Cat Channel / All About Cats / Cat Resources

How can you tell how old a kitten is?

Ebony_Cat — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:19:36 GMT

How can you tell about how old a kitten is just by looking at it?

Feral cat with 4 kittens on my balcony

Mystiques81 — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:33:52 GMT

Hi,

Two days ago a mother cat showed up at my balcony with 3 kittens. It had rained heavy for 2 days straight so maybe thats why she came to my balcony for shelter. Odd thing is I live on the first floor. So she had walked up the outdoor stairs to get there.

Then today when I looked out there was a 4th kitten there.

I think the kittens are around 2-4 weeks old not quite sure.

I put a box with a towel out for her when she left the kittens yesterday to hunt and today they were all sleeping in the box with her.

She seems scared of me so I have not opened the balcony door while she been there, just looked out the glassdoors and also took a peak from the stairs. I have not touched the kittens or her at all since I read it's not good to touch wild animal babies since then you risk the mother won't like them because of the human smell.

My questions are:

1. Shall I give them food? I figure it's probably best not to since then they might get dependent on me. And if I can't get them tame they will be alone when I might move later this year.

2. Should I get a cat trap from a shelter and bring them there?

3. Should I just let them stay there and not interfere?

I just want to help them since I love cats, but don't want to mess things up and scare the mother cat away.

So any suggestions on how to handle this would be very appriciated

Another use for Catnip

PeaLoki&Gabe — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:10:15 GMT

I'just learned another use for catnip besides kitty crack, mosquito repellant! rub fresh leaves on your skin and the skeeters will leave you alone (your feline companions won't but that's besides the point!)

What kind of cat is this?

candiland791 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:10:13 GMT

Any help is appreciated! THANKS! I'm sure it's not a pure breed, but I'd like to know what it could be.

Cat Fancy

hmmorgan — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 22:05:51 GMT

Hi all

I want to find out how many users on this website subscribe to Cat Fancy magazine, so let me know!

Subscribe to "CAT NIP"? u have got to b kidding.....

darlenesharon — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:04:10 GMT

I was so shocked when I got a copy of newletter "Cat Nip" and they wanted to charge such a large amount to subscribe to a xerox newletter. The news that is in this newsletter should be in Cat Fancy of which I do subscribe and am never unhappy.

Is this a Maine Coon?

candiland791 — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:31:47 GMT

Any help on what breed he may be?

Grant Co., KY animal shelter in dire need of adoptions for cats!

darlenesharon — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 20:08:05 GMT

A new manager was put in place and the shelter is in need of homes for the cats before they are put down. Beautiful kittens and their mothers.

Please pass this on and help us find them homes.

They have a web page GrantCountyAnimalShelter.org

Kitten in heat

Spirit's Mama — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:50:22 GMT

My 5-6 months old kitten is in heat. There is no male around and she is strictly an indoor cat. Is there anything I can do to help her? She sound like she is in so much pain. I have monthly cramps so if it is anything like that I want to help her.

Please help!!! I feel so helpless.

What breed is my cat?

Songbird21 — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 23:18:23 GMT

Hiya,

I've had my kitty for 13 years and I still have no idea what breed he is. I got him from a pet store (I know. I know. If I had any idea how bad that was when I got him I wouldn't have). He has a lot of features that scream abyssinian but his ears are too small and his neck is too short. He may be a mixed breed. If he is I would love to know what he is a mix of. Can anyone help?

He's bunched up a little in this shot. His body is long and lean.

Vet clinic map

4221Mitchell — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:16:37 GMT

There is a google map that lists veterinary clinics that provide treatment for FIV and FeLV cats.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=110569799529213467944.00046e4aefe298761f254&ll=33.72434,-116.38916&spn=7.543771,21.181641&z=6

I think this is helpful. We need to know who is enthusiastic with helping our cats.

BLANK FORM to provide to vet

Ragdoll Mom — Tue, 23 May 2006 18:53:36 GMT

A long time ago I came across a great form to provide to your vet. I used it on the old Cat Fancy board. Too many times we are taking sick cats to the vet and we are upset and we can forget to provide important details to the vet. I would GREATLY APPRECIATE if everyone would provide some feedback so we could turn this form into a really good form for our Cat Channel members to use when they take sick animals to the vets.

CAT CHANNEL SICK CAT VET INFO FORM

YOUR CAT'S NAME:

YOUR CAT'S BIRTHDATE/PRESENT AGE:

MALE/FEMALE

NEUTERED/SPAYED AND WHEN?

AREAS WHERE CAT IS KEPT (PARTICULARLY IF YOU TRAVEL WITH YOUR PET) On a ranch, on a farm, in a barm, swamp area

Is your cat strictly indoors or outdoors?

When was your cat's last vet visit and for what?

Has your cat been vaccinated for FIV and FeLV and when?

What situations apply to your cat and check all that do apply:

Has been outside unsupervised ___
Was exposed to a cat with unknown FIV/FeLV status ___
Was in a fight with another cat ___
Lives in a household/apartment/roomates with other cats of unknown FIV/FeLV status ___
Lives in a household/apartment/roomates with a recently adopted cat ___
Was a stray or obtained from a shelter: ____
Any weight Loss ____
Not eating or decreased appetite ____
Not groming or decreased grooming ___
Decreased energy or general weakness ___
Vomiting ____
Diarrhea ____

Urinating _____
Swollen or red gums ___
Pale gums ___
Mouth sores ___
Enlarged sides of neck (lymph nodes)___
Abscesses in mouth or elsewhere ____
Bladder Infections ______

Cystitis ________

Eye discharge or pus ____

Excessive meowing _____

Hiding away and not coming out to eat or drink ____

What medications does your cat take _______

Current and Past Medication Conditoins and Dates _____

Rebate for Cat owners

4221Mitchell — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:56:27 GMT

I stumbled across this on the website www.imulan.com

Seems as though the company of this product, IMULAN, is giving a $20 rebate to the cat owner when the Veterinarian purchases the product LTCI. LTCI is used for FeLV and FIV cats.

I think this is a wonderful way of giving the consumer a break and helping the cats out also.

Lost or abandoned cat

BudGirl — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 10:54:33 GMT

I have several cats of my own, all spay/neut., that go inside and outside. One evening, a cat showed up on my deck. I haven't seen this one roam the neighborhood. It was very friendly and I kind of assume it is/was someone's house cat. It was rubbing on my leg and wanted to go in the house. Looong story short, any suggestions on where to take it? I don't want to take it to the humane society. I know they will destroy her if not adopted. How do I find a no-kill shelter? Does someone have a website or help point me in the right direction? Thanks for your help.

pregnant neighborhood cat

montyboy — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 10:54:36 GMT

Just wanted some advice from anyone who's been in this situation before. My friend has a neighbor who lets their cat outside free to roam during the day. From another neighbor, my friend has learned that the cat is less than a year old, does not wear a collar for identification, and is already pregnant. I want to inform this household that they need to get their cat spayed. I also am worried about the kittens. I do not want them running around as well- free to get injured. Any suggestions as to what I should do?

I'm hesitant to knock on their door and tell them how to take care of their pet, because the police have been there regularly due to drug accusations!

Thanks.

TEARS (The Emergency Animal Rescue Service) Is In Danger Of Closing

gin2772 — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:44:51 GMT

The Emergency Animal Rescue Service (TEARS) works with police to rescue abused, injured and neglected animals. They treat the animals and find them new homes. But the organization could be forced to close its doors and euthanize all of its animals.

"We've got a lot of mouths to fed and a lot of animals to find homes for," said Debby Cousins, a TEARS rescuer.

TEARS currently has 200 animals and spends 300 dollars every other day to feed just the dogs. Now, TEARS needs rescuing.

"If something doesn't happen real quick, we won't have money to take care of what we have. We are coming really chose to shutting down," said Cousins.

"Unfortunately, if something doesn't change and we can't find homes for them, they would have to be euthanized, which totally goes against our policy," said Cousins.

TEARS website is http://www.tearstown.org

TEARS
226 Glasgow Road
Birmingham, Alabama 35224

Pet Assisted Therapy with Cats

Texas Tortis — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 20:00:37 GMT

When I adopted my manx kitten last summer, something about her told me she'd be a good candidate for pet assisted therapy (going to hospitals, nursing homes, etc). She's very out going and not overly energetic, but definitely playful. Then I talked myself out of the idea for what ever reason (probably stress from school and such played a big part ).

Last night, however, I took her to Petsmart with me and she was fabulous! She'd only been out of the house once since she was spayed last fall, but she was very calm on the drive over. I put her carrier (one of the soft sided ones) in the child seat of the shopping cart and opened the top flap. She'd pop her head up, look around, go back into the carrier. No meowing, no cowering, no escape attempts. Several people pet her. Dogs were all over. She was an angel.

So now I'm thinking of looking into the therapy thing some more. Have any of you ever done this with your cats? Any tips? She already will sit and come pretty reliably. I think the next big thing would be to get her out and about more.

How often do you visit the 'Cat Channel' forum boards?

catprofessional — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:38:13 GMT

I seem to be on here most days but wondered how often fellow 'Cat Channel' forum members visited!

Tips for Hot Summer Weather

FeathersNFuz — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:58:00 GMT

Hello CatChannel Forum members!

It's the middle of summer but hot temps are making way into everyone's areas it seems. Here are two articles you might find helpful on how to help keep your cat cool during the heat waves.

And if you have any tips please share them here for everyone to consider.

Keeping Kitty Cool During Summer Heat
CatChannel expert Jeanne Adlon, professional cat sitter, discusses ways to keep cats comfortable in hot months.
http://www.catchannel.com/experts/cat-sitter/keeping-kitty-cool-during-summer-months.aspx

Keep Cats Safe in Hot Weather
A veterinarian offers tips to help protect your cat from the heat.
http://www.catchannel.com/News/2008/07/15/keep-cats-safe-in-hot-weather.aspx

Stay cool!

Links?

Jessica V — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:00:23 GMT

Hi

There are a lot of stores on the web that I go to for horses and dogs, but I don't see any for cats? At the stores for the horses and dogs I go too there are a lot more of a selection since they just supply for those animals. I think there is also stores for birds that my mom uses and I've seen some for ferrets too. Does anyone know of any? If there isn't any there should be!! I'm not really looking for anything in particular. I just wanted to know.
Thanks!!

Cat colonies we need your help

Mark17 — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:00:47 GMT

copy and paste

http://catcolonies.handzonsitemaker.com

Siberians for sale in norther WI and UP of MI

cat-lover83 — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 06:24:45 GMT

I have posted about Siberians in the selecting a breed section, but figured I would post here. I have looked online but haven't found many breeders in my region. I was hoping someone knew of a breeder/shelter/rescue organization in the Northern Wisconsin or Upper Peninsula of Michigan where I could get a Siberian Kitten. My husband is allergic and I miss having a cat in our home terribly. TIA!

Help Save Cats!

MorrisAnimal — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 14:56:59 GMT

Millions of homeless cats lose their lives in shelters each year—often due to diseases as simple as the common cold. Morris Animal Foundation's (MAF) Helping Shelters Help Cats program is funding three feline health studies that will ultimately help cats stay healthy and stress free until they are adopted.

A generous cat lover will match every dollar given to this program up to $500,000, for a potential total of $1 million to help save cats!

Help us raise $1,500 in 5 days to improve the health of shelter cats.

To learn more visit [url=http://firstgiving.com/research4cats][/url]

Indoor or Outdoor....I need help

WhiskeyJack — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 05:19:01 GMT

I have had Whiskey and Jack for 3 years. and they have brought me so much love. But Whiskey refuses to use her cat box when the rest of the house is open to her. and I dont think its right to lock them up in a bedroom. But Im scared to put them outside. I just think that them being 3 years old with out any experience of outside is dangerous to them. I want to keep them inside but my husband hates the smell of cat urine. I was thinking about making an enclosed area outside for them where they will be able to jump and play in the grass and be able to go to the bathroom and come inside at night. Any suggestions? I would really appreciate some advice.

Thanks

Allison

Indoor/Outdoor Cat Now Stuck in High Rise Apt

whbos — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:58:32 GMT

I recently moved again from Pennsylvania to Virginia from an apartment on the ground level to one in a high rise six-stories up. My cat, Bandit, is going nuts because he's used to being on ground level where he can occasionally go out and play with other neighborhood cats. By the way, Amber came with Bandit this time so he does have a playmate now. In case anyone remembers all my posts from last summer.

The long and short of this story is that recently he opened the sliding screen door to my balcony and I found him sitting out there unattended. I was in the next room and didn't know it. I'm worried because I am so high up that he might be inclined to explored the other side of the fencing around the balcony platform. He's not used to being this high up and I'm afraid he'll fall to his death.

I didn't have the choice of apartments since this was the only one available at the time in the pet building otherwise I would have chosen a ground-level apartment where I've seen other cats wandering around.

The screen door does not have a latch. It was obviously broken off and management is not in a big hurry to fix it. Whether it is fixed or not I would like to find some sort of gate or screen that can be placed again the the railing so Bandit cannot get through it. I only need it for two sides since the furnace room is on the left.

I mentioned it to someone in the rental office and they said if I could find some kind of netting, that would be fine. I mentioned screens, but she said I would have to paint them green to match the railing. They are so fussy.

I would like for Bandit to enjoy a little of the outdoors on the balcony, but I fear for his safety. When I saw him out there I calmly coaxed him back in because I was afraid if I approached him he might have tried to walk off the balcony. I read years ago that cats not familiar with living in high-rise apartments are at risk of falling from great heights.

Any suggestions?

I Need Help Finding 4 Beautiful Kittens A Forever Home...

LaurenF — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:50:48 GMT

[size=3]Layla (The Mama) was a stray that I saw a few weeks before it got really cold here in Ballinger, Texas. One night she let me bring her inside and she became my baby. I soon discovered that she was pregnant and I panicked. I called all the cat rescue societies around where I lived and finally one responded. I will not say who this person was. Anyway she said that she could absolutely find Good homes for the babies and that I should not stop the pregnancy.

The pregnancy went fine and had my vet’s approval but I have to admit that when Layla became so big that she couldn’t fit into the litter pan I kinda panicked and was call my vet every other day. I was keeping in touch with my rescue society “person” about every day, with pictures. In hindsight I know that I was noticing strange things about this person. She told me that I would have to give the kittens to her at 5-6 weeks for spaying and neutering……I know that that is insane! Also, she said that she had so many of her rescue kittens die that she “Didn’t Have Time” to bury them..So she just threw them in the garbage. She said she was disappointed in my negative reaction to this statement.

Finally the babies started coming on a cold early morning on March 21 of this year. Layla is an incredible mother and so dedicated to these little guys. I started to discover little oddities in a couple of the babies early on and when I saw that the little orange male’s head was a little to wobbly I posted here to see what might be happening with him. You guys were great in giving me a tentative diagnosis’s. It is a neurological disorder that has not slowed this little boy down one bit! I will be having a formal diagnosis’s next month. It’s sad to say but I know that my vet will call me stupid for not having the kitten put down. That is the attitude of the people who live around me.

Here’s the rub. I wrote my rescue society “person” and told her that one of the kittens was a special needs baby and that I would need to find him an extra special home for his special requirements and that I would not be putting him down unless the disorder was causing him pain or diminished quality of life.

The rescue society “person” flew into a rage and told me that my expectations for finding the babies a perfect home were ridiculous and stupid. She told me that I was an idiot for not having the little boy “destroyed” and she then told me that I could find homes for the babies myself. She ended in saying that I wouldn’t be able to let any of them go and that I would have a house full of unwanted cats. All of my babies, including the feral cats, skunks, birds, etc that eat outside on my back porch are very dear to me.

For a few days I cried and panicked but then I started hearing horrible things about this person from other rescue societies in my area. One being that all the cats that she brings into her home die. This person actually told me this herself. I was then very thankful that none of “my” babies had ever gone to her.

So here we are. I’m not part of a rescue society. I do love these babies like they were my own, and they look to me as their “second” mother (it frustrates them that I can’t produce milk It will be horribly hard to say goodbye to them but I have to. I have other cats and Layla and I can’t have anymore. I Will find these babies perfect forever homes. I’m Christian and I pray about this every day and I know that I will have help from above in this.

Some of you might disagree with me but I will insist on interviewing potential Forever families. I will not give them to a home with a dog unless I see with my own eyes that the dog is used to indoor cats and is extremely loving to them. No children under the age of 9 will have any of these babies and the parents and child must prove to me that the child is mature and loving enough to have a baby kitten. I will insist on having a signed document saying that when the kitten is 6-7 months old she/he will have all necessary shots and will be neutered or spayed. I am considering having them inoculated and spayed/neutered myself and ask for a donation at the time of adoption. I’m not rich though!!……and if I can find a Perfectly Trustworthy rescue/special needs society that can help me with the adoption of the babies I would consider it a blessing.

I do need help/advice/prayer. If there’s anyone within 300miles of me (Ballinger, Texas or anyone who is willing to drive half way and I drive the other half) that is willing to work with an over loving, too high expectation, absolutely over protective cat woman I could really use the help.

LaurenF[/size]

cat books

kittentales — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:05:24 GMT

I just started reading a great book about a cat named Dewey that lives in a library. ever read it?

Cat Houses

catloverof4 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 16:34:11 GMT

I want to know if i am over spoiling or under sppoiling my cat. I have 3, $15-$20 houses.

( i mean small indoor climbing houses)

Adoption of a Bengal, Ragmuffin

lalaw — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 12:21:56 GMT

I would be interested in adoption of a Bengal or Ragmuffin or even Munchkin just for a pet. I live in SE Nebraska and can't find any close to here.

Feeding cat human food

Magic's Moma — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:29:11 GMT

My sister feeds my cat human food.

Bathtub Kitty

hmmorgan — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 16:17:29 GMT

Does your cat play in the bathtub? Mine does!

I Need Advice

rusty7010 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:25:10 GMT

My maine coon, Rusty, is going crazy scratching around his neck area. He has lost most of his long fluffy fur from under his neck. I am finding clumps of fur all over the place. He doesn't have any sores, no fleas, ticks, etc. His problem is dry skin. Here in Denver, it is VERY dry and we all get dry skin. I have taken him to the vet and they say to put a little olive oil in his food (or some other oil). If I do that, he won't eat his food. I have called them repeatedly and they don't have any great ideas for me. This poor cat is just miserable and I am worried about him. He eats good and seems healthy in every other way. Isn't there some kind of itching treatment I can buy to help him? I have read that he made need some fatty acids in his diet, like Omega 3s. Anyone have any suggestions? Help? Thanks!

Help!! My cat eats cotton fluff

Budzy — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:35:17 GMT

Hi,
My 1 year old cat always gets into my bathroom cabinet and steals qtips! she holds them and tears bits of the cotton off and eats it. At first, I thought she just wanted to play with it, but when I picked one up and dangled it, she just took it and started eating the cotton.
Can anyone shed some light on this? I am not sure if she is looking for something she is lacking in her diet, or needs it to cack up hairballs, or if it is psychological.
I guess I should also mention that I also have a 6 month old boy kitten I adopted a few months ago (he doesn't do the qtip thing). They seem to play wrestle and are not hostile, but whenever I try to play with her, he barges in and she won't make an effort unless I stick him in the bathroom. He is also much larger than she is, but not aggressive toward her. Plus, he is a glutton when it comes to food so I keep food and water on the kitchen counter where she jumps up, but he can't.

In short, I am really worried she will get sick or die because of this cotton. Whenever she gets a hold of it, it seem like she really, really needs to eat it!

Cat spayed question

snickers20 — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:55:45 GMT

Hello everyone, My question is that even though my cat has been spayed for over a year now, the male cats in the neighborhood still come around (she's an outdoor cat). I thought that would cease after she was spayed. Is that not the case?

Clicker training treats...

BadgerACat — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:29:34 GMT

Hi-

I have been clicker training my 9 month old Main Coon 'Badger' and using tuna (water packed) from the can for the training rewards.

Tuna is hard to handle. Difficult to carry with you when training. I processed it in the blender - too runny. I baked it with the Cat Channel tuna treat recipe - she didn't care for it.

Any ideas on what I can do to the tuna to make it easier to handle?

Thanks -

Missy - owned by Badger A. Cat

A new cattery list website, I need breed suggestions

catster — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:09:10 GMT

I have a new cattery list website and need some suggestions on breeds to add. Any ideas?

http://pamperedcat.co.cc

catster

An appropriate resource for all

Ashi & Miko Mom — Thu, 18 May 2006 13:30:13 GMT

I'd like to post for everyone here the link to the Cat Channel homepage, http://www.catchannel.com/cat/ which is just full of resources and articles and information that are both archived by categories and searchable as well and it is updated daily with new information. I think it would also be great if our message board had a clickable icon or link to open this home page up, it would be great for quick searching to help folks with their questions, for example.

Ashi & Miko Mom / Christine

Sleepy heads

kitkat_18 — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:49:10 GMT

Cats sleep about 18 hours a day zzzzzz....... look at this photo of my cat Divo

Including Cats in a Disaster Plan

FeathersNFuz — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:21:31 GMT

Hello Cat Lovers! Have you taken the time to include your cats in your family’s disaster plan? Do you even have a disaster plan ready? In Southern California fashion we’ve experienced a couple of earthquakes. CatChannel blogger Suzanne Stowe wrote about the importance of including your cats in a disaster plan gives some tips on how to be ready.

What have you done to prepare for a disaster?

Check out her latest entry on preparing for disasters here:

http://www.catchannel.com/cat-blog/suzanne-stowe/preparing-for-disaster-with-cats.aspx

Help - what kind of rescue is this?

shangrala98 — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:59:10 GMT

I saw a program maybe 5 years ago on Animal Plant (or maybe Discovery) on a program linked up with the local shelter. They had a home environment that they brought the cats into which introduced them to various sounds (vacuum, dishwasher, TV, etc), as well as taught them how to behave in a home environment (dont' scratch furniture, use the litterbox, how to snuggle, etc). They called the volunteers Cat Cuddlers, and said that their success rate on permanant adoptions was very high (seems like it was around 85%).

I've decided to make this the topic of my college english paper, but can't find any information on it because I can't remember what the organization was or what this particular type of program was called. (My goal is to write the paper on why our local humane society should adopt this program, and submit it to them directly for review.)

Any ideas? Thanks so much!