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Archive through October 30, 2006

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2006 Jun. ~ 2006 Dec.: Hairball Haven (ARCHIVES): Cats (ARCHIVES): Archive through October 30, 2006 users admin

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Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Monday, October 16, 2006 - 8:01 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
Thx OG, Saxy, and Retired....your thoughts mean a lot to me!!!

He has upper resp infection ...being treated with antibiotics and should be fine.....we never assoc the drooling with that...

again, thx for your prayers and good thoughts, I know they help more than we will ever know

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Monday, October 16, 2006 - 8:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Pamy a private message Print Post    
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Baby
Member

01-08-2006

Monday, October 16, 2006 - 8:51 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Baby a private message Print Post    
Glad Houdini is on the mend, Pamy!

Does anyone have a kitty friend that doesn't purr? Or, does anyone know anything about why a cat wouldn't purr?

Ms. Peaches is definitely a talker but I have never heard her purr. And since this is my first experience with this type of thing, I am really curious why some cats purr and some don't.

Alwayzmovin
Member

11-06-2003

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 7:27 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Alwayzmovin a private message Print Post    
Our Spanky doesn't necessarily purr, it's more like a snoring sound. Can't figure out why but it works for him, but when he's rubbed under his chin, he also slobbers. I wouldn't want him any other way.

DH called this morning and someone has apparently dumped off a cutie of a kitten around the construction site where he works. He will bring it home if it's still around by the end of the day. Nothing would thrill me more than to have another fur baby to love, but Spanky Wayne is sooooooo spoiled and I know he'll be torqued off at us.

Baby
Member

01-08-2006

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 12:12 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Baby a private message Print Post    
Thanks Alwayzmovin for your feedback.

I did notice the other night when Peaches and I were cuddling in bed, she purred just a little. But, it was such a quiet purr that I couldn't hear it unless I had my ear right up to her fur. I wonder if size has anything to do with it. Probably not, but Peaches is a chubby little girl.

She doesn't drool but what I have noticed with her is she tends to twitch a lot during sleep. I know this is common but she twitches so much.

Sometimes she sleeps with her eyes open just a bit and her mouth open a little, too. She even sleeps with her tongue sticking out at times. I guess she just must be so relaxed?

I'm not really concerned about the lack of purring either. I just wonder why some cats purr and some don't. Baby's purr was very loud and it seemed like she was always purring. When she would sleep next to me, even though I wear earplugs, I could hear her quite clearly!

Sweetie Juju Pie was so tiny but I still could hear his little purr although he didn't as much as Baby did.

Baby
Member

01-08-2006

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 4:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Baby a private message Print Post    
Does anyone know why a kitty would be going through biting spells? Peaches has started a new thing where she will start biting everything in site.

She tries to bite my hands and has succeeded some of the time. She knows what the word "no" means and as soon as she bites me or tries to, I immediately tell her "no" but just telling her no isn't working. After she bites, she will jump back quickly and look me right in the face and give me a look like she knows she is doing something naughty and she knows she is getting away with it!

Just a bit ago, when I was bending down, gently talking to her while brushing her, she leaped up quickly and bit me on the top of my head! And let me tell you, that really, really hurt!

I want to break her of this habit asap but I want to make sure I do it in the right way. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. TIA!

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 5:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
I think that Peaches is becoming a teenager. By that I don't mean to paint all teenagers as bad, but I think that part of being a teenager is trying new things and testing your limits.

As far as what to do about it, I think you should probably just keep doing what you are doing. Tell her no and firmly remove her when she does it. I suspect that it is a phase that she is going through and she will outgrow it.

I'll be interested in hearing what other people here suggest. Our guy is in his teenage years and he is occasionally a bit of a bad boy himself.

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 6:56 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
It MIGHT be a tooth or gum problem. Although it does sound like a behaviour problem to me too. But the possibility of it being dental related may be something to consider.

Alwayzmovin
Member

11-06-2003

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 7:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Alwayzmovin a private message Print Post    
Spanky does things like that and it usually means that he wants to be let outside for a while. Today he sucker-punched my leg twice when I walked by him. He swats me like a seasoned boxer, it cracks me up. He mostly just bites my DH because he's been teased and enough is enough.

Lizziedi
Member

10-05-2005

Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 11:58 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lizziedi a private message Print Post    
It sounds like she's testing limits, to me. My older cat has learned to be gentle in his play with me, but I'm still working on my younger cat, Lizzie. She has wild moments when she scratches or bites, suddenly, really hard! And she knows "No!" Both cats have no fear of me, lol.

For behavior problems like this, I use a spray bottle full of water. One spray, along with a "No!", is big surprise at first, and they don't like the pssst sound either. I use it very sparingly, but it really gets the point across, doesn't hurt them at all, and doesn't make them fearful of me.

I also give tons of pats & praise when Lizzie plays gently. Hope this helps!

This is a picture of Lizzie & Figaro at their "morning window". Figaro (black) is actually about twice as big as Lizzie, and doing well now after his mouth surgery.





Lizziedi
Member

10-05-2005

Friday, October 20, 2006 - 12:04 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Lizziedi a private message Print Post    
Just went through past posts, glad to hear Houdini is going to be all right, Pamy!

Cdb--I wish that little homeless kitty well, and hope it can find a kind place in the world, even if it's neighbors offering it some affection.

Figaro did not purr until later in life, and even now it's hard to hear. He was raised with our dogs, and apparently didn't find it neccessary, lol.

Saxywildcat
Member

05-30-2005

Friday, October 20, 2006 - 6:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Saxywildcat a private message Print Post    
Beautiful cats, Lizzie!!

Leia is probably in her teenage years as well.. Although she hasn't ever had a biting problem. She just goes absolutely crazy sometimes. Then again, so do the dogs.. LOL

Leia is a purrer. She purrs al the time. It's so relaxing when she's purring away laying on my chest while I'm reading or even after I've turned my light out for the night.

Retired
Member

07-11-2001

Friday, October 20, 2006 - 8:25 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Retired a private message Print Post    
Lizzie - gorgeous cats and pic!

Baby - As others have said Peaches could be going through a stage. Hopefully she will grow out of it soon. Continue to be firm with her and maybe try the water bottle to see if that helps.

Baby
Member

01-08-2006

Friday, October 20, 2006 - 8:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Baby a private message Print Post    
Hi guys,

Thanks so much for your input! Last night after she bit me on the head (it's still sore tonight!), Peaches knew she did a big no-no and ran under the bed. I just went about my business and let her stay there until she was ready to come out.

After a bit, she did come out and was totally loveable for the rest of the evening! She was extremely affectionate and would come up to my chair and stand on her back legs with her front paws on the footpiece and talk to me until I reached down and picked her up. She did that a few times last night and a few times today! So, we are definitely making progress on the "holding" situation!!

Today, Peaches tried one time to bite my hand but didn't succeed. As soon as I saw her getting ready to do her naughty, I immediately put my index finger up in front of her face and gave her a stern "no". It worked! She hasn't tried since then to bite.

I realize she may try it again but if she does, I will do the same thing and if I find it's absolutely necessary, I now have a small water bottle I carry with me most of the time!!!

Baby
Member

01-08-2006

Friday, October 20, 2006 - 8:47 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Baby a private message Print Post    
Jimmer, do you really think Peaches is already to the point where she would be considered a teenager? She is only about 8 months old. I know figuring out a kitty's age is different than figuring out a human's but I am not sure how that works.

Mame, I really don't think it's a tooth problem. She is so young and you can tell when she eats, she is totally enjoying herself!

As far as going outside, Peaches is strictly an indoor cat. But today when I was talking with a friend on the phone, she mentioned she thought Peaches might be trying to get my attention so that I would play with her. So, maybe it is just something some little furballs do trying to get our attention for various reasons. Not sure, just a thought.

She does get tons of pats and praises, too. Since I am here with her 24/7, unless she is sleeping (or at night when I am, too), I am always talking to her, playing with her, giving her pats or back scratches or whatever.

Lizzie, your kitties are adorable! Beautiful picture of them!

Saxy, how much does Leia weigh now? I keep calling Peaches a little chubber which I do think she is. But, I am wondering if maybe I am just not used to a bigger kitty since Sweetie Juju Pie was so darn tiny and Baby never got that big either?

Cdbga
Member

10-04-2004

Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 6:22 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Cdbga a private message Print Post    
Well, I haven't seen the little white kitty again since that morning. I hope this means that she found her way to her home and is safe and happy with them now. She was such an affectionate little thing.

Things are about the same with my girls. Naiya has gotten into the habit of trying to follow me outside when I take Whitney out for her walks. When she does manage to get out the door before I can grab her, I've found that the trick to getting her back in, is just to take Whitney right back in an slowly start to close the door. As soon as she she's it closing, she runs right back in. Seems she doesn't want to go out so much as she just wants to go with us. A couple of times, I've let her come with us. Just wanted to see what she'd do. She pretty much just follows behind us...does that stalking thing where she'll hide under cars or something, then run up to us. And, of course, any time Whitney stops to check out anything, Naiya is right there being nosy. I can't let her come out every time. Most mornings I am in a hurry to get Whit walked before I leave for work and walks with both of them are more leisurely. It seems like Whitney actually goes slower to make sure Naiya is keeping up with us. They are such a strage pair! They "bicker" a lot at home, but it seems that they really do like each other. The other day I got mad at Naiya for something, and she ran and hid. Whitney gave me a very disapproving look and the cold shoulder until Naiya came back. It is all really cute.

That's a really cute picture Lizzie!

Alwayzmovin
Member

11-06-2003

Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 8:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Alwayzmovin a private message Print Post    
Spanky and his new bed.......HE LIKES IT!Spanky

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 11:36 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
Most cats are full-grown and reach adulthood by the time they are one year old. So Peaches is 8/12 of the way there. If people are adults at 21, that would make Peaches about 14 years old.

LOL - Of course, this is all supposition and estimation. Generally speaking, I've found cats to be the most mischievous with respect to trouble making in their late teens and early adulthood. Then they become responsible adults.

All of the above is mostly said in fun though, as cats are usually pretty sweet regardless, as I'm sure Peaches is.

Gorgeous cats everyone. Those are happy looking cats!

Retired
Member

07-11-2001

Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 11:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Retired a private message Print Post    
Spanky is beautiful!!

Alwayzmovin
Member

11-06-2003

Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 12:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Alwayzmovin a private message Print Post    
Thanks, Retired He's the love of our lives. He's the most affectionate cat, loves to be on one of our laps. He's got me trained quite well too.

Halfunit
Moderator

09-02-2001

Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 1:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Halfunit a private message Print Post    
Baby, I'd say Peaches is teething. They are at their worst between 3 and 10 months old, imo.

Odin is 6 months old and just lost two baby teeth last week. I found them on my leg where he was chewing on a toy.



Young kittens between the ages of 3 weeks old and 8 months old will be teething off and on, and will have very strong needs to bite. Just like baby children, kittens are born without teeth, start getting their first baby teeth at about 3-4 weeks old, then they will lose their baby teeth and have their adult teeth come in up until the age of about 8 months old. So the trick here is not to keep them from biting; but rather, to provide them appropriate items to bite. We use heavy-duty plastic drinking straws with our kittens (being careful to cut off any bitten ends and discard the entire straw before it becomes dangerous, as with any toy), and train them from the start that toys and straws are purr-rectly fine to bite, but human body parts are off-limits! If a kitten learns this from the start, there is hardly ever an inappropriate biting behavior as an adult. Some cats start biting out of frustration after they have been de-clawed. Some cats start biting out of misplaced aggression, which usually can be countered by providing the cat a feline playmate, and/or providing them more cat toys, cat furniture, and making their environment more stimulating for them. For a cat with a serious biting problem, often the quickest way to teach them not to bite you is to immediately blow on his face, as soon as you realize he is biting or is about to bite you. Saying "NO!" firmly at the same time reinforces this training. At all times, it is critical that you be thinking and acting on the firm belief that "toys and straws are for biting; human hands are for giving and receiving love".





Baby
Member

01-08-2006

Saturday, October 21, 2006 - 2:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Baby a private message Print Post    
WOW, Thanks Halfunit!

I have a dear friend who also thought she might be teething. Until she mentioned it, I never even thought about that sort of thing. But, it does make sense.

Peaches knows I don't mind her biting pretty much on anything in here except me! She has a quilt she lays on a lot which is next to me when I am on the internet. She bites that thing all of the time which is fine with me.

I am thinking that maybe this is a combination of things going on with her. I think part has to do with age, testing her limits and teething. I don't think she has a tooth problem though, just going through what a kitty would normally go through.

She has been better about it and has only tried it a couple of times since biting me on the head. Now, all it takes is me putting my finger in front of her face and telling her "NO" in a stern voice and she backs right off! I just hope we get past this stage sooner rather than later.

I stop and think about Baby and she never, ever went through a biting stage. We got her when she was 7 or 8 weeks old. And, little Sweetie Juju Pie, never really did anything naughty, just gave lots and lots of love!

Saxywildcat
Member

05-30-2005

Monday, October 23, 2006 - 8:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Saxywildcat a private message Print Post    
Cdbga: My cat Leia seems to want to follow the dogs outside too. Any time she hears the door open, she comes running. Then she stands at the door and meows while watching them. Then when they come back in, she wanders back towards the living room or such. I think she just wants to be outside with them too.

Speaking of cats following along... I was on my way to work or something this last week and I saw a lady, walking a dog, with a cat close behind. It cracked me up! I've contemplated getting Leia a leash since she seems to want to be out with the dogs. I dunno.

Ophiliasgrandma
Member

09-04-2001

Monday, October 23, 2006 - 9:44 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Ophiliasgrandma a private message Print Post    
Saxy, I vote for 'don't'. That will just reinforce her desire to slip out the door. An indoor only cat can be a very contented cat without the extra worry of what might happen to her outside.

Watching2
Member

07-07-2001

Monday, October 30, 2006 - 10:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Watching2 a private message Print Post    
I totally agree with OG! My Misha is almost 4-yrs-old (yikes - where did the time go?!!) and every year when it gets warm, she starts trying to sneak out again. If she does get out, she wants out MORE and tends to go further, which really worries me! She is not used to defending herself with the likes of the cats who roam here. My kids thought it would be nice for her to be on a leash and bring her on the deck or in the grass. WRONG. It just made her worse at trying to get out. By this age, my cat Jade wasn't trying to get out anymore although she would stand by the door and once in a while just step onto the deck and then would freeze and she'd be done w/her adventuring for the season. Misha and she are quite different and then similar in other ways!! Any vet will tell you if you want your cat to live a long, healthy life, to keep them inside. There's far too much to worry about happening to them if they roam.