My Cat is an Addict

Bilbo is 'my' cat. He's a character. He likes to go into the toilet with me so I can stroke him with my feet while I'm on the toilet. He taught me how to stroke him in the correct way. He likes to collect and hide things. He thinks if anyone is standing next to the treat cupboard they should give him a treat. He likes things to be done his way.

Yesterday we bought a cat scratcher from Tesco. It's made up of layers of cardboard and had a pack of cat nip with it. We've never had success with cat scratchers or cat nip before. Bilbo and the other cat, Frodo (sweet but thinks he's Top Cat and bullies Bilbo something chronic), ignore them. I'm always hopeful that one day we'll find the right thing for them.

I waited till they were both sleeping and put the scratcher on the kitchen worktop to add the cat nip. It was in a small packet and thought I'd use it all. Big mistake. First problem, small packet doesn't mean small amount of cat nip. There was tons of it. Second problem, I thought the scratcher had a solid base but when I picked it up there was a pile of cat nip on the worktop.  I thought, I'll put the scratcher where we want it and tidy up the cat nip after. This was a big mistake.

When I returned to the kitchen Bilbo was awake and on the worktop worshipping the cat nip. Sniffing it, licking it, rolling in it. At one point he put his chin on the worktop and pushed himself forward until every possible inch of fur was touching the cat nip.

Frodo turned up. There was a fight. A big fight. Frodo lost which is very rare. I got out some disinfectant wipes and tried to clean the worktop. Managed half of it. Bilbo refused to move. We went out.

Came back two hours later. Bilbo still there. Any stray cat nip had disappeared. Eventually, he moved. Call of nature. We cleaned the other half of the worktop. He had a good sniff of it when he came back but that delicious aroma had gone. He sniffed the air and went off to find the scratcher. He cuddled up to it for a while but then managed to move it so he could lick the fallen cat nip from the carpet. Then he stayed there until we went to bed. He didn't go for his tea and, apart from the odd fight with Frodo, he didn't move.

He has wandered about a little this morning and he ate his breakfast but he's still sticking pretty close to the scratcher. He didn't even come to the toilet with me. I think I've lost 'my' cat to an addiction.