I just wanted to let you know that the idea you had of feeding Grace first has worked. It took a couple of months but she's more assertive now around the others and they let her come out and hang out with the rest of the family here in the living room. As I type she's sitting on the back of the sofa watching the birds and making those cute little wistful cat noises while Mouse is curled up at my side. Great idea you had! Thanks so much!
It gives me a lot of insight into cat psychology too. I never would have thought who got fed first would make that much difference. But I do know that cats place a lot of importance on food. They will remember food related events after just one time, for instance, while ignoring many of the other things that go on in the house. Apparently they all (including Grace) got the idea that Grace is important and belongs with us from that one thing. It's made our lives much happier, thanks!
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
I didn't see what led up to this, but I just had to comment on the whole cats/food thing. We have two female cats and the older one is definitely "top cat." The younger one is the bigger food hound, though, and looks it too, so it's always interesting to try to put her on a diet while keeping the other one's consumption up.
The interesting thing, though, is that when we have made changes restricting the amount of food available, it is really apparent in the behavior of the "top cat." She gets very grouchy and is really mean to the other cat -- like it must be Allie's fault that her food supply has been reduced. Which makes a lot of sense, I guess, when you think about the wild; more of the same kind of animals in any given territory are competition for available food.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Yes, Uprooted! I've seen the same thing. Hungry cats don't tolerate one another nearly so well as full contented ones. And cold cats get downright cuddly! Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
That's why I much prefer dogs. They are ALWAYS cuddly.
Posted by Dead_Horse (Member # 3027) on :
Oh! I did a similar thing after reading that. Now the dog understands that the cat and it's food are mine, not hers.
It worked for the cat I had at the time, and the dog quit mouthing him when she figured out he was important to me and I told her not to. It still works for the new cat I got after the first one passed on.
Outdoor cats are still fair game, but since they stay out of reach, that's okay.
The dog is also more obedient when she is fed after I eat.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Oh, I always feed all my cats first before I sit down to eat. It's sort of my way of making sure I don't forget them. My own hunger would remind me if I were to forget. Maybe that's why they all act like humans are their slave species so much of the time.
No, I don't mind, really... they're great masters.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
Has anyone seen AJ around?
Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
I can put a flag up at Sake.
Posted by Tatiana (Member # 6776) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)