Smokey update

[lexin]

Smokey slept on my bed again last night – though this time without constantly waking me for cuddles and scritches. She woke up fully at about six and hassled me to get up, which I did when my alarm went off at six thirty.

I sorted out the litter tray, changed her food over from the wet food which had been out overnight to the kibble she has during the day, "assisted" by the kitty round my feet and jumping on the worktop. She had almost finished the pouch of wet food she'd been given, which I was pleased about. She sniffed at the new kibble, but didn't start eating it.

By the time I was ready to sit down with a cup of tea (washed, dressed and ready to go to work) she had her back to me while she looked out of the window, and she ignored me for the full 40 minutes it took me to drink my tea, despite being called over for a cuddle and a scritch – so I went to work, when I was ready.

I think what's going on is still separation anxiety.

Yesterday evening, after my day at work, she was all over me like a rash; she spent almost the entire evening on my lap, on my chest or curled up in a ball next to me. (So cute!) She hadn't had enough of me come bed time and followed me to bed.

Morning, and I was still there – but didn't give the preferred smelly wet food. Hence sulks.

I will see what happens when I get home.

People reading my FB will know that I'm still concerned that she's not eating as much as I think she should, but I did a bit of digging around on the internet this lunchtime, and actually I don't think she's going as short as I imagined. Cats don't need as much food as I'd thought they did and she is eating. I shall just have to check the calorie content of her food when I get home.

She's a small cat, I don't think she's losing weight (though I'm watching that carefully) and her coat is still glossy and sleek. She's also grooming herself quite happily – often on my chest – and apart from this morning's sulks is usually up for a scritch behind the ears.

The other concern is the lack of playing behaviours, but I don't know what she was used to in her previous home. She belonged to an old lady who died, and I don't know whether this lady played with her – it may be that she belonged to the species of cat owners who don't realise you should. My mother never played with her cats, when she had them – though they were outdoor cats so presumably they entertained themselves during the night. They certainly never did much during the day.

Comments

[stranger]

This all sounds like she's settling in well and finding her role. After an upset like changing homes, it would be strange if she *didn't* eat less, or more, or find something else odd to do, for a few days. The healthy coat and cuddling and normal grooming (and eating something, yes) are excellent signs.

She may be used to a very quiet home, but she might like some toys later. Aside from the classic Dangling String (with or without mouse), many cats like cardboard boxes and paper bags, as Things To Sit In. These objects also allow her to claw something that isn't your furniture, if she likes that kind of thing. Does she have a scratching post or similar? (I bought a third-hand chair -- much cheaper than a pet store scratching post when the neighbors were moving out -- and let my two cats claw it as well as sleeping on it, and in it and under it. It was their private castle for quite some time.)

Smokey sounds adorable and is reacting to you very much as Her New Person.

[lexin]

She has a scratching post, but has never used it! I am wondering if I should spray the post with catnip to draw it to her attention.

She also has a cat tree, but only uses the den so far.

She seems to have eaten a bit more today, but not quite enough to please me.

[krait]

Yes, depending on the quality of the food she's receiving, the necessary amount she needs may be pretty small! It can be easy to overfeed because the right amount 'doesn't look like enough', but as long as she seems happy and healthy, she should be fine.

The minor oddnesses sound like she's settling in; working out what your routine is, and shifting her own around as she gets used to it. Hopefully her playfulness will develop once she's established herself and has time to think up other amusements. Stress affects priorities; she may shift gears once she feels more secure. (And some things, at least, are pretty easy to use as Intro To Playing; use her instincts to lure her in if needed. Irregular twitchy motion catches their attention, especially 6-12 inches away from the face, and if they won't quite go for it, whisk the twitchy thing around a corner or behind an obstacle - they love to go for it the minute it disappears!)

[lexin]

I weighed out 45g of dry food and it's about what I'd been putting out for her - but that's a portion for a cat her size for a whole day!

She needs about half that and a pouch of wet food per day; she hadn't quite been eating that but managed it overnight last night. So things are looking up.

Will do as you suggest with the toys and see how we get on!