You know you're a 'cat-nut' when...

[BibiBlocksberg]

Your male cat sprays in the house and the first thing you think is 'that smells really concentrated, must get him to drink more' :)

By way of explanation, tigger has always been a sprayer when upset or territorial. He used to do it quite a bit so had got used to the different nuances of the stench but now it's very occasional.

when you spend more time determining the style and position of the cat flap than chosing new appliances as part of the grand kitchen redesign.

when you spend a fortune getting a qualified veterinary nurse to come in to feed them when you are away rather than ask an "unqualified" neighbour.

@ 'unqualified' neighbour. I'd have a registered vet nurse as well if I'd thought of it before appointing the current cat sitter. Mind you, she doesn't chop the royal cat prawns small enough and leaves the contents of a tuna and shrimp can in big chunks so I may have to do an Alan Sugar soon :)

...when you let your cat sit on the mat by the front door with the door open even in this weather because it makes him happy.

...when you wake up with a twisted back and neck because you don't want to disturb the two furries snoozing in bed with you.

When you drive home from holiday and back in one day because the cat doesnt like mil and is camping in the back garden refusing food.

We drove back, put him in a FAB cattery and rang every day to make sure he was ok.

When the cat has a hot water bottle at night for extra cosiness. Tucked under his folded up 13.5 tog duvet. And his furry throw.

Snap Fluffy! Have been sitting here contemplating getting the winter duvet on the bed - it's a bit warm for me really but it's so thick the cats just sink into it and are asleep with their chins and legs in the air in minutes so they clearly love it.

Am evidently a neglectful mummy since mine don't have a hot water bottle - they just use me!

I love being able to talk about this stuff - always feel like a bit of a weirdo revealing how much I love my cats in RL. So many people I've met who have cats seem to think a handful of biscuits twice a day and letting the animal get on with things by itself is all that cats need. As far as i can tell, they're real love and fuss sponges and do get upset when ignored too much (much like any pet really)

Sorry for going on.... :)

My cat (down to one now RIP bubs) uses us as chin scratched, butt warmer, tummy tickler etc. She like to go about sometime after 5 in the morning for a constitutional :( she also tells us when it is time to go to bed. Yes I am so owned (and I love it!)

Aww, RIP Bubs, hope you're playing happily at rainbow bridge.

Winter duvet is on so that'll be a nice surprise for them when they go to bed.

The constitutionals at odd hours - I know them well. Always have to stop myself when friends talk about they're broken nights sleep with their human babies. Have to stop myself from saying 'you're telling me, a night of unbroken sleep is a distant dream (no cat-flap, rented house)

Mind you, every time they do something less than desirable I remind myself that when they're no longer with me I will give anything just to have them wake me up, pee on my I-pod, be sick before I have to go to work just one more time.

Mmh, I might need professional help - wonder if there are any therapists dealing with excessive cat love :)

Oh blimey we haven't got our Misty a hot water bottle, I expect he would be mega jealous!!

You can get microwavable heat pads in the pets shop purple - nothing says I love you like a hot wheat pad in winter :)

Just wanted to add this amazing snippet I just can't get out of my head.

Read in a cat encyclopaedia recently that cats have a sense of self and it went on to say that if their 'staff' think they're cat is lovely and wonderful etc then that's how the cat sees him/herself likewise if it's though of as a nuisance.

It certainly seems to be true for my tigger - used to shout at him when he went to have a go at my other cat but since I've started talking to him nicely during those bouts and telling him how generous he is for letting her be in his space etc he's really been a lot better (and leaves her alone when i ask him to nicely)

Just think it's so amazing they are thought to have self awareness.

Bloody ell - their and thought not though

It is lovely to "meet" fellow cat nuts.

I can so relate....I sleep in a scrunched up ball so my two can have uninterrupted snooze-time. His endearing habit of curling up next to my face on the pillow and tickling my face with his fur wakes me during the night... his howling for attention and FOOD wakes me at 6.15 every morning. They both wake me with very gentle 'kisses'. I've turned up at work seriously sleep-deprived as a result. They both are very affectionate demonstartive cats and I endure it because I love them and they love me.

The one thing I will shout at them about is The Biting of Toes. That is unnacceptable.

But I hate shouting at them so I sleep scrunched up to avoid the temptation of protruding feet.

Blowing a gale (enough to throw wheelie bins around the close) and absolutely pissing it down all night so far here.

So, am I tucked up in bed?

Oh no, I have one cat hiding in my clothes and crap cupboard and the other one INSiSTS on watching the weather so have had to tie he backdoor to the connecting door just so he can sit there on the mat looking out.

He wlll not settle for anything else , kitchen floor is soaking and I'm cold and tired.

Chief Mug of Muggington I am I reckon! I should hire tigger out for a hefty fee since he's an excellent trainer of humans.

..when you hurt your back because you are sat in the floor as she is asleep on yhour side of the sofa.

..when you feed her before the kids.

..when you like her more than the kids.

..when she comes before your dh in the pecking order.

..when you don't flinch when you get the vets bill but not happy at the food shopping bill.

.. when she gets her presents early as we thought she would be leaving us last weekend

...when cat has created a sleeping situation that involves my 13.5 tog duvet, a mohair/cashmere throw and a hottie and I still let her sleep with her paws on my face (presumably to absorb all the body heat I am producing under these conditions)...
...when I get rid of new man in life as he doesn't seem to appreciate the cat or the sleeping arrangments (shame as he wasn't bad in the sack when there was room for him)
...when I spend more time on cat rescue websites than internet dating sites
...when I am woken at 4am by that familiar retching noise, hunt all around the place, find nothing, back to bed, only to find it, cold, in my workshoes when I come to put them on later.

Haven't had time to catch up with this thread since last week but just read:

"...when I get rid of new man in life as he doesn't seem to appreciate the cat or the sleeping arrangments (shame as he wasn't bad in the sack when there was room for him"

and am very impressed!

I'm determined to not take up full-time with anyone who doesn't also enthusiastically agree to be a willing slave to the cats and all their whims :)

Fab - she's still around then? She's obviously a fighter your cat and loves you too much to leave.

Your cat has kept you awake for 5 consecutive nights calling for all the tomcats in the area to visit her for a bit of fun and you think it is cute.

disclaimer - she is a stray and booked for 'the op' 28th December - not being allowed out of the house until 'done', vaccinated and microchipped.

... when you get excited about Christmas shopping for your new cat (don't worry I don't usually do that for my cats, but she needs some things as she's new) yet really hate and resent the experience of Christmas shopping for humans.

... when you regularly frequent a cat-themed message board (i.e., this one) to get support from/ give advice to other cat owners!

... when you won't open the cats' christmas presents until they are both sat in front of you watching.

... when you are willing to sleep in a complicated zig-zag shape just to the mog from moving off the bed.

... when you suggest putting catflaps on all of the internal doors. DH said no which was perhaps for the better.

MaeMobley your first post made me laugh because DH is right now refitting the cat flap in our new kitchen in such a way that the cats will need to walk on the surfaces to get to it and we are constructing steps down on the other side.

When you put your back out accommodating the cat on the bed, and still want him to sleep with you.

When you cry on your honeymoon because you miss them.

When you spend enough at the vets treating his cancer to have bought a small car - but consider it money well spent for 8 great months (RIP Jazzy).

When you have bean bags all around the house so elderly puss has places to sleep - apart from the bed, the sofa...

"... when you won't open the cats' christmas presents until they are both sat in front of you watching" - aww, :)

"When you spend enough at the vets treating his cancer to have bought a small car - but consider it money well spent for 8 great months"

Yes, RIP Jazzy, run free at the bridge and agree - I always come out of the vets not resenting a single penny of what I've just spent on one or other of the little darlings even if I know it means no more evening wine and only beans for three weeks for me.

My two are going into a cattery for the first time later next year so today I got to interview and appraise the local establishments.

Think the owners were all glad to see the back of me after my 'job interviewing them' and can now add to the list:

"When you ask more questions about a weeks temporary accomodation for your cats than you've ever asked about one of your own new houses (rented or otherwise) before moving in

Oh, and ...when you up the budget for said kitty holiday accomodation (having sworn cheap and cheapful is fine when setting off that morning) instantly by several pounds per day when you come to the first drafty, dirty, smelly, dank and dark looking establishment.

Seems you get what you pay for everywhere...

....when, rather than remove the ball of fur asleep on your pillow, you just pop the Piriton, and hope your streaming/itchy eyes soon recover. Yes, I am allergic to my cats

When one of the cats was injured by a dog, and needed major surgery DH rushed her in and said to the vet: "money no object, just do what you can for her," without hesitation even though I'd just been made redundant and we were about to get married. We cancelled our honeymoon to pay for her surgery.

The cat had her major and expensive surgery, thankfully pulled through and needed to stay at the vets for 2-3 days. The first question DH asked when she made it through surgery was when he could visit her. He then took time off work to go and visit the cat each day because he was worried she'd be sad without seeing him. He thought I would think he was daft visiting the cat in hospital, but it made me love him all the more.

We also had wedding pictures taken with the cats... yes, we're nuts

DH sits on the least comfortable chair,where he can't see the telly properly, when there are two cats on the sofa with me and one in the comfy chair by the fire. I tell him to move them, but he won't hear of it !
When you tell the cat you are changing the bedsheets because he likes a clean duvet.
Yes, leaving the back door open because she likes to watch the weather!

Oscar likes a clean duvet and we've been known to change it for him.

Piggles, your DH sounds a bit like mine. :)

I have an Oscar too...he also loves clean sheets and helping with the beds. He likes to help with the fitted sheets, from underneath.

He really likes to have the sheets wafted over him so he can pretend he is hidden, quite how he imagines that no one knows the huge wobbly ginger lump under the sheet is him, i really don't know.