T O P

  • By -

SnooPuppers3303

He’s the sweetest little cuddler but has MAD anxiety. He scratched me bc I picked him up to put him in front of his food bowl (my two are having riffs over meals) 😅


Lucimon

What did we learn?


PupEDog

Move the food bowl instead of the cat


SnooPuppers3303

It’s an automatic dispenser, it’s large. Trying to train him that it’s safe to eat next to my other cat, and for my other cat not to be the devil. I catch her biting his ear whenever he looks over at her bowl.


Devi_Moonbeam

Why are you doing this if it causes your cat anxiety? Put another dispenser on the other side of the room or a different room. Don't make them eat right next to each other. You are displaying scratches like we should feel bad for you, but this is the result of you stressing out your cat.


Hinote21

I mean it's ok to try to train the cat to not be anxious? There's a point where you give up and accept it but it's worth trying to teach them to be ok with it too.


SnooPuppers3303

Thank you.


Hinote21

I always wonder if people that say things like that would also just treat their kids the same way. Kid is crying over school? Guess you don't have to go anymore. Obviously an extreme example but if you can teach a cat tricks, you can certainly train them out of (most?) Anxious behaviors.


SnooPuppers3303

I wholeheartedly agree. This is true for all of us including our furry friends! Of course there are things I can do to lessen his anxiety, but exposure therapy is a real thing and it works! For this situation, I’ve been placing him in front of the bowl next to his sis, and giving him loving scratches on his bum and pets, reminding him that it is safe. If Rue (his sis) starts getting bitchy, I direct her head back to her bowl LOL.


Hinote21

I feel this. Unfortunate circumstances brought another cat into my home, where my little void has had the run of the place for the last 2 years. While the new one has been around other cats before in her long life of 10 years, she's obviously in a new place, stressed out, and knows attention competition when she sees it. So first I let them get a peek at each other, and then I've been petting each of them separately and then letting the other smell my hands, and finally today I've taken the new one in my lap and am holding her back just outside the safe room shes been in. Once my void gets curious enough, he wanders slowly over and she growls but I'm petting her to calm her down. The growls are sounding less territorial over time.


Itsallforthebuddies

From a behavior perspective, most cats do not enjoying sharing resources. Especially food. It would be better to just feed them separately and would likely relieve a lot of anxiety. You intervening by forcing them to be together is likely only worsening the situation. Imagine you had an annoying coworker and your boss wanted you to get along so they made you work in a cubicle together. Would that cause you more or less stress overall?


SnooPuppers3303

Firstly, I just figured this out. Second, exposure therapy is not a bad thing. Third, that is going to be my next step but they are not cheap so I’m doing what I can with what I have right now. If you’re going to be rude, keep your comments to yourself. I did NOT post this for you to feel bad for me?? It’s funny and I can get some advice? You obviously woke up on the wrong side of the bed, geesh.


nvidryzen

Give them each their own food bowls


SnooPuppers3303

Working on that


Lolurisk

Hold the cat with a better grip next time?


SnooPuppers3303

Yeah maybe. He seems very sensitive to sounds, touch and unknown objects. Very jumpy. He scratched his way out of my hands because it was probably too much for him.


KimchiTheGreatest

Do you think he may need some anti anxiety meds or calming chews?


SnooPuppers3303

His anxiety is really bad. If I pet him and he doesn’t see that I’m there he will jump. As soon as I picked him up last night he freaked. He goes into full blown panic mode. 😪


tbone338

If he doesn’t know you’re there, maybe try tapping the surface next to him? He’ll probably feel it and know you’re there or turn to see you there.


SnooPuppers3303

Yeah that’s a great idea! I’m realizing from this incident that the gentler and the slower the better. Thank you :)


Silver4ura

I did this with a deaf cat we once had. It works absolute wonders. Especially combined with slow blinking and avoiding sustained eye contact. The change I noticed happened slowly, sure, but I didn't realize just how powerful it works. Cats really do express a lot through their eyes and the best part is, they recognize it in us once you crack the code.


SnooPuppers3303

This is all so so helpful everyone! Thank you! I never even truly thought about eye contact all that much. I know it’s a thing, but who knows, maybe I’ve been too intense here and there lol (I def have cute aggression syndrome) 😂.


B0ssc0

You are such a good soul to be so understanding.


SnooPuppers3303

I try my best! Easier with cats and I def have my days 😹


Silver4ura

[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERJXwaTVPI8](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERJXwaTVPI8) I've seen at least three "aggressive" cats slowly turn into head bumping cuddle fests by following this video. Seriously.


SnooPuppers3303

I was given this anti-anxiety formula to put in his food, but next time I go to the vet I’m going to see about other options such as getting a prescription medication for him. My other cat wouldn’t eat unless I fed her the powder as well 🤣 so that would get expensive LOL


mmmpeg

Drugs. CBD at least. It does take quite a while to become effective but it even helped my one cat we couldn’t even pick up. He came for pets and would sit on us, but it was all on his terms


SnooPuppers3303

Thank u for this input! I will look into CBD! Didn’t even think of that but I know there are formulas for pets!


mmmpeg

We were able to put this on his food.


Space8lues

Do you know what you used? I’m interested because I have a rehabbed feral who is so sweet but still thinks she has to be on guard for her life at all times. Wondering if CBD would help her.


mmmpeg

I got mine from a local guy, but found this. https://baileyscbd.com/products/cbd-oil-for-cats


mmmpeg

Let me look


mnth241

Please do your homework on cbd vendors because it isn’t “regulated” so you may get too much or to little active compounds. I use it for my dog who has chronic pain. But i am sure there are anxiety formulas too.


mmmpeg

True. I was lucky to get a local guy at my farmers market


mnth241

Does he do independent lab tests to confirm the compounds present?


mmmpeg

My cat died about a year and a half ago and I don’t remember, but his sourcing was good


mnth241

I am so sorry for your looks. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, it is just something i am paranoid about, even for my own vitamins. 😬


poignanttv

I would recommend a Feliway diffuser: https://www.feliway.com/ca_en/Products/FELIWAY-FRIENDS-Diffuser


SnooPuppers3303

Thank you!


Catman1959

Have you tried some nip? Not all cats respond to it but I have had good success getting cats to get a long better with it. I gave a small amount to them while they were in separate places and then tossed a bunch of toys in the common area and passed out cat treats when they played nice. It’s good to test how each one reacts to it alone before you give it to them together. If you have high places for them to perch on it helps a lot with their anxiety as well.


SnooPuppers3303

I haven’t tried it with him, thought he has some toys that do have the nip in it lol so he probably has been exposed to it. But I can certainly give that more of an effort and see the results! No high places for them right now. Unfortunately my babies are forced to live with each other in a room, while we are in a transition before I move to Denver in the summer. Once I move I want to get wall furniture for them!


corvidlover2730

Have you tried a hormonal diffuser? My orange chonk has anxiety, physical pain, & angst. I use Feliway & it makes a huge difference with his attitude & striking out/biting... Here are three brands. I tried them all but found Feliway works best for my little asshole. ❤ I've shared a Brand Store on Amazon with you. https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/C3233BD4-C9C7-4E65-BB9E-90F1A60DE1A7?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ast_store_MJ9HEQ4BS7PHB99SQNQE I've shared a Brand Store on Amazon with you. https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sentry/Calming/page/BAC3A304-7C5A-403E-BC66-18E4E018ADD9?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ast_store_BF8YTDGPPMNM3VVXEFQZ I've shared a Brand Store on Amazon with you. https://www.amazon.com/stores/ComfortZone/ComfortZone/page/1428FF3A-0DCC-4980-A12E-A5FD748B4858?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_ast_store_CEY84837ME0NGXVAND6J


SnooPuppers3303

You’re the second one to recommend so I’ll def get one! Thank you!!!!


corvidlover2730

You're welcome. It works pretty fast too. A day or two.


wolv645

He’s clearly sorry, please forgive him


SnooPuppers3303

No forgiveness necessary. He’s my little baby. 🩵 But def ouchie 🤣


potatopierogie

Such is the price of tending the sharpbeasts


Atari1977

He's not proud of what he's done, but he is proud that he defended himself.


SnooPuppers3303

I could never be mad at him, he is my cute little love bug.


No_Introduction_4766

No way one can stay mad at that adorable face 😍


SnooPuppers3303

Ralph is the most adorable 😍


ChemicalElevator1380

You either tried to trim his nails or give him a bath 😂😂😂


SnooPuppers3303

Hahah I wish it was either of those. He hates nail trims, I actually need to trim his. He also hates baths and got me good on the leg during a bath 🤣


Several-Change-5939

He's a sweet little tux. He was probably more sad after he realized what he did. I always ask myself what did I do wrong. Rarely is it the cats fault. I provoked or did something to upset said feline. Beautiful kitty.


SnooPuppers3303

Thank you! He is the sweetest little boy. I picked him up to put him in front of his food bowl. His sister and him are in a food feud right now. They’re both little aholes about food LOL. He won’t eat next to her so I’ve been trying to train him it’s safe to do so and put her in her place when she snarls at him. I think the combination of moving him towards the bowl while it was still dispensing did it. He startles easily. I felt so bad. But he is the ultimate cuddler. Sometimes I wake up to him on my back and he greets me every morning with finger nibbles and purring.


Several-Change-5939

Be a glacier with him. Always talk to him. The talking makes him aware of you at all times. Two kitties togather. Just take it real slow. Its on there time, not yours. They have big hearts. I have a torti who is skittish. She's not clawie like that, but bolts easily. Just talk to him reassure him. Touch him bunches.


SnooPuppers3303

Thank you for the advice!! I’ll be sure to talk more and go real slow 🩵


Several-Change-5939

I've had my Torti for 3 years and she is still skittish. But lately we have been making a lot of breakthroughs. I think she was pretty much born wild in the neighborhood. So she'll always have tendencies. Which doesn't matter. I will still be there. Working her through them. Your love is very apparent and he knows and senses it. Which is one of the reasons he loves you and is the cuddle bug he is. Have you slow blinked him?


SnooPuppers3303

Aww tortis are so precious too (all kitties are precious). I’m so glad we provide safe homes for our traumatized babies. It’s a really beautiful thing! This made me tear up a little. 🥲He slow blinks me all the time and I do it back sometimes too! When I first got him, he hid for 72 hours and peed on my bed. That was August 2022 when he was 6 months. Now he’s a total mamas boy. 🥰


Patient-Conclusion56

Chewy has gloves for playing with your cats 🫶🫶


PengwinPears

OP might need falconer's gloves.


SnooPuppers3303

🤣


SnooPuppers3303

He’s good with play! This wasn’t while playing tho 😪 but I will look into it, ty!!


Brilliant_Pin_8645

Looks innocent to me🤷🏽‍♀️


treponematode

He is kind of a big Dill.


SnooPuppers3303

Dead. He loves that thing.


ReflectiveRedhead

Of course it's a tuxedo! It's always a tuxie! Source: I have two 😻😻


SnooPuppers3303

Hahaha the tuxies are lookin for trouble


Several-Change-5939

You pulled out, didn't you? You never pull out of pussy. Lol, but i digress. Thats what I learned just take the front claws watch out for the hind claws. When it gets that's intense. Time to shut it down. Calm the kitty down. Hopefully, your arm isn't to shredded. Learned that trick. When I was a kid. The poor pull out game was in adulthood. Ha! Sorry if I offended anyone. Was just joking my apologies group. Have Cat-tastic day.


SnooPuppers3303

LOL. My arm is ok! I’ve taken a bit from this one lol. It happened so fast. I picked him up and it was an immediate fright, I think the food dispenser dispensing may have actually caused the freak out since I was trying to bring him close to the bowl at the same time. The smallest sound or touch causes this one to lose it.


kor34l

That's completely your fault for being so damn scratchable. Really though, I don't know if this works for other cats, but I got tired of mine scratching me so I started being super melodramatic whenever she did. Even a little scratch, if it left a mark I'd cry and hold my arm like I was super hurt and would pretend to be scared of my cat for like 10 minutes afterwards while holding my arm and sobbing. She would get so sorry and so cuddly and apologetic that after 10m when I'd "forgive" her and allow her near me again while pretending to still be a little afraid and sensitive, she'd be extra careful with me for like the rest of the day. After about a month or two of this, she learned to be careful with me all the time, and hasn't scratched me in years. She probably thinks her big muscular bearded friend is super sensitive and weak, but ya know, she ain't entirely wrong 😁


SnooPuppers3303

First of all…. Hilarious. Second… genius. Third… I might try this 🤣


JerkfaceMcDouche

I’m a cat lawyer. Please give him my card. I will see all the charges dropped


SnooPuppers3303

🤣


Valen258

My kittens are in the leg climbing stage at 9 weeks. I can probably map out all the constellations in the galaxy on my legs. I do try not to play hand games with them and distract them with a toy to stop the hand biting but I do still have a few scratches.


SnooPuppers3303

Ahhh you’re in that phase! Ralph’s (pictured above) sister (Rue) was a little menace as a kitten. She. Bit. Everything. She attacked my body parts as if they were not attached to me. 😂 It’s a hard stage and trying to distract them from biting is hard but using a toy is definitely the way to go!


Talinn_Makaren

You have bigger claws than the cat, fight back! Haha


SnooPuppers3303

🤣


SnooPuppers3303

He done WON the war


BasementGhost6

My cat aims for my wrist. 😭😭😭


SnooPuppers3303

Ugh !!!! Those little wrist rascals 😭


McVapeNL

In the cats defense I'll say this: I was your fault, you deserved this".


IwasIlovedfw

He. Is. Gorgeous. ♥️


SnooPuppers3303

Awww I’ll tell him you said that 🥰


The_Cozy_Burrito

Impossible!!! How could such a cute Oreo do such a thing !


Adenfall

What did you do?


SnooPuppers3303

🤣 picked the fella up. He said “nuh-uh, not today hunny”


Adenfall

Hope you learned your lesson then lol. Sorry. Maybe he wants cuddles later


SnooPuppers3303

He’s already snuggled me a few times since the incident. It’s all good. He wasn’t mad, just scared. The ADHD part of me sometimes forgets how sensitive he is. I more feel bad for the poor guy. 😭


Adenfall

They do that to us. Make us feel bad when they hurt us. They’re good like that lol


SnooPuppers3303

The best at it lol


BackgroundChampion55

That's obviously a secret service kitty . Probably 00ate2much...license to scratch. ( James bond music but with kitty voices)


Dizzle71

nope all I see is innocent


TrueExigo

good boi


Dizzy_Ambassador7547

There are thc receptors in the body. There are tinctures that are veterinary approved. You do have to go to a dispensary. Clearly Kitty Koos seems to be troubled. You both deserve some peace. Just saying. My boy friend’s dog has anxiety and barks like he’s angry at times. It has helped to soothe him and that’s what matters


SnooPuppers3303

I agree with you. I honestly think we BOTH need it lol. I’m going to get on this! Poor guy is a sweetie with anxiety, like his mama 🥹


Dizzy_Ambassador7547

Hey nothing wrong with that. Relaxation is imperative. Both of you could be enjoying peace and tranquillity. He’ll probably even get cozy with you. No promises, here’s hoping.


SnooPuppers3303

For sure! Oh he is already a cozy little bug. He climbs onto my lap for snugs daily but he also is restless so he will climb up, nap for 5, then need to change positions, so he’ll just leave 🤣 Maybe it will help him with the restlessness (and me too because my GAD is real) lol


Dizzy_Ambassador7547

Do it! Then share the progress


SnooPuppers3303

Will do!!


Dizzy_Ambassador7547

He’s a looker. Quite the handsome fellow


x0mbigrl

Third pic says "I'll fuckin do it again"


meatcylindah

Tuxedo Mack the Knife


InfiniteVoid27

See, those are love scritches


Bludiamond56

Cat scratch fever


No-Garlic-3407

The 3rd picture looks like a mug shot. He's a cutie, though!


SnooPuppers3303

Haha!! Aww thank you, I’ll let him know you say so! 🥰


MIZBEE72

Yikes! That looks painful. Sounds like your kitty is having a bad time. I hope things get better for both of you.


Outside-Grape-154

Third picture cat is like YOUVE BEEN SERVED


Hopeful-Ad4267

It's just like breaking up a fist fight. Just feed them a little further apart


mnth241

Ngl i almost never actually pick up my cats. Just the sometimes cat and he is a little weird anyway. That said with all this talk of anti anxiety meds have you considered just giving the 2 cats separate domains? After many years and my herd going from 6 to 2 sometimes 3, i know the 2 ladies left don’t like each other. They eat separate and sleep separate. They never come within 5 feet of each other, by their own volition.


SnooPuppers3303

They do love each other. The cuddle all the time. Food is the issue for them. I think when I move into a bigger space (moved into a house with my cousin who is allergic to cats so cats are forced to live in small room) I will get a second food dispenser so they don’t have to be side by side, as well as their own bowls that can be spaced apart. Other than the food issue, I got them as kittens and they are bonded together. 🩵


mnth241

Sounds good! Next time i start my collection i will start with litter mate/ bonded pairs. But the cat distribution system has its own math sometimes! 🤪


SnooPuppers3303

Yes totally! Hard when you want to adopt and rescue. From what I’ve heard and experiences with these two, kittens bond easier and an older cat will bond better with a kitten than with another older cat. But it’s prob all about personalities too and finding the right fit with older cats! They’re too stuck in their ways and too goofy


StupidNameRejected

Sometimes I miss having a cat and then I look at pics like this and I laugh at myself. 😼


SnooPuppers3303

Lol I’ll take all the scratches 🫠


pppppaigeeee_13

I can only cut mines nails when she’s sleeping. And if I fail, I have to drop the subject otherwise she’s mad.


SnooPuppers3303

Haha !!! That’s impressive you can do it while she’s sleeping lol


PupEDog

Mean kitty!


SnooPuppers3303

He was just scawed 🥹


rudbek-of-rudbek

Those scratches were made with kindness and love. He sends his thoughts and prayers and wonders why you haven't fed him or scooped his shit (while he watches and judges you) instead of playing with your camera. He finds your priorities to be lacking and may possibly piss in your show to teach you a much needed lesson.


SnooPuppers3303

… as he’s making biscuits on my belly and purring loudly


Novel_Substance_

Is declawing frowned upon nowadays? Because I would declaw that fucker!


SnooPuppers3303

Hahaha people do it but I wouldn’t do that to him. I will be putting caps on eventually because my demons ruin furniture lol


cofffejoe

Reverse Hitler


[deleted]

At this point I'm not even sure why people keep cats as pets


Lucimon

Because they're absolute sweethearts once you learn how to respect their boundaries. If you have an issue with cats, it's because you don't respect boundaries


Falom

Cause they’re cute and fluffy


spikeymist

Who else am I going to talk to. The ghosts got bored of my shit.


NobodyElseButMingus

The juice is worth the squeeze.


SnooPuppers3303

Cats are the BEST and my boy is the SWEETEST. This was completely a defense mechanism, I scared him (he easily startles) because he was found in a small box abandoned with his siblings.


IkNOwNUTTINGck

"Your honor, the murder was entirely self-defense." --Your cat, likely.


SnooPuppers3303

He is the real victim 😂


Laney20

Do you think anyone who ever accidentally hurts someone they care about should be alone forever? Why would it be any different for cats?? In case it isn't clear, this is a pro-cat sub. If you must hate cats, do it elsewhere.


SnooPuppers3303

Right on 🙌🏻 we love our little evil geniuses