Ask the Edster?

[RICHARD]

Dear Edster - When my cat appears to be staring at something I am unable to see, what is she really watching? When I see her eyes fixed on something, I know to look there -- but sometimes I can't for the life of me figure out what she sees... It must be something too small for my old eyes.

The Edster says-
I do it to make you think there is something out there.

It's a test to see if you are paying attention to me.
I laugh at you when you look.

Sincerely,

Ed D. Katz

[cassiesmom]

Dear, white, fluffy, floofy Ed ... Can you please tell me why it's necessary for a cat to always eat from the same side of her dish? Mlle. Cassie was meowing at me this morning at 3:15 AM for a refill of her dry food. Her favorite side of the dish was empty, but the opposite side still had kibble in it. What's in her kitty brain that "her" side had to be refilled instead of eating the kibble that was already in the dish?

[RICHARD]

Dear, white, fluffy, floofy Ed ... Can you please tell me why it's necessary for a cat to always eat from the same side of her dish? Mlle. Cassie was meowing at me this morning at 3:15 AM for a refill of her dry food. Her favorite side of the dish was empty, but the opposite side still had kibble in it. What's in her kitty brain that "her" side had to be refilled instead of eating the kibble that was already in the dish?

Ed says,

It has to do with thumbs, GPS and freshness!

First of all cats have internal GPS units that lead them to food. so we home in on exact coordinates! We also have no thumbs to turn the bowl around-our dexterity is kinda hampered by that fact. And we get to the freshness issue- I have looked for the expiration date on my bowl and cannot find one.
Why take a chance?

I hope this helps you understand the Feline Nation.

[slick]

Dear Mr. Edster:
I hope you can assist me with something that's been bothering me for some time now.

You see for years and years Max never bothered with the furniture and was happy to scratch on the cardboard thingy that lays flat on the floor. In the past 6 months or so, he's changed. He won't use it and prefers the furniture instead. I used tin foil which worked but now I've done him a favour and for close to $200 I purchased a wonderful cat tree that stands 5 ft tall. There is a little house for him on the bottom and I've been trying to get him to scratch on that instead. I even carry him over and use his two front paws to scratch so he will get the idea but he just doesn't get it. Is it because of his age?? He's 14.

So I have a few questions here:
1. Why won't he use the expensive cat tree to scratch on?
2. Why won't he sleep in his new little house....instead sleeping on the floor behind the cat tree?
3. Why won't he use the expensive cat tree at all even just for sitting on and looking outside?

Signed
Broke in BC

[RICHARD]

Dear Mr. Edster:
I hope you can assist me with something that's been bothering me for some time now.


So I have a few questions here:
1. Why won't he use the expensive cat tree to scratch on?
2. Why won't he sleep in his new little house....instead sleeping on the floor behind the cat tree?
3. Why won't he use the expensive cat tree at all even just for sitting on and looking outside?

Signed
Broke in BC

The Edster says,

Hmmmm, I think you should blame it on the ancient Egyptians-they first domesticated us- and remember.....It's kinda hard to shred a pyramid made of stone- so we have shredded mankind's furniture for all the nails we lost back then!

I think a little nip in the tree and some treats will make the Maxster wander over it.

You can also play on and around it with him.

To keep him from scratching.....a squirt bottle with a little lemon juice works-sometimes.


I really hesitate to give away my secrets but, I have ignored the stuff my dad buys.....he bought me a really nice cat bed, but I pre-furr the empty cardboard water boxes with the plastic still in place!

Good luck!

[slick]

Thank you Mr. Edster. I'm grateful for your response. I have tried throwing catnip in the house and all over the tree and even threw his own little catnip pillow in his house. He walks over to it, sniffs and walks away.

**sigh** I just wish I knew what he was thinking.

Maybe you could make a visit up here and speak to him for me?????

[RICHARD]

Maybe you could make a visit up here and speak to him for me?????

Ed says,

What the hell is the matter with you?
You already have one problem.....why invite me over to wreck the goodwill that you have with the U.S.?

[cassiesmom]

We also have no thumbs to turn the bowl around-our dexterity is kinda hampered by that fact.

She did it to me again this morning. It's not necessary to move the bowl, cat - just move yourself over a little to the right and you'll find more kibble. It's not necessary to awaken mom at 3 AM when you still have half a bowl. Maybe she didn't *like* the food in that side of the bowl, even though it came from exactly the same box as "her" side. Fussbudget. She's got me wrapped around her fingers and she knows it.

[RICHARD]

She did it to me again this morning. It's not necessary to move the bowl, cat - just move yourself over a little to the right and you'll find more kibble. It's not necessary to awaken mom at 3 AM when you still have half a bowl. Maybe she didn't *like* the food in that side of the bowl, even though it came from exactly the same box as "her" side. Fussbudget. She's got me wrapped around her fingers and she knows it.

Ed says,

You finally have knuckled under to the "Power of the Pussy".

Cats have no sense of time. The watch would just fall off anyway!
Refill the bowl before bedtime or do what my dad does-He takes the old food and tosses it back into the box, then refills the bowl.....He thinks I'm not watching.

I eat it to make him feel useful!

[dukedogsmom]

Dear Ed,
Why don't we get to see more pictures of you?

[RICHARD]

Dear Ed,
Why don't we get to see more pictures of you?

Between you and me....I am afraid of stalkers?