Category: Animal House
Aloha everyone! I have a kitten named Rajah. He's going to be nine months old in two weeks. He's a sweetheart and very friendly and I love him to pieces.
Despite all of that, I've been feeling really frustrated lately and I was hoping someone here could help me. Rajah doesn't meow much, except when I'm leaving the house. Because of him not meowing, I don't know what he's thinking or feeling. I hope he's happy, but i don't know. I talk to him all the time, asking him to meow and explaining why I need him to. I just feel like I'm doing something wrong. I can't see the visual cues he gives me and i know they're a big part of cat communication. I just want him to be happy with me. I also feel guilty for stepping on him since I can't see. I always apologize after I do it, but i don't want Rajah to become afraid of me. I pet Rajah and play with him every day. He usually purrs whenever I give him attention, so I know he's happy then. But I'm not sure about the rest of the time. I could really use some advice and reassurance from other vi and blind cat owners. How long did it take for your kitten to realize you couldn't see and adapt accordingly?
Thanks in advance!
Maybe you could put a collar with a bell on him so you know where he is. If you can tell he's happy when you pet and play with him and of course give him plenty of food and water and a clean litter box then I think you have nothing to worry about. You could also get him some kitty treats and toys and maybe a cat tower climbing thing to keep him entertained. Most cats like to sleep a lot during the day. I think I read somewhere that they sleep 17 hours a day or something. As long as your cat is not hissing or growling at you then I think he's pretty happy.
I definitely recommend getting a collar with a bell. I have two cats, and the bells help me out when I'm needing/wanting to know where they are.
I also agree with the above poster in that you should get him some toys and treats. Just be sure to watch how many treats you give him.
If he's not showing any signs of aggression, it's probably safe to say that he's happy and content with you. It's definitely a good sign that he does pur whenever you are petting/talking with him.
My cats are pretty vocal with me, but not all cats are, so try to not focus too much on that as being an issue.
Thanks for all your advice! Rajah does have a bell on him and it does help a little. He also has lots of toys that i play with him with every day. I feed him every morning and give him fresh water as well as clean out the litter box every week.
Cats are not often vocal animals unless something is wrong. Use your hands when he's wanting attention - are his muscles relaxed? Is he purring? Does he eat and drink regularly? Then you have a happy cat. Unhappy cats are usually unhealthy ones - fraying or thin fur, whipping tails, rigid back and such.
Another thing you may want to do is ensure he's around when you feed him. I know we used to have food down all day for the daughter's cat. And there was a couple weeks they were gone and I looked after her. Cleaning the pooh box and all isn't too bad: I just dumped the contents into a plastic bag, tied that up and threw it away, took the box outside and hosed it all out real good, then wiped it out and refilled when it was dry.
But I'd read if you want an animal to like or know you, make sure it's aware where the food comes from. So, even though the food was walways down, while she and her mom were away, I'd always go round it up and bring it in, then pour out the new food so it would associate me with its belly. It was pretty introverted towards me for the most part, though it would purr. But anyway, appeal to the natural instincts, at least that's what I did.
Rajah is definitely around when he's fed. And he's purring up a storm too.
Sounds like your cat is just fine with his suroundings. It doesn't take much to make a cat happy. Your cat will probably never know that you are blind, I don't think they understand that at all. Just like guide dogs don't really understand that their person is blind, they just know they have a job to do and do it.
Some dogs do know their owners are blind or have trouble seeing. I had a dog that certainly did. She was amazing and she wasn't even trained for guide dog service. But anyway, I started reading to Rajah in hopes he would respondot me.
Sounds like kitty is happy and healthy! You are doing fine!
Kitty will soon know not to get in the way or lay in the middle of the floor (though one of my cats is kinda dumb enough to still do it).
GOL! Thanks!
LOL! Yeah, once you accidentally step on them a few times, most of them will learn to watch and get out of your way.
I do believe that my cats know that I can't see them as others do. I believe that animals do have a sense of such things.
I've near-punted my boy's cat more than once since we've lived together. She still hasn't learned, but I truly believe as far as cats go she is mentally slow.
Awww!
Hi!
i'm thinking about getting a cat myself, only thing is my partner is not so kean on them, any ideas how we could resolve this issue?
I would keep the cat as indoor, and am thinking of getting an older one who is looking for rehoming, not a kitten.
Sorry for posting in this topic but it just kind of made sense!
hope that's alright!
If you con your partner into accepting the cat, best you be the one who will do all the cleanup, it's your cat. My wife and daughter never looked after the birds when I had them. They were my birds, I cleaned, fed, rearranged toys, sterilized feeders, toys and waterers, and everything else that comes with looking after birds. That's the only responsible way to manage said situation.
My family had a cat that learned to show me what he wanted. I'd lay my hand on his back, and he'd take me to his food bowl if he was hungry, or to my dresser if he wanted his toy. People laugh at me when I tell them, but it was amazing! I've never been a cat person, but that cat showed me how truly remarkable the bond between humans and animals could be. It definantly put me at eas when I was training with my guide dog for the first time, because I learned not to underestimate an animals inteligence.
That is incredible!
as has been said here, you shouldn't worry about your cat. sounds like he's pretty happy, from everything you've said.
Don't force your partner to cohabitate with an animal they don't want. That's the situation I'm in, and honestly I cannot stand this animal. It's a lot like having a kid - you have to be on the same page about its existence, let alone how to train and interact with it.
Go and pick out a cat together.
Agreed with Miss M.. don't do anything unless you are completely on the same page. If you insist on getting a cat, perhaps you and your partner can re-assess the situation in 3-6 months. Discuss it rationally ("I just want a cat" doesn't fly); and if your partner is not on board with it even if you agree to do the caretaking, let it go.
We have three cats, and we were on board with each new addition to our family. We have lived through sick cats, missing cats, cats that don't get along, and if we weren't on the same page it would have been brutal.
I never had a kitten, but curently have a cat. This is the first one in my family since I have become completely blind. am sure your kitten is happy, but the best way to tell is if you hear it purring. You can even feeling it purring when you rub it's chin. As for stepping on it, I have done the same a few times with my family's cat. Along with stepping on her, I have accidently sat on her. Yet she seems to forgive me over time. As a final note, the me-ow as you are leaving shows the kitten knows you are going somewhere and doesn't want you to leave. My cat notices this as I take my cane out of the closet. Even today as I went for a walk she me-owed because I was leaving her.
I agree with all the rest. I recently had to give up my ball of fluff. I hated to have to do it but over the last year or so he's gotten very aggressive towards visitors to my apartment, even my mother. And she's someone he always used to absolutely love. I know why this is, even if I'll never be able to prove it. I thinkmy last GF may have ben physically abusive to him and I know she screamed at him needlessly. And cats don't forget tat sort of thing. It's just unfortunate that he's decided that all women aren't to be trusted. He bit my mother and my new lady several times and the last times drew blood from both. And even if that hadn't been an issue her daughter is allergic to cats. Oh she can be near cats and even love on them, but the second a cat gives her even a tiny lick she breaks out in hives. So as hard asit was I had to give up Max. I'll miss the big fluffball of course but I couldn't take a chance on him biting the girl.
hi there and i do sympathise with you but rest assured your doing a good job and i must say this one cat i had was really amazing and funny enough i reckon he could of been good as a guide dog and he did know that i was unable to see well and he forgave me many of times but also learnt not to get in my way and he always followed me every where and if i lost track of where he was and he knew i was looking for him he would meow at me and i used to talk to him all the time and in a way it was like he understood me so keep talking to your kitty as some animals do like a person who communicates with them a lot, smiles.
If cats could actually be trained for guidework I might not even bother with dogs, not that I have a guide dog LOL.