General Chat

On refilling the cat food cupboard, I found some cat ''stick' treats.
I decided to give one each to George and Betty.
They didn't know what to do with them!

I've never, as a rule, given my cats treats. When George broke his jaw, (over 11 years ago) and was prescribed antibiotics, there was no way I could hold his mouth open to make him take them, so, to get him to eat them, I'd throw them to him - he thought it a lovely game, and scoffed them down.
When the antibiotics finished, I weaned him off this game, by throwing dry cat food to him - at ever decreasing intervals.

Since then - no treats - well not conventional ones. I do very occasionally give them sardines or pilchards (usually if they're near their 'use by' date) - in a food bowl, and extra to their food. They usually lick up the tomato sauce.

I even broke a bit off the sticks I gave them today, to make things easier.
They like the smell, Betty has taken one over to her food bowl, but that's about it!
I expect I'll end up breaking them up into small pieces and putting them in with their dry food.

Have my cats missed out on being bribed?

I gave my late, lovely Desmond treats a couple of times but he galloped them down so fast that he made himself sick each time.

Couldn't see the point of that so I stopped.

Didn't think you could bribe cats.

I never could with mine.

My sister has what has become a routine of giving her cat treats, so much so, that the cat expects them.
Just like to say that her cat is a nasty snarly vicious piece of work, that will let you stroke her - so it's easier to bite your hand :-| :-|

My cats, on the other hand have NEVER scratched or bitten anyone in anger/malice/'cattiness'.
Both of them will, however, gently gnaw your fingers/hand when they're ecstaticaly happy.

I don't think cats can be bribed Sue - the cats bribe their staff.
Dogs can be bribed but as ours is such a greedy little begga we resist.

...so I've refused to be bribed? That makes me feel better! :-D

My cats tend to understand 'requests' given to them.
Like 'no', 'down', 'Foooood', 'stairs' (to George when he's hyper) and 'foff' when he's on the keyboard, or either of them turn up when I'm changing sheets. :-|

Betty gets an occasional brush - which she loves.
George gets cuddles, (which Betty dislikes), so they are shown individual affection.