Raja has a foot fetish

[lindyb420]

im just curious if this is a normal thing, as none of my other cats have had this behavior issue. My 10 month old neutered male tabby, Raja, has a kind of foot fetish or something. not only does he constantly rub on people's feet when they are sitting down, but he likes shoes. a lot. he sticks his face in my stinky shoes when i get home from the gym. he lays on any shoes left on "his" floor. my 4 year old spayed female tabby just looks at him like he is insane. its not an annoyance, just a strange behavioral trait that im curious about. thanks!

[kk]

..she loved shoes. It was like a child with his/her favorite blanky. She loved to scratch them, so I'd allow her her own special pair for that. She'd lie on them, hug them. If you went to pick her up, she'd wrap around her shoe and take it with her. When you got new shoes, she would stare at them, then finally get used to them. Right after she came to us (she was a stray), we could find her sleeping on the shoes in the closet. Seemed to make her feel safe. I don't know what it was, but it was just a part of her. Just like people fixate on certain things, animals do too. I have heard of others who love stinky shoes. Diva just liked shoes. She was my baby.

[Ron]

Although most cats don't exhibit this behavior, rest assured that your cat is not alone! I've had a couple of cats over the years that have behaved very much like your kitty. My guess would be that there is some odor that some, but not all, cats seem to find appealing. They all seem to have one quirk or another, don't they? LOL!!

[lindyb420]

well, raja is just a really cool cat anyway everyone i know who claims they hate cats has fallen in love with my babies. Lucy, the 4 year old, was raised with a puppy, so she has some doggish traits. raja is a ball of fun; he plays with everything, his favorite toy being a "kitty teaser" which is basically a feather duster on a long stick. i have even tied some long fabric ribbons to it. he carries it around the house all the time. i like to make him run in circles chasing it until he gets dizzy and falls down he makes everyone laugh. hes my doll baby. lucy likes the little "mice"; she literally throws them in the air then catches them in her paws and plays like that for hours. i usually make sure they are "high" on catnip most of the time, but we have added valerian root to their "kitty drug" regimine. valerian is great. they love the smell, and they act a different kind of crazy when they are on it i guess they are more than just my companions; they are my entertainment.

[lindyb420]

one more comment on raja. hes a spiteful little cat. he doesnt like my sister, so when she picks him up, he....um.....farts on her. and he can clear a room. he has no health issues to explain his gassiness, and he doesnt do it all the time. just to my sister and other people he doesnt really like. infant gas relief drops are a godsend.

[Traci]

I caution you against the use of valerian root, why on earth would you want to give your cats an herb that is not proven to be effective (or safe in pets for that matter). Cats are not humans, they do not need herbs!

I would also advise not to make your cat run around in circles to the point he is dizzy, especially anytime after catnip is given. Rigorous exercise can lead to heart distress.

[lindyb420]

the valerian root was recommended by my vet. my older cat has been using it for over a year, and the younger one has been using it since he was about 12 weeks old. i trust the advice of my veterinarian. and about the running in circles, the cat does it on his own as well. and id rather him do some rigorous exercise than sit on his fat kitty behind

[Traci]

I'm sorry but to my understanding, people who use valerian root are under the misrepresentation that it is a mood relaxer. I have to question your vet's ethics on suggesting this herb for cats. You can do a search at pubmed for pertinent information on this herb and several others. You can find detailed information about controlled studies and lack of efficacy, adverse side effects, etc.

And I also take offense at your statement "about the running in circles, the cat does it on his own as well. and id rather him do some rigorous exercise than sit on his fat kitty behind". There is a difference between mild, healthy exercise as opposed to rigorous, exhausting exercise. Cats should not be allowed rigorous exercise. If you are not aware of the stress this can put upon the heart in such a young cat, it's time to educate yourself about the risks.

This is a feline health board, and we exercise the right to warn where we see a cat at risk.

[kk]

..not to say that you should not trust your veterinarian, but you must always think about what they recommend and educate yourself. Do not ever blindly follow what your vet recommends. You could go to another fabulous vet, and get a totally different answer. When you think about it, we are always hearing in the news about human doctors who missed this, prescribed that, etc. and it has turned out that if the patient had questioned the doc ("I trusted my doctor") then things would have been different. Just as it is important that we as humans take a part in our own health care, not blindly following anything, we must also do the same for our pets. Our pets rely on us to take care of them and protect them.

[Traci]

More info for you...

Valerian should not be used for more than 2 to 3 weeks at a time, as it may then be harmful or become addictive. Large doses or extended use may produce symptoms of poisoning. In extremely high doses, it may cause paralysis and a weakening of the heart. Continual use or high doses may lead to headaches and palpitations. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Use under medical supervision.

Valerian enhances the action of sleep-inducing drugs, so avoid if taking this type of medication. Do not confuse with the garden plant, red "American" valerian (Centranthus ruber) which has no medicinal properties.

Research, ailment and product information have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration.