<p>I had a shoulder sitting cat, too. He would get this look in his eye and then jump up onto me. I didn’t teach him, it was completely his own idea. I was the only one he did it to. </p>
<p>Cats can make associations which are like training. When I call out “who is hungry?” or “hey. what time is it?” when I am in the kitchen, my cats come on the run. </p>
<p>We have one cat who claws the weather stripping. It makes a loud noise. I hear her and go let her in. My husband hates this. For a while I was shooting her with a mister to discourage clawing the weather stripping. It got so she would run through the door way as fast as she could to avoid the mister even when I didn’t use it. It never broke her of the clawing, so I quit doing it. (I put double sided tape on the door instead and that stopped her.)</p>
<p>I intend to get a little bell to put by the door. I think she can learn to ring the bell when she wants in. </p>
<p>We also have a Drinkwell pet fountain. Ours has lasted so many years that I no longer remember exactly how long we’ve had it. Our cats love it. My daughter had problems - not with the fountain itself - but rather with her two cats. Bengals love water - joining her in the shower, etc. They viewed the fountain as a personal play place. She finally had to pass it on to a friend.</p>
<p>Thanks all! The double-sided tape is something I’ve seen several times so I’ll have to remember that. And it looks like (if the pet policy gets approved) I will be investing in a Drinkwell. Good to know that they last a long time!</p>
<p>Just an aside as to great cats: one at our apartment complex loved to go for rides and would jump in a car as soon as the door opened–no idea whose cat it was but we’d take it for rides.
Another we met at a national park–a couple had a big dog and a cat–the cat would go on hikes in their back pack as the dog tagged along. Too funny to watch.</p>
<p>HGFM, not all cats love water bubblers. I have a mostly unused drinkwell fountain. Neither of my cats wants to drink anything but still water. So the fountain sits unused, collecting dust. Instead, I have bowls of water in several locations throughout the kitchen tucked into places where Mr B would not be able to step on them. :)</p>
<p>^^ One of my cats is actually afraid of the water bubbler (it’s the same one with a fetish for “Good King Wenceslas.”) we finally put it away, because you don’t want a cat to avoid its water dish.</p>
<p>LOL. Kinda like hairties? I wonder how much I’ve spent over the years on hairties…(And I can’t buy the small ones. They just snap because my hair is so thick. Thanks, genetics. 8-| )</p>
<p>One of mine used to drag the fuzzy toilet lid covers down to the front door…presumably to present them as fresh kill… My school nurse has convinced me that NO TOILET LID COVERS are ever sanitary and that the cat was performing a public service.
Just say no to fuzzy germ houses!</p>
<p>Cat toys do not have to be expensive. Hair ties, balls of crumpled newspaper, milk jug rings… My kitties enjoy them as much if not more than the store-bought cat toys. </p>
<p>One of my cats will play “fetch” with hairties. I’ll slingshot one across the room and he’ll run over, pick it up, trot over to me and drop it at me feet, then meow at me to do it again. </p>
<p>It’s an investment, but the Cat’s Meow, a battery operated toy that looks like a mouse running around randomly under a round piece of fabric, drives my guys nuts. A laser pointer can also provide a lot of entertainment and some good exercise. I like to make the light “disappear” under the sofa (by turning it off) and watch the cats lie in wait for the elusive critter to come out.</p>
<p>The policy is being presented to our Vice President for Student Affairs tomorrow, which means it “passed” my director! (full disclosure: she didn’t read it, but trusted my boss’s and colleagues’ approval enough to take it to him.) He is the final “step” in the process so I’m very hopeful! But I think at this point it’s pretty much a toss-up. Maybe the APA formatting will win him over…lol. </p>
<p>I volunteer for my local animal shelter and foster as well. As I write this I am covered in kittens. They are living at my house until they are old enough to be spayed/neutered and adopted. Anytime I’m asked about adopting an animal, I suggest to talk to the people who know them best. Usually that is the staff who takes care of the animals every morning and every night. They will know enough to ask you key questions and be able to recommend cats right for your situation. Take your time in picking the right animal. If you aren’t sure, go back another day. Also, once you get a cat home, be patient. Some cats are happy immediately, but many need to adjust to their new surroundings. The staff will also be able to give you great information not only about your new pet, but also about cats in general. If you have any questions or issues about your new cat, please call the animal shelter. They probably have resources that can help…</p>