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Posted by Martisimo on February 03, 2003 at 09:44:03:
In Reply to: I don\'t know what my cat wants posted by stormgirl_lp on January 29, 2003 at 09:14:17:
It sounds like he's adjusting and getting more confident. Stand firm on the no-outside rule. Also, maybe he is begging for food, as impossible as it seems. Since he's overweight, it's a safe bet his previous owners probably responded to and rewarded his begging behaviors. Don't give in to him.
A cat tree, like was suggested is a good idea, or if he's clawed a floor-to-bookcase scratching post would be something to climb. I'm also a big fan of laser pointers as a toy - they're fun to chase and can help work out that hunting instinct.
On a side note - it sounds like he's still getting A LOT of food there. You're describing a total of 1 cup of dry food a day, plus some canned added. I would get an actual measuring cup if you don't already use one, and keep it in his food bag and measure his meals out. A normal sized male cat should get about a *total* of 1/2 cup dry food daily, that's not even considering canned. If you add canned you must adjust the amount of dry food down to accomodate for it. Of course, don't cut him down cold turkey (mmmm, bet he'd like some of that!), cut him back graudally over one or two weeks. And get ready to see some serious begging! I'd also recommend a premium brand of food, not the Purina or Delicat. Kitties are special and need excellent food, especially when they're seniors! Good luck with him!
:Smokey is a 10+ year old mixed breed who has been with me now for three weeks. The first week he was quiet and nervous. The next week he came right out of his shell and became an affectionate lap cat. About that time I changed his diet. His previous owners fed him only Delicat. Smokey is seriously overweight and I read that he should eat a variety, so I started I give him 1/4 cup of purina dry and 1/4 cup of delicat mixed with 2 TBLS of wet food in the am and a 1/2 cup of purina dry in the evening. As soon as I'm up in the morning, he's rubbing on me and purring. He likes his new food routine. But since we started this ritual, he's begun pacing and meowing around the kitchen. Is he just begging for more or does he want something else? I can't read his mind and its driving me nuts. His litter is clean and he is well fed and watered. What does he want? Is there a way I can find out?