Are Cats Really Solitary Animals?

It seems to be common knowledge that cats are solitary and prefer to be alone versus having another cat as a companion.  You will hear this from just about anyone who claims to know anything about cats, so it must be true, right?  While some cats may prefer to be alone, anyone who has seen two cats curled up to each other, enjoying a snuggle while they nap, will agree that cats do not always prefer the loner lifestyle.

Can cats do just fine without another cat companion?  Sure, as long as they get plenty of interaction with their human companions, but a cat with a friend is likely to be just as social with humans while still enjoying feline companionship.

There really isn’t any one right or wrong answer.  If your cat prefers to be alone, there is no reason to fix what isn’t broken, but if you find yourself longing for another cat in your family, you shouldn’t hold off just because someone says cats should be alone.

If you decide to get another cat, simply take your time to allow both cats to get to know one another.  Don’t pressure them or try to force them to be friends – they will figure it out on their own, and in their own time.

Cats can be solitary, but just like their distant cousins the lions, they get along great in a “pride” as well.  There is no one size fits all answer, because cats are unique and have their own individual tastes and preferences.

Choosing a Vet: Go with Your Gut

Going to the vet isn't always fun, but it can be a better experience if you trust and like your vet!

My husband and I are thinking about changing vets, to one a little closer to home, and something came up that made us think of doing it sooner rather than later.  I got a recommendation and called to make an appointment.

While I was talking to the receptionist, I explained the problem... and she told me that "by law" the vet has to do a full examination on a new pet, and then, "if they see a problem," they can address it.

If they see a problem?  First off, I'm telling you there is a problem.  This is why I'm calling you.

Secondly, if that's really the law, then you are the only ones following it!

I've taken my pets -- cats, dogs, various rodents, and horses -- to many different vets in my lifetime, and I've never heard one tell me that they need to give my pet a full examination before they can even discuss the reason I've ome to see them.  In fact, one of our dogs, Emma, has been to two different vets for the first time in the last two months -- she's been sick with pneumonia, and saw our regular vet for the first time while she was sick, plus went into emergency care -- and no one ever mentioned this supposed law.

I suspect that either there IS no such law...  OR there is a law that says a vet cannot prescribe a treatment without examining the animal (to prevent malpractice), and this vet is willfully misunderstanding the law in order to demand expensive consultations of every new patient.

Which brings me to the point of this post: Always go with your gut when choosing a new vet.  If you don't like a vet's policies, if they seem unusually aggressive or conservative in a way that doesn't sit well with you, if you don't get along with the vet or the staff, or if your cat doesn't get along with them, trust your instincts!

Obviously, as soon as the receptionist told me about the supposed exam law on the phone, I told her we would stick with our usual vet after all.  If we are going to change vets, we will do it when the time for our pets' annual checkups comes around, but for this minor injury it makes sense to stick with the vet who has her records and knows her history.

Rome's Feral Cats Get The Attenborough Treatment

Meow bella!
Metafilter user lemuring dug up a fascinating old Animal Planet special, evidently from back in the days when Animal Planet ran documentary shows about animals (instead of their current line-up of endless animal-related reality shows). "City of the Wildcats" follows a colony of cats that lives in the ruins of Trajan's Forum in Rome. You can watch it on Youtube in two parts, each about ten minutes long: Part 1, Part 2.
 
We often see feral cats in passing, but we rarely get to see very far into their lives. I have a friend who feeds a trio of feral cats at his home in the country; we know almost nothing about them. Cats are so secretive, and so seemingly commonplace, but this documentary is proof that their lives are incredibly fascinating.

 
People usually think of cats as being solitary animals with defined territories, but feral cats more often tend to live in colonies. A colony is organized something like a lion's tribe, but is less cohesive. 
 
This particular colony has one ruling male (dubbed Caesar), a young up-and-comer (Brutus), and a host of lesser males who sneak in when one of the females goes into heat. There is one queen (Livia) and her daughter, Mina. All of the cats occupy the same general territory, although they may only interact with each other a few times a day.
 
The biggest surprise for me in watching this documentary was to see the lengths the males would go to in order to avoid violence, while competing for a female in heat. We think of tomcats as being endlessly battling, fighting for food and territory and females. But Caesar and Brutus settle most of their fights by glaring at each other and butting heads in slow motion, a sort of kitty cat Kabuki theater.
 
(I was also bemused by how well-dressed and chic the documentary's obligatory "crazy cat lady" was. How many Americans would step out to feed a colony of feral cats in heels, slacks, and a lovely off-the-shoulder cabled sweater? I definitely felt under-dressed by comparison.)
 
Life is difficult for feral cats, as the documentary amply demonstrates. Here in the States we have "TNR," a protocol where the cats are trapped, neutered, and then returned to their home turf. Rome takes a more tolerant attitude towards its ferals, apparently, with over 2,000 colonies in the city. 
 
Then again, seeing how many pigeons the feral cats killed, I started wondering if Seattle shouldn't promote more feral cats to our streets!
 

Putting Bells on Collars

"Where there is a will, there is a way, and your cat will surely find a way to do what he was born to do."

Let’s talk for a moment about the practice of putting bells on the collars of cats to keep them from hunting.  While I totally get that walking into the kitchen to see Tigger chomping on mouse entrails is a little disconcerting, I think the practice of denying cats their natural tendencies is a bit harsh.  It sort of reminds me of some vegetarians I knew who insisted on feeding their cat a vegetarian diet, right up until it nearly died from starvation.  It isn’t right to make a totally different species live by our ideals – they aren’t made that way.

Yes, those pretty little songbirds are a delight to behold when they play you a tune from your backyard tree, but your cat sees something totally different.  Do you eat meat?  Why can’t your cat do the same? 

Letting your cat hunt, as it is naturally inclined to do, helps give him something to do and sure beats getting him meat yourself!  In addition to being necessary to survival for predatory animals, hunting helps keep populations of animals in check.  If there were no predators, bird populations would soar, creating even more problems.

So even though swiping a bird out of the air for a quick snack is not something you would do yourself, it is in your cat’s nature, and putting bells on his collar will only make it more challenging for him.  Where there is a will, there is a way, and your cat will surely find a way to do what he was born to do.

The best cat litter ever

If you have indoor cats, you need a no headache cat litter.  I’ve tried them all and Cat Country litter is the best.

It is made of wheat grass that is chopped up into tiny pieces and then formed into small pellets about the size of an eraser on a pencil.

Liquid waste causes the pellets to break down and absorb the liquid.  The cellular structure of the wheat also absorbs the smell.  The broken pellets fall to the bottom of the box and are easily removed along with solid waste without creating a dusty mess.

The best part is that this cat litter is 100% flushable.  The price is right; it lasts a long time, and has no silica or unpleasant smells.

Try it.  You’ll be glad you did.

Trimming Your Cat's Nails

It's quick and easy - and it can save you and your cat some pain!
Along with the other topics of cat grooming, we should talk about trimming your cat's nails. Now it is true that most cats, most of the time, will not experience nail growth that causes problems. 
 
(Although it is possible for a neglected cat's nails to grow over, under, then up and through their paws. I know a cat who suffered this fate, she was rescued from a kitten mill in this condition. She survived and thrived with her new owner, although her gait was never quite the same. But assuming that your cat experiences a normal amount of mobility, this should not be a concern for the vast majority of cat owners.)

Your cat uses her nails, which keeps them worn down. The nail grows in stages, and each time it grows, it sheds off the outer cuticle. Imagine if your own fingernails shed themselves after they grew a little bit, so that you never really had to clip them. This is the situation with a cat's nails.
 
However, there are three very good reasons to trim your cat's nails: protecting yourself, and protecting your property, and protecting your cat from snagging a claw. I'm sure you have felt it when your darling begins to knead a little too firmly, and pokes you with those sharp claws! Plus, a trimmed claw will cause less damage to the carpeting and furniture. And finally, a claw which is long and sharp is more likely to get caught on blankets and upholstery. This is a situation which often leads to a torn claw, which is painful while it lasts.
 
If you get a kitten, start them early! I have found that the best nail clippers for cats are the ones that look like little scissors. They are easier to aim, and they are silent. Just the loud "ka-chunk" of the guillotine-style clippers seems to frighten many cats.
 
When you trim, you will just be taking the tip off the claw. Be sure not to get too close to the quick, that pink bit you can see inside the nail. Aside from the risk of accidentally trimming into the quick, if you trim too close to it, it can give your cat a pinch - the quick is sensitive!
 
Always be sure to get those "thumb claws," since they don't get as much wear as the others, they tend to be the sharpest. And when you hold your cat's paw, be sure not to squeeze the nubblet on the back of their wrists where those extra whiskers sprout - this is a sensitive area, and your cat won't appreciate having it grabbed!
 

3 Reasons to Brush Your Cat

Yes, brushing takes time and is hard to remember to do. Here are 3 reasons to do it anyway.

I hate brushing my cats.  It's hard to remember to take the time to do it, and they don't like it much either.  The best case scenario is for them to tolerate it, albeit barely; worst case is that they spin around and attack the brush (or me!) for forcing them to suffer the indignity.

But there are actually some very good reasons why brushing cats is good, especially those with medium- or longer-length coats.

  • Brushing reduces how many mats you'll have to cut out.  Especially as cats get older and they aren't as good at getting tangles out of their fur with their tongues, mats can develop, and once they've started there is no choice but to cut them out.  If left in, the mats will only get worse, and will eventually get so close to the skin as to be uncomfortable for the cat and nearly impossible to cut out.
  • Brushing reduces the number of hairballs you'll have to clean up.  If you can brush your cats and pick up some of the loose hair with the brush, they will swallow less hair themselves, and you won't have as many yucky hairballs to pick up.  'Nuff said.
  • Brushing reduces the amount of vacuuming you have to do.  If you have ever had a cat that sheds a lot -- even a short-haired one -- you know that cat hair can be persistent stuff.  It floats around, collects under furniture, and gets embedded in upholstery, blankets, you name it.  Luckily you can be spared chasing dust bunnies around with the vacuum if you take a few minutes each day to brush your cat.  The brush picks up the loose hair, you put the hair in the trash, and there is less cleanup all around -- for everyone!

Older Cat Losing Weight: What Could Be The Cause?

A skinny old cat is probably a sick old cat
As cats age, it's common for them to lose weight suddenly - or over the course of several months - for no apparent reason. Often, these cats will show no symptoms other than the weight loss. Many cat owners conclude that their cat is "just skinny" or that this is part of the natural process of getting older.
 
But it isn't! Most likely, an older cat's weight loss is caused by one of three common conditions. All of these conditions are easily treatable, which can give your cat several more years of comfortable, healthy life. 

 
Other symptoms often include a poor coat quality, lack of grooming, a change in the amount of food your cat eats (either a lot more, or a lot less), vomiting, and drinking more water. Be sure to note any of these symptoms so that you can tell your vet.
 
These conditions are easy for your veterinarian to diagnose and treat. If you are worried about the expense, talk to your vet - they are used to having this conversation with pet owners, particularly owners of older pets. The initial diagnosis will probably involve a simple blood panel work-up.
 
A cat's thyroid gland is what regulates how quickly they metabolize their food. If the thyroid is hyperactive, it causes your cat's metabolism to go into high gear. In addition to weight loss, your cat may eat and drink more than usual. Hyperthyroidism is common in cats who are over the age of 10. 
 
Hyperthyroidism is usually treated simply by giving the cat a dose of liquid medicine once a day. 
 
Just like people, older cats are at risk of contracting diabetes - especially if they were overweight to begin with. A diabetic cat may lose weight, and may drink a lot more water than usual. 
 
Diabetic cats will need to have their diet managed more closely than "regular" cats, and will probably need to receive insulin. But don't worry - the insulin jabs don't hurt the cat, and if you are squeamish about giving your cat shots, you will get over it and it will quickly become second nature.
 
If a cat's kidneys begin to fail, toxins can build up in the cat's bloodstream that cause them to be sick and feel poorly. Kidney failure often causes your cat to drink a lot more water than usual, trying to make up the difference in blood volume. 
 
Kidney failure can be controlled by giving your cat subcutaneous fluids daily. Just as with insulin, this doesn't hurt your cat, and quickly becomes second nature for you.

Cat Custody Battles

In a world where people are increasingly distant from each other, we strive to find a connection that is meaningful and lasting.  For some people, that connection is a pet, and they can form a bond that is almost as strong as a parent to a child.  For that reason, when a couple who had pets instead of children decides to go their separate ways, the battle over who takes the pets can become incredibly fierce.

While outsiders may see a custody battle over a pet as a childish game or something to laugh at, it is anything but comical to the people involved.  A cat may not feel the drama like a child would, but the “parents” may feel many of the same emotions during a cat custody battle – fear, desperation, anger, etc.

So what do you do if you are splitting up and trying to decide where the cats should go?  Even the most devoted and loving cat owner may not be willing or able to go to court for their cat, but there is still a need for a fair agreement that will ensure the cat is cared for.

Unlike children, cats do not adjust well to split living conditions.  You can’t expect a cat to adapt to spending every other week with the other “parent,” but it isn’t fair to ask one person to completely give up their relationship with the cat.

Have you been through a cat custody battle?  What solution did you come up with, and do you think it was fair for everyone?
 

Grooming Your Cat

Kitty's tongue isn't always enough!
Shedding season is fast approaching. This year I decided to get ahead of the curve: last weekend I bought a Furminator for my cats. 
 
Let me tell you something, it is SHOCKING how much fur you can get off a cat with a Furminator. You would think my cats would be bald by now, with all the fur I have taken off them in the last week. But no: all I have done is caught the loose fur before it ended up all over the couch, the carpet, my clothes, the bed, etc!
 
Not to mention, hairballs! If you brush the hair off the cat, it won't end up in their stomachs when they groom themselves.

 
There are a lot of different brushes, and they all work well for different cats and different coats. I recommend the Furminator, even though it is a little pricey. But it's totally worth the extra cost! My second runner-up is the slicker brush, which has a flat square head studded with lots of small, angled wires. A flea comb will work in a pinch. Those brushes which look like small people hair brushes never seem to do any good. 
 
And then you have the "oddball" category, like the Zoom Groom. I have heard great things about the Zoom Groom, but my cat refused to let it touch his body. There's that, too: you have to take your own cat's preferences into account.
 
When you start a grooming program, or bring home a new brush, start small. Let your cat sniff the brush, then give your cat one or two short strokes with the brush. Start by working your cat's cheeks and the back of its head. Don't brush farther back than the shoulder blades at first. When you have finished, give your cat a treat - a dab of baby food, a Pounce, a bit of cooked chicken, or whatever your cat likes.
 
You should never groom your cat more than once a day. Think of how your scalp is tender after you give your hair a particularly vigorous combing and brushing. Then remember that a cat's skin is even more sensitive than yours!
 
Eventually, with patience and treats, you should be able to work up to a 15-20 minute session. I brush my cats once a day every day during shedding season. When they aren't shedding as much, I may only brush them 2-3 times a week. If you have a long-haired cat, you will likely need to brush them more often. It's a great bonding experience for you and your cat!

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