Hey,

My finance and I's cat, Noah seems to have developed a taste for ribbon while his stomach has not.

We've attempted to lock down all string and ribbon, but he manages to find it from time to time. This last time he found a spool of ribbon that my fiance needed to take to work.

Now I have to take him to the vet to make sure he's not blocked up or knotted up inside.

If he manages to survive this, does anyone have any suggestions on how we can get him to break the habbit. I'm afraid this ribbon addiction is going to be the death of him.

Thanks

Have you pulled a string of ribbon out of Noah's butt yet? That's always a blast.

Luckily Chunk's ribbon affinity has never led to consumption. She's more of a houseplant muncher/regurgitator. It's tough to change a cat's behavior when you aren't around. I would just be vigilant when it comes to ribbons (tape, floss, etc...) and keep a squirt bottle on hand when you are home.

Have you pulled a string of ribbon out of Noah's butt yet? That's always a blast.


Not yet. Most of what I've read online has said not to pull the string out if it's dangling. Apparently that could cause the intestines to get knotted up.

The spray bottle works well. He also responds when I snap my fingers at him. He's got a knack for misbehaving when our back is turned though.

I'd say get him a good cardboard scratch pad and get him a cat climber of some kind with some polar fleece pieces hanging down. I've found a lot of cats can be broken of ribbon if you give them something of their own to play with that's entertaining.

Also look at getting one of these: http://www.perkypawscafe.com/items/pet-toys/cat-wand-toys~cat-pole-toys~boa-attachments/new-kitten-pole-newkittenwand-detail.htm

They can entertain the cat a lot and satisfy their stalk-hunt-kill instinct so the ribbon is less interesting :D

I agree with these guys totally (I know - weird, eh?) Cats need something to do besides eat, sleep, and look out the window...

We have 5 cats, so we have an enormous cat house/tree fort with multiple levels, and places for most of them to rest and play...
You don't need something quite that big for 1 cat, but you do need something it can climb up on, and play on/with...- why is that ppl think nothing of spending $100 for a playpen for their kids, but won't spend $50 for a playpen for the cat?

Cats need a place that is their's that they can feel comfortable with - scratch, play, etc, with no problems. If you don't give them something they can use, then they will use your chair or couch...

Actually I built my own cat climber, customizing it exactly to the space it sits in. Anybody want to hire me I'd be glad to do another one :D I can't say it'd be cheaper than buying one, but it'd fit the space you want it in!

And then my wife kills me for taking on another project...:rolleyes:

Hey com'on Twi, just remind your wife how you would much prefer to spend ALOT of time with her doing what she wants...

Then do it for a couple of days....''What are you doing honey. Can I help you dear? Why do you do that like that? Can you tell me what this does?" etc, etc etc...

Guaranteed you'll be back in the workshop in 3 days, tops! :D

Hey com'on Twi, just remind your wife how you would much prefer to spend ALOT of time with her doing what she wants...

Then do it for a couple of days....''What are you doing honey. Can I help you dear? Why do you do that like that? Can you tell me what this does?" etc, etc etc...

Guaranteed you'll be back in the workshop in 3 days, tops! :D

Already did that, works like a charm :D

Problem is that it's winter and we have a small house. So my workshop is half outside in the yard (includes all my big saws). So I can't really work on projects much during the winter. Which means they just pile up in the basement...:sad:

Actually I built my own cat climber, customizing it exactly to the space it sits in. Anybody want to hire me I'd be glad to do another one :D I can't say it'd be cheaper than buying one, but it'd fit the space you want it in!

And then my wife kills me for taking on another project...:rolleyes:

Hmmm.... I've been looking for more reasons to use the circular saw :)

Any links to provide some inspiration. I'm thinking the cats get the back porch once we move. We're planning to put a cat door on the sliding door track and keep their box out there. Why not give them something to climb on and scratch as well.

Hmmm.... I've been looking for more reasons to use the circular saw :)

Any links to provide some inspiration. I'm thinking the cats get the back porch once we move. We're planning to put a cat door on the sliding door track and keep their box out there. Why not give them something to climb on and scratch as well.

No inspiration really, I just looked at them in the store and went to town. Helped that I have a lot of scrap and 4 foot pieces of lumber :D I can take pics of how mine came out and general construction on it if you want.

Have you pulled a string of ribbon out of Noah's butt yet? That's always a blast.

.

George is a ribbon junkie, and I've pulled a few feet out of his butt:twisted:, you can spray with the bitter kitty stuff, but you just have to put it in a place where they can't get to it, which all cat people know is about impossible.

I just found out the Noah will be ok. :) He ate about 3 ft of ribbon. His stomach is irritated so I'm guessing the vet will send some medicine home with him.

I guess after we (fiance and I) finish moving and get settled, I'll build a cat tree.

I just found out the Noah will be ok. :) He ate about 3 ft of ribbon. His stomach is irritated so I'm guessing the vet will send some medicine home with him.

I guess after we (fiance and I) finish moving and get settled, I'll build a cat tree.

Good thought. :D

Buy cheap reject lumber 4x4's or round fence posts to use as the verticals. Wrap them in cheap twine or 1/4 to 1/2" sisal or manila rope and secure it with electrical wire staples. Instant scratching post that'll last nigh unto forever!

Oh Georgie just puked up some more ribbon. I have no idea where he got it, maybe in the mail?

Oh Georgie just puked up some more ribbon. I have no idea where he got it, maybe in the mail?

eBay. :razz:

I know the feeling. Ever seen a dog who chewed up a large part of one of those big blue tarps? They puke blue and they poop blue...

eBay. :razz:


I was wondering where he got the radio equipment, maps, lasers, gps and satellite dish. I knew I should have thrown away his pre-approved credit card applications.
I haven't seen a dog puke a blue tarp, but pretty much everything they can fit in their mouths. The worse was when my brothers lab ate a bottle of shampoo. It was coming out both ends for a week.

I was wondering where he got the radio equipment, maps, lasers, gps and satellite dish. I knew I should have thrown away his pre-approved credit card applications.
I haven't seen a dog puke a blue tarp, but pretty much everything they can fit in their mouths. The worse was when my brothers lab ate a bottle of shampoo. It was coming out both ends for a week.

Dogs are easy to deal with. Whey they eat something they shouldn't (or didn't know which one ate the chocolate chip cookies and left crumbs on the floor) just squirt in some hydrogen peroxide, make them swallow it, take outside, and wait 5 minutes. It's doggy truth serum :D

Not to slam the original poster or anyone else, but I've had cats most of my 40-ish years and never had a problem with them eating anything their not supposed to because I keep dangerous items secure where they can't get them. I don't understand what the big hassle is to keep ribbon or whatever in a drawer or plastic container.:confused:

My Bobby has a thing for plastic, especially cellophane. I have to watch him like a hawk..I do keep all that stuff put up, but he occasionally finds some somewhere.. maybe a Feliway diffuser would help, it calms my two cats right down. They're spendy-$42 @ PetsMart, but if the cats have peace of mind, I do too!

I found out where George found the ribbon yesterday. He knocked a Rubbermaid tub off a shelf in the basement which has all our wrapping stuff in it.
Good info TwilightZero, you have no idea how many times I have shoved my hand down a dogs throat to get something that I thought would hurt them.

Here's an idea...

My cat HATES hot wing sauce. Anything that will burn your nose when you take a whiff, he will not get anywhere near. If he does, his eyes immediately begin to burn and he backs up.

Try getting some hot wing sauce from Buffalo Wild Wings, Wingstreet, Hooters, whatever... and smother one of his favorite ribbons in it. I'm sure he'll change his mind about eating ribbons very shortly.

I've tried cayenne to keep George out of the house plants but
it seems to wear off quickly and he's digging in them again. Thankfully he rarely pees in them anymore.

For an anti-cat or anti-dog spray, I've seen this be effective:

Instead of spreading pepper powder or something like that, make a homemade pepper spray. Buy a big bag of those dried peppers a lot of places sell. Place them in a big pot with enough water to cover them about 2 inches. Cover, boil for about an hour. Pour the water through a strainer, squish out the remaining water (using gloves). Put the resulting mix in a spray bottle and lightly spray the plants and leaves daily or every other day. Works miracles :D

THAT is a good idea. But when you boil the peppers does it clear you out of your house. I'll try it when the weather gets better so I can open up the windows. Fortunately, George has been more preoccupied with destroying the shades rather than digging up the plants. He likes to keep his repertiore fresh.

THAT is a good idea. But when you boil the peppers does it clear you out of your house. I'll try it when the weather gets better so I can open up the windows. Fortunately, George has been more preoccupied with destroying the shades rather than digging up the plants. He likes to keep his repertiore fresh.

We used to have that a lot til they got their big cat climber. Now they almost all leave to clawing it (and me).

As far as boiling the peppers, I've never had a problem with it. The capsaicin stays in the water (where it should). Just keep the pot covered - the point is to boil the peppers, not boil down the water. And of course the more and hotter the peppers you use, the more effective it is. :D

No inspiration really, I just looked at them in the store and went to town. Helped that I have a lot of scrap and 4 foot pieces of lumber :D I can take pics of how mine came out and general construction on it if you want.

Hey Twi, can you build my cat one? It needs to look like Dante's Inerno or something from the pit of hell. She'll like that. Maybe a large toy will take her attention off me for awhile..Anything would help:sad:

Hey Twi, can you build my cat one? It needs to look like Dante's Inerno or something from the pit of hell. She'll like that. Maybe a large toy will take her attention off me for awhile..Anything would help:sad:

Can do, send specs, measurements, expectations, bribes, duties, and a few zombies and I'll whip something together right quick :D