So, I have inherited half a cat

[tavalon]

I know, it sounds strange, but just hear me out. My next door neighbors have an indoor/outdoor cat. He sort of wanders the dock and rarely ventures outside the gate. They tend to let him out for the night. My houseboat is such that it's very easy for this cat to get in and each time he comes in, skittish as he is, he appears to be finding it appealing.

Today, my part-time dog destroyed the cat door that has been here since long before I was. It was set to let cats out, not in. Now, it's equal opportunity but that didn't stop this cat from finding ways in anyway.

Here's my dilemma. I've asked his family his name too many times. So, do I try to grab him and check to see if it's on his collar, ask again, or just rename him for the nighttime? It's pretty clear he's setting this up as his nighttime home away from home.

I wish he was less shy and more doglike, but who knows, the relationship is just starting. He's a little peeved at me today because I wouldn't let him into the loft (some cats I'm allergic to and if he's one, I don't really want him on my bed. Just wait, he'll be up there sleeping with me within the week!)

[Callmecrazy]

1. Did you get the half that eats ...

or the half that poops?

[graywarrior]

2. Or the half that eats poops?

[rrneck]

4. That's the dog half. nt

[tavalon]

10. Well, until last night, I would have said neither

But my part time dog went home yesterday afternoon and I hadn't picked up his food tray yet and he went for it. I took it away because I don't want his daytime owners to deal with throw up.

[NJCher]

3. My friend did that

with a neighbor who she liked and got along with very well. I don't think they treated their cat all that well, although they are a far cry from animal abusers. About the worst I can say for them is that they refused to buy this kitty wet food and just fed him dry.

He took an instant liking to my friend and her little daughter. Pretty soon he was getting into their house every chance he could get.

My friend didn't mind, but oddly enough, the neighbors were somewhat taken aback that their cat seemed to like my friend more than he liked his regular humans.

It was a little bit of an issue--not a big one. But just something to consider.


Cher

[Fla Dem]

5. All I feed my cat is dry cat food

I have tried repeatedly to get her to eat wet food, but all she does is lick up the juices and leaves the solids. She will occasionally partake of some tuna. She been on dry since she was a kitten and is now 7. Are you saying people who feed their cats dry cat food are bad parents?

[Chan790]

6. My take based on some knowledge...

There is some thought in the veterinary community because dry cat food is mostly carbohydrates and cats' natural diet contains almost no carbohydrates that a diet of only dry cat food may not be the best thing for them; that it's too many calories and not enough protein unless you're supplementing it somehow and/or making sure your cat gets enough exercise.

That said, if your cat will only dry cat food...feed her what she'll eat. If she starts to get fat, walk her. My aunt's cat is the pickiest thing alive and fat to boot but they walk her daily and she's healthy for a teenager.

[Fla Dem]

13. Yes I have read some of the articles that say a cat is a carnivore and not a grain eater.

Which is one of the reasons I tried again to get her to eat meats. I tried a complete switch and a gradual switch, in neither case did she take to the wet food. I tried different brands to no avail. I just ended up with a lot of cans of wet food and wasted money. I donated the food to a local humane society.

[murielm99]

7. I have one of those.

He is a beautiful tom cat. My neighbor who lives about a mile away is his other owner. He goes to her house sometimes, for days at a time. He comes back here because we have several lady cats who live outside. Don't blame me. Because I live in the country, people think it is okay to dump them here. (One of my other neighbors has seven abandoned cats).

If I ever catch anyone dumping cats here, I swear I am going to call the sheriff.

[trueblue2007]

8. WE LIVE ON A HOUSEBOAT TOO.

WE ARE GOING TO BUILD A ..... CATIO

[lunatica]

9. Our cat adopted us.

Just showed up and never went away. We feel lucky.

[tavalon]

11. This one is shy and skittish and yet, very adventurous

Weird combo. He left as I was going to bed.