterbox, one with very high walls that required Boo to jump over (she has a tendency to pee outside the box.)

I then went away for Thanksgiving, arriving back home last night. Upon entering the bedroom, I saw that she had urinated on the bed again. But not once, several times at least (5 or 6 times.)

What's going on??? She's NEVER pee'd in my bed like this before; NEVER. I do have a vet appointment coming up so I plan to talk with her but, I was wondering if you all had any suggestions.

I got rid of the high walled litterbox (thinking that may be part of it) and got one that I had way before (and had no problems with other than her going outside the box on occassion.) But, I'm keeping my bedroom door shut for the time being too.

I cannot for the life of me figure out why she is doing this? Why she went the first time two weeks ago and why when I was away? I've been away before with absolutely no problems. Two years ago I was gone for two weeks.

I'm not mad at her or anything; but, it is a little frustating (and a tad gross) to have my cat peeing in my bed.

Any suggestions etc. would be most welcome.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 1:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
sometimes they do that if they have a urinary infecttion...and sometimes they do it cuz they are pissed off!!! have you been giving her as much attention as you usually do..if so..then take her to vet and have her ckeed

Good luck keep us posted

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 2:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Urinary infection is my first thought. Your vet will be able to get her on antibiotics and special food. Good luck.

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 2:22 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
I'll tell ya, I'm hoping it's a urinary infection because I don't like having to keep her out of the bedroom. She likes to sleep on the end of the bed. It's what I thought of first, frankly.

I have an upcoming appointment so I'll let you all know what's up. Of course, if she's just pissed off at me well, then...I dunno. Heh.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Sunday, November 27, 2005 - 4:03 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Wends, it's good you're taking your Boo to the vet. Rule out any medical issues first (UTI does come to mind). But since the episodes were two weeks apart...

Have you changed your schedule lately? Have you had company? Has anything changed in your life that would affect your little monster?

The fact that Boo pee'd several times while you were gone -- and there is no medical reason for it -- probably indicates that she was upset at you for leaving, and was "getting even." Cats generally don't eliminate where they play, eat, or sleep, though. So if she is getting even, it's one heckuva message! What part of the bed does Boo sleep in?

If she's upset with you, then you'll need to take steps to apologize to her! Maybe spend a bit more time with her? Give her more treats? New toys? Bribe her! <wink>

For your litter box, is it an enclosed litter box? If not, you may want to consider getting one. They have regular walls, so they are easy to get into. Costa is a corner pee-er, and I know he'd be pee-ing outside the box, by accident, if it wasn't covered.

Watching2
Member

07-07-2001

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 12:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Watching2 a private message Print Post    
Wendo - Please let us know what your vet has to say. I did have one cat who peeed outside the box, but she did it on the rug in the basement and it was a common occurence with her. She did it when something scared her or upset her.

The only time my other cat Jade ever peed on me was the first time when she got poisoned from the flea dip I put on her and was having neurological symptoms and the last times were when her kidney disease was getting bad. A UTI would do that, too. I hope it's as simple as giving her some antibiotics and all will be well!

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 2:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
Thanks everyone for posting suggestions, they were very helpful when I met with my vet today. (I was able to move my appointment earlier to today.)

Boo does not have a urinary infection, which is good. However, her urinating in my bed appears to be a behavior issue. My vet thinks it's the new featherbed I got recently. Apparently, cats dig texture and she thinks that the additional puffiness of the featherbed on top of my down comforter is comforting to Boo.

As a result, she may be kneeding which in turn may be leading to her peeing on the bed. She does not think she's pissed at me; my vet doesn't think cats are able to partake in revenge; ie: pissed at me so, pee in my bed.

She suggested an additional litterbox for her; that will be going in the bathroom. She also suggested a cheap shower curtain to drape over the bed to see what Boo will do when I leave the bedroom door open.

Lastly, from now on when I leave on vacation etc., I will be shutting the bedroom door. I hate to do it, but I just can't trust Boo not to pee on the bed for the time being.

Costa, we did go through a couple of new litterboxes recently. However, her main box is now back to the kind she liked so if that was causing a problem, it's been rectified. The only other change has been the new featherbed.

Shadoe
Member

11-04-2004

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 2:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Shadoe a private message Print Post    
Wendo - I can just picture Boo sitting back all smug and stuff, watching you jump through hoops, putting the litter box back and correcting your bedding faux pas.
That'll teach you for changing stuff that did NOT need changing.

Now don't go changing anything on Boo anymore and forget about making changes to Boo's bed (you didn't think of it as YOUR bed, did you?)

I hope Boo is happier now and the issue is resolved.

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 4:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
I think I have to disagree with your vet, Wendo. I do think cats can think revenge. I know Costa used to think of ways to foil me all the time. And he's got great analytical powers... figuring out where mom stores the treats, jumping on the counter, opening the cupboard door, pulling the treats down. I think your vet is not giving Boo all the credit she deserves.

But I bet she's right about the feather bed. Can you tell if it looks like she's been "digging"?

Halfunit
Moderator

09-02-2001

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 5:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Halfunit a private message Print Post    
Wendo, this is interesting to me - I had a cat who peed on the bed and I couldn't figure out why.

After reading your post, it dawned on me that I had a down comforter on the bed. Once I found out the cat was urinating on the comforter, I would fold it up and put it under my pillow before I left for work and that solved my problem. I just never knew why she preferred the comforter - now I think I do!

I realize you can't do that with a featherbed, but I wonder if there are easier 'obstacles' than the shower curtain... maybe the curtain is easy though. Keep us posted!


Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 8:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Forgot to mention... I would hesitate to say it's cause the cat loves the feather bed (or down comforter) and starts to kneed, and then urinates. Cats usually are pretty fastidious; they are not gonna eliminate where they like to snooze. But they are tactile in that they will dig and enjoy the feel of something under their paws. That's why I think Boo has peed on the bed.

Heck, Kassie climbs into my lap and starts kneeding my stomach. And gets this look of absolute and total kitty bliss on her face. No way is she gonna just let go a wet one in my lap! She's in kitty bliss but she's not lost control of her faculties! (Thank heavens! :-))

Gina8642
Member

06-01-2001

Monday, November 28, 2005 - 11:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Gina8642 a private message Print Post    
I have a down comforter and I used to have a nice down coat. Both are/were big cat attractants. My kitties will stand on them and dig - just like they do in a litter box. Neither was ever peed on, but I sure used to grab the coat away and hang it up. Sounds like the down bed may have just been too much temptation.

(Actually, come to think of it. My old kitty peed on the down comforter of my subletter. LOL. He was a terrible subletter, so I never felt that bad about it... But it did happen, I don't know all the details...)

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 11:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
LOL! You guys are a riot.

Costa, my vet is but one opinion in a world of many. For all I know my cat is full of revenge and peeing on my bed is one way to get me. I've been keeping the door shut though. However, the feather bed is not yet back in place. I did shower with the door open and no accidents were had.

Once I do put the feather bed back on the bed I'll throw the shower curtain over it and see what happens. Personally, I think the tactile sensation of the feather bed (along with whatever odor is emits) triggered my cat Boo to pee away, regardless of the fact she slept on the bed too.

One thing I did notice, she did not pee on the the right front part of the bed, the area where she sleeps most often. She's not stupid, that's for sure.

Boo doesn't have front claws so it's impossible for me to tell she's been digging. However, I have seen her dig into my bed often; especially before she lays down (this is pre-featherbed too.) I imagine the addition of the feather bed made the experience that much more enticing.

The vet gave me a handout for cats who eliminate inappropriately (ie: all over ones bed. Heh.) I'll read through that and go from there.

I am thinking of putting the featherbed down on the mattress and then putting my mattress pad over it. Perhaps that will change it enough for Boo not to pee on it. Before, it was mattress pad over mattress with the featherbed on top (sheet covering featherbed.) Maybe reversing the order will fix it?

It's funny though; how changing a few things all of a sudden changed Boo's behavior. Cats sure are odd creatures. LOL!

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 8:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Duh. Wouldn't putting the mattress pad over the feather bed defeat the purpose of the feather bed? Even if it foils Boo, I'm a-thinkin' Boo got her revenge! <wink>

And yeah, they are odd creatures. And creatures of habit. If a chair is so much as 2" out of place, Kassie does a belly crawl (with the longest neck you've ever seen) as she goes to investigate. For cryin' out loud, girl, it's the same chair that's been here since before you were born! But oh, no, it's moved, and now it's like she's never seen it. Costa, of course, could care less.

Cats. Gotta love 'em! (As I sit here getting head butted!)

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 9:15 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
Well, the whole point of the featherbed was for poofiness; I figure it'll still be poofy under the mattress pad. The pad itself isn't that thick. But, you've got a point, sort of defeats the purpose of the featherbed. Hmmm. Must ponder this more.

Love my cat, for sure. However, she's crying outside of the closed bedroom door right now. Gee, you think she wants in? LOL!

Costacat
Member

07-15-2000

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 7:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Costacat a private message Print Post    
Hehehe... yeah, I thought poofiness was the point. Which is what Boo likes, too. Poofy.

So didya let her in last night? Poor baby! :-)

Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 10:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
Boo's allowed into the bedroom when I'm in there. But the door gets shut other times (for now.)

So, yeah, I let her in, when I went to bed. LOL!

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 1:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landi a private message Print Post    
from: chicken for the cat lover's soul

Oscar, the Garbage-Can Kitty
By Kathleen Kennedy

Oscar was named after the Sesame Street character who lives in a garbage can because that is where we first became acquainted. I was working at a pizza-delivery chain and had been assigned garbage duty. While tossing bags into a Dumpster, I heard a faint meow. I began digging through the trash, and several layers down I found a cat - bruised and thin. I wasn't sure if the cat had crawled into the Dumpster to scavenge for food or if he had been put there purposely. Our establishment sat directly behind an apartment complex, and unsupervised and abandoned pets were common.

Back on solid ground, it became evident that the cat had an injured leg. He couldn't put any weight on his right hindquarters. The situation created a dilemma for me. Finances were tight, and I was moving back home to my parents' house - with two cats already in tow. Dad barely tolerated the two established felines. His reaction to another injured stray was sure to be less than receptive.

I took the stray to the vet, hoping to patch him up. After shots and X-rays, the vet discovered the cat had a cracked pelvis. I posted notices, hoping someone would claim the cat or adopt him.

Meanwhile, the response at home was swift and firm: No more cats! Dad insisted I take the cat to the Humane Society immediately. I protested that the cat would be put to sleep. Luckily, my mother intervened. She agreed the injury would make the cat unadoptable, so we would keep him long enough for his hip to heal. Then he would have to go - no arguments.

Oscar must have somehow understood his situation. He seemed to study the other two cats and their interactions with my father. We suspect he bribed Tanner, our golden retriever, with table scraps in exchange for etiquette lessons. When the other cats were aloof, Oscar was attentive. He came when his name was called, and he would roll over on his back to have his belly scratched. As his injury began to heal, he would jump on the ottoman by my father's favorite chair, and, eventually, into his lap. Initially, Dad pushed Oscar away, but persistence paid off. Soon, Oscar and a muttering Dad shared the chair.

At mealtimes, Oscar would come to sit with us. Positioned on the floor by my father's chair, every so often Oscar would reach up with one paw and tap Dad on the knee. At first, this provoked great irritation and colorful expletives expressed in harsh tones. Oscar, however, refused to be put off. Repetitive knee-taps soon led to semi-covert handouts of choice morsels.

Oscar greeted my father at the top of the stairs every morning and waited for him at the door every evening. My father sometimes ignored Oscar, and, at other times, stepped over him, complaining the whole time. Oscar mastered opening doors by sticking his paw underneath the door and rocking it back and forth until it opened. Soon, he was sleeping in the master bedroom at the foot of the bed. My father was completely disgusted, but couldn't stop the cat from sneaking onto the bed while they were sleeping. Eventually, Dad gave up.

Before long, Oscar, aspiring to his own place at the table during meals, began jumping up into my lap. He was allowed to stay as long as his head remained below table level. Of course, an occasional paw would appear as a reminder of his presence.

Three months passed, and the vet pronounced Oscar healthy and healed. I was heartbroken. How could I take this loving soul away from what had become his home, from the people he trusted? Sick at heart, I brought Oscar home and told my parents what should have been good news: Oscar was a healthy cat with a healed hip. "I'll take him to the Humane Society like I promised," I said dully.

As I turned to put Oscar in the carrier for the trip, my father spoke, uttering three magic words: "Not my cat!"

Oscar is home to stay. He now has his own chair at the table and sleeps - where else? - in the master bedroom between my mother and father. He is their official "grand-kitten" and living proof that deep within the most unlikely heart, there is a cat lover in all of us.


Wendo
Member

08-07-2000

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 2:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wendo a private message Print Post    
Great story Landi. Thanks for posting.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 3:59 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
God bless the Oscars of the world.

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 4:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landi a private message Print Post    
i hate to hit you guys with two in one day, but this one is a crackup!

Jaws, the Terror
By Carol Shenold

I've never met another cat like Jaws, my sister Susan's eccentric, eighteen-pound, black-and-white feline. His Batman mask and the black heart on his chest are unusual, but it's his off-kilter personality that definitely makes him stand out.

When I visit Susan, I usually sleep on the couch. One morning, I woke up to Jaws stomping up my chest. Then he socked me on the chin.

Later, over breakfast, I said, "Susan, I don't think your cat likes me. He just socked me on the chin."

Susan laughed. "Oops, I forgot to tell you! That's his way of telling you that he's hungry. He only does that on mornings that he hasn't already helped himself to the food in the refrigerator in the middle of the night. I blamed my poor husband for years," sighed Susan. "Hard-boiled eggs disappeared, shells and all; food scattered everywhere."

Susan said she discovered the true culprit when she stayed up one evening until midnight baking brownies for her daughter's school program. The next morning, the refrigerator door hung open, and the brownie pan lay on the floor, with the foil cover chewed open from the middle and brownies all over the floor. Jaws sat up like a prairie dog, looking back over his shoulder at her. "Talk about looking like the 'cat who ate the canary,'" Susan laughed.

Jaws also adores bubbles. If anyone leaves a glass of soda unguarded, Jaws sticks his paw in to feel the fizz, leaving the drinker with a hairy soda. Toilet paper is another favorite. If left alone, Jaws can decorate an entire house with an unbroken roll.

But back to the bubbles. One evening, I decided to soak in a nice, hot bubble bath. I went into the bathroom and closed the door. Big mistake. To Jaws, a closed door means: "Challenge!" He slipped his paws underneath the bathroom door and rattled it until he drove me nuts and I let him in. I finished running the bath and got in while Jaws hung his paws over the side of the tub, stirring the bubbles. My long, soothing bath became a battle of wills between Mr. Blackheart and me. He wanted to slap at all the bubbles. I wanted to finish my bath without him falling in.

The next day, I figured I'd solve the problem by taking a shower. Even if I had to let Jaws in, there would be no bubbles. Jaws wasn't happy about this, and he let me know it. I lathered up my hair with shampoo as the warm, relaxing water flowed over my body. Flush! went the toilet. I quickly moved to the side and readied myself for the inevitable. The next thing I knew, my nice warm shower had turned into a scalding stream. What's the matter with those kids? I asked myself. Can't they see someone's in here?

Avoiding the hot water, I hurried to wash the soap out of my eyes. But it was too late. Flush! Flush! And flush again! Teeth gritted, I leaped out of the shower. And, there, balancing on the edge of the commode, was Jaws. He almost grinned at me as he continued to flush - in apparent protest of the lack of bubbles. As an extra bonus, he gleefully watched the water swirl around as it went down.

In spite of everything, I had to laugh. Of all Susan's cats, Jaws will always be my favorite. After all, who can resist a cat that smart?


Bandit
Member

07-29-2001

Friday, December 02, 2005 - 7:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Bandit a private message Print Post    
Animals and their internal clocks are so funny:

Every single morning, without fail, if DH doesn't get out of bed right away, our cat Toby will jump on him and yell at him until he gets up. (By yelling I mean, he has these looooong loud meows...it's funny.)

Anyway, last night DH and I were going to bed, and the knob broke off his alarm clock as he was setting it. After he couldn't get it back on, he gave up and said "Oh well, Toby will wake me up."

And sure enough, this morning he did. What a funny little guy!

Seamonkey
Moderator

09-07-2000

Friday, December 02, 2005 - 11:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Seamonkey a private message Print Post    
I'm putting this here for Bunkynut (since it came up at random in the Grey's Anatomy thread and she asked about it)

I ordered this cat/dog grooming tool from QVC. It is only for animals that shed (which my cats certainly do) and is called a FURminator. So far it is doing a really nice job pulling out loose fur and undercoat from Critter..

FURminator