And sorry to be a downer with that post....Don't really have anyone else to vent to about it and let it out. It kills me. I'm going to get a gogurt, sit in a nice bath, and watch something funny on my phone.
That's what this thread is for though. Just as okay to vent as to post cute kitty pictures, just a shame you did both within the space of a few days.And sorry to be a downer with that post....Don't really have anyone else to vent to about it and let it out. It kills me. I'm going to get a gogurt, sit in a nice bath, and watch something funny on my phone.
Just got terrible news and I'm trying my best to not be enraged and depressed all at the same time. The foster kitten that another student was taking care of for us until tomorrow? One single day left to go? She's gone. The kitten was being kept in a bathroom separated from other animals in the home. I don't know how it happened, but when someone went into the bathroom and let the kitten out of the carrier, a roommate's cat got into the bathroom also. They either didn't realize, or didn't think it was a big deal, but the cat jumped on the kitten and attacked when they opened the carrier. It happened quickly, and when the person tried separating them, the cat then attacked the person. The cat was too small and too weak, and the little time it took for the cat to attack did enough damage on the chest that when they rushed the kitten to the ICU nearby, they determined it was best to euthanize. I just grabbed the closest thing I could that wasn't glass and smashed it against my wall. Now just sitting here trying to process it. I can't stop thinking about what a terrible, shitty way that was for the kitten to go, and it makes me want to cry.
I wish I liked alcohol so I could get drunk right now.
And sorry to be a downer with that post....Don't really have anyone else to vent to about it and let it out. It kills me. I'm going to get a gogurt, sit in a nice bath, and watch something funny on my phone.
Thank you. My biggest support is fiance, and she isn't home at the moment. Outside of her, I feel the most comfortable sharing with strangers....as sad as that might sound. I like it though. But I am feeling much better now. I sat in my chair for a while after posting, just scrolling through pictures of all our previous foster kittens, and watched some videos, and they put a smile on my face thinking about them. One in particular was Chester from last year, and this video of him fighting the air. But the best part is right near the end when he makes eye contact with me. I don't think he knew he was being watched.This thread is for moral support too, so don't feel bad about it. That said, you probably need stronger support that what essentially amounts to strangers over a text forum. Isn't there any family member or friend you could call to take it off your chest, too?
Last time i was in a room with a cat for an extended period of time (30 minutes) I started having difficulty breathing and had to leave. I think I'm just doomed.
I didn't realise it was such a rare thing for it to happen, I just figured it was a territorial thing. I take back what I said in my earlier post, it's clear there's no way they would've known it would happen. Terribly sad for all involved :(Only thing I can add is, try not to be too too hard on the person with the other cat. It's so, so rare for a cat to attack a kitten, and this is the first time I've even heard of such a fatal attack. You just had the absolutely most abysmal luck imaginable. :(
I didn't realise it was such a rare thing for it to happen, I just figured it was a territorial thing. I take back what I said in my earlier post, it's clear there's no way they would've known it would happen. Terribly sad for all involved :(
Thank you. My biggest support is fiance, and she isn't home at the moment. Outside of her, I feel the most comfortable sharing with strangers....as sad as that might sound. I like it though.
But I am feeling much better now. I sat in my chair for a while after posting, just scrolling through pictures of all our previous foster kittens, and watched some videos, and they put a smile on my face thinking about them. One in particular was Chester from last year, and this video of him fighting the air. But the best part is right near the end when he makes eye contact with me. I don't think he knew he was being watched.
(we cover vent with younger fosters just in case one decides to stick their foot down there and hurt themselves)
How old exactly is the cat supposed to be? Do you have a picture?Oh geeze I didn't even think of that thank you I'll keep the big cats away from her from now on. I should have caught that myself I've just been working crazy hours so I'm flustered and didn't even think about it spreading in the rush to get her set up and vet appointments and kitten chow and trying to figure out if she was weened.
Deaf cats tend to be more easily stressed as they always look out for what they miss. They startle easier due to missing out you walking behind them. What you need to keep in mind is, that certain things other cats hear they can't (shaking the dry food container, calling by name, talking, etc.). A Deaf cat, once asleep, won't wake up for dinner unless you touch them or put the food bowl directly near them so the smell eventually wakes them up. But waking a Deaf cat up by smell will take some minutes.I didn't know about white cats being deaf that might explain why she always seems so surprised when me or my girlfriend sneak up on her to keep her out of the big cats room..
To raise a small kitten with two elders is kinda tricky, I'd actually suggest to either get a second small cat or prepare for intense play times to avoid cat fight problems. Normally its recommended not to keep a kitten alone (without a second kitten). Kitten need a play mate, adult cats are usually too annoyed to be bothered with little babies. I mean you don't want to play with a 2 weeks old as best pal either. From time to time or as your child maybe, but you are forcing this 2 weeks old on a grown adult cat who has no shared interest.I haven't had a kitten in so long I've forgotten all the rules of integrating one into a house. I did remember to keep her food away from the big cats though and she has her own little pan of kitten chow and water and a tiny kitten sized litter box. Does anyone know how often I should feed her? I know nursing kittens need food pretty often but she's weened.
The cat flu can have two different triggers:To further explain her nose isn't runny and her eye isn't all gunky I'm just being cautious and assumed it was pink eye her face is kinda weirdly shaped she's really fluffy but looking at my cat Snart he's got similar looking fluffy spot under his eye and he's always had it looking at pictures of him from a couple of weeks ago.
Just FYI, I think he's chasing shadows, my cat does that a lot(and he's pushing 7, lol).Thank you. My biggest support is fiance, and she isn't home at the moment. Outside of her, I feel the most comfortable sharing with strangers....as sad as that might sound. I like it though. But I am feeling much better now. I sat in my chair for a while after posting, just scrolling through pictures of all our previous foster kittens, and watched some videos, and they put a smile on my face thinking about them. One in particular was Chester from last year, and this video of him fighting the air. But the best part is right near the end when he makes eye contact with me. I don't think he knew he was being watched.
(we cover vent with younger fosters just in case one decides to stick their foot down there and hurt themselves)
When I was a kid my parents had a white cat that was deaf. Our back yard wasn't far from train tracks shortly before the station (don't worry, you can keep reading), and every day at 4pm it would make its way across the yards and shed roofs to get a perch to watch the train coming in. We never figured out how he knew to go at that time. First thought would be vibrations, perhaps that was the longest train in the day, but he'd be heading there 5-15 minutes before. It was uncanny.Deaf cats tend to be more easily stressed as they always look out for what they miss. They startle easier due to missing out you walking behind them. What you need to keep in mind is, that certain things other cats hear they can't (shaking the dry food container, calling by name, talking, etc.). A Deaf cat, once asleep, won't wake up for dinner unless you touch them or put the food bowl directly near them so the smell eventually wakes them up. But waking a Deaf cat up by smell will take some minutes.
Deaf cats can learn signs instead of words. (My cats can do paw, sit, high five, one can do lay down). They can't hear you come home but that does not mean they can't recognize that you return. Our bossy cat is welcoming me everytime when I return. They feel vibrations, see how others react and they can actually develop a feeling for our schedules.
We have 2 deaf cats (stone deaf, really. We had installed our fire alarm and they didnt even twitch). One is really good in picking up these things, he grew up with hearing cats in a mall, and the other one in a foster home with a room that hosted 7 cats.When I was a kid my parents had a white cat that was deaf. Our back yard wasn't far from train tracks shortly before the station (don't worry, you can keep reading), and every day at 4pm it would make its way across the yards and shed roofs to get a perch to watch the train coming in. We never figured out how he knew to go at that time. First thought would be vibrations, perhaps that was the longest train in the day, but he'd be heading there 5-15 minutes before. It was uncanny.
I never heard this until last year. I thought my leg was being pulled at first. Such an odd, interesting little detail.White cats with blue eyes are very likely to be deaf or partly deaf. I'd check on that.
Last update on Lt. Dan. My fiance had this made today from the paw prints before cremation---the foster mom was calling her Kitten. She gave to the foster mom so she had something to remember their short week together. You never know if this will make someone feel better or worse after what happened, but she was grateful to have it so she didn't forget her.
I never heard this until last year. I thought my leg was being pulled at first. Such an odd, interesting little detail.
Actually making me cry now :(Last update on Lt. Dan. My fiance had this made today from the paw prints before cremation---the foster mom was calling her Kitten. She gave to the foster mom so she had something to remember their short week together. You never know if this will make someone feel better or worse after what happened, but she was grateful to have it so she didn't forget her.
And smile again, thankfully! She looks like the lovechild of these two:
This is Gally, my parents adopted her while their neighbours got her sister! The pic is from months ago, she's way bigger now, but I can't see her more than once a year when I go back to my hometown, so she's still a little kitty for me!
This is Gally, my parents adopted her while their neighbours got her sister! The pic is from months ago, she's way bigger now, but I can't see her more than once a year when I go back to my hometown, so she's still a little kitty for me!
lol. Literally two minutes ago, my fiance found a mess in the cat bed. Their traditions are not to be trifled with or questioned, it seems.
I think I saw this kitty in that one movie Tales from the Darkside.
This is Gally, my parents adopted her while their neighbours got her sister! The pic is from months ago, she's way bigger now, but I can't see her more than once a year when I go back to my hometown, so she's still a little kitty for me!
100% acurate!And smile again, thankfully! She looks like the lovechild of these two:
That's a pic taken post Grasshopper Hunting, she's still a bit in Berzerk Mode!
If you look at it biological, it makes sense. White means the pigments dont develop.Last update on Lt. Dan. My fiance had this made today from the paw prints before cremation---the foster mom was calling her Kitten. She gave to the foster mom so she had something to remember their short week together. You never know if this will make someone feel better or worse after what happened, but she was grateful to have it so she didn't forget her.
I never heard this until last year. I thought my leg was being pulled at first. Such an odd, interesting little detail.
This is Gally, my parents adopted her while their neighbours got her sister! The pic is from months ago, she's way bigger now, but I can't see her more than once a year when I go back to my hometown, so she's still a little kitty for me!
My cat throws up about once a month. Is this normal? She eats grass too.
Also she doesn't drink much water maybe 1-2 a day? Is that normal? even though it's away from her food.
Yeah, cats eat grass to force themselves to throw up hair they've ingested while cleaning themselves.My cat throws up about once a month. Is this normal? She eats grass too.
Also she doesn't drink much water maybe 1-2 a day? Is that normal? even though it's away from her food.
Is that still water? Maybe the cat only wants moving water, from a fountain or tap, and is drinking the still water only when it has to.My cat throws up about once a month. Is this normal? She eats grass too.
Also she doesn't drink much water maybe 1-2 a day? Is that normal? even though it's away from her food.
My buddy had a similar situation. He put the food for the grazer up on some furniture the fattie couldn't reach, and had rationed food in their usual spot. The vet wanted the fattie to lose weight too, and she has, and is more active and healthier now.So I have two cats, one of which gets pretty bad acid reflux and throws up if there isn't food always available, and the other is a gluttonous fuck who eats way too much. How might I be able to balance one cat needing to graze and the other not having appetite control enough to graze without being fat? Dude is already approaching 14lbs and he's only two years old.
Yeah not there in he daytime so she probably has more than I think. She slurps for about 30 seconds at a time. She mostly has dry food James Well Beloved as she's super picky with wet and always leaves about half of the packet which gets thrown away each time anyway.Throwing up once a month is pretty much normal. Cats throw up a lot, especially but not exclusively hairballs.
Drinking water a couple times a day is a bit low indeed. Are you sure she doesn't drink more when you're not watching her? Does she drink a lot each time? Do you feed her mostly dry or wet food?
We had this issue, one grazer and one gorger, and we ended up getting one of these for the grazer's food so only she could access it:So I have two cats, one of which gets pretty bad acid reflux and throws up if there isn't food always available, and the other is a gluttonous fuck who eats way too much. How might I be able to balance one cat needing to graze and the other not having appetite control enough to graze without being fat? Dude is already approaching 14lbs and he's only two years old.
So I have two cats, one of which gets pretty bad acid reflux and throws up if there isn't food always available, and the other is a gluttonous fuck who eats way too much. How might I be able to balance one cat needing to graze and the other not having appetite control enough to graze without being fat? Dude is already approaching 14lbs and he's only two years old.
I just got a Cat about a month ago and he's obsessed by food. He doesn't have worms or anything else and in good health but man he likes his food. Gluttonous AF. The first week he hid in the bathroom and ever since he come into his own we learned he REALLY loves food. He's a tiny little black cat to boot. Not sure where he puts it?
Side note: we are in the process of moving and we have boxes everywhere. During the night he has been taking the tape off the boxes. No idea why I find this so funny.
Yeah not there in he daytime so she probably has more than I think. She slurps for about 30 seconds at a time. She mostly has dry food James Well Beloved as she's super picky with wet and always leaves about half of the packet which gets thrown away each time anyway.
We had this issue, one grazer and one gorger, and we ended up getting one of these for the grazer's food so only she could access it:
So I got a new cat about 3 weeks ago. I had her separated from my other cat so she had a space to roam and make her own, and things seemed to be going well. I opened the door separating them and fed them together and things seemed to be going ok. However now the new cat chases my other cat around the house and when trying to play with them, she takes over the play time leaving my other cat to seemingly become jealous/disinterested and she ends up going somewhere to watch from afar.
I've tried separating them again during playtime to give my first cat some playtime on her own, but she ends up just looking at the other cat through the door and not really engaging. I can get some playtime with her if she can't see the other cat, but that lasts for maybe 1 minute before the new cat comes back around and the cycle starts again. My first cat also normally likes to be on my bed at night when I sleep, but now my new cat is trying to be up there, and my first cat ends up either leaving or hissing and give some swats at her.
They seem to be decent around each other when I'm gone according to the home owner, but when I get home, my first cat will hiss at my new cat some and give her some warning nips if she gets too close. The new cat will roll over on her back to seemingly show vulnerability to my first cat, but nothing really progresses. I know it's only been 3 weeks, but I feel bad for my first cat because it seems like she's jealous of the new cat and I'm trying not to make her feel bad ; ;
Hahah, you beat me to it.
It's normal for a cat that was the sole resident to feel jealous and displaced when a new cat comes in. As you say, three weeks is very little time; as long as they're not actively fighting, you're OK, and it's very likely they'll eventually become friends. Our first two cats, both female, took months until they were fine with each other.
Throwing up is NEVER normal. Even hair should pass normally. If that's not possible you should brush your cat more frequently. Some cats with allergies also just throw up 1-2 a month, so such things should never be taken lightlyMy cat throws up about once a month. Is this normal? She eats grass too.
Also she doesn't drink much water maybe 1-2 a day? Is that normal? even though it's away from her food.
All cats get sick.In a year or two I want to get a cat. A normal domestic shorthair because they're much healthier than pedigree. Any absolutely essential advice for new cat owners, I only have a goldfish as a pet right now.
How old exactly is the cat supposed to be? Do you have a picture?
Deaf cats tend to be more easily stressed as they always look out for what they miss. They startle easier due to missing out you walking behind them. What you need to keep in mind is, that certain things other cats hear they can't (shaking the dry food container, calling by name, talking, etc.). A Deaf cat, once asleep, won't wake up for dinner unless you touch them or put the food bowl directly near them so the smell eventually wakes them up. But waking a Deaf cat up by smell will take some minutes.
Deaf cats can learn signs instead of words. (My cats can do paw, sit, high five, one can do lay down). They can't hear you come home but that does not mean they can't recognize that you return. Our bossy cat is welcoming me everytime when I return. They feel vibrations, see how others react and they can actually develop a feeling for our schedules.
To raise a small kitten with two elders is kinda tricky, I'd actually suggest to either get a second small cat or prepare for intense play times to avoid cat fight problems. Normally its recommended not to keep a kitten alone (without a second kitten). Kitten need a play mate, adult cats are usually too annoyed to be bothered with little babies. I mean you don't want to play with a 2 weeks old as best pal either. From time to time or as your child maybe, but you are forcing this 2 weeks old on a grown adult cat who has no shared interest.
An own litter box is neccessary for the time they are separated, after that "an own" does not exist. You'll need at least 4 litter boxes for 3 cats.
As Kitten Shiro received endless food supply of adult food. Ryu on the other hand would have developed serious diabetes because he ate none stop. In the end a good rule of thumb is not longer than 6 hours between the meals. Our vet told us 200-250 in wet food only, dry food you need to subtract from this but not 1:1 because wet food is higher in calories.
Maybe Weltall wants to add, more experience and everything.
The cat flu can have two different triggers:
Calicivirus
Reports from the USA, UK and Germany describe the emergence of new and particularly harmful strains of calicivirus, or "virulent systemic (vs)" FCV, which produce serious clinical pictures and cause epidemics accompanied by high mortality rates of up to 50 %.
- Mild sneezing, conjunctivitis
- Lesions on the margins of the tongue
- Pneumonia
- Chronic inflammation of the gums and mucous membranes of the mouth
Characteristic signs are:
- High fever
- Tongue and foot pad lesions
- Oedema (fluid retention)
- Haemorrhage (bleeding)
Herpesvirus
The clinical symptoms of herpesvirus infection include:
- Sneezing
- Watery discharge from eyes and nose, later often with pus
- Bouts of fever
- Lack of appetite
- Conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers, sometimes lasting several weeks
- Mucous membrane defects on the tip and back of the tongue
- Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract
- Possibly coughing
- Pneumonia
i'm loving life with kittens who will be 14 weeks old tomorrow. they snuggle right up to me a lot. they lay on my chest, my legs, around my neck, under my arms, and even at my head. it's just that the cats i had before weren't like this. i mean they would come up and lay down beside me but these kittens feel more comfortable around me. they just plop down anywhere and sleep :)
i woke up this morning with one of my kittens sleeping on my pillow. best way to wake up! i also noticed i have a scratch across my face so they were probably both running around my bed during the night.
when i last had a kitten i was only 4 years old (14 years ago) and once thing that i'm concerned about is how much they are biting. i know they are just playing but i don't want to let them think that biting my hands is OK. i don't tell them off i just take my hands away. is it normal for kittens to bite? will they grow out of it? i just don't know how to deal with it.
I'd actually go as far as stopping to play immediately. Redirecting attention can lead to them learning if i scratch i get attention/toys/playtime. Which is basically a positive reinforcement and lead to the cat scratching to communicate.None of our cats bite hands, including kittens we've fostered. Cats will continue to bite (and scratch) your hands until taught it's not OK. To do that, never play with them with your hands. Get a cat fishing pole, balls, etc. If they bite you, redirect their attention to a toy. If you notice they bite you out of the blue, flatly tell them "NO!". They won't be traumatized, and they learn quickly.
Uh, you might not want to train your cat to ask for food while you're eating. Trust me on this; it's a really hard thing to untrain them later on. :D
(of course, "asking" for food is sometimes the lesser evil. One of our cats is a straight out food burglar and will always, always try to steal our food and run away with it. Sounds hilarious, gets tiring fast).
Couldn't agree more. My partner's aunt has like 8 cats, and they're poor-mannered, always trying to steal food every time we eat something, it's exhausting really. She entertains it because that's a sign of love to her, but I don't like it in the slightest when I have to fight off 8 cats every time I wanna eat something.
Our own cat on the other hand, can stand still, sitting on my desk near my plate, and she will not touch it in the slightest, even if I turn my back from her.
Cats are so different in their personalities, that I feel it is hard to generalize. My former cat just had no interest in human food at all. He was absolutely my cat, and I always offered when I was eating something I figured he would like. He would usually just sniff and move on.
My current little fella is VERY interested in whatever I am eating. Have made a habit of getting him a taste in the kitchen in his own bowl. He accepts that that is what he gets, and then he doesn't really bother me much about it when I am eating. Only exception is yoghurt. He will sit very close and stare intensely in hopes of him getting to lick the bowl afterwards.
This is spot on. Positive reinforcement training can be tricky. You need to see it from the pets POV. Stopping play and ignoring them is very effective correction.I'd actually go as far as stopping to play immediately. Redirecting attention can lead to them learning if i scratch i get attention/toys/playtime. Which is basically a positive reinforcement and lead to the cat scratching to communicate.
Wait 2-4 seconds and then reinitiate playtime but not with your body but with a toy.
Telling them off is not necessary. I mean i have Deaf cats and they dont bite or scratch. It does add another input, even if they dont react to the "hand pulled away" they might react to the no.