Squeak Has An Addiction...

[Pawla]

I don't know what to do. Squeak has gotten really addicted to Whiskas Temptations. She expects them every time I walk into the kitchen. While I try to limit her, she is VERY demanding. She will cry this awful cry until she gets them. I'm not very good at telling her no, and sticking to it. I guess it's a good thing I don't have two-legged kids, they would walk all over me. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to break this habit?

[Catty1]

That's why I try to avoid a lot of commercial treats - they are flavoured to really appeal to cats, just like junk food is for humans. Even the ones that have a "tartar formula" on them don't impress me. No nutirition in them.

However, I have received packages from Mom as gifts for them. I just mixed the bunch up into my new Treat Jar (thanks again, Karen!) and dole them out sparingly.

I suggest getting a healthy treat, like Medi-Cal (nice fishy aroma for kitties), and start mixing them in with the Temptations. Slowly wean her off the Temps and onto the other.

Sometimes, instead of treats, I give my cats a sprinkle of catnip!

My cats love the Medi-cal treats.

Another thought - she might be craving these because her body senses something missing in her regular diet. Just out of curiosity, what is Squeak's main course food?

[Kalei]

I have no idea how to break that addiction...hmm if it were me I would probably just give the kitty a few at only one time a day, and then after awhile she will not expect it all the time, but this does mean having to say no that cute face lol

[catmandu]

I WISH I DID AS THERES A CERTAIN JUKE JOINT JOSEPH WHO HAS A WHISKAS TEMPTATION MONKEY ON HIS BACK TOO AND YOWLS UNTIL THAT YELLOW PACKAGE IS OPEN.
HE AND SQUEAK WOULD LOVE EATING UP THE TREATS.


HEY SQUEAK LETS SHARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WITH H H LADY EDWINA ROSE OF COURSE.

[Pawla]

Just out of curiosity, what is Squeak's main course food?

She has dry food available at all times, and a half a can of Fancy Feast in the morning, and the other half in the evening. The reason I started giving her the treats in the first place is because they're hairball control, and she HATES hairball medicine. I don't give her the hairball ones all the time. I also give her the ones in the same bag, but without petroleum.

[Pawla]

I WISH I DID AS THERES A CERTAIN JUKE JOINT JOSEPH WHO HAS A WHISKAS TEMPTATION MONKEY ON HIS BACK TOO AND YOWLS UNTIL THAT YELLOW PACKAGE IS OPEN.
HE AND SQUEAK WOULD LOVE EATING UP THE TREATS.


HEY SQUEAK LETS SHARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WITH H H LADY EDWINA ROSE OF COURSE.

She knows the difference, too! I've tried others, and NO WAY! It looks like the cat in the background in your picture has a Whiskas monkey also.

[Pawla]

I have no idea how to break that addiction...hmm if it were me I would probably just give the kitty a few at only one time a day, and then after awhile she will not expect it all the time, but this does mean having to say no that cute face lol

It is sooo very hard to say no to her. She will come into the kitchen, and stand up on her hind legs for me to pick her up. She gets treats on the counter. I've tried just picking her up, and putting her up there just for petting, but she's not satisfied.

[Kalei]

It is sooo very hard to say no to them. She will come into the kitchen, and stand up on her hind legs for me to pick her up. She gets treats on the counter. I've tried just picking her up, and putting her up there just for petting, but she's not satisfied.

Oh wow, I thought that my Bobo was the only cat that did that. The only difference is that he stand up on his hind legs for me to pick him up and hug him and scratch his head forever. Its so cute and makes me feel soooo loved

[Catty1]

Did the vet say she had to be on hairball treatment? Just curious.

There is a hairball dry food you can get - from stores and from the vet.

Just a thought.

[Pawla]

Did the vet say she had to be on hairball treatment? Just curious.

There is a hairball dry food you can get - from stores and from the vet.

Just a thought.

No, the vet didn't say she needed to be on hairball treatment. She just has a problem throwing them up without the treats. She would throw up at least once a week, and since I started feeding her the treats, it's stopped.

[Pawla]

Oh wow, I thought that my Bobo was the only cat that did that. The only difference is that he stand up on his hind legs for me to pick him up and hug him and scratch his head forever. Its so cute and makes me feel soooo loved

Ellie would do that. Squeak only does it if it's going to benefit her. LOL! She's not much on being picked up. When he would do it I felt loved, when she does it, I just feel used! (Just kidding!)

[Medusa]

Boy, do I feel like a meanie! I never gave my fur posse treats until just a few months ago when Dr. Lee gave one of my cats a few Greenies. I give them out sparingly at night, just 2 or 3 bites each. I know how addictive those treats can be. When I had dogs, I used to give them jerky treats. OMG! My son took pix of them getting into the treat cabinet, one playing the lookout, the other, the thief. I don't want to get my cats into that predicament now. I feel for ya because I know how persuasive they can be w/the yowling. I'd wean them off slowly if you can.

[Pawla]

I'd wean them off slowly if you can.

I'd like to, but she is soooo demanding! I feel as if I'm being a mean Mom if I don't give in to her. I'm telling you, it's a good thing I don't have two-legged kids!

[caffeitina]

The only thing I can think of is when the treats run out, don't buy any more. Squeak might be upset at first, but sooner or later she will forget all about them.

That's how I broke Howard and Luna of their Meow Mix Treats habit.

[columbine]

There's another anti-hairball treat that doesn't have any petroleum. It's called Cat Lube (seriously!) and it's made by Veterinarian's Best. It's psyllium and some enzymes, and chicken flavored.

Smudge used to get horrible constipation and constant hairballs, but when he started getting mucus plugs (the THIRD kind of urinary blockage) he just lost his taste for anything containing petroleum. Wouldn't eat it, even Temptations, which he'd loved before. But he definitely likes Cat Lube (they're big; if Squeak is small you can break them in half). You can also mix psyllium fiber (MetaMEOWcil ) in Squeak's canned food.

Smudge's treat of choice these days is CET (fish flavor) teeth-cleaning treats. They're a bit pricey, but he's 11 and his mouth is perfect! And they're about the size of a small mouse, so he has fun taking them apart too.

Oh, and not long after Smudge refused to eat any more petroleum, his mucus plugs cleared up. Coincidence? Who knows.

Love, Columbine