Soda is a sweet senior lady of 15 years, who has recently been diagnosed with stage 1 kidney disease. She was rescued as a kitten and spent her whole life in a multi-cat situation with one loving owner, who recently moved into assisted living. This is what her foster volunteer …
Soda is a sweet senior lady of 15 years, who has recently been diagnosed with stage 1 kidney disease. She was rescued as a kitten and spent her whole life in a multi-cat situation with one loving owner, who recently moved into assisted living. This is what her foster volunteer says about her:
How would you describe the cat's general personality?
Soda is a sweet and very opinionated little old lady! She spends most of her days curled up on cushions or in little hidey-holes around the apartment. In the evening, she alternates between sitting on my lap, snoozing on a heating pad next to me, and hunting catnip mice. She's very energetic for her age, and VERY chatty!
Does the cat enjoy being pet?
Yes!
If yes, on what parts of its body does the cat like to be pet?
More or less all over - head, back, sides, belly
Are there any parts of its body that the cat does NOT like being touched?
She doesn't love having her feet touched, but tolerates it when she's sleepy
Does the cat come on your lap?
Yes! She really likes to sit perched with her front paws draped over my knees so she can look around the room easily.
Does the cat like to be held?
Not really, she tolerates it sometimes but squirms out of the way fast.
Does the cat sleep in your bed?
Yes! More frequently, she'll hop up onto the bed, do a lap around, take some pets, and then leave again. Sometimes she will curl up on my stomach or next to me while I'm sleeping. She spends most of the daytime asleep in the middle of my bed near or on my pillow.
Does the cat seek your attention?
Yes - if I enter a room she's in, she'll meow for attention and sometimes trot over to say hi. Especially in the evenings, she'll find me in the apartment and help me with whatever task I'm working on by inserting herself between my hands and my projects.
Does the cat like to play?
Yes, but on her own terms.
What are the cat's favorite games and toys?
She doesn't much like playing with things humans toss or dangle for her, but she does hunt her toys when they're strewn around the house. She carries catnip toys around in her mouth, mrowing victoriously like the mighty hunter she is (especially late at night). When she's on the prowl, she will sprint around the house at top speed for a few minutes and then settle back down in one of her cozy spots.
How vocal is the cat?
Very!
What kinds of sounds does the cat make?
She has a lot of different sounds! There's a warbly mrrrrrrow sort of noise to say hi when you enter a room, an imperious MRAH when she wants you to make space on your lap for her, and a repeated sort of chirpy noise that she seems to like it when you mimic back at her when she's wandering around the house.
Does the cat scratch a scratcher?
Yes
If no, please explain.
Does the cat always use the litter box?
Yes, though sometimes I think small bits of poop get stuck on her floof and drop off in a nearby room.
If no, please explain.
What food and frequency is the cat currently eating?
She eats Royal Canin renal support type D (slices in gravy) - 1/2 a can three times a day. She also has Hill's prescription diet renal support kibble that I leave out for her to graze on, though she doesn't eat much of it.
Is the cat picky about food?
Yes - she will not eat other textures of Royal Canin renal support, and had strong opinions about non-prescription food brands before she was switched to the special diet.
What is the cat's favorite treat?
She's not very treat-motivated
Does the cat ever swat (claws in) at you? If so, under what circumstances?
No
Has the cat ever scratched (claws out) you?
No
Does the cat ever nip (teeth without breaking skin) you?
No
Has the cat ever bitten you (breaking skin)?
No
To the best of your knowledge, how does the cat react to new people? Social? Fearful?
She is almost completely unbothered by strangers - she's a little jumpier when new people are around, but she's also very interested in getting pets from them if they're around when she's feeling active. If she's lying down, she enjoys getting pets from new people when approached gently, and will roll around on her back to get her belly rubbed!
If you have observed the cat with other animals, please describe how they get on?
She seems nervous when she can hear the dog that lives upstairs, but I don't know how she is with dogs in general. She used to live with another cat and it sounds like that was okay.
Does that cat have any cute/quirky traits that aren't covered by the previous questions?
She likes to hide in dark enclosed spaces, but this seems to be because they're cozy rather than because she's afraid, because when you enter a room where she's hiding she'll start chirping to say hello! Also, when I was out of town for the weekend, my friend said she piled up all of her toys in the doorway to my bedroom in an attempt to summon me back. She really, REALLY likes the heating pad I set up for her on the couch next to me, and will get up and paw at me to turn it back on when it automatically shuts off.
In your opinion, what is the best thing about the cat? Why should an adopter choose THIS cat to adopt?
She's the perfect mix of cuddly but not too clingy. She's chatty but not yowly. She doesn't need to be around people 100%% of the time, but she's very social and likes to be able to check in on what you're doing. She will be your friend and she'll make friends with your friends!
What are the cat's challenges and how have you found to best manage them?
Soda isn't very food-motivated, and I've struggled a bit to get her to eat as much as she should. She also has some (mild) kidney issues so making sure that she drinks plenty of water is also important (I use a water fountain). Also, once every couple of weeks or so she'll have a particularly chatty/rambunctious night, and this can make sleeping a little difficult.
