I've been a volunteer adoption counselor in a Petsmart store for three years. I've never had a black cat but I've known several in the adoption room. I think they've all been pretty sweet and quick to adapt to the stress of the room and living in a cage. I've also found them more amenable to a...
You haven't mentioned whether you have taken him to the vet since you adopted him. I feel for you since we had a problem with our tuxedo, Murray when I adopted him. I thought he would be a good playmate for our older cat, Maggie. We had just lost our 16 year old Leonard. Murray started chasing...
He's telling you to start feeding raw food and ditch the dry stuff. There's a forum on here about how to do it. I buy a commercial brand called RAD but it isn't widely available in the USA. My cat Murray really loves it.
Are there any groups in your area that trap-neuter-release feral cats? They might be able to lend you a trap and show you how to use it. There may be other sources of traps in your area. Use the smelly food as the lure and cover the trap. Good luck.
Try to work in some play time with your cats too. There is a good web site called petobesityprevention.com
It is very good that you want to reduce your cat's weight now. It will extend their life considerably.
I don't think it is a prison either. I've had to confine our 14 year old Maggie to our bedroom when we got Murray three years ago. Murray was in his terrible twos and immediately chased and attacked Maggie after they were introduced. We've done almost every Jackson Galaxy trick to make it work...
I think the first thing to do is to have him checked by your vet. Peeing outside the box is often a sign the cat may have a UTI.
Does he get wet food or dry food or both? It would be helpful to have more information.
I've had something similar when I introduced Murray at age 2, to Maggie, who was 11. We had just lost our cat Leonard, who was 16.
I think Murray was having terrible two's when we got him. Although we tried the slow introduction, it didn't last long enough. Murray was chasing and attacking...
I use the Kitty Holster that fastens with Velcro. Maggie walks on a leash with no attempts to wriggle out. Murray has to be watched very closely. He can back his way out of it. The Kitty Holster comes with good instructions about training your cat to a leash. You can get it in several colors and...
I hope you can work on finding a different place to live for you and your cat. Is there a damage deposit required where you now live? I'd hate to see you be evicted for violating a rental agreement.
Can you promise to keep him indoors and safe from the dog? It sounds like the dog has suddenly taken center stage and the cat is an afterthought. How did his leg get broken? I hope you have some say in saving him. It's a sad outcome if the cat has to be put down because the cat was allowed...
Jackson Galaxy talked about training your cat to let you sleep on his web site this week. It's a common problem. The hardest part is to ignore your cat's meows.
I have a friend who has five cats and a baby who is 10 months old. They have a two story house that is all carpet except the kitchen and bathrooms. They just got a Roomba and love it. She said it really helps with keeping the carpet clean of cat hair. Her baby and the cats get along very well.
I volunteer for a no-kill shelter in Washington called Purrfect Pals. I'm an adoption counselor at a Petsmart adoption room. It is sad that people get their cat declawed and then surrender it when it develops litter box issues. We had one cat who had been declawed on all four feet. She was...