How do you cater to the whims of your cats?

So I thought it would be interesting to list some of the things we do (or did in the past) to "cater" to our cats, to make sure they are perfectly comfortable etc... Or a luxury we give up for their comfort

Whenever we see them stretched on the couch where there is no possible way for us to sit on the couch, we will just go sit elsewhere, sometimes even on the floor LOL

With us, it's basically "Smokie and Bandit get what they want"

Also, we have water bowls in the bedroom so they don't have to walk all the way out to the kitchen at night to get a drink. The kitchen is like 10 feet away- that's a lot to expect in the middle of the night.

Anyone else cater to their cats whims?

I have cleared my nightstand of everything except a small clock and the lamp.  I then placed a folded up towel on the back half of the nightstand and the window sill so that the kitties can nap in the afternoon sun.
 

stephanietx said:

I have cleared my nightstand of everything except a small clock and the lamp.  I then placed a folded up towel on the back half of the nightstand and the window sill so that the kitties can nap in the afternoon sun.
 

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I did something similar. I had a stand for my aquarium...but I put a blanket there for Parker since he LOVES laying it right next to my desk. I haven't bothered to start up my tank because I don't want him to lose his spot. 

Yep my nigh stand only has a little lamp, kleenex box, and phone charger. Plenty of room for Smokie to sleep on it
 

I have nothing on my nightstand because Riley will knock everything on the floor when he decides he wants me to get up and feed him. Actually, we have NOTHING sitting around because Riley knocks everything down when he doesn't get his way.

We have an old desk chair in the living room with a kitty bed in it pushed against a window that the cats love to lay in and watch the birds.

We had a litter box sitting in the opening between the living room and kitchen for a year so our old cat wouldn't have to walk far to go to the bathroom.

Our cat Cleo wouldn't use a litter box, puppy pads only, so we accommodated that for 7 years.

My DH has 3 cat beds on his desk, along with a water bowl and covered food dish so that Riley can lay on the desk with him while he works and has the food available for him to nibble on when he wakes up.

The loveseat in the bedroom has a pillow and blanket on it for our big dog.

There is a small dog bed on the sofa so the small dog has a spot to lay and won't get in my lap, which is reserved for kitties.

There are pet beds in every room of the house and a cat or dog can be found sleeping on any of them at any given time.

Our pets have pretty good lives and we adjust as necessary to accommodate their idiosyncrasies.

Aya loves to be taken for walks around the lawn. Multiple times a day. Not so bad when I'm unemployed...

I have been known to carry Nina to her food and get her something else when she doesn't like what we've chosen.

Subvet642 said:

I have been known to carry Nina to her food and get her something else when she doesn't like what we've chosen.

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LOL I have done that with my babies too.

Most recently, I converted my desk to a cat-friendly bunk bed zone. Yes, spoiled.

Nebula said:

LOL I have done that with my babies too.

Most recently, I converted my desk to a cat-friendly bunk bed zone. Yes, spoiled.

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  That's pretty cool!

I have been feeding Silly from a bowl that I hold while she is eating, using a spoon to keep the food in easy reach.   That way I can hold it inside the edge of the cone, so she doesn't have to work for it.  They all think the bed is their domain and I am allowed a small portion to sleep on.

We leave a night light on in the basement so Paris cat can hunt bugs at night.

There are cat trees/beds in nearly every room.

We sit on the floor if Bonnie is on the loveseat.

I position myself in bed so Paris can sleep between my legs.  (I am a tummy or side sleeper, and this requires me sleeping on my back.)

We get up on the weekend at 5 am to feed them a small kibble treat because they are used to it during the week.  Wet food feeding is at 8 am.  I used to love to sleep in until 10 am.

I no longer go back to our hometown to visit family/friends unless it is a very special occasion.  Too difficult to take two cats back home and they can't be left alone due to one eating everything in site and the other being a nibbler.  A pet sitter is called for special occasions.  As I write, hubby has been back to visit his parents since Thursday evening.  His mother had her 65th birthday and retirement on Wednesday.  A close family friend is back to visit, driving 13 hours.  They are celebrating without me.  I am happy to stay home with the girls, but wish I could have gone back to be part of the event.

Today, we hung some light blocking curtains in the living room for summer. Smokie wasn't able to see out, so we took them down- considering their bunk bed is right there.

tjcarst said:

I position myself in bed so Paris can sleep between my legs.  (I am a tummy or side sleeper, and this requires me sleeping on my back.)

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Yeah, that thing... I have a furry crotch warmer too.

Lyrajean said:

Yeah, that thing... I have a furry crotch warmer too.

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Same here. I wake up in the middle of the night and Thai has established his territory. I"m usually not aware of it while it's happening. If I do feel him jump on the bed then I just adjust, it's just easier. Lol! Tazzy comes and goes through the night. He's not as subtle as Thai and apparently sits on my head, more than I'm aware of, according to my DH.

I guess my whole house is catered to the cats. I figure they live here too.

spudsmom said:

Same here. I wake up in the middle of the night and Thai has established his territory.

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I am always a little amused/alarmed/mortified (not sure what to think) by Paris' ritual of kneading/patting legs and groin area, prepping her bed, before settling in for the night...  :-|