Cat Q&A

She’s about 5 months old and she seems healthy, but for some reason she never plays. We’ve had her for a week. She’s warming up to us really well and loves when we pet her. She’ll perk her ears and look when we show her a toy, but she won’t pounce or paw at it or anything. She spends most of the day resting, sometimes in strange places. Today I found her sleeping in her litter box. Is this normal for a cat of her age? Shouldn’t she want to play?
Thanks for the suggestions.

She was a farm cat, so she had plenty of wide open space to run around in, and there were several other cats there.

We haven’t taken her to a vet yet but we’re working on it. We don’t quite have the money for the shots, etc, but we will very soon.

As far as I know she was treated well before we adopted her. The woman who owned her seemed to take very good care of her cats. This one didn’t even have fleas or ear mites, which floored me. And I know what to look for because I’ve owned and cared for cats before.

When we first brought her home we decided to keep her in the bathroom for a while so that she could get used to it before we let her roam the rest of the house. (We have a nice bathroom, and that’s where we had planned to keep the litter box anyway.) But after her first bath she became very scared of the bathroom and asserted to us in no uncertain terms that she wanted OUT. So we let her out and for a few days she stayed in our living room instead.
Now she’s not afraid to go anywhere in our home except for the bathroom. She’s still scared of the bathroom.
She’s also a little skinny, but it’s not what I would call severe. Her eyes are bright and she’s really chatty and alert…like I said she doesn’t seem sick or anything (I hope she’s not)…she just doesn’t like to play.

If you don’t know what a catamite is look it up in the dictionry

Cat art makes a lovely cat lover gift. Indeed, a gift of cat art makes the perfect choice for cat lovers who are also art enthusiasts.

There is no question about it. Cats’ feline majesty and beauty have inspired artists throughout history. Paintings and sculptures of cats have been found in Ancient Egyptian sites as well as in Incan palaces. More recently, pictures of cats have graced posters and day-to-day items, such as calendars and clothing.

And it’s not only their physical beauty that has captured the imagination of painters, sculptors, designers, writers, and musicians. Cats’ unique nature, mysterious personality, and sometimes quirky traits have inspired novels, poems, songs, movies, and one of the longest running shows on Broadway, among many other works. So it is safe to say that a gift of cat art will delight any cat lover, especially those who also love art.

However, just picking any gift of cat art will not do. Some factors to keep in mind during the selection process include: The form of art you want to give (i.e. painting, sculpture or photography), the technique you want to focus on (for example, watercolors vs. pastels, if you’re giving a cat painting), your friend’s personal taste, and of course, a budget.

These factors will help you narrow your search and will help you select the right gift for your cat-loving friend. If you need some ideas to inspire you in your search, take heart. Below you will find six cat art gift ideas, arranged from most expensive to most affordable.

1. Cat paintings. Many well-known artists have painted cats down through the centuries: From Leonardo Da Vinci and Titian to Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. I guess they couldn’t resist cats’ beautiful shape and had to immortalize it on canvass. Indeed, a feline-inspired painting makes an exquisite cat gift. Of course, some of these works of art come with a hefty price tag. But you can still find gorgeous paintings at affordable prices.

2. Cat portraits. If you want a truly one-of-a-kind painting, one that immortalizes your own cat (or your friend’s cat), then commission a cat portrait. Pet portraits have grown in popularity in recent years so you can find several artists who specialize in pet portraiture. Prices may vary depending on the work you want and the artist.

3. Sculptures of cats. Somebody once said that if you have a cat you don’t need artwork. And that’s true, I think. Still, cat-inspired sculptures can add another level of feline beauty to any spot. Cats are amongst nature’s most beautiful animals. And that beauty lends itself to be reproduced in sculptures. You can find statues for every place in your home: Sophisticated sculptures for the living room, whimsical statuettes for the bedroom, and lovely pieces for the garden.

4. Cat-inspired photographs. I think all cats are photogenic. Most often than not, cats take great pictures. You can find posters based on cat photographs of many different styles: Black and white photographs, breeds, funny and whimsical, inspirational, and more. If you prefer, you can take a picture of your cat-loving friend, place it in a nice frame and give as a gift.

5. Make it yourself. Are you creative and adventurous? If that is the case, make the gift yourself! Draw or paint cats. Or take a photograph. Or make a calendar. Thanks to user-friendly software and digital cameras, you can make your own art and personalize your gifts.

6. Inexpensive cat art. Give decorative coffee mugs or magnets showcasing cat-themed artwork. These gifts are not only beautiful but also practical. And best of all, you can find them at affordable prices.

He took him to the vet and he been in the hospital since last thursday the vet said that he has cancer and he should die within a week. He can barely lift his head, he doesnt eat, and he’s using the bathroom, and he has a short breath. I feel so sorry for him because he is 18yrs old and he grew up with me. Whats the best way to tell a cat goodbye?

I seen your answer to someones question about fleas, and I was interested in your response about lavender and teatree oil. I was just wondering if you mixed it with shampoo or what? I have some teatree oil, but it’s obviously very oily and strong smelling. Could you tell me how your administer it to your animals? Also, anyone else’s suggestions on flea meds/remedies would be helpful

I know that my cat and I have a close companionship with each other and I always spoil him and my other cat, a female and spayed with special treats and give them plenty of attention. I’m confused as to why he left. I don’t live by a busy highway, I live where there is open pasture with lots of trees , tall, tall grass and a few good size water holes or ponds.

I’ve heard various things about this. One person told me you can leave a cat a week if you leave enough food and water and other people say that’s too long – so what’s safe?

I haven’t done this but I thought about going out of town for a few days and I need to know how long I can be gone without having to board the cat.

In this adventure, Sam inspects the camera, and then inspects a teacup full of water!

There’s a cameo of Jon Stewart if you turn the volume up.

Watch this cute cat playing…

Deciding to be a pet owner and caregiver is a big responsibility. Owning an indoor cat can bring years of enjoyable pleasure for you and your new companion friend. Although cats are seen as self-reliant, you as the owner will always have to be the diligent parent.

If you’ve never owned any pets before, you should get some pet education before bringing your new furry friend home.

Probably the best way to find out about caring for an indoor cat is to visit the homes of friends who have indoor cats. Your friends can be an excellent resource for what’s going to be required of you to care for a cat. Other resources are community cat clubs, veterinarians, animal shelters, books, tapes, videos, and the Internet.

Before you get your first cat, decide what your commitment to this relationship will be. How much devotion, cost, effort, and attention are you willing to provide to your new friend. Also consider what your personal preferences are for the new family addition. Are you looking for?

Kitten or Adult

Longhair or Shorthair

Male or Female

Breed (Persian, Burmese, etc)

Pedigree or Non-Pedigree

To many, a kitten is a cute, cuddly bundle of joy, just like a new born baby. But like a baby, you’ll need to watch over carefully to the health of the kitten as it grows to adulthood. An adult cat, on the other hand, is more capable of attending to its own personal care.

Hair

Cats shed hair, just like humans. Some breeds shed more hair than others. Cats are fastidious groomers. Be prepared and none too surprised when they vomit a hairball from time to time — completely natural with little cause for alarm. It’s a good practice to routinely brush your cat to collect the loose hair.

Shorthair cats usually need less routine brushing than longhairs. If you brush your cat routinely, they can have less incidents of hairballs and upset digestion. Giving your cat a bath (cat formulated shampoo only) once in a great while is good also.

Gender

Cats are individuals. Both female and male cats can make wonderful companions. If the cat has been spayed or neutered, then the cat’s gender doesn’t play a huge role. The cat’s own unique personality will determine how good of a pet it will make. Your personal preference may be to choose a cat whose personality is agreeable to yours.

Breed

Generally the cat’s breed isn’t a factor and your selection usually is a personal preference.

Pedigree

You may choose a pedigree cat if your intention is to invest, breed, or show. There are other reasons why someone would choose a pedigree over a non-pedigree, and that’s a personal choice. Expect to pay more for a pedigree primarily because its lineage can be traced and its pedigree is highly prized by others.

Non-pedigree cats are just as cute and cuddly as the pedigree. A lot less expensive too!

Summary

A cat is a wonderful addition to your family and will give you many years of enjoyable pleasure.