Cat Chat Feline Forum

Loved that picture of Lucky! And the video of a cat fishing! Aversion to water is certainly not universal among cats. Maine Coons don't seem to mind water - certainly my Tilly (and Badger when he was around) doesn't mind getting wet (and Tilly adores fish). Indeed, going back into early cat history,...

Its a long time ago now, but my old cat Misty was lost for 9 weeks. (I believe he got frightened by something and by the time he stopped running could not find his way home.) I had given him up as lost for good, but got a call out of the blue. it transpired that he had found a house with an open cat...

Oh dear, the calculating cat triumphs again! Tilly did that to me, only I found out a bit quicker, hence the resort to subterfuge! By the way, just found that Grace McHattie in her Moggy Cat Care book "Supercat" (most useful cat book I have) suggests covering pill in cream cheese as the ch...

That cartoon reminded me of the many hours I spent hunting for my late lamented cat Badger only to find he was indoors all the time! Quite where a 7.5kg cat who was a yard long manged to hide in a small house had me baffled.

All this talk reminds me of the terrible time I had trying to pill Tilly at New Year! Attempts at the direct down the hatch method were less than 50% successful - holding a yard of wriggling Maine Coon with legs everywhere, trying to open her powerful jaws while trying to push a pill in with the sam...

Forgot to add: Must have items before bringing him home: Bed, food bowl, litter tray large enough for him when fully grown and litter (also ask breeder what kind of litter he is used to), cat carrier that is big enough for him when fully grown (see size of parents), at least 1 weeks food supply. A f...

Hi A few things from what I can remember from acquiring Badger and Tilly 6 years ago: Ask to see as many of the kittens close relatives as possible, although as many breeders mate their cats with cats from other breeders stock, both mum and dad may not be available to view but mum ought to be. Looki...

Hi and welcome. I hope I can give you some reassurance, having had two Maine Coons (sadly only one now) from kittenhood. 11weeks is a bit young for them to leave home - my two were 13 weeks old when I brought them home. Maine Coon kittens eat a lot, they have a lot of growing to do. Twice the normal...

Well I'm not laughing at you for feeling that way about leaving Bamboozler. Feel much the same whenever I have to leave Tilly!

Mary - Six years ago I had much the same thoughts as you regarding buying a Pedigree cat. But there I was, catless, and Badger and Tilly looked so cute! Just because you know who their parents, grandparents and great grandparents are (and can meet them) why should a pedigree cat not live in the same...

I've been using Broadline for the past year, recommended (and supplied) by my Vet. Certainly seems to work better. Agree with Mark that Indorex or Acclaim are best for spraying the house. Crewella's point that it must be dry before allowing your cat near treated surfaces is very true. Fortunately th...

Very sad to read of Kylie's death. She was a beautiful and much loved cat.

I use Broadline as well. Find it easier to administer than Frontline. Not having to pill Tilly for worms (she is also an avid hunter) is a huge plus!

Mary When my Badger died due to cancer last year (horribly similar to your Bridie) Tilly was bereft and moping for several months (didn't catch a single mouse in all that time). Badger and Tilly had been together from kittenhood and were much attached to each other. I wondered whether I should get a...

What a terrible thing to have happen. RIP Bridie, she was a beautiful cat.

My neighbor uses two of the Catmate C20's. They generally work well, but there is a problem with two cats, as the timing mechanism is not so precise that both will open at exactly the same time, so one cat can get to scarf the lot as each one opens! I usually have to go round to check and open the t...

Then I think Crewella's diagnosis that Millie is on heat is correct! (Had the same thing many many years ago when I was new to cat ownership and my first cat Sally started behaving like Millie is doing - I went to vet in panic with her only to find out she was on heat. Operation to spay her booked s...

Julie
I fear that pacing may be a bad symptom. Misty suddenly started pacing one night. Diagnosed as a brain tumor when I took him to the vet next day so that was that. Sorry to be so gloomy and I hope Lucy is not suffering from one.

I would let boyfriend take cat home. Long journey may not be ideal, but most cats will cope and I expect he will consider the destination and a home of his own worth the hassle. My Badger and Tilly coped with a 2 hour journey from their breeder to my home. Avoid rush hour, of course and you will nee...

Julie Whilst this may (or may not) be the last few weeks of Lucy's life, I agree with you entirely that is no reason to end her life prematurely. Certainly just going blind is no reason - elderly cats can still potter around, be loved and sleep in the sun whether or not they can see. Although I had ...

Hi My Badger was definitely a dry food cat. Although I always put some wet food down for him, from kittenhood he would only eat a few mouthfuls of wet food out of tins or packets (left the rest for Tilly) and subsisted on dry food and plenty of water. Only wet food he enjoyed was fresh mouse which h...

Oh dear, I'm always afraid that when I write about my Maine <you know what> it will get censored. Fortunately moderators on here know I am talking about the worlds most beautiful cat and not insulting people!

And here! Sadly Tilly does not agree, so if I want some cat hugging I have to kidnap Tay from next door (never very difficult). I am hoping that as Tilly ages she will be more responsive to hugs, as happened with Honey.

Very sad to hear of Miley's death. It is terrible when we loose them, especially when it happens quickly but the pain does get better with time. At least you were with her.

I also consoled myself that if Badger or Tilly did kill the sparrowhawk, they probably saved more small birds than they kill! I believe sparrowhawks can kill two small birds a day, whilst Badger and Tilly only ever managed one a week between them. (As Tilly is getting older now I am glad her depreda...

When my Honey started losing weight I was advised to feed her kitten food as it was easier to digest and had more calories per gram. Not sure what might be Holly's problem though, as she is still eating well. Honey had lymphoma and it caused her to loose appetite. Sorry I can't be any more help than...

About 5 years ago, Badger or Tilly (I don't know who was the culprit and both were quite capable of the deed) brought a sparrowhawk in and dumped it on one of their beds. It was definitely dead when I found it when I came home from work. Due to the lack of damage (both to it and the house), I assume...

Hi Chez My Tilly has a tin of Thrive as one of her 3 tins/packets a day (she is a big active Maine Coon cat). I started giving it to her after her illness at the beginning of the year when she needed to put a bit of weight on according to the Vet. Worked very well, except she is now addicted to it a...

Sam Very sorry to hear about your loss of Fred and the manner of his going. I know only to well what it is like to lose a cat that appears to be happy and healthy. I lost my Badger to cancer last year (he was only 5). I took him into the vets on the Tuesday because he seemed a bit lethargic. The vet...

I think you are right - black nails seem to be very rare. All of mine have had white nails, even my black beauty Sally, who was otherwise black (OK, very dark brown tabby) apart from a thin white streak on her belly (although her whiskers turned white in her old age). Sally2exctvs.jpg Only cat I kno...