I think my stay in the hospital sent Cleo and Patora over the edge. Patora especially does not like Tetsu and was hiding from him the whole week I was gone. She is taking out her frustrations now (and probably while I was gone) on Chip. Chip only feels comfortable hidden away somewhere.Toi is at his worse behavior and attacks Cleo mercilessly. Cleo has cuts and injuries from being ambushed by Toi.
Vel (and probably Cleo and probably Chip) are completely miswired in their bathroom habits. No surface, no corner, no piece of cloth or clothing laid down absentmindedly is safe from them. You can see what that means for my sewing room.
Mi happily wanders through the household and spreads cat fur everywhere (she has such dense fur and it is shedding terribly now.) And why it is that in this heat and mugginess Mi has to sit on the computer making it hotter, I don't know.
"Get away from here!!! You are going to make the computer overheat sitting right on its ventilation outlet!"I try to keep this or that cat away from that or this cat but someone always figures out how to open the wrong door and the battle begins. Tetsu and I have cleaned and wiped and disinfected but the minute we start work on another area, the first area is sprayed again. Feliway... both the spray type and the dispenser type, does not work. And in this humidity, smells linger. Sometimes I feel like I am going under... But it is all my own doing. If I hadn't picked up so many cats, the first couple could have lived peacefully. They have all lived here so long that I can't think of giving any of them away...
Sometimes I look out at the huge forest behind us and think,"Just let them go outside. There is a whole world of adventure out there. If they are so scared, they won't go very far anyway. If they are smart, they will come home when they are hungry. Cats should be allowed outside. You are not a good cat owner the way you make them feel trapped. You are not a good cat owner the way your voice rises with your frustrations. Everyone would be happier if the cats could work their aggressiveness out in natural surroundings. You would not be abandoning them. They would be welcomed back when they returned. They would be fed and have collars and be inoculated."
But somewhere in my past I got it in my head that cats should be kept indoors. That's not the way we kept cats when I was a child. Our cats in California have always had the run of the yard and the neighbors yards. Why did I turn into such a scaredy -cat myself? Advice just makes me more confused. Some cat lovers tell me to let the cats outside and let them be cats. (For non-cat lovers this is an obvious solution. "What is the big problem Tanya?") Some cat lovers tell me that I shouldn't think of such a cruel thing. Cats can get hit by cars. Cats can pick up illnesses from other cats out there... or from eating the abundant frogs... or from confronting the snakes... Outdoor cats will bring home fleas and ticks and if you let them back in the house you will have a bigger problem, Tanya!So here I sit with my alcohol laden rag trying to wipe up puddles and disinfect at the same time. Here I am with my Febreze and room deodorants and extra laundry. I guess I'm not going to do anything before I leave for the States. I worry enough about my feline family without wondering if they are coming home at night.
Six cats are too many! From the pictures they look happy enough, don't they?
19 comments:
I can so relate. I often say the same thing and we've got seven indoors and three outside. The three outside were kittens from a feral. I had them fixed and then they became tame. Now I worry about them all the time, but I don't have room inside for them.
I believe they are safer inside and if they've always lived inside it's almost cruel to put them outside. They'll be scared of every movement and every sound.
I only have one cat that goes where he shouldn't, but lately he seems to have gotten better. Just once every few weeks now. I don't know what changed, but I'm glad. I use a product called Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover. It's supposed to have enzymes that destroy something in cat urine. It really does help. There's an odor until it dries. I blot up and then pour this stuff on, blot a little again and then let it air dry. I use it for spit up too.
Life was a lot easier when we had just a few cats. I'm getting too old for more cats now. I'm 65 and if the latest live twenty years I'll be 84. I cleaned all three kitty litter boxes today and refilled them. It's heavy work and I'm getting too old. I do it every week. What will happen when I'm no longer able to do it?
I wish people would have their cats fixed so you and I don't have to take care of them. That's the answer!
I only have two cats but they don't like each other. The female makes no bones about not liking the male, but he's a little sneakier about it. The male is an indoor/outdoor cat and that's fine with me. The female used to be that way too but after the male tried to run her off a few times she decided she was never going outside again and only occasionally goes out on the front porch for a little while. I don't envy you dealing with six of them. Six barn cats, yes, six house cats, no. If it was me I'd let them out. Maybe it would improve their moods.
There is an old saying in our house.... if Mama isn't happy, no one is happy. And you Mama Tayna do not sound happy.....
You have not asked but we are going to tell you anyway... why not make two of the cats indoor/outdoor cats and see what happens... and now is as good as later.... something might happen but it sounds like something is already happening.
these cats are like your babies.
babies are alot of work no matter
what. Hang in there, I know you
really do enjoy them.
When I read this I recall those two cats that showed up on your doorstep a few months back. Aren't you glad you left them outside?
We got a big tall cage with assorted shelves, put the kitty litter in the bottom, put all the cats inside and they worked it out.(had to)
Our neighborhood is full of feral cats. I have never seen a dead one. I have seen dead birds but in order to be caught by a cat they may have been poorly to begin with. I only wish they would take care of the mouse problem instead of serenading at night!
Cats should be outside and come home for food and caressing. They will love it outside and they will come home when they need you!
I assure you. No advice from me. I'm horribly allergic to cats. Of course I have too many large dirty dogs. :-)
(((((((Tanya)))))))) No advice, but I'm praying for you. I can hear the frustration in your post.
Tanya, I have 11 cars in the house. There are so many wild cats out there having kittens on my patio, that I have ended up taking in too many. I, too, know your frustration. Try to find a home for the cat that gets picked on. That will help your stress level. I have found that the cheapest and most effective way to get rid of the cat odor is plain white vinegar. Try it, you'll like it. Hang in there, Tanya, you're an angel.
Julie
I'm in the 'let them do what they want' camp. Give them the opportunities to go outdoors when they want and you'll find that some of them will want to be out a lot and some will never stray far from home, going out only when necessary. But if they at least learn to use the outdoors as a bathroom and then come back in think how much happier your life will be. Cats should be our pets, not our masters.
Cats are territorial creatures and being cooped up in a house together probably exaggerates irritation with
one another. You sound so frustrated with this situation! I agree with the comment that suggested letting two go out at first and see how it works. I had a litter box for 23 years with my two late old lady cats. I loved them dearly but no more litter boxes for me! My heart goes out to you-been there!!
I have 5 cats and we have some of the urine problems too. Most of my 5 get along quite well. They all hate the last one to come in, but he is my favorite! All are allowed to go outside, but they don't all have the same level of interest in doing so. Three of the 5 are outside most of the time and the other 2 go out occasionally. It really does help with the not peeing where you don't want them to. Winter is much harder b/c no one likes to go out in the snow!! LOL. Good Luck!!
Please don't just let your cats roam in the woods/neighborhood because they will eventually end up being someone else's problem. Be a responsible pet owner: keep them inside or find a new home for them.
Tanya IS a RESPONSIBLEpet owner, if she was not, she would not have these problems.
Cats have lived with folk for millenia, they will go outside and come back home very happily, and maybe if that happened there would be a little or a lot less cat angst.
All cats know where their food and care comes from, and will come home when they want to.
Hope you get some solutions Tanya.
Cheers, from Marie in Rocky WA
Yup your a cat owner and lover,
I do have a few ideas for you to try, use White Vinigar when cleaning up it will kill the oder and the stain, also sprinkle Pepper alover where they are leaving there puddles and presents. they will not go back there because they smell the pepper and run, and they will get the message, I also use a water bottle with a sprayer on it if I catch them doing naughty things. this also makes them stop and kinda funny to watch, and will bring happyness back to your pet-loving-soul! Dani-Girl Fla.Usa
Tanya, things can happen to your cats if you let them outside but the quality of their life is important too. I tried to keep both of my cats in the house but for one of them it was a constant battle. Several years ago I decided he would be happier if he went out. You know what? When he's inside now, he's more friendly and much calmer. Your cats are fixed so they won't add to the stray cat population if they go out. Like the previous comments, let two out and see what happens.
If all of your cats are spayed or neutered (and I'm guessing they are or you'd have even more) I vote for (as if I get a vote) let them outside, you won't be contributing to the feral cat population. If, God forbid, one should die or not come back, you'll be unhappy and sad, but you're not very happy now, either.
It is so difficult to know what to do. Every cat being indoors is causing too much stress and unhappiness- for everyone in the house. I can only suggest allowing 1 or 2 to become indoor/outdoor cats- only those who already have experience in being outdoors. The only other option would be to find some a new home. Perhaps start by taking them on a harness and leash outdoors, sitting with them and reading a few times a day so they remember the location of Home. They will learn where you put the food/water dishes, and perhaps ring a small bell when you fill them so they know when to come see you. Please don't feel guilty for having such a good heart.
I don't think there is one good answer to the indoor/outdoor question. I never had an indoor only cat until I moved to this city. We live inside the city limits on a corner with a busy street where there was no question of letting my older cat outside. Luckily, she was past her roaming days and adjusted happily. Our current cat has never been outdoors and it pains me; I know she would have loved it because she has such strong hunting instincts, but there was no safe way to allow it. In the past all our other cats went outside when we were at work and came in with us at night. They were happy and safe, but we lived in a much different area. How much traffic is on your street? Are there dogs that run freely? I would bet the allure of the forst would trump going other directions. Do you know how long the cats you rescued had been outside on their own? I bet they have street smarts. Bless you, and I hope you find a solution that doesn't cause you worry.
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