LoveToKnow Cats:Custom General Cat Questions

I'm sorry to hear that your cat is missing. It sounds like you've made a good start on trying to find her and help bring her home.

First, don't grow too worried just yet. I've had cats missing for weeks, when they finally come home. I even had a cat that went missing for a full year before I found her. She was hiding under a neighbor's house, scared witless. She was less than two blocks from our home, but was confused and couldn't find her way back.

The best thing you can do is to continue to get the word out any way that you can that she is missing. Walk your neighborhood and the area around your home, calling her name and shaking her tin.

I would knock on doors of nearby neighbors and let them know she is missing, give them a flier and tell them to please call if they see anything and to let others know.

If your local newspaper lists missing pets, put an ad in there.

Go to the laundry mat, library, grocery stores and post office and post your fliers there as well. You may even want to offer a small reward.

Be sure to visit local animal control, if you have one to make sure she isn't in jail. This does happen occasionally, even in rural areas.

Don't give up hope. A week isn't that long for a cat to be missing, although I understand your concern with the changing weather. She may be perfectly safe and just not able to find her way home. It's also possible a young child took her in and they aren't sure who the owner is yet.

Good luck! I hope you find her soon. - posted by:LoriSoard

Kittens are so cute and cuddly, it is very tempting to keep them even if a parent says no. However, I can tell you from my own past experience that trying to hide a new pet from your parents is never a good idea. Your mom and dad will find out eventually and they will not be happy. They likely will be more upset that you tried to keep the kitten a secret than the fact that you wanted to keep the kitten in the first place. You are much better off being honest about the kitten.

While your parents may not allow you to keep it, they will likely agree to let the kitten stay until a good home can be found. This means you have the chance of the kitten being in the home of one of your friends or relatives where you can still visit.

Kittens require a lot of special care. They need special food, lots of fresh water and supervision to keep from being harmed. As the weather outside grows colder, the kitten may be at risk from that as well. Also, the outdoors is not the ideal place for a kitten as it may be in danger from predators. By hiding the kitten, it really isn't the best situation for the kitten.

Remember that honesty is always the best policy. Your parents are there to guide and direct you and they love you very much. It's important to respect them by being upfront and not keeping secrets.

And you never know, your parents may decide to let you and your brother keep the kitten. Good luck! Let us know how it turns out. - posted by:LoriSoard

I'm sorry to hear that your cat isn't feeling well. I recently lost my cat, that was sixteen as well. Some of the things he is dealing with sounds somewhat similar.

Although she never bit, she did start to shake a bit. I had mentioned it to the vet, but he didn't think at the time it was anything to worry over.

Then, she just had this crazy dilated eyes and lost control of her bodily functions. The vet ran all sorts of tests and didn't find anything. While she was at the vet, my cat died of a stroke or aneurysm. Looking back, the vet things she had some neurological problems. He may or may not have been able to treat them.

My advice would be to go ahead and take your cat to the vet. The shaking could be caused by anything from neurological issues, to blood sugar issues, to thyroid, to simple old age.

The vet will likely take some blood and run some tests to try to figure out what is going on. The only way to find out what is wrong, unfortunately, is to begin eliminating problems.

However, the vet can tell a lot from a blood panel. For example, the blood counts can indicate cancer or organ failure.

Good luck. I hope your cat feels better soon and it is simply something minor. - posted by:LoriSoard

What a wonderful cat owner you are to put so much forethought into the move and minimizing the stress on your cat.

Every cat is different. Some don't react well to change at all. I had a Siamese who would howl if I hung a new picture on the wall, for example. Other cats seem to just take it in stride. We have a Tortoiseshell right now that will just flop over on her side and make herself at home wherever you take her.

So, the first thing I'd ask is how well does your cat handle change?

If she seems to handle change fairly well, then it would probably be easiest to just move her all at once each time. If she does not handle change well, then it might be better to letter her check out the new place.

There are a few other things you can do that will help minimize the stress a bit. First, if there is anyway you can keep her locked in a separate room, such as a bathroom or laundry room while you move your belongings, this will keep her from accidentally running out the door. It might be best to get everything set up in the new temporary condo and then move her to the new place. Then, she won't have to contend with you unpacking while she adjusts. Also, I would go ahead and leave her in a small place in the new condo for at least a few days, so she remembers where her litter box is located and can get used to the new place on a smaller scale. You can then open the door and let her begin to explore.

Give her a lot of love and reassurance that all is well and this is a temporary blip. I talk to my cats a lot and they seem to do okay with moves. I just reassure them and tell them that we are moving but we will still be together. I think they understand far more than we realize and definitely they understand tone of voice. Good luck with your move. - posted by:LoriSoard

This is an excellent question. As you've probably already guessed, nutrition is important to a healthy cat and you can never start too young. Many pet owners today struggle with cats that are overweight, which can create all sorts of health issues, including Feline Diabetes.

Most kittens start eating solid foods at around 4 to 6 weeks of age. Most commercial cat foods are well balanced for your cat, although there are many studies that show a higher protein food works best for most cats. You will also want to watch what by products are in the foods. The higher quality food you can afford, the more optimal your cat's health will be long term.

As long as your kitten doesn't have a weight problem, dry food can be left down for him or her to graze on throughout the day. You may want to offer a variety of foods and textures at this young age to avoid a picky eater later on. Food comes in canned, fresh and many other varieties. Any food that is not dry that is not eaten immediately should be thrown out. You don't want to give your kitten food poisoning and bacteria can spread easily.

Good luck! - posted by:LoriSoard

I have a cat about the same age and she is a little on the chunky side and stays there. I have noticed that she has some flabby skin too. I think it is just from being fat. I did ask the vet at our last checkup and he said to switch her to a lower calorie cat food, because she is indoors full-time and not active.

In fact, many cats develop a bit of flab during middle age, which is right where your kitty is in cat years.

You may also want to rule out worms. You can do this by taking a fecal sample to your vet. You should not have to take the whole cat in at this point. The vet can test the fecal sample and see if there are any parasites present and what type they are. Many vets will prescribe medication based upon this, but some will want to see your cat to get an exact weight for dosage. A lot will just depend on how long it's been since your last vet visit.

I would guess that this is likely loose skin and abdomen muscles. However, you should definitely mention it at his annual checkup and have the vet take a look to rule out tumors or anything of that nature.

As for the eye, I would keep a close eye on this issue. It could turn out that he has an upper respiratory infection, which can be quite serious for cats. If you notice any change at all, I would go ahead and take him to the vet. There are a few diseases out there which can cause this and would need to be treated immediately, such as Cat Flu. It may just be a minor irritation too, but the eye may need to be flushed out. Are you certain he didn't get into some type of fight with another animal and have his eye scratched? That too might necessitate treatment.

As always, just use your best judgment and if you feel your cat is in any sort of health danger, get him to the vet as quickly as possible. - posted by:LoriSoard

I've owned quite a few cats in my life and there really isn't any advantage to male over female. If you plan to get the cat fixed, which I recommend to avoid unwanted kittens, then both sexes are pretty equal. However, if you do not get the cat fixed, males do tend to spray if left unneutered and the urine smell is hard to get rid of.

I have found that my female cats are very good mousers, but that may just be the personality of cats I've had too.

As for affection, males tend to be very affectionate, but again it depends on personality and how well you tame them and get them used to the family as kittens.

In other words, go and get to know the cats. Hold each cat for a while. See how the cat reacts to being held in different positions. You're looking for the cat that tolerates being held. This cat will likely be more affectionate and tolerant of your children.

Good luck! - posted by:LoriSoard

While it is true that Siamese are born white, they begin to develop their color points by four weeks and these points will develop over several months. You should be able to see the points by this age.

The points are activated by an enzyme that is heat sensitive. This means they develop in cooler areas of the body, such as ears, tail and paws.

Your climate can impact the cat's coloration some, such as in a very warm climate. - posted by:LoriSoard

If she was spayed, it isn't possible she is pregnant. Her uterus and ovaries would have been removed. However, you may want to double-check with the shelter and be sure that she didn't slip through the cracks somehow on the spay procedure

Other than that, she may just be gaining weight. Some cats do after the procedure, or she may have what is called a phantom pregnancy with all the symptoms, but no kittens.

If you are feeling lumps, you may want to go ahead and take her to the vet just to be on the safe side. - posted by:LoriSoard

There are special products on the market formulated for kittens that reproduces the nutrients in a mother cat's milk. Human milk is not as good for them and may upset their tummies, so I'd avoid that. If they are two months, they may be old enough to eat some kitten food from the local pet supply store. You can try feeding it to them and see if they are able to eat it and keep it down okay.

It would help if you knew if they were 4 weeks or 8 weeks old. Then, it would be easier to know how to proceed on what to feed them. You may have to just try different things, until you find one that works. If you feel they are growing weak or ill, don't hesitate to take them to the vet for further advice. Good luck with your new babies :) - posted by:LoriSoard

I'm so sorry that Lincoln is missing. Sometimes tom cat will go missing for a while, particularly if they are not neutered. He'll likely return. Just keep food out for him and keep looking for him. It is fine to shake a bell. Also, you may want to make up some fliers and put hang them up and put in the newspaper boxes of your neighbors. Once he returns, I'd go ahead and have him neutered, so he doesn't stray as much. Hope you find him soon. - posted by:LoriSoard

Congrats on your new family member. I have always owned a Siamese. They are truly unique and wonderful pets. Your Siamese will likely be much more happier in a single pet family. Siamese tend to like humans more than other animals.

It is also very common for a Siamese to resist warming up for a day or two. You may find too that he will get angry for a few days when you leave him for vacation and such. My Siamese hates it when I move or change anything in my house. I can hang a new picture on the wall and she will stand under it and yowl in that loud, Siamese tone.

Cats tend to be grazers. Many cats will eat a little, go sleep, come back and eat more. For the time being, I'd let him eat as he desires. You can discuss the issue more when you go to the vet, but I don't think letting him eat plenty for a week is going to hurt anything, especially if he seems so hungry.

Cats will overeat, some more than others, but since he is underweight, I wouldn't be concerned about him doing so unless he begins to put on unhealthy weight.

Hope that helps. Check back and let us know how he's doing from time to time. - posted by:LoriSoard

I'm sorry to hear she's missing and without any identification too! I would make up some fliers with her pictures and get them circulating around your neighborhood immediately. Put them into the newspaper boxes within a several block radius. You may also want to hang the fliers on telephone poles (watch ordinances) and other highly visible spots.

Many newspapers offer a free classified service to list missing and found pets, so call your local paper as well. Be as descriptive as possible about what she looks like. Good luck! I hope you find her soon. - posted by:LoriSoard

Most people are allergic to the cat's saliva. While a hairless breed seems like a good idea, many people are allergic to these breeds as well. They also require high maintenance as they must be bathed at least a couple of times a week.

Here are some other options you can try, if you want a cat and his allergy is not too severe:

• Limit the cat to only a few rooms in your home and invest in a high quality, HEPA filter.
• Never let the cat in the bedroom where you and your husband sleep. This should be a cat free environment. This will give him eight hours a night without breathing the allergens.
• See if your husband would be willing to undergo allergy testing and possibly shots. Some people have had their allergies lessened or cured over time.
• Bathe the cat regular. Kittens are easiest, so you can get them used to the water at a young age.
• Feed the cat special food to reduce allergens.

Hope some of these ideas help. - posted by:LoriSoard

She sounds beautiful. Cat foods have a perfect mix of vitamins and nutrients that a cat needs. For example, taurine is an important nutrient to keep cats healthy.

There are many people who feed their cats natural diets, so you may want to do some research on raw diets and whole food diets for felines to find out the best ways to supplement should you continue to feed your cat in this way.

To get her onto any particular type of food, try to mix what she is currently eating with just a small amount of the food. Continue this for a few days and then mix in a little more of the new food. Add in the new food in 25 percent increments until she is eating entirely the food you would like her on.

Cats will eventually eat, even picky ones. I have a finicky Siamese and even she will eat if I out-stubborn her. It can be hard to hear those pitiful cries for a day or two, though. Be strong :) - posted by:LoriSoard

Congratulations on owning this wonderful breed. I have always owned at least one Siamese cat and they have such wonderful personalities.

To answer your question about the points, Siamese points do tend to darken as the cat grows older. Although at nine months, you should be able to clearly see the darker coloring on the cats "points" or the ears, tail, paws. Lilac points tend to be much lighter, so it is possible that this is her coloring. If she is a chocolate point, it can take longer for chocolates to develop their point colors.

Blue, chocolate and lilac are all variations of the seal points and have to do with the coloring. - posted by:LoriSoard

It certainly does sound like she is likely in heat. Most cats are in heat from around five days to a little over a week. However, some cats will go into heat "session" almost one on top of the other, which will make it appear that the cat is in non-stop heat.

Whatever you do, do not let her outside or she will likely get pregnant. Unless you wish to breed her, I would go ahead and make an appointment with your veterinarian to have her spayed.

If you are on a budget, the local humane society and animal shelter ometimes offer budget spays or help with the expense. - posted by:LoriSoard

I wonder if it is related to circulation, because it almost sounds as though his paws fall asleep as he is napping and he is trying to increase circulation.

As long as his appetite is okay and he seems to be using the litter box, I wouldn't worry to much. Just mention this to the vet the next time you go in. Some things to look for that would necessitate an immediate trip to the vet would include:

• Lethargy
• Increased thirst
• Lack of appetite
• Tremors (like a seizure)
• Inability to use the litter box
• Notice increase of use of litter box
• Yowling as though in pain - posted by:LoriSoard

It sounds like you are a responsible pet owner. Distemper is a disease that is highly contagious, as one example, and I recommend that owners throw out old pet bedding if they have had a cat with this disease. Traces of Distemper can remain in your home up to a year and many experts agree that you shouldn't get another pet during that time to prevent passing the disease on again.

For me, I would probably go ahead and invest the extra money in new product when it comes to things my pet will sleep in or eat out of. However, if you do choose to go ahead and purchase the items, make sure you clean them thoroughly with a disinfectant and the hottest water you are able to use.

Now, it may be that the other cat is perfectly healthy and I am overly cautious. I've just always learned that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Hope that helps. - posted by:LoriSoard

You have several options for adopting a new cat.

1. Local animal shelters, animal control and rescue centers. Many PetSmart stores now have an adoption center inside, if you have one near you. There is usually a small fee to adopt the animal. That fee covers the spay/neuter and shots. It is also a little cheaper to adopt an adult cat, typically, because kittens are easier for the shelters to place.
2. Check your local newspaper and bulletin boards (at laundromats and the library) for listings of free or inexpensive kittens. The drawback here is that you are going to have to pay for the spay or neuter and shots on your own.
3. Pet Stores can be another option, although I don't usually recommend pet stores as a rule of thumb. Some pet stores get their puppies and breed kittens from mills, where the animals are not always kept in sanitary conditions. This can set you up for a lot of health problems and the cost of these pets is usually much higher than dealing with a private breeder. For example, if you want a Siamese cat, you might be better off asking family and friends until you find one in the area that is reputable.

Good luck! I hope you find the perfect cat. - posted by:LoriSoard

There is a good solution, but I'm not sure if it is exactly what you're looking for. I highly recommend that you not let the kittens go outside. First, it really isn't safe for them, particularly with bigger cats roaming the area. Also, kittens are much more susceptible to feline diseases such as Cat Flu, even if the cats have been vaccinated.

You could also try talking to your neighbor about the situation and seeing if your neighbor will corral his/her cat until the kittens are a little bigger.

Hope this helps. - posted by:LoriSoard

Thanks for writing back. I'm sorry to hear that the fleas bit you in this way. There are several things you need to do.

First, I'd go ahead and put some Neosporin or other topical ointment on your arms to ease the itchiness.

Since you have Bixby scheduled for a vet visit, I would do the following on that day:

• Make sure all living creatures are out of your house and bomb your home for fleas. You can get these bug bombs at hardware stores. Be sure to read the instructions carefully. For the fleas to be bad enough to bite you, it is likely the fleas are in your furniture and carpets, so this is going to be necessary to make sure you are rid of the fleas.

• Have the vet dip Bixby to rid him of fleas and purchase a preventative to prevent future flea infestations.

• Air your house out. It's going to be potent after the bombs.

This should help rid you of the fleas. - posted by:LoriSoard