Armani and Cashmere

Here are my two cats, Armani and Cashmere. I’ve had them both since 2013. They (like all my other pets) are very important members of the family. They’re cats so it seems like it should be simple enough, right? I’ve actually learned a lot about what I could have done differently/better. The most important thing, I think, about cats (in addition to love and attention) is getting their food/feeding right from the beginning. Having to help an overweight cat lose weight is quite the challenge.

Cat treehouses, cat toys so on and so forth, I’ve tried it all. I’ve discovered cats don’t really like going along with what they are “suppose” to go along with. For example, I don’t think cat treehouses are really their thing (at least not my cats) although I’ve found ways to make them acceptable. However, a really nice long string/piece of yarn works wonders. Also, those lasers work as well.

In regards to their habitat, simple enough, so you would think. Theirs is about the same as ours. Keeping them active and engaged, I think, is where the real effort/work is. At some point, I let them go outside. That has its pros and cons. Since then, I think, inside is better. You can learn a lot from your cats. For example when one of them won’t stop going to the bathroom around various places in your house that is not their litter box, that actually tells you something.

Armani acts out by going to the bathroom in various places that isn't his litter box. That is called "a pissing contest". Cashmere doesn't act out as much but she did have a parasite when we first got her. Even though we got rid of it quite some time ago. I'm pretty sure we're still fighting that fight.

I’ll share some of the things I’ve learned along the way and of course ongoing efforts to perfect their habitat.

As of 8/1/2023

Both Armani and Cashmere are doing well. Armani got to stop getting in "pissing contests" for awhile, but unfortunately he has resumed his "pissing contest" efforts. It's like there is this invisible enemy lurking or something, it's crazy! There is nothing more annoying than having to clean up after a cat in addition their litter box.

In regards to Cashmere, still fighting that fight. You know the parasite we got rid of all the way back in 2014! Anyway, I'd gotten her down to a nice healthy weight, which isn't easy to do with cats. However, she'd managed to get into a stash of cat food and was apparently munching on that on her own for about a month, so she regained the weight. I'd discovered the best way to help a cat lose weight is to reduce their food. I've been working at it since she regained her weight. It hasn't been working as well yet. I think just like that parasite is still around so is that stash of cat food. CRAZY?!?!

I try to keep them both engaged by making them go along with me throughout the day. They go to homeschool with us and other efforts throughout the day. I try to get them new cathouses etc. as well. They don't go outside as much right now but hopefully that will change in the future. As for playtime, still working on that as well....

As of 7/16/2024

I don't have any new updates for my cats. Their life/routine is pretty much set. However, I did start brushing their teeth at some point every few days. Might not be obvious but just like humans, cats need their teeth to be taken care of as well (at least the domesticated ones).

Cashmere's weight continues to fluctuate. I'm almost certain she isn't over eating (you know like in the beginning) but some days she feels heavier than others. Very wierd, still looking into the possible cause.