Treats?

My new kitty, Tommy, is thriving, filling out from being so thin, really coming into his own.  He is a joy to be around, really a perfect cat in every sense of the word.  I do have two concerns. First, he does beg for food. He acts like he would eat anything.  I'm strict about only allowing him cat food...but I do buy every flavor of those Friskies Temptations.  We give them to him 3-4 times a day.  He loves them all but I'm wondering if he's eating them in place of his food.  Ar they as nutritious?  I give him 8-10 little treats (They are tiny pieces) at a time.  Do y'all think I should cut back on them?

Now to my second concern.  It looks like we will be gone for 3 wks, not two, over Christmas.  Can't take him so I have to board him.  Found a really nice place that is part of a Vet clinic. His "home" will be 2  4 ft cubes that connect through a circular hole between them.  One side bedding and food, other side litter. Flooring is solid.  It sounds great but 3 wks is a long time.  The girl in the office said she would take him out for a bit every day, but I am worried because he is soooo attached to me.  Maybe I should put one of my old T-shirts in with him.  Does that sound stupid?  I don't want him to get depressed or feel abandoned.

[nancyjac]

What a little cutie he is!  

As for the treats, they are fine, but not a substitute nutritionally for his regular diet.  If your are concerned that the treats are replacing his regular diet, I would suggest cutting down the number of times per day your give him treats.  I give them to my own cats once a day.  We have a whole routine built around it so it is actually a "treat" that is different from normal feeding.  I do it the same way everyday (after our own dinner and kitten clean up).  The cats know it is coming and delight in the anticipation. It is not just the tasty treats themselves, but the whole routine that makes it special.  

Boarding causes stress for any cat.  They have no way of knowing that it is only temporary.  At the shelter, owner surrendered cats are at much greater risk for depression than strays because the shelter (or any boarding facility) is a big step down from what they are used to).  It is particularly hard on older cats, so your's being a kitten is plus.  Kittens are generally more adaptable to change.  If there is a neighbor you can pay to come to your house once a day to feed, clean litter box, and spend a few minutes with Tommy, that might be a better (and less expensive) situation for him.  But if not, definately send some things with him (a favorite toy, a piece of clothing with your scent on it, etc.)  It will remind him of home and bring him comfort.

[Jade59]

Not stupid at all, Linda.  When we boarded Jade those 10days after surgery, I brought one of R's old t-shirts, her mousie, her rug to sleep on and her little ceramic bowl she eats out of.  You're thinking is right on, as Nancy says.  Just a tip - send more than one used shirt, in fact, send several since accidents happen.  After Jades surgery, she didn't have a bm for days, then all of a sudden, one night, EVERYWHERE and everything had to either tossed or laundered.  

I would cut back on the treats if I were you like Nancy says.  I cannot really expand on Nancy's great advice other than to say eventually, Tommy will not be so little and then you could have a big problem on your hands with begging and such and the older he gets, the harder bad habits are to break.  We don't give Jade any treats at all, she clearly doesn't need them, haha.  Only time she gets anything special is after the vet or after we give her meds of any kind.  

I'm so happy for you, Linda!  I'm glad Tommy turned out to be just right for you.

[LindaTX]

Thanks, Nancy....he really is a cutie and a sweetie.  I will cut down to once a day on the treats, probably easier to change the routine now since he'll be boarded for the next 3 weeks. I wish I could have someone come in but since I don't really know anyone here and since he is still a kitten, I'll at least know he's in a safe environment.

Jade, thanks also for the tip about extra t-shirts to send...never thought about that.  Accidents do happen.  I am sending a few favorite toys and he does have a little mat with a scratching area on the end w/catnip. I'm sure he'll be just fine.  Since my husband will be here till the 22nd I'm going to have him go by every few days to check on him.