Fred

 Fred is the one cat I struggle with. He's a lovely cat but very aggressive, if there's a fight, I know he will be in the middle of it! I think part of it is that he was bullied by his littermates when he was a kitten, and now he attacks instead of waiting to be attacked!

I try to play with him, get him to interact with the other cats in a friendly way, it helps, but then a couple of days later, they are back to fighting!

I've tried the reintroduction method a few times, but it doesn't seem to work!

Today I was looking through the photos of Fred, wondering where I went wrong!

I decided to put together some, enjoy!

I enjoyed making this, it's another skill to learn!!

Catnip Party

  Recently, Mama Cat has been getting out! We aren't sure how, but she manages to escape every few days. I think she stays in the garden, but there are so many wild creatures here that it could be dangerous. My biggest concern is the presence of wild hogs and snakes. Even some of the insects are rather large and venomous.

One of the most frustrating things is that she comes back to the window and just meows. We open the window, but she doesn't get in! This was the situation last night.

She came to the big sliding window in the dining area. David opened the window, but she just sat, out of reach, meowing. The other cats could hear her and headed for the window. This could have gone downhill fast, 5 cats trying to get out, Mama cat mewoing, David, trying to stop the other cats and reach for Mama, at the same time. Finally, David closed the window, but the cats were crowded around it. There was no way to open it again with them charging out! We tried moving the cats, but it was a case of moving one and two took it's place! 

I came up with the brilliant idea to get some treats and catnip. The treats to entice Mama Cat, the catnip to distract the other cats!

This was the result!

Mama Cat

 Mama Cat was a stray that wandered into my life 7 years ago!

She's a lovely cat with a very calm temperament. Out of all the cats, she is the one who doesn't really fight! 

But she is also the one who gets out a lot!

My cats have always been indoor-only.  Where we lived before had too many busy roads. Here, there are a lot of different creatures, wild hogs, badgers, raccoon dogs, and snakes. Those are the ones I've seen; I'm sure there are more. So I don't want my cats outside, fighting and getting injured!

But Mama Cat gets out. Most of the time, we don't know how she does it. We keep the doors closed and locked, some of the cats can open a door if it isn't locked! Windows are closed; if they are open, the screens a locked in place. We haven't found any holes that she could get out of. The only thing we can think of is that she is dashing out as we go out! So now leaving the house includes calling someone to catch Mama Cat. 

Most of the time she comes back within a day, but a few weeks ago she was missing for a week.  I was surprised at how thin she had become! After she had eaten, she slept for a day. I think being outside meant that she couldn't relax properly, so she didn't sleep very well! 

I have a harness and lead for the cats, but none of them like it. I tried to put it on Mama Cat, but she just runs away! I'll try again, I think she would like to be outside a bit!

Just a couple of photos of Mama Cat!

Frodo

 Frodo is one of my ginger cats.

He is very compact, with a muscular build. He's also very smart; he has figured out how to open all the doors!

He also has a very strange meow! I managed to get him on video moaning today!

This went on for a while. I decided to give him some treats, thinking it would quieten him down. But the other cats found out and came for some!

I realized that they hadn't been fed for a few hours!  

Now it's very quiet, full tummies equals peace and quiet!

Update On Fluffy

 Fluffy's collars came! 

She hates wearing them and tries very hard to take them off.  She isn't that successful, but occasionally she can get out of them!

Not happy!

Recently, she's become fascinated with the toaster. I've caught her with her head in it a few times!  I wonder what's inside that she likes so much!

Fluffy with her head in the toaster!

I have to be brave sometime this week. It's time for flea medicine again! Not looking forward to that, but no choice! I think I should buy some alcohol, not the drinking kind, but to put on the scratches I get!

Fluffy

 This post has an affiliate link.

Every summer, we have problems with Fluffy. 

She tends to overgroom herself. It might be an allergy to the fleas, even though she's been treated, she still seems to scratch and lick herself too much.

To help, we buy Elizabeth collars. The problem is she can take them off, so a lot of chasing and hissing, but they do help. 

I've just ordered this set from Amazon.

They aren't that expensive, a set of four costs 819 yen!

Here's the link https://amzn.to/45ym9NU

I was surprised at the choice. I wanted something light and also easy for Fluffy to eat and drink while wearing it. I'll post some photos once they arrive!

Fluffy finds the most interesting places to sleep.

Last week it was in the food cupboard.

I have no idea how she got in there!

Now she likes the countertop! Yes, I do disinfect the area and the chopping board before I cook!

Good excuse not to cook!!

Everywhere she lies or sits, she has to be on something. I left my iPad and phone on the table and came back to this!

One way to keep me off social media

I really hope the Elizabeth collar helps!

Giving Flea Treatment

This post has an affiliate link.

 Every few weeks, we need to apply a topical flea treatment to the cats. 

I dread it, as I always end up with scratches.

This was from yesterday.

I know it doesn't look that bad, but after doing the cats, I went to clean the kitchen sink, using bleach! Talk about pain!!

Fluffy is the worst one. She hates anything being done to her. It's always a fight, clipping her nails or even just giving her a brush, she fights!  She also has a habit of hiding in places that are difficult to get to!

Having nine cats means we have to be careful with what we buy. I would prefer to go to the vet, but that would cost too much!

This is the product we use.

The flea treatment we use

We buy from Amazon, here is the link  https://amzn.to/46x6sHw

There are six capsules, so we have to buy two or three boxes at a time.          

The treatment lasts about 3 weeks! 

I also keep the carpets and bedding clean; it's an ongoing fight, but worth it!

Here's Fluffy finding yet another strange place to sleep.

Yes, it's the fridge drawer she's sitting on!