general cat questions?

Question

1: I work 3rd shift,,,and sometimes all 3 shifts in one week,,,could this somehow have an adverse effect on my kitty?

2: Dones leaving music and/or lights on make her feel less lonely

3: How much should i fill up the litter box (half way, 1/4th?)

4; Does the cat following me around alot mean she likes it here?

5: Can i expect any changes in behavior when i get her fixed in the next few weeks

6: Laser Pen, yes or no

7:any usefull tips that i should be aware of?

Answer 1

People gave you so many great answers. I'd only add that if you're away lots from the "start" I don't think it's a problem. I'm with my kitty 24/7--except when I have an errand, & if I'm gone over an hour, she hears my foot steps & is right at the door to tell me how awful it was. Sweetly, of course! Someone gave me the laser pen, but I was afraid I might "accidentially" get it in her eyes, but when I first tried it, she realized right away that there was nothing to catch, & just LOOKED at me, like, what do you think you're doing? Some little things people don't often think of~be very, very careful about staples, push pins & teeny things she could swallow. String is very dangerous, I learned. I played
"string" with one of my cats & went looking for it & couldn't find it. Later, he upchucked this length of string at least 3 feet long that he'd somehow gotten into a ball. If it had gotten stuck in his tummy, that would have been quite serious. Toys often have little button eyes that your cat could swallow. & don't forget if you have cords to your drapes, when you raise them, be sure the cord isn't dangling; they can play with that & literally choke. Chocolate is lethal to a cat...oh, & have a collar that has a "release" so it doesn't get caught on anything! I have a wooden dish drain for things I do by hand, & my kitty got her collar stuck in it & could have strangled if I hadn't been home. Be sure kitty isn't in drawers when you close them! This happened to mine & when I couldn't find her, I heard this tiny "mew"--finally located where she was, & poor llittle thing had pooed in the drawer. Stove top burners! Yikes--I won't go on!

EDIT: THE GUY WHO WAS JACK O & POSTED HORRIBLE ANSWERS IN THIS CATEGORY HAS CLONED ME & IS NOW PRETENDING I CLONED HIM, SO IF YOU'RE ON THIS SITE AGAIN & GET A VERY UGLY ANSWER, (OR QUESTION) IT WILL BE FROM THE SICKO. I try to help here--& I love cats & cat people. He has also posted a "nice" answer saying I cloned HIM & to report me. Would you believe?

Answer 2

Some cats do best when there is another cat in the house. If you cat is a kitten I would consider getting a companion for her. Older cats sometimes don't enjoy having another cat in the house if they're not used to it, but if she's under a year old it could work great after a few initial adjustment days.

When I was a young woman I worked long hours and I had 3 cats. They apparently had a great time while I was gone (as could be seen by whatever messes they created!) and were always excited to see me at the end of the day.

Your cat following you around means she enjoys your company and wants to be near you. I would say, yes, she probably likes it there!

White noise or soft music might drown out noises that might make the cat nervous. I would leave a small light on, but don't leave your house or apartment all lit up. Remember that cats are nocturnal so darkness is cool by them.

Regarding the litter box, I actually taught my cats to use the toilet when I lived in an apartment. I just came home and flushed and that was that. If you use a litter box, how full you fill it depends on how often you change it (keep it fuller if you don't change it often and less full if you change it a lot).

There may be minor changes in her behavior when she's fixed, but she'll be her old self soon.

Laser pen- absolutely! Most cats love it!

Answer 3

Your kitty should be 'just fine' whatever shift you are working, as long as you are 'home' with it regularly ... and if your shift 'changes' regularly, the kitty will simply 'adjust' with you. If you are leaving your kitty alone, then you could leave some 'soft, gentle' music on in one room (but that you can't hear in other rooms in the house) and you can also leave a 'low wattage' light on in a room that you know is going to be 'extremely dark' while you are gone ... but neither is really 'necessary' to the cat. Cats don't see and hear the same things people do ... in fact, if you put on 'loud music' and 'bright light' your cat could go 'crazy' on you from too much stimulation.
Fill the litter box about 3-4 inches deep, and 'police it' daily ... and change it at least once a week.
Yes, your cat 'following you around' does mean that she likes something ... she likes YOU!
Yes, your cat's 'behavior' will change when you get her fixed ... she'll be just like a human who's had surgery and will want to 'sleep more' for about two weeks after ... and she'll also show 'less interest' in other cats ... but since a cat sleeps about 20-22 hours a day, I wouldn't 'worry' about her 'getting too much sleep.'
Using a 'laser pen' to play with your cat can be great fun ... but PLEASE be sure that it isn't truly a 'laser pen' but simply a pen that 'throws' a red or colored light across the room for the cat to 'chase' ... LASERS can 'hurt' the cat's eyes.
LOVE YOUR CAT ... that's the best 'tip' I can give you ... but you should always let your CAT be the one who decides whether it wants to be held ... I've had cats that didn't like to be 'held' ever, but that would lie down right next to me when I was 'sick' so they could 'watch over me' ... and CONGRATULATIONS for getting your new friend.

Answer 4

1. Yes. If you don't give your cat lots of love when you are home they will start to feel neglected. Just make sure you are spending lots of time with your kitty.

2. It depends. If, when you are home, do you listen to music, or always have the kitchen lamp on? If you do then these will comfort the cat. You might even ask a neighbor to check in on the cat every once in awhile.

3. The litter box should be filled up about 3/4 of the way.

4. It means she likes you! It means she wants to be around you. But unless she is constantly hiding unless you're around it means the place is okay.

5. Yes. The behaviors that change vary from cat to cat but if you're worried about it ask your vet. They will know more about this than I will.

6. I'm not really sure what 'Laser Pen' is... Can't help you with this.

7. Having a cat is fun but does include work. Clean the litter box everyday so it's not so much work. Find your cat's 'special place' (The place it likes to be scratched) as scratch it often. If your cat is long-haired brush it every week or so. And basically give your kitty lots of love as much as possible. If you are leaving for vacation and can't take your cat then get a neighbor to check in on the cat while you're gone. To feed it, clean the litter box, and give it love.

Answer 5

1.I am not sure, but I don't think it would be a big problem for her.

2. I don't thimk it will make her less lonely, but I will leave the TV on because my littlest one likes to 'pounce' on the moving pictures.

3. I usually fill to 1/4 of the litter box.

4. She is following you because she wants to be with you!!! She sounds like a very social kitty.

5. I am not sure about this one as I have never had a female cat (before now) My littlest is getting 'fixed' tomorrow.

6. I have 2 cats one loves it, the other does not. Just be careful not to shine it in the eyes.

7. Leash train her. That way when you are outside in the summer, she can come out and play with you.

Never let her out on her own. Outdoor cats have shorter life spans.

Love her.

Cudle her.

Answer 6

1. Yes. All life forms need the company of other life forms.
2. Music helps. Lights don't.
3. A fuller litterbox is better.
4 The cat following you around a lot means it likes you and would love some attention.
5. Getting her fixed will mellow her out.
6. Just say no to the laser pen. It can hurt your kitty's retinas. But say yes to kitty toys and catnip!
7. And, as for useful tips, if you're really going to be absent from the home a lot, on a regular basis, my advice is to get your kitty a nice companion (but test out their compatibility first).

Answer 7

I'm assuming you have a young cat here.

1) probably not, as long as you feed her on a regular basis. But don't fill a bowl with several meals worth of food and leave, unless you want a really fat cat.

2) Not really. I would consider getting a 2nd cat - one by itself can be destructive if it's bored. Two cats will keep each other entertained and exercised, especially if they're both young. If you do have 2 cats, be sure you have both of them neutered, or you may have kittens to deal with.

3) An inch or two is plenty.

4) probably.

5) she'll be sore for awhile, but otherwise not.

6) yes - just don't shine it in their eyes. Some cats ignore them, mine love one. Get one that uses AA or AAA batteries, though. Hearing aid or button batteries are expensive!

7) Try a fishing pole-type toy - a stick with a string and a feather at the end, or a rag, etc.

Also, get a scratching post or two. Ours like the ones with a post wrapped with sisal rope. Rub some catnip into the post, and the cats will love it and work on that, rather than your furniture. I just replaced the rope on ours for the 2nd time, because the cats have shredded the old rope to bits.

Get a brush and comb, and brush them out every few days, especially in the spring when they are shedding. Give them a little furball laxative afterwards, and you'll have a lot less hairballs to clean up.

Find a high quality food that they like, and stick to that brand. Switching from brand to brand depending on what's on sale can cause them digestive upset, and the sounds of a feline digestive system operating in reverse will bring you out of the deepest sleep.

Answer 8

She will be fine with your schedule, cats adapt well. She wont really need any extra light, but a little bit of music may be nice to make her feel more at ease, but not necessary all the time. Depending on the size of the litter box you have depends on how high to fill it, usually two inches, just as long as it stays cleaned out she will be content with it, she just needs to cover up what she does. I am sure that she likes it there, and her following you around means that she like you too, and wants attention from you. She may be less moody after she gets fixed, but dont count on it :) I suggest no laser pen, or very minimal because it has been known to have negative affects on their personality and sanity. Lots of love, and good nutritious food are the best tips you can get!

Answer 9

1.Yes! Your never home. Kittens need attention.

2.Leaving music and the t.v on are good things to do for a cat. It makes them feel like someone is home.

3.Alittle less then half way with the litter.

4.When a cat follows you around its because she wants attention!!!!

5.Yes you can. She might get fat and she might start eating alot. She might get more talkative.

6.I have 3 cats and all 3 of them love the laser pointer. Dont shine it in there eyes though!

7.Get some cat nip,and some little toys, treat it as your own kid. Pets are just like humans!

Answer 10

1. Working shifts may or may not affect your cat, depending on her natural temperament. But I expect no matter waht, the cat will eventualy get used to your erratic work schedule. It will help if you make a point of giving her food when you do get home - this way, she'll think you only went out hunting for dinner.

2. Leaving music (soft or classical is best) and a light on is a great idea and helps a lot in soothing a cat's anxiety. I keep the radio in my room (where I confine my cats) on playing classical music whenever I go out or whenever I know we will have visitors and there will be a racous at home. It soothes my cats.

3. The liter box should be filled 2 inches from the bottom.

4. Your cat follows you around becuase she has become attached to you and probably becuase she misses you after you've been away to work.

5. After she gets fixed, she will mellow down a bit, but will stil play and be funny. She won't "meow" as much if she used to.

6. Laser pen lights are great to get kitty to exercise. They are very interesting to cats who especially love to chase bugs. A very few cats (like one of my own) will have nothing to do with them (this cat prefers mice-like toys and feather teasers). Just be careful never to point the laser light directly into the cat's eyes - its a laser after all!.

7. Set aside regular grooming times with your kitty: combing, brushing coat, cleaning ears, brushing teeth, etc. Cts love the attention - especially brushing the coat. Sometims cats don't really care what they play with, as long as they are doing it with you.

8. Feed your kitty some wet cat canned food and some dry food too. A mix diet is best for a young cat. The wet food ensures adequate hydration while the dry food heps to keep plaque and tartar buildup down. Do not "free feed" (leave food out in the bowl at all times) becuase this will eventually lead to an overweight cat and problems.