Basic Information
- If you are around the house or just away for a couple of hours, the cats can all be out together.
- At night or if you are away for more than a couple of hours, it is likely best to separate the cats. Remi and Chirp should always be put in the basement; Phil can be upstairs or down, you can play that by ear. Maeby stays upstairs all the time.
- Please ensure that they all have access to water, both upstairs and downstairs.
- In the morning, we usually don’t let them up until 9:00 AM or 10:00 AM or later (if possible), just to give them more time to use the litter box. They are then generally upstairs for the day.
Feeding the cats
- Wet food – before you go to bed, call “snack snack” – they should follow you downstairs – this is the easiest way to get them downstairs for the night. (Often, Phil won’t go downstairs, this is OK…). Feed Phil and Maeby last in the storage room. If small cans – use two and split between all four cats; if large can – split between all four. You can give the boys a small handful of Maeby’s dry food as well, if their dish is empty. The wet food is stored in the basement on the metal storage shelf.
- Automatic dry feeder at bottom of the stairs – just make sure it is not empty.
- Maeby & Phil – give them dry food at night. The dry food is located in the shelf above the storage room litter boxes. One large pink scoop (inside the food box), split between two bowls near wet food.
- While they are busy eating, you can easily close the basement door and leave them for the night.
- We leave the one basement light on and the storage room light on all the time.
- Please change their food bowls every couple of days or so.
Treats
- Try not to give too many treats as if they are full, the treats don’t work as well to get their attention; i.e. if you are trying to get them to the basement, shaking the treats or calling out “snack snack” is much more effective if they have a bit of an appetite!
- There’s a treat container in the kitchen glass cupboard that they can all have. If there are Temptation treats in the basement, just give these to Remi and Chirp. (The other two will barf them up…)
- You can set the treats on the half wall and then fire them randomly around the living room (Remi loves this)
- You can put a few treats into the Kongs if you are going out for a bit or if they need distracting.
- The boys really love to be brushed on the Ottoman. Maeby will tolerate it, but not her favorite thing.
Water
There is a water fountain in the kitchen, and a dish in the basement near the hot water tank.
The fountain can be filled by pressing the On/Off button until the unit stops running. Then lift the white pump up, and pour water into the reservoir. Then replace the pump (with cord coming out the back) and press the On/Off button 1 time until the icon with single water drop lights up. The pump will run when it senses motion from the cats (or anyone walking in the kitchen).
Please change out the water in the dishes at least every couple of days and give them a quick wash every now and then. (Remi in particular likes fresh water, especially first thing in the morning.)
You can also watch videos of how to fill and clean the unit:
Filling the Cat Fountain: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56EvGIWCMCY
Checking/Changing the Filter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKGdXVTHLjc
Litter boxes
- Automatic Litter Box in Storage Room. The complete manual is included at the end of this manual. Most commonly, errors are caused by the water sensor being dirty. To clean, see Page 16, Section B of the CatGenie Manual at the back of this book. The last page of the manual has a troubleshooting phone number you can call if needed.
- Litter Boxes in Basement, Storage Room and Colleen’s Office – try to scoop every day, or at least every second day if possible.
- Top up litter boxes with fresh litter if the level gets low after scooping.
Doors Left Open
- The spare bedroom door is closed all the time. It can be left open for Maeby and Phil and/or you can close them in there, but only if Remi and Chirp are locked downstairs.
- The Master Bedroom door is normally closed except at night or when Remi and Chirp are downstairs. Remi and Chirp are generally not permitted in the Master Bedroom unsupervised.
Need Help with the cats?
Sue knows the cats’ routine well as often looks after them when we are away short term – please feel free to call or message her. (See Contact Us section)
Vet details:
- Preferred Veterinary Clinic: Transcona Vet Hospital – 501 Pandora Ave W 204 222 5251 (Business Card on Fridge)
- Dr. Marni is the main vet for all cats, she has seen them most recently.
- Dr. K is also a good backup if Dr. Marni is not available. He has seen the cats as well.
- Emergency – If the above clinic is closed, we have used Plessis Vet Hospital at end of the street, 204-691-8838.