- Joined
- Oct 20, 2010
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Hey, some of you have probably seen some of my posts over the past year or so about my Burmese Mikey.
Little history..
I found Mikey (or he found me) about 3 years ago, he was living in my back yard feeding on the little critters back there. One day when i was pulling into my driveway coming home from work he darted in front of me, then laid down under a bush next too my garage. I walked over to investigate and surprisingly he didn't run away. He was panting really hard, was a bit skinny, and he was super hot. (it had been over 100 degrees for 4 days in a row) and very hungry.. Too my surprise he warmed right up to me and let me pet him. I got him some food and water. He lived in my tool shed outside for about 5 or 6 months. Eventually i convinced my mom to let me bring him in. (after a few injury's from attacks from other cats) So for another year he became a outdoor/indoor cat.. Out for a few hours a day, in for the rest. But after another injury, and me catching him in the road, i decided to make him indoor only permanently about a year ago. So he's been indoor only for a year now.
Well for the first year he was inside (when he was still indoor/outdoor) he had some problems with him spraying in the house. He was just over 6 months old when i found him, and was already spraying outside. I did get him fixed, and the spraying cut down, but did not stop. So for the first year it was a bit rough trying to figure out what to do, but eventually with alot of research and help from here iv been able to nearly stop it. After adding the feliaway diffusers to each room, a little training, and using the fluoxetine, trans dermal ear pens for about 6 months, and the spraying pretty much stopped, and only happened occasionally. He doesn't hit his old spots for territory anymore, the last two times he's sprayed was because i ticked him off apparently.. Both times it was because he wanted to lay in my lap, and i wouldn't let him, so he walked over and gave my bed a squirt.. (the little devil!)
So hopefully to help nip that type behavior in the butt, gonna do some more training, and i took him off the gel pens, and put him on the straight pill after learning the gel pens only give about 10% of the medicine, where the pills its a full dose. He's been on the pills for 8 days now (tonight will be his 8th pill).. He's been doing really well, the pills make him a little drowsy for a few hours after he takes one, but he's still playful and seems fine. His appetite took a hit for the first week, he didn't eat much, he would eat any treats i gave him though, so i gave him extra treats for a few days to make sure he ate something.. But this morning i fed him his normal food and he started eating it down right away, so i was happy to see he has his appetite again.
So he hasent had a spray incident in about 2 weeks now, but i know the medicine isnt "kicked in and working" yet, since its only been 8 days, and it can take a few months before its "in effect".. But i also studied up on his breed, and have changed the way i take care of, and deal with him.
I hate to admit but iv basically been dealing him with the same as i dealt with my old cat Joe, who was a fat lazy tabby who just laid around and did nothing all day..
Iv since learned that Burmese cats are alot different, a little more high maintenance in the "social" department.. So i have since adapted myself to better meet his social and emotional needs, and i can easily tell its made for a more happy kitty.. Discovered through my research on Burmese cats too that they are very very chatty cats.. For the longest time i though Mikey was just whiney, and whined alot, but it turns out, hes just talking to me, lol.. That and i just have to accept and get used to having a cat sitting in my lap whenever i sit down lol.
Anyway, sorry to get into so much detail, just want you guys to know where im coming from..
So things are going really well, and im really proud of Mikey. But the only thing i have to deal with that bothers me a little is the fact that on days that i work, he's alone all day. So for 4 days a week, hes alone from 6:30am till about 6:00pm. And i know the Burmese breed does not like being alone for long periods of time. But it's not really causing any problems or anything.. Mikey isn't destructive while im away, and doesn't act up when i get home because hes angry about being alone. He's been living this way since I got him, so he has adapted quite well, and is used too it.. My dad helps me out on the days i work, and around lunchtime he heads down to my place and hangs out with Mikey for a half hour or so. So he's a real good boy about it, and i make sure to give him some playtime and lots of attention and love right when i get home, and he's fine.
But i would like to see if i can add anything to my place to help keep him entertained while im gone, give him something to do, anything to help make those days better for him.
So far hes got:
Feilaway diffusers in each room.
Lots of toys to play with.
Two cat tree's.. One hugh one on the back wall, and a smaller 3 shelf one i built for him that sits in the window. (its his favorite, he spends ALOT of time there).. Plus a setup a small bed style perch for him in the workshop window, to give him something new to look out.
Anyone think of anything else i can do for him? And before anything mentions getting another Burmese cat, for him to pal around with is not an option lol..
But like i said, things are going great, but anything i can do to make him happy will only make things easier..
Thanks for reading all that..
Little history..
I found Mikey (or he found me) about 3 years ago, he was living in my back yard feeding on the little critters back there. One day when i was pulling into my driveway coming home from work he darted in front of me, then laid down under a bush next too my garage. I walked over to investigate and surprisingly he didn't run away. He was panting really hard, was a bit skinny, and he was super hot. (it had been over 100 degrees for 4 days in a row) and very hungry.. Too my surprise he warmed right up to me and let me pet him. I got him some food and water. He lived in my tool shed outside for about 5 or 6 months. Eventually i convinced my mom to let me bring him in. (after a few injury's from attacks from other cats) So for another year he became a outdoor/indoor cat.. Out for a few hours a day, in for the rest. But after another injury, and me catching him in the road, i decided to make him indoor only permanently about a year ago. So he's been indoor only for a year now.
Well for the first year he was inside (when he was still indoor/outdoor) he had some problems with him spraying in the house. He was just over 6 months old when i found him, and was already spraying outside. I did get him fixed, and the spraying cut down, but did not stop. So for the first year it was a bit rough trying to figure out what to do, but eventually with alot of research and help from here iv been able to nearly stop it. After adding the feliaway diffusers to each room, a little training, and using the fluoxetine, trans dermal ear pens for about 6 months, and the spraying pretty much stopped, and only happened occasionally. He doesn't hit his old spots for territory anymore, the last two times he's sprayed was because i ticked him off apparently.. Both times it was because he wanted to lay in my lap, and i wouldn't let him, so he walked over and gave my bed a squirt.. (the little devil!)
So hopefully to help nip that type behavior in the butt, gonna do some more training, and i took him off the gel pens, and put him on the straight pill after learning the gel pens only give about 10% of the medicine, where the pills its a full dose. He's been on the pills for 8 days now (tonight will be his 8th pill).. He's been doing really well, the pills make him a little drowsy for a few hours after he takes one, but he's still playful and seems fine. His appetite took a hit for the first week, he didn't eat much, he would eat any treats i gave him though, so i gave him extra treats for a few days to make sure he ate something.. But this morning i fed him his normal food and he started eating it down right away, so i was happy to see he has his appetite again.
So he hasent had a spray incident in about 2 weeks now, but i know the medicine isnt "kicked in and working" yet, since its only been 8 days, and it can take a few months before its "in effect".. But i also studied up on his breed, and have changed the way i take care of, and deal with him.
I hate to admit but iv basically been dealing him with the same as i dealt with my old cat Joe, who was a fat lazy tabby who just laid around and did nothing all day..
Iv since learned that Burmese cats are alot different, a little more high maintenance in the "social" department.. So i have since adapted myself to better meet his social and emotional needs, and i can easily tell its made for a more happy kitty.. Discovered through my research on Burmese cats too that they are very very chatty cats.. For the longest time i though Mikey was just whiney, and whined alot, but it turns out, hes just talking to me, lol.. That and i just have to accept and get used to having a cat sitting in my lap whenever i sit down lol.
Anyway, sorry to get into so much detail, just want you guys to know where im coming from..
So things are going really well, and im really proud of Mikey. But the only thing i have to deal with that bothers me a little is the fact that on days that i work, he's alone all day. So for 4 days a week, hes alone from 6:30am till about 6:00pm. And i know the Burmese breed does not like being alone for long periods of time. But it's not really causing any problems or anything.. Mikey isn't destructive while im away, and doesn't act up when i get home because hes angry about being alone. He's been living this way since I got him, so he has adapted quite well, and is used too it.. My dad helps me out on the days i work, and around lunchtime he heads down to my place and hangs out with Mikey for a half hour or so. So he's a real good boy about it, and i make sure to give him some playtime and lots of attention and love right when i get home, and he's fine.
But i would like to see if i can add anything to my place to help keep him entertained while im gone, give him something to do, anything to help make those days better for him.
So far hes got:
Feilaway diffusers in each room.
Lots of toys to play with.
Two cat tree's.. One hugh one on the back wall, and a smaller 3 shelf one i built for him that sits in the window. (its his favorite, he spends ALOT of time there).. Plus a setup a small bed style perch for him in the workshop window, to give him something new to look out.
Anyone think of anything else i can do for him? And before anything mentions getting another Burmese cat, for him to pal around with is not an option lol..
But like i said, things are going great, but anything i can do to make him happy will only make things easier..
Thanks for reading all that..
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