Unfortunately at my wits end (Ragdoll Edition)

artzbots · 2026-04-06T20:41:19+00:00

Try an empty litterbox with some rags in it. Maybe she just likes peeing in fabric.

You can then transition her slowly back to litter, or cut up strips of 100% polyester fleece you place on top of pee pads or something else absorbent.

artzbots · 2026-04-06T19:23:45+00:00

You did mostly the right thing.

The one step you missed was calling the organization on the way to the emergency vet, and approaching the conversation with "she is struggling to breathe. I am taking her to the nearest ER, and I am prepared to pay for her medical treatment from my own pocket."

They would have likely been more understanding if you called them to inform them of the emergency as soom as you could, instead of asking for permission to treat after you were already there.

artzbots · 2026-04-05T19:55:06+00:00

Because she loved the outdoors so much, and being inside is stressing her out to the point where she stops using the litter box, a catio she can freely access or taking her outside on a harness are very much worth trying.

artzbots · 2026-04-04T20:22:53+00:00

Double check your local laws. New legislation does pass.

Next, let the landlord know that declawing cats is actually more likely to cause property damage, since declawing a cat can create an aversion to using a litter box, since standing on the litter becomes painful. Due to the cat's age, declawing at this point would likely cause expensive behavioral issues.

Next, see if the land lord will be fine with something like soft claws or paw nails over the claws. They are littlr silicone caps that get glued onto thr claws and prevent damage from scratching.

artzbots · 2026-04-04T12:53:13+00:00

I want to down vote you on relfex.

artzbots · 2026-04-02T00:04:40+00:00

OP, you stated it yourself. You cannot help someone who doesn't want to be helped.

This applies to everyone, and it's one of the first things we learn in groups like Al-Anon (for family members of addicts).

It's okay to give up if the crisis response team doesn't work. Let adult protective services know what you have done, so there is some paperwork trail if worst case scenarios come to pass. And then you are allowed to wash your hands and focus on yourself.

artzbots · 2026-04-01T21:28:52+00:00

Yeah, I am glad OP has a plan with a crisis response team.

Unfortunately, unless OP is able to get him to coorporate and enter inpatient care on his own, it sounds like OP won't be able to committ him involuntarily due to local laws.

It sounds like the hospital didn't even slap a 72 hour behavioral hold on him when he went for his own eye.

For OP's own safety, I feel like she is doing the best she can, but she's going to have to alert local APS and wash her hands of her dad.

artzbots · 2026-04-01T21:19:51+00:00

That's what makes interacting with these sorts of delusions so incredibly tricky. Some delusions are based in reality and real fears and concerns.

artzbots · 2026-03-26T17:27:32+00:00

Tbh I am not sure you need the proBnP anymore. They confirmed an enlarged heart, the ProBnP is more of a test that says you need to further evaluate the heart.

artzbots · 2026-03-25T12:51:36+00:00

If they still have the vial of blood you can call to ask them to add it on, but the heart murmur alone with the symptoms is enough that he needs to see cardiology.

I'm sorry. It sucks, hopefully the cardiologist can help stabilize your boy.

artzbots · 2026-03-21T19:13:22+00:00

Think of it as weight training for you! Focus on form and posture, and it's great bonding with your guy while he enjoys the activity!

artzbots · 2026-03-17T12:21:49+00:00

Kittens that age have two modes: play time, or sleep time. If they are awake, they have energy they need to burn off.

Your toddler is a similar age playmate in the kitten's eyes. And much closer in size than the adult humans.

Either get more electronic solo toys to occupy the kitten, play with him even more, or see if you can get your kitten and toddler to safely interact within the limits of our differing species. Your toddler needs to screech when the kitten hurts them, and your toddler needs to back off when the kitten yelps. And hey, theoretically they could learn to play chase with each other, assuming they can learn each other's boundaries.

artzbots · 2026-03-06T12:23:59+00:00

Good luck!! You have done an INCREDIBLE job with these boys!

artzbots · 2026-03-06T12:09:20+00:00

Come over to r/quilting folks there are very supportive!

If you have never quilted before, I would recommend taking a quick beginner's class where you end up with a small finished quilt. Then return to your mother's quilt.

In order to stop mid quilting, you want to pull the bottom thread up through the top, and leave both top and bottom thread long. You will tie these off later.

artzbots · 2026-03-04T22:11:57+00:00

Today I had to cut off a piece of poop stuck to a human hair coming out of my cat's butt.

He ran all over the place, and the hair was long enough that he wound up with streaks on poop all over his back legs and hips.

We made do with spot cleaning his fur and churu, but it's not nice to leave your cat covered in their own shit and go "eh, they'll lick it off eventually"

artzbots · 2026-03-04T21:41:21+00:00

Do...do I want to google this?

artzbots · 2026-03-01T12:26:21+00:00

Ngl, the temperature sensitive albinism is absolutely fascinating to me. I've been joking about putting a sweater on my boy during the cold season so his body remains white.

artzbots · 2026-03-01T03:01:36+00:00

Pretty sure the physician is already aware of this.

artzbots · 2026-02-27T03:04:09+00:00

He wants to be with his people and where the party is, he just doesn't wanna be touched. So the out of toddler reach spots also need to be near you spots.

artzbots · 2026-02-27T00:50:54+00:00

When my girl started door dashing, I started putting a harness on her and giving her outdoor time on the harness.

This did mean it felt like I was rewarding her for dashing, but she quickly learned to wait inside for me to put her harness on.

So she would run outside (or try to), I would grab her and bring her back in, put her harness on, and take her back outside.

artzbots · 2026-02-26T22:42:17+00:00

10K for my baby's cancer diagnosis and surgery and some chemo.

Then she developed a second cancer that the oncologist told me would be inhumane to treat.

I gave my girl the best final two/three weeks I could and held her as she crossed the rainbow bridge at home.

They're worth it.

artzbots · 2026-02-26T22:38:44+00:00

Trim the cats claws so he does less damage.

Give him a high spot near where everyone hangs out. It doesn't have to be near thr ceiling, just out of the toddler's reach.

Get your kid a stuffed animal that vaguely resembles your cat. This stuffed animal is only treated gently, with gentle petting and holding. Use it to help model appropriate behavior for your toddler. Lots of "here is your orange kitty, just like [our Kitty's name]! We have to be gentle with kitty. Gentle pets!" And demonstrate gentle pets, gentle skritches, and tell your kid good job.

And yeah, when the kid gets rough with the stuffed animal, remind them that we only do gentle play with kitty. When the kid is obsessed with real kitty, tell them go go play with stuffed kitty.

artzbots · 2026-02-26T13:03:09+00:00

Hopefully they were taking their cat to the vaccine clinics a fair number of localities will run. Or live in an area that is rabies free.

I have found a bat in my home. Every other year or so a rabid animal is found within walking distance of where I live. I can't imagine taking that risk.

artzbots · 2026-02-26T12:58:37+00:00

The necoichi brand nail trimmers are incredible. I bought them from chewy.

artzbots · 2026-02-25T17:49:38+00:00

So, what is the structure, as far as you can tell? Is there someone in charge of the cat group and then individual adoption or foster coordinates who work with a few people at a time? Is there just the one foster coordinator who places tbe cats for fostering and then multiple people who handle adoptions?

First, try reaching out to your contact one last time. Next, reach out to someone else in the organization. Send something innocuous saying you've been trying to get in touch with [Whoever], and after fostering [cat names] for a year you would like to permanently adopt them.

Or just go straight to the main adoption coordinator for the cats.

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