|
Post by dmstark on Apr 11, 2008 8:28:53 GMT
Molly has started chewing on the cardboard boxes and eating little bits that break off - does anyone know why she would do this?? Could it be the stress of moving?
I've heard of cats ingesting wool before and Mols has always had a thing for chewing on leather things but not cardboard - any suggestions?
|
|
|
Post by susan on Apr 11, 2008 9:26:13 GMT
It could very well be stress related Donna Have you tried the Bachs Rescue Remedy yet?. It might be worth a try because it relaxed my kitts when i moved along with the feliway plugged in www.bachshop.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=2&gclid=CKSx8ZbZ0pICFQGX1Aodq3o8HgThe cat below is Cedar. He belongs to one of the other moderators in Australia, and he's a "very" nervous cat. Danielle can't leave cardboard boxes lying around because this is what happens to them LOL
|
|
|
Post by fyona on Apr 11, 2008 10:55:33 GMT
Harriet loves a cardboard box, no box is safe here, in young kittens it could be teething, but in older cats it could be boredom, or curiosity, I am sure I have read somewhere it could be a nutrient deficiency, but what in I have no clue, maybe somebody else knows. Many cats do seem to like to chew cardboard, here is another one Harriet making a den, started with the handle being chewed, until the whole front was chewed off, the box is now in the bin
|
|
|
Post by cheryl on Apr 11, 2008 12:13:59 GMT
ours like boxes but they don't chew them
|
|
|
Post by dmstark on Apr 11, 2008 12:32:13 GMT
I've got the plug in and the spray (feliway) and I managed to get some bachs rescue remedy too. I think they're calming me down more than the cat!!
She is eating a lot better than she was last week and she has been "talking" to my mam and brother so it seems as though she is becoming more comfortable in the new house - until the box chewing!
She wasn't interested in the boxes before we moved but if everything is new, it may well be a combination of stress, boredom (from not having many toys out) and curiosity!!
It doesn't help that what few toys she does have keep getting put away because they look "messy" but try as I might, I can't get it through that Mols is quite happy to play by herself with them during the day so it would be better if they were left on the floor somewhere that Mols can get to them.
I can't find her favourite mouse though. I have a picture of her hugging it on my flickr page - go to flickr and type in my name (Donna Stark).
I'll try and post it at the weekend (it's on a cd which is, yep - you guessed it, in a box!) - it's the best pic I've taken of Mols.
|
|
|
Post by dmstark on Apr 11, 2008 12:33:09 GMT
PS - Cedar is a beauty! And I tried to get Mols to play with the boxes before they wre filled up but she wasn't interested. She's very contrary!
|
|
|
Post by susan on Apr 11, 2008 13:19:03 GMT
If it's just started happening then i really would say the move has had a part to play in it.
Who doesn't like the toys out, your mum? LOL. Their in every room at my house. I do my houseowrk on a thursday evening and i get out all the toys from under the sofas, by friday morning most of them are back under ;D
When she's talking to your mum and brother, are they talking back to her?, because i always have conversations with my 3, especially Rosie who can chat for England. I know that talking helps because theres quite a few members that foster and if theres any nervous ones they always tell people to sit on the floor and read out to them, say a newspaper etc..
|
|
|
Post by fyona on Apr 11, 2008 14:25:02 GMT
I went to flickr and typed in your name it came up with 18 Donna Starks he he, may have to wait until you post your pic.
|
|
|
Post by dmstark on Apr 11, 2008 15:29:35 GMT
Try DM82 - that's my screen name! No, they don't talk back to her - they think it's silly. They can't understand why she's quite so vocal despite the fact that every time Mols comes into a room I say "hello Missus" and if she meows, I talk to her. They also think it's silly that I say good morning and good night to her and if she meows, I ask her "what's the matter?" and then have a conversation with her to figure out if she wants to play, have a treat or have a cuddle. Funnily enough, the answer always seems to be treat.... lol I was on the computer trying to browse amazon and give Molly a cuddle at the same time. I thought I was on my own so was just talking away about the books I was looking at and asking Molly her opinion (yeah, I know it's daft but it's better than talking to myself!) and turned around to find my brother standing at the living room door, shaking his head!! They think I'm barmy but it's a habit I've gotten into because Molly responded really well to it when I first got her! They also think it's really silly the way I call for her in a higher tone of voice as soon as I get home - again, it's habit! Yeah, my mam keeps putting them away. And then I get them back out! My house always had toys lying around the place so I have no idea what my mam will think when I find the box with the rest of her toys in! One of Molly's more recent tricks is to pull at one of her stick toys and meow at you until you take the hint! It works on me so we'll just have to see how long it takes her to train the rest of my family!! lol
|
|
|
Post by Chris - Cats Protection on Apr 11, 2008 20:08:19 GMT
I have a couple who love to tear up boxes, they see it and are in there without delay, neither are nervous cats, but both are playful and have done this since being weeks old. NAUGHTY......lol
|
|
|
Post by susan on Apr 11, 2008 20:35:54 GMT
I thought I was on my own so was just talking away about the books I was looking at and asking Molly her opinion (yeah, I know it's daft but it's better than talking to myself!) It's not daft Donna, we all do it, along with silly voices ;D Their our babies at the end of the day
|
|
|
Post by fyona on Apr 11, 2008 20:55:27 GMT
My box chewing cat is top cat, but sometimes the noise of the box attracts attention, so either myself or the other cats will investigate the noise, which she loves, with my cat it is definately for attention, she then flees the scene, leaving us all confused, and usually another cat starts the same procedure, at a different time. Until there is no box left What you doing making that noise? Tallulah asks Harriet leaves the box, Tallulah finished it of so she could fit in.
|
|
|
Post by fyona on Apr 11, 2008 21:03:49 GMT
Umm DM82 brings up three pictures lol, a man with long hair is featured is that your cat are you hiding something Donna I also talk to my cats i am just so pleased they dont repeat anything, they are very good at confidentiallity
|
|
|
Post by dmstark on Apr 12, 2008 10:49:54 GMT
Fyona - Eurrrgggghhhh!! Nooooo! I'll find the cd...... lol
I use the silly voice too - if she's hiding and I can't find her, I call for her in a silly voice and she comes running.
|
|
|
Post by fyona on Apr 12, 2008 21:11:59 GMT
LOL, I have seen half of the world looking to see a picture of your cat
|
|