Cat Chat Feline Forum

I agree that cats are free spirits and I think you need to be aware that when you get any cat, being sensitive to their needs is really important. I have 4 who are 'free to leave' when one of us is at home, but not overnight. I don't leave them outside when I'm out at work as there would be no-one h...

Poor cat! It would sound to me like either there is some irritation which is driving her mad or (just trying to think outside the box) something problematic with her peripheral vision. I would suggest to ask the vet if there is anything soothing (and not poisonous) which could be put on the tail - p...

Thank you for your compliments about Jessie, Fluffy's mum! She is rather a beautiful girly, with greeny golden eyes as well. You can image how I fell in love with her when we first saw her mum bring this white ball of fluff out on to our neighbour's garage roof! We watched her day by day get bigger,...

Hi Cregis, this must be very distressing. Has the soiling started after the arrival of the baby? If so it sounds like 'middening' to me - here's a web page which explains. http://www.thecatbehaviorclinic.com/defecating-or-middening.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; The di...

I'm not sure what others will say but I would think at 14 years it would be maybe too many shocks at once for Tigger to adjust well, and he would be happier staying in the home he knows, with your mother, if you could arrange it. Is there no possibility that he can get used to your fiance by careful...

I think you've made a very good point - especially if the cat concerned appears well fed - we appear to run a 'cat cafe' here as all manner come along for the chance of stealing an extra meal after I used to feed a genuine 'lost boy' outside who was feral in behaviour and skin and bone. He is now be...

Yes, I would agree with you about the Russian Blue! I never thought I'd be a cat owner either, but taking in Jessie (what can you do when they'd starve without you?) after her stray mother deserted her (I never caught her) we soon added another two; one as a companion kitten and another because she ...

What beautiful kitties! Unusual colouring for feral kittens - I would suspect some pedigree in there somewhere! How old were they when you found them? I have an ex-feral kitten who is a beautiful white Calico with orange and black markings. She was approximately 4 and a half months old when we took ...

Thank you for updating - sounds like the little guy is a hit! So glad Elise is happier and you have sorted out the cause of her distress - as you suspected, she was making her views known in the only way she could. I would think the strangeness of the new house will help to contain Elise whilst she ...

If you got her from a rescue Cheyenne should be microchipped. If she is, what you need is a microchip catflap and it can be set to open for her. The problem still is getting her near to it so that you can press the button for it to recognise her chip... But if she starts to get a little more friendl...

It must be so stressful, Winnipegchick! I have 4 cats, and two sets of 3 will get on, but the one male will attack the youngest female, so I have a system of doors and access at the moment although I'm hoping in time things will get better at the moment it's a matter of 'management', so I know where...

So sorry, Wendy, to hear about the loss of your darling Hermia. Please post about her in the Rainbow Bridge section - there will be lots of people there who have also lost their precious kitties who will be able to give you the support and understanding you need - and will never tire of hearing abou...

Most cats do fine in catteries; the main thing seems to be that they have friendly human contact each day. Ours have been three times now and they've been absolutely fine and settled back at home in an INSTANT, even after 2 weeks. Please enjoy your holiday and trust the nice people you've left them ...

If he's not back to his normal self I would suggest a vet check - especially if he gets the runs, so watch out if you can. Mine gets regular hairballs but once they're up is straight back to eating normally...

Being realistic you're unlikely to find homes for cats of this age and it's their home as well... Depending on your schedule I would suggest supervised access to the garden with a water pistol which you can aim at Tom when he comes into the garden. I have adopted a feral Tom who I trapped and neuter...

When he does these bad acts I spray him with a water bottle and yell at him but he just keeps doing it, like it's a game. I think you may be right - he's playing. Part of it is youth and energy (think terrible 2's in a toddler) but is there any reason why you can't get him a playmate or start letti...

I would agree - if you can find somewhere else for her for the remaining few weeks I think it would be in everyone's interest. It's not as if she were staying; she will be with your mum and be a solitary cat, which may be the way she likes things. She is clearly unhappy and I would think wants to be...

Hi Kirsty - yes, 11 hours is a long time - especially if they have periods of exploring during the night. I feed ours around 6-7 when we come home and then the little wet food treat snack just before we go up to bed. Find something they REALLY like. It becomes like a signal that it's bed time. Then ...

Oh dear, I wouldn't like that either, Kirsty! Others may have better ideas but I suspect that he is getting into bad habits with you, and that (as with children) you may have to put up with a bit of a tantrum but if you give in he will just try harder next time... Would it be possible to give them a...

Oh, I forgot to say, if aggressive behaviour starts you could try to distract, maybe with a sharp clap and then a toy, laser mouse or something? Don't wade in with your hands and don't use food as a distraction or you might end up encouraging bad behaviour. Treats can be a reward if they've done som...

Oh dear, Larkie - what an awful time you are having. I will think about this but wanted to get a reply off quickly... I'm wondering when you had the three cats, who was the dominant female? Sounds to me like maybe Lark was, and that now she has gone there has been some anxiety around who is going to...

Hi Kirsty! They are keeping you busy, aren't they!! I would suspect the visitors have put them on edge, in that they don't know whether you and they are the only people in the flat... if this is the case it should settle down in a few days and I'd try to keep to a normal routine and not give in and ...

He will love her, I'm sure! My feral Jessie was 4.5 months when I took her in. She had NO litter mates (the others must have died) and her mother disappeared. I introduced Lara, then about 4.5 months, to her when she was about 6-7 months old. She was terrified at first, I think not knowing what this...

That's lovely Mick, we are all really pleased for Cheyenne. Who knows, in time and at her own pace she may get to know you better. She obviously sees you as 'home' and the shed is a marvellous idea since you have one - maybe a cat flap on it, if she's used to using one?

Again, good points from Sarah, and quite possibly the best option (if Mick can accept it) to let Cheyenne find her own way, continuing as she is, as she's clearly making her own choices. A Mr Snugs kennel sounds a great idea - they really are very good. I still think, Camdengir,l that we have to rem...

Camdengirl. please don't put words into Mick's mouth! He is certainly not treating her like a 'homeware'. He is simply preparing to admit that she doesn't want his attention, although she may appreciate the warmth and comfort of a home base. I agree that maybe a good outcome would be letting her hav...

Mick, Please do contact the RSPCA, but also please don't think you've done anything wrong! We've been with you throughout these months and sensed your commitment, patience but ultimately frustration. You haven't let her down at all; she never had the bond with you your previous cat did but there ARE...

Mick, I'm going to be even more controversial. After 8 months with not even a stroke this little cat is actually confident enough to go outside and do her own thing - but it sounds like she doesn't actually like people... I wonder whether she'd actually be better as a barn cat - so somewhere warm to...

I've not been in this situation personally but as a neuter is such a small op for a boy and he is such a young boy, I would think he would recover at least as fast as any older cat and there would not be a lengthy period whilst the hormones subsided. I would say leave it a couple of weeks and then i...

Absolutely lovely! Ducklings of course, having seen the cat when they hatched, think she's their mum, but fascinating that bonding also operates for cats who see other furry creatures after giving birth themselves.