Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties:

We have a domestic short haired cat, Hughie, we got from the local shelter when he was about 4 months old. He is now 20 months old and he has the most wonderful disposition and is friendly and affectionate. He eats the very best dry food we can find, and occasionally we feed wet food as a treat. He is healthy, energetic and alert. The problem is he gets into EVERYTHING! We had to get rid of all the house plants shortly after we brought him home. We tried pebbles in the soil, foil around the pots, sprayed the plants with awful smelling stuff we got at the pet store…to no avail. So we got rid of the plants. He always gets on counter tops in the kitchen, knocks things off onto the floor, gets on the buffet, breaks glasses, jumps on the dining room table, jumps onto the television set, gets caught in cables, climbs all over the computer printer and pounds on the buttons until he sets it off, etc. When I set the dining room table for dinner, I cover it with another table cloth in case he jumps onto it and when company comes I have to sequester him because he will jump onto the table. He is not interested in the food, just nosy and wants to sniff around. Using a water bottle doesn’t work since he seems to be immune to it. I once put cayenne pepper on the kitchen counter to keep him off, then worried all day that he may have been irritated by it and doubled back home to wipe it off the counter…all to find him perched in the middle of it, wagging his tail. We think our biggest regret is having to get rid of all the house plants, we miss them. And for the last two years we have given up all hope of having a Christmas tree, Christmas decorations, etc. He has his own little “condo” he can sleep in and climb all over, a variety of play toys, balls, etc. He prefers rubber bands, twist ties and balled up pieces of paper. We don’t mind him on the couch, or the bed, the window sills, as a matter of fact I wouldn’t mind him on anything if he wasn’t so clumsy and destructive. Any advice?

~Carole Read more »

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties:

What could be wrong with my cat if she drinks a lot of water, walks on her haunches, and has sores around her head and anus?

~Caren

Siouxsie: The excessive drinking and walking on the haunches are common signs of diabetes. We’re not sure if the sores around her head and anus are related to this condition or not.

Thomas: You need to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible and  have some diagnostic tests done.

Dahlia: Diabetes can be fatal in cats, as it can in humans. Read more »

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties:

My 13-year-old female, Maridette, lost her “sister” last year. “Dette” has developed a constant meowing problem, wants 24/7 attention, keeps us awake late and wakes me up early after husband leaves. She gets plenty of food, stroking, lap, and outdoor fun in warm weather. Why won’t she settle down at night? My husband and I are losing sleep. It’s been over 7 months and is worsening.

~Marguerite Read more »