I got both my cats from a shelter when they were about a year old... I've got a big red point siamese mix named Conan O'Mango and snowshoe siamese mix named La Bamba.

Pic in profile if you're interested...

My wife has a cat. I swear it is a terrorist. I think it was trained by Al-Catta in the mountains of Afcatistan.

Best friend's dog: Dogmeat

Names of cats I have owned:

Serta aka "Serta Perta" aka "Poopy" (recently deceased...sigh)
Sealy aka "Tinky" aka "Tinks" aka "Tinkerbell"
Teddy aka "Teddy Bear" aka "Teddy Bear Byron" aka "Teddy Grahams" aka "Honey Grahams" aka "R2D2" aka "Squeeky"

Serta and Sealy were twin brothers from a stray litter that was born in a mattress, hence the awesomely appropriate names.

Teddy is a new buddy for Sealy, and his shelter name was Byron. His coat and pleasant demeanor account for the Teddy / graham cracker / honey references. The hilarious noises he makes account for R2D2 and Squeeky.

Wierd names of cats I have known but not owned:

Gooby aka "Goober" aka "Goo"
Boocat aka "Boo" aka "Booberry" aka "Boobird"
Claus (sounds like "claws")
Toulouse aka "Toulouse-Letrec"
Sambo aka "Sam" (yes, this is a black cat)
Elron
Crazy Mama

Oh yeah, and not necessariily odd, but we did once own a cat named "Katt" (and later a dog named "Puppy".)

A friend of mine once commented that she was surprised my parents didn't name me "Boy" when I was born.

Cat owners: I can't get my new kitty to pee in the litterbox. Right now we're trying to leave him in the room with the litter box in it with the door closed (and some water and food when overnight) but everytime he comes out he tries to pee on the carpet. Any tips please? He's driving us nuts!

Final goofy cat name thought: I haven't yet known a cat owner that didn't have several names for each of their cats. Usually, there was an official one that was listed with the vet, and at least two or three more (usually quite silly or sweet) that resulted from the serious brain damage that close proximity to cats inevitably causes (see the XKCD comic displayed earlier in this thread.)

Cat thread?! Hooray!


Lucky


Sunny


Cosmo


Amadeus

Ziggy, Copurrnicus, and Hunter

Dogs- Archie and Jughead
Cats- Jim and Jim Croce's Mustache (both female)

Light Fuse Get Away: Cat owners: I can't get my new kitty to pee in the litterbox. Right now we're trying to leave him in the room with the litter box in it with the door closed (and some water and food when overnight) but everytime he comes out he tries to pee on the carpet. Any tips please? He's driving us nuts!

Is he "new" or "new to you"? As in, is he an older cat or a kitten? If he's an older cat, is he neutered?

Once we moved, we had a problem with Skylar peeing on EVERYTHING! We got him neutered a week ago, and since then - no more peeing.

Cleo and Tasha

We have 3 cats
Obi-Wan
Vader and
Leia

/not very original
//Han died last year :(

I have 3 (but is the apartment manager is reading this, I only have 2):

Luca Brasi - named after Don Corleone's most trusted and loyal hit man, and my cat is about as dumb as the character and not loyal at all.

Byron Henry - named after my favorite character for Herman Wouk's books "The Winds of War" and "War and Remembrance".

Mathilda - Natalie Portman's character fron "The Professional"

My grandmother had a cat named Potty. Never found out the reason.


We had a cat named Waffle - picked by my students at school. Such a great name (sadly, Waf had to be put down because of FIV).


Other fave from a friend:
Fuzzles

birdistasty: Light Fuse Get Away: Cat owners: I can't get my new kitty to pee in the litterbox. Right now we're trying to leave him in the room with the litter box in it with the door closed (and some water and food when overnight) but everytime he comes out he tries to pee on the carpet. Any tips please? He's driving us nuts!

Is he "new" or "new to you"? As in, is he an older cat or a kitten? If he's an older cat, is he neutered?

Once we moved, we had a problem with Skylar peeing on EVERYTHING! We got him neutered a week ago, and since then - no more peeing.

He's both new and new to me. He's about 8 weeks old and the previous owner "said" he was litter trained, but i haven't seen much proof yet... :-(

My dogs' names are Track, Willow, Bristol, Piper, and Trig.

oh wait, that's someone else.

I grew up with...

- Max (aka Maximus) and
- Mookie (after Mookie Wilson, not Mookie Blaylock).

Now I live with my wife's cat Cupid (she didn't name it), who also goes by the name of GODDAMMITHEWENTONTHEKITCHENFLOORAGAIN!!!

Light Fuse Get Away,

There are several factors that I am aware of that may make a difference:

1. The proximity of the litterbox to their food and water.
2. The litterbox itself
3. The litter itself

First, cats do not like having their litter box anywhere NEAR their food and water. If you have everything in the same room, put the litter as far away from the food and water as possible, and also away from favorite sleeping spots, etc.

Secondly, cats commonly do NOT like fully enclosed/covered litter boxes, primarily because the odors are concentrated. Cats don't like the smell any more than we do. If you aren't already using one, try a simple open litter box, and clean it often. Side note: If you have multiple cats, you may need multiple litter boxes. Some cats just won't go where others have gone before, so to speak.

Finally, some cats are very finicky about litter, and can be very resistant to change if they are already used to one type. You may have to try many different types. If you got the cat from a shelter, ask the shelter what they used...it may be as simple as using what the shelter used, and if you have a different personal preference, gradually replacing the old style with whatever you prefer. If your cat doesn't like the common scoopable/clumping clay stuff, try something with a different texture: pine pellets, newspaper pellets, etc. Cats sometimes also resist heavily perfumed litter, so if that is the case, try something unscented. Also, always make sure that there is enough litter in the box that the cat can bury their waste.

Other thoughts:

If they aren't already, definitely have your cat spayed or neutered, especially if they are male. Male cats (and sometimes females) pee to mark territory (although they usually spray, not just pee.) Neutering reduces this instinct, usually to the point where they won't do it anymore.

Make sure your cat is healthy and has no potential conditions that might be contributing to the behavior. I have a cat who is disposed to developing crystals in his urinary tract / kidneys. In the past, when he developed blockages, it became very painful for him to pee. As a result, he would avoid the litter box (probably associating it with pain,) and would pee elsewhere.

This is Pearl (full name Black Pearl... I'm a dork...)

She was not happy about being a chicken for halloween.

Light Fuse Get Away,

Also, as your kitty is only eight weeks old, make sure he can get in and out of the litterbox easily. Small kittens may have a hard time if the tray is too deep, and may decide "hell with it" instead.

(I actually have the opposite problem: one of my kitties is very tall, and he'll end up kicking all the litter out of the box attempting to bury his offerings.)

FlyingGeek: Light Fuse Get Away,

There are several factors that I am aware of that may make a difference:

1. The proximity of the litterbox to their food and water.
2. The litterbox itself
3. The litter itself

First, cats do not like having their litter box anywhere NEAR their food and water. If you have everything in the same room, put the litter as far away from the food and water as possible, and also away from favorite sleeping spots, etc.

Secondly, cats commonly do NOT like fully enclosed/covered litter boxes, primarily because the odors are concentrated. Cats don't like the smell any more than we do. If you aren't already using one, try a simple open litter box, and clean it often. Side note: If you have multiple cats, you may need multiple litter boxes. Some cats just won't go where others have gone before, so to speak.

Finally, some cats are very finicky about litter, and can be very resistant to change if they are already used to one type. You may have to try many different types. If you got the cat from a shelter, ask the shelter what they used...it may be as simple as using what the shelter used, and if you have a different personal preference, gradually replacing the old style with whatever you prefer. If your cat doesn't like the common scoopable/clumping clay stuff, try something with a different texture: pine pellets, newspaper pellets, etc. Cats sometimes also resist heavily perfumed litter, so if that is the case, try something unscented. Also, always make sure that there is enough litter in the box that the cat can bury their waste.

Other thoughts:

If they aren't already, definitely have your cat spayed or neutered, especially if they are male. Male cats (and sometimes females) pee to mark territory (although they usually spray, not just pee.) Neutering reduces this instinct, usually to the point where they won't do it anymore.

Make sure your cat is healthy and has no potential conditions that might be contributing to the behavior. I have a cat who is disposed to developing crystals in his urinary tract / kidneys. In the past, when he developed blockages, it became very painful for him to pee. As a result, he would avoid the litter box (probably associating it with pain,) and would pee elsewhere.

We use Yesterday's News newspaper pellets for litter in an open box which we clean more or less every time we manages to go in there. His food is in there but not too close to the box...

Ok, now I don't feel so bad about naming one of my dogs Riff Raff.

Although, I still want to get a pair of exhuberant pups and name them Chaos and Bedlam.

My cat Tomo.

FlyingGeek: Light Fuse Get Away,

Also, as your kitty is only eight weeks old, make sure he can get in and out of the litterbox easily. Small kittens may have a hard time if the tray is too deep, and may decide "hell with it" instead.

(I actually have the opposite problem: one of my kitties is very tall, and he'll end up kicking all the litter out of the box attempting to bury his offerings.)

The litter box is plenty easy for him to get in; he can jump up on our bed no problem and he has gone in the litterbox on his own before, it's just not a constant thing, unfortunately.

Marley'sGirl: Obviously this writer needs to watch a little more ATHF. Meatwad is a great name!

My dog is named Marley (after Bob)

The cats are Trance, Echo and Pulse.

I had a deaf cat named Marlee (after Matlin)

So many great cat names and cat naming stories. I got nothin', other than ages ago I had a stepmother who had a Siamese named Clawdine.

Sadly I'm catless for the nonce but I have a list of names I'm saving for my future cats and many from this thread are being added to it.

And, from TFA I liked Toot Uncommon. I lol'd.

My Cat's name, is Maceo.

He's a little man, in a cats body.

/no really, his name really is Maceo

Michael_Mythix: I have two cats I got this year who's names totally beat out any of the winners. I have "Domo Arigato Senior El Gato or Das Kitten for short" and my all black kitten "Lucy Furr Obama Von Satan".

My grandmother was the one for the fun cat names. My favorite was 'Don Ferdenandos Whiskerandos' (known as Sir Ferdy Whiskers). His name was always said with the same formal Spanish accent Inigo Montoya would use.

My cats thru history:

Lucretia the Ghost (aka Ghost)
Midori (eyes matched the liquor)
Domino (black and white, fell over a lot for no reason)shiat Factory (aka Factory)
Vamp (constantly biting other cats on the neck)
Indy (got him in a dive bar)
Harley (purred very loud and had trouble cornering)
Diesel (torti whose coloring matched oil stains on a driveway)

Kittehs are teh roxxors.

Ragingwookiee: My cat Tomo.

Ha, a mousepad with boobs, brilliant. I always wondered how people managed to find those pads with the wrist rests comfortable. They just got in the way for me.

This is Mudflap. His previous owner was a mechanic. She still has his siblings, Rotor and Caliper.



If anyone would like to caption him, feel free.

Light Fuse Get Away:

If you haven't already, have your cat screened for Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease by your vet. It's a chronic, but manageable condition. My cat has it, and all I had to do was change his diet.

Previous cats:
Earl the Grey (aka Sweet Boy)
Abby the Tabby (aka Baby Girl)
Current cats:
Mandu (because I always wanted to introduce a cat saying "Hi, I'd like you to meet my Katmandu) (aka Mister or Goofball)
Mika (aka Pretty)

If I had a cat it would be called Nutsack. If I had a dog, it would be called Tiberius.

A friend of mine has a black cat named Heavy Duty. I think that is a great name.

I'm having my 17 yr old cat put down this Saturday so this thread is making me kinda sad. Zeke had a good life though.

Our three rotten beasties: Mogwai, Patch and Morris. Morris for obvious reasons, but since he sucks up anything placed in front of him we should have called him Hoover.

Hubby had a dog when he was young that his father named "Hudepohl" , and called it "Hudy"

One of ours is:

D.B.Pooper

/wish he still had the 200K

Why is there a Caturday thread on Wednesday?

Chums Chums and Freddie

oh no, am I late?!?!?!?!

Pics of my 3 sugar plum fairies are in my profile...

little back bean: Elliot-san destroyer of textiles
round stripy bean: Zazu Pitts II
little Reeses Pieces bean: Phoebe

/I prefer cats to people, it's not even a close contest.

Cat: Dodge Dart (speedy 'lil thing)
Dogs: Bishop (from Aliens, but great fun living in Mormon-ville and messing with neighbor's minds when we holler for him)
and Ripley (same movie/no imagination)

Snakes are Morpheus and Hephaestus
Turtles are Gidget, Fargi (Harry Harrison ROCKS) and Polgara (now deceased)
Lizards are King Midas and C'Nedra
I need more critters!

I have Brewster, the dog (pic of him in my profile). His other names include: Brew, Booster, Pooper, Pooper-Doo, Puppy, P. Doggy (haven't used that one in a long time), WHOOZAGOODBOYYESYOUIS, shiathead, Stinky...I could go on.

Approves.

My mother has a cat named Butterscotch, who we can Satan, because she is schizophrenic. (The cat, not my mom.) We play around with trying to come up with other names that express her evil. (Again, the cat, not my mom.) Professor Chaos and Meowzebub are my current favorites.

Dogs:
gretta - wiener dog
satan - doberman
jude - Hey Jude...
Cats:
blue - siamese
waffle - cat
lick pussy - gift from lesbian friend

My Burmese is Icky (short for Ichabod Cat). Got him after sleepy hollow came out.
Funniest cat I've ever met. Looks very regal. Acts like his brain is the size of a pea.

Light Fuse Get Away: Cat owners: I can't get my new kitty to pee in the litterbox. Right now we're trying to leave him in the room with the litter box in it with the door closed (and some water and food when overnight) but everytime he comes out he tries to pee on the carpet. Any tips please? He's driving us nuts!


He doesn't like the litterbox and is telling you so the only way he can.

First, you want to dump the litter you're currently using and clean the box out...THOROUGHLY...with an enzyme destroying cleaner...bleach won't work (you will also need to do this with the spots on the carpet to kill any odor-causing bacteria...they can smell it and it draws them back to it as an "OK to pee here" spot).

You might also consider getting a different box...maybe a larger one?
F'rinstance, my guys like having one that allows them to turn around a time or two and choose their exact spot, and they farkin' hate the little hood that came with it...so we don't use it.

Yeah, the open litterbox is unsightly...but the cat doots and puddles on the floor are worse, so the hood stays OFF.

Then you might want to try this...
Cat Attract...a lot of people on another forum swear by it.
Good luck!

My cats are named:

Dr. Faust
Beorn Von Snagglewaggles
Mrs. Dunsworth, aka Dunny Bunny Buns

Former cats were Brisco Co. Junior and Jihad.