We were finally able to move into our new place yesterday. The dogs are curious and excited about everything while the cats are more cautious
I will be slowly and carefully introducing the cats to the idea that we have a balcony. Not too scary as even though we are on the 4th floor, there is a wide walkway on the second floor.
We'll see how the two of them settle in.
I think dogs can instantly adapt to wherever its master is. ANYWHERE. But cats, well they have no master so they need to know every nook and cranny of their domain. And in the case where that domain was once outdoors and now is indoors, or restricted to a balcony, they will have to re-explore. I found they adjusted quickly and I had done my homework and gotten great advice here on this thread.
The cats hide only when they hear loud sounds or people walking outside the door. At night, they explore and I leave cabinets open for them and hide treats in there. They have lots of catnip toys with bells on them, and I can hear them playing at night with them.
They are showing happy tails. Yours will be fine!
My cats have just recently starting going outside. I never let them out. That choice was taken away from me. They seem happy, so that is good. I am not sure if I am happy about it or not.
Are they indoor/outdoor, or are they now all outdoor? There are risks with being outdoor, but in a quiet neighborhood with few strays, they will be fine as long as they are fixed.
Feeding cats table food (or human food) can also shorten their lives. Diet plays a key role. Some cat foods are specially formulated to deliver the best nutrition possible to a cat. Then there are brands that are just junk food, like most brands found at the supermarket (meow mix, 9 lives, etc).
Iams, Science Diet and Hills are three examples of near perfect foods for cats and they have special formulas tailored to your cat's age and health needs (i.e. hypo allergenic, renal health, etc),
Agreed. Also, most dry cat food has lots of grain in them which the cats would not eat naturally. There are grain free cat foods. That cat grass is a huge hit. I never knew how much of that cats eat when they have access to it. They literally go right to it, and they have been eating it faster than it is growing. I have started another pot of it. Here it is. Those three pots had grass twice that tall last week.
They can have raw unseasoned tuna and cooked chicken too, from what I am reading. Also, the added benefit is NO FLEAS! I used to occasionally get a flea in my shorts from them lounging on my folded clothes (not fun). Now, they have no fleas, and my place is all wood and tile floors which is bad news for fleas.
When I get the rugs, there will be no fleas. Here is Dante chillin on my bed. He was the outdoor cat and he is the coolest, sweetest, most affectionate cat I have known for a while. I would never have guessed. He feels VERY comfortable being an indoor cat. And he has never gone outside the litterbox after getting the second one.
Little Man came back after 2 days. I want a micro-chip and tatoo on his damn head. I do not want him out ever again. I was terrified that he was hurt or worse.
