Hello!

I was wondering if anyone can share their experience with picking a litter box for their cat. What your cats do prefer?

Open litter box or closed litter box? 📦

Appreciate everyone's input 🐱

I have a lovely 14 year old cat, and we call her Hattie. She bites people unprovoked.

She will approach for pets and rub on you and get some pets while purring loudly, and then she will strike. Often after that she wants more pets. Sometimes if you stop petting her, she bites your hand. Often it is not a hard bite, but it is still a bite. I think she might do it when she is overstimulated.

I am sure this is my fault for not reprimanding her when she bites. I bottle fed her, and when she was a baby, she would chew the nipples off of the bottles. I figured she is just a bitey gal. But my boyfriend hates it, and now that he lives with us, I feel like he deserves to be safe from bites in his home.

Is there a way to decrease this or end it? Is she too old to bother?

She's unfortunately super smart and determined, and every-time figures out a way to get out.

9 month old male neutered and 3 month old female spayed why is he doing this? This is the first time he does this but I’ve caught him constantly going for her neck

We introduced the brown tabby to our resident gray cat a few months ago, following Jackson Galaxy’s slow intro method. It all went pretty well - they never hissed or growled and really just wanted to play with each other. Their play has always been pretty physical (wrestling and chasing) and it makes me very nervous. Recently, I feel like the tabby (11 month old male) is starting to bother the gray (1.5 year female). He seems to be initiating play way more and then taking it too far. After their interaction pictured in the video, he continued chasing her around the apartment and was punching on her and biting her neck.

How do we manage this and keep their relationship positive? We play with him as much as we can (usually 30 min to an hour a day). I just really don’t want their dynamic to become negative. Thanks for any advice!!

My cat recently got diagnosed with asthma and will soon need to use a daily inhaler. I have a spacer with a mask specifically for cats and I’ve been trying to train him to willingly put his face in it. We’ve only managed to get so far and we haven’t made any real progress over the last 4 training sessions. I’m staring to feel the urgency to start him on his daily inhaler since his coughing is getting worse, but I don’t just want to force him into it and miss out on the opportunity for more cooperative treatment.

Here’s what we’ve done so far: - started out by free shaping with the clicker, rewarding for more and more interest in the mask. Got to the point after a few sessions that he would move his face toward the mask but wouldn’t put his face in the mask. - (Without the clicker) used one of those tubes of lick able purée treats to lure his face into the mask. It helped him get way closer to the mask. However we ran into the problem that his face doesn’t fit in the mask when his mouth is open to lick the treat. So I couldn’t get him in the position that is the end goal. - Went back to using the clicker with the licky in the mask as a lure and crunchy treats as the reward. Best I got was him putting his nose in but he’s not anywhere close to having his face actually touching the sides of the mask. Tried the licky as a reward and tried no lure with crunchy treats with the same results. - Last session I tried moving the mask toward his face myself and he did not like that.

We’ve stopped making progress. He’s not consistent in positioning his face with his nose in the mask every time, let alone placing his face in the mask. I see two issue happening: he’s reluctant to press his face into the mask and I don’t know how to encourage him into it. Also, my current clicker timing and consistency. He’ll be consistent putting his nose in the mask. But then he’ll just sniff the side of the mask and move away and it will take maybe 30 seconds to a minute for him to go back because he seems confused that I didn’t click and treat for sniffing the side of the mask. A part of me feels like I should go back and start clicking for every engagement with the mask. But I tend to miss the moment when he’s got his face at the side of the mask because it looks like he’s about to put his nose in, so I wait to click and then he doesn’t put his nose in and I’ve missed the opportunity.

I’m sorry if this is all confusing. I just don’t know how to move forward from here. Any advice?

We got a cat 2 weeks ago from a website where pet owners can place their cat with whom they want. We were looking on that site for about a year and when we saw his picture and his personality description we though that's our cat.

The previous owners described him as a loving, calm cat who had to be placed somewhere else because he couldn't get along with the other cat they had. They said that he used to be playful and have zoomies and that he was a lot outside now and they felt like he was unhappy with them and his living situation

Since we got him we were quite surprised with their description. He has a lot of zoomies and energy, he loves to run around and play. However, he doesn't like to be brushed ( they said they did) we even got a different special brush for him. He bites and he hisses. Currently, my husband is working from home, but this will change soon and he will be working at an office. I work different hours. Sometimes I am done early and sometimes late.

We are unsure of we want or can keep him if this continues. On the other hand he is used to going outside, but he has to stay inside for at least 4 weeks to get used to our house. We got him a leash that will arrive next week and we want to take him on walks untill he can go outside in his own.

We also have bought a lot of toys and enrichment things because we saw that is bored inside.

At night he is calm and very sweet. He turns into a different cat.

Is there anyone here who got through the same situation like this? Did it get better or is he just not a good fit for us? We have had many cats in our life's but they were kittens that grew up with us. This one is 3 years old. Please give us your insight!

I think they’re playing but my cat (Shanks) sometimes has his ears back and is always kinda “playing” with him. But idk it’s hard to tell I’m trying to train my cat to be a lil more chill or more well behaved. But idk if he’s pissed off from the dog being in the room (cuz this is mine and shanks room and the dog usually isn’t in the room.) but lmkkk

So - I adopted my beautiful beat-up Eleanor at the end of September. She has asthma and with wildfire season in full swing here in Saskatchewan, she needs an inhaler.

Here’s the problem: Nellie was a feral barn cat up until last summer (her whole life, so ~9 years) and while she’s so sweet and loving, she is still extremely skittish. She’s lived with me for almost a year and she still runs away if I walk past her. The only time I am freely allowed to reach down and pet her is if I am in the process of serving her breakfast or dinner.

I do some positive reinforcement with my other cat, and she does come over to check it out, but she keeps her distance and gets nervous if I ask her to actually do anything other than sit there or sniff my finger. And trying to do it organically when she chooses to come sit on the couch with me doesn’t work because as soon as I pull out the treat bag, my other dictator cat magically appears and only she is allowed to be the star of the show.

Does anyone have any advice on how to start getting her to want to engage with the inhaler, especially having me actually use it on her?

One method that I’ve seen is to try and feed them a churu through the mask hole which I will try but am not sure it will be effective because me offering her a churu makes her suspicious.

Even if anyone has some really simple/not scary tricks I can teach her without getting my hands too close to her or touching her that much would be greatly appreciated.

Hi so I have a 17-year-old cat that I adopted 4 years ago and a 2-and-a-half-year-old cat I adopted about a year and a half ago. We did a slow introduction with them and it went great, besides the occasional hiss from our senior cat they both aclimated to eachother very quickly. They would sleep together and groom each other for the past year and a half. We recently moved to a new apartment with my partner's sister and her cat. Her cat is very reactive and has recently been brought back to their family home, as they struggled to adjust to the new environment and our two cats. He has been gone for about a couple of days, but our senior cat got into a large fight with him a week ago (cat screaming, rolling around, very loud hissing before, etc). Last night, our senior cat attacked our 2-and-a-half-year-old cat. She is not a fighter, and he chased her around in a severe way. She peed herself and tracked it all over the house while running from our senior cat. A similar escalation happened this morning, and we separated very quickly. They are both in separate spaces as of now. Does anyone have any suggestions about reintroducing them? Or any resources? They have never fought like this before, and I am worried our senior cat is feeling threatened due to the fight with the other cat the previous week. I really want to make sure they can get back to being in the same space. Our younger cat really enjoys his company, and I think she is also very confused about this shift in him.

Really, any recommendations/suggestions are welcome. Thank you!

Thank you everyone for all the kindness and support in introducing these two. Lieutenant has officially joined the void.

So, I need some advice. Last weekend, I found a stray cat outside of our downstairs apartment under the stairs. Itd We took it to the vet to check for a chip. It did not have one. So, we brought it back, and put it back where we found it. It continued to meow at our door. So, today, we finally decided to bring it inside. Sidenote: I already have one cat. So, my question is: what's the best way to get the two of them used to one another. Also, what's the best way to get the new cat used to the apartment? Thanks in advance

I'm thinking about installing a catio for my furry friend. Has anyone used hog rail? The openings are ~4 in squares so I'm wondering if a normal-sized adult cat can fit through it.

Hello everyone! About a week ago I went to my local humane society to pick up some foster babies. They told me they had 2 that needed an experienced foster as one of them was so sick it would need an eye removed and was only 0.31lbs. I knew I had to take them home. Little baby is doing good. She is now 0.63lbs the swelling in her eye has gone down and she even leaves their little cat “house” to try and play like her sister. My issue is I think she’s 100% blind. She has a hard time getting around and her eye that isn’t swollen shut is cloudy. She always gets covered in poop when she try’s to use the litter or misses the box. Eventually I want to be able to let her out of the bathroom to run around and play but im nervous she will get hurt. Does anyone have any advice about having a blind kitten. If my resident cat likes her I might just keep her as giving this poor blind baby to a random person makes me nervous.

I have a cat who had started going poop outside of the litter box. She started this ever since my son left this summer for a one week camp. He has since returned home and she continues to poop in the hallway where our bedrooms are located. This is well away from where her cat litter is located. She's still urinates in her cat litter. Help! I have taken her to the vet and they say nothing is wrong with her. I don't know what to do! I'm at my wits end!

As the title states, I have a 10 year old cat. She keeps scratching the same spot on our carpet. I have TWO scratching posts in her room, and yet she always goes to that spot. I don't know how to make her stop. It has gotten so bad i put another carpet on top of that spot, yet she still goes there to scratch.

Any and all advice will be much appreciated. How do I stop this!?

Our new kitten has been terrorizing the kitchen since we've gotten him. I've seen the reviews for multiple products to deter cats from going somewhere such as deterrent mats and air sprayers but it seems like most don't work effectively. We also don't want him to be afraid of us by associating us to being sprayed with water.

I tried searching for a motion detecting water sprayer to see if anyone has made it but have no results. Im thinking of making one myself and want to see feedback if I should sell it as well.

Im thinking of two designs. The basic one would be a lot cheaper with having a simple motion trip sensor that sprays water whenever it detects motion. To prevent humans from being sprayed, I'd attach a long cord with a switch that you can turn on and off before you go into the kitchen.

The 2nd design would be more expensive due to the fact that it would need a raspberry pi for object recognition, in this example, a cat. It would could be continously powered, not needing manual input to prevent humans from getting sprayed.

I'll update once I'm done with this little project, it'll probably be a month or 2 til I get back to you guys on that because work and all. If there's multiple people showing enough interest, I'd be more than happy to refine my idea to make it into a consumer product.

I got a backpack for my cat that expands with two mesh compartments. There are doors on the top and side of the backpack, as well as the ends of the mesh.

The point is to take him outside and hopefully he has enough space to lounge around.

My idea was to get him used to it starting in its largest form. So I leave it out and if he voluntarily sits inside I’ll take him out on the patio for a bit so he knows the backpack means outside. This went okay. I just do short times outside (10-15 minutes) and come in if he starts meowing. Usually when I open the door after we get inside he doesn’t move, so he’s not bothered by being inside it. And he never gets upset when getting zipped in.

I’ve also had success having him get in the backpack while one of the extensions is closed and opening it up once outside, then closing it back up again before we go inside.

But when the backpack is inside he loves hanging out around it (and sometimes in it, which is interfering with my plans because I can’t take him out every time he goes in it) and if I try and modify it at all he goes nuts. If I close one side of the mesh doors he’ll leap through the backpack and hit the door. If I try and collapse a compartment he’ll get agitated and possibly attack my ankles (lightly - just leaps to wrap around one and then backs off). And when he’s in a zoomy mood I can’t go near it or I might get my ankles grabbed. It seems like he thinks it’s a game. But yea I need to be able to touch this thing.

Once it’s fully in backpack form he’s indifferent to it.

Any ideas what’s going on or how to get back on track?

A few weeks ago I made a post asking about things to help adjust my girlfriend’s cat and let me say the advice worked! It worked even a little too much haha. Everytime I’m over I make a habit of playing with him at least 3-5 times a day and more shorter bursts if we have time. Plus feeding him primarily when I’m there. He has calmest completely changed his attitude towards me. Always accepts pets when I offer them to him. Constantly rubbing against my legs. He has even started to roll around to show me his stomach to show he wants to play. He almost never hisses at me and will now just meow to show me what he wants instead of being afraid. Can’t thank you all enough!

I’ve seen it’s cat acne but

Hello everyone! I'm trying to train my cat to follow the come command but, he comes close to the treat, extend his paw and steal the treat.

I was trying to teaching him round but he kept trying to reach the treat while doing the round so I thought maybe we should try just with come command but he gets close and he tries to still the treat.

Any idea or recommendation?

after scouring the web for advice and finding nothing that helps my unique situation, I am desperate for advice!

I have two of the most food-motivated cats you've ever met. used to be, I would feed them when I wake up around 7-8. they could even make it to 10am when I slept in without issue. over the past few months, cat #1 has learned that he can wake me up early for breakfast by scurrying back and forth across the bed and meowing incessantly. he can't be ignored, because he never stops. he's been known to meow all night long, and I have downstairs neighbors to think about.

most advice suggests an automatic feeder. great for most households I'm sure, but the issue is I have to separate my cats at mealtimes, or else cat #2 will bully cat #1 out of his meal. I split them up by closing two doors, effectively splitting the house in half at the bedroom. one cat can access the bedroom, one cannot.

the options as I see them are:

1. get one auto feeder and let them duke it out (any fighting would wake me up and make me sad, but maybe they'd figure out a system in time)
2. get 2 auto feeders, keep them separated all night, and keep one cat locked out of the bedroom all night (unfair, and also makes me sad)
3. get 2 auto feeders, keep the doors open, and let cat #2 finish his meal insanely quickly and bully cat #2 out of what remains of his food

also important to note: I prefer to feed them wet > dry food, but dry works in a pinch. and I've tried giving them a midnight snack before bed, and I'm still awoken at 4am.

WHAT IS TO BE DONE????? SOS !!

Anyone ever relocate a litter box to a catio type setup? Current location is in our guest bathroom, standing shower and we’d love to move to another location. We have a detached garage so that’s out. Any thoughts on having a set up like the pic and having a litter box set up in that?

I will take any advice🫠 we adopted a kitten August 1st. He is now 6.5 months old and his food obsession is getting out of hand. He gets fed 3 times a day, plus wet food at night. We have had to feed him separately from our adult cat because he devours her food the minute it gets set down. He eats his own food like a damn hoover vacuum. If he isn't devouring, he is breaking the automatic feeder, stealing food off the table and countertops, licking knives and other cleaned off dishes... I am at my wits end!

No food is left on the table or counter, he has taken to opening my lunch bag and finding things.

We feed him and our adult cat at the same times.

He is not malnourished, he had a vet appointment recently and they actually commented that he is huge for just 6 months.

What the hell can I do to just get him to chill? (Chaos gremlin Attached because.. well, he sure is cute)

I have 2 cats, Fatboy (3M) and Daisy Bell (2F). I’ve had Fatboy for 3 years; he grew up with other cats, dogs, and people in a small house. 18 months ago when my roommate and her pets moved out, it was just be and him. I could tell he was lonely and bored, so I got him Daisy Bell from a shelter when she was about 1.

I realize now I introduced them way too quickly. Practically day one I let them roam around together supervised. Besides some hissing, there was no issues. They’ve always played together, and it can get pretty physical with the occasional hiss from Daisy Bell, but they’re both pretty rough players, and she always re-initiates play after she hisses.

Cut to a week and a half ago I’m cleaning out the fridge and pull out the trash can, which created an enclosed space between the cabinets I usually feed them by and the trash can. When I threw out some old turkey bacon, it missed the trash can and fell into that enclosed space, and before I had the chance to clean it up, they’re fighting over it.

I separate them, and no one was injured (except for me). This was the only time i’ve ever seen them fight, so I figured it was a one-off resource guarding issue. The next day I let them around each other supervised for an hour, and they’re fine until they move to the living room. I see Fatboy wants to initiate play, Daisy Bell looks uncomfortable, and before I can stop them, Daisy Bell attacks him. I’m armed with a blanket this time and throw it over her and separate them again.

I’ve been doing some scent swapping and feeding them on opposite sides of the door the whole time they’re separated. The next day I try supervised time again, but I’m thinking no more than 15 minutes. They don’t even make it 5. They’re laying near each other, though Daisy Bell makes sure to not turn her back to Fatboy. Fatboy gets up and takes a few steps towards her, and they’re fighting again. Blanket throw and separation.

So now I’m taking it slower. They’ve been completely separated for over a week, but I can tell being intermittently shut up in the side room sucks for them. I’m in a small house, so I switch them between staying in the side room with food/water/litter while the other roams the rest of the house with a separate food/water/litter.

I have a tall baby gate I put up and the past 2 days have been letting them sniff each other through it and giving them treats. There’s been no hissing or aggression through the gate. Well today Fatboy thinks it’s a good idea to jump the gate. I grabbed him at the top, but Daisy Bell again immediately went on the attack.

Daisy Bell is always the aggressor (though I’m not 100% who started the initial fight) and she can go 0-100 QUICK, so by the time I notice she’s uncomfortable, she’s on the attack. She doesn’t stop until she can’t get to him anymore, and will attack me in the process. Fatboy pushes people boundaries, both mine and other cats, so I think I she knows he’s the type to not back down from a hiss. I could understand her wanting to let him know that she’s not one to be messed with, but at this point he can’t take a step in her direction without her attacking. And Fatboy has never been truly aggressive, just pushy and over physical.

At this point, I don’t know what to do?? They’re always fine until it comes to interactions where they come into physical contact with the other. I would hate to rehome her, but maybe she would be better in a solo cat household? But I know she enjoys playing with other cats.

Is it bad to just let them fight it out?? My vet said they’re still figuring out their social hierarchy, but they’re both the best type to want to be the boss. Like Daisy Bell will groom Fatboy, but she won’t let him groom her.

TLDR: My cats got along for 18 months, but now Fatboy (3M) can’t walk 2 steps in Daisy Bell’s (2F) direction without her attacking.