Pet Question

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:00 pm

Dear All- I have one inside cat and 6 outside cats. I live on a farm in Kansas. My wife told me that when our inside cat dies we won't get another one or she will leave! Believe it or not. I dearly love my pets and my indoor cat is a real buddy-real demanding. She likes to eat and has been geting fat. So I have been reducing her snacks. Believe it or not it is my wife that has been feeding her so much. My wife has been gone for about 2 weeks and my cat is looking better. She (the wife) will be back in about 10 days. Any advice on how to handle my wife on this. I think sometimes pets are more loving than people. If it came right down to it I think pets are more loving and accepting than humans. Any advice? Thanks:-1 :wah:

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:14 pm

Hi Joho.

Well, give your wife the snacks instead of the cat.......................

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:15 pm

Hello there jman!

One thing to try (if you INSIST on keeping the wife!

)

is switching to low-cal snacks. You can also switch to low-cal

kitty food, so if she does get more, the wife won't realize. Take

it out of the tell-tale bag and put it in a Tupperware container

if you have to. (Not cat out of bag, cat FOOD out of bag...

wouldn't want anybody to let the cat out of the bag ar ar ar...

)

You are right to be concerned, keeping your pet's weight down is

just about the single best thing you can do for longevity.

Has the cat had fairly recent vet check and blood panel? You

probably already have a handle on the problem, but be aware

kitties can have thyroid problems, too, contributing to weight

gain or loss...

:-6

valerie · Post by **valerie** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 6:16 pm

chonsigirl wrote: Hi Joho.

Well, give your wife the snacks instead of the cat.......................

:yh_rotfl

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:59 pm

Thanks guys for your replies. Instead of giving her many snacks during the day I give her a few daily but everytime the asks for them I love her instead. Maybe she will associate loving instead of food. The suggestion that I get lo cal snacks is a good one but the wife buys the snacks and it would be hard to fool her. The reason the wife is this way is she gets SO attached to them. We had to put down her 19 year old Siamese male cat and she still grieves for him (that was 9 mons ago) that is why she wants no more animals. I can see where she is coming from but that is just the price you pay for all that love and attention. When this cat goes I will get another cat or a little dog. I may a single man again who knows. I know you pet lovers out there know what I mean. Another thing that makes me angry- The wife has our cat shaved about every two months claiming that it cuts down of shedding. I think she sheds just a s much but just shorter hair. Our cat is a DSH. Does shaving really help? I don't think it does. What do yhou all think?

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:13 pm

What I think is that the cat has trained you to feed her snacks! :wah: Trust Val and trust me on this...overfeeding pets is "killing them with kindness." An overweight cat is a good candidate for diabetes and kidney disease....so don't do it!

If she asks for treats....give her a piece of her diet kibble. Maybe she'll pout but...

She'll get over it!

Shaving the cat makes it easier for owners, but I'm not sure it's the best thing for her skin. Does she hate it? I've seen cats with "lion clips" who HID under beds, because they were upset about the clipping.

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:29 pm

I don't know if she hates it. The groomers says she is a good cat (!) when she is trimmed. I think the cat is much softer and better looking with a natural coat but I can't convince my wife of that.

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:31 pm

Perhaps, if you don't notice a change in the cat's behavior, you can assume she's comfortable with the shaving. THEN...compromise your reluctance to have her clipped with your WIFE'S eliminating the treats in an effort to preserve and enhance your pet's health?

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:06 am

johoman wrote: When this cat goes I will get another cat or a little dog.

Well you guys know which one *I* vote for! :-4

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 7:36 am

Wendy Bird- That is one awful loking cat. At least mine is shaved and does not look like a feline poodle.

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:11 am

It's not right to shave the cat. Brush the cat and that will cut down on the shedding immensely. Cats should not be shaved, especially for owner convenience.

Of course it hurts to lose pets and you are right on in what you said about that. Maybe you could explain to her that (when the time is right) helping another animal is the best way to honor your late pet. To help another of his or her kind. :-4 Not having animals because it hurts when they die is depriving oneself of love, companionship, joy, not just sparing oneself the grief of when they go. It's also depriving a needy animal of a loving home. Pounds and shelters and even those awful rotten pet stores are full of animals who will die if they don't get a home.

Good luck. Ask your vet about some low-cal cat snacks. That might help.

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:26 am

Red Glitter- Thanks for the nice post. I agree with you totally. I think it is a small price to pay for all the love and atention one gets from a pet. Sometimes I think my wife is a coward. I have had to bury many a pet dog or cat that was put down or died naturally. The wife never was in the area when I did. I think when you do a loving thing such as give a pet a dignified burial it is the last thing you can give a beloved pet. One time we had to put down a cat that we did everything for and I could not be in the room when the vet put her down but my wife held her during the procedure so my wife sometimes has more courage than I do. Sometimes lie does not make sense. Thanks again. Johoman

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 8:41 am

Wendy Bird- Pet hair is a BIG thing with my wife, to me it is just part of owning a pet (dog or cat). I point out to my wife that she sheds too!!! But I will tolerate the shaving but I will not tolarate not having a pet. Our 6 outdoor cats (they have access to a garage with heated pads in the winter time) are brushed by my wife at least once a week (that is 6 cats). We are retired so that is why this happens. I don't think the outside cats mind to much (with the excpetion to 2 old fiesty neutered Toms). One of our outsdie cats is 16 years old. She was born on this farm. In fact her mother and uncle both had to put down (due to cancer) just about a year ago. I am amazed that these cats has lived so long since we have coyotes, bob cats, deer, etc in our back yard. We are talking realy rural here. They are survivors. Farmers around here (both my wife and I are retired nurses) view cats as just utility animals and I have a nieghbor who has anywhere for 20-40 cats at a time. He feeds them but does not bother with immunizations or spaying or neutering so he is lucky to have the same cats year to year. All our cats are fixed and get thier shots yearly. Just yesterday evening one of the outside tom cats came back with a gopher. Enough of my rambling. Johoman

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:49 am

Some long-haired cats develop heavy matting in their fur, which is uncomfortable for the animal and causes skin problems. Ideally, the cat grooms itself and prevents these mats, but that doesn't always happen. The clip in the photo above is one way to solve the matting problem.

I agree that it looks bizarre and I've seen quite a few cats who will hide for several days after it's been done to them.

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:50 pm

Lulu- All of our cats (inside and outside) are short hair, what they call Domestic Short Hair. I think long hair cats don't do well in rural areas. To many stickers, burrs, etc. Johoman

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 1:03 pm

So--the only reason for clipping the cat is to cut down on shedding? Perhaps a Chihuahua WOULD be more appropriate for your household!

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:18 pm

Lulu- A dog would not do for my wife. I had a dog when she married me 26 years ago but she has changed her opinion of dogs since then. I have not. Cat and dogs both have their own rewards. My wife has this phobia about pet hair. Johoman

spiritglow · Post by **spiritglow** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:32 pm

I just love cats and will always have them in my life.

I don't understand why your wife has a problem with having a cat. Cats are no problem, take care of themselves and are very clean. The ideal pet.

I would seriously talk with your wife and let her know how much a cat means to you....maybe she will understand.

Good luck

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:40 pm

I have a short haire cat that I had for 13 years............BTS brought in long haired.......3 year old cat that sheds all the damn time unless we get that shaver comb for him.

CRAP........I have 4 freaking animals now ................I am not happy

seekerw · Post by **seekerw** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:52 pm

nvalleyvee wrote: I have a short haire cat that I had for 13 years............BTS brought in long haired.......3 year old cat that sheds all the damn time unless we get that shaver comb for him.

CRAP........I have 4 freaking animals now ................I am not happy

We have a Persian cat who we shear every couple of months. He is so soft and cuddly (and cute) when he's newly shorn. It sure makes a big difference.

nvalleyvee · Post by **nvalleyvee** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 9:55 pm

johoman wrote: Dear All- I have one inside cat and 6 outside cats. I live on a farm in Kansas. My wife told me that when our inside cat dies we won't get another one or she will leave! Believe it or not. I dearly love my pets and my indoor cat is a real buddy-real demanding. She likes to eat and has been geting fat. So I have been reducing her snacks. Believe it or not it is my wife that has been feeding her so much. My wife has been gone for about 2 weeks and my cat is looking better. She (the wife) will be back in about 10 days. Any advice on how to handle my wife on this. I think sometimes pets are more loving than people. If it came right down to it I think pets are more loving and accepting than humans. Any advice? Thanks:-1 :wah:

Geez ........I had and have 12 year old pets.

Got a new PUPPY..................so there....

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:39 am

nvalleyvee wrote: Geez ........I had and have 12 year old pets.

Got a new PUPPY..................so there....

Nvalleyvee- Sounds like you like animals too. Johoman

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:43 am

johoman wrote: Nvalleyvee- Sounds like you like animals too. Johoman

Hi JMan

You mentioned perhaps getting a small dog in the future. I have a chihuahua named Buster and he is the love of my life.

Dogs rule :-4

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:55 am

cherandbuster wrote: Hi JMan

You mentioned perhaps getting a small dog in the future. I have a chihuahua named Buster and he is the love of my life.

Dogs rule :-4

Cherandbuster- I like dogs too, but cats are much more able to be left alone when one is gone. I had a big Lab type dog (out door Farm dog) and I could not be gone for long without having someone look after him. He died with cancer at age 10 and I have not replaced him yet (been 2 years). With cats 4-5 days is not a problem. I think a dog will look up to you and the cat will look sideways at you. A chih looks so delcate, so fragile but none the less a dog. Joho

RedGlitter · Post by **RedGlitter** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 5:08 am

Johoman,

I was really happy when I read that your pets are all fixed!! Way to go!

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:07 am

RedGlit--in late 1989 a neighbor farmer gave us a mother cat and 5 kittens (he had about 50 of them). Within in 60 days the mother and 3 of the 5 kittens died of Feline Leukemia. A male and female survied. I had the male neutered and the female proceeded to have two letters of kittens in less than 8 months. Then one of her female kittens had a litter and we were up to about 20 some cats. We said that was enogh. At that time it was $15 neuter, $20 spay (not much more now even) and we had everybody fixed. Beside being overrun with kitties I think it stops many health problems. That is why that male had to be put down about 10 months ago (he was the survivor in 1989). Now we are down to six kitties incuding one un neutered Tom that joined us about 1.5 years ago. He was mean to the other kitties so I live trapped him and took him ten miles away. HE came back within 3 weeks and is now better behaved. Johoman

johoman · Post by **johoman** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:11 am

Wendybird wrote: I adore both cats and dogs and have some really good memories of ones that I have lost - and some really sad memories too.

Currently we have 2 cats - half pint, we have had from a 6 week old kitten - and Toosh, who adopted us 4 years ago.

We used to have half pints brother but he was hit by a car and died, shortly after that we lost our dog Gaff to Cancer.

My other half has already said to me that when the current 2 cats are gone we will not be getting anymore. YEAH RIGHT! How is he gonna stop me? lol.

Johoman - I can understand a bit more why your wife has the cats shaved if she has such a big problem with animal hairs. I still don't agree with shaving cats but I can understand why she feels it necessary. The picture I posted was just a laugh - am extreme version of shaving. lol

In a few years I am going to be that weird old lady at the end of the street with all the cats - I can just see it..............

Currently I'm just weird

Maybe I will post piccies of my cats in the appropriate thread.

Wendy- As long as you're happy and not hurting anyone else it does not matter! Non pet people just can't concieve the bond betweeen an animal and a human. Cats (and dogs, horses, even cattle for that matter) are always truthful and accepting and loving. I have nver seen a fake animal- seen plenty of fake humans though. Johoman

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 8:36 am

johoman wrote: I have never seen a fake animal- seen plenty of fake humans though. Johoman

You said it buddy :-6