Dear Butterbean: Get Heard and Get Fed!

Dear Butterbean,
All I want is my breakfast and my parents are still asleep. I'm trying to tell them I'm hungry, but they just don't seem to get it.

How do I get heard and get fed?   Help me, Bean!

Thanks,
Starving in Seattle

Dear hungry friend,

I'm quite familiar with this scenario, as is pretty much every cat in the whole entire world that's not able to feed freely.  I've got some tricks with proven results that I would love to share with you!

First,  it's important that you just annoy your humans, and not anger them.  Be reasonable and don't expect breakfast to be served 3:00 AM - you won't get good results at that hour. Wait until 5:00 AM to begin waking them.

Start by walking the perimeter of  the bed while meowing loudly.  When you cross the pillows, step firmly, and huff dramatically. You can step on their hair, but not on their faces.

 After five to six laps, stop and sit on your human, and give yourself a good bath.  Then, do a few more laps, but this time, meow louder, then sit on their pillow, and swish your floofy tail across their face.

If you don't get results after these first steps, it's time to turn it up a notch: lick their eyelids, put your nose inside one of their nostrils, or bite toes. You can paw at their face too, but do keep your claws in.

If this doesn't work, solicit help from your little sister.  It's much harder to ignore TWO hungry cats, than just one.  Chase each other across the room and over the bed multiple times.

Encourage your sister to do the naughtier acts, so if the humans do get mad, they're not mad at you, they're mad at her.   Get her to knock eyeglasses or jewelry off of the night stand, tip over water glasses,  or chew on earbuds or computer cords.  Make sure she just gnaws on them, and doesn't chew through. You don't want her to ingest anything or get electrocuted!

If they're not out of bed by this point, keep doing all of these things again, and again, and again until breakfast is served.

Bon Appétit!

Charelene Butterbean

Dear Butterbean: Does Fidel Need a Buddy?

Dear Butterbean,

I am a ten year old tabby. I'm friendly with other cats in the neighbourhood, and often invite them home, but I've always been an only cat. My human is thinking about getting a kitten from a shelter to keep me company. What do you think? Will it work out for us? I'm worried a new kitten will disrupt my strict schedule of yelling, eating, dashing unexpectedly about the house for a few minutes and then sleeping, which I repeat several times a day. What do you think?

Thank you for your advice,

Best wishes,

Fidel

Dear Fidel,

I believe that if introductions are made gradually, thoughtfully, and with great sensitivity to all parties involved, bringing a kitten into a home with an active ten-year-old cat like yourself,  can work.  We've placed many of our foster kittens in homes with adult cats, and have seen many successful mergers.    

It will be big change for you, and yes, it could be a little disruptive at first. There may be a few tense days (or weeks), but your human will help you through the adjustment. Just keep an open mind and trust that your human is expanding the family with your best interest in mind. You might find that you'll become an even happier cat.  Maybe you won't feel the need to yell or dash outside if you have a little buddy to keep you entertained indoors.

If your human decides to adopt a kitty, make sure they take time with this process. It's good for your human to visit many shelters and rescues,  talk with the "cat matchmakers" on staff, tell them about you and your personality,  and let the staff guide your human towards a good choice.   Generally, a younger cat of the opposite sex is the best match.  Has your human considered adopting a young adult cat?

With all of that said, I'm not suggesting that your human should or should not adopt a kitten or cat, I'm just saying we've seen success in similar situations.  Only you and your human know what's best for all of you.  Just give it some deep thought, consider all the factors,  and take your time when making this life-changing decision.

Good luck to you both!

All my best, Butterbean

Dear Butterbean

Last week, when I announced that "Dear Butterbean" would be a regular feature on the blog, we were absolutely flooded with questions. Thanks to all who contributed!   We're looking forward to tackling your cat's questions, and the topics you inquired about.

We did get a few medical questions in the batch, and because we're not medical experts, and would hate to give any wrong information, we won't be able to answer those. Please give your vet a call for any medical advice!

But any other cat-related topics, we're willing tackle those, so feel free to email us.




Dear Butterbean, 

 I'm a playful 9-month-old Siamese kitten and I love to wrestle! When I was a baby at my foster home, I used to wrestle with my brother and sister all the time and it was so much fun! They each went to their own forever homes, though, and my human friend doesn't enjoy play-fighting nearly as much. When I grab her hand and throw it to the ground or give it a few friendly bites or kicks, she always stops playing with me. I never bite or scratch because I'm angry or to be mean... I just want to play! It's so disappointing. 

How can I have my fun and still make my human friend happy? 

Kittens Just Want to Have Fun (and Bite)


Dear Kittens,

I was a foster kitten too, and lost my only sibling when were barely two weeks old. Because I didn't have a sparing partner during those formative months, I didn't learn "appropriate play".   I became a bit bitey and scratchy as a teen, so I understand where you're coming from. 

 As a kitten, your nibbles and scratches don't do too much damage, but as you become bigger and stronger, you can seriously hurt your human friends, and I know you don't want to do that.

You need a little training, and so does your human. 

For your human, I suggest that they always keep a stuffed animal or a soft toy between their hand and your teeth and claws. They should never let you wrestle with their hands.  It's going to take some time and discipline to get used to this, but like you, they must learn that hands are not toys. 

If by chance you do sink a toenail or tooth into their hand, they should always holler to acknowledge it was painful, and immediately end the play session.  I know this is hard for you, but this will help set boundaries and teach you what appropriate play is all about. 

You're still young, so there's plenty of time to change your ways.  Good luck to you and your human! 

Yours, 
Butterbean

Questions? Bean Has Answers!

One of our favorite features in the IBKC book is Charlene's "Dear Butterbean" advice column. In these segments, Charlene answers questions from cats and kittens on topics such as cat manners and etiquette, grooming, health and hygiene.  

Charlene and I had so much fun writing these sections together, we though we might try it on the blog, too.

So, does your cat or kitten have a question for Bean?  If so, email them to us HERE and please put "Dear Butterbean" in the subject line.   We look forward to your questions, and Charlene looks forward to sharing her wisdom.  She loves telling everybody what to do.   : )