Cat Chat Feline Forum

I am so sorry - grief hurts, physically as well as emotionally, and we all get through it in different ways and different times. For me I know I need the comfort of a baby in the house to fill the void left in daily routines and begin to mend a broken heart - never to replace, but to make its own lo...

Once he starts to feel better he will probably recover quickly - it is good that he is eating and talking to you again.

I agree your that mother's actions, no matter how well intentioned, could have been designed to upset a cat with new kittens. Perhaps if you suggest to your mother that she may have behaved similarly had anyone attempted to steal her babies she may be more sympathetic! I suspect that given time and ...

What a happy update! It must be a huge relief to you too, to have them all so comfortable together.

If he had a developing abscess he may feel very ill until the ABs begin to take effect. I would leave him in a safe space with a comfortable bed - preferably covered and dark as his instinct will be to hide away - water, food and a tray. If you can get back to check on him during the day it will hel...

I took the dogs out into the shared courtyard in front of the house to pee and poo and have a wander around, and we were greeted by Tilly-cat, who led them to the corner, pointed out the neighbours' cat peeping around a wall 20 yards away, and told them to chase it off home! She started doing this w...

What a wonderful second life you gave him - few cats would survive that diagnosis, and he had ten more happy, loving years with you before being gently helped to slip away. I hope the good memories help as time goes by, even if now they just seem to remind you of what you have lost. And I hope, when...

I avoid the big, pollen heavy lilies because it is so easy for the pollen to brush onto fur and then be licked off in washing, but I have never had a problem with cats eating plants they should not. There is plenty of the sorts of grass they prefer if they do want to nibble something green.

I have to agree with all the others. What you are asking for is an animal that loves your company while you are around to give it, but will be equally happy regularly being left all alone when you are away - not really a viable scenario. I think either you need to rearrange your schedules so that on...

What a kind and understanding act by the vets. I think your photo shows just why we grieve for them so much - that easy, comfortable companionship that we will miss forever. Such a beautiful cat - how old was she then?

I would get your cats chipped (a useful precaution in case they stray in any case) and install a microchip reading cat flap. I had this problem many years ago before the technology was available to deal with it, and ended up with a thoroughly traumatised cat and a very smelly house! You could try ge...

If it were dogs doing this I would say they did not consider the rarely used rooms "den", and therefore are treating them as a useful extra toilet. With cats I suspect that one got shut in, used the bed as an emergency loo, and discovered the advantages of an extra spot which also now smel...

My cats have done that to me innumerable times, and I still get that stab of dread. Usually they have got themselves shut in somewhere (these days Sophy can usually tell me where), but once or twice a year Tilly will go on an extended hunting trip across the fields and be gone up to 18 hours. That's...

That is excellent news! I have taught my cats to come when called with high value treats. Not completely reliable, as they more or less turn off their hearing if they are concentrating on a hunt and simply choose not to come if they are doing something very interesting, but still worth it. The trick...

Good to hear she is feeling so much better - I hope it is all plain sailing now!

I opted for the radio-iodine treatment too - very expensive, but sorts 99% of cases once and for all and is minimally invasive. Has your vet told you why your cat has not responded to the operations? Some cats have thyroid tissue away from the main glands which is not removed by a thyroidectomy; in ...

Definitely best to have her checked by the vet. I have stopped worrying that my vet may think me a fusspot - they know I am, and so do I, and that I would rather pay for peace of mind than risk missing the important things! Post spay can be tricky, and it is much better to be cautious.

6 weeks is very young for kittens to leave their mother and litter - the first few months are when they learn all those important lessons about being careful with teeth and claws from play with Mum and siblings, and most rescues and good breeders keep them together till 10-12 weeks. They will have e...

I would call the vet, and ask their advice. Post op follow up treatment is usually included in the op price, and if there is a problem the sooner it is caught the better. After Poppy's spay the nurse told me to call, or take her in, if I had any concerns at all - she said they would far rather deal ...

She does look very smart, and is obviously recovering well. Watch out for itchiness as the wound heals, though - she may start to nibble just as your guard is dropped!

I too treat on as needed basis - usually every couple of years for two, or at most three, cycles. But if Kitty has had fleas there will be eggs and larvae all around the house, and if the OP reacts badly to the bites it would be wise to make sure they don't get once more established! I find a flea c...

The POM (Prescription Only Medicine) ones are generally far more effective, stopping the fleas breeding as well as eventually killing them, and often protecting the cat against other parasites as well. It is very important to avoid using dog flea medicines on cats - they often contain permethrin whi...

Curiously enough, Sophy usually expects to be paid in treats for everything, but not for tracking - I think she enjoys being very, very good at something humans can't do!

Tilly-cat cat was out all yesterday evening, and there was no sign of her at breakfast time this morning. She does tend to be out hunting late and early, but it is unusual for her to miss meals, so I asked Sophy to find her for me - and after a longish meander around the acre of shared land behind o...

I seem to recall trying to keep Tilly quiet for a day or two, and in until I was sure she was not going to pull at the stitches - perhaps I used the big dog crate, but I really don't remember. Dogs are rather easier as you can keep them on a leash and manage them that way, but short of crating a cat...

As it has been going on for so long I think I would talk to your new vet about anti-anxiety medication. It sounds as if Snoopy has associated Hugo with pain and trauma, and is now fearful of being in the same area - an anti anxiety drug may help get him over the hump, and enable him to learn that th...

In the circumstances I think you are being a better owner NOT putting him through the stress of a scan - I would want to be very sure that there were readily available treatment options that would give a high probability of improvement before opting for a scan. A stroke or tumour, for example, might...

They may well form a defensive alliance against the kittens! Sounds as if you have a busy summer ahead - I look forward to following their progress.

Human incontinence pads may be cheaper than puppy pads - you can get very large ones designed for covering beds - very useful under trays etc as Lilith says, and not expensive if you buy in bulk online.

I think a long anticipated bereavement brings contradictory emotions. There is grief, of course, but perhaps also almost a relief that the thing you have dreaded for so long has happened, and the sun still rises and the world continues. And that brings a little guilt - perhaps you should feel more g...