Kitchen Garden Forum

Some of you may recall that we now have a third cat, Diego, who was a stray we adopted in January He's around 2 years old and he's absolutely adorable.



Well, he's growing more like a dog every day and I'm becoming increasingly convinced, he at least, thinks he is one.

He comes when he's called.
He walks at my heels around the garden.
He collects pencils/pens and stacks them in a heap at the top of the stairs (he jumps onto work surfaces to take these)
He carries balls around in his mouth.
He has stolen my make-up brush which he carries around, both indoors and outside.
He buries things in the garden and then digs them up and reburies them next door.
And finally, he humps my leg all the time!

He's been neutered (January) and has only recently started jumping on my leg every time I go to bed. He grabs hold of the fleece with his teeth and pounds away with his front paws whilst purring madly. Not a lot else goes on as quite often he has two legs either side of mine, but as his back paws don't hit the floor, he just dangles there . This all lasts for around a minute, after which he rolls over and looks so pleased with himself, I feel like offering him a cigarette!

He's started going after Tim as well now, he's insatiable!

He plays with Tabitha and Fabio, but never tries anything with either of them.

I called the vet who said that it's a new one one her and he may need to see a behavioural psychologist (£!) if he carries on and it's a problem, or I can try using a Feliway plug-in (£30 for a month!) first. I have insurance but I can't imagine what I could put on the claim form

As it's not really a problem, more a curiousity I'm doing nothing as yet, but it's very strange behaviour. Has anyone else any experience of this sort of thing?

None at all Chantal, but I'd love to know what the plug-in thing is.

I may regret this but (!) .....where does it plug in?

Oh for heaven's sake!

It's like a Glade air freshener plug in, but contains something that calms down animals.

http://www.feliway.com/gb

I have never heard of anything like it either Chantal.

But it sounds to me, as if he is being more like a bloke, than a dog.

I don't think I dare comment upon that statement OH

Dear Chantal,
the feliway plug ins do take refills which are 1/2 the price of the initial cost. They may be available on line (haven't checked though).
Regards Sally Wright.

Interesting, my vet has told me that the initial unit is £30 with refills for £20.

What's even more interesting is that since I made this posting, Diego has been the model pussy cat and hasn't been pursuing anyone's legs!

I forgot to mention that he's also into chewing my fingers and wrists; he doesn't hurt me, just tries get his jaw around me. I bought him a bag of dog chews, but they're a bit hard and too like his pencil collection, so he carries them around rather than gnawing on them.

Ha ha he sounds gorgeous, i have a 2 year old tom, who despite being neutered at an early age makes very convincing attempts with our other male cat at what he's not supposed to do, he also opens the tin we keep my daughters hair bobbles in and picks them out takes them and stashes them in his bowl. funnier though is my tortoise who goes after shoes, I won't go into detail suffice to say you wouldnt want to wear them when he's finished. We leave a few old pairs around the garden for his amusement!

I spoke too soon, he's been at me again; however, I think I have it sorted.

Diego only jumps on my legs when I'm in bed, so if he tries, I just lie on my back and pull my knees up. He can't hang on, so he grumbles a little then rolls over and goes to sleep. I can then lie flat without being bothered. Working so far Thinking about it, this system could work for more than cats!

At least my shoes are safe, unlike poor Mandylew

You can think what you like Chantal.

So, the rumours about you are all TRUE

Most of them.