Conference misery::feline

133.0. "Behavior Change" by SHALOT::BROWN (Debbie Brown @OPA) Thu Jan 09 1992 06:27

    I have two neutered male cats - both are just over a year old and are
    indoor only.  I decided when I got these two as kittens that they were
    going to be indoor only because of bad experiences we have had in the
    past with our cats getting killed by cars.
    
    One of my cats, Buster, has always been sort of a "whiner", wanting 
    someone to hold him a lot, but just recently it seems that he has been 
    whining a lot more often.  I can't figure out why he is whining so much - 
    is it because he is wanting to go outside or what?  My other cat,
    Charlie, seems perfectly happy and hardly ever cries.  
    
    The other thing that Buster has done recently is change his food
    preference.  I have always bought them a variety of dry food - Chef's
    Blend, Whiskas, Cat Chow, Friskies, etc. along with Alpo and Friskies
    canned food.  Just recently, Buster has decided that the only dry food
    he will eat is Chef's Blend, but Charlie doesn't seem to care - he
    likes them all.  Also, I occasionally give them milk (Lactaid) or
    cheese as a treat.  Buster used to love cheese, but lately he just
    turns his nose up at it.  I have tried Science Diet and Iams, but they
    won't touch it either.
    
    Can anyone help me figure out what is going on with Buster - is this
    just a phase he is going through or what?  Both cats seem perfectly
    healthy - they will go to the vet for their annual shots in a month or
    so.
    
    Debbie

    Has there been any changes in living arrangements etc.....or something
    of the sort?  I know my sisters cats used to do really "strange" things
    when her boyfriend first moved in.  They have since become accustomed
    (thankfully, cuz they were urinating in her floor vents - which smelled
    real nice when the heat kicked on) to having him in her house and
    returned to normal.  
    
    I would think that if they seem healthy otherwise it might be just a
    phase.  
    
    I am sure someone else may have more ideas but thought I would add this
    one anyhow!
    
    Good Luck
    
    Pam

    Could Buster have a problem with his teeth?  My Little Bit was whining
    quite a bit, and the vet found an eroded tooth that had been
    perfectly fine at his last checkup 6 months ago.  The tooth
    came out, and the whining stopped.  I'll bet it hurt a bunch
    with the enamel gone like that....
    
    

    I hadn't thought about checking his teeth.  I'll have to take a look
    and see if I notice anything.