Cat people: your advice, please!

[Dung Beetle]

My two cats have been mostly outdoor cats up until about two months ago, when I got married and moved to a less cat-friendly neighborhood. Since the move, they have been completely indoor cats, and they are adjusting pretty well for the most part. However, my new husband isn't really a cat person (yet), and he isn't used to cats meowing in the night, jumping up on countertops, doing smelly things in the litterbox, and shedding shedding shedding. Frankly, the kitties are getting on my nerves just a bit too. I spend all my free time at home trying to keep the house just as clean and quiet as it was before they moved in, and it just isn't working. The other night they were chasing each other around and they smashed a lamp. I need to make some improvements around here pretty soon.

A squirt bottle has taken care of most of the night meowing, and I am trying to teach the kitties the meaning of the word "Down!" (Is that even possible?) I clean the litterbox two or three times a day, sweep constantly, and scrape fur off the couch with a little plastic squeegee. I also treated them a few days ago with some flea stuff I can't remember the name of right now, but if it's working I haven't noticed yet.

Please, if you have any recommendations for products that make your life with cats easier, or any ideas I could try, I would love to hear about them. (Especially those related to shedding. I am smothering in the cat hair!)

[samm]

I don't know whether you have long or short-haired cats but I would definitely recommend a grooming glove.

Here are a bunch:

http://shopping.msn.com/results/shp/...v=2910-4557130

I don't know the specifics of each, but I have seen the "Pet Select Love Glove Pet Grooming Mitt" in action on a short-haired cat and it worked really really well. (Love Glove?!)

It sounds like you have young energetic cats, where my guy is a fat couch potato. Maybe you could burn off some of their energy if you play with them with those feathers on a string or those plastic rings that have balls inside that the cat can bat around?

[Kalhoun]

I wish I had an answer for you regarding the shedding, because it's driving me nuts, too.

Try the squirt gun method to keep them off the counters and furniture. It's the only thing my cats have ever responded to, but I have one that thinks we're playing when we squirt him!

Your husband may come around a little, too...those little softies are pretty irresistable! Hopefully the kitties will meet him half-way. Good luck!

How do you know the neighborhood is less "cat-friendly?" I'm a big proponent of keeping cats inside, but as long as they're fixed and safe, I have no problem with them going outside for a while. We live on a busy street, so we don't let ours out at all, but if I was in a different situation, I'd be cool with it for brief periods.

[Elza B]

Toys, toys, toys. It sounds like they need continuous entertainment, and toys can help with that. We keep a basket of toys for the Wonder Cats^TM, and they just go over and pull out the toy they want to play with at any given time. If you want them to stay a little calmer, I'd stay away from the catnip toys.

To keep them off the countertops, you can try something we were told to do with our crib before the baby comes - put some aluminum foil down for them. When they jump up, they apparently hate the feel of foil on their paws. Some friends I know of swear by it - works like a charm. Once or twice should do the trick.

[redtail23]

I'm in the same boat, Dung Beetle, so I'm glad you posted this because I hadn't gotten around to it. I don't have many suggestions, but tons of empathy.

Five pissed-off cats -- three fairly young (~2 yr) and energetic, one that hates all the other cats -- that have always been indoor/outdoor cats and are now forced into indoor-only mode. Not only are they shedding incredibly (especially the long-hair) but evidently they actually needed those thrice-daily dustbaths I used to laugh at, because they're also getting greasy/dirty.

We've bought them tons of new toys, but they would much rather fight and chase each other around. They ignore the toys for the most part, even if we try to get them to play. Fortunately they were pretty well cabinet-trained before this, so that's not been a problem so far. (One has taken to pooping in the bathtub to show her disapproval, but I'm good with that - it could be much, much worse.)

And I used to think it was a small house...little did I know.

[YaWanna]

Originally Posted by Dung Beetle

<snip>my new husband isn't really a cat person (yet), and he isn't used to cats <snip>doing smelly things in the litterbox

Trust me, he'd be even more unhappy if they start doing the smelly things elsewhere in the house!

My husband (also not really a cat person, and allergic, to boot) learned to love (I mean, really love) my kitty after he spent enough time with her. Deciding you actually enjoy the cat itself can help make a person more tolerant of the less-pleasant things that go with having one. With any luck, he'll get there.

Meanwhile, it sounds to me like you're doing a bang-up job of "re-training" the kitties, and keeping the home clean, etc. Brushing or using a grooming glove is a great idea; my kitty used to love the grooming sessions and come running when she saw me holding her brush.

Sometimes diet has in influence on the amount of shedding. You might ask their vet, or do some research.

Definitely there is a difference in shedding patterns between indoor-only and outdoor or indoor/outdoor cats. You may find that the shedding will taper off as they get used to the steady temperature inside and do not grow a heavier coat seasonally for winter, but the downside is that they will never actually stop shedding (whereas they would retain more of their fur in winter if they needed it to keep them warm outside).

Good luck!

[AuntiePam]

Can you put the cats in their own room at night? On the other side of the house?

Our cats don't get up on counters. I think it's because there's nothing on the counters that they're interested in. They have access to window viewing -- bookshelves and a buffet that they can sit on and look out.

They're older - 10 (I think) and 14 -- and mostly they just sleep.

[peri]

I can't help with the meowing or counter surfing, but to help with shedding I use a scalp massager to defur the cat. It is very flexible so it feels as if you are just petting the cat.and my cat loves it. "Oooh! She's gonna TOUCH me! Purr, purr, purr." It's also really cheap.(There is one that has a handle that fits between your fingers. It is not flexible at all and the cat hates it.)

[Dung Beetle]

redtail, I am restraining myself from throwing my arms around you and having a good cry!

I do comb the kitties frequently, but their little fur factories are more than equal to the task of keeping up with me. (However, I did get a giggle out of the Love Glove.)

I think part of the reason they've adjusted so well to being indoors is that I've bought them so many toys. Their favorite is the one with the ball in the plastic circle. They are also getting a lot of use out of the things I've bought them to scratch. I have some spray that keeps them from scratching up the furniture. Note to self: hide the catnip.

Kalhoun, the new neighborhood has a rule that all pets must be on leashes. (I put a leash on a cat once. Once.) Most people around here are dog owners, and of course, some of them ignore the leash rule.

Anyone know whether I should try a Swiffer mop? Anyone know of a cat litter that can turn turds to tulips and piss to perfume?

[YaWanna]

Swiffers are great - I use my all the time. I don't know if you mean the wet cloths, though - that would depend on the kind of flooring you have (we found that they left a suspect white residue in the seams of our laminate flooring).

If you have cats, 2 machines definitely make your life easier: a good vacuum, and a portable carpet/upholstery cleaner.

[Cheesesteak]

Swiffers work pretty well, though it generally looks like you're getting ready to make a toupee when you finish with a room.

On the smell side, what food and litter do you use?

[Dung Beetle]

Most of the house is tiled (the better to smash lamps on!) and when I sweep with a regular broom, all the loose hairs and swatches of fur go flying into the air and very little gets collected. I guess I need a vaccuum and a Swiffer.

Cheesesteak, they get canned Friskies and some generic dry food. The litter I've used so far is a generic clumping litter. I never even thought about the smell being caused by cheap food. What do you recommend?

[Dung Beetle]

Cool! I nearly double-posted that, but the hamsters wouldn't let me! New feature?

[Kalhoun]

Originally Posted by Dung Beetle

redtail, I am restraining myself from throwing my arms around you and having a good cry!

I do comb the kitties frequently, but their little fur factories are more than equal to the task of keeping up with me. (However, I did get a giggle out of the Love Glove.)

I think part of the reason they've adjusted so well to being indoors is that I've bought them so many toys. Their favorite is the one with the ball in the plastic circle. They are also getting a lot of use out of the things I've bought them to scratch. I have some spray that keeps them from scratching up the furniture. Note to self: hide the catnip.

Kalhoun, the new neighborhood has a rule that all pets must be on leashes. (I put a leash on a cat once. Once.) Most people around here are dog owners, and of course, some of them ignore the leash rule.

Anyone know whether I should try a Swiffer mop? Anyone know of a cat litter that can turn turds to tulips and piss to perfume?

My SIL uses that crystally stuff. She says it's the miracle litter. I use clumping and our four furballs are very cool with it. The crystally stuff eliminates every. trace. of odor.

[AuntiePam]

I'm having good luck with the crystal litter too. I feed Iams Indoor Cat Weight Control Hairball formula, dry, and occasionally a can of Iams wet food.

I don't clean the three boxes nearly as often as I should, but there's remarkably little stink when I do.

[betenoir]

Do to the Saga Which Is My Life (which I've mentioned here and there so I won't mention it here) I have also moved from a house to an apartment. And my cat's have suddenly, and no doubt tramatically, become indoor cats. The one thing that seems to help is...well, you see we have a balcony here and we put out birdseed. Because we like birds. So do the cats. But in a different way.

The point being they have spent hours just sitting and watching the birds. It's like kitty TV. If that's at all possible where you are, it might give you some peace for a while.



I was going to mention fequent combing but it sounds like you're already doing that. I dunno...a lot of vacuuming? As vacuums are the natural enemy of the cat it will teach them not to shed.

[redtail23]

Originally Posted by Dung Beetle

redtail, I am restraining myself from throwing my arms around you and having a good cry!

Oh, go right ahead, I don't mind. Hmmm? No, no, of course I'm not bawling, that's just something in my throat. And eyes.

We've mostly got carpeting, so it's not the fur on the floors that gets me (vacuuming gets that up), it's the hair on everything else. The living room set is covered in something very similar to corduroy - I haven't been able to find any way to get them clean. Vacuuming doesn't even come close - the ridges in the material prevent the vacuum from getting enough suction going to scrape the hair loose. I've tried brushing, and some miracle sponge thing - the ridge/valley setup defeats them all. And my clothes. I guess I need to bring a lint thingie to work, because there's no way to get out of the house without being covered in fur.

They won't hold still for brushing, but I'll try one of the gloves. That may or may not work - a couple of them don't like to be held/petted, and the others only like it sometimes. What I really want is a brush attached to a very, very, very long vacuum tube, so that I could vacuum the kitties. And a remote control for the vac. If I had that, I'd figure out some way to get them to hold still for a couple minutes.

Their favorite is the one with the ball in the plastic circle.

Your cats play with that? Mine just stare at it. Sometimes they will deign to move their heads to watch the ball go 'round, as long as I sit there and bat it for them. <sob>

[YaWanna]

Originally Posted by AuntiePam

I'm having good luck with the crystal litter too. I feed Iams Indoor Cat Weight Control Hairball formula, dry, and occasionally a can of Iams wet food.

I don't clean the three boxes nearly as often as I should, but there's remarkably little stink when I do.

Yep, I used Iams and/or Eukanuba, and both reduce the bulk and smell of feces. Probably any premium pet food will do the same.

Before you object to spending the premium price, I will also mention that the likelihood of your pets being healthier from the consumption of premium quality food usually means less money spent on vet bills.

[Anastasaeon]

You know, I normally hate TidyCats litter, but they came out with this new stuff called "Small Spaces" - when we move into "bigger spaces", I'm still going to buy this litter! We have two cats in a small apartment who make a lot of poop. We used to use the crystal stuff, too, but this stuff is just awesome. I'd say it's at least worth a try.

Other than that, everyone else has the right idea - proper grooming, plenty of toys to keep them occupied, a spray bottle and lots of patience - this is a big shift for them, too, and they are still getting used to the new arrangements - and you'll all be fine.

Good luck - I wish you peaceful nights!

[River Hippie]

Premium cat foods are worth every extra cent. I use Iams. Less poop and it's less smelly. Getting them to switch may take some effort however.

[SnakesCatLady]

I'll second the premium cat food - I feed Iams Multiple Cat formula to my 8 cats and it makes a BIG difference in the litter box, both in amount and smell of waste.

I saw a gizmo advertised on Animal Planet tonight called the Pet Vac or something like that - it's basically an attachment for your vacumn cleaner that has a very, very long hose, so the vacumn noise isn't in the room with the cats. I'm watching the Eukanuba Dog Show while I do cross-stitch tonight (I'm on a smoke break now) so if I see it again I will get the name and post it.

I also use pine pellet stable bedding as cat litter. It's the same stuff as sold under the name "Feline Pine" but about a third of the price. The odor control is remarkable. If you decide to try it, look for it at a feed and seed - if you buy it bagged as cat litter it is much more expensive.

[indecisive1]

To get fur off your sofa after vacuuming it, take a slightly damp cloth and wipe it down in the direction of the fabric's grain. This will pick up more fur. It works good to just wipe it down with slightly damp bare hands, too, but the yuck factor is higher.

Maybe you could build them a really cool cat perch platform up near the ceiling. All the kitties I've ever known like to play "Vulture Cat". Maybe they'd like it so much they wouldn't sit (and shed) on your furniture so much.

Good luck with your fuzz bombs!

[Dung Beetle]

redtail, the little squeegee thing I'm using on my couch really works great. It'd probably even work on corduroy. It's called a Pet Hair Magnet and I got it at PetSmart.

Okay, so today I'm shopping for a Swiffer, some premium cat food, and some premium litter!

[Dung Beetle]

Well, I did get the Swiffer vac at least. It's working really well to get up the fur. I also got the crystal litter, which I'm phasing in, so far so good, but I'm afraid they're going to have to finish up these cheap-ass Friskies before I spring for the Iams.

[Snickers]

Originally Posted by Dung Beetle

Well, I did get the Swiffer vac at least. It's working really well to get up the fur. I also got the crystal litter, which I'm phasing in, so far so good, but I'm afraid they're going to have to finish up these cheap-ass Friskies before I spring for the Iams.

Don't write off buying the Iams just yet - I've always read that it's a good idea to phase in the new food gradually when you're switching cat food. So, when your Friskies is about half gone, go buy a bag of the Iams, and start gradually introducing it and reducing the Friskies to change the cats over. Apparently the gradual switch is less stressful for their tummies, and might help you stave off kitty gastronomical distress. Which really, is just good for everyone.

[Miss Purl McKnittington]

Originally Posted by indecisive1

To get fur off your sofa after vacuuming it, take a slightly damp cloth and wipe it down in the direction of the fabric's grain. This will pick up more fur. It works good to just wipe it down with slightly damp bare hands, too, but the yuck factor is higher.

Maybe you could build them a really cool cat perch platform up near the ceiling. All the kitties I've ever known like to play "Vulture Cat". Maybe they'd like it so much they wouldn't sit (and shed) on your furniture so much.

Good luck with your fuzz bombs!

I second all of this. Duct tape also works very well for removing fur from fabrics with nap. It's a bit stronger than one of those adhesive lint rollers, so you want to test it on a hidden spot on the fabric to make sure it doesn't take the nap away with the fur.

My cat was given a little two-level cat castle when he was a kitten. (We called it The Cat Cave and sang him The Batman theme whenever he went into it, because we're dorks.) He's too big for it now, but he still loves to sit on top of it and hide his toys inside of it. His favorite spot in the house, though, is on top of the six-foot tall bookshelves in the living room. My parents are building a new house this summer, and they're planning on building him a cat corner or maybe a catwalk around the top of one of the rooms. He's much, much calmer when he has access to high places. I think it feeds his feeling of superiority. My sister's cats have a floor-to-ceiling cat tower, and they definitely spend less time on the furniture now than they did before the cat tower. They use it instead of the furniture to scratch, too.

Good luck with your kitties!

[yellowval]

I second switching food gradually. I'd recommend buying a smaller bag of Iams and mixing it with what you've got left. We also use Iams, but sometimes we mix it (sometimes being when we're short on cash). We don't mix it with a really cheap brand, but more middle of the road, like Purina Cat Chow. Those big buckets that you can buy kitty litter in work perfectly for mixing food. It should be cleaned first, of course. Not that I've never seen a cat eat kitty litter either, but I digress. We buy a bag of each kind of food, dump it into the big bucket, which has a snap-close lid, and then shake shake shake. We keep it under the sink and it's easy to just dip the food bowls in there. Glad to hear you got the Swiffer. We love ours.

[moonstarssun]

I'll chime in for support of premium food too. It makes a huge difference.

As for shedding, we use something called Lo-Shed (available from your vet) on Pixel because he has dry skin. But it's supposed to help reduce shedding, so it might be worth a try. It's a spray, so I usually put some on my hands and pet him to get it onto his fur.

Do your kitties have a cat tree? It's a bit of an investment, but it's a good way to keep them occupied if you put it by a window. Also, playing with them in the evenings is a good way to wear them out a bit before bedtime.

[Dung Beetle]

Okay, okay, expensive cat food it is then. Troublesome little beasties...

Has anyone succeeded in training their cat to understand a verbal command? Understand and obey, I mean.

[Gaudere]

My cat will come when called nearly all the time, but if there is a big dog around or someone she dislikes might be able to catch her if she comes, she won't do it. I think if I wanted her to come when called in the face of a aggressive dog I'd need a lot better reward than a head scratch and piece of kibble or a punishment worse than what she thinks the dog will do to her.

[Miss Purl McKnittington]

My kitty comes when you call his name, and looks ashamed when you scold him, but I don't know that we've trained him. He sometimes gets down when you tell him to and he backs down when we tell him to "cool it off," but I'm not sure if it's the words so much as the tone. A lot of it depends on the circumstances. He usually misbehaves when either when he feels we aren't paying enough attention to him or because there are strangers in the house, which really isn't misbehavior at all, but we'd like him to be friendly.

Like Kalhoun's cat, he thinks we're playing with him when we squirt him with a spraybottle and is unfazed by a can full of pennies. We didn't want to associate the vaccuum with punishment, so the only punishment we have for him is being locked in his timeout room, which is also my bedroom. He doesn't like cat treats or anything much other than his cat food and vanilla pudding, so it's hard to reward him for good behavior. The timeouts work really well for punishing him when he misbehaves or gets too rough for company.

[XJETGIRLX]

We successfully trained our cat to stay off certain areas, like the coffee table and on top of the entertainment center. The thing about training cats though, they are not going to do something because it's what you want, they've got to be under the impression it's their own idea.

If you want them to stay off the table then being up on the table has got to be a bad experience for them. If you just use a water bottle they will learn to stay off the table only when you're there and the water bottle is in reach. What worked for my cat:

We covered the table with a couple dozen pieces of scotch tape, sticky side up. At no point did we try to control the cat's behavior, but after a couple (quite hilarious) attempts to jump up there he started to think it wasn't the best place to lounge. It only took about a week of replacing the tape for him to get the idea. It's been about 6 months now and while he will sometimes eye the table warily, he's found other areas to lounge.

The tape trick has also worked to keep him from scratching the sides of the couch. Two big loops of packing tape in the areas he likes to paw most did the trick.

For the area of the carpet he likes to scratch, the tape kept flipping over so we tried a couple loops of tape coupled with some pepper. He has avoided it for a couple weeks now so I think it's working.

Of course, when you make a certain area unattractive, you've got to offer an alternative. If you're taking away the places they normally scratch, make sure you have an appropriate place where they are allowed to scratch and make it as attractive to use as possible. Catnip, some fun toys, positive reinforcement when they use it (getting a good pet or scratch), etc.

[Maastricht]

Unfortunately, Iams Pet Food products have been banned by PETA. I don't know what to make of this, either.

Dung Beetle, I've heard good things on the SDMB about a self raking litterbox, the LitterMaid. I haven't tried it myself but it seems like an interesting concept.

[cerberus]

Dyson does a nice vacuum, sucks the fur (and everything else) out of furniture, rugs and any other surface that it can touch.

[moonstarssun]

Ours respond (sometimes) to their names and to things like "no" and "get down." Roger (who now pines for fjords ) also understood "go on."

Pixel has a bad habit of scratching on doors, so we're using a trick our vet recommended to break that habit. We have the vacuum set up in the hallway and have an extension cord plugged in wherever we are in the house. Anytime he scratches on a door, we plug the vacuum into the extension cord so he gets roared at. That way he doesn't associate the negative response with us, but it still trains him to stop scratching. So far so good.