Cat Chat Feline Forum

Is he hyper- or hypo- thyroid? I wonder how much of his anxiety, and even bowel problems, may be linked to the thyroid, especially if he is hyperthyroid. If so, and if he is insured or you can afford the admittedly hefty cost, I would seriously consider the radio-iodine treatment. Pippin had it 6 mo...

Could be harvest mites, but is more likely to be a flea or similar allergy. Some animals are far more sensitive to the presence of fleas than others. Many flea treatments require the fleas to bite for them to be affected - for a sensitive cat a contact insecticide may be a better bet. I would talk t...

That is excellent news - hope all continues well.

I am so sorry - no matter how prepared we think we are, there is always that small hope of a miracle, or at least a little more time. You gave him the last and kindest gift, and now need to be kind to yourself while you grieve, As Ruth says, each loss brings back earlier ones, and you have had much ...

Has he been checked by a vet? Occasional regurgitation after a meal, or vomiting some time later (especially hair or grass), are practically normal for cats, but if it is frequent and regular I would take him to the vet. If the vet cannot find a cause I would try smaller meals, several times a day. ...

I am glad you are getting help and support - so many people think "just a cat", and don't understand how these small beings weave themselves into every moment of our lives. I hope that little by little the good days take over from the bad ones - think of them as celebrating Bertie's life a...

We all grieve differently, but I think that if your unhappiness is making you so deeply depressed after nearly a year it may be time to seek help. It is not letting go, or forgetting him, to accept that life must continue even though he is no longer with you - he was obviously a cat of huge characte...

That is an impressive construction! Perhaps putting a climbing post or ramp next to the window would help them explore? Your windows are so beautifully clean the glass may well be confusing them! (Not usually a problem in my house, where nearly every window has a row of Poppy nose prints across the ...

Food - I would simply reduce what you are feeding by around 10%. I don't think it makes a lot of difference to weight whether you feed tinned or dry, although I would avoid anything with a high carbohydrate content - you want all the nutrients with fewer calories, so basically meat, bone and a littl...

Post away, Mary - you are welcome to share. I actually gave in and went for a nap this afternoon after so little sleep last night - needless to say I was accompanied by two dogs and at least one cat. I too wear contact lenses, and once I have taken them out I often have to stroke the ginger heap on ...

10pm Tired after an early start and a busy day, I took the dogs out into the garden for last pees and went to bed. 11pm Sophy-dog decides perhaps she should have stayed out longer and peed properly, despite the rain... 12 midnight Pippin-cat comes in wet and friendly. Clambers onto the bed, finds a ...

Cat Chat may have already suggested the Cinnamon Trust, but just in case: http://www.cinnamon.org.uk/home.php

I think if it has gone on for several days I would ask to speak to the vet - it could be a reaction, or it could be purely coincidental, but you know your cat best and know what is normal for them. These things always seem to happen on Bank Holidays...

I am so sorry - it is the last and kindest gift, but that doesn't help our own sadness.

Brushing or combing mats and tangles hurts, and can hurt a lot - he has associated grooming with pain and he is understandably reluctant to allow a brush anywhere near him. I think you need to go right back to the beginning, and make it a happy experience, rather than a battle with every attempt inc...

I was thinking along similar lines, Lilith. I once had a cat who had been hand reared - her problem was rather the opposite in that she was desperate for attention. The moment anyone sat, or looked as if they were about to sit, or even stood still for more than a few seconds, she flung herself onto ...

Sounds as if you need help from a qualified behaviourist - or an experienced mother cat. Cat play can be quite fierce, but this sounds particularly so. Pippin got a bit OTT when he found himself an only cat after his brother vanished, and particularly targeted my sister's ankles. It stopped as soon ...

I wonder if she missed out on human socialisation in her first six weeks, and then went straight into a busy family which expected "normal" kitten behaviour from her? I don't think her behaviour necessarily indicates actual mistreatment - perhaps more that she has never learned to feel saf...

I think there are some animals that will always hold a particular place in our hearts, no matter how much we love the others that share our lives. And sometimes when we lose them we lose a link to past happiness - my cats were with me when my parents were still alive, and their presence can make me ...

Ah, THAT name! Pippin, when hardly more than a kitten, had a really bad accident resulting in a very serious diaphragmatic hernia - basically it was torn right across in a big, jagged mess. Three vets operated, resuscitated him twice, and told me it was touch and go whether he would make it through ...

Choose something you will be happy shouting around the neighbourhood at 3am when he goes exploring - two syllables ending in -y or -ee tend to be easiest for that!

I am so sorry, Antonio. She was a much loved cat, and no one could have worked harder to keep her healthy and happy. I hope that in time the happy memories prevail and bring you comfort.

Welcome to the forum. The scratching and clawing could well be scent marking - cats have scent glands on the pads of their paws. Changing home means a lot of carpets and furniture that need to be anointed before he can relax. Perhaps spreading blankets or throws he has slept on around the place woul...

I would try salmon oil rather than cod liver - the latter tend to be very high in vitamins A and D, which may not be advisable in large doses. Or there is always a tin of sardines, if the cat likes them!

Pippin gets a similar, but not quite as severe, reaction to spot on flea treatments, surgical spirit, etc. I now use the six-monthly jab against fleas, and we have discovered that washing off surgical spirit immediately prevents the reaction to that. My cure-all is HyperCal ointment, as you know - t...

Love the tale of your fishy experiences! I make treats for the dogs, some of which the cats also like. The absolute favourite is liver cake/biscotti, and the recipe works well with a tin of salmon or tuna in place of the liver. Basically you puree around 120g liver, raw or cooked, (or a drained can ...

Hope all is going well this morning. How long does he have to be kept confined?

Excellent news that he is doing so well. Perhaps the "Out" tray would be more appropriate though?!

I woud make a vet appointment ASAP. There are so many things it could be, from comparatively minor and easily treatable (acne, spider bite, abscess) to more serious stuff, and only a vet can tell you. Whatever it is, the sooner it is attended to the better the prognosis, so I would not delay.

Hope all goes well, and he is soon safely and convalescing.