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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 10:48 pm
Costacat - THANK YOU for the flea facts! Seriously helpful, I never realized they could drown. So whenever I got a bite this week, I strip clear down to 'nekked' and run a batch of laundry (never any shortage of other clothes to fill up the batch, I'm a lazy bum & can't afford a maid)! That's really helped eliminate the bites since you posted that info. The fleas always seem to lodge in the socks or sweatpants elastic, ankle area - I think maybe it's just a single flea taking lots of bites - do you know if that's true?. If there's a flea in my house I'm chewed up like hamburger. Then too, poor Louise is "intolerant" the vet says - my beautiful calico kitty has bald spots on her bum! Louise chews her lower back raw, so we have to do antibiotics and pretnisone to stop the itching (so expensive). Finally, her fur is growing back - - - so now we're starting the season again. Dagnabbit! The vet said we're starting our flea season early since it's been warm in Seattle, even though it's so rainy. But this month I simply don't have the funds to do more than the "Frontline" dabs on the backs of their necks. It takes a full two weeks of freezing weather to reduce the population, and we've been having mild winters for the past 4-5 winters. You also answered a BIG question I've had for decades. Like, WHY doesn't all my family with zillions of pets in Phoenix ever complain about fleas. They get ticks apparently, but never seem to have flea problems like I've always had here in Seattle. I sure wish they would invent Frontline for Humans! Bisc, AKA the Hamburger Helper
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 12:06 am
If you go to trim their toenails.... 9-10 years ago here in Seattle, the pet store groomer charged $6 per kitty. Heck, that's $12 per month. So I watched her do it and started trimming the girls, Thelma & Louise, myself. I like the scissor type (intended for small dogs) trimmers. Easier to do it without cutting too close to the quick - don't need bleeding kitties - compared to those trigger type (I find the triggers so unweldy!) The main thing I do is to trim them in my bathroom - one at a time. Since it's a smaller area, they don't seem to feel like they can jump out into the open space to escape; seems to really cut the struggles. Fully clothed, even in summertime I don't offer shorts or bare legs to a potential slice-N-dice, I sit on the seat-lid with them spooned (kitty back to my tummy) so that I can grab paws easier. Main reason for using the bathrm is that Thelma and Louise have white claws in white fur paws. By turning on the overhead heat lamp, I get much better lighting to see what I'm doing. Talking to them during the chop-chop-chops (whispering sweet nuthin's in the ear & reminding them how MUCH they hate driving in the truck to get the job done elsewhere). They don't like it but don't scratch or raise much ruckus. Gotta tell you, Thelma's (little Manx) front claws are pure talons, sharp as a razor! Tater - Glad to hear your little 'fatty' is feeling better! PS - OK, to be totally honest, Louise can hiss and snarl enough to curdle your blood! - she scares the crap out of vet assistants (who go running for the garden gloves). But she hasn't drawn blood too often on me. Bisc, The Nightly Bedwarmer of the 'Hissy Missy' & Louise Knows It!
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Taterheadtwo
Member
09-29-2005
| Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 1:32 am
actually i trim all their nails frony and back, i have tried different variaotions of the pet siccors, i gaveup, they seem to scare the cats, and i am using human larger nail clippers, they seem to know when its time to have them trimed, and dont fight me, i take them to a counter with the clippers and talk to them , stroke them, firmly hold each paw and pressunderneath to make the nail extract out and clip them, then check to make sure its not razor sharp as beofre, so i do my 3 cats every 2 weeks...
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Taterheadtwo
Member
09-29-2005
| Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 1:39 am
nancy, believe it are not i, think thats your cats way of saying i love you, myqueen cat, she thinks shes the queen, does that to will sneak up on me and pounce and nick are nip the skin, but she alwasy knows not to bite deep just to grab the skin, sometimes she will attack my foot are ankle, again she never goes for blood, like when she wrestles with the other cats, the scratch and push and flop about sometimes hissing are yeowing, but they love it... only romblem i se is the smallest one like to try to bully the fatty ( the sweetest of the bunch and will try to take her perch where veer she is and bat her a dozen times, when i catch it i pick up the small one and give her ime out behind a bathroom door for 1/2 hour, the littleset will come back out and then snuggle up with the cat she had tried to bully, so i hope this seperating them works?? back to nancy, if the pouncing and niping is too much, time to carry a water bottle sqwuiter with you when you move about the house, catch her before she pounces,lol. show her two can play that game
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Thursday, January 19, 2006 - 5:25 pm
I trim all eight sets of toes myself, doing much the same as Bisc. They sit in my lap, back to my front, and I do their toes. I bribe them with Tender Vittles (that's the ONLY time they get a few pieces of that type of food). And they get treats afterwards. Kassie will squirm a bit and Costa will growl sometimes, but both of them get their toes done every two weeks (when I get my nails done). Definitely helps with the scratches thing. (I forget not everyone does their cat toes as often as I do, and when I'm at a friends house, I'll play with a cat and get all scratched before I realize it!) Nancy, yes, she's just being possessive and letting you know she likes you. Costa does that sometimes... he reaches out and grabs me as I walk by. It's like "hey mom! pet ME!" And Bisc, check with your vet about using brewer's yeast for your cat. I don't know if cats can tolerate it, but it works for dogs who have a reaction to flea bites. Basically, brewers yeast is something fleas don't like, so when it is ingested, it comes out of your pores (not like you've done a ton of garlic or anything), and fleas may jump but won't bite. I used to use this in the late 70's and early 80's when I had several dogs. And I'd add a spoonful to my fruit smoothy every day for me, even though I didn't have a reaction. You can check with your vet to see if there is some homeopathic remedy that may help to deflect flea bits from the cats, but definitely try using it for you. (And no, you will NOT smell like brewers yeast!) Hmm... I just googled, and it looks like a teaspoon of brewers yeast a day per cat is tolerated well. Check with your vet first, though, as some cats can be allergic to yeast. And yes, a single flea can bite and bite and bite. It's an instinctive thing for the little buggers. Apparently, flea droppings contain undigested blood and these droppings are what the pupae feed on. Gross, huh?
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Bandit
Member
07-29-2001
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 8:38 am
Wow...y'all are brave. I've never even THOUGHT about trimming my cats' claws. I have a feeling the first time would be the last time. 
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Redstar
Member
07-08-2005
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 9:57 am
LOL Bandit!
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Sheilaree
Member
07-19-2002
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 10:01 am
"trim a cat's nail not me either. I would think you would be clawed to death, and it like giving a "cat" a bath. I don't think so.
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Watching2
Member
07-07-2001
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 10:10 am
LOL My daughter is really good but she and DS both worked for a cat vet so they are used to wrangling angry kitties who hated their guts! At least this cat knows them and forgives them!!! 
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Sheilaree
Member
07-19-2002
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 10:27 am
true they are forgiving natural animals. But still I don't think I could do it. It funny to watch but not to get near them doing it. I mean just funny not mean to have any animal hurt.
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Landi
Member
07-29-2002
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 10:37 am
chuck did both ariel's and belle's nails last night. they were both pissy for about 20 minutes, and then they were fine. they also don't bite him or scratch him while he's doing it.
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Serate
Member
08-21-2001
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 11:49 am
Eddie just received a credit card with a $3,000.00 limit! Not a credit card offer, the actual credit card! Just sign and use. Here's the letter I am sending back to the credit card company, along with the cut up card. January 20, 2006 Dear Us Bank, Eddie ****** just received a Platinum Visa credit card from US Bank. Are you sure you want to issue him a credit card? This is Eddie ******:
If you really wish to issue Eddie ****** a credit card, please send him another card and maybe he can find a more comfortable place to live in. If you do not wish to issue Eddie ****** a credit card TAKE HIM OFF YOUR MAILING LIST IMMEDIATELY! Sincerely, Eddie ******’s human
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Redstar
Member
07-08-2005
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 11:51 am
Emma is no problem. Of course, I've been around her since almost the moment she was born. We handled all three kittens frequently, and did things intentionally to help with later care - we'd lull the kittens into a relaxed pre-sleep state, then start gently manipulating their paws by massaging between the toes, rubbing their tummies and ears, and generally just touching them all over (like doing a gentle checkup). They all three learned to love having their tummies rubbed. All I have to do is keep the clippers at hand, sit in the recliner, and the next time Emma gets relaxed from a tummy rub, clip away. Natalie, on the other hand...!!!! Well, let's just say that she won't even let me hold her yet. In fact, she won't even sit on my lap. She is one neurotic kitty! But there are small but definite improvements. She loves canned cat food, and after I put it down, she'll stay and eat even if I walk past her. She'll even come and tell me if she thinks it's been too long since I gave them disgusto food (which, btw is now part of both kitties' vocabulary - I can say "disgusto food" anywhere in the house, and they both go running for the kitchen). She also comes to bed every night for petting - sometimes for just a minute or two, but still, it's becoming a ritual for her. She'll also come into the bathroom and stand on the edge of the bathtub for petting. I think that as we develop more rituals, she will become more and more secure and comfortable. I still haven't found Emma's toy stash. None were on top of the bookcases, and my shoes were empty. LOL Here's a pic of Emma getting her tummy rubbed (the other cat is Phoebe, who died in November).

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Redstar
Member
07-08-2005
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 11:54 am
LMAO Serate!!! WhooHooo!! I think Eddie should throw a catnip party for all the TVCH kitties!!
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Sheilaree
Member
07-19-2002
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 11:55 am
funny about the credit card
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Mizinvanccouver
Member
02-22-2003
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 12:35 pm
Serate--That is hilarious. I'm sure it'll give a few laughs around the Credit Card office too! LOL I had a cat once who LOVED going in brown paper bags. Now I just have a 'bag licker'. LOL Loves to lick plastic bags. lol Redstar-Very cute kitty's. Sorry to hear of your loss but Emma is very nice. Thanks both of you for sharing your pics!
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Holly
Member
06-19-2005
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 12:52 pm
Serate, that's hilarious 
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Bandit
Member
07-29-2001
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 1:10 pm
Mizi, one of my cats love to do the same thing with plastic! I don't get it! She was having a field day at Christmastime with all the wrapping and store bags all over the place!
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Mizinvanccouver
Member
02-22-2003
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 1:15 pm
Bandit--Ya, my cat also likes to chew/lick ribbon. I take the ribbon away though, worried she might swallow it. I have lots of friends who's cats like to lick plastic bags. My friends cat will wait for someone to open the fridge because there are usually plastic bags sticking out of the bottom draws (produce) for her to lick. LOL
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Taterheadtwo
Member
09-29-2005
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 2:32 pm
lol you should see my queen monarch cat,lmao . i make sure she sees me doing the other two cats first, she will run for underneath the bed.. but i wait a hour are so, start playing with the other cats, and she will come running want her belly rubbed, i will rubbed her, then pick her up, i can see the look in her eye, oh ship he tricked me, and she will squell and try to grab me are anything, lol, i will allow her to grad the door sill to the bathroom, squeeling body murder.. when she has dont her yeowing, i think reach for her, and then take her to the bathroom counter, she will then quiet down and look at me, even reach her paw out to me to make it easier, so all things said i think she like the us time, and she gets to put up a big front for the other cats, so its kinda fun now to see they look in the mirror, puff up their chests and pluss they get some treats after, so their are used to it,lol
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Shadoe
Member
11-04-2004
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 3:01 pm
Serate, you should ask them to send another card that has a larger area for signing because Eddie tried and could not fit his inked paw in the space. Bandit, I know what you're saying about the fear at trimming a cat's nails. I will never ever in a million years trim Booboo's nails; I am positive she would kill me. Shadoe is easy; I promise her treats and she sits still. I have had other cats where I had to wrap them in a towel with just one paw at a time sticking out. It was difficult, but I will not even think of attempting that method with Booboo. She is tiny but also the most vicious cat I have ever had.
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 4:55 pm
Too funny, Serate!!! WRT clipping my cats' toes... I started when I first got them. And I started bribing them then, too. So they are used to the routine, even if it's not their fav part of the day. Kassie is such a treat hound, that she'll follow me into the bathroom after I pull out the clippers and treats! And treating them afterwards ensures that they do not get "pissy" at me. (And no, neither one has ever clawed or hissed at me.) It's all what they get used to. And believe me, it's much better for everyone to keep their nails short! 
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Sheilaree
Member
07-19-2002
| Friday, January 20, 2006 - 6:15 pm
I don't blame Costa. If I had to do that I would do the same thing. Do they ever get mad at you?
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Costacat
Member
07-15-2000
| Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 7:46 pm
Nah, Sheila. They get a bit cranky, but they know I am not gonna stop so they usually settle down pretty quickly. And they really don't stay mad at all since as soon as I put 'em down they get treats. Bribing works wonders with cats! <wink> Anyways, my two monsters are so spoiled, they wouldn't dare get mad at mom!
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Mameblanche
Member
04-13-2005
| Sunday, January 22, 2006 - 8:07 pm
ROFL SERATE - THAT IS THE FUNNIEST THING I'VE HEARD IN AGES! You should be able to dine out for years on that story alone!

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