How much do you protect your CH cat?

[Lizzie]

After looking at Medusa's thread about her CH cat, I started wondering how much other PTer's protect their CH cats, or don't.

I corresponded once with someone online who also had a CH cat and she had wrapped padding around all table and chair legs, padded all corners in her home, etc. and was horrified that I had not. I can't imagine padding all corners in my family size house nor constantly removing and cleaning all the padding from furniture, I would never have the time. I've let my Miss Z. (moderately severe CH) run as wild as she wants, even allowing her to race up and down stairs now that she is fully grown - I just don't watch when she does it because it terrifies me.

I hear thuds and bangs all the time as she slams into walls, corners and furniture while racing with the others, quite often chasing the others. I cringe each and every time and imagine the bruises accumulating on her body. But what can one do in those circumstances? She loves, absolutely loves her freedom to race around and is passionately fond of catching even the largest cats unawares and then chasing them into a corner. In that way she is fearless. However, like all CH cats her fear factor is way, way higher than normal. The worst thing I can do when she is racing around is interrupt because she will panic and slam into whatever is nearest far harder than when she is playing. That's the worst, when I accidentally make her panic and she hurts herself. Although she always runs right off and doesn't look hurt.

The other night I noticed her racing around really frantically, shaking her head, whirling around and then hiding, and then I noticed a wasp in the large low window where I know she likes to sit. Immediately I'm thinking of a wasp bite in her mouth, swelling, shock, etc. and I know I have to check her out. Of course, I have to approach her very, very slowly and casually, looking as though I'm walking right past her, and then scoop as fast as possible. She panicked, of course (and I have the marks down my arm to prove it), and I had to scruff and then wrap her to calm her down. No swelling in her mouth, thank goodness, or anywhere else. Perhaps she started to grab it with her mouth but it buzzed and moved and she panicked.

How much do you protect your CH cat? Do they go into panic mode very easily such as when you reach out to pet them, try to check them out physically, walk past them sometimes?

[Laura's Babies]

I am not nearly as protective of Amy as I use to be... or hover over her every move like I use to. She has taught me to just leave her alone and I do. The only thing I have done it to put my box springs and matress on the floor so she can join us there and get down without hurting herself so bad, even then, there is sometimes a hard Ker-THUNK when she gets off the bed. I cringe everytime I hear it.

I have one chair in my livingroom that is HERS. It is high up off the floor and she gets in and out of it by herself (thank you! LEAVE ME ALONE!) and I have a cushion on the floor so it she falls hard out of it, she has a easy landing. She manages the sofa just fine. I do use blankets and rugs to protect the furniture from her nails that she has to use to pull herself up on those things.

A long time ago, she gave up getting on high places like counter tops and tables.. PHEW! I'd about have a heart attack when I'd see her up that high and run get her down. I do have the storage container for her litter boxes and the big pads down in case she don't make it into the box in time.

Other than that, I don't do anything odd or unusual anymore.. She still uses her feeding station we made her every day also. She is a regular little "Miss Do It Yourselfer!"

[lvpets2002]

Well I have 4 CH Babies now & they go & do their thing.. I do watch out for them & if they need help then I assist.. Now I did make sure to have everything carpeted..

[Medusa]

Obviously, after having read my thread, you all can see that I don't go out of my way to protect Creamsicle. I'll admit I was sick to my stomach when she fell this last time because she fell quite a distance and she hit hard. I was here to see it but what about when I'm not? She loves everyone and she's deaf besides so to isolate her in any way is out of the question and, like Lizzie, I can't see padding furniture, etc. Her CH is mild in comparison to when I first rescued her and most people don't even know that she has CH until they try to pick her up or unless they see her endlessly walking in circles. When I first took her in, I considered building ramps for her so that she could get up on the sofa or look out the window w/out my help but as she improved, I realized that she wouldn't need those things.

I think CH cats are rather like toddlers; they're made of rubber and cement. They're tough. I do cat proof the house because of a cat's curious nature and their inability to resist string, tassels, ribbons, etc. and I would never allow Cgirl or any of my cats to come into harm's way. I guess maybe it depends on the severity of the CH and the personality of the cat. If I try to restrict Creamsicle in any way, she'll become more stressed and her CH will become more pronounced.

I'm protective but not over protective. I sometimes feel bad as it is about keeping them indoors so to restrict a CH cat or any cat for that matter doesn't seem fair to me. I was concerned that Cgirl would never be independent and that I would need to hand feed her and put her in the litterbox each time because when she first came to me, her CH was that bad. Well, my prayers for her independence and happiness have been answered and I won't stifle that in any way. If she gets banged up, she'll hopefully learn from experience.

I forgot to answer Lizzie's question about how easily Cgirl goes into panic mode: if I accidentally step on her paw, she'll panic and hide from me. The first time I did that she hadn't been admitted into my house yet because I was waiting for her test results, so she lived in the garage. She ran under my car and stayed there for hours. If I'd get close, she'd run to the other side. I ended up sleeping in the garage that night because I felt so bad and I had to wait for her to come to me, which she eventually did, but her CH was awful! She naturally loves everyone, doesn't seem to fear strangers at all, but if she thinks you're headed in her direction w/medicine, the CH kicks in full bore. I dread the day that I may have to administer subQ's to her if she should ever develop CRF as a couple other of my cats have. Good grief.

[Laura's Babies]

This is a great thread and I have enjoyed reading everyone responses so far, sounds like we are all on the same page with letting them be themselves and not treating them handicapped.

Lizzie- Thanks for thinking of starting this thread. I will watch it still, interested in what everyone else says.

[catnapper]

Boy this thread is making me want Wobbles more..... Humane League of Lancaster County has a 2 month old orange tabby CH kitten named Wobbles. I was talking to the rescue today about him, and the head already put in a request for him!

Hubby's answer was an immediate NO! but his heart would say yes if he got to meet him.


Here's what they said about him

Take a moment to watch Wobbles walk and you will definitely realize the meaning behind his name. This tiny, 2 month old kitten walks as if he sipped one too many cocktails! Wobbles has what is known as cerebellar hypoplasia, which is a disorder that affects part of a cat or dog's brain. The disorder causes jerky movements and uncontrolled motion and it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of the disorder.


Despite his disability, Wobbles is a happy kitten who loves to cuddle. He cannot go up or down stairs or jump up on furniture because he is not coordinated enough. Just like any other kitten, however, he likes to play with other cats and explore his environment. Wobbles is litterbox trained, up to date on his vaccinations, and will be neutered as part of his adoption process.

Because he already has some difficulty getting around, Wobbles cannot be declawed. He would probably benefit from going to a home with another cat or kitten who could act as his buddy and inspire him to be as normal of a cat as possible. The main requirement for Wobbles' adoption is that his new family will love him just the way he is! If you would like to adopt Wobbles, come meet him at the Humane League's main facility on Lincoln Highway! Visit our website for hours and directions.

http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com...=1102662715691

[phesina]

Elmer and Bob go wherever they want and do whatever they want to do.. but my place is just 2 rooms with wall-to-wall carpeting plus a very small bathroom and kitchenette.

Neither of them goes to much trouble to climb or jump. Bob hauls himself up to the top of his 2-story cat condo. Elmer jumps up onto my bed.. or rather, kind of hurls himself into the air to land on it wherever.

[emily_the_spoiled]

As the newet PT members to get a CH kitty I have not done anything special for her. I already had 4 blind cats, so the house is designed so that they can climb up on what I want them to (because they can not see to jump up). So this has worked well for the newest addition. But I watch her and wonder how she doesn't end up full of bruises (I know I would ). But she loves to play with the other cats and run around the house. (She is only 3 months old so she is not quite big enough to learn how to do stairs yet but I am sure it will come with time and my heart attack )

[lvpets2002]

I will admitt I have steps & chairs in diff spots for the babies to be able to get on the bed & couchs.. Most of the time they will pull themselves onto furniture.. So I also leave their nails longer than the others so they can climb & pull.. Other than that I just let them be themselves & do what they want.. Now I do watch very close if they are wanting to climb the cat trees.. I dont like them falling off.. Yes Great Thread so we can Adore & talk about our Special Babies.. Thanks

[Medusa]

Boy this thread is making me want Wobbles more..... Humane League of Lancaster County has a 2 month old orange tabby CH kitten named Wobbles. I was talking to the rescue today about him, and the head already put in a request for him!

Hubby's answer was an immediate NO! but his heart would say yes if he got to meet him.


Here's what they said about him

Take a moment to watch Wobbles walk and you will definitely realize the meaning behind his name. This tiny, 2 month old kitten walks as if he sipped one too many cocktails! Wobbles has what is known as cerebellar hypoplasia, which is a disorder that affects part of a cat or dog's brain. The disorder causes jerky movements and uncontrolled motion and it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of the disorder.


Despite his disability, Wobbles is a happy kitten who loves to cuddle. He cannot go up or down stairs or jump up on furniture because he is not coordinated enough. Just like any other kitten, however, he likes to play with other cats and explore his environment. Wobbles is litterbox trained, up to date on his vaccinations, and will be neutered as part of his adoption process.

Because he already has some difficulty getting around, Wobbles cannot be declawed. He would probably benefit from going to a home with another cat or kitten who could act as his buddy and inspire him to be as normal of a cat as possible. The main requirement for Wobbles' adoption is that his new family will love him just the way he is! If you would like to adopt Wobbles, come meet him at the Humane League's main facility on Lincoln Highway! Visit our website for hours and directions.

http://origin.ih.constantcontact.com...=1102662715691

You'll never regret taking in a CH cat. My Creamsicle is the most lovable cat ever. Even people who aren't particularly cat lovers can't resist her. Every worker that I've had in my home doing handiwork or construction, etc. has fallen in love w/her. They're just so special in so many ways.

[lvpets2002]

I will agree with Mary.. You will Never Regret Having CH Babies.. They are so Loving & just so Special in their ways..

[Lizzie]

(She is only 3 months old so she is not quite big enough to learn how to do stairs yet but I am sure it will come with time and my heart attack )

The advice I would give when she decides to do stairs is not to try to help her, not to move forward towards her or make her hesitate at all in her movements. The one time I started forward with horror when I saw my Miss Z. climbing the stairs in a lurch, rear back to almost falling, throw herself forward and grab method, she froze and then almost fell completely backwards. I was too far away to help her and I almost caused her to break her neck. I can't put anything soft at the bottom of the stairs because she would pee on it.

Those of you with litter box trained CH cats are lucky. No matter what method I've tried from advice from various sources, Miss Z. has never used even the lowest litter boxes even those with strong side supports. She mostly pees on newspaper in the bathrooms, or at least on the linoleum floor (I have to put the lights on full if I have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, a horrible thing to do to my eyes but better than stepping in pee or poop.) She's always used whatever soft stuff she can find on the floor. I had to rip out all my carpets, can't have rugs, and can't even leave a cloth on the floor when I've had plates of wet food down. Most annoying of all, in spite of having two bathrooms, one litter room downstairs, and a corner of the living room cordoned off just for her with a square of linoleum and newspaper, if she finds her preferred place is at all dirty, she won't find another, she will simply poop or pee on the hall or bedroom floor. I've always sworn that if I gave her a forty acre field as her litter area, she would poop just inside the field and then refuse to use it again if the poop was still there when she returned. It is, of course, based on her desire not to soil herself since she almost always falls over when she pees and poops.

I also leave Miss Z's claws alone, she's always wearing them down anyway with her climbing.

After reading other responses on this thread, I'm inclined to think my Miss Z's fear factor is higher than usual. It really is extreme.

It can be amazing watching these cats get where they want to go. Like other CH cats, Miss Z. does claw and scramble her way onto sofas and beds, etc. There are times recently, however, when she almost seems to levitate herself onto the sofa. I see her jump upwards, don't see her move forwards, and all of a sudden she is on the couch on all fours.

[Medusa]

The advice I would give when she decides to do stairs is not to try to help her, not to move forward towards her or make her hesitate at all in her movements. The one time I started forward with horror when I saw my Miss Z. climbing the stairs in a lurch, rear back to almost falling, throw herself forward and grab method, she froze and then almost fell completely backwards. I was too far away to help her and I almost caused her to break her neck. I can't put anything soft at the bottom of the stairs because she would pee on it.

Those of you with litter box trained CH cats are lucky. No matter what method I've tried from advice from various sources, Miss Z. has never used even the lowest litter boxes even those with strong side supports. She mostly pees on newspaper in the bathrooms, or at least on the linoleum floor (I have to put the lights on full if I have to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, a horrible thing to do to my eyes but better than stepping in pee or poop.) She's always used whatever soft stuff she can find on the floor. I had to rip out all my carpets, can't have rugs, and can't even leave a cloth on the floor when I've had plates of wet food down. Most annoying of all, in spite of having two bathrooms, one litter room downstairs, and a corner of the living room cordoned off just for her with a square of linoleum and newspaper, if she finds her preferred place is at all dirty, she won't find another, she will simply poop or pee on the hall or bedroom floor. I've always sworn that if I gave her a forty acre field as her litter area, she would poop just inside the field and then refuse to use it again if the poop was still there when she returned. It is, of course, based on her desire not to soil herself since she almost always falls over when she pees and poops.

I also leave Miss Z's claws alone, she's always wearing them down anyway with her climbing.

After reading other responses on this thread, I'm inclined to think my Miss Z's fear factor is higher than usual. It really is extreme.

It can be amazing watching these cats get where they want to go. Like other CH cats, Miss Z. does claw and scramble her way onto sofas and beds, etc. There are times recently, however, when she almost seems to levitate herself onto the sofa. I see her jump upwards, don't see her move forwards, and all of a sudden she is on the couch on all fours.

When Creamsicle first came to me, her CH was so bad that she couldn't stand. She just simply fell over and flopped like a fish out of water. When she could finally stand, believe it or not, she became litter trained in the birdseed that fell from the feeder. From there to the litterbox was a natural progression. Perhaps give that a try?

[lvpets2002]

I will say with my four of watching them from kitten to full grown is they learn on their own of their abilities & or not.. They learn how to handle climbing & potting in the litter box & just getting around in general.. Now I know with my Taccoa & Zolene their litter box has taller sides than the others.. Due to both babies use the sides to lean on for support..

[emily_the_spoiled]

So far the primary litter box issue we have is that sometimes she doesn't make it in time because she is asleep and doesn't wake up in time Needless to say I have been washing my sheets/blankets much more frequently...