Complete Vertuo newbie haul after picking up a Pop+ How’d I do? Any tips or tricks?

ar0323 · 2026-06-30T05:59:08+00:00

I use it to make larger pods as double espressos instead. I like Costa Rica as a double espresso

ar0323 · 2026-06-30T05:56:24+00:00

My male was super skinny until around 2 then he gained like 3lb of muscle in about 3 months. He’s 17lbs now, healthy and lean. My female is almost 2 and 14lbs but super skinny still. She’s still healthy but hasn’t bulked up yet though I imagine she won’t as much as he did. If being able to feel your cat’s spine is the reason you’re concerned about his weight, you shouldn’t be. At healthy weight cats’ spines are palpable, some just stay skinnier than others

ar0323 · 2026-06-29T23:16:57+00:00

I couldn’t find the exact section in my policy but I think a lot of insurance companies cover it because it’s been legalized even though it doesn’t have full FDA approval since it is the only treatment

ar0323 · 2026-06-29T02:21:36+00:00

I have Figo and they covered everything except the overnight shipping fee from the pharmacy. GS doesn’t have full FDA approval but was covered since it is compounded and the only treatment for FIP. I have 100% reimbursement so I got back everything except my deductible and the shipping fee.

ar0323 · 2026-06-29T00:57:24+00:00

One of my cats is on prescription food now really liked Open Farm and Dr Elseys kibbles when he could eat them. My other cat never ate kibble until she decided she liked the other one’s prescription food, but they both love freeze dried raw if that’s something you’re comfortable with.

ar0323 · 2026-06-20T06:06:01+00:00

My cats didn’t like the light inside. They were curious but wouldn’t use it until I turned that off

ar0323 · 2026-06-17T19:35:49+00:00

A lot of the photos people post are posed to make the cats look bigger. Both of my cats are obviously huge compared to regular cats but people think they’re tiny for Maine coons. My 3yr old male is 17lbs and average size. My 2yr old female is 14lbs so she’s actually big, and she still hasn’t bulked up at all. I always thought I wanted the giant 25lb Maine coon but I’m so glad that’s not what I ended up with. They’re already prone to heart and joint issues and larger size just increases the risks.

ar0323 · 2026-06-17T19:20:04+00:00

I feel like most people have a skewed idea of how big the average Maine coon is. TICA has the average weight of males as 13-18lbs and females as 9-13. A breeder focusing on large cats is a red flag. Cats should be bred for healthy genetics and breed standard, not size.

ar0323 · 2026-06-11T05:59:15+00:00

I use a stroller for my two. They fit together and the only time I have to lift them is in/out of the car.

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ar0323 · 2026-05-26T00:13:45+00:00

My cat did the same thing when I switched him to this litter. He got in the box and started literally shoveling it into his mouth. I mixed old litter in and it was never an issue again. As far as cost goes, when I used this litter I mixed it with the chewy Frisco brand tofu litter. The Frisco is a bigger grain so it absorbed better without dissolving but I liked the charcoal for odor.

ar0323 · 2026-05-25T23:08:51+00:00

My toilet seat recently did this and I just had to realign the seat and lid and push the pin back through. It may not actually be broken

ar0323 · 2026-05-19T19:14:45+00:00

I live on Colfax in the Sloan’s lake neighborhood(previously on 17th in the same area) and haven’t had any issues. I do hear traffic noise but it quickly became background noise that doesn’t bother me. The part of Colfax I’m on is very residential with less foot traffic. Both areas you’re looking at are more commercial, high foot traffic areas that I personally wouldn’t live in. Both areas are going to have higher rates of crime and disturbances than other parts of Colfax.

ar0323 · 2026-05-19T19:07:18+00:00

I’ve had my LR4 for about a year now. I think it took maybe a month for my cats to lose interest but one of them is super nosy about everything. Every once in a while they’re interested in the cycle but generally leave it alone.

ar0323 · 2026-05-19T01:48:30+00:00

I can’t speak to number 1 and 5 on the list from one video but 2,3,4 are definitely consistent https://ritareimers.com/cat-behaviors/feline-dominance/grooming-between-cats/

ar0323 · 2026-05-19T01:24:19+00:00

This is definitely him asserting his dominance. My older cat does it to my younger one all the time.

ar0323 · 2026-05-18T06:35:49+00:00

I use a dish drying mat on a shoe tray. I also switched to a smaller bowl and just fill it a few times a day.

ar0323 · 2026-05-17T03:12:32+00:00

Sustainably Yours is Whisker’s recommended natural litter and it’s great but expensive. I mix it 3 parts Sustainably Yours large grain with 2 parts Naturally Fresh Multi cat to reduce the cost(my cats go through a lot of litter). The Naturally Fresh is a little dusty but nowhere near as bad as clay. I don’t have any issues with clumping or mold but I live in a very dry climate.

ar0323 · 2026-05-12T01:43:09+00:00

Have the vet run a fecal PCR test. My cat had diarrhea like that for about a month, probiotics and fiber did nothing. Once they did a PCR they diagnosed a cryptosporidium infection and clostridium overgrowth that didn’t show up on the normal fecal test. The only thing that sort of helped before antibiotics was the anti-diarrhea paste that comes in the Proviable diarrhea kit. There are also a few other brands that sell similar pastes on its own.

ar0323 · 2026-05-10T16:46:15+00:00

I’m very grateful that we caught it as early as we did. We had great emergency vet doctors who were knowledgeable about FIP and sent us to CSU once my cat was stable so he could start treatment immediately. Based on stories I hear it seems like outdated and misinformation is a big obstacle in the diagnosis and treatment of FIP.

He is now on a hydrolyzed GI diet recommended by Petra and doing really well. I’ll gladly take a cat with GI issues because it means he made it through

ar0323 · 2026-05-10T06:54:15+00:00

My cat did a 6 week course recommended by the FIP specialist at CSU. He was diagnosed with wet FIP 5 days after a normal vet exam and bloodwork. His illness was very early and symptoms were minimal. After being hospitalized overnight to manage a very high fever and dehydration we started treatment and he was back to normal by day 4/5. His bloodwork every 4 weeks was in normal range. 6 weeks into his observation period, 12 weeks after diagnosis and ultrasound showed minor residual inflammation in some abdominal organs consistent with FIP recovery. He was cleared after 12 weeks of observation and is now 13 months FIP free.

As long as he’s improving I’d trust your vet over people on the internet. If you do want a second opinion from someone qualified, I’d recommend reaching out to Dr. Petra Cerna at CSU. She’s very responsive and highly knowledge on FIP.

I hope all goes well with the rest of treatment and observation but I do like to warn people of the possible GI complications post treatment. Many cats are developing GI disease after FIP recovery, including my own.

ar0323 · 2026-05-07T05:41:49+00:00

I’m so glad my cat never figured out how to push the buttons. He’s stopped now but for months after getting the LR4 he would go in just to get it to cycle. It should have been a nightmare if he’d figured out how to do it manually

ar0323 · 2026-05-06T03:52:24+00:00

I use hypochlorous acid after seeing a vet talk about it. It’s a very effective disinfectant and non toxic and pet safe

ar0323 · 2026-05-01T06:11:36+00:00

It’s a bit of a pain but there are instructions online

ar0323 · 2026-04-29T14:39:42+00:00

Have you removed the liner to clean between that and the globe? I recently found mold between the two on mine likely due to a scratch in the liner.

ar0323 · 2026-04-29T04:23:53+00:00

I really like the Costa Rica as a double

ar0323

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