October 2008

I just lost my beloved red tabby Rusty last Tuesday. He battled small cell intestinal lymphoma and arthritis for a almost three years with a pretty good quality of life (thanks to much vet care, holistic and regular) and when he could not go on, I held him while my long-time vet euthanized him. It was the hardest most wrenching thing I have ever experienced and I am in a great deal of grief over this precious animal. However, Callie my calico, who lived with Rusty for 10 years, remains with me and is not doing so well. She cries and longs for Rusty.

Max just doesn't seem to get it! We recently installed a new pet door which gives him access to the room that hold his litter box. We've guided him in and out MANY times but he doesn't quite seem to get that he has to use his head to push through the door. After each "guided" push through the door, we reward him verbally and also follow that up with a treat. Once we "help" him into the room, he does his business but will not come out. He'll "paw" at the door, lie down and reach under the door, but will not come out (nor can we bribe him out).

My cat has been licking the hair off his stomach and legs for about a year now. It all started when we moved into a house that previously had cats. He is about 10 years old and has never done this before. I took him to the vet and he got a cortazone shot. This did not work. I read that he might be lonely so I bought a kitten. This worked great for about a month and the hair started coming off again. The vet then recommended I change his cat food. Once again I thought I found the cure but it only lasted about a month. Now he is bald on the stomach and legs and going for the front legs.

I have 3 cats, 2 of them are brothers and a girl kitten(about 8 months). Opal is a very whiny, spoiled kitten, who whines to be picked up and put on the kitchen counter(Roland and Cain-they are 1 1/2 years old).. jump up there themselves. Unfortunately, I have over spoiled her. The most annoying thing she does is lick.... VERY LOUD. This is especially annoying when my husband and I are trying to sleep. We have tried shutting her out, but we can still hear her down the hall. Anyone else cat lick this loud???

Hello, my kitty is about seven months old, and he's always been very playful, and I love that about him, but recently his playful nips on my arm are turning into hard bites that leave marks. It's even gotten so bad that on occasions, when he's too playful, he bites my face. I need this to stop, but I don't want to discourage him to play with me. Any suggestions? This is my first cat, so I don't even know if this is normal. Please help!

I'm a fairly new cat owner, I can't tell if my cat is tired, sick, or perhaps even depressed. He's been very inactive the last 18 hours, and he sits with all limbs tucked under his his body, which is not normal for him. Can anyone tell me if these are common symptoms for a sick cat? Do they warrant a trip to the vet? Thanks!

I have 2 oriental short hair cats. They make much noise at night. What can be done to quiet these guys.