Kitten Om Nom Nom

Someone sent me this YouTube clip and it made me smile.

Kitten Om Nom Nom

You're my favourites!

It's amazing that to people who don't really know cats, they all seem the same. Of course, when you have cats, know lots of cats, or work with them the reality is that they're all very different. For me, that's one of the wonders of cats. They are such interesting and fascinating animals, all with extremely different characters.

Whenever I'm with any of the cats I look after, at the time I'm with them, they're my favourites. Then I get up, drive to the next house, and they're my favourites too! And so my day goes on........

Olly and Frank are brothers and are very gentle boys. They are extremely affectionate to each other, and to me, and when I'm there they like nothing better than to be sitting on my lap or snuggled in right beside me. Being continually stroked, of course! They're definitely my favourites.

Then there's Rex and Sammy, two more brothers, this time ginger boys. They have a cat flap, so go in and out as they wish, but when I get there, no matter what time it is, Sammy is usually sitting outside waiting for me - as long as it's not pouring with rain; otherwise, he's sleeping on the back of the armchair in the front window and sees me coming through the gate. The minute I'm there he races me to the kitchen, jumps on the table and nuzzles into my hand and face. Then starts shouting at me for food! Once he's got his food, he tends to be less bothered about getting a fuss from me.

Rex takes a little longer - he's either asleep upstairs, or wandering further around the neighbours' gardens. He's less bothered about his food, and usually waits for Sammy to stop eating before he sees what's left for him. His face is often covered in scratches, and he's known locally for being a bit of a bruiser, fighting with other cats. But he's so gentle and loving with me, and while I'm there, once he's found me, he doesn't leave me. If it's a nice, warm sunny day, I'll sit in the garden with them while they sunbathe on their backs in the middle of the lawn.

When it's time to leave, as long as it's not raining, Sammy usually comes to see me off. With a look that says "I can't believe you're leaving me!"....... They're definitely my favourites.

More favourites on another day.

Wendy and Holly

I used to look after Wendy and Holly quite frequently. Sam and Jayne were from Ireland and often popped back to see their families, and used to like the odd holiday too!! Sadly I don't see them any more because they all moved back to Ireland, but I get little updates and photos every so often, which is so lovely.

When I first met them they lived in an apartment, and the cats had a room all to themselves. They had a bed all of their own to sleep on (although mostly preferred to sleep under it), and plenty of space for their litter boxes. However, although the room had a window, it looked out onto a brick wall - not good for cats who love to be able to watch what's going on.

There was a small problem though.... Holly had a problem of using the floor as a toilet. Sam was becoming frustrated and couldn't understand the problem - he was scrupulous about making sure that the litter boxes were always kept fresh and clean. I suggested that Reiki might help. Reiki doesn't cure behavioural problems as such, but if there's an energy blockage causing emotional issues this could be at the root of the problem, so clearing that can be effective. Almost immediately after the treatment there was a marked improvement, but still not completely resolved. She definitely seemed much happier and more relaxed, and was using the litter box a lot more, but from time to time she'd still use the floor.

Since the problem started, Sam had been putting newspaper down in the cats' room to try to protect the floor, and had even tried puppy pads. It occurred to me that this might actually be a part of the problem. We'd resolved the emotional issues but I was starting to think that Holly actually thought that she was supposed to be using the paper. If you think about it from a cat's perspective, why not?

So, I asked Sam if he was prepared to take a risk and take the paper and puppy pads away. I had a quiet word with Holly to explain what we were planning to do and why. And guess what? No more problem!!

Shortly after, the family moved to another apartment. I could tell that the cats were much happier there - there were lots of windows to look out of, and loads to watch. They had a bit more room to roam around, and their own room was much nicer. However, there was still a little issue.....

Whenever Sam and Jayne were away the cats were confined to this one room and the hallway. They'd been litter mates and were mostly very friendly and affectionate with one another. But of course, even the closest cats need space away from each other, and a couple of days into the holiday I noticed how they'd get very cross with each other if they got too close. There was really nowhere for either of them to go to be on their own. They'd snap at each other for almost no apparent reason, and were desperate to be allowed into the lounge. One day I arrived and there was a glass bedside lamp in bits all over the floor - I can guess how that happened! Luckily neither of them were injured in any way; I cleared up the mess and all was fine.

But this really got me thinking that I needed a serious word with Sam. It's difficult, because when you look after peoples' animals you do what they ask - but at the same time, you also have the animals' welfare in mind. So sometimes I need to find a way to give some feedback and make practical suggestions.

Happily, Sam completely understood what I was saying and appreciated the fact that I raised the issue. Turns out that the cats had been his for a long time (they were about 12 when I was looking after them), and had come with him when he and Jayne got together. Jayne wasn't really a cat person, and although she tolerated them, she wasn't always so open to their needs. They were renting the apartment furnished, and she was concerned that they might scratch the brand new furniture - as they loved to scratch, and this was a big issue. So, I could see it from her perspective too.

Anyway, Sam had an idea! He bought some blankets and brought them round to me, and asked if I'd cover the furniture on my first visit, and uncover and take them away with me on my final visit, the next time they went away. That way they'd have to stay in the room and hallway when Sam and Jayne left, but once I turned up, they could have the run of the apartment. Sam didn't want Jayne to know - he said she wouldn't have agreed - and although I'd have preferred it if he could have told her, I had to go along with it.

This was really successful. Very happy cats, loved to snuggle onto the blankets and sleep on the sofas - one each - and no more fighting. Did make a bit more work for me though on my last visit, as I also had to clear up any telltale fur lying around. But they could spread themselves around and be as free as they needed to be.

Not long after that though, I received a card from Sam telling me they were returning to Ireland, but at least they've gone back to a house where Wendy and Holly can run around outside again. The blankets were taken to Animals in Distress and put to very good use!

Sticky Cats - Kora's Story

I paid a visit to Animals in Distress yesterday, to take along some towels and food that a very kind customer had given to me (and also spent some time with Suzie who was recovering from an operation on her leg).

While there I had some great news!! Kora, who had been there for ages and ages now had a lovely home. Kora came to the sanctuary last year and was fairly quickly re-homed. However a few weeks later she was returned as she was biting. Well, she'd not bitten any of the staff or volunteers before she was homed, but cats do have teeth, so that can happen. Lots of things can make them bite, and there could be any number of triggers. They had idea what happened there, but it meant that they had to let anyone who was interested in taking her home with them know about that. That always makes it difficult to find a new home.

Also, she'd put on a lot of weight, so she was put on a strict diet, and in time (and it took a long time!) her weight reduced. Lots of people came to see her, and as she lost weight she regained her very pretty looks. But she had become rather feisty. She'd be quite happy to have people stroke her - but only until she'd had enough, and that might sometimes be only a couple of strokes - then she'd take a swipe with her paw or attempt to bite. But for all that, she really was a lovely cat.

She'd been back for months and was starting to get institutionalised. She had days where she was clearly a little depressed, but mostly she seemed to feel at home. I'd sit with her for ages, and let her come to me. She'd rub her face against my hand, but I'd take care not to stroke her. This was the way she was happy to receive human contact and affection. She was still an affectionate cat, but only on her terms. To be honest, that's very typical of many cats - just to different degrees. She had things to climb on, toys, other cats to see come and go, and plenty of the right sort of attention from staff and volunteers. It was almost as though she was the queen of the cattery.

In the end, she'd been back for over a year, and I think we were all starting to wonder whether she'd ever find a new home. Of course we all continued to hope, but sometimes it was difficult. It's fairly typical that people want to take a cat that will be affectionate, and allow stroking - it's always harder to find people who just want to take a cat and give it a good home, purely for that reason only. I'd often said I'd have been happy to take her, but there's no way Bella would ever allow another cat in this house!!

The staff have heard from her new carer since she left - she's now very affectionate, sleeps under the bed, and is settling in very well. Perhaps she was just waiting for the right person.....

Can you help to find Noodle?

My good friend Naomi has 5 very loved cats. One of them - Noodle - went missing on Tuesday evening 29th September. She is quite old for a cat -18/19 years - and is fairly blind and deaf, and also depends on daily medication. It's unusual for her to be wandering very far. As I'm sure you can imagine her family are very worried for her.

She lives in Prestwich, so please pass this on to anyone you know who might live in the area. Naomi has put together a website: http://www.findnoodle.co.uk/ with lots more information about her, as well as contact details should she be found.

Have a cat safe garden

Many of us have cats who like to be outside, and wander around a little - it's part of the cat nature. But we also worry about what can happen while they're out and about. Because of this concern, some people keep their cats indoors, in order to be safe. This is absolutely fine if yours is an indoor cat and very happy to be (and I've met some cats who are positively fearful of the outdoors), but such a shame to restrict a cat who'd really love to be outside.

I can't imagine ever keeping Bella indoors. She doesn't always want to go out, but when she does there's nothing stopping her. Even when it's a miserable, wet, cold evening, and all she wants to do is to sit under the car for 2 hours!!

But mostly cats like to be outdoors to smell all those exciting smells (the most important sense to a cat), watch the birds, listen to everything, and feel the breeze and sun on their fur. They like to stalk bugs and whatever else they imagine they can see, chew grass, and wander around their territory to see which other cats have been around. Bella can spend hours sitting at the foot of a fence having a loud argument with a magpie or a squirrel who's sat on top!!

She's a climber so although the garden is fairly well contained, she's often up and over the fences - sometimes into neighbour's gardens, but other times into the front. I try not to worry, as what's that going to do, but sometimes when she's been out for longer than usual I do get a little concerned.

I live in a quiet cul-de-sac, so don't have the problems that living on a main road can cause. I can totally appreciate that if you live on a main road you're less likely to let your cat out if it's possible for them to get to the road. And the statistics show quite strongly that cats who go outdoors tend to have shorter lives than those who don't - but mostly if they live close to main roads.

There are some alternatives to consider though........ You could consider creating a safe cat run within your garden, so that your cat can go outdoors, but still be safe. It needs to be enclosed at the top too so that they can't climb out, and should also be quite high, as cats do like to climb. Make sure that there are some nooks and crannies for them to snuggle into, and some high places to climb up onto so that they can watch the world go by and sun themselves. Think of it almost as an outdoor activity centre, and have some fun with it. I've seen some where people have linked it to the back door by means of a corridor, with a door into the run and another into the garden for the humans.

This option can be fairly cheap to construct, as mostly all you'll need is some timber, fixings, and wire netting. Obviously you'll need to ensure it's strong and well built, and of course there's also what you put into it for the cat. Oh, and if you're like me and not particularly handy, someone to erect it for you!

Another option can be to surround your whole garden, and there are companies who specialise in this - so possibly a little more expensive, but very effective, and often not obvious. Fences are built higher, and tend to have an overhang or lip which prevents escapees, and other cats from entering.

The cat magazines such as Your Cat and Cat World regularly run features demonstrating these options, and carrying advertising from suppliers.

One other thing to consider is the plants in your garden. There are a number of plants that are poisonous to cats, and there are plenty of websites where you can find this information. However, in my experience, as long as cats always have a plentiful supply of grass to chew on, they tend not to bother other plants. I've got a lovely Fatsia (Castor Oil Plant) that Bella barely even notices. It's a personal view, but I think you have to strike a sensible balance somewhere. Clearly though, if your cat is outside and has eaten something they shouldn't, or is showing any signs at all of being unwell, always take them immediately to the vet (with a sample of the offending plant if you have it).

Just to finish, going back to indoor cats...... You can always find ways to connect them with the outside. Ensure they have access to windows where they can sit and look out at all the activity, where perhaps a window can be locked in a slightly open position so that they can also get the smells without being tempted to jump out. Make sure there are plenty of hidey-places in the house, and lots of activity. And again, think about the plants you have. Most of us love to have lillies in vases, but these can be extremely toxic to cats. Personally I've not seen a cat bother a vase of lillies (probably because instinctively they know), but they will chew on other plants that may give them upset tummies - so make sure they've always got a tray of cat grass to chew on. This will keep them happy for hours!

Handicapped Pets

At Animals in Distress, as I'm sure you can imagine, from time to time we take in animals that are handicapped in some way. Most recently we've had a few cats with leg injuries so severe that they require amputation in order to save the cat, and provide a fairly good life again. They're amazingly stoical, and before very long learn to scoot around on their 3 legs just as if they still had 4. Sometimes though they still think they have 4, and can be seen trying to scratch with the leg that's no longer there! If you go to my Tale of three 3-Legged Cats, published in July, you'll be able to read more about them.

I've recently come across another blog dedicated to handicapped pets, with all sorts of useful, interesting and fascinating information, Q&As, etc for those who use pet wheelchairs. Please have a look at Handicapped Pets.