mad cat diaries

We know Humans can get the blues, feel down, or can actually become depressed, clinically speaking.  But what about Cats?

After the loss of our dear friend Simon, one of our most beloved founders here at MadCatDiaries.com, we Cats noticed something happening.  Oh sure, we lay around a lot.  Oh sure, we sleep 20 hours a day.  Oh sure, we lick and groom a lot.  Oh sure, we walk away from our food only to beg our Humans for it later.  But hey, we enjoy all that stuff.

So, what’s happening?  There seems to be a general malaise settling in around our little community.  The Cats and Humans all are, well, just not right.  Could it be that we are depressed?  Could it be that the sadness has lingered and not working its way through?

The Humans have talked it out and, yes, they are depressed.  And, yes, the Humans are able to figure out what they need to do.  Because they know what happened!

But we Cats don’t have a voice, to speak of (sorry.)  We are trying to communicate in the only ways we know how – with our behavior.  Have the Human’s noticed?  We are not sure.  One thing we know for sure…

Cats can suffer depression, too.

Some Humans who should know (like Katherine Houpt, director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, N.Y.) recognized depression in Cats way back in the 1990s.

She said; “Cat depression is an abnormal behavior in which the cat shows a change in activity, change in vocalization and usually a decrease in appetite. Depression in cats is not very common, or at least it isn’t recognized, as a quiet less active cat doesn’t bother the owner.”

Just like Humans, when Cats suffer a major disruption in our life (things as simple as moving out of a beloved home to things as complicated as losing a best friend) we suffer.  As a matter of fact, according to experts like Katherine Houpt, the biggest and most common cause of depression in cats is the loss of a friend – Human or Cat.

We Cats have relatively short lives.  We spend most of our lives with only one, two, or three Humans and Cats.  Is it any wonder that when one of those leaves us we get confused, sad, and depressed?  We can’t rationalize WHY our friend is no longer with us.  Unlike Humans, there is no manual for healing;  no 5 stages of grief laid out for us.  One day we have our friend, our companion, our playmate.  The next day… gone.

How can our Human know what we are feeling?  How can our Human know something is wrong?  How can our Human know if we are truly depressed?

There are signs to help the Humans recognize depression in us Cats.  These may be subtle, but with a little understanding, these signs may help our Humans get us the help we need.  Let’s take a look at some of the things Humans would do well to watch for, shall we?

Litter Box – If ever there was a place to present a problem, the litter box is IT!  Cats are fastidious about their litter box and their potty habits.  So, when there is a change in a Cat’s psyche, you can expect the potty routine to be a pretty good bellwether to every nuance of emotion and health.  In other words, take a look at your Cat’s litter box and potty habits and you’ll learn a lot. This includes going outside the box, going too often, going less often, as well as smells and textures.  It’s gross, I know, but cut us some slack;  we don’t speak your language.

Aggression – Biting, scratching, or hissing are all behaviors that Cats may do if they are stressed.  And what’s more stressful than losing a friend they have spent almost their entire life with?  Confusion, grief, and depression can make Cats unpleasant, unpredictable, and downright unmanageable.

Unsocial – If a normally friendly Cat starts to retreat from Human and other Cat companionship, it’s time to think about how to help.  Hiding under the covers or crouching low can be a bad sign, unless this is typical behavior.  You just have to be aware.  If Fluffy always greets you at the door and then suddenly stops doing this, Fluffy may not be feeling well.

Feeding – Food is a big depression indicator.  Cats are funny eaters, but most Humans know how their Cats are different.  Some Cats dig right in, while other Cats circle, circle, throw their food out of the bowl, then come back and nibble.  You see what I mean?  If a Cat changes their routine, it’s time to take notice.

Grooming – This is a big deal.  You’ve got two things going on here;  not grooming and over grooming.  Cats may become obsessed and lick, lick, lick, lick, until they actually make themselves sick with hairballs or create hot spots on their skin.  Then there are the Cats who stop grooming entirely.  Either way, you have to watch for the change in grooming to see if something is happening.

Vocalization – We Cats say ‘meow’ all the time.  But when the occasional meow becomes a howl or a cry or screech, you Humans must know that we are trying to say something.  A Cat who changes their vocalization may be expressing angst over not being able to find their friend.  We Cats can and do suffer loss, too, but we are not able to express it in words.  These ‘meows’ are our way to tell you that we need your understanding and attention.

Sleep – This is normally where the Human reading this starts to laugh.  I know.  Cats sleep a lot.  How can you tell if a Cat is sleeping too much!  It’s more about the sleep patterns changing.  For instance, if morning comes and your Cat doesn’t wake up when the food dish rattles, that may be something unusual. If your Cat normally sleeps all night, but now is awake walking over your head all night instead, that may be a sign your Cat may need some attention.

If you have suffered the loss of a loved one, of any species, in your house, your Cat may be feeling the loss and may even become depressed.  Any one of these symptoms could indicate depression in a Cat, but they could also indicate a medical condition or illness.  Only a trip to your trusted Veterinarian will help pinpoint the cause.  It’s always a good idea to get to the root of the problem rather than frustrate the situation further by getting annoyed with bad behavior in your Cat.  If medical conditions are ruled out, then talk to your Veterinarian about treatment for depression.  There are many ways to deal with this problem.

Most importantly, you want to give your Feline Friend time to deal with their depression.  When we lose someone close to us, everyone in the house suffers the loss.  We Cats don’t have a way to express our sorrow other than with our behavior.

Just like Humans need love and understanding during times of grief, Cats need attention, too.  By simple acts like petting, brushing, combing, and playing, the Cats will understand that they are loved and cared for.  They will know they can count on you for their physical, as well as emotional needs.

We lost our friend, too.  We feel sad, confused, and lonely, but we can’t articulate our feelings to you in words.  I hope you understand now how Cats express their grief and how you can help alleviate the stress, fear, and anxiety so everyone can heal and be happy once again.

p.s.  For more insight into helping Cats heal from stress, trauma, or just day-to-day life, you may want to order Emotional Healing For Cats by Stefan Ball and Judy Howard.  This book explores holistic healing methods as well as behavioral healing.  Click on and take a look.  It might just help you get through this time with your Cat and make everyone’s life a little better.

p.p.s.  And you know what else?  It may really be time for a laugh.  Click on these blue words and enjoy one of our favorite Cat funnies anywhere around – Simon’s Cat Films

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of one of our most beloved founding-felines here at MadCatDiaries, Simon.

After a courageous battle against CRF, Simon went peacefully out of this world and into the next.

Simon was a handsome Blue Point Ragdoll.  Because of his breed, he was almost not allowed to join our community.  As you know, Ragdolls are notoriously benign and pleasant.  However, Simon showed us that not all breed descriptions can, or should, be believed.  As a matter of fact, Simon proved to be the very epitome of a Mad Cat.

Simon went from a cute kitten to a Mad Cat before he lost his first kitten tooth. His feisty, sassy personality kept many Humans at bay, but not all.  The Humans who loved him also loved his sassy behavior.  The Humans here at MadCatDiaries also believe that it was that spunk that kept him strong and brave during his illness.

We Humans and Cats at MadCatDiaries miss Simon very much.  We believe all Mad Cats go to Heaven, and we know that he will enjoy tormenting all the other Cats in Heaven for eternity.

So, Simon, until we meet again, you are sadly missed by us all here at MadCatDiaries.

CRF – Chronic Renal Failure – Not gonna get this Mad Cat down!

Hey friends!  Thanks for the well wishes.  Yeah, this CRF stuff is a h**l of a note, but, I’m home safe and sound and feeling better.  My poor Humans (never thought I’d say that) are having a harder time than I am.  They worry about me.

My Human left this YouTube video open on the computer, so I took a look.  I knew they were up to something when that bag came home from the slammer with me.  I put it here for you to see.  It really isn’t bad and it makes me feel gooooood!

So that’s my life right now – laying around and getting SubQ’d. I like the laying around and the attention, and the SubQ thing ain’t half bad.

I’m going back up into my tower now. I think She’s up roaming the house and She dearly LOVES to see me up there all warm and cozy. Well, give Her what She wants, eh? What’s it hurt.

Later!

Simon’s Cat in an empty box?  Will Humans ever see their folly.

If you read yesterday’s post you know I’ve been a little under the weather. Okay, I’m in the slammer. You can check out my misery by clicking on these blue words.

To be specific, I’m at my vet’s and my Humans haven’t come to get me yet. I had to spend too many days here getting stuff stuck and jabbed at me. So, I needed a laugh.

I’ve been hiding my laptop in my cell and while all the white coat humans were gone I quick did a little looking around to see what was happening. I discovered this little gem and lmfbo – that’s laugh my furry butt off – in case you didn’t know.

Now quick, before your Human finds you at the computer and you have to lay on the keyboard all cute like you weren’t actually typing, click on these blue words here and you’ll be saying lmfbo, too!

Oops… you went by it.  Here it is again.  Go ahead and take your mouse (Ha! That never gets old!) and click these blue words –> SimonsCat.com Come back when you’re done watching and let me know what you think.  I’ll wait right here… I’m not going anywhere.

Okay, you’re back.  What did you think?

We’ve all been there, right?

I think I’ll recover much faster now that I’ve seen Simon’s Cat in action.

I also feel connected to Simon’s Cat for some reason.  Could it be because we’re both Drawn?

As soon as they spring me from this place, I’m going to spend my nights at the computer looking at more of this stuff. Anybody who’s reading this should too. Very funny, Simon’s Cat!

Renal Kidney Failure in Cats – Three words that strike fear in the hearts of older cats everywhere.

As I write this, I’m lying here, twiddling my fingers (?), staring out through vertical bars.

Yup.  I’m in the slammer.

Had a rough night on Wednesday so my Humans thought it best to drag my furry behind in to see good ol’ Doc.  I like Her;  my Doc.  She lives with 5 Cats.  That speaks quite highly of Her, don’t you think?

Anyway, now I’m nibbling on some pretty darn good slop and trying to ignore the thing on my arm.

If you don’t know what Renal Kidney Failure in Cats is, also known as CRF (Chronic Renal Failure), here’s a quick lesson courtesy of my friends over at FelineCRF.com:

And I quote…

“Approximately 200,000 tiny structures (nephrons) in the kidneys eliminate waste products and regulate electrolytes in the body. CRF results when these nephrons begin to die off and waste products and electrolytes can no longer be processed effectively. The waste then accumulates in the cat’s body. In effect, a cat in CRF is being poisoned by the waste that the kidneys are unable to filter. Electrolyte imbalances, anemia and blood pressure problems may also occur as the kidneys continue to deteriorate.”

Okay, here is a list of the symptoms to watch for; again courtesy of my friends at FelineCRF.com (I left off a few symptoms, frankly, because it just got too much for me to handle in my weakened condition):

“Even with diet control, drugs and fluid therapy, you will eventually see at least some of the symptoms on the following list. Not all cats will exhibit all symptoms.”

• Excessive urination
• Increased thirst
• Nausea and gagging
• Licking lips
• Grinding or cracking sound in jaw
• Vomiting (both clear/foamy liquid and food)
• Drooling
• Dehydration
• Hunching over the water bowl
• Stomach irritation
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Muscle wasting
• Emaciation
• Poor hair coat
• Halitosis (ammonia smell)
• Lethargy
• Sensitivity to sound
• Eating litter
• Weakness
• Depression
• Oral ulcers

So, when should our Humans consider us sick enough to go to the vet?  That’s a good question.  I, for one, feel a lot of stress when I go to see the vet.  Don’t get me wrong;  I like Doc.  But, it’s the whole “white coat syndrome” with me, you know?  I behave pretty well, just growl and snarl enough so they know I’m feeling like myself, but I’m still not a fan.

Anyway, here I am, staring through the bars, enjoying my semi-solitude, but not enjoying this thing they’ve got wrapped around my arm.  hmmmm…

But, even though I say I’m laying here in abject misery, I feel a whole lot better than I felt yesterday.

My Humans came to see me today and, by the look on their faces, I’m guessing I am on the road to recovery.  I’m happy for them, because dang they love me!  Well, of course.

This is only my second go-around with this kidney stuff and I’m recovering pretty well.

On a positive note, I got to try some new food this time which I’m liking (note to my Humans… buy some of this stuff.)

I’ll keep you posted when I get home (they’re about ready to take away my laptop) sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Litter box solutions shouldn’t be that difficult.

I don’t really require much to be satisfied – a warm spot to sleep, a nice scratching post, food and water all day long, some pleasant brushing, and a clean place to do my business.  That’s all…  not much.

My Humans do a relatively good job of giving me those things.  But I hear stories, horror stories, of litter boxes gone very, very wrong.

Since we step into our “toilets” with our little footies,  shouldn’t it be every Human’s desire to make sure the litter and boxes are clean?  Think about it… how would you like to step into your toilet, dig around, do your business and jump out without anyone ever flushing it or scrubbing  it.  Hmmmm????  Not a pretty thought, is it.

Okay, go ahead and delete that from your brain.  Sorry.

When a Cat steps into the litter box, he or she has two things in mind… relief, then dig dig dig bury bury bury dig dig dig.  In other words, that litter (and the goodies in it) are going to get flung somewhere if the box is loaded with poops and clumps of pee.  There I said it.

Please keep the litter box clean.

Onto two of my recommended goodies.  First the litter, then let’s have a little fun with the litter box.

Let’s start with the simplest thing – a good litter.  My recommendation?  I like this Nature’s Miracle Odor Control stuff.  It smells nice, clumps nice, and generally works like it’s supposed to.
I’ve had to endure some pretty awful litter in my day, and this one makes up for that.
My personal feeling about corn litter and newspaper litter is “I’d rather not.”  Sorry.  My Humans tried, but corn smells funny when it gets wet… and so does newspaper.  Those big pellet things fly all over the place.  But, whatever you Humans choose, keep it clean.

Now, if you really want to have fun, get an automatic cleaning litter box.
It’s good for a few laughs (or not, as evidenced by the Cat in this picture).
Personally, a good old regular litter box works just fine, but if you want to go high tech, this is cool.
But, hey, this Scoop Free Automatic Litter Box can be rather entertaining, and you don’t have to get your little hands dirty.

Then for the completely insane luxury kitty toilets, here are the winners -
The CatGenie Self Washing Self Flushing Cat Box and the Litter Robot LRII

Okay, that was fun. Now, would you mind getting those things I left in my litter box OUT?! Thanks.

Cat Behavior Problems – Peeing Outside The Box

What causes a Cat behavior problem like peeing outside the box?  It could be having your butt dragged to a psychiatrist.  That would make me want to find my Human’s favorite shoes and pee in ‘em.  Okay, that’s really not the reason; I just had to throw that in.

Anyway, I imagined I had the title Maddest Cat In The World.  I imagined I had the worst temperament of any Cat in the world.  However, I was scrolling around the internet the other day (which is somewhat difficult sans opposable thumbs) and stumbled upon this fascinating story of a dearly departed mad Cat named Calvin.

Kathy, the humorous Human of The Junk Drawer, aka junkdrawerblog.com and her master, the aforementioned Calvin -  may he rest in peace – had come to a crossroads.  Calvin was mad and displayed the devil within by simply being ornery.

I understand ornery Cats.  It takes one to understand one.  So, I understand Calvin.  His devilish behavior manifested itself in a couple ways… 1) keep your hands off me, and 2) I’ll pee where I darn well please.

Since his behavior was getting so uncontrollable (biting the vet and other fun things like that) the Human decided to get Calvin’s head examined… by a shrink.

The result.  You can read all about it here, The Thing I Swore I’d Never Tell Anyone at JunkDrawerBlog.com

The upshot is the shrink couldn’t shrink a thing.  The ornery behavior couldn’t be changed.  Ornery Cats are sometimes ornery because they can be.

However, the psychiatrist did come up with the ‘duh’ solution that every Cat’s Human needs to know – more litter boxes are good.  The more you put around the place, the better we like it.

The moral of this story?  If you have a mad Cat skulking around the house, learn to live with it.  If you have a mad Cat who’s skulking around the house AND peeing outside the box, put out more litter boxes.

Thanks Kathy for your splendid tale and for giving us a glimpse into your dearly departed Calvin’s wonderful personality.  I admire every Mad Cat.

I thank you for the food you bring,

and for my little squeaky thing.

I thank you for your friendly talks,

and when you change my litter box.

I thank you for the naps we share,

and putting up with tufts of hair.

I thank you for these things you do,

but most of all for being you!

I, of course, can appreciate a good hairball since my So-Called Brother is the only one in this house who gets them.  Being a perfectly coiffed Cat myself eliminates my ever having to say “I’m sorry I left that hideous thing on the carpet.”

Because all Cats like to keep themselves clean, we naturally get a bit of fur in our mouth when we’re grooming ourselves.  So, it’s important that we get the least amount of fur possible, and that whatever fur we do get, moves on down and out!

Hairballs are really not balls at all, just in case you have never actually stumbled upon one.  They are more like tubes of hair and gook (okay, food) that piles up in the innards without getting digested.

These “hair tubes” usually appear in the most noticeable place imaginable -  on a white carpet, sofa, chair, or rug.  They are rarely hidden.  Cats who have them (never me, of course) normally display their handiwork proudly before they scurry away.

Some Humans may be able to catch their little Fluffy or Snowball in the process of relieving themselves of a hairball by simply listening.  There is usually a distinct “cack cack cack c-a-a-a-c-c-k-k” followed by silence, then the pitter patter of tiny furry feet.  Some Cats may stop and want to investigate, a.k.a. pay tribute, to their hairball, while others hurry under the nearest bed to hide out for the duration.

Now that you know how to identify a hairball and can recognize the sounds of a hairball being produced/presented, you may want to know what to do to prevent your Cat from gifting you with one.

Here’s the way I prevent this disgusting thing from ever happening to me:

Brush, Brush, Comb, Brush, Brush, Comb – That’s why I jump up on the coffee table and paw at the basket of brushes and combs.  My Humans will take the hint and I get a good combing.  This procedure happens once a day because I have long, beautiful fur.

Professional Grooming -  My Humans are pretty good at combing and brushing me, but sometimes I need a little assist.  For instance, when it comes to my nether regions, I prefer a trained professional get after those parts.  The Groomer will even take extra care and clip some of that beautiful fur a bit shorter so I can stay pleasant “down there.”

Moist Food – A little dollop of moist food along with the crunchy stuff helps keep my innards nice and slippery.  It’s good to have a bit of extra moisture just to make sure everything is moving in the right direction, if you know what I mean.

Water Fountain – Don’t chintz on the water, Humans!  That means bowls of water where ever I want them.  The best solution is what I have;  a fancy fountain that provides me with running water, which could be the reason I’m so perfectly coiffed.

Laxatone – This is a product that keeps everything nice and lubricated, all the way through.  Just a little squirt either in the food or on the tongue will keep the hair from piling up and heading in the wrong direction.

If you or someone you share a house with has a hairball problem, leave this page up so your Human can see what needs to be done to prevent such an unpleasant occurrence.  I’m sure if the tables were turned and your Human were cacking up hairballs, they’d want you to take care of them!

Will Humans ever learn how to brush and comb a cat the right way so we don’t end up with “dingelberries”?

Yes, the Humans have shamed me with dingelberries.  That’s the delicate way I describe those gross clusters of matted hair and “stuff” hanging from my fuzzy little behind.

I don’t have opposable thumbs, otherwise I’d do it myself.  I’m not kidding!  The Humans need a lesson.  It’s not my fault I can’t keep my caboose clean!  You gotta help me out here.

There’s a basket in my house filled with an assortment of combs and brushes that the Humans have deemed are important and useful for making me look and feel wonderful.  Now, if I can just get them to use the right ones.

Some of these grooming tools are good; some not so good, in my humble opinion.  And, really, who else should have an opinion about MY grooming but ME.

Here’s a quick rundown of what the Humans have been subjecting me to in their attempt to groom me -  as clumsy as that attempt may be.  These  pictures you see are of my ACTUAL real life brushes, combs, and other devices of torture, so who knows if you can still buy the same ones;  even if you’d want to.

The Soft Brush -This is a little slice of heaven… especially when stroked gently around my face and down my beautiful ruff, then back up and around my ears… purrrr.

But here’s the thing; if the brush is TOO soft it just feels good, which is nice, but won’t really brush my fur.  I want a brush that has just a tiny bit of stiffness so I can feel it run through my long, glorious fur.

For fun, you just can’t beat a soft brush, but for a long haired cat like me, I’ve just got to have more.  So, on to…

The Plastic Brush – Now this is one nice brush.  I can feel those little plastic nubby ends all the way down to my delicate skin, and it feels good.  This one gets through my glorious, long hair and even gets out those occasional tangles without TOO much trouble, even though I put up a fight just for show.  I come by my name honestly.

The bonus to this brush has nothing to do with me.  The Human seems to like the little flip-top thing that She can stick her thumb under and flip up and remove my hair that’s stuck there on the bristle things.  I say, if it makes Her happy… blah blah blah.

The Slicker Brush – Most beautiful, long haired cats don’t get the chance to enjoy this brush because their Humans think the slicker brush is just for short haired cats.  Well, I’m here to tell ya, they’re nuts!

I’ve enjoyed many fine moments with this little number, as you can probably tell by the way it looks.  It’s not really meant to totally take care of such long haired beauties as myself, but it feels kind of nice and it cleans and “slicks” my outer layer of fur.  I think my Humans also use it to trick me sometimes.  While He is using this one on my head, She will be attacking my posterior with one of the next tools.

The Metal Combs – Essential tool to use on long haired cats, but Humans need to notice a subtle difference about these combs.  One is nice; one I hate.  Did I say subtle?  I meant something else.

The one that’s all metal is very nice, for most jobs.  I like its clever design – fine toothed for around my beautiful face; bigger side for those aforementioned nether-regions, when the Humans can catch me.

The comb with the wooden handle and graduated metal comb teeth, well, that one, for whatever reason, drives me crazy mad!  There’s just something about it that makes me holler, shriek, and lash out at the Human uncontrollably.  Can’t help myself.  It hurts.  And when I hurt, the Human must hurt, too.

So, all metal combs are not created equal.

The Bouncy De-Shed Brush – This little rubbery brush pulls my hair like the dickens.  It does what it’s supposed to do, I guess;  it grabs lose hair and de-sheds, but… OUCH!

My So-Called Brother loves it though. He’s got long hair, too, so go figure.  He actually uses it more as a chew toy than a brush.  But that’s just him.  He’s a bit strange.

The Serious De-Matting Tool – Keep this thing away from me and my belly… or any part of me!  Yet, once again, this is a comb that my So-Called Brother likes.

I just can’t figure it out.  We’re both Ragdoll Cats and we both have long hair, but this thing is plain torture to me and the Brother likes it!  I’ve seen him sit and let the Humans comb his fur, ears to tail, with this thing and the fur really does fly – and in a good way.  It works, I just don’t want it anywhere near my delicate skin.  I guess I’m the sensitive one in the family.

I know the Humans need to learn a thing or two about how to brush and comb a cat, but do they have to use me as their homework?  It just ain’t easy living here.

p.s.  If you happen to be a Human who has stumbled across this website, please, have a heart, buy a bunch of combs and brushes and use them. Or, try the lazy version, the self-grooming brush.   The cats that you’re living with will let you know which ones they approve.  Trust me.