How Can I Stop My Cat From Yowling?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I have a 9-month-old male cat. He’s been an inside cat since I got him — other than a few overnight outings when he’s gotten out an open window or a door left open half a minute too long. My only problem with him is his yowling. His meows vary from a normal meow to a deeper-toned one that almost echoes in the hall. I leave a window open for him so he can enjoy the outside world even though it reaches -40 outside during the winter. I’ve bought him every toy imaginable, keep his bowls filled and his litterbox clean. I also give him as much attention as…
My Cat Eats Everything In Sight. Help!
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: My 5-year-old Siberian cat has a very bad habit: he eats whatever he finds and seems to have a taste for non-food items. It started out with eating stuffed animals (plush toys, for those of you in the UK), usually chewing off their arms, feet, ears and faces. After putting those out of his reach, he started eating our clothing. When the clothing was removed from his path, he started eating other things like wires, blankets and sheets — and just about anything else he could get to. The more we take away, the more creative he gets. His bizarre tastes have cost me thousands of dollars in vet…
Is My Cat’s Odd Behavior About Bad Eyesight?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I have a Bombay cat who is just over a year old. She is loving and friendly and is very patient with my son. But about a week ago I went to feed her at night (in the dark) and she began to growl and hiss. I tired to calm her down by telling her it was OK. but next thing I knew she lunged at me and bit my leg. She punctured my skin and left a huge bruise. She has been aggressive like this before, but never this bad. Is there any way to tell if a cat has trouble seeing? I think she can’t see well…
Why Don’t My Kittens Purr For Me?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I found Diva and Tater on Craigslist. They were 9 weeks old at the time, and they were healthy and happy. I brought them into a household with one 4-month-old rescue female kitten from a vet’s office. It was instant adoration! They thought of Gracie as “Mom.” They “nursed” on Gracie, who was a fixed female by then, and she seemed to love it. Both of the kittens purred and purred, loud and clear, whenever they were near Gracie. But when they weren’t near Gracie, I never heard them purr. Ever. Even when they’re being loved on or being fed, they never made a peep. I tried putting my…
My Cat Is Peeing Up The Wall. Help!
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: My cat sometimes pees in the litter box but then she sometimes sprays as well (or at least doesn’t squat as much, lifts her tail quivering high and shoots pee out instead of down), she covers both as if she is just peeing. She seems confused about the two actions. She is a confident, healthy (no UTI’s or medical condition — I took her to the vet and had her checked), spayed 5-month-old female. Have you ever heard of this and is there anything I can do? Obviously when she sprays it goes over the side of the litterbox. She did this before being spayed and as well as after….
Why Does My Kitten Constantly Lick Me?
Kitties’ note: Mama’s been having kind of a rough day today, and she said the only way she could manage to help us write our column was if we had a happy question to answer. And lucky for us, in the wee hours of the morning, this letter came through! Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I found two beautiful kittens on the side of a highway. It took me nearly an hour to get them in my car. When I got them home one was very nervous and the other jumped right into my lap! Now it seems they’ve grown to adore me … well, so I think. Every night they sleep with me….
Why Does My Kitten Suck Her Tail?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I just got a kitten three weeks ago. She’s normal in every way except that sometimes she will lay down and chew or suck on her tail. Apparently she likes it — she purrs while she does it and it puts her to sleep — but I’m a little worried about it. If I take her tail away from her mouth, she wakes up and looks everywhere for it. I’m a little lost, and I’d be grateful if you could tell me what to do about this. ~ Mariah Siouxsie: Tail sucking is unusual, for sure, but there are plenty of cats that do it. Thomas: Experts tend to…
