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Messages - kitty_cat

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1
General Discussion / Re: Cat photos
« on: March 19, 2014, 12:41:00 PM »
Lemmy looks long??

lol!!!  I lengthen him daily by dangling him from the clothes line and hanging weights on his feet!!!!   ;D

KC

2
Discuss Cat Behaviour / Re: Shy and Timid Cat Behaviour
« on: March 17, 2014, 03:48:09 PM »
Hi

Working with shy cats was one of my favourite things when I worked at the shelter.

I always had three golden rules;
1) go at the cats pace. If they will only tolerate 5 minutes of sitting and chatting with no contact them that's what I'll do. The important thing is to gain their trust and if they know you will not do anything unexpected or rush them beyond their comfort zone they will trust you sooner.

2) always end interaction on a positive note. A few treats left before you leave and stopping the interaction before the cat has had enough increases the likely hood of them looking forward to your company.

3) make sure the cat has an escape route and somewhere they can go which is a no go zone for people. This way they can tell you that they don't want to chat and they don't feel cornered which reduces their stress levels and makes them more likely to hang around and see what's going to happen.

In a home with children I always stressed that a no people zone was the top priority. Using stair gates if needed to keep children out. Encourage children to interact with cat with fun activities for both. So playing or feeding treats and even grooming if the cat likes it.

It does help some cats to be made to experience the household or they will never stop hiding but they do need an escape route still and cats will look at up as an option, so a tall cupboard or empty shelf is always a good idea

as you say, some cats are shy by nature, just like people and as long  as they can have me time they are usually affectionate souls when it suits them!!

KC

3
Cat Blogs / Re: Lady Dinah's Cat Emporium - Cats Don't Drink Coffee
« on: March 14, 2014, 02:48:01 PM »
Hey folks they do dogs too!!!!

Not sure I like the idea of cat hair in my coffee but then I guess that would be no different to being at home!!!

How do they get through food hygiene standards???  Must have astronomical insurance!! lol!

 :meow:

KC

4
General Discussion / Re: Cat photos
« on: March 13, 2014, 03:48:15 PM »
Poor ziggy! He looks very unimpressed! You gotta do it tho ain't ya!! :P

George definitely has the missed sausage look about him!

Here's lemmy trying to persuade me he has a hard life!  Not falling for it boy-o!
I might join him tho!
 :meow:



5
General Discussion / Cat photos
« on: March 11, 2014, 03:38:36 PM »
Think I've managed to attach some pics on my boys!! 

 :meow:

6
Discuss Cat Breeding / Re: Pedigree Breeds!
« on: March 11, 2014, 03:14:23 PM »
I ADORE sphinx cats!!!  They are so soft and warm - much warmer than a cat with fur (nearly typed furry pussy then but thought better of it - almost!!! ;))

We had one at the shelter once called Gandalf and when he used to run up and down the corridor he looked like a naked little old man - all wrinkly and baggy!!!!  (not that I've ever seen a naked old man I hasten to add!!!)

He loved being up on your shoulders which was lovely as he was like a super-heated scarf but not so lovely as he used to do what I call bum-facing (I'm sure you can work this out) and when they are hairless it's a bit more - how can I put it - in your face!!!!!! :D :D

I think another breed may be the Selkirk rex and possibly the American wirehair as they have shorter fur too.

There are some productd that you can get to help with normal cat fur allergies. A good one is Petal Cleanse which you apply to the cats coat and it removes the allergens.  See link:

http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/Products/CN0494/petal-cleanse-lotion

Not sure this is the cheapest place to get it but I was on this website getting some cat food!!! lol!

KC
 :purrcat:   <-- love this puss-cat!

7
Discuss Cat Breeding / Re: Pedigree Breeds!
« on: March 08, 2014, 02:54:03 PM »
Hi,

Breeds of cat suggested for allergy sufferers are sphynx cats as they are hairless and devon and cornish rex  as they have very short, fine ,curly hair that doesn't tend to shed .

KC

8
Discuss Cat Breeding / Re: Pedigree Breeds!
« on: March 07, 2014, 02:14:13 PM »
I have seen lots of pedigrees and dealt with their health issues over my years in animal welfare.

Spynx cats who need to wear jumpers in the winter and sun cream in the summer and need regular baths to keep their skin in good condition. Persians with flat faces who can't breathe properly and have constantly runny eyes. In some cases who even struggle to eat properly!

I don't have anything against breeders, I've met a lot of those to and they love cats. I just think sometimes the human race needs to stop and think ahead before we go making life changing decisions on behalf of other spieces.   :o

KC

9
I'm quite sure all cat loves will identify with you on the 'you haven't fed me for at least a week' dance!!!!

Lemmy follows me around shouting at me until I have fed him, whereas Nicko just curls up and waits. I think he has sussed that Lem will do all the hard work for him!!!!  :P

Putting my best cat behaviour head on though, we are all guilty for fuelling this behaviour. It's called positive reinforcement, as the cat always gets what he wants, even if he has to wait a bit for it. From his point of view scratching at the door, following you around and yowling works, so he keeps doing it!!!!!

We wouldn't have it any other way though would we cat lovers!!!!  :) :)

KC

10
Cat Blogs / Re: The (soon to be not so) Secret Life of Harry
« on: March 07, 2014, 01:48:43 PM »
Hey!

Also loving the blog Em. I didn't know you could actually get little cameras for cats collars, what a neat idea!!

I would love one for Nicko as he goes all over the village and I'm sure he has many 'homes'!!!  I don't think you'd see much on his camera though except lots and lots of fluff!!!  ;D

Gingerninja, chattering at birds is a very conmmon cat vocalisation!!!  We used to own a Somali called Sambora who chattered away at the birds all the time and every now and then he'd shout a really loud "YOW!", like he was telling the birds off for being on the other side of the window!!!!

Cat names!!! Oh the fun we had with those at the animal shelter!!!!!  Naming whole litters of kittens was a treat!!!  We once had Mrs Billingsly, with her children, Samuel, Muffin, Rudy, Quinn and Missy (if you have young children - you'll get that!!)

My own cats have been Harley and Davidson (brothers!), Pez, Mrs Mouse (changed to Leia), Jon, Sambora, Lemmy, Nicko and Lucy. Loved them all dearly. :-*

KC


11
General Discussion / I'll go first then!!
« on: February 23, 2014, 09:11:08 PM »
Hi!!

I thought I'd post and see if I can encourage some others to get in on the action to, so I'm going to ramble generally about me and my cats!!

I have had a rather privileged life regarding cats, as I worked for 15 years in an animal rehoming centre and all of my cats (8 in total) have come from there.  I have done lots of courses in cat behaviour and used to deal with peoples cat behaviour issues all the time at work. Over the years I have learnt all about cats and now consider myself to know them back to front.

I currently have two cats. Both rescue cats, both black.

Lemmy is my oldest and is a DSH (Domestic Shorthair) and is now 14 years old. I have had him since he was 6 weeks old. He came into the centre with his mum and litter mates (not sure why now!) but it was clear quite quickly that he and his sister were not as strong as the others, so I took them home to hand rear them. Sadly his sister died after a couple of days but Lem has grown into a big, handsome boy and has never had anything wrong with him!! The only trips to vets with him are for routine vaccinations.
He is a real snuggle bum and follows me everywhere!!!  He tells me off if I don't sit down and have a cuddle after he has had his breakfast!!  He is quite a shy boy and really only  lets me, my husband and my son touch him but he is definitely a mummys boy!!!

Nicko is 10 years old and is a DLH (Domestic Longhair), in fact I'm convinced he has Persian in him!!!  He also came to the centre where I worked as a baby, only 12 weeks old and was in such poor condition he had to be shaved completely and bathed several times to remove fleas, lice, ticks, mites and just about every other parasite you can imagine. He was, after a couple of weeks, giving up I think and I was caring for him one day when my manager and the vet came to see him and discuss his progress. He was very close to be euthanased (the shelter where I worked ONLY euthanased sick animals that were beyond help and where it was considered that they were suffering) as he would not eat, had very bad diarrhoea and rarely got out of his bed but I said I would take him home and see if he perked up.  I remember getting him a little tartan dog coat to wear as he was completely bald (except his head and feet!!) and I took him home.  He picked up quickly and was soon a normal, happy kitten playing and having a fuss and eating like there was no tomorrow.

In both cases I couldn't bear to part with my boys so I adopted them. All my other cats (now deceased, sadly) had similar stories but I won't tell them all now!!!!

I hope to meet lots of other catty people here and share stories of our wonderful feline friends. I wouldn't be without mine!! Will attempt to attach photos of them in due course!!

KC

(also known as fishcake76 - if you are part of the think fish website, you'll know who I am! ;))

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