Cat questions

[AngryOldDem]

In order of importance:

1) He’s going in for a teeth cleaning/possible extraction(s) Friday, so I’m definitely bringing this up with the vet, but this morning when I got him his breakfast and fresh water I noticed him dipping his paw in the bowl and taking his water that way. I have no idea how long that’s been going on, but for the past few days I have noticed that his bowl has stayed pretty full. I relocated it to another place in the kitchen (it was never right by his food anyway), in case that was the issue.

2) Can anyone recommend a good mat to place around the box to control litter mess? He insists on kicking half of it out and it’s getting to be a real pain in the ass keeping the bathroom clean. I don’t think I have enough room for an enclosed litter box or anything else that would easily contain it. (It’s a small bathroom.) My daughter suggested that maybe he doesn’t like the litter I’m using, which I’ve used since I got him. (Moving the box to a different bath is a no-go, as he left “protests” to prove it when we tried it.)

3) He has some thick, matted fur, I think from grooming himself too hard. He hates brushing, so I’m thinking about taking him to a pro. Any experiences with that?

He’s old, so maybe some or all of these things are age related. Dunno.

Thanks in advance.

[Phoenix61]

1. First, cats are weird.

1. I’ve had several cats who play in their water dish. Including one now. I have no idea why other than he likes making a mess.
2. Get plastic storage box and put litter box in it. Cut down in front so cat can get in easier.
3. Give him a bath. The water helps loosen the hair. I put warm water in the tub and a towel on the bottom. The furminator brush is worth every penny. It really helps get the undercoat out. CJ will only let me brush him in the bathroom. I have no idea why. He’s the one who likes to play in the water bowl so there’s that.

[AngryOldDem]

6. I have a Furminator, and he hates it.

But I force the issue until he tries to remove one of my fingers. Same with baths. That’s why I thought a professional might help.

The storage box is a good idea. He’s still agile enough so he shouldn’t have any issue getting in or out. The box he has now is about the deepest and tallest they make.

Thanks!

[Phoenix61]

9. Mine won't let me near him with it unless we are in the

bathroom with the door shut. Then he likes it. Probably for the best as it keeps the loose hair in one room. You mentioned he was older. He may have arthritis and be having a hard time grooming some places. Spot, who made it to a little past 20, got arthritis and I put him on CBD oil. Made a HUGE difference after about a month. He was running around like a kitten and sleeping much better. Maybe try that?

[Haggard Celine]

2. My cat sometimes dips his paw in his water before

taking a drink. I think he's testing it for something. I've read that cats like for their water to be moving when they drink it. My guess is that it's their way of avoiding stagnant water. Maybe they're making sure there aren't insects breeding in it, not sure.

I've only had my cat for a little more than a year and he's only two years old, but I had a hard time keeping the cat litter in the box, too. Guess he didn't like the litter I was buying or maybe I put too much of it in the box. A while back, I saw this litter for sale at Walmart that's made of ground-up corn cobs. I haven't had anymore problem since I switched to that, and the litter lasts a long time and doesn't really have a odor.

[jcgoldie]

10. moving water

My spoiled Flo will only drink straight from the faucet which I turn on a couple times a day for her at a trickle. She lets it run all over her face so silly.

[csziggy]

12. I got one of those fountain things for my cats

After they get used to it, they love it. It keeps the water moving and filters it so it is fresh. My husband cleans it every two or three days and changes the filter about once a week. With four cats, we have to add water about every other day if my husband doesn't clean it.

I bought an off brand, but it's a lot like this Catit Water Fountain - https://www.catit.com/products/drinking-fountains/flower-fountains/. When it wears out I'll replace it with a stainless steel one, but it's been going for over five years now, with the original pump

[MissB]

3. With my male cat

I had to water down his food to make sure he was getting enough water.

[Sedona]

4. I got your second answer

Pieviev Cat Litter Mat Double Layer Waterproof Urine Proof Trapping Mat (30''X24'', Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KPC6F3V/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_ZK81E2Q8MEESEQGHCQ1N?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ND5CX6Q/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_i_7TDPNJYZ6QJE9JG91XD8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[AngryOldDem]

7. Thanks!

It seems all I do is sweep or vacuum litter. I’m willing to have a big mat in there — I have a mat, plus a beach towel that does absolutely squat.

[lark]

8. Cats are funny creatures.

My latest rescue feral was 2-1/2 years old when we took him in and he'd lived in the park by the river. Guess he was drinking out of the river, because he often puts his front paws in the water. Sometimes it's 2 paws, sometimes it's one. Sometimes he puts in one paw and moves it around while he's drinking. Sometimes he drinks out of his paw and sometimes he uses this for a deep cleaning of the pads.
He has cystitis so I'm glad for every drop he'll take. Yes, he does have to eat the expensive medicated food, but it keeps him out of the hospital so is well worth it.

[Ocelot II]

11. For the matting problem you might have to take him to a groomer.

My Pixie, who is now 14 and has fluffy fur that mats easily, hated being brushed so it was always a battle (which I would loose, bloodily) to deal with the mats. I tried all sorts of brushes and combs and cat-grooming restraints but nothing worked - she snapped at me when I tried to brush her and completely freaked out when I tried to get her into a grooming jacket that was supposed to keep her murder mittens off my face when I brushed her (claw trimming was also a big nope). Eventually the mats were bad enough that in the summer of 2020 I ended up having to take her to the vet to shave her down because she'd have to be sedated, which a groomer couldn't do. So she got a "lion cut," which resulted in this:



The vet warned me that the job wouldn't be beautiful since they were vets and not groomers, and it wasn't the neatest job. Also, she was kind of groggy for a couple of days while the sedative wore off, and she spent most of that time sulking in her cat cave. But I started brushing her every day so she'd get used to it, and by the time she grew all her fur back - which took about four months - she actually liked being brushed and still does. Now mats aren't a problem because I can comb them out before they happen.

[csziggy]

13. Ask the vet - if they have to sedate him for the dental work, they may be able to trim his matts

Call ahead and see if that is possible.

[applegrove]

14. Get a black mat with mesh on top (big grate actually. Don't get one that folds or you

will not be able to slide the 'captured' litter out into the pan. If you think of it if it folds it won't work). I got this on Amazon. I bought 7 and they work great.

Cat Litter Mat 45 x 60cm, Litter Mat Trapper Double Layer Honeycomb Waterproof Urineproof Washable Litter Box Mat for Litter Boxes,EVA Phthalate Free Kitty Litter Mat for Floor,Easy Clean Scatter Control

Brand: Topcovos

 

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