Cat question

[nisaa]

Um, okay. This bothers me and I figure it bothers my roommate too since she's home a lot during the day. Can you teach a cat patience? Or at least - how do you make him stop whining for food for 2 hours before dinner time?

This cat is NOT starving. He just hangs out and whines at me until I feed him. And I won't feed him until 4pm. He's got dry food.

I don't think I could ever have a human child if I can't handle a feline one.

Comments

[svava.livejournal.com]

Well first of all you are dealing with a really smart and stubborn cat. I have learned many new lessons in dealing stubborn, cleaver, and in Olaf's case energetic pets. In Alexanders world he wants a treat or attention or whatever, and what does he have to distract him toward attaining his goal, not much. So quite frankly he has time to plot and pester and learn. If he whines at you, you will pet him, if he cries he gets better food. So you have to outsmart the pets

The thing I have started with Olaf which has been working is to give the dogs a treat when they are just lounging around or if they are leaving me alone while at the dinner table, that way he associates being good with a treat. I have one cat who always begs for attention so I have been extra careful to pet her when she is not begging. Of course take this all with a grain of salt because I have yet to break Rocky of doing the Anime eyes at dinner time.

Another possiblity is that he may not like the dry food or is bored with the flavor. It may help to switch it around a bit, but make sure you do it slowly and in a mixture so as not to upset his digestive system. I am sure he is really complaining if you have lite dry food, if I remember correctly all the cats hated that one.

[nisaa.livejournal.com]

Did I happen to mention that I recently bought a 20lb bag of Max Cat Senior? I was tired of running out of food and I thought he liked it. Hrrrmmmm . . . maybe I'll mix in some Trader Joe's cat food or something.

I like the idea of giving him a treat when he's just sitting around NOT begging. Will have to remember that one.

I think *crosses fingers* that Alexander will have a new friend to play with soon so that should help.

Thanks!

[svava.livejournal.com]

You may want to think about Science Diet cat food it is expensive but all the cats that have ever lived with me (including Alexander) love it. It took me forever to convince Roxanne to forray into new dry foods.