User post: Need some advice

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  Posted by Rowdygirl Thu Mar 26, 2009 7:57am PDT

  My cat Sissie is an only child, so I know where you're coming from. :)

  She's thin so her weight isn't an issue, but I know that she needs exercise just the same. I got her one of those plastic round doo-dads with a ball in the track. She ignored it for the longest time, but she loves it now. She has even managed to get the ball out twice ! I have no idea how she did it and I would have loved to see her face when it happened. She didn't have another cat to play with, so I think she was confused at first about playing by herself and it took awhile for her to start throwing her stuff around. She has balls with bells in them, fuzzy little mice and other animals and she really gets wild with those things.

  If your girl is shy, you may have to get interactive with your kitty. Get some toys with hanging bells, or strings and play with her. It took awhile for my girl to get with it, but now when she wants to play, she will start running back and forth from where I am to where her toys are until I get the hint and go and play with her.

  Have fun !

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  Posted by opiniononly Thu Mar 26, 2009 8:53am PDT

  I agree with Rowdygirl. Start playing with her and get her lots of toys. The exercise will help with weight control. A second cat may not be the answer and might actually bring about negative behavior changes, like not using the litter box (and plan on having at least one more if you decide to have two cats).

  That being said, I am a firm believer in multiple pets. Adopt a new cat from a reputable shelter or from someone you know who has a track record of providing health care to their pets. Talk to your vet about the best way to introduce a new cat/kitten into the house as well as the best cat breeds to consider (or avoid). Expect some pushback from Mocha, since you will really be disrupting her world. Good luck.

  BTW: no matter how much you love your pets, the loss of one is difficult, regardless of how many others are still with you.

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  Posted by JoKTM Thu Mar 26, 2009 10:20am PDT

  You should have the same number of litter boxes as cats.I agree with everyone else and get some toys you can get her to go after. Everyone says they dont have time to play with their pets buts thats not true. It easy to play with your cat while you watch tv or 30mins b4 you go to bed.

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  Posted by MahLi Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:39am PDT

  Mocha is beautiful! My Tortie shared 17 years with me, and I loved her very much. However, she, too had a weight problem when she was about 8 years old. I became the accidental 'mom' of two 4 week old kittens around that time (they were abandoned under the bushes at my apartment house), and yes, the older cat was mad at me for a bit. But eventually she began playing with the kittens, and gradually shaped up.

  Introducing cats to each other is tricky, especially if the older cat has been an only cat for quite some time. Something that works pretty well is to keep them in separate rooms for a month, letting them get used to the scent of each other without actual confrontation. Shutting the door of the bedroom so that on is there and the other in the living room is usually enough. ( And yes, a litter box for each is a must, even when the whole house is shared) Then, for another week, exchange bedding so the scent exchange is stronger. After that, they'll still spit at each other, but by that time their curiosity takes over, and eventually ( yes it takes a long time) they will at least tolerate each other. There will always be spats - didn't you fight with your brothers and/or sisters?

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  Posted by MahLi Thu Mar 26, 2009 11:42am PDT

  re: the unknown illness factor. I have always adopted kitties from the shelter. Most of the cats at our humane society have been quarantined for a while, and cannot be adopted until they pass the health exams. Check your local vet and ask his advice.

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  Posted by kitkatgurl06 Thu Mar 26, 2009 12:10pm PDT

  If you want your cat to get some exercise then I say you should get her a laser pointer. I got one at my local petsmart and it was the best investment I have ever made. My cat Calypso absolutly loves it and will chase it all across the house. My kids also love it too so they get some exercise chasing it around as well, lol.

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  Posted by Brenda Sue Thu Mar 26, 2009 1:17pm PDT

  Hello Wes,

  First of all check with your vet.

  Does Mocha still have back claws? If she does, trust me, Mocha is not defenseless and she can still bite.

  But another playmate would be a great idea.

  Just introduce them slowly and it will be fine.

  Also get Mocha some toys. Tie something that will dangle from

  a doorknob and catnip will charge her up.

  If you get a new kitten/cat make sure to have it declawed too.

  I think that it would be good for both you and Mocha.

  Good luck and happy feline hunting.

  Brenda S

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  Posted by Silnt Alice Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:20pm PDT

  To slim your kitty down if you have a basement or upstairs put the food their cuz they actually have to take time to go to the food rather then just eating when they are bored. And if you haven't done so already measure and time when you feed your cat, and I heard on cats 101 show that the measurements on the side of the bag are a generalization and not for every cat just so your aware. And toys are a great idea but if you have a lazy fatty cat put some cat nip on them (and i recommend fresh catnip if you can find it or grow it.) The preniped toys i found my cat liked them but not as much as the fresh stuff or the kind you acutally just sprinkled on. And for sure if your getting a new cat get another litter box!!!

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  Posted by jeanne Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:32pm PDT

  WHEN WILL MY COMMENT BE SHOWN?

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  Posted by shorty Fri Mar 27, 2009 9:26am PDT

  ok if it is an inside cat let it outside and fat cats are cute my cant is about five times that cats size

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