Good job, Mom! You finished your classes! NOW LET’S PLAY!
Finally! Now, take a break and play with me!
After weeks of studying and testing and helping your sister, you finally finished your courses and can be human again! Maybe now you can type for Sushi and I and get back to spoiling us like you did before all this stuff started. It’s no wonder you haven’t had much free time- with the classes, counseling, physical therapy, and the Critters- and making time for a grief journal too-
But seriously, Sushi and I are about to take matters into our own paws if you don’t back off from some things and get back to spoiling us! And get us some new toys, too!
Wait- WHAT? WHAT VET?
Wait- Who said anything about the VET? We’re not sick!
TWO APPOINTMENTS? THEY’RE BOTH FOR HER, RIGHT?
That’s it- I’m outta here!That’s it. I’m taking my toy and hiding!Photo by Sam Lion on Pexels.com
Oh, no you don’t! If you leave, she’ll take ME!Whatever- I already saw the vet- wake me up after your appointments.
GET OFF THE COUCH, FELINES! It’s time for another lesson on training those humans of yours!
Make them PLAY
One of a cats’ major complaints is having not having enough interaction and playtime with their human pets. Another complaint is not having enough (acceptable) toys to play with. This results in a bored (and slightly ticked) cat.
This is unacceptable for the serious cat. But our Can Openers are so preoccupied with working, keeping their two-legged critters out of trouble- (good luck with that)- shopping, and all that other boring human stuff that they don’t realize how stressed and maybe even hissed their feline bosses are.
When the humans are away, it’s vital to have some great toys to play with. Most humans don’t think about the fact that unlike them, we don’t usually have video games, iPhones and social media to keep us entertained when we get bored- and even a cat can only sleep so long.
In this picture, some of my pals show us what they do for fun when their humans forget to provide stimulating toys – They also share their toilet tissue review.
Sometimes if you’re lucky, one of those two-legged critters will leave something sitting on the counter in the kitchen that a bored cat can help themselves to when no one is looking.
With a little luck, it could be something really fun- like eggs – these are great to push off the counter. They aren’t toys, but there’s a very satisfying crack / thud when they hit the floor. And, when they break, you get a hefty snack!
Another fun idea is to check out other spaces in the kitchen- (not every human is thoughtful enough to leave eggs or butter on the counter). That’s why you need critters.
Picachu here has learned how to open the fridge. This could lead to a whole world of fun and food -(think Garfield’s lasagna)!
Or, you could just hide your trophies in there to surprise your favorite human!
P.S. You could always help the hamster escape too. Just to be kind. 😹
He comes over daily and just peeks in our windows hoping for a handout. He hangs around trees a lot, and eats our strawberries in the garden, and our blueberries- he runs all over the place and even gets into the cat food that my Human leaves out for my Mama (cat) to eat. He’s always there early in the morning– every morning– and he’s always digging around all over the place.
I’ve even seen him run out in the street in front of cars, and it’s amazing the dude is still alive. He’s rather twitchy, too- and always chattering. And he never seems to get enough to eat! And he even chews us out when he doesn’t get what he wants!
I’ve even seen him “planting” random things in people’s yards around here- but nobody seems to mind.
I have to say, If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was a little- well, squirrelly.
Good morning. I’m your therapist today- Twilight has the day off to play golf with the Can Opener. Enough golf, Mom. You smacked me with the ball! I’m going outside!
It’s a NEW BOX – just for me! (Sushi get your own)!
A Sunny day, a new box, and the Can Opener!
When I heard the knock at the door, I darted under the bed, because it was a hard, loud knock- but a few seconds later after the Can Opener answered the door, I smelled something delicious coming from that big box. It was more of my favorite food! But then, when the bag came out, there were big sheets of pawsome brown paper inside (I LOVE CRINKLY PAPER)- And before the Can Opener walked away with the food, I pounced into the box to try it out!
I claimed it immediately! Then I hinted at the Can Opener to put some more tissue paper in it and the next thing I knew, I was having the time of my life!
Sushi, however, isn’t impressed with the box- (she has her own favorite)- So I had fun circling under the flaps of the box and swiping at my favorite wand toy (with all the pretty bows that I just can’t seem to untie- yet) … Give me time, and I’ll untie every one of those pretty bows!
Sushi on the other hand, was just watching the show. And bathing. And bathing. And BATHING…
And barking at the Can Opener to come brush and cuddle her. Now I’m all played out. But I informed the human that the box STAYS.
Hey, humans- I know some of you are wound up tighter than a cheap clock these days- but did you know that we cats (and other pets you have) can feel your tension and anxiety too?
Humans use different things to relieve their stress- like vegging out in front of the tv (which can also cause stress)- getting on social media (which not only can drain hours out of your day, but can also add to your stress), and play video games (which can be good- but not for endless hours)… and some do better things like spending time with friends, reading, and exercise- or better yet, going to the beach, parks, or any place that is fun and relaxing.
But in case you never thought about it, there isn’t a lot your pets can do to relieve their anxiety if they are indoor pets, and particularly if you are preoccupied with other things and don’t spend time playing and interacting with them.
Did you know that playing and interacting with your pets helps relieve their feelings of loneliness and anxiety? It not only makes them happier, and gives them some exercise and stimulation, but it’s great for helping you to relax, feel less lonely and anxious, and even lowers your blood pressure!
And just as people don’t like to be ignored, or feel lonely, neither does your cat.
And like people, when cats get bored and lonely- they just might take matters into their own paws… *just sayin’. *
The real reason for the toilet paper ‘shortage.’
And if your cat gets jealous because you spend too much time on the computer, well- he might decide to do something to get your attention…
You’ve been warned!
And if you get too busy to feed the cat, watch out when you go to fridge again- you may get an unpleasant reminder that the cat wants to eat too…
Just a subtle reminder….
And if you don’t play with your cat, they will find other ways to get their exercise and entertainment…
Open the door, Human. We have a guest for lunch!
Trust me, it’s just easier to play with your cat in the first place!
We’ve had problems with our internet connection for the last couple of days- for some reason, everytime we have stormy weather here, the internet goes out. So Twilight and I have been itching to get our paws on the laptop again -(she to complain, me to brag)!
It’s been pouring rain for the last couple of days- (on and off all day long)- and Twilight has been miserable since she couldn’t go outside (without getting wet).
So this morning the Can Opener brought out the catnip and I got so EXCITED! But not Twilight-
I don’t understand why you act so silly with that stuff, Sushi- it’s just GRASS!
Twilight thinks I’m crazy for loving this stuff- so when Mom brought it out she just stared at me like I’m a lunatic, while I rolled all over the rug and got crazy. It was the most fun I’ve had in a whole week!
Twilight lost interest in playing after Mom brought out the catnip and decided to go out in the rain after all and intimidate a squirrel or two. That’s fine with me, because after I got tired of playing, it was grooming and cuddle time (my favorite)!
Mom said all this fur could’ve ended up in my tummy making me sick!
Why did she say she could make a whole new cat from this?
Did you know that the largest hairball ever removed from a cat was 1.9 inches bigger than a Major League Baseball? Neither did I- But I can tell you I wouldn’t have wanted to see that baseball after they used it to measure the size of that hairball!
Quit scaring me, Twilight!
It sounds awful, but it’s true – (my guess was it was a mountain lion or something)- but still…
All cats get hairballs, and few people realize that rabbits and cattle can actually get them too! They are not only miserable, but they can cause serious problems for your cats.
Hairballs form because when cats groom themselves (which is all the time)- tiny little barbs on their tongues catch loose hair which they then swallow, and it winds up in their stomachs causing a lot of discomfort. (A cat’s tongue isn’t like those self-cleaning cat brushes, you know).
Now, certain cats are more susceptible- like Persians and Maine Coons- and usually the hair passes out safely without issue. But long-haired cats like these have them more often because their coats are longer and denser. Also, did you know cats are more prone to hairballs in the spring and summer? This is because cats are working hard to regulate their body temperature.
If your cat gets a hairball they can’t pass, it can result in a blockage that can threaten your cat’s life.
Signs to watch out for:
Coughing and hacking
Swallowing and licking their lips
Refusing to eat or take treats
Refusing to drink water
Refusing to groom
Prevention:
Spend time with your cats and pay attention to their normal habits – be alert to any changes in their appetite or grooming patterns. If you see anything that makes you suspect something isn’t right, don’t hesitate to call your vet. Keep your cat as comfortable as you can until you can get it help and keep noise and activity to a minimum as much as possible.
Brushing your cat is the best way to prevent hairballs- this is not only soothing to your cat, but increases circulation, relieves any itchiness, and at the same time removes loose hair before it reaches their tummy.
Stress can also be a cause of hairballs at times, since chewing and over grooming are things cats do when they feel stress- sort of like humans biting their nails. To help prevent hairballs because of stress over-grooming, set aside a little time each day to involve your cat in an activity they love.
There are also hairball preventing paw gels, supplements, and hairball formula cat foods for a little extra insurance. Here are a few examples we like:
Check these out to prevent the problem before it starts! And keep your eyes on your fur-babies’ normal habits so you’ll know right away if something is off.
It’s been a while since you’ve had some Twilight therapy-
What’s more therapeutic than cats?
There’s a reason we cats have taken over the internet (and the world)! We are adorable, cute, funny, full of purr-sonality, great for insomnia, great for stress relief, great exterminators (delicious!), and we not only can be trained, but we actually train our humans! Yep, that’s right.
But, did I also mention that we’re loving and sweet and cute?? Here’s adorable little me being cute…
Taking over the desk chair to force my Can Opener away from the computer (demanding playtime).
Wiped out after playing kitty golf with the Can Opener last night.
Here I am not only being cute but being sweet- grooming Sushi to console her after the Can Opener put medicine in her eyes. (Also helping her secretly plot revenge).
Oops- caught in the act! Hey, at least I didn’t pounce on her afterwards – (THIS time)! 😹
Okay, I guess Sushi is cute too- that is if you’re into crazy cats …
I think Sushi gets a little too excited about her grooming…Sometimes she gets a little- well, STRESSED.
How to Train your Humans 