Does your Cat (or any pet) misbehave since caregiving your loved one?
Have you been required to take care of your loved one's pet after they have passed? Does your pet have cute antics that entertain your loved one?
And finally, has the cat or dog transferred their loyalty to your Mother?
My kitten will play with anything. My adult cat (neutered male) doesn't really play. It seems to be beneath his dignity. He will lie down in bed with me at night or naptime, as long as I don't try to cuddle him too much. Oh, well....
Mine follow me everywhere,wanting me to constantly entertain them.I need all the ideas for any other cat games and things to do with them that I can get.
Another good cat game is to put a fake toy mouse under the oven or the dishwasher.They like to bat it under there and then watch you get a stick and a flashlight to get it back out for them.
And Ali,I'm SO happy for you getting two kitty cats to love on.They will bring you so much joy,I know.Besides the toys they have,I hope they have a scratchy scratch too.You can make them tunnels under tables covered with a sheet and they love houses made with boxes covered by a big towel and they love a pile of grass brought in from outside and they love to sit in the window sill and look out the screen and you'll probably find yourself singing to them,silly songs you just make up and you will talk to them and they will chew on your toes like Holiday end's did and mine do and I'm just SO happy for you!!!Have fun with your new babies~
Put things that small of you close to where they are hiding and feeling safe then when they come our they will see you as security. Enjoy being a Mama.
You've been at this caregiving business a very long time at this point, you need support. I'm glad you've joined us here on AgingCare.
Putting the cat to sleep will not really make your job of careing for hubby any easier so I would suggest getting more help careing for hubby so you are not so stressed. It has already been a long road for you and there is no predicting how long the rest of your journey will be. Do what feels right for you. No guilt involved. When the time has to come there will be not doubt in your mind what needs to be done. Many hugs.
I was both a "forum virgin" and a "communicator-with-other-caregivers virgin" until I wrote my post. I am dumbfounded by the kindness and warmth of your responses. It was worth the box of tissues! Thank you! Your understanding means the world to me.
I had to put blue sheets around the house, especially on the flooring. It made for much easier clean-up once I could see a pattern of where she was going. It was odd, she preferred the east side of the house. I even added more litter boxes for her but she couldn't always get to one in time :(
I can understand your situation trying to take care of two love ones which can be overwhelming. The cat does have a serious illness and you are doing the best you can. It is always so hard to know when to say "good-bye". What a tough decision.
Cats can also sense when its owner is ill, and they can stress about that which can also have an effect on their own well being.
About 6 months ago we adopted a rescue cat who was 12 years old. After a few months we thought we would need to take her back to the SPCA as she just wasn't bonding with us. She pretty much kept to herself. Then just a few weeks ago she brighten up and she has a delightful funny personality. Oh my gosh, she has us laughing so much :)
Our old guy who is 18 years old has a crush on her, and it is so funny listening to him "call" her. He can form words, and he is trying so hard to say what sounds like "Rosie come here". Of course, at 3 in the morning we can do without that !! They will meet in the upstairs hallway and roam the house at night.
Rosie has really helped the 18 year old as last year he lost his litter mate and another older elder cat due various health related issues. She has extended his life as he was so very depressed.
I completely sympathize with the difficult situation you find yourself in re: the cat. I think I would be very concerned about keeping your husband (and yourself) healthy in light of having to constantly clean up cat waste around the house. That can't be a good thing.
I wish I could give a definitive answer, but only you can do that - if you have reached the point where it has to be your husband's care or the cat's, then you have to make a choice. It won't be easy, and I don't envy you having to do it - I would really struggle with it myself - but I think the health concern for yourself and your husband need to take top priority here. If you have to cover furniture with tarps to protect against the cat's bowel incontinence, it must be pretty bad.
I'm so sorry you have to deal with this.
✔️ Catnip, toys
✔️ Case of the canned food the older one prefers over the dry food. I'm ok with getting him his favorite food. He's made it to 18 years, he should eat what he likes.
✔️ Grooming gloves with the rubber nubs, so I can rub them hairless... haha
The previous owner dropped off plenty of other supplies so I don't have much to buy and I want to get them a few treats to feel better about this adjustment of being rehomed. They seem very much mellow cats. I watched as the 4 yo daughter was grabbing the cats, picking them up, moving them around, and the cats tolerate her very well so these are some pretty chill cats imo.
Have to see how the first week goes. They just came today and so far they won't venture out from under their hiding places, so I'm just going to let them be for a bit.
I had a friend of a friend who had two adult cats that needed to be re-homed for a few reasons and I offered to take them. Devo is 18 years old ( ... I have mixed feelings about taking a cat so old, but he's in good health and I'm ok with being old-cat caregiver person...) and Delilah is 11 (estimated, she's a former rescue). They are hiding in the living room currently inside and under things and I'm going to just let them be for a few days as they adjust. But....
I HAVE CAAAAAATTTTTTTSSSSSS! And I'm very happy about that. Now I'm going to go buy them a water fountain on Amazon, because I think that would make them happy.
We went to the pet store first. I went looking for a travel water bowl, and also found a cross-body carry sling (meant for small dogs) in the same section. Well, THIS is a little gem of a product! I swear this kitten weighs almost 15 pounds by now! I also found a cross-body water-bottle holster, so I got that, too. Now I can walk around with my cat, totally hands-free! Lol.
It was a new park to Bruce, so he was a little nervous at first. He likes the bag! I think it's his new "safe space" when we're out. So much that it took him 30 minutes to even come out of it! Finally I took my shoes off and lay down on the grass, and that prompted him to slink alongside me. Eventually he moved around a bit, sniffing grass and sticks and pinecones and a tree, and he watched some birds and bugs. He doesn't even try to go far from me - I probably wouldn't even have to hold the leash (but I do, because what if he has a freak-out and runs off?). He's actually a pretty chill little guy when we go out!
Anyway, he saw a marmot for the first time, and lots of birds....and after awhile, a couple of ducks settled in within about 10 feet of us! The male duck even had a sit down while his lady love preened and shook her tail feathers. Bruce doesn't seem interested in trying to chase anything, though. Not even bugs. He just watches. Considering how insane the pigeons on the balcony make him, I really never expected him to be so calm outdoors.
Anyway, he's been yowling at me out of boredom for days, and now he seems quite content again.
I have to say, there really is something about a cat on a leash that makes people giggle and coo when they see it. Like, "Oh my god, it's a cat!" And, "Ohhh how cute!" They would maybe just smile (or not even notice) if they saw you with a cute dog or a cute baby, but they have to express their astonishment over a cat. I guess it IS pretty unusual to see a cat in a park. I just posted this in another thread, but if I could get him to actually WALK on the leash, I swear I'd have fifty new friends a day!
She found his coat lying on the floor (as usual) and peed on that