Terabith Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 We got like six inches of snow, followed by ice, followed by more snow. It's also very cold. Obama is NOT amused. He is letting us know that we are terrible people for not providing him with his preferred weather. How can I entertain and occupy him? 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnerd Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Does he like watching Netflix? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 11 minutes ago, mathnerd said: Does he like watching Netflix? Sadly, no. Nor does he like the little cat ipad games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Sunlamp and lots of sand 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CindyH in NC Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Laser pointer? The little rings from the top of a juice or Gatorade bottle are highly prized toys for a little while here. If he is treat oriented, your teens may be able to make him a maze or puzzle box with a small amazon box and some scrap cardboard. Or use a larger box to create a cat house as something fun to distract him. Holes to enter and exit with toys or fuzzy blankets to make it inviting. Sprinkle cat nip inside if you have any and if Obama is interested in it. If you were closer, I would share the dozens of ping bong balls, jingle balls, yellow plastic golf balls, etc. that my 21 year old hid from the bratty cat here who needs a million toys. She is back at college and I noticed her dresser drawer had a jingly sound when I put away the last of her winter break laundry. So Castiel is getting a few of his noisier toys back every day. In fairness to her, he does typically play with his annoying toys in her room on the wooden floor at 3 am, and she doesn't deal with his nonsense. 🙂 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 We like to make our cats their own blanket forts in this cruddy weather. They really appreciate it! 😹😻 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Every time you post about Obama I always for a few seconds think about the ex-President. I don't know how long this is going to go on for me. But it happens every time. 2 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 (edited) Yes, forts. Play silks are good for this, although claws aren’t good for play silks. It’s a conundrum. Also, you need to set up a Kitty spa. Out kitties’ favorite treatment is a brush massage with this brush. I realize your weather makes it hard to get out to buy that brush, but I’m linking so you’ll be prepared for next time. You’ll have to make do with what you have, I guess. Do you have nip or meowijuana? All five of our cats like the nip, one likes the meowijuana sticks. Edited January 17, 2022 by Alte Veste Academy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 So far he's glared at the hair ties (usually his favorite toy) and milk bottle cap rings that we've given him. He did give in and go outside for awhile, but came inside a couple hours later frozen and starving. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 Just now, Alte Veste Academy said: Yes, forts. Play silks are good for this, although claws aren’t good for play silks. It’s a conundrum. Also, you need to set up a Kitty spa. Out kitties’ favorite treatment is a brush massage with this brush. I realize your weather makes it hard to get out to buy that brush, but I’m linking so you’ll be prepared for next time. You’ll have to make do with what you have, I guess. Do you have nip or meowijuana? All four of ours like the nip, one likes the meowijuana sticks. We do have lots of nip. So far nothing compares to the Yeoww catnip. It's definitely a name brand item at our house. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Yes, Yeoww bananas were a big hit here last Christmas! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alte Veste Academy Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 One of our cats doesn’t like any lids except beer bottle caps. Start drinking? At least one of you will be in a good mood… 1 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Ice cubes, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 Poor Scout, the other cat, is walking around hissing angrily at Obama. I guess it's fair since he tortures and harasses her on the regular. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarita Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 When my cat was a young cat we would throw little foam cat balls. We amped it up by putting up obstacle courses and really bouncing those balls off the walls etc. Then when the 2nd cat got to be a young cat rather than a small kitten then we got Kitty City Play Cube Tunnel Cat Toy - Walmart.com type thing ( buy the cheapest you can find they will be destroyed). They would hide in them and "pounce" on the other one. We would also put a few in the room and go to town with a cat ribbon, Da Bird Feather Teaser, or anything stick with stuff at the end. They LOVE it if you act more like prey. Basically scurry around/near them, occasionally stop, try to hide and run away when caught. I learned from Jackson though at the end of the play session to give your cat a payout (meaning let them catch their prey). This helps signal the end of playtime and they don't continue to be amped up. Yes, we got two cats about 6 months apart in age. The youngest was 5months old when we got her. Conversely my MIL trains her cat to do tricks, like roll over. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 We hide treats and then when kitty is chasing the red dot eventually the red dot lands on the treats and goes out so she's"caught" it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Our cats got a flip-flopping fish for Christmas. They look like fish (naturally), and when the cat touches them in a certain spot they start flip-flopping around. Some of them will stalk it for a long time. One of them will actually sleep with it. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 2" craft pompoms are a good prey-like size (and fuzzy), especially fun for a kitty to try to extract from somewhere like under a piece of furniture 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 8 hours ago, happi duck said: We hide treats and then when kitty is chasing the red dot eventually the red dot lands on the treats and goes out so she's"caught" it. I’m not a fan of laser pointers because it’s cruel that that there is no reward for the hunt. But this idea solves that problem— and sounds fun! 🙂 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 12 hours ago, mathnerd said: Does he like watching Netflix? 12 hours ago, Terabith said: Sadly, no. Nor does he like the little cat ipad games. Cat TV? Bird videos on YouTube are like crack to one of our kitties and must be rationed accordingly, but they can be a fantastic (if aggressively interactive…ahem) distraction on fussy days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 The outdoor/indoor cats we've had in the past chose not to go outside much in our winters (Canada). Sometimes they would enjoy going in the garage. There are lots of boxes, shelves, and even the odd mouse to amuse them. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 He seems to have decided that the solution is just to go outside for short periods frequently and then come in and complain. It’s tricky because he really doesn’t like interactive play with us. So no laser pointer or Da Bird. He doesn’t care about bird videos. He doesn’t seem to recognize things on a screen as having any relevance, though I have certainly seen other cats that loved them. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Invite another cat over for a playdate. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Put Obama in baby carrier. Walk to pet store that claims to sell only one sex of rodents. Narrate the whole way to support his cognitive development. But a bunch of "female" rodents. Pick a species that doesn't reproduce with any American animals. Maybe gerbils? On the way home, stop to buy bandaids to treat injuries you acquired in step one. Get Obama's opinion on the best character bandaids. Let gerbils loose. Find out that the people who sex pet store rodents are imperfect humans (good theology lesson) Years of fun, I tell you! 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Blue Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Go outside and, a few inches from his favorite window at ground level, build him a tiny snowman with scarf, eyes, hat, and baby carrot nose that can stare at and befuddle him. Get out his iPad and play him videos for cats. This one is the best. It has bird wing flapping sounds as the birds are flying away. It makes both my cat and my son’s cat jump up and look for the birds behind the iPad. While he’s lying down, calm, and about ready to fall asleep is the best time to get him interested. Don’t try when he’s up, hyper, and focused on ten other things at once. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Blue Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Ooops, sorry. Just saw where you said he doesn’t like bird videos. Maybe make a cat fort/ tunnels and throw some catnip in. I cover my cat’s tunnels with blankets and leave just a small crack for an opening. When she goes in, I stick a long wand toy in and wiggle it around to get her to attack. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 (edited) We have an outside kitty who comes in and naps-on-laps when it’s cold…or rainy…or windy… (she’s not allowed free reign or on furniture because we have a kid with a cat allergy). Anyway, kitty seemed to *tolerate* being walked around the yard in the teens’ arms for about an hour this morning. A way to roam without the cold paws? Maybe Obama would like a (carried) tour of the yard? Now kitty is sleeping off the hard work inside. 🙂 Edited January 17, 2022 by alisoncooks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Blue Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 Yes, take him for a tote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MEmama Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 46 minutes ago, Baseballandhockey said: Put Obama in baby carrier. Walk to pet store that claims to sell only one sex of rodents. Narrate the whole way to support his cognitive development. But a bunch of "female" rodents. Pick a species that doesn't reproduce with any American animals. Maybe gerbils? On the way home, stop to buy bandaids to treat injuries you acquired in step one. Get Obama's opinion on the best character bandaids. Let gerbils loose. Find out that the people who sex pet store rodents are imperfect humans (good theology lesson) Years of fun, I tell you! I sincerely hope these suggestions aren’t based on personal experience…🤣 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 1 minute ago, MEmama said: I sincerely hope these suggestions aren’t based on personal experience…🤣 I am the non-cat-owner equivalent of those child free people who know all about how you should parent. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarita Posted January 17, 2022 Share Posted January 17, 2022 5 hours ago, Terabith said: He seems to have decided that the solution is just to go outside for short periods frequently and then come in and complain. Make sure you really listen and acknowledge his complaints though. Otherwise he'll be emotionally scarred for life. 😜 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted January 17, 2022 Author Share Posted January 17, 2022 5 hours ago, Indigo Blue said: Go outside and, a few inches from his favorite window at ground level, build him a tiny snowman with scarf, eyes, hat, and baby carrot nose that can stare at and befuddle him. Get out his iPad and play him videos for cats. This one is the best. It has bird wing flapping sounds as the birds are flying away. It makes both my cat and my son’s cat jump up and look for the birds behind the iPad. While he’s lying down, calm, and about ready to fall asleep is the best time to get him interested. Don’t try when he’s up, hyper, and focused on ten other things at once. That is the nicest of the bird tv episodes that I've seen. Unfortunately, Obama is completely disinterested. Well, I will say, when I went over to show it to him, he became interested in taking my formerly occupied seat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Blue Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 Well, for goodness sake. I say just leave the old fart to entertain himself.😜 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drama Llama Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 11 minutes ago, Terabith said: That is the nicest of the bird tv episodes that I've seen. Unfortunately, Obama is completely disinterested. Well, I will say, when I went over to show it to him, he became interested in taking my formerly occupied seat. Musical chairs is the obvious solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Blue Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 OMG, Obama. What is your problem? You grumpy old boomer. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terabith Posted January 18, 2022 Author Share Posted January 18, 2022 I don't think he processes stuff on a screen. He genuinely seems not to notice. But he loves watching birds in real life. He is getting up there. He's 6 or 7 now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo Blue Posted January 18, 2022 Share Posted January 18, 2022 (edited) Some cats are like that. I just thought I’d let my son’s cat give him a hard time. Hey Terabith, hope you know I’m totally joking around!!! 😊 Edited January 18, 2022 by Indigo Blue 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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