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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:

Prestel · 15/12/2020 12:33

Also if the vet says they are too fat we need to restrict food dont we?
If the vet says they're too fat you need to get their weight down, yes, but just putting out less of the same food will lead to hungry, grumpy cats. Some cats get addicted to wet pouches and just want more and more so feeding a more mixed diet, that provides variety, can sometimes make them more satisfied but on fewer calories. Finding a dry food they like would really help, I think, and feeding very small amounts of cooked chicken or fish can often make them satisfied for longer than processed foods like pouches or Dreamies. Also feeding balls, as I mentioned above, are often recommended by vets as they make the cat work for their food.

Prestel · 15/12/2020 12:42

Something like this:

www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/cat-feeding-exercise-ball

Original poster

martysparty99 · 15/12/2020 13:03

they have scratching posts and toys etc and get regular cuddles, albeit in the evenings when everyone is in. so today gave them a pack eack in the morning. dry food is there. they eat the packs and want more. so show them dry food, not interested. they go off for a bit then come back as i assume they want food/attention. stroke them etc and show them dry food/water. not interested. Then gets to lunch thinking they are hungry so look for packs, doh we have run out! so only option is a tin of salmon. give them a few spoonfuls and still they beg. In the end they decide to go out and as its nice let them out. My daugter is ill so doesnt want to playt with them at the mo and im "trying " to work. done that all my life so why change now!

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Cats

Stompythedinosaur · 15/12/2020 13:07

I think it is far too much food tbh. We have 3 adult cats and give 2 satchets plus some biscuits twice a day (and one of our 3 is still fat!). Cats do moan for more food, particularly if they are used to getting more, but if you ignore it they will get used to the new amounts.

Cats knock things over and make paw prints, they are cats! I'm afraid that is what you signed up for. They are still young, they will settle a bit as they get older.

dementedpixie · 15/12/2020 14:00

How do they show they want more?
Do you have a cat flap or do you need to let them in and out?

Original poster

martysparty99 · 15/12/2020 14:18

They sit near us and meow, they follow us around and if they hear us going to the fridge they think its for them. When we do give them food its as if they have never been fed, eating like theres no tmrw. We dont have a cat flap as both our back doors are french doors so reluctant to cut holes in those. So yes we have to let them in-out

OP posts:

tinselfest · 15/12/2020 14:25

They are pestering for food all the time because you have trained them to expect it pretty much on demand.

How much time do they spend outside during the day?

Original poster

martysparty99 · 15/12/2020 15:03

Yes i get that. If its fine they can be out for a few hours at a time. If my wife and I are both out at work they could be out from 9-3, we do leave dry food and water out. This only happened in the summer.

OP posts:

tinselfest · 15/12/2020 15:20

Unless the weather forecast is terrible, they can spend several hours during the day at this time of year too.

I suspect that part of their issue is cabin fever.

Are they pedigree cats or normal moggy?

dementedpixie · 15/12/2020 15:41

We ended up with a cat flap in our front door (quiet estate) as we have sliding glass doors at the back. If mine miaow I talk back to them and clap them/give a fuss. I'd maybe direct them to the door more often if its not too wet.

Original poster

martysparty99 · 15/12/2020 15:44

As you say when its fine they do spend a fair amount of time outside and when im working at home and my wife is out and kids are at school I dont always watch the door to let them in so they can spend a few hours at a time outside. They are just normal moggys.
At times I feel like a right shit, I know we have them now and just have to get on with it. When I was a kid I had a cat and he was like a brother to me. I dont get why I dont feel the same way now. Have I just turned into a grumpy old git!

OP posts:

LastChristmas20 · 15/12/2020 15:52

I think they're also in an a annoying teen phase.

I have an 8 month old kitten.

Lost my 15 year old lady in the summer.

The new one is adorable. Very sweet and fun.

But at this age they are just too nosey/busy to be as affectionate and loving as the older ones.

So for my daughters he's an absolute delight. Non stop energy and chasing string and trying to steal pencils and toys etc.

But I miss my evening lap cuddler. I know it'll come. But young cats are quite different.

Loveatortie · 15/12/2020 16:59

😂 welcome to the world of being a cat slave 😂 if it's any consolation my 3 (16,13 and 6) have been very needy (demanding) since the weather has not been great. I'm worn out with their demands

Original poster

martysparty99 · 23/12/2020 11:09

Sad to write this but things have sadly moved on from my original post. Our girl cat was knocked down and died yesterday. When we had a knock at the door from a neighbour who said they had found a tabby cat in the road I feared the worst. Sadly it was her, of course our kids are very upset and I admit I am too. So I do have a heart in there somewhere!
We now plan to bury her in the garden. She only lived a year which isnt long but we can say we was well cared for and had a good life. Sad that it took something like this to change my feelings and we need to look after our boy cat now who you can tell is missing his sister.

OP posts:

LemonBreeland · 23/12/2020 11:37

So sorry to hear this martysparty99. Thinking about you and your DC.

VenusClapTrap · 23/12/2020 14:05

Sorry to read your update op.

IsFuzzyBeagMise · 23/12/2020 14:20

Ah! I'm so sorry to hear that.

Sideorderofchips · 23/12/2020 14:26

Sorry to hear your update. Rip kitty ❤️

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