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Original poster

Cats driving me nuts

68 replies

martysparty99 · 14/12/2020 10:31

Hi all, DW and kids wanted kittens and we kep putting it off for ages but when we moved house we decided it was time. (log story but I had a cat when I was a kid and treated it like a brother, always said id never have another etc) Anyway kids wanted to we got 2, originally it was going to be 1 but kids convinved us to get 2. Yes they were cute at first and they are now 1 yr old. We didnt realise how expensive they are. Now with all this working from home lark im here with them on my own and at times they drive me nuts.

Vet said they are overweight so we assumed we would have to restrict what they eat but everytime they come in they whine for food. We try shutting them out but then feel guilty if its raining etc. We ask the kids to help out with them but only happens we nag, of course they are kids and its obvious that was going to happen.
They come in leave paw prints everywhere, knock over stuff and break it.
Dont get me wrong I am an animal lover but I find it hard to bond with them.
I try to play with them when I can but when you have to try to work it gets a tad annoying.
Will it get better?, as to me its me of a chore to have them than just being pets.
I probably come across as a grumpy old git and maybe I am!
Any suggestions greatfully received!

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 14/12/2020 10:42

You don't sound like a cat lover at all tbh.

And no you can't just shut them out in bad weather!
What food are they on? Maybe they need a better one with more meat to fill them up more

Original poster

martysparty99 · 14/12/2020 11:17

they eat wainwights packs from pets at home. we try to stick to 2 packs for breakfast, 2 lunch, 2 tea and 2 bedtime. never seems enough

OP posts:

britnay · 14/12/2020 12:16

How much do they weigh and how much should they weigh?

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Cats

SpringIsSprung1 · 14/12/2020 12:29

Make sure they have a decent quality dry food out. That should keep them satisfied for longer!

SpringIsSprung1 · 14/12/2020 12:30

Oh, and access to plenty of fresh water!

MouseholeCat · 14/12/2020 12:34

So they are getting 4 packs each a day?

Try doing 2 larger meals a day, rather than 4, so they really fill their tummies. Generally, 2 meals a day is the recommendation for adult cats. It will also make dropping a pouch or half pouch less difficult for them.

Original poster

martysparty99 · 14/12/2020 12:56

so they get roughly 8 packs a day, are you saying this is way too much and no wonder they are overweight? some days if we are both out they probably get about 6

OP posts:

VenusClapTrap · 14/12/2020 13:09

At a year old they are boisterous teenagers. They will calm down as they get older. They will also spend more time bouncing around outside when the weather is better and so have less energy to burn off inside.

In the meantime, you do need to play with them more to stimulate them and wear them out, so they are less inclined to create games and break things.

Food wise, be firm. If you cave in and feed them because they whine, you are teaching them that this is how they get fed. Give them two meals a day at predictable times, so they learn their routine. Do not give in to whining. It will be a nightmare to begin with, but they will learn.

Whatever you do, do not leave out piles of dry food all day. This leads to obesity and dehydration in many cats. Some do have off switches when it comes to food, and will self regulate, but a lot don’t. And it sounds like yours are the latter.

imabusybee · 14/12/2020 13:16

How much do they weigh?! That's a LOT of food

dementedpixie · 14/12/2020 13:38

The box says 3-4 pouches for a medium cat if only having wet food. If they are not having dry food then its not that bad. Have you dried some dry food alongside as pouches are mainly moisture?

nosswith · 14/12/2020 13:39

You are being grumpy.

People own dogs, cats own people.

dementedpixie · 14/12/2020 13:52

I have 2 cats and I leave dry food out then give wet food 2 or 3 times a day. I give 1 pouch between them at each meal

Thefaceofboe · 14/12/2020 14:01

You really don’t sound like an animal/cat lover. You should of done your research before taking on 2 kittens in your first place if you find them expensive and annoying. My cats have dry food left down at all times and a pouch of wet food each twice a day and that’s enough for them. They don’t beg or winge for food but maybe that’s because they always have dry food down?

NatARG · 14/12/2020 14:10

They are merely being cats! They will calm down as they get older but need affection, care and patience. If your children are old enough, they should help and set clear rules/routines so this happens. Our cat gets half a sachet in the morning and then the other half in the evening and has access to dry food. This is enough for him and he goes outside too. We have beige carpets so for damage limitation bought a good carpet stain remover and try to grab him when he comes in from the rain. He brings more joy than anything and is worth temporarily dirty floors.

CrimsonCattery · 14/12/2020 14:39

Mine get dry food available at all times and a pouch each every day. Cats have poor thirst reflexes and dry food can make them drink more which is better for their kidneys. It also makes more solid poos which is better for their anal glands. I have bowls of water and trickling water fountains in different rooms to encourage drinking.

If yours are greedy, you may have to weigh out the dry food for portion control as some cats will still overeat on biscuits. Also look at how many treats they get. If everyone feeds treats, it can be hard to track.

Prestel · 14/12/2020 15:54

I agree with CrimsonCattery that you may get on better with fewer pouches combined with some dry food. Look at replacing one meal a day with dry to begin with (weighed out to a quarter daily ration) and see if it helps. Look for one with at least 40% meat content if you can.
As for knocking things over, what sort of things and where? I only ask because some cats really like being up high on shelves and things so if they're knocking things off your bookshelves you could try buying a dedicated cat tree to give them something to clamber on.
Don't forget, like puppies, kittens are very demanding, so you've already done the hardest bit, it should get better and I bet your kids love them, even if you sometimes think 'what have I done?'.

LemonBreeland · 14/12/2020 15:58

I would have thought they shouldn't need 4 meals a day. Our cat has a pouch in the morning, another in the evening and dry food that he can graze on during the day. Although he often finished the dry food before lunchtime.

GoldenGumballs · 14/12/2020 16:01

Cats are grazers so need good quality dry food down & fresh water all day. They won’t nag you if have constant access. 1 year olds are babies and as above very boisterous, some cats don’t become ‘knee’ cats until 4Years +
Pouches are very high calories so mine just get 1-2 each daily.
You’ll have to make some compromises ie clear ornaments and windowsills. They need to share your space so make it easier for them.
Yes they’re expensive & they’re a pita but if they choose to love you think yourself lucky!

GoldenGumballs · 14/12/2020 16:04

Also it’s fine for vet to suggest they’re overweight but they should have given you dietary advice. 4 pouched per cat each day is too much and must cost you a fortune!

Icanflyhigh · 14/12/2020 16:08

4 packs a day EACH???
That is way too much.
One in the morning and one at night is plenty for them.
I've run a boarding cattery for 6 years and we had lots of owners coming in sating we have to give tiddles this for breakfast, that for lunch, the other for dinner and then treats for supper.... every single one of these cats were over weight.

My cat is just a year old now and he constantly whines for food. He gets a pouch in the morning and a pouch in the evening and thats it. I know he's not hungry, he just whines but he soon stops when he realises I'm ignoring him!

WingingItSince1973 · 14/12/2020 16:18

We have 5 cats. We had 6 but one sadly died last month. That's way too much food. Mine have a sachet each then good quality dry food left out for them as they are grazers. They also have a few dreamies before bed which they love. We had 4 of ours from newborn kittens as we have the mum too. You don't really sound like a cat person. That's ok as long as they are getting what they need and some fuss too. They are funny creatures and do tend to be where you least want them to 🤣 I have to do more than the usual cleaning as yes muddy paws are quite annoying but please don't leave them outside especially now its cold and wet. You just have to get into a routine of cleaning with one of those mops you attach cloths too so its a quick whip round when the floor needs it. Your over the most mischievous stage and they should start settling down and be less demanding. Mine do have routines that they stick to and they are also chancers if I'm cooking, but then they are spoiled and do have chicken if I'm cooking it too. Make sure the children help with feeding them. Its not much to open a sachet of food. Or wipe round the surfaces. Im sure as they get older you'll start to enjoy them more. Xx

Didicat · 14/12/2020 16:24

Unless you have larger than average or slower maturing cats like ragdolls or Mainecoons. You are probably over feeding them, also it is much easier to over feed a neutered/spayed cats.

My Ragamuffin kitten whose 8 months old would eat constantly given half a chance. He has just been reduced down to 3 meals a day and dry food down constantly.

I would say just ignore them when you are working or they will be super unhappy when you go back to work. My Ragamuffin kitty hates it if we are out all day, my Ragdoll cat doesn’t give a toss as she’s not used to us always being around.

Get the kids to play/exercise them before school to wear them out so they sleep whilst you work.

How much do they weigh? Photo of the offenders?

Tiredmum100 · 14/12/2020 16:40

My kittens are 8 months old, they have half a pouch each in the morning, my other cat is 5, he has a whole pouch, they have dry food down and water all day then will have another half pouch- kittens, full pouch cat at around half 3 when dc get in from school. They may have a pouch again in the evening or more dry biscuits. None are over weight. Occasionally one of the kittens will miaow for more food, but he's male and growing faster than his sister so probably does need more.

thegcatsmother · 14/12/2020 16:40

My old boy won't touch dry food, but has a pouch for breakfast, half a chicken leg with his meds, and a pouch in the evening and one overnight. He wants more if it's cold.

I work on 4 pouches/foil trays a day, and he had gained 200 grams at his last weight check, but as he was losing weight, I was pleased.

sunshinesupermum · 14/12/2020 17:03

Our three year old only has dried food - pouches are an occasional treat.

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