Dear Fisher,
I am an older cat and I nap a lot, but the other times I’m just plain bored. I live in a high rise and am safe from bugs and other living dangers. My life is good from most points of view, but what am I supposed to do when I wake up and my peeps are gone to work all day? I love it here but the scenery never changes and it’s quiet all day long. Boring, boring, boring. Do you think my peeps think it is all OK just because I sleep a lot? I think not! What should I do?
Darryl
Dear Darryl,
Boredom happens when day after day, everything stays the same. You may all be in a rut. Your humans get up, feed the cat, go to work. They get home, pet the cat, feed the cat, and they are done for the day. When they come home and you are sleeping (again), they think you are fine. Your humans likely do not realize you are bored. “After all”, they would say, “Whoever heard of a bored cat?” But we know it happens, do we not?
Your humans must understand that a bored cat may turn to his own devices for entertainment which can lead to a roll of toilet paper strewn about the living room on the same day they bring a guest into the home after work. Or, you might think of trying alternative snacks from the garbage pail and proudly leave the evidence for them to clean up. Sometimes boredom causes one to become obsessive. For instance, cats tend to be extremely clean. You may overdo cleaning your fine long hair, and the humans come home to “here a ball, there a ball, everywhere a hairball.” Soon, everyone is unhappy.
Your task is to get your humans involved with you. Several ideas for boredom relief are:
- They could get you a companion cat or dog depending on your personality. However, it would be very sad if you mistook it for punishment.
- Your humans must get into the habit of controlled playtime with you. They should build 15 minutes into their morning and evening schedule. If you want less time, just act sleepy and they will move on to their daily routines.
- Boredom can easily be relieved if you have something to watch. There are “mewvies” made especially for cats, or they could install a nice aquarium full of fish for you to watch.
- An ordinary cardboard box with holes cut in the sides and a few toys stashed in it could inspire your imagination and keep you busy well past next nap session.
You could all have happy bonding time if you make your own toys. Take a look at this site for a ton of neat toys any kid can make. Add to the fun by hiding them around the house. Hunting is a natural cat instinct.
These are just a few ideas I have come across. Oh, one more! Drop a couple of ping pong balls in the bathtub and have a game of feline racquetball. Now, wouldn’t that just be the cat’s meow.
Your friend,
Fisher
From my friends at cutebreak.com
For more fun visit CuteBreak.
Dear Fisher,
My name is LiL Girl. I’m a small female five year old bob-tailed cat. My best friend Buoy, was about 12, and passed away a few months ago. Well, my human went and brought in a rescued female named Blue who is about one year old. She is bigger than me. She’s totally black, like a blank panther to my bobcat status. At first it was all good, but now she is always attacking and I get really scared she is going to hurt me. I have been hiding in the sofa and under the bed a lot. Now my human has taken to locking me in the bedroom with my own litter box, food and water, because every time I see that other cat I can’t stop freaking out. I didn’t used to be like this.
Blue is a really nice loving cat and just wants to play, but lately she’s been nothing more than a stalker and my human is frustrated and sad. Will i ever be the same? I miss playing fetch with my humans (I am an excellent fetcher) and just running around and everything else.
LiL Girl
Dear LiL Girl,
It sounds like you are experiencing some pretty major life changes. The loss of Buoy has surely been very difficult for your humans and you. Blue, still an energetic kitten is just so happy to have a forever home – and her kitten energy has not been seen in your household for several years. You have very different issues, but you may both suffer from a dose of separation anxiety just now.
Of course this is all frustrating for your owner. Cats are pretty hard to understand, they were not meant to be understood, and many agree they do not particularly like it. There are very few studies on bereavement issues in cats. This is probably true because we all know cats are just born with an element of “coolness.” That is the one trait that makes us so intriguing. For more information, visit fab – feline advisory board to learn more about different cat reactions to the loss of a loved one. Also search the animal rescue sites for insight into Blue’s behavior.
The fact that the two of you got along fine for the first while is a great indication that you will come to terms with your separate issues, and learn how to get along with each other again.
A few things your humans can try:
1. Each should have a turn in the bedroom while the other is out romping and playing. Start with 4 – 8 hour intervals, then shorter and shorter eventually leaving door ajar to see if you are making progress.
2. Food, water bowls, and litter boxes should be separated, then slowly moved closer together.
3. New toys! You should each have time to play alone with the same toys before learning the great lesson of sharing.
LiL Cat, try to let your inner kitten come out to play. The holidays are coming up and you and Blue can have great adventures hissing at Trick-or-Treaters, stealing turkey off the Thanksgiving table, and climbing the Christmas tree! Oh, and please tell your people they are more than welcome to write another letter when the two of you have reached this level.
Your friend,
Fisher
