Pets
Related: About this forumGryff is FINALLY figuring things out
Madoc will start eating his wet food and then switch to Gryff's bowl and start gobbling that down. When he finishes that, he goes back to his bowl. Gryff has always sat by and watched. If I catch Madoc doing this, I move him back to his bowl. It's an ongoing battle.
This morning I noticed that while Madoc was stealing Gryff's food, Gryff had moved over to Madoc's bowl and was eating his food! It took him a while, but I think I can stop worrying about him not getting enough to eat.
wnylib
(21,146 posts)I was staying with some friends for a few weeks and had my cat with me, who was just 8 months old at the time.
I kept the cat's dishes in my room where I could close the door for him to eat because my friends' dog kept eating the cat's food. The cat would always back off and stare as the dog gobbled down his food if I forgot and left the door open. Poor kitty could not graze and come back later to finish up.
One morning, I forgot to close the door. The dog came in and started eating what I had just put in the cat's dish. The cat hopped onto the bed, next to his dishes and reached out his paw to tentatively tap the dog. The dog kept eating. Instead of interfering this time, I petted the cat's head and pointed to the dish, saying the cat's name, hoping he would get the message that I was encouraging him to take back his food.
He either got the message or simply was fed up. He tapped the dog harder and when the dog did not leave the dish, the cat hopped onto the dog's back, holding on with his claws. The dog yelped, ran for the door and the cat hopped off his back, went to his dish and ate his breakfast. I praised and hugged him for handling it himself.
After that, the dog left the cat's dish alone when the cat was present.
Once the cat established with the dog that he could hold his own, they became friends and played and napped together.
Siwsan
(26,177 posts)I try to coordinate feeding the boys and the kittens at the same time, with the boys in the kitchen and the kittens in the den. Then I stand guard. When Madoc approaches I give him one of those 'mom looks' and he usually backs off.
And if the kittens are still in the kitchen when I put down the boys dishes, they immediately start eating and the boys just let them. Since Madoc and Gryff are now transitioning to adult cat food, I scoop up the kittens and put them in front of their bowls.
Pretty sure I'm just going to buy 'complete' formula kibble, from now on. That way if the kittens want to eat from the 'big bowls' they will still be getting the right nutrition.
I'll bet pupper was shocked!
My older rescue kitty used to swat, claws out, at my sweet little rescue boy (10 lb) until one day, she pinned his long, floppy ear to the floor.
He snapped, growled & retaliated. He didn't hurt her, but she never messed with him again, thankfully!
This had been going on for a few years, despite my best efforts to stop her aggressive behavior.
wnylib
(21,146 posts)among themselves, as long as you are there to intervene if it gets out of hand. My friend was ok with the solution that the cat came up with. In fact, she laughed at the dog (a Jack Russell) when he ran and said, "Good kitty. That'll teach her (the dog)."
Nobody was hurt - well not badly hurt. And they became best buds, chasing each other around the house. The cat used his leaping advantage to get onto a laundry table and tap the dog's head when she tried to get up there but couldn't. When they wore each other out from chasing, they curled up together on the couch and slept.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Sadly, my girl hates dogs, other cats, & likely any other creature she might perceive as encroaching on her queendom. 😓
They sould like quite the pair!
Thx for sharing your story!
wnylib
(21,146 posts)The dog was almost a year old. So they were young enough to be playful and forget grievances quickly.
That cat passed away almost 7 years ago. He was the most affectionate cat I ever knew. Never met a person, cat, or dog that he didn't like. I nicknamed him Mr.Love.
He was playful and easy going, but would assert himself when he felt it was necessary. He tolerated a lot before he laid down the law to anyone, but once he did, no one messed with him again. It's as if he had his own code of ethics. "I could whoop you, and when I do, you will know that you have been whooped, so don't provoke me. I'd really rather play and be friends."
3Hotdogs
(12,207 posts)Cat sat on the refrigerator, (don't ask) watching until....
the machine got a foot away from the cat food bowl. FUCK THAT! Mitzi dove from the fridge and pounced on Rumba.
wnylib
(21,146 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)So glad Gryff figured out musical bowls!
What would happen if you let Madoc eat till satisfied? Have you ever tried?
He seems food insecure, but we know from his history, he has no reason to be this way.
Siwsan
(26,177 posts)His litter siblings would not budge. Gryff just sat back and let Madoc clean his bowl. Until now.
On rare occasion there's been wet food left in Madoc's bowl. Very rare. And there's usually some kibble available for them.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Poor Madoc. So insecure.
I didn't mean to infer that he is underfed. Was just curious.
My senior rescue girl has always been food insecure. Poor thing was rescued from an abandoned car with her litter, many years ago.
She demands food every 3 hours. 2 "handfuls," minimum. Fortunately, her calculation skills for what constitutes a "handful" are virtually nil.
Yet, she is now 16 lbs, will not play with anything, catnip doesn't affect her & I fear for her long-term well-being.
Siwsan
(26,177 posts)I suspect they were starting to be weaned and he may have been underfed. He might have had to fight his sisters for food. I especially think that, now, since he's pretty robust.
Since the vet underestimated the age of these kittens, I'm wondering if Spooky's milk might not be sufficient in nutrients. Once I got them inside and started a strong feeding routine, just like Madoc they really started to grow. Even the vet was surprised at the difference in their condition.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)Great point!
I had this myself! "Not enough calories in milk for baby to grow.," doc said.
Duh! Should've thought of this!
Thx for sharing!
Siwsan
(26,177 posts)Sometimes I mix some kibble in the pate, add a little water and warm it in the microwave. Even without the kibble, I add the water and warm the pate. They gobble it down.
And I leave just a little in the bowl I use to warm it and give that to Madoc as a distraction. He licks the bowl clean and even uses his paw to make sure he scoops up every morsel.
SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)My vet once told me anything I can do to increase water intake is good, because cats "always seem to stay right on the edge of dehydration."
Poor Madoc. I feel for him with food insecurity. I know it runs deep. My dad lived through the Depression & until the day he died, he was always food focused.
Hugs to Madoc!