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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To spoil my cat.

53 replies

HadABadDay2014 · 13/02/2014 21:02

I have never been an animal person, but DH and DC wanted a kitten. I agreed as long as the cat wasn't my responsibility.

I have feel head over heels for her. So much that I have finally been able to give up smoking ( well only a week early days) in order to buy her toys and make sure I am able to afford vets and treats.

I am still learning about being a responsible cat owner. I am unsure at times. Like wtf is catnip

OP posts:
MrsDavidBowie · 13/02/2014 21:03

What treats do cats need?
(looks at 11 year old cat who has never had a toy or treat in her life...just dry cat food every day)

akachan · 13/02/2014 21:05

Mine loves her toys! She's just got a few mice from Wilkos and a bird on a string. I give her tuna as a treat or cooked chicken.

I was the same as you, I wasn't at all fussed until we got her and now she's my baby!

WelshMaenad · 13/02/2014 21:05

No.

Mine sleeps on my pillow. She's ruined.

JumpingJackSprat · 13/02/2014 21:06

Cat nip is a herb that cats find intoxicating. It doesn't really affect most cats until they're a year or two. Don't waste money on expensive toys just play with her a lot :) my cat goes mad for ham and those soft cat treat sticks made out of meat. I've taught her to do a few tricks for ham. Enjoy your new kitten op :)

Sparklingbrook · 13/02/2014 21:06

Mine has a toybox. Blush

Original poster
HadABadDay2014 · 13/02/2014 21:09

Things like kitten pate. Kitten chocolate buttons.

Toys lazier pen, scratching post with dangling things, toy mice, bird on a string.

OP posts:
Mrsb999 · 13/02/2014 21:14

Rolled up kitchen foil is one our cats love!

Original poster
HadABadDay2014 · 13/02/2014 21:15

Mrs may have to do that now

OP posts:
TotallyBenHanscom · 13/02/2014 21:16

Big cardboard boxes with holes cut in for hiding and jumping in/out of. Cost nothing and kittens LOVE them.

Original poster
HadABadDay2014 · 13/02/2014 21:17

Now have I got a box

OP posts:
GerundTheBehemoth · 13/02/2014 21:18

Valerian has a similar effect to catnip, as I discovered when I bought myself some valerian teabags (valerian tea is supposed to help with sleeplessness), and the cat I had at the time practically wrestled me to the ground to get hold of them. I put one in a little drawstring bag and it became her favourite thing ever, though it was a little unsettling to see the way she'd clasp it against her face and inhale deeply...

I'm all for cheap cat toys. Lots of kittens will naturally play 'fetch' for ages with a screwed-up ball of paper. My current foster cats spend ages chasing each other around the playhouse I made for them - it's just three big Amazon boxes taped together with connecting holes cut in the sides Grin

honeybeeridiculous · 13/02/2014 21:20

Our cat goes wild with catnip, it's like a drug! Iv got a tube of catnip spray that i occasionally spray on his toy mouse, he goes orgasmic Grin he rolls around on the mouse and cuddles it near his face, so sweet!
He also has a pillow to sleep on and gets a Xmas stocking
Spoilt? Never Wink

Original poster
HadABadDay2014 · 13/02/2014 21:21

Kitten loves her new kitchen foil toy.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 13/02/2014 21:22

Sparkling Cat strokes my face in the night, and we have a cuddle. I love her so much. DH pretends he doesn't but I know he does.

BadgersRetreat · 13/02/2014 21:23

Be careful with food treats - they are really fattening

Toys - ours go mental for a bit of string. Yes to balls of foil too.

Also little soft mice filled with catnip. The kitten carries them round the house and stops to give it a good battering every now and again!

Get them a scratch mat too - cheapo cardboard ones do the job.

BadgersRetreat · 13/02/2014 21:24

oh and well done for giving up the fags!

mrsjay · 13/02/2014 21:24

the lazer pen send them loopy i know it seems fun but it drives them to distraction , all the toys my cat needed was a box or a gift bag sge loved those, oh and yes flcking paper she loved batting it about

Original poster
HadABadDay2014 · 13/02/2014 21:24

She also likes balls of off socks or socks that have holes in.

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 13/02/2014 21:26

Drinking straws are always popular here. She pushes them about and picks them up.

Corygal · 13/02/2014 21:26

Cats respond really, really well to spoiling - and the best games are free; piece of string, box. I talk to my cat loads and he mews back, too.

mrsjay · 13/02/2014 21:28

my cat used to sit in the tumble drier and BAT our dog as she walked past I am sure i heard the cat cackle Grin

Fluffycloudland77 · 13/02/2014 21:30

All cats should be spoilt, they bring so much love into a home.

I want some valerian tea bags now.

RandomMess · 13/02/2014 21:33

Mine prefer fabric ribbon over string - it was an accidental discovery btw!

Original poster
HadABadDay2014 · 13/02/2014 21:35

Tbh before I had a cat I didn't know what a small fur ball could bring.

OP posts:
WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 13/02/2014 21:35

It hasn't happened for me, DH and the DCs talked me into getting cats, I thought about it for a long time and we adopted two in October but I'm not really feeling the love to be honest. They're nice, but I worry about them a lot, they make a lot more mess than I bargained for and it still seems a bit weird having animals in the house. Maybe I need to play with them a bit more.

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