My kitten hurt his tail. Should I take him to the vet right away, or can it wait?

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I would never put money in front of my animal’s health, but I don’t want to overreact and rush to the ER just because I’ve never had this happen to a cat before. My kitten is 3 months old. He jumped up onto the couch and was acting very strange. I ran my hand down his back and when I got about an inch down his tail he started to whine and back away. I then picked him up and placed him on the counter to examine him. I very carefully went down his spine palpating [Note from Mama: “Palpating” means exerting gentle pressure, for those of you who…

Delay in posting this week’s column

We’re just posting now to let you know that this week’s Paws and Effect column will be published tomorrow (Monday, Feb. 25). Mama just got back from a weekend away. For some reason she thought this conference thing she was managing needed her presence more than we did! Can you believe it? In any case, Mama needs to make up for almost three days of not being here to pet us, so we’re only letting her on the computer to make this post. Please forgive us for the delay, but we need petties NOW!

How can I keep my cat from soiling his carrier?

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: My cat has never liked being put in a cage, but previously his displeasure was only announced by loud yowling. The last two times however, he urinated in the cage and out through it, making quite a mess and smell! I will need to transport him again in a couple of weeks, and would greatly appreciate any advice or tips about how to calm him so that this does not happen. The trip time in all cases is only about 15 minutes, but that is still too long! ~Alan Siouxsie: It’s a well-known fact that most cats hate being transported anywhere. But there are times when it just has…

How can my mama keep my kitty housemate from ambushing me?

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I am 13+ years old (I don’t know exactly). My name used to be Eubank before my new mum brought me home from a cat shelter where I was ugly and unwanted, now I am loved and wanted but still ugly! My mummy has written to you before, but I thought I would ask if you have any ideas on why my friend Sable keeps on ambushing me and stopping me from using the comfy places in the house, which we have the run of. She is nearly 5 years old and was the first cat in the house. I only came here in June this year. I have…

Why can’t my cat meow?

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: Why can’t my cat meow? He is able to make a squeak sort of like a newborn kitten. ~Josh Siouxsie: Well, Josh, every cat has a different kind of voice. I myself have a lovely, full-bodied meow. Sometimes I make little trills and grumbles, too, but my voice is rather low-pitched (in tone, not volume) compared to other cats I know. Thomas: My meow is more like a medium-pitched “MEEK-erk,” and my other vocal communications are pretty much a variation on that theme. Dahlia: And my meow is a sweet, high-pitched “meep.” It’s quite delicate and feminine if I do say so myself. My trills and chirps tend to…