Got a few questions (sorry Cat noob)

I guys first off I love this site I read here a lot and you guys helped me a with a few things already and I need you again.

1)how much room does a cat needs to move around?

Right now due to room mate issues I have to keep him in my room pretty much 10 hrs a day. I let him out at night and morning when I am getting ready for work but that is all. My room mates tend to let him get out side and not bother to tell me or go after him. My room is the master bedroom in a town house (about 15' L x 12' W) with its own bathroom (where I keep his litter box and food/water bowls). It’s about bachelor apt size maybe a touch smaller. Is this a big enough space for him to roam around?

I have not noticed and behavior changes in him and it’s been this way for about 6 months now and will probably stay like this till I move in about a year. He is a pretty lethargic/affectionate cat overall (AKA a big suck LOL)and tends just to look out the window most of the day (I roll up the blinds for him before I leave) or sleep/play with his mouse.

2) Is there any toys I should get to help him entertain himself while I am at work maybe something interactive? He does not like cat climbers or scratching posts. He does like those cardboard scratching things and catnip toys I get him a new scratcher once a month.I also make a point to play with him when I get home for atleast 15 mins.

3) What breed do you think he is? (got him when my Ex's neighbour abandoned him and moved to another province. So no background on him or his eye situation. Birth defect maybe?)





sorry for the long post but cant seem to make it any shorter and keep the backround info.

Thanks again

Ps since we all like cats here

here is the link to my cat Photo album Enjoy!!

http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...Cat%20photos/?

Hi!
I first have to say what a cute kitty you have. I too have and orange and white tabby with only one eye, I have to say that they are the best!!! I too also live in an apartment with not alot of room for my 5 cats to run around. I have found that as long as they have enough toys to play with and you spend adaquate time giving him attention then I feel it doesn't matter how much room you have. I am a veterinary technician and in my 6 years in the field I have talked with many college students as well as young singles who just don't have alot of room and all seem to report that their cats do just fine. Roommates can be hard, but if yours will let your kitty out a little more it might help. It also does not sound like he is suffering from any depression but over time he may become bored and then become destructive so be carfeul!! If this happens I suggest that maybe some new toys or a change in beds may also help the situation if allowing him out for more hours a day just isn't possible. Also a fun thing I like to do with my 5 is since cats are natural born hunters, I like to hide treats throughout my apartment for them to find throughout the day while I am gone at work. It is exciting for them to find a treat but it also helps keep their minds active.

As long as he seems to be happy that should be fine. If you can get to a pet store look for interactive toys for cats. Ask the workers. Too bad he doesn't like cat condos cuz those can be a lot of fun.

The looks healed and okay but no one can really say but a vet. If you are worried about it or notice any changed in how it looks, then take him on in.

One last thing, flea collars are not good for animals. If there is a flea problem during the warmer months then please buy flea meds from a vet (Revolution, Advantage, Frontline). Plus if he has fleas he most likely has worms too and a flea collar won't fix that problem.

So no flea collars and no over the counter flea drops from the pet store. They can do more harm then good, then can even kill the animal. Goes for dogs too.

Oh, he looks so sweet! Now I've heard that cats sleep 20 hours a day. (Or is that new babies, I forget, LOL) Anyway, they really do a lot of sleeping. If you find something he likes to play with I think he should be pretty happy.

I really would tell your roommate not to let him out SIDE (if that's what you meant) there are all sorts of diseases, and cars, animals, etc. and an outside cat's lifespan is only about 5 years.

Some kitties really like the toys that hang off a doorknob or the top of the doorjamb. I know that Plain Brown Tabby toys & treats (hope I got that right) has some great stuff. They advertise on TCS, and I've heard great things about their toys. As far as his eye goes, many cats get herpes eye infections and have to have an eye removed - I assume that's probably what happened with your boy. Welcome to TCS!

thanks guys as for the eye it seems totaly sealed up and there is no stitch line so I am geussing its from birth but I do check it over every now and agin make sure there is nothing changing


as for the flea coller that photo was about a day or 2 after I got him it was on just as a precaution I took it off a week later and he is back to collers now with the bell (so I can find him if the room mates let him get outside again)

I like the treats idea I will give that a shot tommorow but I honestly think he might be too lazy too bother looking for them LOL

yes they do let him out side but he does BOLT for the door too and they just stoped bother to stop him from running out once they let him escape and did not bother to tell me I got home about 2 hrs later (I was only a block away the whole time) luckly I found him but they are just plain jerks and dont care if he gets hurt or killed.

and yes the one eyed cats are the best!

What a cutie!

I would suggest one of those fishing-rod type toys for you to play with him when you are home. Just drag it along, let him jump up high, drag it up and across the bed, it will give him a lot of exercise.

Another toy that my cats seem to like (especially if you sprinkle a little catnip on it) is this round plastic circle with a ball in it (the ball can go around the circle, but can't get it out).

That drives them crazy, and might give him some good exercise while you're gone.

Also, leave a radio or the TV on low, as the voices or sound tend to make them feel less alone too.

Didn't mean to jump on you about the flea collars

He is adorable by the way.

Is he neutered? That could be why he is wanting out so bad.

This isn't directly answering your questions, but I did want to lend some advice regarding your roommate.

I used to live with a roommate who didn't really like my cat, so neither of them got along very well. Needless to say, it ended up in a lot of territorial issues. My cat would pee all over the place to mark his territory and would scamper away in fear everytime my roommate came out. In turn, my roommate would become even more hateful of my cat, etc. Not healthy living at all.

I would recommend finding some way to get your roommate to love your cat. Too late I realized that I should have done this before. This might mean bringing out your cat in his more affectionate moods, teaching your roommate to feed him treats...anything that can help them develop their own bond. Cats have a special charm that is hard to resist even with the most obstinate "cat-hater." Let your roommate see this side so that he may become more accepting (and even loving) of your little boy.

If they can get along, everyone will be happier and will ease your concerns over wether or not your cat has enough room. There's nothing worse than feeling like you have to hide your furry friend from someone you live with. Less stress for everyone.

Oh, and on top of that, your roommate might express more concern over wether or not your cat has escaped outside.

I'm glad you are enjoying the site.

As far as what breed, your cat appears to be a Domestic shorthair.

I highly suggest a toy like this for entertainment:

http://www.petsmart.com/global/produ...N=2033748&Ne=2

There are many variations of this on the market and all my cats have always found them quite entertaining.

Welcome to our forums! That's a beautiful cat you have there! Interesting about the eye, I wonder what your vet thinks? does she/he thinks it's a birth defect as well?

Trying to answer your questions -

1)how much room does a cat needs to move around?
This really varies from cat to cat. Many neutered cats (and I assume he is neutered), adjust to living in a small apartment, and sounds like your room is large enough to be considered that.
One way for you to increase his living space is by providing plenty of vertical space. Shelves, tall furniture or kitty furniture would be great for him. Check our sponsor in the behavior forum for some great kitty furniture.

2) Is there any toys I should get to help him entertain himself while I am at work maybe something interactive?
There are quite a few interactive cat toys on the market. I would suggest getting a nice selection and then keeping them in a special toy box, out of his reach. Provide him with 2-3 different toys everyday, and not with all of the toys together. Rotate the choice of toys, so that they will feel "new" to him.

3) What breed do you think he is?
Looks like a beautiful domestic shorthair to me a bi-colored white & red tabby.

Thanks for all the replys

I will try to reply to everybody hope I dont miss any

first off he is neutered and I was not offened about the Flea coller statement I was just replying to say I had infact removed it after I read here it was not good for him and I was sure he did not have fleas.

As for letting him with the room mates I do sometimes when I am down there but I have caught them spraying him with water bottle just to tease/scare him and he wont really go near them anymore (they once chased him to the stairs till he was soaked and ran back to my room to hide out.) you can bet I ripped them a new one for that too . I know I need to move out of this situation but it will have to wait and I will do my very best for him till then, and use the tips you guys suggested to make it more fun for him.

as for the vet I have not taken him since I got him (few months now) I really could not afford it at all. Not to get into too much detail but due to work shortage I was living so tight I had to borrow some money to buy him some food I should not have taken him in with me then but who can say no to that face and nobody I knew would take him in so it was this or humane society figured this was better. I am just finally getting back up on my feet again and now can afford to take him for atleast a check up visit. I plan to do so in the next week or two. I will ask the vet then about the eye and the sneezing (after reading about the cat herpes it might be a connection he does breath kinda loud but might be normal I am a cat noob after all). I will fill you guys in when I know more hoping he is in the clear.

I will be picking up one of those ring toys I think he will like it and if not petsmart will let me bring it back (I love that about them - I mean not like I can ask him if he likes it.)

I also will reduce the toys I leave out for him normaly about 4 or 5 catnip ones for him to play with will bring that down to 2 one catnip one with out catnip and see how it goes.

Thanks again you guys all rock!! I was worried I might have to give him up due to the time in the room alone. I was honestly worried about that I would do it if I really had to for his sake but you guys put a smile on my face when I read its not that bad for him.

THANKS

-Chris

Originally Posted by {FBI}Sokhar

Ps since we all like cats here

here is the link to my cat Photo album Enjoy!!

http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...Cat%20photos/?

Click to expand...

I am not sure if I am wrong but it looks as if his front teeth are missing in pic two. Could this be part of the eating problem?

Originally Posted by princeegrl

I am not sure if I am wrong but it looks as if his front teeth are missing in pic two. Could this be part of the eating problem?

Click to expand...

from what I can tell he has all his teeth although it does look odd in that photo I am sure the vet will check that out for me when I take him next week

such a cutey pie! hes adorable - what a shame your roommates are mean to him, sounds like he has had enough to deal with without being traumatised by idiots..

He looks to me to be an orange tabby/tuxedo cat mix.

I'll answer your other questions in a sec.

He's ADORABLE!! I'm sure he's VERY happy to have you, and he sounds quite content, so don't worry too much about the space he currently has. Just be sure to provide him with plenty of toys (like it was said, only a few at a time, in circulation), and he'll be just fine.

I wonder if he doesn't like the cat trees because of the lack of vision in the one eye? I would think it would make him uncertain about distances and such. Does he jump up onto things very often?

As far as your roommates, just keep the poor dear in your room. It doesn't sound like they'll change their ways if they're so cruel as to soak the poor dear out of fun. He's got plenty of space in your room...don't worry. Just keep him in there and away from those mean roommates!

Hope all I've said helps!

Originally Posted by {FBI}Sokhar

I guys first off I love this site I read here a lot and you guys helped me a with a few things already and I need you again.

1)how much room does a cat needs to move around?

Right now due to room mate issues I have to keep him in my room pretty much 10 hrs a day. I let him out at night and morning when I am getting ready for work but that is all. My room mates tend to let him get out side and not bother to tell me or go after him. My room is the master bedroom in a town house (about 15' L x 12' W) with its own bathroom (where I keep his litter box and food/water bowls). It’s about bachelor apt size maybe a touch smaller. Is this a big enough space for him to roam around?

I have not noticed and behavior changes in him and it’s been this way for about 6 months now and will probably stay like this till I move in about a year. He is a pretty lethargic/affectionate cat overall (AKA a big suck LOL)and tends just to look out the window most of the day (I roll up the blinds for him before I leave) or sleep/play with his mouse.

From the sound of the size of your room, it should be a good enough amount of space. Yes, it's not ideal, but it's not horribly small or an average-sized bedroom size, either. He should be just fine with the window open for him.

2) Is there any toys I should get to help him entertain himself while I am at work maybe something interactive? He does not like cat climbers or scratching posts. He does like those cardboard scratching things and catnip toys I get him a new scratcher once a month.I also make a point to play with him when I get home for atleast 15 mins.

Does he like regular balls? Our boy, Hobbes, LOVES fabric-covered balls that make clatter when they roll and are filled with catnip. From what I've seen you can usually get at least a plastic version that makes the same noise for about 50 cents at the petstore. Cats also like those toys that are a ring made out of plastic that have the ball inside that kitty can't get out. Another idea, maybe some toy mice? Our kitties also love to play with bunched up hair scrunchies, and our daughter's stuffed animals. Hope those ideas help!

Let us know how things go!

3) What breed do you think he is? (got him when my Ex's neighbour abandoned him and moved to another province. So no background on him or his eye situation. Birth defect maybe?)





sorry for the long post but cant seem to make it any shorter and keep the backround info.

Thanks again

Click to expand...

My answers/ideas are in your message above in bold. Let us know how things go!

he is a cutie!
Something that is fun and easy to do, buy some shoelaces, yarn works in a pinch but it tears up easier. braid half of several strings, and then tie it up somewhere. You can tie all sorts of things to shoe laces and the cats go wild over them. Sometimes i put things like catnip, or bells on them. They really seem to like them

Originally Posted by silvermoonmyst

he is a cutie!
Something that is fun and easy to do, buy some shoelaces, yarn works in a pinch but it tears up easier. braid half of several strings, and then tie it up somewhere. You can tie all sorts of things to shoe laces and the cats go wild over them. Sometimes i put things like catnip, or bells on them. They really seem to like them

Click to expand...

Oh, what a GREAT idea!! I think I'll try that with my babes! Sounds like something that would work great on a doorknob.

sorry forgot to post back here I took him to the vet and left with alot to think about


seems he may have periodontal disease or ORAL CANCER

if you would like more info please see this thread

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84012