Cat Chat Feline Forum

Re-use, from the VioVet website: "Why is this single use? If non absorbent why can't this be washed and disinfected and then re-used if necessary? Dr. Nick Garside BVetMed MRCVS VioVet Staff This product is sterile when within it's packaging and unopened. This means it has no bacteria/infectiou...

I shared them between two trays in the hope one at least might stay poo free.

Yep. And once the sofa looks like that you no longer have to worry about it. Doesn't affect its ability to support a sitting human and if you need to tart things up temporarily an artfully draped throw takes care of it.

Cat introductions can take a lot of time and even more patience, and it sounds as if you may have tried to rush the process. This is a good guide to how to manage introductions: https://www.catchat.org/index.php/new-cat-introductions You will probably have to start all over again and reckon on thing...

There are some ideas here: https://icatcare.org/advice/how-to-keep-cats-off-the-garden/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmouZBhDSARIsALYcourhdoVwEqxnlJbAJbsVxszRfV31XvJDEKiuPfMl3xpD6wCzpVObU3kaAq4UEALw_wcB although you have already offered the obvious one which is a fence to keep your cat in your garden! Creating a su...

Quite. The fences work by giving first an aversive warning then a seriously aversive shock. I am more familiar with the arguments against the dog ones but I would think all the risks they carry - traumatised pet, animal unable to return if once they cross the fence line, no protection against unfrie...

Could she be getting food elsewhere that is exacerbating the problem? I would talk to your vet about a regular parasite prevention programme covering those that are prevalent in your area, and consider whether it is a combination of that and perhaps eating stuff she finds or is given by neighbours (...

I am so sorry - this is devastating news to face. I believe chemotherapy is not very effective for adenocarcinoma, which leaves very few options other than palliative care. Steroids such as Prednidale can help cats with lymphoma but I don't know if it helps the sort of cancer affecting Persia. using...

I wonder if perhaps you and your cat have got into a spiral of stress that is creating much of the problem? Anxiety about him peeing inappropriately has you stressed out (very understandably, given your situation), he picks up on your anxiety, becomes more stressed, pees more, and so it spirals up a...

Does she like chicken? I would ask your vet about missing or delaying doses.

Has she been to the vet for blood tests? Kidney disease is very common in older cats, and often causes them to lose their appetites, or it could be one of a number of other things. If it is her kidneys a diet low in phosphorus could help to make her feel better and slow the damage, so it is importan...

I think I would take her back until you can plan rehoming very carefully. She will have grown used to navigating her home territory and is clearly struggling with so much change, as are your other two cats, with major impacts on your own health and well-being. Trying to keep her safe is a laudable a...

Well, they do take over our lives! That's what having animals, especially baby animals, means - no more lie ins without feeding and playing first, no more long lazy hours unless they involve a game and/or a snuggle, no more out for a drink after work or spontaneous nights away as the cat needs to be...

That is good news - it sounds as if it was a particularly bad bout.

As a general rule it is better not to trim cats' claws - they use them when jumping and balancing and blunting them can lead to accidents. Elderly cats that can no longer strop them properly may need help, but most cats take good care of this important asset themselves. Better to train away from ina...

From all I have ever heard about genuine wildcats I think it is extremely unlikely that one would choose to live close to human habitation. More likely to be a stray or feral, I suspect.

I have found the main thing with metacam is to be scrupulous about not exceeding the recommended dose and - for those with both dogs and cats in the house - to be very aware that the preparation for dogs is 3 times as strong as the cat one and that they are NOT interchangeable. Pippin-cat was on a d...

Congratulations on dealing gracefully with such an unexpected litter! I think you are safe leaving them alone with Mum if she is caring for them well, as long as she has access to food, water and a tray. For the first few weeks her instinct will probably be to stay with them as much as possible - if...

I think that as a general rule kittens (and puppies) are not cuddle bugs - life is too exciting, there is so much to see and do and learn and...then they fall asleep wherever they happen to be. I would concentrate on the interactive games you are already playing and on letting her come to you - no p...

Nor do I, but it must be very nice to have such an appreciative audience, and a ready source of inspiration for the next masterpiece!

You say "recently adopted" and "tried all the methods" - introductions can take weeks, sometimes months, and I suspect you may not have given your older cat sufficient time to adjust to the intruder in his/her territory. You may need to start again, finding ways to provide the tw...

Every time your mother gets up to sit with her Luna is rewarded for asking for her attention; the best way to stop the scratching is for both of you to completely ignore her until it is time to wake up - ear plugs may help, and covering the door to prevent damage. Don't shout at her, spray her, talk...

He'll be fine. Kitten food is a relatively recent thing - it is formulated to give growing kittens more of the exact nutrients they need, but for decades kittens ate whatever their mums ate and did extremely well.

I would try making indoors more fun - high places near windows to watch from, interactive food toys if she is food-motivated or ones that launch small toys if she is not, dangly toys on elastic as long as you are near enough to prevent accidents, tunnels to explore, etc. Then establish the routine -...

Poppy, my toy poodle, has liver failure and is on Denamarin, as well as drugs and a special diet. It comes in tablet form, which is probably not ideal for cats, though. Have you tried the powder on something extra special, like Lick e Lix or one of the cat soups?

It sounds like an abscess, in which case he will be feeling much better now that it has burst. It is probably wise to have your vet check it, just in case it is something worse, or needs antibiotics to complete the healing.

I agree with Mollycat - a cat who is used to living much of its life outside is going to find it very hard to adapt to confinement indoors. If the major concern is the impact on the local wildlife I think the ethical situation rather depends upon which country you are in. In the UK the small rodents...

I am so sorry. It is the last, kindest thing we can do for them, but is so very hard to do. I will be thinking of you and your family as you say goodbye.

I would go with your vet's sensible advice - find a way of gently measuring the lump without squeezing it (perhaps loop a piece of soft thread round it not too tightly, if he will let you, and measure the thread, or find a bead or button the same size and keep it somewhere safe) then check every wee...

Sources of possible help: https://www.refuge.org.uk/get-help-now/what-about-pets/