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Archive through October 19, 2004

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions: 2004 Aug - Oct: Cats (ARCHIVES): Archive through October 19, 2004 users admin

Author Message
Sia
Member

03-11-2002

Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 9:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
{{{Serate}}} I'm so sorry that dear Gabby died. What a beautiful kitty, and what a devoted companion she was for your mother. Gabby seems to have died of a broken heart, and that breaks my heart, too.

Nickovtyme, your little Jack is just darling! More pictures of him, please!!

Twinkie, I love your kitties and the way that you've captioned your photos. It's like you can read their minds. What a great picture-story you posted of Angel losing patience with Squirt. Very cute!

Buffy2 Buff-Buff went to the vet's office yesterday for her booster shots of DRC and fe-leuk and for a booster of worm meds. She was pronounced fit and healthy. I am told she can be declawed in about another month. The claws on her extra polydactyl toes are growing in an exaggerated curve towards the pad of her foot and they seem too large; they really click on the hard floor, so it seems the thing to do to head off painful toes in the future. The vet feels that declawing is easier on a kitty the younger he/she is when the surgery is performed. Any experience with this?

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 9:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks everybody for the kind words. I am so grateful she died so peacefully. When Sniffy died - the cat that we found almost dead who ended up living 2 years - it was a long hard battle, she fought it all the way and it started Saturday afternoon and couldn't get to a vet till Monday morning.

Pamy - I never thought of my mom waiting at the Rainbow Bridge for Gabby - brought tears to my eyes because of a picture that is special to me because of an angel seen in the clouds, an angel we think was waiting for my mom - there is also a rainbow in the picture. Thank you thank you thank you I feel so much better now!

Sia, you're opening a can of worms on the declawing issue. Alot are against it, saying it is cruel. Alot are for it. I'm staying out of that debate. But yes, the younger the better. Some will say is the pain any less for a kitten than a full grown cat? Maybe not, but ask a man if he'd rather be circumcised as a baby or as a full grown man, he'll tell you baby.

When we got Eddie he was about 6 months but was so big [8lbs] we thought he was full grown. We didn't declaw him and had no problems with scratching ANYTHING but his cat tree and his carpet sample. He got too heavy because of tummy problems, vet put him on kitten food but didn't watch his weight. So they put him on a diet. He loved the taste of the restricted calorie food but it changed his disposition. he totally ruined the place we were living in [alot of paneling, and he tore up all the corner pieces. We did everything the vet recommended. Foil [he loved to tear it in shreds], sprays, sticky tape. WE used Soft Paws, which ended up in is using a years worth in 3 months and he still could figure out how to get them out. I'd glue them on, wrap him up in a towel and make him sit on my lap for an our to make sure the glue took. We took him to the vet and she put them on, still no luck. When we had to move across state we could find nowhere that would let us have a cat but one place, and he had to be declawed. We looked everywhere, and I even delayed moving for 2 months, but my husband needed a place to stay as he worked 12 hour shifts, was tired of staying in a motel, and we couldn't afford it anyway. We talked the landlord into letting us do a tenectomy on him, which is not removing the claws but severing the tendon so he can't claw. Vet said it was more Humane than declawing. I got reamed when I posted I did this. But we had the choice of giving him away, putting him to sleep, or declawing/tenectomy. I did what I had to do.
Only thing I would suggest is if you do anything only do the front claws. Eddie can still climb trees, and the vet said while cats do use their front claws for protection, they can protect themselves with their back claws almost as well.

Twinkie
Member

09-24-2002

Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 9:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Sia. We got Angel when she was 2 weeks old (lots of formula feedings all night and day) and Squirt when he was 8 weeks. Neither of them have ever scratched furniture. They have 1 chair they know they can tear to pieces and we don't care plus they have the kitty condo covered in carpet to scratch on. All it took to train them were a few very strict NOs when they were young and now they are 3 and 4 and never scratch a thing that isn't "their's". We also keep their claws trimmed....well hubby does....he's big enough to hold them in a kitty burrito while he pulls out and clips one paw at a time. LOL

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 9:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Okay, I'll go where angels fear to tread...I've had cats that were not declawed and cats that have been declawed. I will never have a cat again without declawing. The damage that my beloved Cleo and Snowy did is evident all over the house...ruined woodwork, clawed wallpaper, pulled carpets, etc. A housecat doesn't need front claws and declawing is the best alternative given thousands of dollars of household improvements. (Yes, we tried everything, too!) Fiore is declawed and I am loving it! She doesn't seem to know that she is declawed and can climb...and how...and even uses the scratching post.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 10:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Twinkie your cats are darling! One of them looks kinda like my Eddie, and seems as if he might be as onery. Here's some pictures of when he decided to get up on the cupboards above the dryer a couple years ago. Got up, then cried till I climbed up and got him down. I couldn't hold out until he got himself down, I'm a wimp. Did fill the space up and put him pu there to see it was no use to try to jump up there again!







Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Sunday, October 17, 2004 - 10:07 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Serate, I am so happy I made you feel a little better. (((Serate)))

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 7:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What I find far more upsetting than getting a kitty declawed, is how many kitties are homeless. I say get a kitty declawed and keep him in a home.

There are a ton of rescue groups out here that declaw kittens when they get spayed/neutered because they are so much more adoptable.

Urgrace
Member

08-19-2000

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 7:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Serate, my sincere condolensces for the loss of Gabby. I'm still missing my Kallicat.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 7:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Serate, those pics are sooo cute!!!



Vacanick
Member

07-12-2004

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 9:15 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Serate, I'm so sorry about your loss of Gabby. I understand your sorrow. I'm also a cat lover who has lost 2 and currently has a 17 year old who, thankfully, is still healthy and strong. I also had all 3 of my cat's front declawed and do not regret it. All 3 were indoor cats all of their lives and never knew the difference from what I could tell.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 9:53 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
All of my cats have been front declawed. We were all much happier that way. Ophelia is 11 and still 'sharpens' her paws on everything in the house with no harm done. I don't even have to yell at her.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 2:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I know this has been covered somewhat in the past, but can I have some input on self-cleaning litterboxes? Which is best/are they worth the $$/what features to look for/etc.

Here is the litterbox we currently use. I like it a lot. It is unusual. It doesn't kick out as much litter as regular boxes. It also works great for us, cuz our two dogs have a disgusting habit of pulling out and eating cat poop!!! This totally stopped that.
http://www.clevercatinnovations.com/top_entry_litterbox_about.cfm

I would, however, like to try the self cleaning ones and would like any input.

Thanks in advance!!!

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 6:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I had not seen the top entry litter box until you posted that site, Julie. I know nothing about self-cleaning boxes either.

Sadly, Fiore is not turning out to be the neatest kitty on the block. She has been using *horrors* the shower! I am so dismayed. Love kitties, but can't abide a cat that won't use a litter box all the time/every time.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 7:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Vee, something you might want to try is that litter (which is a bit pricey) but it has something in it that makes the cat want to pee/poop on it. My friend had a kitty that was not using the box and tried that litter, then she gradually mixed regular litter in it (as the cat got conditioned). And today the cat totally uses the regular litter--every time!

Anyone know the name of the litter that i am talking about?

Moondance
Member

07-30-2000

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 7:31 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract Cat Litter

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 7:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh thank you very much, Moondance and Julieboo! I will have to track some of that stuff down. She is sitting on my lap right now looking so innocent!

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 7:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Is this it? Cat Mine

self cleaning litter box

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Monday, October 18, 2004 - 7:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
cat attract

"Developed by veterinarian in a feline-only practice, Cat Attract Litter is designed to make it easier to get cats of all ages trained or re-trained to use the litterbox. This clay-based clumping litter has just the right texture, particle size and a unique herbal scent which is proven to attract cats. It is scoopable, 99% dust free and contains chlorophyll for natural odor control. Each bag includes a booklet with step-by-step instructions for using Cat Attract and useful tips for getting any cat to use the litter box. Also includes an unconditional manufacturer's guarantee." from Eshop.com $10.99 for a 20 pound bag...not bad if it works!

Moondance
Member

07-30-2000

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 5:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
It's awesome stuff Vee! I use it for one of mine:-)

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 6:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Thanks, Moondance! I have learned so much about litter and litter boxes. Seems that cats can't stand their own stink...Fiore is particularly odiferous! We have been using a hooded litter box for her, but the recommendation is to remove the lid permanently and scoop solids every single time. Blick! We are on our way to the city for some Dr. Elsey's this morning at some point. Glad to know that it works! We really do love this bitty kitty, but without some kind of a solution I know that I couldn't put up with it.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 6:30 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Good luck Vee!

So anyone out there have any experience with automatic litter boxes? (Vee, maybe one of these would work for you too--as it removes the poop 10 minutes after they leave it.)

Vee
Member

02-23-2004

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 7:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Hmmm, I'll consider that and check it out at the pet store this morning...er, afternoon I guess!

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 7:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Vee what are you feeding your kitty? When we switched Eddie from Friskies to Iams [due to tummy problems he had when we got him] his poops became smaller and less odiferous.

Julie my brother got a self-cleaning box. Their cats were afraid of it and wouldn't use it. He gave it to a friend who just got a kitten. The kitten got used to it quickly, but so did their dog. He figured out how to make it work and would spend hours watching it work and wouldn't let kitty in it while he was near, so they just switched to a hooded box. Luckily their dog doesn't go near that. Neither do my dad and brother's dogs, tho the old man who wasn't neutered [he's around 16, part lab part st. bernard] will pee in the box whenever there's a dog in heat nearby.

Autumn
Member

10-29-2003

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 10:40 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
((Serate)) I'm so sorry for your loss ~ what a beautiful cat!!!

I don't spend a lot of time in here because I still miss Jake too much and its hard seeing all the other cats so I apologize if I've missed anyone else who is hurting right now. ((big hugs))

Moondance
Member

07-30-2000

Tuesday, October 19, 2004 - 1:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
(((Serate)))

I love the Eddie pix!!!

I have a littermaid and love it. Instead of using a separate plastic reciprocal each time, use a grocery bag to line it and then just tie it up and throw it away... those things can get a bit pricey.