Cat Chat Feline Forum

I've not been on here much for a while, but it's lovely to read about Greebo's progress from broken cat to cuddlebug. Well done for giving another hard luck puss the love and care he needed to turn him around, Helen, the cats who come your way really are the lucky ones. My last lad, Clay, was FIV+ a...

If your little madam isn't averse to it, I would try a different cat litter if you can...I've not used the crystal ones but I tried a couple of non-clumping litters years ago (Catsan and a supermarket equivalent) and the ammonia smell within just a few days was so disgusting I couldn't have it in th...

Given that diabetes/kidney/thyroid problems seem unlikely (from the tests), some of the symptoms make me wonder whether it might be a pituitary problem, as that can cause polydipsia, polyphagia and polyuria. Although the cause of pituitary malfunction may or may not be apparent (it can result from a...

I'm sorry Fluffy isn't doing well, Carol, good luck with the Thrive (not sure whether anyone has told you, but it looks a bit grey when you open it, that's normal...the first time I wondered whether there was something wrong with my tin!) I really wouldn't recommend trying her with bacon given the h...

I vote for Daz getting a new girlfriend...

Thank you Helen (and Daz) for making me laugh before 9am this morning! What amusing pics of Daz 'hiding'! Reminds me of my old blind lad, Clay, who used to run and 'hide' when the carrier came out...the only problem was, the place he felt safe was...ON my bed! Bless. I'm glad Daz is enjoying spring ...

Ohhhh what a handsome boy! I so would, if I could!

And I like Pugwash's new nickname. Hops can be a bit of a thug too, sometimes when he tries to 'play' with Pip I think it's like watching a pensioner being mugged by a teenager...

It sounds as though you're doing very well with your two cats, and I can't think of much to add to what the others have recommended already. We estimate my little lady Pip to be about 15, she lived rough for a long time before ending up in rescue so it's hard to be sure. She has an overactive thyroi...

I agree with Janey, if you're not going to take the cat to be checked over by a vet, at least follow the vet's advice! As Marla says, there are a lot of things out there that can be toxic to cats. Not wanting to 'stress the cat' and not having a car are not good reasons for not being responsible for...

Sure that is possible. But who do you think they tested it out on first? I use stuff for fish. An old antibiotic. I have a list of options in my purse. I post the list when I find it. Not many human drugs are tested on cats, the usual choice is rats and mice. And those drugs still have to be tested...

Awww poor Daz! Hops is a Mummy's boy too, but not enough to go off his food if I'm not around!

Pugwash has clearly registered he's found his forever home and has decided to make his mark! Here's hoping in time he might let Daz share that spot on the sofa...

Vibes heading your way, fingers crossed it's nothing nasty.

Awww look at them :) lovely! I only have two cats and we still have to have rules for mealtimes! Waaaaay back in the mists of time when I first got them, Hops and Pip used to eat side-by-side from bowls on the same tray. Then, after poor Pip had the most traumatic dental I've ever heard of and could...

Fusses passed on :) Pugwash is looking great, I think you're going to have to start calling him Captain Pugwash soon! Hops feels Daz's pain. Pip has always needed more food than him, but she tends to eat little and often, and even with her hyper-t under control it's a constant battle just to keep he...

I'm sure Daz would appreciate all your hard work...if he understood! I remember how bad the blockages got, and I'm so glad Daz made it through and is doing so well. I worry about Hops getting bladder problems as he is such a 'stressy' cat and a greedy little booger! Because of that and the stress of...

A bit late to the follow up, glad to hear Lily managed to perform in the box at last! Gentle fusses to her. Cathy, Boris has clearly been talking to Pip, she bats me in the face in the early hours given the chance. And if that doesn't work she deploys claws through the lip. Fusses to your old boy too.

A quick note on the mousse domes - for some reason the duck one is much higher in protein than the other three flavours. I don't know why that is. You can buy two flavours (I think salmon and chicken) singly. I did buy the multibox a couple of times and fed the duck ones to Hops, but of course while...

I wholeheartedly agree, Helen. Technically, anything a cat does could be termed 'behaviour'. There's not been any confusion until recently, but I think it would definitely help to specify that the section is for health and behaviour problems. Behaviours like curiosity, play and hunting are normal fo...

Glad there doesn't seem to be anything sinister going on, hopefully if you can get a good meal or two into her it will perk her up. Do pass on some fusses to the little lady x

How much was she twitching? It's probable, as the others said, that she was just deeply asleep, but it's just possible she might have had a minor seizure, which can cause them to lose control of their bladders. Hopefully it's not that, but I thought I should flag the possibility (and if it is, there...

Health and behaviour, as others have said, are inextricably linked, so should probably remain together. But I agree with Kay about the meaning of 'behaviour' in H&B. Perhaps that could be clarified at the top of the subforum?

I keep peeking in here to keep up with Pugwash's progress, I'm thrilled he's doing so well! He must think he's in heaven! Well done to you and OH for giving him such a wonderful retirement home, it's awful to think of oldies out there in the cold and having to fend for themselves. Keep the pictures ...

I was about to make the same suggestion as Ria about syringe feeding. The Gourmet Pates (which I seem to recall Lily likes) would probably make good food for that if you watered it down a bit? I made them into soup when Pip had that awful dental a few years ago and could barely even drink because of...

I'm sorry to hear Lily isn't doing well, Anna, I do hope she rallies. I don't think anyone could accuse you of not trying, you've seen her through so many years of treatment for her various ailments and she's clearly a very loved little lady. Gentle fusses to Lily. Fingers crossed she perks up x PS ...

I have also been in a similar position, after lots of tests and various 'prescription' foods the vet wanted to do a biopsy, but my cat seemed perfectly ok besides having the squits, he was his usual cuddly and perky self! The vet said if Hills z/d hydrolyzed protein food didn't help then it wasn't a...

One of mine tends to be out of sorts after the vaccine, but please don't give up getting Ted vaccinated. Cat flu can be really nasty - I used to have a cat who lost his sight and one eye because he'd had calicivirus flu (before I adopted him), and others on here have had cats with serious health pro...

I also started giving her diluted stem cells for kidneys, made for humans. What was there to lose? She almost died and I had to try something. Now, one year later, she is happy, healthy, following me around, and as fat as a butterball turkey. She gets a few drops of diluted kidney stem cells each n...

My poor boy would wet himself with fear if you did that to him. If you want to experiment buy a chemistry set (and keep it well away from TC). He's not a research subject, he's a pet.

This is a great idea from a rescue, and a good thing to have flagged up, but I think it's unfair to imply that supporting rescue cats is not 'close to the hearts' of most users of this site. Many Catchat regulars already donate food/time/money to cat rescues of their choice - some even work in rescu...

Such lovely news, Helen, Pugwash is a very lucky chap to have landed on his paws with you! He looks like a lovely little old man, more photos soon please!