Cat Channel / Cat Behavior / All About Cats

mean kitten help!

ladyhawk — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 20:47:09 GMT

Hi everyone! I was wondering at what age (how many months) should a kitten be pretty much full grown? My 9 month old female indoor cat is still quite small and I am not sure if she is pretty much done growing now or not. She is also quite a mean cat, she can be overly affectionate (only first thing in the morning) but she usually bites and scratches if I try to hold her or pet her, yet she always follows my daughter and i around the house and is up for playing. I'm just a bit confused about her behavior. Any tips?

edit>> and she has been spayed.

Help - my male cat has been urinating on my bed

krissymlcp — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:37:41 GMT

Hi All,

Just recently, I found that my male cat has urinated on my bed. The 1st tome was about 2 weeks ago and I had my comforter off the bed at the time. (I actually noticed the urine as I was getting into bed at night :frown He has never done this before so my 1st thought was he was unhappy with his litter box. I have an auto litter box with the crystals, and after a week or so, the crystals get saturated with urine so you need to swap out the crystals or put in a whole new tray. So, I did this, washed all my bedding and put natures miracle on the mattress to help get out the urine.

So about a week later, he did it again, almost in the same place. So, I fgured myabe I didn't get all the urine smell out of the matress which is why he did it again ( I did smell the area on the matress prior to his 2nd pee and I could smell urine a bit). So, once again, I do my thing and clean the bed. I then tell myself to never leave the comforter off the bed, cuz he may still be smelling something. So, I caught him in the act on Saturday night, on the comforter. (He seems to only do this at night.) This time it was on the other side of the bed too. So, now I have a rule that I leave my door closed at all times, except when I'm sleeping. Now I'm worried he will pee in the bed while I'm in it. Unfortunately, I can't flip my matress as it's a pillow-top.

I want to nip this in the bud before it turns into a bad habit. I don't think he is sick, but you never know. He is very healthy, eats and plays with his brother, so I don't think it's that. (He just had his yearly exam in Aug.)

Does anyone have any thoughts or sugesstions? I open to anything!

Thanks,

Krissy

Poopy-Butt Cat

karebu — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:33:42 GMT

How on Earth do I convince my cat he can't sit down when he goes potty? When Courage uses the litterbox, he digs a hole, then sits in it and goes. I have to catch him and clean him up every time he uses the litterbox. It wouldn't so bad but he has long fur....and he hates having his butt wiped.

What does it mean when your cat chirps like a bird

Nancy333 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:12:48 GMT

Earlier tonight, my cat was lounging in my dark bedroom, I went to the bathroom which is right next to it and went sat on the bed and starting petting her in the dark. While I petted her, she turned her head and litterally (sp?) made this chirping sound, not once but twice. She seemed rather pleased when she made that noise both times. I've never heard a cat make this type of sound before. Am I correct in assuming that she was happy at the time? She seemd rather happy when those sounds came out. They were really low and high pitched, sort of like a cat trying to imitate a bird chirping. Wasn't loud or anything. I'm just wondering if anyone else has/had experience this. Personally, the impression she gave me was that she was just happy. Any thoughts?

crying to go outside

fuzzy_ball — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 22:21:53 GMT

hi i got a ? my cat fuzzyball and his friends are moveing to the city his is 12years old indoor - outdoor cat i am moveing from county to city and he has to stay inside how do i get him to become a indoor house cat he always runing to the door and meowing at times i don't want him to run out the door and get hurt or killed . we have a main highway nexit to us.

if anyone can help me thank you please get back with about my post

Courage is well...Courage

karebu — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 22:05:13 GMT

Courage has got to be the strangest cat I've met. He is intelligent enough to learn how to turn the sink on, flush the toilet, and recently, open the patio door just by watching me. He watches everything I do intently...on my back. However, he can't recognize Terry when Terry has a hat on. Courage can recognize Terry when Terry is outside, but I am the only one who can take him for a walk. He is scared of Terry if Terry is walking with us.

When Terry and I come home after being gone, Courage greets Terry by rubbing on him, weaving around his legs, headbonks, etc. When he greets me, he pins his ears back and attacks my shoes. He is mad at me for leaving him in the first place. When Terry walks out the door, Courage could care less. When I walk out the door, he SCREAMS on the top of his lungs to make sure I feel horrible as I walk to the car.

my cat is acting strange...part two

nickie — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:40:43 GMT

thanks for your advice I took my baby to the vet yesterday...told him of all the strangeness....(of course he threw-up and pooped all over the car so at least that part works!!) the vet gave him a good going over only to report that there seems to be nothing physical showing up...he then took some blood for a full review..I'll get that report tomorrow. this morning after breakfast he went back to bed...(I'm hoping he just wants a rest and not getting worse) The vet said maybe to put him on a tranquilizer so he can have some peace and not be afraid to move. have you ever experienced kitty prozac? Nickie

Need advice to get two cats to get along.

MissMely — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 08:01:27 GMT

In July I moved in with my boyfriend and his mom, they have a 15yrs old cat that has always been alone and had full range of the house, and now since I brought my 1yrs 10mo old kitten in she tends to be on the hissy side and hiding alot, doesnt want anything to do with my kitten, my cat Mely has never been around another cat until i moved here, (my cat is a pastel torte) she is very curious and like to get into trouble and get her way.

How can I get them to get along.....

right now little tyke is in the moms bedroom, and soon there is going to be remodeling that room and no longer able to sleep in there and winter is coming so little tyke wont be out much at all.

I want to start transitioning them so that they can be somewhat able to roam the house and not be frightened.

thanks

Well, I got what I wanted and now I feel bad...

Texancat — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:41:20 GMT

Valentine louvs me now! YAy! Val, my formerly feral little she-cat, trust me now. She will rub against me and purr and show her tummy and wait outside for like an hour for me to come back outside, even though I already gave her food. She even vabrated her tail! (That is a strong sign of affection.)

One thing I never saw coming: She wants to come inside. I have 2 cats who are kind of iffy with her, not trying to rip her head off everytime they see her, but not acting friendly (they enjoyed chasing her around the street once). And.... Already having two cats which my parents hate with every fiber of their being is not good grounds to let another cat in the house. In other words: "She has fleas and she'll give them to the pets we already have! We don't need a stupid alleycat in the HOUSE."

But she keeps trying to get in! She will try to dart in and rub against you and be cute, then she'll try to sneak into another room. It's surprisingly hard to shoo her away... And she wants to come in so bad, she just gazes inside longingly, probably jealous of how fat my two pet cats are.

But once again, I am not allowed to and I don't want to give my cats fleas, which I haven't seen on her (her coat is really sleek and shiny and clean) but probably are hiding somewhere, because fleas really really stink.

I feel so guilty! She wants to come in and I can let her. She just walks right in everytime I open the door and I have to shoo her out and then she looks offended. I feel bad for her, and confused because I am the only one she trusts in the house and we have a dog, so why would she want to come in? No clue! And the weather is really nice too....

So wht I am saying is I need to figure out what to do.... I don't know how you could help me, but I felt like saying this because I feel.... bad.

Cat is Really Sad

Chevelle — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:14:49 GMT

I have been caring for my cat, Colt, since January. He was about 4-5 months old when he decided to make his home in the backyard of my parent's house. I developed quite a bond with him...I would feed him everyday, play with him, and eventually he would come over to me and sit on my lap and curl up and sleep.

I really took care of him, I took him to the vet to get all his shots and when he had a tick stuck in his neck which caused his third eyelid to protrude, I made sure to get him to the vet right away.

When I got married two weeks ago, my husband and I decided to take Colt in to our new apartment. We took him to the vet and had him neutered.

I thought this would be the best thing for him...now that I moved out of my parent's house, there was no one to take care of him like I do, and he had recently began engaging in horrible fights with another neighborhood cat. In early September, he was chased up a tree twice by this other cat and his face was cut up and he had a pretty bad gash on his tail.

But now that Colt is in the apartment, he won't come out from under my bed. I made the mistake of putting a cat bed under there for him, and now he just doesn't want to leave. I manage to get him out to feed him, but he usually runs under the bed again right away. Last night when he came out to eat, I closed the bedroom door, but then he just hid behind the toilet and then, later, between the couch and the wall.

I don't know what to do. I feel like I did the wrong thing by taking him in. My husband and mother both keep telling me I did the right thing...my Mom said a couple of weeks ago she saw two dead cats on the road by the house. My parents live near an expressway, and I know it is likely that Colt would eventually get hurt.

But what can I do to make him happier? I have considered expensive cat furniture (we have some but nothing huge yet) and getting another cat...although that could make things worse right now.

He used to be so friendly and happy....now he just seems sad.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

my 9 yr old cat is Pooping in my bedroom

something2sweet4u — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 08:57:32 GMT

He has done this now for a few months and out of of the blue. I have 2 cats and he is very tempermental. He likes her when he wants to. It doesn't bother him if the box is clean or dirty. He road cross country last year and didn't go the whole time we were on the road. So he held it for 53 hrs straight. Then back on Dec 31 he pooped in my bed for the second time in 2 days. then he was good up to 3 months ago and [refrain from using profanity] twice in my room over night when I was gone for the night. and I got home yesterday he went in his cat bed in my room. He doesn't pee just poops. Anybody have any advise cause i'm very frustrated and grossed out. And will be forced by my roommates to get rid of him if it keeps up.

So please help with advise on how to deal or treat this problem

I believe my cat has OCD...

klhirtz — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:25:52 GMT

Hi guys!

Here is my problem. My youngest cat, Bruce (About 6 months old) has a tendency to repeat actions over and over.

For example, when He uses the litter box, he will scratch at one side, then go to the other side, the back to the previous. At first, I thought he was just marking his territory (cause I haven't gotten him fixed just yet), but he persists for, sometimes, five minutes straight.

Another example is when its bedtime. Our routine is David (my husband) and I will get in bed. We are shortly followed by Wesley (our oldest) who sleeps in my right arm. Tiger then jumps up and sleeps in between my legs. But then Bruce will jump up walk over and lay between me and David. He will lay there for a min then get up and jump down. He will do this at least 6 times before he finally goes to sleep.

There are also other small actions that he will repeat but those are the major ones. I need help. Has anyone else had this issue with one other theirs?

Aspiring Animal Behaviorist

JewelzEyes — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:42:53 GMT

I know I love working with cats and I don't have the heart/stomach to practice medicine so I am very interested in cat behavior/psychology. I love advising pet parents how to better care for their animals.

Where can I find work relating to this field? I know I probably need to go back to school for a masters or something but even then, what work can I do? Is private consulting my only option?? What can I do in the meantime in this field?

gorging and puking

jadzia's mom — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:24:31 GMT

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't posted lately, but I have 2 jobs and after work I've been helping bring in hay for the horse farm I work at.

Here's my problem....my 2 year old, Kahlua, has been eating fast then puking it up a few minutes later. She has been to the vet and she couldn't find anything wrong with her. She doesn't do it every day, but enough that it's a pain in the butt. I tried putting a ball in the food dish to try to slow her down, but she takes it out and plays with it. I feed freely, there's always kibble since I'm not home alot and I don't feed wet. She just started this about a month ago and I'm getting tired of cleaning puke off the floor

Anyone have any ideas??

wondering

ginger — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:32:35 GMT

hello everyone

i saw this video on youtube and was wondering about the behavior of the puppies and kittens featured in the video..

are they afraid of each other? or just not acquainted yet?
just wondering......

*but the kittens seem to have fun playing with the balls around them
and the biggest puppy looks like it's having fun with the ball!

here's the video.. have a look at it..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uF6mmaawyws

Biting!!!

tab 1 — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 13:50:14 GMT

My cat buttons is normally a sweet cat, but every once in awhile she will bite very hard and will not want to be picked up. I adopted her from our neighbor who has several children who played with her and the other cats very roughly!! What can I do to teach her not to do this!!!

How to introduce my new cat to my mature 13 year old male

tessa — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:01:05 GMT

I recently acquired a 3 year old female. I already have a 13 year old male cat, Screamer. I brought her into the home and followed the suggested steps of keeping her in a closed room apart from Screamer. In the evening I let her out to investigate. When she saw Screamer the hissing started and she chased him out of the room and up the stairs where he hid straight under the bed. She hasn't discovered how to go under the bedskirt after him. I let her stay in her room and tried again the next day. After two days they can be in the same room for a little while but when the growling mounts it usually results in her chasing Screamer upstairs. I am worried that the stress is not healthy for the 13 year old. What is the experience of the members with bringing new older cats together?

Cat can understand human

tsnowice — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 08:51:45 GMT

Maui since gave birth, now she back to the wild side, not like to come home, even I kept one of her kitty, every so often she want to go out, specially now the weather so nice, she always know how to come home.
Even she might be only one and half years old.
Co Co is close to four years old, and he so aggressive, every time he sees some stray cat right by our front door, he would so hyper, and wanted to go out and chase them, I always afraid he does chase them, because he is very "Stupid" I love him dearly, but he never able to come home. Two days ago, he sneak out from the back door at night, when my mom come from the back yard door, so just too dark to find him, and next day, whole day he was not coming back, we all afraid something happen to him, and Maui did not go out for couple days, so I let Maui out, and right by the door step, I told Maui, go find Co Co. Then an hour later, I heard Co Co from my room window, and I tried to get him in, guess what - the detective Maui, found Co Co, and brought him back. He was crying like you guys did not come to get me, I am tired and hungry, he went straight to the food. what a Naughty boy!

Help! Possible declawing!

Texancat — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 15:17:04 GMT

Okay, so my cats NEVER EVER scratch. They have known scratching is bad since we got them (idk how...) But they like to tear the carpets when they want to go through a door, like saying "hello ppls! Let me out!" and it makes the carpet look weird right under some of the doors. And... I think that's all they destroy...

So anyways my dad wants to declaw them!!! (or "Have them destroyed" or "throw them in the garbage") He usually makes threats about the pets when he's mad.....

Well anyways, he seems to think this is a FINE idea! He says that, based on his own experience, his childhood cats were more friendly declawed. However he didn't mention that they were siamese cats. (someone else told me) aren't siamese very people orientated?

I once saw a freshly declawed cat, his feet covered with bandages, blood-slicked cage floor... He was slipping around and looked scared ad hurt. I don't want that to happen to my cats! I personally think it's rather sick....

I heard a lot of behavior problems arouse (especially litterbox...) when declawind your cat. Can anyone tell me what some of them are? And also hw much it usually costs?

Feral Cat please help!

Texancat — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:07:57 GMT

There are lots of feral cats here. A lot of people just leave food out for them, and they eat it late at night.

I feed this cat. I am pretty sure she is about 18 months, but adfter getting a close look at her I'm not so sure. I have seen a cat just like her ever since it was a kitten. I don't know if it's her, but I'm pretty sure.

Anyways, the reason I don't know if she is still a kitten or not is because she is so SMALL! Maybe 3-5 pounds, she is so tiny.... Our neighborhood is by woods, which are full of coyotes. I have also seen a dog from time to time, it walks around with a collar but no owner, and it's afraid of people. I'm worried that this tiny cat might be eaten. I'd like to get her to a shelter or owner or SOMEWHERE, but she runs away as soon as she sees my face even through a window. She's very skittish. Short of setting a trap, is there anything I could do to get her to trust me even a little bit? I don't want to trap her because it might freak her out and make her even more scared. Would a trap be a good idea? Please help! Thank you.

Playing in the water bowl...

SydneyandElsie's mommy — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 16:40:53 GMT

Hello
Its been a while since I have been on cat channel. My kittens Sydney and Elsie are now 10 months old (how time flies) and we have been having a great time playing and cuddling. About three weeks ago a new habit began: playing in the water bowl. The cats are constantly splashing water out of the bowl. My main concern is that no matter how many water bowls, the cats manage to empty all of them. I am concerned cause I work long hours and I don't want them to go without fresh water. I have tried squirting, loud noises, taking the bowl away while they are doing it. Any suggestions?

my cat is acting strange

nickie — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:19:26 GMT

My six years old formally well, happy, playful non-fearing male cat all of a sudden became a fearful cat afraid to take a step. He just stands there smells, looks….sometimes takes a hesitant step sometimes not….its like his brain cannot decide what to do there has been no trauma with in an hour he changed. He still eats…drinks, and goes to the bathroom. Please help

brothers trying to mate

Pjunior — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:49:07 GMT

my roommate has otis, the brother of my cat pj. they're both maturing and obviously ready to mate (which isn't going to happen as cocoa is spayed, and doing great after her vet visit btw) but pj and otis try to um, do eachother. pretty much almost raping eachother,the only reason it hasn't happened as far as we know is because we stop them. is this normal? and is there anything we can do to stop this?

Psycho Chewing Kitten

Downtown kitty — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:03:26 GMT

Hi-Ho

So we are at the five month mark and I am noticing Walter likes to chew on everything!

He has tons of toys to play with and we play with him too. Do kittens teethe? Is there anything I can get him to chew on more than our couch?

I clap my hands and raise my voice which he's getting to understand. He thinks No is his name .

I also thought the ice cubes were cute at first, now he sits and puts both front paws in the water bowl at the same time and licks them after. Not so cute when he goes straight to the litter box after he looks like the mafia has given him cement shoes. Although that could be George.

Need your help

Meow26 — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 09:40:12 GMT

Please vote for my cat on MN lottery cutest pet contest. Pukka is a 4 year old Birman with a wonderful personality and amazing blue eyes! The picture chosen by the lottery was not his best photo and we feel like if they would have picked a different picture, he would win. He he currently in second place. You can vote once a day until September 30th. We appreciate your help!!

Here is the link: https://www.instantticketcontest.com/MN/PetContest/vote.php
My cat is Pukka (third from the top, white and grey) Click the dot under Pukka's picture and choose a dog then click submit.

Thanks for your help! >^..^<

Help - My 2 Cats Are Suddenly Fighting :-(

Meemers — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 10:35:19 GMT

Help Please. We have two cats. We rescued them from the shelter about 3 years ago. Each was adopted at different times, but are about the same age (4 years). Both are females and both are spayed. Both were declawed (front and back - yikes) when we adopted them - so they are defenseless and totally indoor kitties.

They have always gotten along. Over the last week or so they are viciously fighting. Running through the house - screaming at each other (sounds like a horror movie), knocking things over while they go after each other. We don't have other pets - we don't have neighbors with outdoor pets (we live in the rural desert area - so nobody leaves pets outside) - nobody has been ill, neither cat has been to the vet or groomer, no change in food, nothing new at the house. It is just a mystery. My 4 year old is now scared to death of these kitties due to them constantly walking around all puffed up and growing, hissing and screaming. They were just doing this at night (no sleep for us because they are soooooo loud), but are now going after each other during the day as well. We love our kitties and want to help them through this new found hatred. What to do, what to do????

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

mentally captivating cat toys

Gobo — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:37:28 GMT

My 2 year old maine coone mix Gobo gets really bored while I'm at work all day. Getting another cat isn't an option at the time being because I don't have time to introduce the other cat into the house and I am going to be moving in a year or so and don't want the increased hassel of transporting two cats cross country.

I am looking for a cat toy or piece of furniture that might entertain my cat while I'm gone. When I get home she is super needy.

She already has her own chair but it's more for relaxing than for entertainment. She has several jingle balls that I leave around the house for her when I go but she has no interest in them unless I am throwing them.

Any suggestions?

Does your cat do this?

MiniBeast — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:20:32 GMT

I have noticed that both Coco and Sadie puff up their tails when they are scared. It is really funny to look at because Coco's gets BIG! But does any of your cats do this? I think cats do it to look bigger? But only my female cats have very done this (Coco and Sadie have been my only female cats), is it just a girl thing?

SHOCKING NEWS ABOUT MY VAL! (I will add pics soon, too) PLZ Look!

Texancat — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:55:12 GMT

okay I lied about getting the pics up. Oh, I took them but they are on another computer so I can't add them 'till tomorrow. Sorry....

Anyways, I have confirmed Vallie Val Valentine as the mother of those kittens. Valentine is my feral little she-cat. I touched her twice, once on the tail and once on the ear.... Kind of a big deal, kind of not because it was only her ear. A big step anyways....

Well, this morning I saw her in my backyard making a pathetic attemp at squirrel-hunting. (fail XD) but ten I saw a tiny silver cat, and a black shadow- couldn't tell it's size- disappearing into the neighbor's shed. As far as I know, they are nice but don't have pets, and food (me) is close by so it isthe pawfect home! Assuming the neighbors don't get mad and fumigate them....

Well, tonight they all came, Valentine and her two kits. One was a silver bengal kitten, with classic little black spots and striped face legs, and tail. He/she was like Valentine, only more so, and smaller and grey and black. The other kitten was a torishell, soooo cute but an utter pig.

there was no other cat in sight, and either Val took them in or somehow had them without me noticing.

They are about 3 months old, and they ate sooo much food! They were PIGS! but totally terrified of me.

Should I try to tame them? They could go to good homes, but I don't know if I could find any and I'm not alloud to trap them anyways.

Any advise would be great!

Please Help...

Raven — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 04:18:22 GMT

I need some input/help in understanding what happened with my cats yesterday and how I can fix the problem that's been going on since yesterday evening.

We've just moved into a new apartment. I'm not sure if that is a factor in this situation, but thought I'd mention it just in case. Here's what happened yesterday evening, saturday night around 7 p.m. I was asleep upstairs, I work nights, and was woken out of a sound sleep by a scream! About 3 seconds later figured out that it wasn't my boyfriend downstairs because it didn't sound like a man's scream. So I bolt downstairs and my boyfriend is at the bottom of the stairs staring at my female cat, Petunia. She had caught a mouse, first one she's EVER caught. So we're not sure if it bit her or just startled her because she caught something alive that moved. But it was on the floor in the living room. Apparently it started to move because my boyfriend got a yardstick and hit the mouse again and brushed it out the front door with the yardstick. I checked out Petunia and I didn't see any bite wounds from the mouse or blood or anything. Anyway, Petunia was the one that made that gawd-awful scream.

There was blood on the floor so I think she injured the mouse. As a side note, does anyone know how to get blood out of a wood floor??? I sprayed some cleaner on it but there was a small amount that wouldn't come out.

But the problem I'm having since last night is with the other cat, Basil. When I heard the scream and came downstairs, he was sitting in the farthest corner of the room staring at the situation. After that he didn't want Petunia near him. He would just freeze and do a low angry rumbling growl at her. It wasn't even like he was guarding any certain area. He just did not want her near him or even in the room with him.

We kept speaking sternly to him. And when he wasn't growling his body language made it clear that he wasn't comfortable and didn't want her near him. He'd scrunch down as small as he could go, wrapped his tail tight around his feet and would just stare. I tried waving a hand in front of his face or blocking his gaze with my body but he'd just move around me and STARE at her. She knew even without the growling to back off.

He was just at the vet a week and a half ago and is in good health, he's five years old and neutered, and he weighs 16 lbs. Petunia is a healthy spayed female weighing in at 9 lbs. He's almost double her weight so if he decided to do something while I was at work and my boyfriend was sleeping, he could really hurt her. So we put him in the bathroom with some water and a litterbox figuring he'd calm down by this morning. I opened the bathroom door this morning, he spotted her and started right in with the growling and refused to come out of the bathroom.

What's with the sudden change in behavior? How do I fix it? They have always gotten along well, no problems. I've had both of them since kittenhood. They've always played and gotten on well together. I'm completely baffled and don't know what do about this situation. Basil can't stay in the small bathroom indefintely, yet I don't want him roaming loose through the house if he's going to attack Petunia.

Also, can cats get any kinds of diseases or anything from a mouse bite? She's acting normal this morning. Basil is the one with the odd behavior. Any help or suggestions are appreciated. I've tried to add as much details as I can for anyone who has any advice to give.

Raven

Cat Playing the Piano

MiniBeast — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:58:38 GMT

My cat Coco 'plays' my piano. She found out what it was one afternoon while I was playing. My previous cat didn't like how loud it was when they were close to it. But Coco jumped on the bench and watched my hands. She tried to find the sound and ended up walking on the piano, enticed by the sound.

She now walks on it if she is bored, when I am playing, or in the early morning to wake someone up. It is cute when people come over and everyone is in the room but there are sounds coming from the piano. "Oh it is just the cat, no big deal."

Cat Mating Behavior

liztuke — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 10:14:01 GMT

Not sure if it is a neighbor's cat or mine, (mail, 2 years old) but there is cat crying like a baby at 3 in the AM and other times during the day- we can not figure it out.

Can someone please help with crate training?

Nancy333 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:03:55 GMT

My Gracie just adopted me this last weekend. Her foster mother told me that she hates crates. I went on a shopping spree yesterday to spoil her, during my shopping spree, I bought a canvas crate that she can be put in the top as well as she can walk in through the side. As in a traditional metal crate. I tried to show it to her, but she ran off in full steam. She's so new to me and my household. How do can I get her to like her crate so I can take her to the vet next week to be checked out and get the shots she needs? I'm afraid to move her food into the crate, being as she's just now getting used to her regular feeding area. Plus, I bought her some treats, turns out she doesn't like them. I have not other treats. She doesn't have a bed that she sleeps in other than my own, otherwise for the most part, she spends all her sleeping time in a chair in my basement. I'm afraid she won't go for a towel laid down in the new crate. Any advice would be more than appreciated.

Oh, MY

KIRules — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:27:13 GMT

Is there a reason for this? Sometimes while people walk by, my cat will either tap peoples feet or grab at them with her paws (She can actually grab people's hands and stuff). And even weirder is sometimes She'll hide behind chairs/ in a chair, and just pop out and scare the living crud out of everybody.

Ex: One night I was walking past our dining room table. Georgie just comes and JUMPS from the chair. Her pupils were REALLY huge and her ears were back. It was so weird XD

How do you pick the perfect kitten?

kansas — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:18:42 GMT

Ok some have read my post on wanting a luv bug lap cat type kitten, so I got to thinking,, if there are 2 kittens and one is super layed back and almost comatose to the petting you give him in a good way, and the other is very playful and super friendly,
how would you decide which kitten would be the one to pick? For wanting a lap cat? Im torn, on one hand I would think the more mellow kitten would be the obvious one, because he is mellow, BUT the playful one could be as well because he is more eager to be around the attention.. hmmm what do you think?

Moving

persian85033 — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:29:32 GMT

I'm going to be moving soon, and I'm kind of worried about my cat. She's lived her whole life in the same house, and I'm worried about her adjusting to the new house, and maybe escaping and trying to make her way back. So scared something may happen.

Anyone got any tips? I've thought that while we're moving stuff, and fixing up the new house, I could take her there for, like, a couple of hours at a time or so? To do some exploring after we're done, before going home, so she's not a complete stranger?

Cat only eats insects, actively hunts house

BillFeral — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:11:49 GMT

Greetings fellow cat fans. As you can see, I'm new here but I have always had cats. I adopted a feral cat several years ago and after alot of patience and help from the resident domestic, I tamed him or maybe he tamed me. Whatever, he's a good cat and has adapted after years, but now he's acting funny. He used to like canned and dried food, but started turning his nose up around spring time. I occasionally see him nibble, but see him reject normal food more than he eats it. What I see him do all the time is scour the house and basement for insects. This is his preferred diet now. His favorite is katydids, but they are seasonal and dont get in the house unless I go out and get one after he leaps at the sliding glass door. He has lost alot of weight and after reading, I'm concerned about fatty liver. His nickname was fatcat, but he aint so fat now and that's a precondition.

How do I get him to eat again?

I'm tempted to turn him loose and let him hunt for a living, but always put food out for him. I'm thinking he just wants to be feral again. In fact, his yearning for the outdoors is so strong I have seen him jump up on the back of the couch and cry at a painting of an old barn. I've never had a cat like him. Occasionally, other cats will visit the deck and I think they've made him feel like a prisoner.

Thanks for listening and for any suggestions.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back....

Texancat — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:48:27 GMT

I wrote about my feral kitty, Valentine, a few times. Well, she was doing so good! She welcomed me with a lifted tail, rubbing the pillars on my porch, and coming, at times, wihin inches of my hand (I had food then...) Then I could sit two feet away talking to her while she ate. She'd be okay.

two things concernme a little bit.

#1. She didn't come two night ago, which is weird, and last night she was acting strange... Crabby even. She barely ate before stalking off, and she didn't even bother greeting me. Just layed there and glared.

#2. Also, I saw a cat come in the neighborhood the other day. I saw him around the main area the cats hang out, and he's like the new kid on the block. He is SOOO handsome. I am not sure, but he may be a tori. I only see him in half-light or really far away. But he is silver or blackish with some brown on him. idk.... Anyways, if he is a HE, then he will probably be only here for one reason: the females. I am almost completely sure Val is a girl, because my cat is all over her. He saw her and now he eeps trying to get to her. He looks all love-struck, hehe. I heard even nuetered toms freak out over females. So anyways

Probable tom + probable she-cat= probable kittens!

If she is or will get pregnant, is there any way I can attract her to nest near my house? I mean, she has to eat right? There is an area or two that doesn't get trampled by human feet all the time, but still the neighbrs might find her.... Either way I'd like a chance to tame the kittens and maybe have them adopted. Since they are young it could be easy (even though we had a tom who's MOTHER was feral and since he was newborn he was around humans and he was so evil hwe had to give him away to someone who could take cae of him) but Hhey! second chanes right?

Anyways, if you have any advise on A. why she's crabby and B. what I could do if she did get pregnant I would be grateful.

Thanks for reading my reeeaaallllyy long post! ~Texancat

Window screen and scratching questions

jps1012 — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:18:19 GMT

Hi....I got a birman kitten a week ago. She is 3 months old. She scratches me and my girlfriend bad. I dont think she knows what she is doing. Yesterday i had to drive to work with a bloody hand. She never scratches anything in the apt, just us. She bites sometimes too but that doesnt bother me nearly as much.

Also, she likes to hang out by the window when it is open. Should I not let her do this? Can she scratch through the screen and jump out? I feel bad bc she enjoys it. She also likes to climb up the screen. Any tips? Thanks!!!

cat with mental problems?

Pjunior — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:44:57 GMT

my 8 year old cat that we recently took in was abused, while she's come a LONG way (she used to claw you just for sitting by her and saying her name) she's still not very sociable, eats bare minimum, and seems generally unhappy with life. i spend time with her, spoil her for as much as she will allow, she just honestly doesn't seem happy with life. her eyes twitch as if shes having a seizure (shes not tho, just upset) should i just leave her alone or keep trying?