Hello again, everyone. Thankfully, I am back again this month. For those of you who missed a blog or two recently, I was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, and I heard my doctor tell my mom I probably won’t make it until the end of the year. I won’t lie to you, it’s been really hard on me and my mom. I don’t want to leave my mom, and she doesn’t want me to either. We are snuggle buddies and so much more. I need a genie in a bottle so I can make wishes, but my mom says that genies in bottles aren’t real, and prayer is. So we’ve been praying.
I have been doing a bit of research on cats and found some interesting things and thought I’d share them with you. It’s about seven signs you are your cat’s primary source of comfort. I found this info on Parade Pets.
They nap on or near you – One adorable sign your cat trusts you is where they choose to sleep. Cats love their naps, and so do I. However, kitties are rather particular about where they sleep because it’s such a vulnerable state for them, according to Dr. Liza Cahn, DVM. “When a cat settles on or near you, they are showing that they feel safe in your presence.”
They rub against you – You may notice that your cat is always rubbing against everything – furniture, a scratcher, or your rug. But why does a cat rub against you? Cats rub with purpose. Dr. Cahn explains that they have scent glands in their cheeks, chin, and the top of their head. These glands deposit pheromone markers every time a cat rubs.
Dr. Cahn says that when a cat rubs against you, they are marking you with their scent as familiar and safe, which is often a true sign of affection and trust. So while this may be a strange behavior to you, it’s actually a sign your cat loves you.
They lick you – Dogs aren’t the only animals that lick to show affection – cats do too. In fact, if your cat feels safe with you, Dr. Cahn says they’ll perform this form of “allogrooming,” which is a social bonding behavior they typically reserve for other felines in their colony. It’s quite the compliment if your cat decides to lick you for this reason. It’s a cat trust sign that they consider you a true member of the family.
They come to you after hiding – Many cats will run and hide when something scares them, such as strangers walking in the door, a car backfiring or when they don’t feel well. However, Dr. Cahn emphasizes you don’t need to be offended if this happens a lot, as hiding is normally a cat’s first natural instinct if they feel frightened.
If you are your cat’s first stop after they come out of hiding, it’s a clue your cat feels a deep sense of security in you, and it is a strong sign that they find your presence to be comforting and reassuring.
They vocalize when they need something – You may be your cat’s favorite person if they talk to you and express their emotions. In fact, adult felines will generally reserve a meow only for their humans and not strangers. Cats may meow to communicate their needs to you, whether it’s food, play, or social interaction.
This shows that your cat feels protected by you and has bonded with you. Therefore, they know if they get your attention, you will help keep them safe and help them when they need it.
Increased vocalization can also be a sign of pain or illness and should be brought to your vet’s attention if it is new, persistent or accompanied by other symptoms.
They like snuggles – Cat-human companionship can be tricky, but Dr. Cahn adds that some cats show they trust their pet parents by letting them hold them.
Seeking you out for physical contact is a sure sign that your cat is comforted by and enjoys your presence and when a cat relaxes in response to your touch, it means they are truly comfortable with you. So if your cat likes to cuddle, remember it means your cat feels secure in your arms.
They give you love bites – Why does your cat bite you? “Love bites” are usually soft and won’t break the skin, and cats often use them to seek attention or play. Still, you may not like this sign that you are your cat’s primary comfort source and actually find it rather uncomfortable.
Some cats may do soft bites when they’re frustrated or overstimulated as well, so context matters. Following your cat’s cue can make it more likely they’ll come to you for comfort when they want or need it.
In other news, my mom is still giving me daily IV fluids. She swaddles me in a throw or towel, and I let her know I want to sit on her lap while she gives them to me, and that’s what she does. We have the bag of fluids hanging from a coat rack and when it’s time she drags it over to the love seat, and we can sit in comfort. When we’re done she pushes the coat rack back to where it belongs. It works really well.
The fluid peps me up, and sometimes I sing a little jingle that goes like this: I wiggle, wiggle, wiggle and do a little jiggle… I hum the rest because I haven’t made up any more words to go with it. Sometimes I sing it over and over. Then my mom starts in and that’s really funny because she can’t carry a tune. So if anyone can think of some words to go with my jingle, feel free to let me know.
As for what I am eating now, I no longer eat canned renal food. I just couldn’t do it anymore, so now I eat baby food – chicken, and turkey puree. But in the middle of the night, I do eat dry renal food. And after my IVs, I get a Churu for a treat. If you haven’t given your cat a Churu, please do. My mom gets mine at Chewy, although my doctor’s office has them too, but they’re a little more pricey. They come in assorted flavors, and I love them all. They are individually packed in what looks like a beef jerky stick, but when it comes out it looks like yogurt, and boy are they yummy. Sometimes she gives me one just because she loves me.
I also get greenies for treats, and I have a joint supplement I am on that I love, too. They’re like treats, not a pill. We sure go through the baby food, though. There’s not very much food in those little jars, but at least for now, it’s something I can eat. I need to gain weight. The last time I was at the doctor’s office I gained a whole ounce, and you should have heard how excited everyone was.
Guess where I am headed to today? I have to see the doctor for a check-up and more tests. They’re going to send out the blood, because it is cheaper, and it isn’t necessary right now to do it in-house. The results are back in a day or two anyway. The last time my thyroid was great, but it fluctuates. Right now, I take half a thyroid pill in the morning and the other half in the evening. In the evening when I get my pill, my mom has to put on those gloves like doctors and nurses use and then she puts an appetite stimulant (ointment) inside my ear on the ear flap. The next night, she puts it on the other ear flap. It’s rotated. She rubs it in really well. Have you ever had your ear flap rubbed? It’s like getting a massage and it feels great.
My mom’s knee is doing well. She’s starting to have issues again with her spine. She has 3 bone diseases, and two are rare. There’s nothing they can do for her except treat the pain, and she can’t get any relief until October 22nd. That’s a long time to wait. I wish the hospital would hire another pain management doctor. They could surely use one. Where we live, there are two in the same practice, but more are needed.
Okay, that’s it for now. I will leave you with this quote: “No matter how bad your day is, your cat will always make you smile.” – anonymous
Please remember that we are never guaranteed another day on this earth, so please tell your friends and loved ones how much they mean to you.
Take care everyone and know that I love all of you.
Love Maverick
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