General Chat

Is anyone elses behaving differently?
My dog wants to change his meal times, not off his food but won't tuck in until he decides now.
He's also doing his 'doings' where he shouldn't! He's been so good about this up until recent weeks.

Defintitely - especially Betty (cat).
My cats have a cat flap, and for over 10 years have used my garden to do their 'business'
About a year or so ago, I came home to find Betty sleeping on my bed - something she had never done before - she'd go under it when she was scared (fireworks etc), but she rarely went upstairs - her choice.
Not only was Betty sleeping on my bed - she had been peeing on it! :-(

I realised something was desperately wrong.
She wouldn't move voluntarily. I checked her over - she wasn't injured, just very depressed. Accepting she'd done her worst (almost) to my bed, I left her there, covered the bed in a plastic sheet and old blanket, and me and George (cat - Betty's brother) slept in the other room.
Betty had also stopped eating.

Two days later (the weekend), I rummaged around and found the cat litter tray we'd had when they were kittens - and fortunately, some of the cat litter.
Betty came downstairs - I think she was still pooing outside - there was none in the house - saw the litter tray - and used it!

That's how it's been ever since - a very stressed Betty using a litter tray - and rarely moving from the house - if she went outside, it was as far as the back doorstep - right next to the cat flap. She also started pulling her fur out.

Well, I was off work for about a month before the 'lockdown'.
When I knew there was likely to be a total lockdown, I asked my daughter to get some cat litter (I only had 1 left) daughter bought 2.

Then I noticed Betty wasn't using her litter tray.
I left it down 'just in case' until last week - she hadn't used it in all that time mind you, I may put it back if it rains.

I see her relaxed, and lying in the back garden, she even goes over to my 'nice' neighbours - and she's stopped pulling her fur out (she is/was long haired, so it was noticeable both on her and around the house :-| )

This change could be because I'm home, or a combination.
My 'nasty' neighbours, had an un-neutered tom cat, with absolutely nowhere for their cat to poo in their garden (all fake grass and concrete) so their cat would poo on my grass (a sign of aggression/territory claiming between cats), and regularly fight George.
If I heard George yowl, I'd go out, see them fighting, go right up to them and snarl and growl, which scared next doors cat (mine were used to it! :-D)
Betty is a very small cat - about the size of a 4 month old, so a tom attacking her would be devastating.
Anyway - the cat hasn't been around for months.
This could be because it's been neutered, died or b*ggered off, like un-neutered toms are wont to do.

It's absolutely glorious to see a relaxed Betty enjoying 'her' garden, squashing my plants with her brother, (always the best place to sleep, apparently) her fur growing back, and, best of all, no litter tray! (mind you, I now have 3 bags of cat litter to store somewhere) One problem with her pooing in the soil - she doesn't cover it up - which could be her way of reclaiming 'her' garden.

One very annoying habit both cats have,since 'lockdown', is that they demand food at 3pm. They used to be fed before I went to work, and when I came home (6pm-ish) :-|

We don't have any animals but my grandsons do - two separate households.

A funny thing happened when I was chatting with daughter on WhatsApp the other evening. I could see pooch looking out of the patio window so I called to him. He turned his head but could not see me.

I called again and he went dashing off to the front window, bounded onto the footstool and stood with his front paws on the window ledge, his tail wagging like crazy.

He thought I was coming and was looking for me on the drive. :-D



He is on my avatar - a crazy, lively and clever pooch he is. <3 :-D

Awww <3 JoyLouise

Ralphie has always been sensitive to noise but had got used certain noises like airplanes and road traffic, now when the occasional airplane goes over it sounds like thunder and it can freak him out :-0

Ralphie still gets to see his friends early every morning. The following clip just shows that dogs have best friends too and how good it is to meet them after a month in lockdown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tYXy1R2V-I

That's lovely Belle. <3 :-D

I love the way the dog is so happy and even turns to his owner as if to say ' OMG it's my very best friend' :-D :-D <3

My dog's just sulking and doing a Donald ;-) :-0

What a happy reunion, Belle

Lizx

Daddy is home all day so Jacky Milburn thinks there is not much wrong in the world apart from having the wrong meat, Aldi only have the dearer one.

Our dog's the opposite Sharron, he misses waiting at the gate and telling his dad all about how he played me up. :-(

My rescued cat Rhodri is enjoying being out in the garden and wandering around the front now there's nobody about.

He had a bad start to life and he is still very nervous. It's lovely to see him looking relaxed in his garden :-)

One of my sisters cats loved it when she was self isolating and wouldn’t leave her side except to eat and use the litter tray, there is a cat flap but he won’t go outside now. I think cats have an instinct that tells them something is wrong and that their human needs them.

Dobby is a couch potato
She is loving this lock down
So she cant go for a walk
As we are to stay in for 3 months

She only likes going out if we get the car keys :-D :-D :-D

:-D :-D :-D Joy

I have to admit, although Betty hasn't been using the litter tray while the weather has been nice, I put it down last night - and yes, she's used it.
However, she hasn't done what she used to do - kick litter all over the place :-(
I'm hoping she just used it because it was there, and it was raining.

Two of my cats go out
The third Steve has his own Catio
as he is thick and thinks he is a dog

Even sits and gives you his paw :-D :-D

:-D :-D :-D Joy!

Catio? Is that a wire lean-to?

Sort of
Steve's is very large and posh

He goes in The two girls
So does the Parrot and the giant Tortoise :-D

:-D :-D :-D

My dogs desperate for a haircut. I'd do it myself but barks might get round, so his friends could look in the window to point and laugh.
Decisions...