Covered cat flaps/poorly ginger tom

As Bola and the rest just barge thro' it without looking, I'm thinking about putting something dark coloured over the flap itself (on the inside) I don't think not being able to see thro' the clear plastic will bother them as they *know* what's on the other side, but it may well stop any unwanted visitors using it if they can't see thro' it.....................hopefully, it may work

Ian

it will confuse them to start with though as they may wonder what is at the otherside, ok they know, but they will be perplexed. As in what the hell has happened to the outside? I would think though once they know nothing has changed it will work fine. You've nothing to lose by trying.

I've got some wide parcel tape, so I'll start with some of that stuck right down the middle of the flap. There'll be enough of a gap either side for them to peep thro', but perhaps not enough for any *visitors* to risk coming in.

Ian

I put a strip of parcel tape down the middle of the flap and it's not been used since, tho' I think the fact that the poorly ginger and white has been sprawled over the doorstep for ages might have something to do with that.

On a side note, I hope I'm wrong, but it seems like this cat has started to go downhill, it looks to me as tho' he's now got tremors of some kind, nothing major but still there. He's also retching a bit too much for comfort, again, nothing major as he's not being sick and his appetite is as good as ever. His eyes still tell me he's in no pain and he purrs like a madcat when fed/stroked, but he surely can't have long left, in fact I'd probably make *that* decision now if he was mine.

Ian

Going by what you say, I agree, retching is painful never mind anything else he's to contend with, there is only so much that's acceptable before you have to stop being selfish and put the poor thing to sleep. Even if he doesn't look as though he's in pain, I would think he is. Sam purred right up to the end, but it still had to be done. Poor thing, my heart goes out to him.

Hi Kath,

It's more belching than retching, like his last meal is repeating on him. For all his problems he does seem happy enough atm, but I know I'd be thinking enough was enough now as it can't be long before it's obvious he's suffering.

Ian

Oh no. Poor fella. Have to agree, there comes a time when "our" feelings have to be put aside and have them at peace. God am so upset thinking about him.

Hmmm, just lost a post, but what I said was, as for the blacking-out of the cat flap - that wouldnt be an issue with Princeys as it is so minging filthy you cannae see through it anyhoo!

*Prince* wrote:Hmmm, just lost a post, but what I said was, as for the blacking-out of the cat flap - that wouldnt be an issue with Princeys as it is so minging filthy you cannae see through it anyhoo!

same here but they still sit and look out of it.

Teddy wrote:

*Prince* wrote:Hmmm, just lost a post, but what I said was, as for the blacking-out of the cat flap - that wouldnt be an issue with Princeys as it is so minging filthy you cannae see through it anyhoo!

same here but they still sit and look out of it.

It was the fact that mine is uber filthy that gave me the idea of blacking it out Thinking about it, even tho' cats have good eyesight at night, they couldn't see much thro' the flap but they still use it in the early hours, so covering it during the day probably wouldn't make much difference.

Ian

so we're all mingers where cat flaps and cleanliness is concerned, phew so glad about that.
Yes Ian I would say it's not going top make any difference to them.

There's certainly nothing wrong with the poorly ginger toms appetite, he's just finished off two satchets in no time and is sat there wanting more The poor lad keeps trying to come in every time I open the door tho', I can do without a cat in his condition trying to adopt me, tho' tbh, I don't suppose his owners would mind one bit if someone else took responsibilty for him.

I can't see money being a problem for this family in having him PTS, if it was I''d willingly split the cost with them, but this isn't the sort of thing you mention to people you've barely spoken to is it?

Ian

Poor GT. Its good to hear he still finds ample enjoyment in his food tho! lol

The poorly tom was sprawled on my doorstep from around 8am till mid afternoon, he so wants to come in but that's a big no-no, he can have as much food as he can eat, but that's it.

He amazed me earlier tho', not to mention making me feel even sorrier for him, but I was playing with Bola and Buddy with the fishing rod toy, turned round to find him there wanting to join in. He made a couple of feeble attempts to get a paw on the string as I pulled it past, but it was pathetic, and very, very sad to see.

Ian

Oh poor Poorly Ginger Boy. Its heartbreaking, but also lovely that he still has his spirit, to "try".

Awwww, I second what Nicki says... poorly wee fella, I guess its getting nearer to 'that' time for him.

He's been as different again today, obviously still poorly looking, but he sat there and gave his face a good wash after eating, not something a cat would bother about if it was feeling really ill. He's still bright eyed and happy enough, it's just a shame the rest of him looks so awful.

Ian

I put breakfast down for Bola earlier then heard the flap go. It had been opened clumsily so thought it was Buddy coming in, but when I checked the ginger tom with cancer had *invited* himself in. As he's deaf there was no point telling him to go so I just waved an arm about and he understood

That's the first time in a long, long time he's used the flap so the poor lad must have been hungry. I can tell by the way he sits on the doorstep at times it isn't food he's after, he wants to come in, but that's a big no-no I'm afraid.

If I knew for certain which vets his *owners* used, and it wasn't my vets, it's crossed my mind my mind to take him to mine at some point and tell them he'd got cancer but had been abandoned and ask them to put him to sleep, then bring him home and tell his owners I'd found him dead in my garden or shed. Doing that without knowing is too much of a risk in case my vets recognise him and let his owners know.

Ian

kindly thought, but risky, but the poor thing shouldn't be left like this, I can't understand his owners being so selfish, or are they so stupid that they can't see what's happening to him.

I suspect a lot of both tbh Kath. They're well aware he has cancer, it was they who told me and they must see he's going downhill, even if not rapidly.

It's the way he just sits there and looks at me when the others troop in and out at will. He must be able to get in at home at some point during the day, otherwise he'd be sat on my doorstep all day, but it's not pleasant looking at those please-can-I-to-come-in eyes.

Ian

oh god now that would tug at my heart strings. I wonder if his owners are just not prepared to pay to have him pts. Some people will not pay vets fees no matter what.

If that would tug at your heartstrings Kath, this would yank them.

I left the door ajar this morning as I was out trying to persuade Fudge to come in, went back into the kitchen to find the poorly ginger tom had invited himself in........................and the first thing he did when he saw me was roll over on his back for a belly rub.

He got one, but it's not nice on a cat who's lost so much weight, it was like giving a belly rub to a skeleton He loved it tho'

Ian

The poor fella, my heart just did a somersault for him. I guess we can only hope that his owners do the right thing soon, of course if he's rarely going home, they may assume he's happy elsewhere... or yep, they are just stupid and selfish... sad heart now getting mad... Why do people do this!? I mean, surely they must have teken him to the vets at one point to get him diagnosed? I guess some people think if they aint rolling around screaming then they aint suffering... poor poor fella... you don't know anyone who shoots do you? (don't hate me for that question, its just it would cross my mind.. don't hate me for that either lol)

If I thought I could *get away* with it, I've have him PTS myself. That said, he's clearly happy enough and still doing all the same things he's ever done, it's just that he looks so rough. If he felt really bad he'd surely want to be alone somewhere?

He's been sat on my back doorstep since at least 6.30am today, normally he wanders off an hour or so after being fed, but with it being weekend (treat time) he had ordinary catfood and some raw mince and a bit of cooked chicken, so I can't blame him staying. I don't get why he doesn't use the flap anymore tho', even when it's unlocked he waits till the door is open before wandering in now.

Ian

Bless him, he wants his treats! Yes, it is good to know he still enjoys his food! lol