Being oversensitive to my cat?

[Lagertha6]

I have a cat who is 12 months and very much my baby. Not so much a lap cat but follows me everywhere, stares at my DP when he's sat in "her" seat on the couch and shouts at us when we come home from being out.

She's cost me a fortune in vet bills and now has to get three teeth out next week stemming from complications of caliche virus that she has. I have to bathe her eyes daily because of this and the breed that she is. So I worry about her alot.

Tonight my DP bought a lazer toy and was playing with her. When he switched it off she kept running round look for it and was on high alert for ages. I binned the last one because she would sit staring at the fridge for hours, no exaggeration. I couldn't bear to see her like that.

We've tried putting treats where the laser lies but she ignores it or can't see it. She can be bit of a dope at times.

Anyway I started crying because she was so wound up. My DP doesn't get it, thinks she is enjoying it. But I disagree.

Everyone says she's just a cat and think I go overboard with her. We don't have children so to me she is my baby.

Am I too obsessed with my cat? Should I bin the lazer again? Got it today. I said to DP only to use it as a distraction so she wouldn't stop crying at him to take her out on the lead (she doss bug him when he's in her seat.)

Sorry I know I sound like a weirdo.

They totally are.

She sleeps on our bed or with me so feel you xxx

OP you sound fab. Being a first time kitty mum it's only natural to be a tad over cautious, don't worry it's completely normal. She's absolutely beautiful as are all the kitties on this thread. My boys turn one on Sunday and they get a birthday party! I'm absolutely nuts about my cats, I've six and I love them. Like you I suffer depression and they are my purpose in life. I don't use laser pens either

She’s gorgeous! So plushy! My cat used to love popping bubbles, perhaps that might help her satisfy her prey drive a bit? You can get some specialist cat bubbles that are scented/flavoured.

He also preferred homemade toys, adored those strips of plastic that seal bottles and tubs etc - when I noticed this I started buying heavy duty cable ties and making chains for him to chase. He was still playing with the above at 16.

As a kitten he stole a little animal soft toy from my room and carried it about/played with it til it wore out- I let him keep it as no detachable parts etc.

He was very vocal also and used to summon me upstairs in the evenings, I miss him so much!
You aren’t being over sensitive, you are doing all the right things, and I also found joy in him when life was very difficult.

I used to look after an indoor cat sometimes, and their owner had built them a multi level cat tree type area with added shelves and tunnels that went up the wall, with a little balcony at the top, if I happened to have an indoor cat I would love to do something similar.
Is there a possibility to build her an enclosed area in the garden she can visit in between walks?

I would definitely try some of the advice upthread re puzzle toys and treats,I recommend having a look at snuffle and licki mats also, my emotionally high maintenance dog loves them 😀

Oh that's good, sometimes they can be difficult if not. Although could have been potentially an easy fix now if not!

So many cute cats.

I have a problem cat I love too 😂 (and one more "normal" one).

Omg they look like a dream! So beautiful xxxx

Thank you xxxx

Get your cat a friend. Then she will be really occupied.

Although its a slippery slope, you start with 1 and end up with 6....

I've stopped at 6 though, can't fit any more in

She looks as if she’s a British Blue - they are quite dopey as cat breeds go. I’ve never met a cat who couldn’t clean their own bum, usually they’re super clean.

The real issue is that you’re letting the cat rule the house. You need to be in charge. Currently the cat is in charge.

I don’t personally agree with keeping cats indoors, but I understand it’s a personal choice and respect other people’s decisions. It does tend to send them a bit stir crazy - like cabin fever.

My boy awaiting a hand to kill as it reaches out for his tummy that must be stroked!!

I was thinking of doing that this summer but we've had major expense last 3 weeks. She had been sting (cost me 275 emergency vets) then 3 teeth out next week (450) which I have put claim in for.

Then we had a rat problem (13 rats from out garden as nest under our shed) which where killed by nxt door so we have to uproot and destroy our garden to get rid which cost us major money.

I wanted the kitchen window to have steps down into an enclosed area.

Hahaha love it xxxxx

I know it is bit like that with her at times. We take her out roughly 3 - 5 times a day for walk on lead in garden. She throws a strop an we do it.

Any advice of how to get back in charge? She's my 1st cat was always wanting a dog when moved out but ended up with her. Total cat convert now x

This. A range of toys is good, and always play with something she can actually catch after using the laser pointer.

We have a tub of toys for our boy and when he wants to play he goes and picks one out.

Is she a ragdoll by any chance?

I keep seeing cherble (I'm not 100% sure that's the right name now) advertised - a ball that changes direction for a cat to chase. The advert looks good but knowing mine they won't use it.

Have you ever seen the TV series My cat from Hell (in no way am I suggesting your baby is from hell lol) however even as a non cat owner I found it so interesting and has so many tips and is just a general good watch. Good luck OP, i cant really give any advice as dont have experience other than my baby (frenchie) is currently lay on my lap whilst i have my laptop next to me whilst working ha ha

Lasers aren't great toys for some cats as they can't win the game - a successful game for them is killing the toy and with a laser it just goes on and on until you get bored and the cat is upset.

I'd recommend this video on how to play with your cat - this transformed how I played with my nervous cat as it turned out, if I gave her what she wanted, she enjoyed the game a lot more! I am a complete Jackson Galaxy convert now as he has made my cat so happy.

Some cats get frustrated with laser so play time should end with pointing the laser on some kind of toy or even food bowl so they can "hunt" it.

Get a catio!

Very happy to find this thread, I too have adapted my house and life to fit the cats.

I don't have a laser pointer for the same reasons pp have said, but one of mine has become obsessed with chasing the block of light that reflects off my phone onto the wall. I thought it was quite funny at first, but not being able to catch it seems to be stressing her out. So, obviously, I've stopped using my phone.

@supertedlasso mine have a Cheerble, they love it.

i mean, yes you’re right that lasers aren’t great and she probably was over stimulated.... but, um, crying does seem quite an extreme reaction.

😂

No British shorthair. But she thinks she's human x

Oh great thanks will look it up.

Yes I recently discovered that programme this week! Really opened my eyes to her needs and have found lots useful.

Your baby sounds like heaven xxx

Oh didn't know he had YouTube! I found his TV show this week. I love him! One episode the poor kat was rescued from hurrican katrina and her owners had had it with her because her no2s everywhere.

I was dead upset. Another one Jackson was crying so I was. He's amazing with cats. Don't you want to shake some of the owners.