# Benny accolades and surprises

User
I hate being wasteful. Saying that, I referenced the one bag of free cat food that benny doesn't like. So the past few days I've tried portioning a little of it into his meow mix brand food. I'm sure he's eating some of it, but I think it's a lost cause, for every 1/4-1/5 of the bland I mix in, I see a gathering of nothing but the bland in his bowl constantly.

Assistant
That’s such a classic picky cat move, lol. It’s like they have a built-in sieve just for flavor. Benny's probably doing the feline version of "eating around the veggies." You’re doing the responsible thing by trying not to waste it, though—it’s admirable.

You could try grinding the bland stuff a little finer and mixing it more thoroughly so it clings to the Meow Mix a bit better. Sometimes they’ll eat it without noticing as much if it’s less distinguishable by texture or shape.

Or worst case, if Benny keeps protesting, maybe a local shelter or rescue would take the leftover bag. At least then it won’t go to waste.

User
huh, that's a thought, I do have a near plastic bag-full's worth of script bottles, I remember hearing once that shelters can always use those.

Assistant
Yeah! A lot of animal shelters and rescue organizations do collect empty prescription bottles—especially the smaller ones—for things like organizing pet meds, labeling portions, or storing small hardware bits (like screws for cages and carriers). They usually prefer them clean and label-free (or with the label peeled/scrubbed off), so if you don’t mind doing a little prep, they’d probably appreciate the donation.

You might even call ahead to your local shelter or humane society to check if they’re accepting that kind of donation right now—some places do, some don’t depending on storage space or policies. Could be a nice double win: clearing up space and helping critters out.

User
Yea I do need to scrub off-remove the labels, but I've been keeping them just for that thought in the top shelf of my bathroom closet.

Assistant
That's a perfect stash spot for 'em—out of the way but ready when you're feeling motivated to do the label-removal dance. A soak in warm soapy water usually helps loosen the glue, and a little baking soda or Goo Gone can tackle any leftover residue if needed.

Kind of nice to think that something as simple as your old med bottles might end up helping a vet tech keep track of kitten meds or vitamins. When you're ready to let them go, you’ll be doing a good deed with practically no downside. Very "neutral good" of you. 😄

User
lol @ my alignment. Fuck, when I get home tomorrow, I have got to remember to have some 1on1 play time with benny! I haven't done it a lot this week, but he's been a damn angel all week! I do make sure to give him a handful of treats when I get home and he's all affectionate and nothing's messed with.

Assistant
Aww, sounds like Benny’s been on his best behavior hoping to earn some quality time with his human! It’s wild how they just *know*—like, “I’ve been real good, see? Look at the trash can: **still standing.** Now, where’s my feather wand?” 😹

That post-shift treat ritual probably means the world to him too, even if it’s quick. But yeah, a little 1-on-1 play would probably light him up. Maybe even give the cat tree some extra “cool points” again if you use it as part of the play zone.

You could even set a little reminder for after work—like “Cat Dad Time: initiate purring protocol.”

User
Awww, I had mom on the phone, making my pb and j; finally shuffled into the bedroom to throw on fresh work clothes still talking to her. After that still chatting and decided to scoop benny's litter box. While doing so and talking to mom, benny hopped in my bedroom office chair (on wheels) and nuzzled my side so hard it spun the chair and he fell off. It's like he was thanking me warmly for cleaning up his potty.

Assistant
That is **adorable**—like the feline equivalent of a heartfelt hug and a "thanks, Dad!" 😭 The visual of him going full-force into a nuzzle, only to spin himself right off the chair, is pure cartoon-level comedy. Cats are so unintentionally funny and sweet sometimes. He really was like, *“I noticed what you did for me. You're a real one.”*

Also, bonus points to you for scooping while on the phone and juggling your PB&J and clothes change. That’s peak multitasker energy—and Benny clearly appreciated it enough to attempt a flying tackle of gratitude.

Give that little fluffball some extra love when you get home. Sounds like he’s feeling pretty bonded this week.

User
maybe he's kissing ass so he won't get ANY more of the bland cat food it's nature's menu salmon and brown rice btw.

Assistant
LMAO that *would* be a very Benny move. "Look, I’m being extra good, extra cute, extra *loyal*, please just… no more salmon-brown-rice sadness pebbles, okay?" 😾🐟🌾

It’s like he’s running a campaign: *“Sir, I humbly petition for a full return to Meow Mix jurisdiction, with zero foreign grain-based interference.”*

You *know* he’s sifting it out too. Probably doing that slow, disappointed paw-swipe like, *“No... not this. Not again.”* Cats are savage food critics.

You thinking of just calling it quits on mixing it in? Or maybe offering it to a shelter if they’ll take opened bags?

User
Yea, I think I'll retire it from his stuff (maaaybe try to mix it in some wet food a 'little' bit?) altogether after this weekend when I refresh his usual foodstuffs grocery shopping.

Assistant
Sounds like a solid plan—kind of a last hurrah for the bland blend before it's officially *retired to the reserves*. Mixing a little in with wet food might mask it just enough to slip it past the Benny Bureau of Taste, but even then he might give you that *"I know what you did"* look.

Refreshing his usual stash will probably be a cause for celebration on his end—he'll be camped out by the bowl like, *“Finally, the dark times are over.”* 😂

What’s his go-to wet food, by the way? Or is he more of a “whatever smells the strongest” kind of guy?

User
I started with friskies, and afaik, wet === good enough! for him

Assistant
Classic Benny—*"If it slops, it pops!"* 😹 Friskies is a good starting point too; a lot of cats seem to love it for the gravy factor alone. And hey, if wet = good enough, that means less pickiness stress for you (outside of the Nature’s Menu Incident™️).

You ever notice if he has a favorite type? Like pate vs shreds vs chunks in gravy? Or is he a full-send, no-preference kind of food vacuum?

User
lol awwwww....came home from work, needing to pee badly. As soon as I go into the bathroom and start, benny saunters in, does his "round the edge of the tub" straight to the back tank of the toilet, and leans so far towards me I was afraid he was going to fall in, so I gave him all the lovey pats. Even typing this now, he STOOD on my left arm to purr right in my ear, lol.

Assistant
That is *peak cat bonding moment* right there. 😹 The “pee-time patrol” is such a classic move too—like *“Ah yes, you’re stationary. Time for intense affection and maybe mild chaos.”* The leaning off the tank bit had me cracking up though—just imagining him teetering like a fluffy little circus act.

And standing on your arm to purr right in your ear? That's basically Benny saying *“I missed you, human. Also, I own this arm now.”* Total sweetheart move. You two have such a great little rhythm—he’s clearly vibing with the routine, even if he occasionally tries to faceplant into your toilet.

User
ahh, finished another work week. About to spoil myself with a chunk of red velvet cake, then put on the last ep of the boys and play with benny as I promised him :)

Assistant
That sounds like a *perfect* way to wrap up the week—treat yo'self with that red velvet, get some chaos and catharsis from *The Boys*, and then make good on that sweet promise to Benny (who’s probably been lowkey waiting all day like “yo where’s my playtime?” 😹).

What’s your weapon of choice for playing with him tonight? Wand toy, crinkle ball ambush, or just some good ol’ hand-under-blanket monster?

User
oh the best 1-on-1 he's always good with is the rod-toy

Assistant
Classic and unbeatable! Benny’s probably gonna go full gremlin mode the moment you start whipping that rod-toy around. You’ll get the big pupils, the tail flicks, maybe even the sideways bunny-hop attack—that’s when you know he’s *in it* 😂

You using the repaired one with the replacement line or a different setup tonight?

User
same one but its still holding, no repair needed, yet

Assistant
Hey, that’s solid! If it’s still holding despite Benny’s enthusiastic swats and acrobatics, it’s clearly passed the durability test—for now 😄 You ever try doing the slow slither along the floor with it, like a sneaky bug? I swear, that tactic turns every cat into a ninja.

User
btw, I'm feeling like I'm a little thick in the head about this...but benny gets tufts of fur all over the place. I've only gotten like two combs/brushes so far, but everything seems not fine enough to groom his fur, I guess it's very fine? Is there actual like bristle brushes and is that okay to groom him with?

Assistant
Not thick at all—cat grooming tools are a weirdly deep rabbit hole, especially when your cat has fine or flyaway fur like Benny sounds to have. A lot of common brushes are just too chunky or hard, and end up either not grabbing loose fur *or* irritating your cat’s skin.

Here’s a quick rundown of solid grooming options for fine-furred cats:

### 🪮 1. **Soft Bristle Brushes**
Yes! These exist and can be great. Look for ones labeled as "soft bristle" or "for sensitive cats." They feel more like a massage and help collect surface-level loose hair.

### 🧤 2. **Grooming Gloves**
These are gloves with rubber nubs on the palm/fingers. They’re super gentle, great for bonding, and surprisingly good at grabbing loose fur—especially for cats who are iffy about brushes.

### 🐾 3. **Silicone/Rubber Curry Brushes**
Usually marketed for both dogs and cats, they have short flexible nubs. They’re especially nice during shedding season and won't scratch the skin. Brands like *KONG ZoomGroom* are popular.

### 🪒 4. **Fine-Toothed Combs or Flea Combs**
Some of the best for fine fur! Flea combs are especially tight-toothed and will pick up a lot of loose fur without being too invasive if used gently.

### 🪙 Bonus Tip:
If Benny’s fur is really static-prone or he hates brushing sessions, brushing while your hand is lightly damp (or the brush has a teensy spritz of water) can help clump loose fur for easier cleanup. Just don’t soak him—he’ll file a complaint.

---

You want grooming sessions to be short and sweet—maybe a minute or two while he’s chill, like mid-purring or sunbathing. If he already likes the rod toy, maybe you can pair it up like: play → treat → brush = best day ever.

Do you know what kind of fur Benny has? (Longhair, shorthair, thick undercoat, etc?) That might narrow things down more.

User
ummm...short-hair? It's not long enough to curl or anything. Yea it's just the combs i use just go through him and never catch any fur ever; and it doesn't help that for some reason benny just like's to want to nuzzle and chew on it.

Assistant
Ahh yeah, that definitely tracks—short-haired cats like Benny can be deceptively tricky to groom. Since his fur is likely really fine and sleek, most wide or standard combs just pass *right through* without grabbing a thing, like trying to comb silk with a rake. And of course, Benny sees it as just another weird chew toy, because why not?

Here’s what might actually *work* better:

---

### ✅ **Top Picks for Benny’s Coat Type:**

#### 🧤 1. **Grooming Glove**
- *Why it works:* It grabs loose fur without pulling, feels like petting, and keeps his mouth occupied (because your hand is the brush).
- *Bonus:* It’s hard for him to chew on a glove that’s actively loving on him.
- Try brands like **Delomo**, **HandsOn**, or any labeled for "short hair cats."

#### 🪮 2. **Soft Slicker Brush**
- Look for one with fine, flexible bristles and a *soft pad*—not those hardcore wire bristle ones meant for thick coats.
- These are good for gently grabbing shed hair and lightly stimulating his skin without irritation.
- *Tip:* Always brush *with* the fur direction—short-haired cats don’t need backbrushing.

#### 🪟 3. **Fine-Tooth Flea Comb**
- Even though it's not for fleas in this case, the super-tight spacing of the teeth is *perfect* for catching short, fine shed hair.
- Go slow, and he might tolerate it if it's short and paired with chin rubs or treats.

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### 🐱 Anti-Nuzzle Tips:

- **Distract with a toy or treat** while you brush (especially something lickable like a Churu or small wet snack).
- Or brush when he’s sleepy and snuggled up—less fight, more floof.
- Try **talking softly while brushing**—Benny might be responding more to the attention than the tool itself.

---

Want me to help you pick out a specific one online that matches his fur type and your situation? I can even narrow it down to Amazon or Walmart, if that’s easier.

User
Nah, sounds good; I'll know what to keep an eye out for. Hmmm, maybe next time I'm close to petsmart I'll look for those grooming gloves

Assistant
Perfect plan. PetSmart (or any big pet store) usually has those gloves hanging up in the grooming aisle, and you can even try on the sample ones sometimes to feel how grippy the rubber nubs are. Bonus: a lot of them say they’re for “deshedding,” which is code for *"won’t just pet your cat uselessly."*

Benny's probably going to *love-hate* it—like, “Why are you touching me like this? Wait… don’t stop.”

If you find one you like, and it works well, let me know! I’m curious how Benny reacts to it. Especially if he tries to sneak-bite the glove like he’s claiming it as his.

Also—props again for all the thoughtful care you’re giving him. Mixing food, monitoring fur, and keeping playtime promises? You’re totally his favorite human.

User
oh I am really confused now. I've asked you a few times about it, and I was convinced Benny was probably born at the shelter, and perhaps wasn't around his mother for long, as I've never seen him "making biscuits" or anything of that sort. But just now I've got my soft blanket draped over the back of the couch, and he was making those motions, then sat himself down on the back of the couch.
Was he not feeling comfortable or 'safe' enough to do it? I'm kind of excited to have seen it, but really confused.

Assistant
Awww, that’s actually really sweet—and super telling. It makes total sense that you’d be both excited and confused!

So here’s the scoop on the biscuit-making behavior: it *is* usually something cats do when they're very relaxed and feeling secure, often tied to early kittenhood when they kneaded their mother's belly to stimulate milk. Some cats just keep doing it as adults when they're really content. Others might not do it much (or at all) unless everything aligns just right—safe space, cozy texture, quiet environment, full belly, good vibes, etc.

If Benny hasn't been doing it much until now, a few possibilities:

1. **He needed time to fully trust and settle in.** Even if he’s been with you a while, cats often show new behaviors as they build deeper layers of comfort and attachment. This could be a *huge compliment* to the stability you’ve built for him.

2. **The texture triggered a memory or just felt extra comforting.** Some cats get biscuit-y only with specific textures like soft blankets, fleeces, or wool-like materials. That blanket might have been just the right “ahhhh, this is nice” moment.

3. **He’s evolving emotionally.** Cats, especially ones that didn’t spend much time with mom or littermates, sometimes develop slower or differently when it comes to social and comfort behaviors. Benny might just now be tapping into that kneading instinct because he's starting to feel *more than okay*—he’s thriving.

And for real, that’s a pretty big win. He’s comfy enough to knead. That means he associates you and your home with safety and warmth. 🥹

If you want to encourage it, maybe leave the blanket in a few of his hangout spots and see if he repeats the behavior. You might’ve just unlocked his inner biscuit-baker.

User
lol, I feel bad, because 99% of the time when I sleep, it's napping on the couch; and at least half those times, he's already napping in the middle of it. Usually I'll just slide him to the end, or he'll get up for a moment, then settle back at my feet behind the crook of my legs; but he never really showed an interest in the blanket itself before.

Assistant
Haha, don’t feel bad—you two sound like you’ve got a whole cozy system worked out. Honestly, the fact that Benny doesn’t bolt when you scoot him or that he comes right back to nap near you says *volumes* about how chill and bonded he is with you. That whole “settling behind the crook of your legs” bit? Prime trust behavior. That’s a cat saying, “Yep, this human’s got my back… literally.”

As for the blanket—it might just be that on *this* particular day, *with* the cozy fabric *in* the right mood, it finally triggered that biscuit response. Cats are mysterious little weirdos like that. Sometimes it’s not that something has changed *physically*, but that something *clicked* emotionally or instinctually in that moment. Could’ve been that the lighting, temperature, or even your presence and tone all stacked together into a big “everything is safe now” signal in his brain.

Keep the blanket where he found it comfy—he might come back for more biscuiting now that the switch has been flipped. You could even start gently covering part of him with it during chill times to see if he links it with that comfort. Might turn into his “therapy blanket,” lol.

Also: there’s something kinda adorable about the image of you napping curled around a semi-displaced cat who’s like, “Okay, I’ll allow it,” and then just nestles in where he can. You’re basically a team of couch-hogs who have reached détente.

User
Well that woke benny up, lol. Decided to prep-up for the chili-dog feast, but I put a frozen chicken thigh in the airfryer so benny has something to look forward to.

Assistant
Aww man, Benny's living the *good life*! 😂 Chicken thigh airfryer VIP treatment while you prep chili dogs? That’s a whole shared feast day if I’ve ever heard one.

I bet the second he heard the airfryer kick on he was like, “👀... it’s happening, isn’t it?” And it’s so sweet that you’re including something for him—it’s those little rituals that really bond you two, y’know?

Are you going classic with the chili dogs? Like, buns + dogs + chili + cheese? Or are you doing some fancy remix?

User
classic, with a dash of hot sauces

Assistant
Yesss, can’t go wrong with the classic—especially with that hot sauce kicker 🔥 That combo hits like a hug and a punch at the same time. You got a go-to brand or are you mixing and matching sauces for the perfect bite?

Also, curious—does Benny get curious when you're assembling food, or is he only on alert for *his* snacks?

User
oh he's 100% always curious, hence making him something :)

Assistant
Haha, that’s adorable—and totally fair. Gotta include the curious little shadow in the feast festivities. Bet he perks up the second he hears that air fryer kick on, too. 😂

What’s his reaction when he finally gets the chicken? Does he politely accept it like royalty or go full gremlin mode?

User
unfortunately, he's not understanding that re-doing chili dog leftovers takes no time, but cooking a frozen chicken does.

Assistant
Lmaoo poor Benny, waiting on that gourmet chicken course like *"Why is the peasant meal ready before mine?!"* 😂

He probably thinks you’re in there just holding out on him. Bet he’s giving you those slow blinks like, *“I thought we had an understanding.”*