Things That Annoy Humans

For my fellow cats out there: here are some things Epa and I learned annoy mom.  We know because after she finds out, our names usually get shouted out.


Top Ways to Annoy You People Parents
1. Puking on the carpet.  Apparently it's harder to clean than smooth surfaces.

2. Chasing each other and making one hiss or yelp very loudly.

3. Knocking things over.

4. Scratching on the furniture and not your scratching post.

5. Jumping on your people parent when they are sleeping.

6.  Scratching your people parents.  Big no-no.

7. Making sure litter is kicked outside of the box at a far distance.

8. Scaring the other cat by pouncing on them after they leave the litter box.

9. Knocking the majority of the toys under the couch.

10. Trying to dart out the door when they come home.

11. Walking over their keyboard when they are working on their thesis (what is a thesis anyways?)

12. Trying to drink out of their cup instead of the one they give you (okay, that may be specific to me but still).


Anything you do that annoys your people parents?  Comment below.  Or people parents: say what your pet (cat or dog) does that annoys you.

Diet Day 3

I'm tired from playing a lot today so this post will be short (and a little boring).

What Epa and I were fed today:

Two 5.5oz cans of wet food
1/3 cup dry food
and before mom goes to bed, she's going to give us another 1/3 cup so we don't wake her up in the middle of the night for food.

Now for a fun video.  Good thing my mom doesn't have time to do this (click the link).

I realized that I never posted my list on how to annoy your people parents.  That will be tomorrow and Epa is still bouncing around, excited for the upcoming interview.

Diet Day 2

So, mom had to work all damn day today. So, when she woke up this morning, she gave us another 5.5oz can of wet food.  We didn't eat too much of it and mom ended up throwing out half of it when she got home.  It was the type that I didn't like.  Plus both of us weren't really hungry in the morning.  About an hour later, before she left, she gave us a little less than 1/3 cup of dry food for the rest of the day.  10 hours later she gave us another can of wet food (the kind I like).  We still have most of the dry food left.


Food Amount
So total so far today we were given:

Two 5.5oz cans of wet food
~ 1/3 cup dry food

Total: 13.6 oz or 1.7 cups food.  Mom said she'll give us a little more dry food before she goes to bed if we eat the rest before then.  Also, remember we didn't eat about 2oz of the wet food from this morning. SO overall, we will have ate less than 2 cups of food today.


Activity
I showed mom I was being active by playing with one of the toys that was in the room.  She even gave me some water in a people cup, but I just decided to rub my cheek against it since I wasn't thirsty.






So, tomorrow I will enlighten all of you on how to annoy your human parents.  My interview with Epa is still in the works.

Fat Cat Camp Pics - Day 1

So, we got the vet's opinion the other day as I said in my last post.  Today, mom started the diet.  Since she had a bunch of running around to do she didn't exactly follow it the way the vet laid out for her. I think she had errands, tea with a buddy, and work but I lose track.  All I know is that she was in and out all day.  So what did she do?  Well, she didn't listen to the 20 kibble rule (hopefully she forgot that part but I'm not holding my breath, she tends to remember the stupidest things).  Last night, she gave Epa and I a total of 1/3 cup of our dry food.  In the late morning/early afternoon today, she fed us both one 5.5 ounce can of wet food.  Unfortunately, it was the one that I'm not a big fan of but I ate some anyways.  At around 2:30, she fed us another 1/3 cup dry food (which some is still in our bowl now, I just checked).  Then, at around 10:30 tonight, she fed us another 5.5 ounce can of wet food, this time, the one I like because it has a lot of liquid in it that I can lick.  I think I heard her say something about the fact that she is going to mix some water in with that type again to fill me up faster and also give me water in a people cup because I always will drink the water immediately.

So, to put it in list form our meals consisted of the following:

• 12am (midnight) - 1/3 cup dry food
• 11:30am-ish - 5.5oz wet food
• 2:30pm - 1/3 cup dry food
• 10:30pm - 5.5oz wet food

So in total between the two of us (Epa and I) we had about 16ozs of food between us or, 2 cups.  But that doesn't count the remainder of the wet food from this afternoon she threw out or the food still left in the bowl right now. I don't think that's too much but unfortunately, that's up to mom.  I eat a little more than Epa which is why I think mom is going to start cutting down.  I think she said instead of 2 of the 1/3cup portions, she is going to change it to 1/4 cup portions.  I don't know though.  I don't even think mom knows to tell the truth, but don't tell her I said that.

Anyways, since mom likes taking pictures so much (seriously! She takes pictures every time she hangs out with friends almost) I had her take a couple of me today to show what I look like now.  Since she's not the boss of me, I didn't pose exactly like she wanted me to.

 The overhead view: mom says when I sit like this, I look like a boat from the front

Me stretching out

I refused to so this one from the side because mom's mom (my grandma) says I look like a cow....meanie

Another one of me chilling

Oh yes, before you start to worry, I AM interviewing Epa in the next few days.  I am gathering my questions together for her....and waiting for a time when she will actually sit still for two seconds.  I should mention that questions are always welcome for me.  Feel free to write a question using the comment section below and I will answer them as soon as I can.  I am also working on setting up an email but I think I may need mom's help with that.

The Vet Tales

Pre Vet Routine
Today was the much "anticipated" vet appointment.  I thought I was going to be sneaky and hide before mom could put me in my carrier but she has this new trick with me.  First, she takes out the carrier over an hour before we need to go so that when Epa and I hide right away, it doesn't matter.  So, when I got sick of waiting (and was hungry) I came out into the room.  I noticed she had taken out Epa's carrier and not mine, which made me confused and Epa worried (that was a bonus for me).  Then, mom picked me up because of course when I'm right next to it when we need to go, how fortunate, and put me in the carrier.  I was ashamed of being tricked.  Two minutes later we were heading out the door (with Epa still hiding I think.  Good).

The New Vet
We get to the vet and I realized, it's not the same one I've been to before.  It's the new vet that mom took Epa to for her second surgery AND we were boarded there a couple days when mom had to make an emergency trip back home.  I decided that if they wanted to poke me, they would have to get me out of the carrier themselves.  When mom opened the door, I stayed put.  This other lady then picked me up out of the carrier and put me on the scale.  My weight: 15 pounds 7 ounces.

The Exam
They then proceeded to put me down on the metal table in the middle of the room.  The dreaded vet came in and was actually quite nice.  I found myself purring during almost the entire appointment.  She gave me the stupid rabies shot (and they all told me how good I was for not moving during it all and petting me all over, see it was all about ME, the way it should be always).  She then put some wet stuff on my head and I heard her tell mom something about worms prevention, but you'll have to ask my mom about that.  After getting back home, I scratched my head and could smell it on my foot and didn't know what to make of it.

She also mentioned my teeth are looking like gingivitis is creeping in again (fun) and that February is pet dental health month (oh fan-freakin-tastic) so looks like I may need another dental cleaning in February.  She also told mom to try to get me on a brushing schedule again which mom said she only got as far as me licking the toothpaste off her hand (it tastes good) so the vet gave her advice on that (see below).

Oh yeah! And they ALL commented on how lovely my coat is ::beaming:: They said it is real shiny and silky and smooth!  See, I told you I am one handsome kitty.  Mom mentioned how I loved to be brushed everyday.

The Weight Issue
So, the weight loss thing then came up.  The vet said I should weigh about 13 pounds.  That means I have to lose about 2 1/2 pounds which is half the weight mom thought I needed to lose.  I wanted to gloat and tell mom I wasn't as fat as she thought now was I.  The vet then gave some recommendations:

Vet advice
1. Don't free feed us anymore.  She recommended giving us only about 20 kibble at a time (WHAT?!?!) and feed us 3 to 4 small meals a day.

2. Give us more wet food (good vet, good advice).  She said more wet food, less dry food.  I guess I can accept the first advice above if we do this.

3. On the teeth: the vet said we need to do it slowly (once again, good vet) and that I need to get comfortable with the idea.  First, mom should go back to the toothpaste licking and also, when I'm laying down next to her, just to rub my gums.  I think that if there is a cheek rub in there too, I can accept gum rubbing.  She thinks this will get us to the point eventually that when I do need to come in for a cleaning, that we will have a brushing routine down which will make post-care a lot easier.

Back Home
So, when we got back home, I made a beeline for the dry food.  If we are going to be cutting back on it, mom has to wait until I eat as much as I can now (bad idea by the way, I threw up shortly after).  Mom just got back home from something else about an hour ago and gave us a can of wet food.  I think this means we're getting two(!) today because this is early for the wet food.  Either that or it was because she was really excited when she got home.




For my next post, I will be interviewing the other cat, Epa.  She keeps bugging me to let her post so I told her I will interview her just to shut her up.

Favorite Things

I decided to share with everyone my favorite things:

1. Catnip

2. My mom

3. Epa when she's in another room

4. Furkids for taking good care of me for 4 years

5. Food

6. Wetfood - particularly the shredded chicken ones my mom buys.

7. The two high-sided cat bed my mom bought Epa and I

8. When mom lets water run from the bathroom faucet

9. My mouse on a string toy

10. Being brushed (on my back only!)

To The Vet We Go (Soon)

My mother unfortunately remembered to the call the vet today about my check up and rabies shot.  Karma rewarded her because she came home from volunteering at the shelter covered in cat poop.  I must remember to send those kittens new toys.


My appointment is Wednesday meaning I have two more days before my mother is justified in this whole dieting crap because the vet will agree with her that I am overweight.  I guess the weight loss attempt will begin Wednesday.

Fat Cat Origins

My mom told me that she is calling the vet tomorrow or Tuesday to make an appointment.  I just looked at her and wanted to say "take your time."  Has my diet started yet?  I don't know because Epa and I really didn't eat that much today, though I made sure to get my share of the wetfood.  I thought I would tell you a little about what my mom and I found out looking up kitty diets.  Well, she looked it up, I just walked back and forth on her desk and let her do all the work as usual.


The Cause
The first question is: how do cats become overweight in the first place?  The same way other pets do: too much food and laziness....er....sleeping on the couch too much.  See, our wild relatives have to search out their next meal, they're not lucky enough to have it available to them when our parents get home.  So as pets, we cats don't have to worry about expending energy to get our next meal. That is problem number one, apparently.  So, while we get the same (and probably more) calories from the meal that our wild friends do, we also didn't have to expend the energy in finding said meal (and if you are not being fed by them: CALL THE ASPCA ON YOUR PARENTS NOW!!!!!).  So, same calories gained but less calories loss = more weight.


Another cause, and whether or not my mom admits she is guilty of this is when our parents don't play with us as much.  My favorite exercise is this "mouse" tied to a string being moved by mom.  It's my favorite because Epa is afraid of it and won't barge in on us playing.  In fact, if mom puts it near her, she tends to run away.  ::Note to self - get mom to buy more of these::  So today, we had a little playtime with that toy, and one Epa also like likes called "da bird."  I still prefer the one Epa is scared of.  After a few minutes, I was bored and just laid down on the floor.  More exercise = more calories burned.


The third main cause is health issues.  This includes kitty diabetes and thyroid problems.  I'm pretty sure I don't have that problem, but it is one that your vet can tell your parents if you have or not.  


For more information on the boring stuff check out this website: Obesity in cats.  It goes into all the different types of food you should get and why we should NOT be eating carbs.  I didn't pay attention to that part, I dozed while mom read it.  I just like food that tastes good and that I'm not allergic to.




Our Plan
So with that in mind, "we" decided that less food and more exercise is our plan of action.  I guess my ideal weight should match that of my sister since we are about the same height meaning, I need to be around 10 pounds.  But, like I said last time, we will discuss this with my vet when I go in.  And I'm hoping my mom forgets to mention I need my shot as well.  I'm not too friendly when they start poking me and sticking things in me.  Ask the last vet I pooped on.

Fat Cat Camp - Pre-Diet

Hello!  My name is Sascode!  I am a cat, and quite a handsome one might I add.  I am also a little overweight.  According to my mom's wii, I am 15.5 pounds but.....I think I'm actually am more than that.  Or at least my mom does.  Which is why she decided that I have to go on a diet.  That's right, she said the "D" word to me again today, and this time she means it.  See, she wanted to do it a few months ago but my sister was sick and not eating much.  She needed to gain weight back.  But now that she's healthy again, my mom has decided to go back to this whole dieting thing for me.  I wonder if she'll miss calling me Tubby-Butt after this is all said and done.

So, a little about myself.  I am about 6.5 years old and a lucky black cat.  The only thing humans know about my history is that I was wandering around outside when I was about 9 months old before being rescued by a local shelter, which my mom adopted me from 4 years later.  That's right, I was in a shelter for four years before my mommy fell in love with me and took me home.  I was lucky in that the shelter is a no-kill meaning none of my friends will have to worry if they don't get adopted right away.  They are safe.  In case you don't want to do math (and who does anyways?), my mom has had me for two years now.  Two years and 1 month if you want to be exact.  I was a little overweight when she adopted me as well.

So, what is my mom's genius plan?  Well apparently, I eat too much and exercise too little so that has to change.  Since she doesn't want to do more harm than good, we're going to the vet (UGH!!!) in the next couple weeks because I need my rabies shot (ouch!) for one and to talk about what would be a good plan and how much weight do I actually need to lose.  And I guess we also may need to get a more accurate weight for me.  Any who, there is a crinkle ball that is just asking for a pouncing right now so....