Dear Fisher,
Oh what I’ve been through. I found myself in a new home when my people couldn’t take care of me ‘cuz they were having trouble taking care of themselves. They found me a new home with a loving woman. I thought I would be queen, but I’m in trouble again. Two cats are already here and I’ve had to plot and plan to be charge.
I started life on the street and I know how to fight for myself. The other two cats are not happy with my feisty ways. Now everybody is mad at me. I might have to find another home because I don’t know how to get along. It’s been several months and things aren’t getting any better. I just don’t like other cats. What can I do?
Dear Mary,
I am happy you keep meeting up with loving people, and my first reaction is to keep trying until you get it right. Several months is long enough for all of you to adjust, and if you cats are unable to live in peace, a new home is a good option.
If all attempts to socialize you fail, there is a good chance that you are an alpha cat. An alpha cat exhibits the following:
- territorial, taking command of toys, bed, food
- extreme aggression toward others
- uninterested in becoming part of the community
- unwilling to accept and kind of training
My friends at Perfect Paws write, “Because the cat is not a pack animal, there is no inherent need or desire for the cat to comply with anyone’s wishes but its own.” They have a lot of good information.
I suspect that you, Mary, are trainable but are more interested in being Only Cat in Charge. We are now back to square one. If you really tried to get along, or if you really do not want to get along, a new home is a good idea. It is best if you are the only cat. Should there be a dog, just remember they are usually bigger and really like it if the cat shows some respect. Overall, though, it is best if you are an only pet.
This is a no blame, no shame situation. It is a positive move for all concerned. Sometimes cats just do not get along no matter what. I have complete faith the loving woman will find a good home for you. May you happily reign forever.
Your friend,
Fisher
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
I love my email. Yesterday my friend Casey, from Ideas Collide in Arizona, sent me a great suggestion for taking some time off and just having fun.
Speaking of having fun, we all love to travel and it is always much more fun when our pets can go with us.
Best Western: Pet Friendly. With our breakfasts, free in-room coffee, internet and rewards program we’ve always been known as an extremely people friendly hotel chain.
We also wanted to show you that we love your pets too. With 1900 pet friendly hotels, you and your pet can now travel and vacation together.
Each Best Western® hotel is independently owned and operated.
But, back to Casey. Look very closely at this dog photo. See anything a little odd? A little endearing? How would you like to morph you photo with your pet’s photo?
Ready, set, go have fun at Inseparator!
How did you do? Send me an email with your inseparable new photo and I will put them in my blog.
Your friend,
Fisher
Do I look innocent?
Dear Fisher, Me? Oh, I don't think so!
I am not a cat. I am a human with 2 cats that are giving me a huge problem. They refused to write and made me promise not to mention any names. I have to take matters into my own hands and ask you for advice. One cat is male, the other female. Both have been “fixed” and have never been outside. One of the cats is now going potty on area rugs and has even peed on the couch. We are not sure which one it is because they are ninja cats. Their cat box is cleaned regularly. We’ve never had a problem with them since we’ve had them – close to 4 years now. Why would they do this, and how do i stop them? I’m at my wits end!!! I don’t want to get rid of them or make them outdoor cats but I can’t let them ruin my home either. PLEASE HELP!!!
Robert
Dear Robert,
First of all, I cannot ignore the gravity of the problem when a human has to write to me instead of the pets. Oh dear! Your comment that the cats are Ninja cats leads me to believe it is a case of “it was dry and now it is wet and there is absolutely no chance of catching them in the act.” They are a mischievous pair indeed. Without losing any more time, I have to suggest you take them to their vet for a check-up. Hopefully they will get a clean bill of health and maybe this will make them realize that you are not kidding.
Best case scenario is the cats are healthy. Back to square one, but it is a good thing. We can look at a few different methods of handling the problem:
- Determine what time of day the deed happens most and separate the cats, putting each in a comfortable area but closed off and give each the opportunity to mess up.
- Try covering the area (after it is cleaned and dried) with aluminum foil to stop this new bad habit. Cats really do not like the feel of the foil.
- Carefully determine whether or not you have made changes that the cats are objecting to and modify the situation. Cats do not like change.
- Purchase some puppy training pads and place in appropriate areas.
- Even though you have had the cats for several years, a refresher course on litter box practices will not hurt.
Visit Dumb Friends League for their detailed report.
Above all, please do not turn the cats outside. Dangers can exist in the most pleasant of neighborhoods and it would be a sad thing if they were hurt or lost. If you even think about going to that extreme, try another extreme and hire a pet psychic. They understand ninja kitties.
Your friend,
Fisher
from a sweatshirt!
This is from my friend, Dave, at the ASPCA Online Community, for those of you with sewing skills who would like to make a custom cat bed – here is the pattern. The pattern was given out at a Paws With A Cause event by one of the local animal shelters. Feel free to share it.
(This also answers the age-old question of what to do with your favorite sweatshirt that is too worn to wear but you just cannot bear to toss it out!)
Step One: Turn sweatshirt inside out and sew neck opening together. It may look funky when you turn it right side out, but once stuffed the fold will turn into a nice pleated top.
Step Two: Turn sweatshirt right side out. Lay sweatshirt flat front side up, in the shape of a T. Then, draw a line from underarm to underarm, pin and sew. This separates the bottom of the bed from the top which will become the sides and back.
Step Three: Fold the arm seam along the side of the sweatshirt body. Pin and sew. Repeat for the other side.
Step Four: Stuff the upper part, arms and chest. Stuff the lower part, body of the sweatshirt.
Step Five: Pin and sew the bottom of the sweatshirt and the cuffs. (Sew cuffs shut over the seam where they are attached to the sweatshirt.)
Step Six: Now fold the arms around the bottom and tack the cuffs to the bottom of the sweatshirt. You can sew over both layers of the cuff, or sew the bottom section of the cuff down, leaving the top part to cover up the sewing.
