Isn’t it funny? When I was in my 20s, 500 sf felt huge! Now it seems like a small space. But back in the day, ,my cat lived with me and he was fine. I think it helped that he was a social cat and enjoyed all the people coming and going. He also loved looking out the window.
If your boy cat likes being outside on the lead, I’d just continue that. I bet it’s enough for him. She sounds content in a small space. Can you also add some cat trees and window ledges for them to hang out for fun? My sedentary cats enjoy sitting by an open window and catching all the interesting scents that go by too.
DH and I went to NYC from Thursday morning thru Sunday night. I didn’t want to board our 16.5 year old cat because I never have, and I think she’s a little old to be put through that. So I had MIL come over every day to feed her. MIL said she seemed fine and confessed that the cat food smell was gross, so she left extra portions Saturday and didn’t come by at all on Sunday.
Got home Sunday night and saw that kitty didn’t eat any food at all Sunday. Ever since we got home, cat has never left my side. She refused to eat a fresh can Sunday night, Monday morning, and last night. I was getting pretty concerned, but she finally ate her breakfast this morning.
DH postulates that she was worried if she left my side to eat, I might be gone with she got back. That makes me feel kind of sad.
Any others have elderly cats who are traumatized by your traveling?
@Nrdsb4–I left my cat once with someone coming over daily to feed her (think it was about a week). I thought she’d be fine (I usually boarded her and thought she’d like being home better). She acted like your cat when we got back.
I think she just got too lonely. After that I boarded her again with my vet and while I knew she would be in a cage she seemed happier than staying home alone.
Yeah, I think she was lonely. People who don’t have cats have the mistaken idea that they are loners and couldn’t care less about their owners apart from the fact that the owners feed them. Having had cats all my life, I know that is so far from the truth.
It’s Wednesday now, and though she is eating again, she still is hanging pretty close to me, though no longer insisting on being on my lap every second.
In the past, I’ve had my brother come in and stay with her if we are gone more than two nights. Looks like that needs to be the plan going forward, or board her at the vet’s.
D2 is coming in tonight with her 2 cats, and I don’t think my lady is going to be happy about all these injustices. Hope she doesn’t act out. One time when D2 was here, my cat went into D2’s room and peed on the pillow her cats sleep on. That was real fun to clean up.
I almost cried when I saw this cute video! But I get a lump at the thought that this wonderful cat is now elderly and the mom is going to be devastated when he goes.
When I was a kid, we had a cat that would tolerate being dressed up or lugged around, pushed around in baby carriages or red wagons. He was funny, and would eat anything that didn’t eat him first.
My current cat is very sweet, but not tolerant like the one in that video. Bailey is a real trooper.
Are there any floral/house plants that are so toxic to cats that I should not have them in the house? I know poinsettias. What others? S is back home with his cat. She doesn’t bite or nibble things in general. Still.
OMG!! Kid and her BF (aka cat whisperer) got a cat!!! A tiny, scaredy black kitty that was shipped here from Alabama. Apparently, Seattle is a great place for pets. People adopt and keep their shelter pets until the bitter end. Now we need to come up with a manner for my newest grandkitty!
I love cats. I have two rescues and volunteer at a cat rescue that is primarily a catch, neuter, release location but also does many adoptions.
I just had to share that I met a volunteer the other day who I never met before - very nice woman. However she owns…27 cats. All indoor cats! I had to share this - I cannot even begin to imagine.
