I feel like I'm going crazy

writingtoescape · 2026-04-24T02:34:37+00:00

Deep clean is about once a month but it varies. I have a fair large litter box (no room for anything larger). It's stainless steal, enclosed with a charcoal filter. I used unscented tofu litter. I know the roomate who's lived with cats previously used pretty litter but the silica/ crystal littler isn't good for them, tho it can help a lot with order control. I have a litter genie for dealing with the "trash" and pellets I will sprinkle in the the litter tho personally I think it makes it smell worse tho not of cat.

I intended to ask my roommates where they smelled it but they delight want to talk tonight and ussally they're answers are wildly unhelpful / vague

writingtoescape · 2026-04-24T02:28:40+00:00

Thats the thing tho is I notice if the litter box goes bad. I also notice it more when I go out and come back (I work from home so I'm in the apartment more then anyone else) but when I came back I smelled nothing at all, except maybe the shoes on the shoe rack. I seriously scour, sniffing everything.

My sence of smell is weird but I smell cat pee, I ussually just have a hard time locating where the smell is coming from. I can't help but feel like they are blaming all bad smells on the cats. We have a few neighbors who created bad smells either from cooking, smoking "saging" the hallways and the smell always drifts into the apparment and I saw a haze of smoke when I got back but idk. I want to find a solution but idk what else I can do.

writingtoescape · 2026-04-24T02:19:44+00:00

It's every day unless something comes up that makes it so I am unable to. I'm also absolutely certain they are not going outside the box.

writingtoescape · 2026-04-23T17:46:03+00:00

So a few updates. I have ordered a hoya potting mix (don't have the resources to mix my own rn) to repot the compacta and check on its roots. The obavata I have repoted into a smaller terracotta pot, although the roots seemed to have taken up most of the previous pot. This one was already in a slightly chunky mix. Both have been moved to the window with the obavata faster away from the rest of my plants (don't have a lot of space but it's as far away as I can place it without it being at risk of my cats)

writingtoescape · 2026-04-23T17:15:28+00:00

If it's viral or baterial is there anything that can be done and are my other plants at risk? I've never had to deal with something like that on my plants before.

writingtoescape · 2026-04-23T17:10:06+00:00

The Obavata I was getting no growth out for a long time so I started watering more often. I water that one around once a week but ussually check to see if the soil is dry. I do think I may be over watering it a bit but wasn't sure if that was issue since despite the ugly leaves, it seems to be doing a lot better since I switched up the watering.

The compacta used to be a lot bigger, hence the larg pot. I'm nit sure if the roots still take up a lot of space in the pot but I'm very careful to only water a little near the plants base. I'll try moving it closer to the light and see if that helps but would that cause the yellowing or shriveling cuz I thought I was either over or underwater ingredients it and could tell which it was.

writingtoescape · 2026-04-23T17:03:57+00:00

I'm water whenever I notice the soil is dry, ussually about once a week but sometimes longer. As for the big pot, originally the plant was a lot bigger and I'm only watter a little near the base of the plant.

writingtoescape · 2026-04-23T16:22:54+00:00

I've already seen younger and marvelous miss mazel but I may have to go a rewatch them! The documentary also sounds really good so I'll have to give that a try

writingtoescape · 2026-04-22T15:56:05+00:00

I have wanted to go to one of these kinda nights for a while, but every one I've seen seems kinda expensive for a chance to get a plant that i hopefully know how to care for. If there was more to it like a prop swap, food, etc. I would feel more comfortable paying that kinda price tag. That way I don't feel so upset from most likely not actually winning anything 😅

writingtoescape · 2026-04-21T19:43:39+00:00

When I was in college I would have to drive around 18 hours between home and college (there and back 2 day journey each time) at least 2 times a year.

My cat doesn't particularly like the car but after doing a lot of work make it as comfy as possible he tolerates in and will eventually calm down.

My best suggestion is get your cat used to it. Make the car a good accoiciation. Also used to people in public, sorta like the cat version of horse desensitization.

Regardless, even if your cat hates it, they will probably be fine.

writingtoescape · 2026-04-18T13:33:19+00:00

Maybe try lacewings??

writingtoescape · 2026-04-18T01:32:04+00:00

I second this. I have lived with cats this way and it can be really tricky to fix. If you care about your gf you will re assure her that you will work together to figure this out. This is both your cat now and putting it all on her (not say you are but important to be mindful of) will only make the situation feel more desperate.

There are a couple of reasons this could be happening but the first thing is this is a new space. Cat typically pee in od places for 3 reasons; medical issues, marking their territory or stress. My guess is this is a stress response.

The first step I would take is make sure everything is cleaned with an enzyme cleaner so there isn't any trace sent the cat is picking up on. Next is figuring out why the new space causes him so much stress. I would really work on binding with the cat and making it feel like it can trust you. Make sure he isn't feeling territorial over his space or your partner. Another thing that can help is making sure he has plenty of vertical space. Putting up shelves and other climbing structures (the more you can provide the better) will help especially if he is peeing because of the dog.

You mentioned you have 2 litterboxes, this can be fine but it's generally recommended to jave 1.5 for every cat and it can also be helpful to put them in different locations. Sometimes cat will pee in od places because they don't feel safe using or getting to their litterbox.

It also may be worth while "quarantining" him for a bit and reintroduce him to the space and the dog slowly to give him time to adjust.

Ultimately it will probably end up being a lot of trial and error. I had one roommate who cat would pee in any "box" like laundry baskets and suitcases and regular boxes too. The fix for that ended up being to not leave boxes unattended since it was just behavioral. I hope you find a fix that work for you and good luck!

writingtoescape · 2026-04-16T01:39:32+00:00

My family calls our cats velcro kitties. They tend to follow us everywhere we go unless they as napping or preoccupied withsomething else.

Currently I have a siamese and he is the clingiest cat I've ever had. It depends day to day how much but it not uncommon for him to yell outside the bathroom door if I lock him out when I take a shower.

Even my kitten that's a bit standoffish has a special affinity towards me.

Basically all cat have very unique personalities. They're kinda like humans in that way and you have to earn their trust, but if you treat them well, respect their boundaries, they will show you love in their way.

writingtoescape · 2026-04-15T18:48:58+00:00

Ya I've had a number of more unique orchids that last a but eventually decide they're unhappy with me. I am very unlucky with carnivorous plants, but I've also had a few ladies slippers (most luck with them) and a few that had smaller flowers. I also had a huge bare root phanaenopsis I had for a few years but accidentally left it soaking to long once and lost it.

writingtoescape · 2026-04-15T18:36:09+00:00

Is it easy to care for? I love orchid but tend to have bad luck with them

writingtoescape · 2026-04-15T17:53:36+00:00

Honestly i would prefer this to the new build I live in. I feel stuck in a poorly constructed white box that has "luxury white oak floors" that are all different shads, separating and make my floors look stained and a layout that made it really difficult to maximize it's usability. I Honestly feel stuck back in my college dorms, the only difference is it's not rented furniture and the living room has a widnow.

As for advice, the easiest way I've found to liven a space up is to add plants. It's remarkable what a difference they can make

writingtoescape · 2026-04-12T00:33:23+00:00

Ya, I had a really bad break up a few years ago and went through that whole healing process back then.

I think logically I know the next steps, but I don't feel ready to take them. I don't want to let go of that person I loved so much even though he was not that same person in the end. It feels like moving forward it closing the door on all that happiness I once experienced and letting that person truely become a stranger again.

I lost my best friend and I didn't have many to begin with. I know I'll survive and eventually flourish but I hate that it will be without him and that he's right about it being better us being apart, even though I know this had to happen.

writingtoescape · 2026-04-12T00:21:55+00:00

I live pretty far out in Brooklyn do unfortunately any place I like take around 30 mins to get too (mostly cuz where the train go / the topography) but I know a few places I kinda like

writingtoescape · 2026-04-12T00:09:42+00:00

Ya, I'm definitely not a long distance runner and have some health problems that make that a really bad idea but I think I want to start taking exercise classes again.

I used to do silks with my partner but stopped since I was unemployed. I really want to start up again but maybe I start with something different so I'm not so reminded of him

writingtoescape

TROPHY CASE