PurrfectWorld

Cats - Introducing Yourself

CatLady — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 21:23:01 +0000

Like people, cats have different personalities and preferences so not all cats will behave the same when being introduced to a stranger. I have five cats and they all behave differently when a new person comes into the house. Four out of the five run and hide. Caesar is the greeter who wants to make sure that the newcomer notices him. He’ll come up meowing and plop down on his back and roll around until someone touches his stomach.

Although he seems very friendly and affectionate right off the bat, he often hisses if they pet him too confidently to let them that he hasn’t completely accepted them yet. He’s never bitten anyone, but I still caution people when they first come in. I instruct them to extend their hand to let him sniff them. If he rubs up against them or rolls over as if to invite a good belly rub, to GENTLY rub his tummy or stroke the top of his head. If he hisses, then walk away.

The others eventually come out one at a time to investigate. Scarlet may appear after an hour, Cleo and Valentino may appear in a few hours, and Romeo might not appear until the next day or so.

Regardless of how long it takes, it’s always better to let the cat get to know you in his/her time and not try to force it. I always recommend letting the cat approach and get to know you. Let them sniff your leg or gently extend your hand and let them come to you. If you move too quickly, or try to approach the cat before he/she is a little more comfortable with you, they may become startled or angry. The funny thing is that the more you ignore them, the more curious they become. In my opinion, they don’t feel threatened if they are being ignored and feel safer approaching and investigating the new person in the room.

I have had cats in the past that didn’t want to be approached at all and would become angry if someone tried to approach them. So my best advice, no matter what cat you are being introduced to, is to just let them approach you and let them get to know you at their own pace. If they don’t approach, leave them be.

This post was originally published by www.purrfectworld.com TM

Cats - Shedding

CatLady — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:37:55 +0000

I love all five of my kitties, but the shedding can be a challenge. If you have cats, you have to accept that they are going to shed. Cats that spend most of their time outside usually shed twice a year – spring and summer. However, because indoor cats live in a controlled environment with limited temperature changes and a regular meal schedule, they shed year around. I used to run around with a lint roller and vacuum cleaning hair up off the couch after it had already fallen out of the cat. I have found some ways to help keep the clean up to a minimum.

Brush, Brush, Brush

Brushing has multiple benefits. Not only does brushing catch a lot of hair before it gets distributed all over your house, but most cats really enjoy it, it keeps the underlying skin healthy and it helps keep mats from forming in long-hair cats. I try to brush my cats daily. Initially, Caesar and Romeo were skeptical about it, but I distracted them by petting them with my hand and gently using the brush.

The type of brush I prefer is called a slicker brush. It’s got thin, bent, metal bristles that gently grab the dead hair and hold it until you clean it. Make sure not to brush too hard. It’s not necessary with slicker brushes and the bristles can irritate of too much pressure is applied.

For The Hair That Gets Away

Obviously, you can’t catch all the hair before it falls out. I’ve done some things to help make cleaning up the hair a little easier. I picked up machine washable throws and bedspreads. I’ve also made simple, machine washable slip covers to put on the window seat cushion and ottomans.

It also helps to have kitty beds or furniture just for them. Your guests will never want to sit on them so you don’t have to work as hard to keep them clean. Last but not least, I have a lint roller on every floor of my house, in my car and at work.

This post was originally published by www.purrfectworld.com TM

Cat News

CatLady — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:44:32 +0000

How to Find a Veterinarian

CatLady — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:31:02 +0000

I’ve used the same veterinarian for over 20 years, primarily because I liked his bedside manner and the personal attention provided by the staff. Unfortunately, he sold the business and retired. Now I’ve got to find another vet that I have as much confidence in, and am as comfortable with as the other one. So where do I start?

The first thing I will do is ask friend, coworkers and family about the vet they use and if they’re happy.
If my current vet is available, I can try to get a referral from him.
I can also contact the state Veterinarian Medical Association or the American Veterinarian Medical Association for a listing of vets in my area.
I might check my local telephone book to find someone close to home.

Part of selecting a veterinarian is finding one that fits my needs. (more…)

Don’t Forget to Kitten Proof

CatLady — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:07:19 +0000

We’ve just brought home our new kittens; Scarlet, Caesar & Cleo.

Gary’s never had kittens before and it’s been over 19 years for me. I’d forgotten how curious they are. If I was new to the world and really had no sense of danger, wouldn’t I want to see, smell & touch everything? You bet I would. Just like small mobile children, kittens like to explore everything that they can fit into their mouths, or fit under/into. For their own safety, it’s time to kitten proof.

The one thing that I was really worried about was the electrical cords. They were like a magnet to the kitties. No matter how hard I tried to cover all the cords, they always found them. My vet told me about a product called Bitter Apple that tastes like it sounds. I put a little of that on the exposed electrical (more…)

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN IT’S TIME?

CatLady — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:57:35 +0000

One of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make was to have one of my babies put to sleep. If you’re as much of a cat lover as I am, then you know how painful the thought of losing one of our kids can be. Because it is so painful and we’re so afraid of making the wrong decision, it’s too easy to just do nothing. I had a pair of siblings from the time they were kittens until they were almost 19 years old. Shadow had developed a kidney disorder when she was in her early teens but we were able to slow the decline in her health and weight loss with daily medication. When Baby began to lose weight and vomit too often, we took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with the same illness. To our surprise, her health declined rapidly. She had gone from 10 pounds to less than 6. We were having to get her hydrated by placing an IV needle under her skin. The vet wouldn’t say “it’s time to put her down”, he could only offer options, that being one. Obviously, I thought I had to try everything else first. I asked him how I would know when it was time and he told me that she would probably stop eating and seclude herself away from everyone. She would have very little quality of life. Sounds simple enough – not so simple. As she continued to lose weight, found a place (more…)

My Boys

CatLady — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:51:33 +0000

Part of gaining the reputation of The Cat Lady was due to that fact that I have five cats. I’ve told you about Caesar, Scarlet and Cleo, but there is also Valentino and Romeo and I affectionately call them “The Boys”.

They came to us as kittens about a year after we got the other three. Someone had abandoned them in a cardboard box next to a dumpster at my sister’s office complex. The janitor brought them into the utility room and a few of the office workers in the building helped feed and take care of them until they found a home. Already having three kitties, I didn’t jump on the chance to bring one home. (more…)

OUR KIDS HAVE FOUR LEGS & FUR

CatLady — Sun, 11 May 2008 19:21:21 +0000

Yup, I’m one of those crazy cat women who take care of her cats as a mother would take care of her children, except for dressing them and sending them off to college. From the first day I brought them home, I made sure that they were eating the right cat food, had the best cat toys, and kept them comfortable with cat beds and furniture. I’m like one of those women who go into a baby store and ogle over the cute little baby clothes and stuffed animals, except I’m ogling over the cute cat beds and furniture covered in fuzzy leopard print fabric. And the cat toys……..I go crazy picking out the perfect fuzzy, feathered, or jingling mice for them to bat around at home. When my significant other moved in, he became a cat lover too and spoiled them more than I did. Their names are Caesar, Scarlet and Cleopatra (Cleo for short). They each have their own unique personalities. (more…)

How I became “The Cat Lady”

CatLady — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:12:12 +0000

As a child I was always surrounded by dogs & cats. Most were strays and followed me home; or at least that’s what I always told my mom. The little old ladies next door fed stray cats and so some of the resulting kittens ended up in our house. My family didn’t have a lot of money so they rarely went to the vet and we certainly couldn’t afford to have them fixed – which led to more kittens. I loved my pets but I didn’t really appreciate them until later in life. In 1981, I took in two black kittens from the same litter and they were with me from the age of six weeks until they died, 5 days apart, 19 years later. I had grown to consider Shadow and Baby my kids and losing them was devastating. (more…)