Summary

"Dear Xander" is an advice column where Xander provides guidance to feline readers on issues ranging from changes in their food regimen to concerns about home intrusions and relocations.

Abstract

The "Dear Xander" column serves as a feline-focused advice platform where cats can seek counsel on various aspects of their lives. In the current edition, Xander addresses a cat's inquiry about the sudden reversion from having wet food twice a day to once, suggesting the extra wet food may have been a special reward and encouraging the cat to remember any positive actions that could have prompted the change. Another cat expresses fear of strange humans entering the home without the usual security routine, to which Xander responds with reassurance that the cat's humans are likely making changes that, while scary, could lead to a new and enjoyable living situation, as was the case in Xander's own experience with moving.

Opinions

Xander believes that the change in the first cat's food schedule could be a result of a special reward for good behavior, rather than a permanent change.
Xander suggests that the first cat should try to recall any specific actions that might have led to the extra wet food as a means to potentially receive it again.
Regarding the second cat's fear of strange humans in the house, Xander leans towards the idea that the humans are preparing for a significant change, such as moving, rather than allowing harmful individuals into the home.
Xander reassures the second cat by sharing his own positive experience with moving to a new home, implying that change can be good and that the cat will adjust and find happiness in the new environment.
Xander advises the second cat to stay close to its companion, Hershey, for support during the period of change, emphasizing the importance of companionship in times of uncertainty.

Dear Xander: The Case of the Missing Wet Food

A feline advice column for other felines.

Dear Xander is an advice column for feline readers. If you have a question for Xander, please leave it in the comments and he will answer in a future column.

Dear Xander:

Normally I have wet food in the morning and dry food at night. Then I started having wet food both times a day. That was great. It lasted for at least six dishes of food.

Now I am back to dry food at night. How do I get the wet food back?

Missing All Wet Food, All the Time

Dear MAWFATT:

This is mystifying. Maybe your human was trying to mix things up. It sounds like the normal pattern is back.

Did you do something good? Was your human rewarding you for something? Treats make more sense for this but maybe you did something fantastic. I would accept that it was a special reward and not expect wet food at every meal.

Search your memory. If you can discover what you did to earn the extra wet mealtimes, you could repeat it.

Xander

Dear Xander:

I think bad humans are getting into my home. My buddy, Hershey, doesn’t agree with my logic. Our humans are building great big jungle gyms for us. We can romp through them in every room.

Hershey thinks if our humans are building these playgrounds, they wouldn’t let bad people in to hurt us. I don’t know. I am so scared.

Normally, the people alarm goes off and my homies protect me. They don’t leave me alone in the house with strange humans.

Lately, though, there is no ding dong. Strange humans just walk into the house! It is only two or three humans at the most, but it is very scary.

I used to search for my protectors but now I hide. It has gotten so bad, I sometimes only half hide. That way, I can hit the road running if the baddies leave the escape door open to the outside. If I do that, I will miss my bedroom.

I’m petrified. Should I run? I was on the run before, but I like my humans. I don’t want to leave. This feels very unsafe, though.

Scared of Strange Humans

Dear SOSH:

This is very disturbing. I tend to agree with your friend Hershey. Your humans have kept you safe in the past, right?

The pictures you shared make me think your humans are moving their belongings around. I don’t want to alarm you, but when this happened at our house, big changes were coming.

Lots of boxes appeared and my humans put things in them. Then one day my buddy Anya and I were put in our carriers. We had to ride in the car and then let loose in a new place.

Our humans were in the new place with us. We walked around and sniffed everything. All our stuff was in the new place.

A lot of mealtimes have passed now. We are happy in the new place. There aren’t stairs to climb anymore but lots of window sills to sit on. We see birds and outside cats through the windows. It is fun.

There is no guarantee this is what is happening at your house, but it sounds like it might be. I know that is scary. If you can stick with Hershey, the two of you will be okay. Stick together.

Xander

Obi Wan Kitty — Photo provided by Elizabeth Vera

If you liked this, you may like another of Xander’s advice column:

Dear Xander: The Case of the Itchy Ears

A feline advice column for other felines.

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