Tonight is the premiere of My Cat From Hell

[krazyaboutkatz]

I didn't even know about it but I had Animal Planet on so I was able to watch it. It was a great show and I learned even more about cats. I've seen this man on some other Animal Planet shows about cats before. One was a contest for America's Cutest Cat.

[Medusa]

I reminded everyone then forgot about it myself. I did watch the second half, though, and I loved it. When I saw the cat who sat in his litterbox, I felt bad b/c that's what my Specs used to do. He's still so very timid, won't show himself at all when company is here, especially my son for some reason. (I can assure you that my son loves him, he loves all my cats and we can't figure out why Specs is so afraid when he's here. He stays in the basement and as soon as my son goes out the door, Specs will come out. My son feels so bad about it and so do I.) Anyhow, Specs is no longer sitting in the litterbox but he's still so timid. If even I make a sudden move, he bolts. I've had him for nearly 10 years so if he was abused before I rescued him, you would think he'd be more secure by now. I'm going to be sure to watch the show if it's on every week.

[chocolatepuppy]

Great show!!!

[mrspunkysmom]

He didn't address my problems (emotionally needy cat) last night, but he might in future shows. On the plus side, it feels good to know that for these last several years, I've been doing most of what he suggested to make the cats feel at home and yet access their "wild side". By that I mean that they have access to high places, be it open cabinets or cat trees, I let them direct the play time, and I let them determine how they want to be loved.

I was tickled pink at the suggestions he was giving these people. I'm sure Pet Talk people naturally arrange their homes to accommodate their pets and not the other way around, but not everyone understands that pets have needs other than food and water.

PS I have the cat furniture for the cats and myself. They have their furniture and usually leave mine alone because of that.

[Medusa]

He didn't address my problems (emotionally needy cat) last night, but he might in future shows. On the plus side, it feels good to know that for these last several years, I've been doing most of what he suggested to make the cats feel at home and yet access their "wild side". By that I mean that they have access to high places, be it open cabinets or cat trees, I let them direct the play time, and I let them determine how they want to be loved.

Yep, I felt good about that, too, except that he doesn't advocate closing off rooms to them. I have a room that's closed off b/c it's furniture, etc. from my office that I closed down. It's Victorian, lots of tassles, fringe, etc., things that none of my Fur Posse can leave alone. Besides, it's where I go to get away and really think. They don't care, though. They don't sit outside the door and cry or anything. They have the run of the rest of the house and they're content w/that.

[mrspunkysmom]

Yep, I felt good about that, too, except that he doesn't advocate closing off rooms to them. I have a room that's closed off b/c it's furniture, etc. from my office that I closed down. It's Victorian, lots of tassles, fringe, etc., things that none of my Fur Posse can leave alone. Besides, it's where I go to get away and really think. They don't care, though. They don't sit outside the door and cry or anything. They have the run of the rest of the house and they're content w/that.

I'm sitting on the fence on that decision. I can understand your reasoning on that one. Sometimes I take myself out to eat if I don't feel like sharing.

My only issues are that Spunky will not let me eat in the evenings in peace. He has to have my attention or my food. Giving him some tidbits usually satisfies this need and he leaves. He doesn't always want my food. Sometimes it's my attention he needs.

He also doesn't like the computer. It's competition.

[Medusa]

I had an emotionally needy cat, too, my RB Boo Bear. He lived to be almost 20 and he never did get over the neediness. As she got older and became ill, the neediness became worse but I indulged it b/c he was always such a good boy, never a moment's trouble. I miss all my RB kitties but I miss Boo most of all. Unless it's a really big problem for you, I'd say to indulge it. If he isn't destructive, there are worse things. Just my opinion, of course, which ain't worth much. LOL

[Karen]

It always surprises me what some people don't know - like the first couple who didn't know that a cat with a twitching tail is "danger, danger!" I remember my dad telling me that when I was maybe 4 years old. (Before I was allergic to kitties, and was enthusiastically petting one of my cousin's cats ...) Thanks to early instruction on paying attention to such signals, I have only been scratched by cats twice - and both times they were serious about wanting to nail me. The first was when I was doing homework over a friend's house, and I dropped my pencil. It rolled under the couch, so I just reached under to snag it - and got nailed! Dawn then said "oops, forgot to tell you - that's where Kitty lives, and if it rolls under there, it's hers!" The second - a longer story for another day ...