1-eyed cat w/ very poor sense of balance --any advice on how to help him play more?

Question

I pick him up (all 15 lbs *ugh*) to see out the window. I make steps so he can reach things, but fear making them high enough for the lowest window (3 1/2 ' from floor).

Any advice welcome. He (LinusB.Bootz) is happy, but I want him to have as happy & natural a life as possible.

Also, has anyone ever successfully bathed a cat? Linus smells, but the one time I tied bathing him he freaked and I nearly lost the provervbial pound of flesh! :-O --well. an ounce..

Answer 1

Some springy stand up toys that he can bat around from a laying down position are good. You can try moving his food bowl around and get him to hunt for it (all cats love to hunt). Cardboard boxes or bags are good for cats, most love to play or hide in them and you can throw them away when they get bored with it or it's tatty.

Show cats get bathed all the time. If he really hates bathing, then get some baby powder and rub onto his coat and brush him thoroughly to remove it, repeat until he smells better then just wipe him over with a damp cloth. You can get pet wipes especially for animals which you can use too, they're like baby bum wipes but with ingredients just for cats and dogs. They're brilliant for clean ups. Sometimes a good wipe over with a warm facecloth and a little safe shampoo, starting at the head and working down is enough to freshen them up if he will tolerate that better.

I often bath my cats, once a month before flea treatments and show cats are bathed before every show.

Clip his nails first, just the white, you will see a pink streak in the nail, don't cut that, it will bleed and it hurts. Have everything you need before you start. Put the drying towels in the dryer to warm up, put a thick towel in the bottom of the bath for him to stand on. Run all the water before you take him in there, fill a couple of buckets to rinse him with and the bath to come to the top of his legs to wash him in, you can put the shampoo straight into the bath water (I use "It's Showtime with built in conditioners), it saves time, just scoop the water over him with your hand. Once you've done that, rinse him thoroughly, take him out, dry him with one towel then with the next one. You can put him in the carrier with a small fan heater on him to dry him off (not too close or hot though) You might have to hold him by the scruff of the neck in the bath, which is fine as long as his paws are on the ground and you're not letting him dangle as that can break the muscles and tendons.

Good luck with bathing him, if you do it regularly, they get used to it and get easier to bath. Just keep the nails short so you don't lose a limb!

Answer 2

How is old your little ball of fur? My cat (Amee) is 18/19 and she seems to "tetter" a little. When I had her to the vet, he said this could be due to changes in the brain as she ages. I keep a close eye on her, she eats, poddies,,,etc..and still seeks me out for a snuggle.. She sleeps with me everynight too. She is so precious to me. I got her in 1994 and she was 7 yrs old. She "moused out" the old farm house I was living in...a real pro..she's retired now. And I treasure every day with her.
I have a younger cat (Emily) that I play "fishing pole" with and
and sometimes Amee will try to "get the fish" and you can tell by the way she moves she's out of balance.
Oh, I almost forgot. YOU CAN'T BATHE A CAT!!! Are you nuts?!!! just kidding...but seriously you really can't. But try this..get a wash cloth, wet it, and rub it over the cat. I wouldn't use anything but pet shampoo and make sure it is diluted in a pail first. Do the same procedure to rinse,.. This should improve you cat's smell.. Best wishes...JM
I actually got away with bathing Amee ONCE, and I know it's because of our relationship I got AWAY with it...LOL

Answer 3

Awww, I'm So Sorry About Your Cat...I Have 3 Cats Of My Own And Only 1 Plays Alot...The Other 2 Lay Around And They're Fat...Try Toys Or Buying Toys With Treats In Them...Best Of Luck To You And Your Furry Feline...

Answer 4

as a puppy proprietor, each each now and then you should make the not straightforward decision for the protection of your puppy. ultimately, she will be able to evolve to being interior one hundred%. your cat would not have ever been an out of doors cat besides. any vet will allow you to know that the style of threats/risks outdoors shorten a cat's lifespan. also, in case you followed the cat from a glance after/rescue they likely have a stipulation on your settlement that announces the cat will stay interior one hundred%. risks: animal fights rabies an infection autos young ones that torment fleas/ticks cope including your cat like a valued member of the relatives. in case you had a baby you may ought to assert no each each now and then to guard the youngster and do what's on your best activity. even if the youngster (or cat) protests, they subconsciously be counted upon you, their dad or mum, to save them secure and do what's healthier for them. * outdoor cat's existence span: a million - 2 yrs, indoor cat's: 10 - 12 yrs

Answer 5

The vet can bathe your cat. But I do not know anything about his balance.

Answer 6

u can do a dry bath- go to the pet store and look in the bath/flea bath isle. if you need help, ask and employee. but you can 'bathe' him without getting him wet. fortunatly, while my cat does not ENJOY getting a bath, he BEHAVES so i can do it! YEAH!!! lol

Answer 7

Play with him when he is lying down. No more balance problems!