Kyrre got a girlfriend + I need some advice/info.

We are looking after this cute girl named Musti, while her owners are temporary "homeless" (they live in a caravan while waiting for their new appartment). She is the most affectionate cat I've ever met, she DEMANDS cuddling, and sometimes she'll bite if I stop petting her :mrgreen: It might have something to do with her being in heat also, something I'm not so thrilled about... It's really annoying, but I've given her birth control pills while she has been her, so she is calmer now.


She will grab my hand and take care of business herself if I stop petting her:


Begging for attention:


But I have to say I'm not so impressed with her owners... I Sendt an sms to them today, asking if they knew how long she would be staying here (they are looking for a temporary app. instead of the caravan. Their new app. won't be finished before early 2008). And I also asked if they could buy a quality food and litter. Now she eats Kyrres food and she has a non-clumping litter wich she drags around the house.

This woman asked if Musti was bothering us, and I answered things would get better with a better food and litter, plus my bf is starting to think he is allergic... (crossing my fingers that hes not). She replied that Alex (my bf) must be allergic to Kyrre as well, but as a last resort they would have to put Musti to sleep if she couldn't live with us anymore... Can you believe that? Trying to make me feel bad, just so they can save some money :x I'm just thinking about what is best for the cat!

Before she came to us, Musti had been living at a kennel for a month. She was skinny, her fur was one huge mat and it was obvious that she didn't thrive there. Now she lives here, for free, and I just get so angry when people value money more then their pet...

The woman agreed to buy a new litter, but according to her, the vet said the food they use is more than good enough. It's the cheapest of the cheapest brands, and I have a hard time believing that. Does anyone knows what I should look for, comparing Kyrres food (Royal Canin) to Mustis? The only different on the ingredients list is that the cheap food has grain as the first ingredient, while RC has dehydrated poultry meat. The ash content is actually 0.8% higher in the RC food...
I want to convince them to buy a better brand, but I don't want to start an argument without knowing what I'm talking about. Maybe anyone has a good link on the subject?

Phui! This turned out long, but I just had to get that of my chest :wink: Mustis owners are my roommate's (Jane) parents, so it's actually her that is looking after the cat. But since I'm the cat-lover and she is allergic, I automaticly tend to her more than Jane does. I Don't mind doing it, but I would expect at least a little gratitude, and not a hostile attitude...

 

Hi Bente. That's a tough one, being as it's your roommate's parents. It sounds like these people care very little for this cat (cute pics by the way :mrgreen: ). For them going out of their way and spending more money on a better food isn't worth their time or money. As for that food, anything that doesn't have meat (such as chicken) as the first ingredient isn't quality food. In other words, any by-products or fillers as the first ingredient isn't quality food.

If they keep insisting that the food and litter is fine and make no effort on their part, I would ask if you could find her a good home, since they don't care for her needs (not to mention they are willing to put her to sleep).

Honestly, people that like should not have an adorable, loving cat like her. Plus she needs to get spayed as soon as possible. It's just better for everyone and her health too.

Good luck.

 

She's a cute one! How sad that people who don't care about pets keep pets only to pawn them off on someone else without taking on any real responsibilities. It would be wonderful if you can find her a permanent, loving home. Best of luck!

 

She is absolutely beautiful! What a shame about her owners.

My suggestion is this...since there isn't a huge difference in price on quality litter or food (here in the US, it's about a dollar, two or three), could you ask them to just give you the money that they pay for the crappy food and litter and just eat the cost difference to buy what you think is best and buy it yourself? Or perhaps chop up some of your own meat-food stuffs like chicken or beef when you have it and add it to her dish (unseasoned, of course).

Just a suggestion that would save you a lot of grief. You're definitely in a tough situation there.

OMG, I can't believe that they would put her down rather than pay a little more a week for food/litter when she's being boarded and cared for free. I couldn't even imagine thinking along those lines about Booger if I were unable to keep her.

 

I don't think they'll actually put her to sleep, but they just use it as a "threat" to keep me quiet... Well, that won't work :wink: I know they love her, but as so many others like them they think of her as "just a cat". It's wierd how that attitude is so common amongst cat owners.

Thanks for all the good advice. I'll read up un the food subject, and do as Cassie suggested: ask them for money, and buy the food myself

 

These people do sound totally unfair. You are a kind person to do what you are doing. I don't have any good suggestions. Best of luck. Keep us posted.