How can I keep my cat entertained while I’m away from home?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I would like a little kitty perspective on a situation. My sweet pudders, Sasha, is 15 and a very loving kitty. She recently moved with me to New York City when I got married and now lives part time in an apartment in Manhattan. I have to work in Miami two weeks a month and in NYC two weeks a month. When I am in NYC I work from home so she gets to see me and play with me whenever she... Read More
What’s the best diet for a cat with kidney disease?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: My cat is 18 years old. I recently found out that she has kidney disease. She was in the hospital for 3 days a month ago. The vet gave me an antibiotic and a supplement; she finished the course of treatment and now she’s eating quite well. I’m feeding her a blend of the prescription diet wet food and beef broth and cooked chicken liver, and she loves it. Can you suggest what... Read More
Can my FIV-positive cat be saved?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I am disabled and a Vietnam veteran and my cat, my best and only friend, has FIV and stomatitis. One vet says he can be helped and one vet says to put him to sleep. Can anyone help me keep my friend with me? ~J Siouxsie: First of all, J, we want to say we know how hard it is to face losing your friend to this chronic and progressive disease. Mama’s first cat companion had FIV, so she... Read More
What can I do to prevent my cat from getting diabetes?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: My cat is about a year and a half old. I’m very concerned about diabetes — it seems extremely prevalent, if not inevitable these days in older cats, and it doesn’t just strike the obese. I don’t remember dogs and cats getting it often when I was younger. It has to be the ingredients in cat and dog food. Any thoughts on the best type of food to get for my cat and how to prevent... Read More
How can I make sure my FIV-positive cat lives a long, healthy life?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: We just brought home a foster cat named Sunshine. He’s an unbelievable lovebug who wants to be close to us at all times — he just won’t stop purring and nudging for love! Sadly, Sunshine is FIV-positive, which is why we’re hesitant to follow through with adoption. We recently lost a cat to lymphosarcoma, and it’s still hard on both of us. We want to be sure to give him the best... Read More
My cat has leukemia. What can I do to keep her healthy and strong?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I found out yesterday that my cat has leukemia. She is my heart, and I’m totally devastated. I want to know if there’s anything I can do to make her stronger so she has a chance at fighting this–food, vitamins, anything. Please help! ~Marie Siouxsie: It is heartbreaking to find out that a beloved cat has a disease like feline leukemia. But the good news is that if you take... Read More
My vet has recommended birth control pills for my cat because of her heart problem. What do you think?
Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: My 9-month-old female cat has a heart murmur and serious heart problems diagnosed by ultrasound. The vet says she has a 1 in 3 chance of surviving sterilization. He has recommended the pill. Her life expectancy is reduced because of the heart condition, so he says she will probably die before the side effects of the pill kick in. What is your advice, please? I worry about my lovely little... Read More
