Recent Content by werebear

It's never too late to try an introduction again. However, this is a difficult situation, where one cat is allowed to go out, and the kitten is not. Unless you keep the kitten in your room all the time, how are you going to keep the kitten in? And by all means apologize to the older cat. It's...

They can calm down once they realize the food will keep coming. My recent, extremely starved, kitten took four months. Now that yours is headed for the vet, so be sure to let them know of this behavior.

The best way to calm him down is restrict the territory he feels responsible for. Right now it's too vast and he's trying to claim all of it. Is there a room downstairs where he can chill out? He can be reset, but it takes time and patience. And it sounds like he's people oriented, that's a...

She's looking for interaction; thus the interest in reflective surfaces. She wonders if all surfaces do this. The window, at night, is probably reflective. She's asking for the kinds of toys which react when she paws at them. See if you can get her some. Often these cats love the shiny metallic...

Because of the way their claws hook, they have to go down backwards, tushy first. This is not easily learned. Easier, if they see other cats doing it. I've held kittens up to climbing posts or walls and mimicked the downward motions for them so they can get the idea. If they hang at the top and...

Poor little guy! It's sounds like you have the right touch to bring him out of his worries. His own territory and routine will help him. There's nothing to be nipped in the bud; he can only move out from a sense of security, so that, and affection, is what you can provide. Let him move out at...

Vocalizing is usually a sign the cat is saying "it's getting too rough." After all, when you have your head buried in someone's belly, you might not be able to pick up body language as usual. Notice the way kittens play; no matter how rowdy it gets, they are usually silent. I intervene when...

I'm so sorry you have to learn the hard way, but I was laughing over your internal monologues, I think you have it right. The thing to remember is that there's no malice involved; it's no different from someone grabbing you during a scary movie; these practical jokers have often regretted such...

I've known people with allergies who found changing the cat's diet would make a great difference for them. Feeding a lot of protein and fat, and far less carbohydrates than in the typical dry supermarket food, could make a difference. Also, some people feed only raw, but that's a bit trickier...

Right now the bed is an "outpost," where she feels safe. Where is she fed? Where is her litter box? These are also "outposts" that she uses, or you would have mentioned it. Waving a toy around is actually kind of threatening, when you think about it. She doesn't feel safe away from her...

In nature, elimination time is a scary time; the cat is vulnerable and is literally exposed. This is why cats can become fussy about the placement and environment of their litter box. Anyone who has tried to use a bathroom with no lock on the door can identify! So tearing about afterward is...

Well, when my cats do this, they are making a little play; they are asking for drama. Mr. Bond will go out in the hall and wail, as he does when I am away or late. But in this case I'm in bed and he knows it. I call him, saying how much I miss him, and he comes bounding into bed for a cuddle...

Poor Pippen is needier than his brother. And your reaction is only making things worse. Remember his sweetness, because that is part of his personality as well. He needs to be approached as someone who needs a little more love and reassurance, as well as little more coaching about what you...

The mauve paw pads and nose leather are Russian Blue indicators, and can distinguish RB mixes from other gray cats. If you pet the cat and your fingers show up as silver streaks in the fur, that's another indicator. Mixes or not, I've found that if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it...

We've been doing "unnatural" things for centuries, like wearing clothes, so if your cat doesn't care, I don't see why we should. Encourage the cat with praise and attention when he wants to use the toilet. There's resources online with tips and tricks, but it sounds like he's there already...