Sarah Mitchell

Professional Pet Behaviorist

I'm Sarah Mitchell, your dedicated guide to understanding and improving your pet's behavior. As a Certified Pet Behavior Consultant (CPBC), I've spent years working closely...

My cats, Muffy and Tux, have been a constant source of great joy for me since I got them in the beginning of 2021. In fact, when I get a new cat, one of my first concerns is to make sure it will be able to use the litter box. Cats can be finicky creatures, and some simply prefer one kind of litter box over another, or one brand of food over another. Because I cannot keep track of all of the kitty foods my cats eat, I have to rely on TLC and other pet supply stores to pick out their food from a large, rack-mounted pantry.

When my cats finally decide to use the litter box: they often meow very weakly or not at all. This usually takes a few days to a week, depending on the progress. One day, they might just whimper a bit and then try again, but soon enough they were using the box nearly as well as the box I put them in. The next time, they were totally in the clear, moving about freely and making some of the most adorable noises imaginable. So, it seems that the only thing hindering their progress was my own vigilance.

After about a week or so: I went to check it out personally, and discovered the problem. Muffy and Tux were sitting straight up in bed, meaninglessly at nothing. I soon figured out that they were exhausted and needed to stretch their tired bodies a little. When I picked them up, I noticed that they were both very thin, which was typical for cats who were older. They could barely move after eating, and they were hunching over the edge of the bed.

I scooped them up and started playing with them: but Muffy quickly grabbed my arm and refused to come when I lifted her up. It was obvious that she was not feeling well, and that she needed some rest. It was at this point that I realized that it may have been a sign of another illness, so I took her to the vet. The vet confirmed that it was likely a urinary tract infection and gave Muffy the appropriate prescription medicine to take.

After a few days, Muffy seemed to regain her energy and appetite: However, she still was not looking forward to going to sleep. Instead, she would sit up all night, purring like a cat, or meowing lightly in her sleep. I began to worry, as she was not getting much exercise, and her attitude was not the best.

After some time, I noticed that she was standing up and stretching: but she was not getting any sleep. Suddenly, I realized that she was not sick, but I had to make sure. She was feeling better but was still not feeling good. This was my cats way of telling me she needed something. Thankfully, she was eating and drinking a lot more than normal, and was ready to come out of her cat’s paradise.

Now I know that if my cats are not feeling well, there is no need to worry as they are doing so nicely.