Squeak Has An Addiction...

[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

[Pawla]

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

THANKS!

[KitCat]

You trained your cat to cry for treats! Your cat is a smart animal and you were rewarding the crying behavior with a treat. Of course that will make it cry more, kitties like treats!

Now you must never give that kitty a treat just because it cried. I give my cat a treat but he must earn it. You need to teach the kitty to work for the food. You can reward the cat for being quiet and not crying, or you can ask it to perform a small task. Standing for food is pretty easy because you can use the food a a lure to make the cat stand, and then when it does, you give it food. That way you are substituting a less annoying behavior for the crying.
Good luck and BE CONSISTANT!

[catmandu]

JOSEPH DOES FEEL BADLY IF THERES ANYTHING WRONG WITH WHISKAS TEMPTATIONS . THEY TASTE DELICIOUS AND JOSEPH LOVES THEM MORE THAN ANYTHING AND HE HOPES THAT THERE ARE SAFE FOR ONE AND ALL.

[columbine]

You trained your cat to cry for treats! Your cat is a smart animal and you were rewarding the crying behavior with a treat. Of course that will make it cry more, kitties like treats!

Now you must never give that kitty a treat just because it cried. I give my cat a treat but he must earn it. You need to teach the kitty to work for the food. You can reward the cat for being quiet and not crying, or you can ask it to perform a small task. Standing for food is pretty easy because you can use the food a a lure to make the cat stand, and then when it does, you give it food. That way you are substituting a less annoying behavior for the crying.
Good luck and BE CONSISTANT!

There are also other treats that you can offer - Kitty Kaviar is just plain fish, and quite low in magnesium (and high in flavor!)

If it's an anti-hairball treat without petroleum you're looking for, Smudge gives this stuff four thumbs up. Looks like it's on sale at the moment, too.

Love, Columbine

[Pawla]

You trained your cat to cry for treats! Your cat is a smart animal and you were rewarding the crying behavior with a treat. Of course that will make it cry more, kitties like treats!

Now you must never give that kitty a treat just because it cried. I give my cat a treat but he must earn it. You need to teach the kitty to work for the food. You can reward the cat for being quiet and not crying, or you can ask it to perform a small task. Standing for food is pretty easy because you can use the food a a lure to make the cat stand, and then when it does, you give it food. That way you are substituting a less annoying behavior for the crying.
Good luck and BE CONSISTANT!

THANKS! We are doing better. We are down to twice a day, morning and bed time. She does have to stand to get the treats. She stands on her back legs for me to pick her up. She will also come to me and stand if she spots a moth in the house.

[Pawla]

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.

She gets really upset! I've even tried picking the crunchies out of her dry to try and fool her, but it doesn't work. Every time I go near the kitchen she's standing up, screaming.

[RICHARD]

I mix them up with the dry food, rebag the mix and them toss them out liberally...


Ed knows his colors and letters (and the shapes of the bags....)

Good luck!

[jazzcat]

My guys aren't too bad about treats but I only give them out about once or twice a week at most.

Good luck with breaking the habit (or addiction).

[catmandu]

HI SQUEAK
DO YOU GET THIS MANY TREATS!!!
I AM SAVING UP FOR MY HH LADY EDWINA ROSE AND MYSELF!!
BUT DAD SAYS TO SHARE!!

HAH AHA JOSEPH YOU MISSED THESE.


MOOSE AND JOSEPH ARE SHARING.ONE OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOS.

[Pawla]

HI SQUEAK
DO YOU GET THIS MANY TREATS!!!
I AM SAVING UP FOR MY HH LADY EDWINA ROSE AND MYSELF!!
BUT DAD SAYS TO SHARE!!

HAH AHA JOSEPH YOU MISSED THESE.


MOOSE AND JOSEPH ARE SHARING.ONE OF MY FAVORITE PHOTOS.

NO! There's NO WAY Mom would leave out that many bags for me! I would find a way to get them open.

[Freedom]

Reminds me of what I am always saying about these cats as well.

If you do something ONCE, and they like it, then it is a RULE, and they expect it over and over and over.

I think you just need to stop cold turkey. Pick A TIME like the 10 AM snack break, give one, and that is it until the next day. Believe me, I know it will take at least two days to get the message through to the cat. The rest of he time you need to be retrainig that hugs and snuggles are GOOD things. (Good luck!)