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Cat Forum / General Topics / April 2005Rexie on a diet, and rearranging his food area - potential tip
Long story short - Rexie is 2 1/2 yrs, got him at 3 1/2 - 4wks, unweaned, of course; and I am Mommie. When Rex was a baby he wouldn't eat unless we (or mainly, I) stood next to him and petted. Vet says it was because he'd been separated from natural mom so early (my cousin found the kitties outdoors and talked me into taking one) Since kittens are used to being ON mommy when eating, being petted while eating is a substitute. She told me it could become a habit, but if I wanted to break him of the habit, I had to make sure he ate. As a result, this behavior (his and ours) did become habitual. He'd run into the bedroom to his bowl whenever we approached, for scratching, grooming and petting. When we'd come into the bedroom, he'd automatically jump from the bed to his bowl. So now he's a good 2 1/2 pounds overweight. (from inactivity, not overfeeding - he's an indoor cat and never really scarfed down his food in the first place.) Vet has put him on a good reducing food, measured amounts. His bowl used to be at the foot of our bed, by his tree house. My hubby came up with the idea this weekend, that if we move his bowl from the bedroom to the kitchen, at least he'd have to walk further to his bowl, thus getting a little exercise. Monday a.m. I checked his bowl - looked like he'd not taken two bites - he knew the bowl was there, but the kitchen is cold and he's used to eating on the rug. Last night I left a small light on in the kitchen and put his bowl on a placemat like he'd had in the bedroom. This morning when I checked, he'd eaten most of his food. I'm hoping this will work, and we can get those pounds off. Shirl > So now he's a good 2 1/2 pounds overweight. (from inactivity, not > overfeeding - he's an indoor cat and never really scarfed down his food in [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Shirl How about trying to get him to exercise more? :) Alison Duh! That was the first thing tried. Unfortunately, exercising him turns out to exercise me more. I'm trying to get him hooked on catnip like everyone says, so he'll play more, but he's just never developed a 'smell' for it! Shirl > How about trying to get him to exercise more? :) > Alison > Duh! That was the first thing tried. Unfortunately, exercising him turns out > to exercise me more. I'm trying to get him hooked on catnip like everyone > says, so he'll play more, but he's just never developed a 'smell' for it! > > Shirl Someone told me that only 30% of cats are born with the catnip 'gene'... Don't know if that's true or not... Both of mine LOVE it... But they tend to sleep & lounge around as much as get the 'zoomies' after I give them a 'fix'. Mathew Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat En Vino Veritas > Duh! That was the first thing tried. Unfortunately, exercising him turns out > to exercise me more. I'm trying to get him hooked on catnip like everyone > says, so he'll play more, but he's just never developed a 'smell' for it! > > Shirl BG sorry that was a bit obvious ! I dont know your story. What have you tried so far? My cat doesn't react to catnip but goes crazy for Valerian. Alison Alison, you mean valerian, like the stuff I use as a relaxant, and in stronger form, to curb muscle cramps? The smell of the stuff makes me hold my nose when I take it, so it would stand to reason that an animal would like it! Do you put it in toys or what? Surely they don't eat it! We play with all the little balls, sticks & string w/feathers, etc. Once he catches it, he puts his weight on it so I can't get it back. (Literally, he will put both front paws on the feather or whatever, stare at you like, "this is mine"). Then he likes to chew on the connector between the feather and the string. He's broken more of them than I can count. Shirl > My cat doesn't react to catnip but goes crazy for Valerian. > Alison > Alison, you mean valerian, like the stuff I use as a relaxant, and in > stronger form, to curb muscle cramps? The smell of the stuff makes me hold [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > Shirl Have you tried a "cat dancer"? Karen, what is a cat dancer? I have a little plastic cat that moves around the room, with a mouse on a string protruding from its head. The idea is for Rex to chase it. He just sits and studies it! Shirl >> Alison, you mean valerian, like the stuff I use as a relaxant, and in >> stronger form, to curb muscle cramps? The smell of the stuff makes me [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > Have you tried a "cat dancer"? > Karen, what is a cat dancer? I have a little plastic cat that moves around > the room, with a mouse on a string protruding from its head. The idea is for > Rex to chase it. He just sits and studies it! > > Shirl Shirly: A Cat Dancer is a fairly simple toy, my cats go CRAZY when I bring it out of it's hiding place. It's several small coils of cardboard at the end of a firm but flexible peice of wire. It jumps (dances) around erratically when moved or batted at by cats, the erratic movement whips the feline into a FRENZY. Most pet stores sell them. Here in BC, Canada they cost about $10. If your cat needs more exersize, I highly reccomend this toy. Mathew Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat En Vino Veritas >> Karen, what is a cat dancer? I have a little plastic cat that moves > around [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > Butler to 2 kittens: Chablis & Muscat > En Vino Veritas Yup. but about 4$ here in the states. Rarely is there a cat that can resist it. Thanks, guys, I'll check this out. We have PetSmart, Pet Dept. etc, and if they don't have it I can probably find one online. By the way, look at our website to see a pic of him. The color is a little dark, but that's my boy. That chocolate brown is more of a soft 'mink' color. http://jumi-shirley-butler.com/Rexie-thinking.jpg Again, thanks. Shirl > in article 5OF4e.1600$VF5.1401@edtnps89, Mathew Kagis at > winesnob@telus.net [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > resist > it. > Thanks, guys, I'll check this out. We have PetSmart, Pet Dept. etc, and if > they don't have it I can probably find one online. By the way, look at our [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Shirl He's beautiful!! You can definitely see in the photo that he is a little heavy. I also recommend a Cat Dancer. All of my cats love it and it's cheap. Have you tried a laser pointer? Only one of my cats never showed an interest in it but the others love to chase the red dot. Another favorite toy is the Cat Charmer. It's just a plastic wand with a long piece of multicolored fleece attached to it. It's easier to control than just dangling a plain piece of string and the fleece stretches, which the cats seem to like. -- Liz > Thanks, guys, I'll check this out. We have PetSmart, Pet Dept. etc, and if > they don't have it I can probably find one online. By the way, look at our [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Shirl Beautiful!! Oh, they will have it at those stores easy. > Alison, you mean valerian, like the stuff I use as a relaxant, and in > stronger form, to curb muscle cramps? The smell of the stuff makes me hold > my nose when I take it, so it would stand to reason that an animal would > like it! Do you put it in toys or what? Surely they don't eat it!>>. I've taken it too ; it's taste absolutely foul. You can put a couple of drops in the cat's water bowl of sprinkle a couple of drops on their bedding. I put some drops on Kim's bedding as I didn't want to put her of drinking the water. She didnt really react to it until I accidently got some on my hand and she sniffed it and started rolling around on her back etc. I decided to stick with the Feliway diffuser. Alison I'll check that out, thanks. Shirl I decided to stick with the Feliway diffuser. > Alison Alison, FYI, the valerian I take is in capsul form. It's called Formula 303. Still stinks, but if you keep the bottle downwind when you open it, then hold your breath when popping them into your mouth and swallowing water, it's not too bad!! Shirl >> Alison, you mean valerian, like the stuff I use as a relaxant, and > in [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > around on her back etc. I decided to stick with the Feliway diffuser. > Alison > Alison, FYI, the valerian I take is in capsul form. It's called Formula 303. > Still stinks, but if you keep the bottle downwind when you open it, then > hold your breath when popping them into your mouth and swallowing water, > it's not too bad!! > > Shirl That would be a better way to take it . I bought Dorwest Herbs' veterinary organic valerian compound in liquid form for the pets and then read it was good for people so tried it . If I have to go to the dentist or doctors , I put some drops on my tongue. Alison | Duh! That was the first thing tried. Unfortunately, exercising him turns out | to exercise me more. I'm trying to get him hooked on catnip like everyone | says, so he'll play more, but he's just never developed a 'smell' for it! | | Shirl Have you tried a laser pointer yet? Carola I've wanted to get one, but my hubby is a little afraid it'll hurt Rexie's eyes if we accidentally flash it across them. Have you heard of any problems in that area? Shirl > Have you tried a laser pointer yet? > > Carola : I've wanted to get one, but my hubby is a little afraid it'll hurt Rexie's : eyes if we accidentally flash it across them. Have you heard of any problems : in that area? : : Shirl I think one can be careful. And I guess the toy laser pointers they sell to kids can't be that dangerous. We've never had a problem because you usually move the dot on the floor away from the cat, and up the wall which is special fun! Carola > : I've wanted to get one, but my hubby is a little afraid it'll hurt Rexie's > : eyes if we accidentally flash it across them. Have you heard of any [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Carola Indeed, why is it that the "red dot on the wall! red dot on the wall!" is the most intriiiguing thing. It seems that they can't resist it if it goes up the wall. > Indeed, why is it that the "red dot on the wall! red dot on the wall!" is > the most intriiiguing thing. It seems that they can't resist it if it goes > up the wall. I would like to see it as they see it. It certainly seems compelling!  Signaturehttp://www.slywy.com/ I can attest to this--Nina almost gallops UP the wall in pursuit of the red dot greebling. She and her mother come to "full alert" the minute I so much as touch the toy. =o) It's good for hours of entertainment, and you'll lose interest before they will. Melissa > Duh! That was the first thing tried. Unfortunately, exercising him turns out > to exercise me more. I'm trying to get him hooked on catnip like everyone [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >>How about trying to get him to exercise more? :) >> Alison Maybe he has never really learnt to play. If you have had him since he was soo little and he sees you as mummy he wouldent have learned the same hunting and playing skills as a normal cat. You need to get some great toys and teach him how to play, gonna take a lot of excercise and more time from you but when he gets the idea he should be able to do it himself!! SignatureBadger Badger Badger You know, in a way that's true. He does crouch and hunt, kind of. But when he plays with Jim, he'll play like he's going to attack (lurking around a corner, etc), but then he lets it go. I did fail miserably in the litter box area. He uses it faithully but doesn't do a good job of covering the mess! He'll jump at a stick with string, (but lately, not as high - that's probably the extra weight). One of his favorite things to do, after he's destroyed one of the stick/string things, is to use it as a battering ram. See this URL - The pix are about a year old, but you get the idea! http://jumi-shirley-butler.com/planning_his_maneuver.htm Shirl > Maybe he has never really learnt to play. If you have had him since he > was soo little and he sees you as mummy he wouldent have learned the same > hunting and playing skills as a normal cat. You need to get some great > toys and teach him how to play, gonna take a lot of excercise and more > time from you but when he gets the idea he should be able to do it > himself!! > One of his favorite things to do, after he's destroyed one of the > stick/string things, is to use it as a battering ram. See this URL - The pix > are about a year old, but you get the idea! > http://jumi-shirley-butler.com/planning_his_maneuver.htm > > Shirl Wow. I am many days late in getting to this thread (lotta junk 'round these parts lately, eh? ;) ) but I can't believe how much darker he got with age! I have only had Jasper since August and he is around 14, so I don't know what he looked like as a young spry guy, but I'm sure much lighter and boy do I wish I had some pictures of him from back then :) http://public.fotki.com/kitkatluna/miscellaneous/jasper_dudley/dscf0008.html Pam > > One of his favorite things to do, after he's destroyed one of the > > stick/string things, is to use it as a battering ram. See this URL - The pix [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > :) http://public.fotki.com/kitkatluna/miscellaneous/jasper_dudley/dscf0008.html > Pam Awww! Classically beautiful face!! Hugs, CatNipped Pam, Jaspar is gorgeous. I love his angular face. So exotic! If you want to get sick of Rexie, check out his site. I make hubby sick that I take so many pix of my baby, but . . . . . . . ! http://cards.webshots.com/cp-97658792-LQFd-album/255873683SwWQZJ SignatureShirley B. Reply to: twobutlers@excite.com PIX OF REXIE: http://cards.webshots.com/cp-97658792-LQFd-album/255873683SwWQZJ AND OUR HOMEPAGE: http://jumi-shirley-butler.com > Wow. I am many days late in getting to this thread (lotta junk 'round > these parts lately, eh? ;) ) but I can't believe how much darker he got [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Pam Ok how CUTE is this??? http://community.webshots.com/photo/255873683/319177750VeiVsl > Pam, Jaspar is gorgeous. I love his angular face. So exotic! > [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > > > :) http://public.fotki.com/kitkatluna/miscellaneous/jasper_dudley/dscf0008.html > > Pam "Karen" <kchuplis@nospamalltel.net> had some very interesting things to say about Re: Rexie on a diet, and rearranging his food area - potential tip: >Ok how CUTE is this??? >http://community.webshots.com/photo/255873683/319177750VeiVsl You neglected the kitten fever warning. :-) Signature"The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding. :-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL I used to have two cats, but two years ago, I had to have one put down to kidney problems. Now my youngest (well not really, he's about 8-9yrs now) has taken up a nasty habit of howling, yowling (hard to describe the sound) at every opportunity... It drives me and my partner nuts. We're very busy and we try to spend time with him and make a big fuss when we're not working but it just won't stop. He will be sleeping on the bed with me, then get up, go to the end of the hallway (at other end of house) and let out a howl that's enough to stand the hairs up on the back of your neck... We don't want to get another pet as we want to travel and getting pet sitters is hard and expensive... So I'm afraid he's going to have to stay alone... Any suggestions on how to stop him from howling like he's being tortured? He's very spoilt with his food and he gets lots of cuddles and time outside but apparently it's not enough.... Help please... SignatureKashia (*)(*) ---- "Oh Bother", said Pooh as he hid Piglet's mangled corpse....." >I used to have two cats, but two years ago, I had to have one put down > to kidney problems. [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > outside > but apparently it's not enough.... Get him to the vet immediately. Percy started doing this just before he died of kidney failure. I had never had a sick cat before, and had never had a male cat before, so I didn't know why he was yowling and I waited a couple of days to take him - and by the time I did it was too late. Hugs, CatNipped > Help please... > Get him to the vet immediately. Percy started doing this just before he > died of kidney failure. I had never had a sick cat before, and had never > had a male cat before, so I didn't know why he was yowling and I waited a > couple of days to take him - and by the time I did it was too late. In addition, sometimes hyperthyroid cats vocalize excessively. Mine did until she received treatment. It is vet time, though. >>I used to have two cats, but two years ago, I had to have one put down >>to kidney problems. [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > CatNipped ummm he's been doing this since almost directly after the other cat was put down..... he's a healthy weight and drinks enough water.... i swear he's part siamese... well technically he's part burmese... would this make a difference? SignatureKashia (*)(*) ---- "Oh Bother", said Pooh as he hid Piglet's mangled corpse....." : >>We don't want to get another pet as we want to travel and getting pet : >>sitters [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] : i swear he's part siamese... well technically he's part burmese... : would this make a difference? Does a pet sitter cost more if you have two cats? I don't think so. That's why I'll get one if I go away, plus the mail will be looked after too. Catteries would be double the cost of course. About the cost of food: I find with two cats I can buy bigger/better value packs, at the end it works out about the same as for one cat. The double cost is the vet, yes, but then again you can have a cheap healthy cat or an expensive one, so it's a risk anyway. Carola >>> I used to have two cats, but two years ago, I had to have one put down >>> to kidney problems. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] > i swear he's part siamese... well technically he's part burmese... > would this make a difference? I will say Sugar has been much more vocal since Grant died. Also, my friend's one cat went missing for three weeks. The other cat would howl every single night when they went to bed. I mean howl. The other cat was finally found and the howling stopped immediately. It could be a sign of grief and missing the other cat. But Iwould sure want to have a vet check just to make sure. >>>>I used to have two cats, but two years ago, I had to have one put down >>>>to kidney problems. [quoted text clipped - 40 lines] > grief and missing the other cat. But Iwould sure want to have a vet check > just to make sure. i did, cause i too thought there was something wrong with him. the vet tried some mild sedatives on him but it only partially worked so i stopped using them... i suppose i have to put up with it or get another cat, but my partner doesn't want anymore pets... oh well... thanks for all the advice... SignatureKashia (*)(*) ---- "Oh Bother", said Pooh as he hid Piglet's mangled corpse....." >>>I used to have two cats, but two years ago, I had to have one put down >>>to kidney problems. [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > i swear he's part siamese... well technically he's part burmese... > would this make a difference? Siamese tend to vocalize a lot, and he could be missing his buddy. But if it is a *change* in behavior, that warrants a vet visit. Cats are masters at hiding their pain, so the first thing you should always do is check with your vet to rule out physical problems, and then once you've done that you can work on changing unwanted behavior. BTW, drinking plenty of water doesn't necessarily mean that the kidneys are OK - sometimes it is even a sign of kidney problems. Hugs, CatNipped >>>>I used to have two cats, but two years ago, I had to have one put down >>>>to kidney problems. [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > > CatNipped i know, my other cat had kidney problems (drinking up to 2ltrs a day)... that's why he was put down... SignatureKashia (*)(*) ---- "Oh Bother", said Pooh as he hid Piglet's mangled corpse....." > i know, my other cat had kidney problems (drinking up to 2ltrs a day)... > that's why he was put down... I'm sorry for your loss. Well then, if you know it's not a physical problem then I would suggest any or all of the following; 1) Play with him a lot right before bed to tire him out. 2) Feed him right before you go to bed after 1) 3) Use ear plugs and a hepa filter or some other form of "white noise" after 1) and 2) Hugs, CatNipped >>i know, my other cat had kidney problems (drinking up to 2ltrs a day)... >>that's why he was put down... [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > Hugs, > CatNipped LOL... i like no 3... SignatureKashia (*)(*) ---- "Oh Bother", said Pooh as he hid Piglet's mangled corpse....." >>>i know, my other cat had kidney problems (drinking up to 2ltrs a day)... >>>that's why he was put down... [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > LOL... i like no 3... Well, I don't have a cat who howls, but I do have a DH (Dear Husband) who snores - *LOUDLY*! ;> Hugs, CatNipped >>>>i know, my other cat had kidney problems (drinking up to 2ltrs a day)... >>>>that's why he was put down... [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > CatNipped Hey catnipped, My DH snores like craszy too, but due to his Tenitus (Sp?) (A constant ringing in the ears), I can't use any white noise products. Any other suggestions other than sleeping in seperate rooms? We tried that but he is so loud that it echoes throughout the house. "CatNipped" <lcrews@houston.rr.com> had some very interesting things to say about Re: I have a Question: >Well, I don't have a cat who howls, but I do have a DH (Dear Husband) who >snores - *LOUDLY*! ;> So do I. One of us moving to the sofa doesn't always help, either. Signature"The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding. :-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL > "CatNipped" <lcrews@houston.rr.com> had some very interesting things > to say about Re: I have a Question: [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > So do I. One of us moving to the sofa doesn't always help, either. Yep, when we moved into the new house DH took the upstairs bedroom on the left side of the house and I took the downstairs bedroom on the right side of the house and we're *finally* able to sleep peacefully at night! Hugs, CatNipped Signature"The only thing necessary for the triumph of stupidity is for smart (wo)men to do nothing." -CatNipped > :-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL I agree that it's vet time, but have heard also that sometimes a cat that is loosing it's hearing may do this so maybe the vet could check that too. PatM > I agree that it's vet time, but have heard also that sometimes a cat > that is loosing it's hearing may do this so maybe the vet could check > that too. PatM no his hearing is just fine... whenever i open something in the human food variety he likes to get very much underfoot... SignatureKashia (*)(*) ---- "Oh Bother", said Pooh as he hid Piglet's mangled corpse....." > Pam, Jaspar is gorgeous. I love his angular face. So exotic! > > If you want to get sick of Rexie, check out his site. I make hubby sick that > I take so many pix of my baby, but . . . . . . . ! > http://cards.webshots.com/cp-97658792-LQFd-album/255873683SwWQZJ Oh boy! Who could get sick of THAT little face?!!! I just sat there and looked at pic after pic after pic and said "hee. hee. hee! heee heee! aww! heee hee!" Good thing my husband is in the other room and doesn't have to listen to me. Oh, and Jasper says thanks for the compliments! ;) Pam least he'd have to walk further to his bowl, thus >getting a little exercise. > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > >Shirl Try the old string on the end of a stick trick they can't resist the ribbon or paper or whatever, it's quite entertaining also Darryl > least he'd have to walk further to his bowl, thus Snip > Try the old string on the end of a stick trick they can't resist the > ribbon or > paper or whatever, it's quite entertaining also > > Darryl That, string on the end of a stick, is my cats favorite above all others. That and ping pong balls, toilet paper cores and paper towel cores. I may be willing to try the cat dancer though. Everything else they have snubbed. Oh yeah, they love paper grocery bags also. like to hide in them. Stone http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stoneman72/my_photos >> least he'd have to walk further to his bowl, thus > Snip [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Stone > http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stoneman72/my_photos Cats like crinkly sounds. Persia goes nuts over those crinkly mylar balls they sell at PetCo. I had to buy the BIG ones because the small ones kept disappearing after being batted underneath the sofa. Jill : > That, string on the end of a stick, is my cats favorite above all : > others. That and ping pong balls, toilet paper cores and paper towel [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] : > Stone : > http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stoneman72/my_photos Oh, what a beautiful cat! It's not purebred is it? Mine usually don't play anymore once they're around 10 months old :-( But then they're outdoors and get a lot of stimulation; this might be the reason why. A new thing I've introduced is that I have a box of catmints (with no sugar!) beside my bed. Every morning a get some furball attention recently because of that - it usually lasts until they've got two treats ... Carola |
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