# So my cat is trapped under the sink. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 29, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697 "2010-12-29T13:59:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/61 "2010-12-30T04:11:15Z")
Speaking of which, he came with the name Mu, so I was wondering if I should change the name to something I like or just keep the name… ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/62 "2010-12-30T04:11:16Z")
> [@drpepper](#): > > Good Lord! [Could’ve been worse](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m-G9vrgPLk). (Both excellent films, BTW.) ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/63 "2010-12-30T04:19:16Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Speaking of which, he came with the name Mu, so I was wondering if I should change the name to something I like or just keep the name… The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter, It isn’t just one of your holiday games; You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES. First of all, there’s the name that the family use daily, Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James, Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey– All of them sensible everyday names. There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter, Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames: Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter– But all of them sensible everyday names. But I tell you, a cat needs a name that’s particular, A name that’s peculiar, and more dignified, Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular, Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride? Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum, Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat, Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum- Names that never belong to more than one cat. But above and beyond there’s still one name left over, And that is the name that you never will guess; The name that no human research can discover– But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess. When you notice a cat in profound meditation, The reason, I tell you, is always the same: His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name: His ineffable effable Effanineffable Deep and inscrutable singular Name. T. S. Eliot - copyright, I believe, expired. ---
**Author:** ![ShelliBean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f9ae1b/32.png) [@ShelliBean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShelliBean)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/64 "2010-12-30T05:56:03Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Since everything is OK… > > [A cat stuck in a wall](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_jqrYu6LcM&NR=1#t=01m00s). Thank you for bringing that into my life. ---
**Author:** ![user\_hostile](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/user_hostile/32/474_2.png) [@user\_hostile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/user_hostile)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/65 "2010-12-30T07:09:30Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > Since everything is OK… > > [A cat stuck in a wall](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_jqrYu6LcM&NR=1#t=01m00s). Poor Frankie! It shows the violence inherent in the system searching for an angry fix, _man_! ---
**Author:** ![kjbrasda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/74df32/32.png) [@kjbrasda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjbrasda)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/66 "2010-12-30T08:00:22Z")
BTW, if and when they do show up to fix the hole, make sure you know exactly where kitty is during the entire process. just saying. ---
**Author:** ![PoorYorick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@PoorYorick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PoorYorick)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/67 "2010-12-30T13:16:35Z")
My cat did exactly the same thing on the day we were supposed to move out of our house. For 3 days after work I’d drive to the now empty house, croon “here, kitty kitty” and open cans of tuna. Nothing worked. So I didn’t leave any food out for a day (apparently she’d been sneaking out when I was gone and eating the food I left). The next day when I opened a can of tuna, she was out in a flash. Little bitch. My next step would have been to tear out the dry wall. Thank goodness the new owner was understanding and could wait a couple of days before moving in. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/68 "2010-12-30T14:17:28Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > Speaking of which, he came with the name Mu, so I was wondering if I should change the name to something I like or just keep the name… Well, dogs and cats are different but: My dog came with the name KC. However, I call her Fuzzybutt so often that she comes to that as quickly or more quickly. I think if you call your cat by a name often enough, it will begin to respond. Forgot to add: Glad the kitty is safe! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/69 "2010-12-30T15:14:59Z")
YES! I came right to this thread this morning hoping to hear the good news. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/70 "2010-12-30T16:29:10Z")
> [@user\_hostile](#): > > Poor Frankie! It shows the violence inherent in the system searching for an angry fix, _man_! Well, Walter was having a bad evening. He was unable to express his artistic vision (before the linked point – and in the Part 1 video before it), his dinner was boiling over, he banged his head on the lamp, he burned his hand, and the cat’s howling was irritating him. He really didn’t mean any harm! ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/71 "2010-12-30T16:42:08Z")
Awright, some good news! Thanks for the update, OP, and if your cat can already open cabinet doors you need to go to your nearest big-box or whatever, hit the baby aisle, and find some door latches. I got them when I had ferrets, and they are a bit help. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/72 "2010-12-30T17:16:50Z")
Reminds me of my favorite Disney themed joke: Mickey Mouse goes to see a lawyer. He wants to divorce Minnie Mouse. The lawyer is upset and asks why Mick wants to do this. So Mickey explains. Lawyer says “well Mickey, I can do this but it’s not going to make you look very sympathetic to your fans if it comes out that you’re divorcing Minnie because you think she’s going crazy” Mickey: “I didn’t say she was crazy, I said she was fucking Goofy!” ETA: Glad the cat’s safe. Seems he was just having some fun with you. ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/73 "2010-12-30T17:26:42Z")
Oops. Shoulda mentioned I was meaning to refer that last comment to **Walmarticus** ’s post. Makes more sense that way. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@Lady\_of\_the\_Lake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lady_of_the_Lake)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/74 "2010-12-30T20:14:07Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > Well, dogs and cats are different but: My dog came with the name KC. However, I call her Fuzzybutt so often that she comes to that as quickly or more quickly. I call my cat FuzzyBritches more than his real name too. 🙂 **Idle Thoughts** , I’m glad your cat is okay! It’s pretty worrisome to lose a cat in a vent. When I brought our new cat (Dexter) home, I made the mistake of letting him out of his crate and then going to get food. I was only going to be gone a minute, and he was in a closed door room, where could he go? We didn’t see him for three days. My husband didn’t believe that I’d actually gotten a cat at all, just a cat sized cardboard box. I tried leaving tuna and cat food out, and got excited to find it eaten, only to realize it was all going to the dog, really happy with this new bounty in the house. The cat eventually started meowing and came close enough to the vent opening in the wall that my husband was able to drag him out by his plastic humane society collar. ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/75 "2010-12-30T20:30:01Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > Awright, some good news! Thanks for the update, OP, and if your cat can already open cabinet doors you need to go to your nearest big-box or whatever, hit the baby aisle, and find some door latches. I got them when I had ferrets, and they are a bit help. Also, if you have a gas stove you may want to get baby proof covers for the knobs. Waking up at 4 in the morning to the smell of gas because your cat used the knob as a step to climb up on the stove or the counter sucks. Ask me how I know this. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/76 "2010-12-30T20:47:57Z")
> [@Khadaji](#): > > Well, dogs and cats are different but: My dog came with the name KC. However, I call her Fuzzybutt so often that she comes to that as quickly or more quickly. > > I think if you call your cat by a name often enough, it will begin to respond. > > Forgot to add: Glad the kitty is safe! Both of my cats will come to me when I call their names. Someone told me if you keep saying their name over and over as you pet them then they’ll associate the sound with getting petted and come to you like a dog does and both of mine do. Also I got both of my cats second hand and they already had names. One was six when I got here and I just called her “kitty”. The second one I got when she was two and I started calling her “goobs” because she is a gooberhead and used to always jump onto the tops of doors and then meow her fool head off because she couldn’t get down and I would have to rescue her. She still does that but rarely any more. I’m glad your cat is safe **Idle Thoughts.** ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/77 "2010-12-30T20:55:18Z")
> [@Tahssa](#): > > she is a gooberhead and used to always jump onto the tops of doors and then meow her fool head off because she couldn’t get down and I would have to rescue her. :rolleyes: She has you well trained. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/78 "2010-12-30T21:59:39Z")
> [@PoorYorick](#): > > My cat did exactly the same thing on the day we were supposed to move out of our house. For 3 days after work I’d drive to the now empty house, croon “here, kitty kitty” and open cans of tuna. Nothing worked. So I didn’t leave any food out for a day (apparently she’d been sneaking out when I was gone and eating the food I left). The next day when I opened a can of tuna, she was out in a flash. Little bitch. > > My next step would have been to tear out the dry wall. Thank goodness the new owner was understanding and could wait a couple of days before moving in. When I was about nine or ten, our cat did something similiar when we moved – although fortunately she was only missing a few hours. I was up at my grandparents while all the moving stuff was going on, and apparently Fluffy was hiding somewhere and no one could find her. Everyone was afraid she had gotten out, until my aunt found her hiding in the space between the pipes. (There was a little panel in the family room, on the otherside of the bathroom sink, and the pipes were behind it. Fluffy somehow managed to get it open and hide in there) ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2010, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/79 "2010-12-31T06:39:27Z")
[A tale of cat extraction](http://www.snopes.com/critters/disposal/catchday.asp). ---
**Author:** ![Ibanez](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a4c791/32.png) [@Ibanez](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ibanez)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2011, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697/80 "2011-01-01T07:41:20Z")
> [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > I’m thinking after the baby that fell down the well. 🙂 > > Anyway, major update: I was sleeping, as I said, and I woke (the first time) after a few hours. After getting a drink, I turned around to see the cat’s head poked out of the door from under the sink looking at me. He gave a good, healthy-sounding meow and I just stood there flabbergasted for a minute, then called to him and approached…and **he promptly disappeared down the hole again.** That made me laugh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/so-my-cat-is-trapped-under-the-sink/565697.md?page=3)