Caring for Willow: A Cat Owner’s Journey

Willow has been living with me for a few weeks. She is now spending a lot less time underneath the bed, enjoys looking out the large windows, and seems to have found a good routine. She’s become more playful and interactive, often initiating playtime or cuddles. I wake up between five thirty and six thirty during the work week. Willow will walk on me between five and six. I tried locking the door of the bedroom, which led to banging on the door. What has worked is allowing her access to the bedroom, but I hide my hands so that she can’t head butt me for affection. Once my hands retreat from view, I’m typically left alone to sleep for a bit longer. I make every effort to spend time with her before I go to work and after work. On the weekends we spend a lot more time together.
This weekend, we were fortunate to have Willow’s annual vet appointment. It was her first vet visit since she’d been with me, and I was a bit out of practice. I hadn’t taken a pet for an annual exam in years, so I made a list on my phone to ensure I didn’t forget any questions for the doctor. I was relieved to learn that no dental cleaning is needed at this time. Her annual blood work was done, and besides those results, which will take a few days, she was given a clean bill of health. It was a successful visit, and I’m reassured about Willow’s health.
Besides that adventure, the only other endeavor worth mentioning with Wilow is my successful attempts at clipping her nails. Each time, I’ve sat her on my lap and clipped one nail at a time. I’m lucky she has clear nails, so the quickness is easy to see. I am careful to ensure that I am nowhere near the quick. I only ever trim the very tips. Unfortunately, none of this matters to her. After receiving a few bites, I researched the best ways to restrain a cat from nail clipping. After considering a few expensive cat hammocks that required a grooming table, I wrapped her in a towel. I did have to gently pin her down underneath one of my thighs so that she wouldn’t squirm away but it worked alright. I didn’t get as beaten up that time. After being bitten again, I called the new vet and plan to have them do most of the nail trimming. At twenty-six dollars, that is a fair price not to be bitten. I thought. First, she was upset because I was hurting her. but after carefully examining each nail and being nowhere near the part that would cause pain, I came to the conclusion she was throwing a fit.
From what I have read, cats have the cognitive ability of a two—or three-year-old. If a toddler doesn’t like what’s happening, they throw a fit. Willow believes that if she growls, bites, and howls, the nail clipping might end. I’m hoping that after a year of clipping her nails, she’ll accept that it has to happen. The next adventure we’re going to begin is bathing her regularly. I have allergies to cats, which has necessitated washing the bedding weekly, allergy pills, and the next step is bathing her. The one time she was bathed was when I was in college, and she had gotten fleas. As a new cat owner, I hadn’t put her on flea prevention, and she periodically sped outside to roll in the dirt. that must’ve been where she picked up the fleas; after that, I never skipped the preventative topical again. She’s never gotten fleas again after a bath in flea shampoo and a thorough flea combing.
I’ll have to let you all know how the bathing goes. The new apartment has a shower with glass doors, so at least she won’t be able to escape. Having her with me feels like part of my grandma with me still.