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InvisibleMonkey posted:uncanny Omg the (gorgeous) resemblance!!  Even down to the white tuft!!  All of my photos of her are voids or slightly different shades on account of how light works  My girl is FIV+ from being on the mean streets. She must've either run off or been abandoned by someone, because she was already spayed when she was rescued (no microchip, nobody claimed her). The rescue people got her when a family finally called saying that they keep waking up with a cat on their son's bed, but their son is terribly allergic to cats and they can't keep her. Apparently she kept sneaking in whenever the family dogs came back in from the yard. Katya is beautiful doppelganger! 
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Jan 7, 2021 21:24
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InvisibleMonkey posted:I actually knew someone who had a pair of hypo-allergenic cats, something Rex they were called. They had short curly fur and looked like disheveled rodents, they were weird cats. Devon Rex? ...hmm. The Wikipedia page says "they are technically not hypoallergenic", but doesn't elaborate or cite a source...
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Jan 7, 2021 21:51
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Hyperlynx posted:Devon Rex? From what I've read on the internet, the question of hypoallergenic cats is really controversial. Apparently there are some cat breeds that actually shed less of the protein that people with cat allergies are usually allergic to, but in studies this wasn't found to be true about all cats of the breed, and some people are allergic to some other aspect of the cat anyway. Some people believe that the allergies relate to cat hair, and therefore a cat that sheds less hair (because it's hairless or curly) would be hypoallergenic. It's not that simple, because the allergen isn't actually found in the hair. That said, maybe a cat that sheds less hair can be a bit easier for an allergic person, that's where the Rex breeds come in. Cat breeds that are often considered hypoallergenic are the Siberian Forest Cat and Balinese cat, because they do produce less of the most allergenic protein. But they still produce some of it, so an allergic person has to decide how much symptoms or meds they want to put up with for the cat. There's currently a shot in development that might stop any cat from producing the offending protein, although it will probably not be ready before 2022, and I don't know if you should immediately try this on your own cat.
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Jan 7, 2021 22:24
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I've adopted a ten year old cabinet monster. She is very shy, and baps you when you disturb her chosen hiding place.  Her name is Grace.
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Jan 8, 2021 00:38
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my cat is norris posted:I've adopted a ten year old cabinet monster. She is very shy, and baps you when you disturb her chosen hiding place. wanna boop that nose
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Jan 8, 2021 01:18
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https://twitter.com/VargatronXIV/status/1347541689129439234
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Jan 8, 2021 14:52
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Fyodor sends his blessings back
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Jan 8, 2021 18:50
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McCracAttack posted:Does anyone here have experience with "hypo-allergenic" cats? Is it a case where some breeds really don't trigger cat allergies or is it a more gradual thing where certain people are just more or less allergic to certain cats. My husband is/was moderately allergic, but the longer we’ve had our kittens (four months now), the less he’s been feeling allergy symptoms. It’s at the point where he does not regularly take allergy meds and only experiences a notable reaction when they lick or scratch him or get up in his face for sustained periods. These are rando tabbies from Bumfuck, WV. Even before, he had different levels of reaction to different cats. One friend’s cats set off my husband’s allergies pretty badly despite having an immaculate house, and another friend’s cats did not cause nearly as much of a reaction even in a less immaculate house, so lots of variation depending on the individual cat. Our cats luckily started out on the less bad end of the spectrum. That said, house cleanliness can have an impact. We bought the Miele vacuum with the HEPA filter and it absolutely makes a difference. It is MUCH better at controlling allergens (and odors) than the cheapshit vacuum we had before. If my husband starts feeling congested, vacuuming will alleviate it. As for hypoallergenic cats, looking into Bengals might be worthwhile. Many folks with cat allergies have zero reaction to Bengals due to them being hybrids and their allergen protein being completely different. My boss is pretty severely allergic to cats, but met a friend’s Bengal cat and did not react to it whatsoever. Downside to Bengals is that they are expensive and can be pretty high maintenance from a behavioral standpoint. We considered a Bengal before deciding to take a chance on our rando tabbies.
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Jan 8, 2021 19:45
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I still have mild allergies from my two cats but a year's supply of generic zyrtec is $20 so I just down one of those every night before bed.
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Jan 8, 2021 19:51
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Thumposaurus posted:Fyodor sends his blessings back the summoning
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Jan 8, 2021 23:41
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I haven’t tried it but there is that cat food that is supposed to help with human allergies, LiveClear or something like that.
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Jan 9, 2021 19:55
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Xepherra posted:Omg the (gorgeous) resemblance!! lmao, I can relate, her fur is brown in direct sun-light but she's a void in any shadow. I think the colour is called 'smoke'? My pet theory is that she's a rag doll mix but she was rescued as a stray kitten so we'll never know probably. The new baby actually is half rag doll but she's nowhere near as floofy, same colouring though. Xepherra posted:
Aw, she just wanted to be warm. Katya was found in an landfill in Romania, so she's probably seen some poo poo. She's adapted wonderfully to the luxe life of a childless couple's first cat, she's a sassy little princess. Bonus Katya & Kimchi content: https://twitter.com/invisiblemonkey/status/1347925041384718338?s=20
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Jan 9, 2021 20:46
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I adopted a kitty yesterday from the shelter, the staff said she was usually shy at first but when she warms up to you she is a total love bug, she took to me right away and was rubbing on my hands and jumped up on my shoulder, the staff was shocked. So that is the one I had to bring home. But, once I got her home she ran and hid somewhere and I dont know where. I kind of expected this, they said it was common for a cat to do that in a new environment. I am just very worried about her. I put out 3 litterboxes around the house and a few plates of food and none of them have been touched this morning. I was hoping once I went to bed she would come out and explore but I guess not. How long until I should really worry about it since she hasn't used the litterbox or eaten in about a day so far? Im worried my sweet little kitty is stuck somewhere. I am about %75 sure I heard her meow last night so she is around here somewhere. ZebraBlade fucked around with this message at 16:27 on Jan 10, 2021 |
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Jan 10, 2021 16:21
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Do you have any idea where she is? If you can isolate to a particular room, bring the necessities there and close the door and she'll be more comfortable using the facilities. Otherwise cats are just like kids, in a sense; when they can't ignore their hunger, they'll come out and eat. Eventually. Give it another day. Running around and calling her name and actively searching for her in the loudest, most obvious way will be counter-productive though!
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Jan 10, 2021 18:41
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When we first brought rear end in a top hat home he kept hiding/exploring places that he got "trapped" in Be listening for soft meowing from inside cabinets or on top of duct work
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Jan 10, 2021 18:44
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We didn’t have the hiding issue with our kittens when we first brought them home (they immediately started exploring their room and didn’t think to hide), but they’ll still wander off to places where we don’t want them to be for whatever reason. Fastest way to flush them out/locate is to close the door and walk away. A minute later they’re at the door yowling to be let out of whatever room they’re suddenly stuck in against their will. Cats are generally pretty good at letting you know when they’re stuck/lost.
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Jan 10, 2021 18:51
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Sunday update: https://twitter.com/VargatronXIV/status/1348327862563201026/photo/1
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Jan 10, 2021 19:12
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Shelter talk, so a little outside the normal business. I've talked around it I think, but I work with a room of 13 cats at a local shelter. With a couple exceptions these are all old or neglected/abused (or, often, both) cats and essentially the room of cats nobody else really wanted to deal with but that aren't actually hostile to people or each other. I've been working with them for over a year, coming up on two pretty fast, and I've made mixed progress with them overall; a couple "completely terrified and immediately run/hide/claw" cats have come around to let people approach them and at least touch them a little, and one particularly unfortunate guy has really come around and bondrd to me (but myriad health issues on his end & financial and availability issues on my end mean I can't really bring him home now). Overall it's been positive motion. Mostly. The shelter just finished a remodel project for their room, completely redoing it to much higher quality, opening up more space and light, & making it easier to clean and maintain on our end. When that was going on they were temporarily moved to a smaller open-wall (cage bar style) room up in the front, which they took really well with a few days of adjusting. Now that the remodel is done, everyone's moved back to the new room - much like the temp room, but a good 3x the size with more windows, more furniture/"quiet space". But all the same material, same furniture they'd been using plus some new (clean) purchases they've kind of taken to. Nominally this should be good, but it's been several weeks and most of them are doing the same as or (mainly) worse than before. Bonded pair almost completely split up besides a few passing cuddles, normally friendly cats hiding up in head height or higher beds, everyone acting very stressed still. I'm sure part of it is adjusting, but with how quickly they bounced back for the temp room that's mostly the same, I'm concerned for them now. I only get an hour to two hours a week with these guys. My resources are limited, the shelter is chronically understaffed & just barely not underfunded (both worsened by COVID restrictions - even though leadership took forever to actually implement most of them even after state level rules started), and I'm no Jackson Galaxy - our only cat died when I was like, 13, and I haven't had one since. I've done my reading and am trying to keep them engaged; I bring toys that about a third of them will engage with to some extent (rest won't react to anything), I give treats when they're doing well (that they often pass on and someone else gets instead...), I try to give everyone as even of attention as they'll allow, which ends up being low for some of them who really, really don't trust human contact. I work with other shelter staff with them sometimes, but it's just two of us that regularly work with them, on non overlapping schedules, and everyone else is busy enough just keeping things running or tending their own guys. So I'm posing the question here too, for potentially more detailed advice (even if it's harder to implement). What can I do to actually, meaningfully help these guys in the limited time windows I get? I know most of their histories & their behavior, but having that knowledge and successfully doing anything with it are very different prospects. Cat tax: the most I was able to get in one clear picture at one time, in and around the open crates they really like for whatever reason. Clockwise from top left, Kevin, Renny, Tofu, Emmett, Shari. 4 of the really shy ones and one of our room greeters. 
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Jan 10, 2021 20:41
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I don't have an answer, but I want to thank you for what you do. One of our cats was in the group room at the local shelter because she was deemed a hopeless case; overweight, too depressed to groom herself, and older. She had dandruff and bad smells but we fell totally in love with her. She was slated for euthanasia the week we brought her home. She was an amazing cat once we got her acclimated. Every little bit you do helps those cats to be able to go to a good home.
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Jan 10, 2021 20:56
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Hungry Squirrel posted:I don't have an answer, but I want to thank you for what you do. One of our cats was in the group room at the local shelter because she was deemed a hopeless case; overweight, too depressed to groom herself, and older. She had dandruff and bad smells but we fell totally in love with her. She was slated for euthanasia the week we brought her home. She was an amazing cat once we got her acclimated. Every little bit you do helps those cats to be able to go to a good home. Thanks. We're really trying, I promise. I'm stuck sitting here for a bit, so I guess I may as well run down the cats in short notes in case it helps for advice.
Ended up being quite a long list for 13 cats, but... yeah, these are our guys. I come out every week when I can, less now that the restrictions are in place. Some of them are okay, some of them will likely never get better, but there's a good few in there I can see where they need to go, know they can reach it, and just don't know how.
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Jan 10, 2021 21:20
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jimmychoo posted:first off, i am in love with him. secondly, this sounds similar to the beginning of what i’m going through with my own cat — he didn’t get an actual diagnosis until he saw an internal medicine specialist. he had visited his regular vet for a battery of tests several times before the referral, most of which were normal. i think his blood test showed elevated pancreatic levels of some kind, and that’s when i learned that apparently cats can just spontaneously develop pancreatitis, etc., Apparently GI problems in older cats are several and varied and amorphous. Thanks. Hope it doesn't progress more, but there are worse chronic illnesses to manage if he needs the occasional nausea shot and throws up occasionally.
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Jan 10, 2021 21:53
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speaking of my cat, he's finally going to get surgery tomorrow, where they'll take some tissue (i forget what it's called) and use it to pack his spontaneous pancreatic cyst. apparently this controls the fluid buildup by absorbing it. he's had this cyst since august and had it drained like five times, so hopefully this will give him some relief! that said of course i am nervous. they said i have the option of leaving him there overnight so that i can "get some sleep," but he'll be unattended, which i don't think i have the heart to do. so i guess i'm taking him home tomorrow evening and will be so nervous all night to be alone with him! please send us both good vibes. tax: 
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Jan 10, 2021 22:36
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kw0134 posted:Do you have any idea where she is? If you can isolate to a particular room, bring the necessities there and close the door and she'll be more comfortable using the facilities. Otherwise cats are just like kids, in a sense; when they can't ignore their hunger, they'll come out and eat. Eventually. Give it another day. Unfortunately I have no idea where she is, she could be anywhere in the house. I have about 5 plates with some kibble spread around the house and 3 litterboxes, so hopefully if any of them get used overnight or when I am at work tomorrow it will narrow it down.
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Jan 10, 2021 23:28
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My cat discovered an unattended glass of wine. My cats face now smells like a drunks.
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Jan 11, 2021 00:08
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Help please! My very talky cat Ollie has lost his voice. He is 5yo and I've had him for about 3yrs. He is very shy and will hide over all sorts of things - a knock on the front door, aluminum foil, high heels or boots in the house, etc. When it's just me at home he is incredibly talky - all sorts of trills and cheeps and meows. He is very interested in other cats and bonded quickly with a cat I looked after for a friend for a few weeks so I thought he'd like a new buddy and given his shyness decided on a kitten. So about a week ago, I adopted a kitten. She's 8 weeks old and a complete lunatic. A couple of days after she arrived, his meow got very croaky and he was pretty withdrawn and hiding more than usual. I took him to the vet who could find nothing wrong - normal temp, breathing normally, no other symptoms, etc. She attributed the issues to stress and recommended a Feliway diffuser and zylkene. I've started the diffuser and ordered the zyklene online. He is way less withdrawn but has now completely lost his voice. Ollie is eating, drinking and using his litter box normally. Is it worth going back to the vet? Is there anything else I can do? I miss my talky boy 
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Jan 11, 2021 11:19
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ZebraBlade posted:Unfortunately I have no idea where she is, she could be anywhere in the house. I have about 5 plates with some kibble spread around the house and 3 litterboxes, so hopefully if any of them get used overnight or when I am at work tomorrow it will narrow it down. Cats go into permanent liver failure if they go more than about 3 days without eating, so waiting isn't going to be a great strategy for much longer.
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Jan 11, 2021 14:13
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Aleta is the most perfect creature on earth: I made a work-related sound of frustration and Boo immediately ran into my partner's office, meowed at him, then anxiously made sure he was following her as she ran into my room. Then she sat there expectantly until he gave me a hug. She wouldn't leave until we both patted her on the head. Aleta is my best friend, y'all.
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Jan 11, 2021 14:18
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Hello Sailor posted:Cats go into permanent liver failure if they go more than about 3 days without eating, so waiting isn't going to be a great strategy for much longer. Last night she used the litterbox I put in the laundry room so I put a big bowl of food in there. Hopefully she eats some, might put some wet food in there tonight.
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Jan 11, 2021 14:33
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Koto does this thing where she whips her tail when she is being pet or held. She's purring the whole time so she's obviously not angry. Such a weird kitty I love her so much.
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Jan 11, 2021 14:48
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Beyond Satire posted:Help please! My very talky cat Ollie has lost his voice.
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Jan 11, 2021 15:03
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Oh, yeah, a week? That's nothing. See how he is in a few months. He'll probably be fine.
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Jan 11, 2021 15:39
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Katya also stopped squeaking at us once the loud kitten arrived, we had three weeks of peace and quiet until she felt comfortable enough to scream at us for her dinner again. You could tell she was very cautious about asking for food or affection in the beginning, maybe as not to show weakness to the intruder? She got over it though.
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Jan 11, 2021 18:14
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Welp, a little pale-faced semi-kitten has officially moved into the room next to mine - we brought him down from the third floor where he was acclimatizing in a crate, and he is now loose but confined to this one bedroom. He's definitely extremely wild, still... It's somewhat intimidating, it's going to be a process. I think Jackie might actually be a good influence, we are purposely putting him on her floor. Out of the three cats here, Jackie seems the least fazed/perturbed by his presence, she's pretty cool with just about everyone/everything. I'm still pretty amazed at how Jackie is continuing to lose weight. She is actually like, looking as if she is CAT-SHAPED for the first time in her life! Makes me well with pride. She has more space, sunlight, warmth, affection, exercise, entertainment, and things to do/see in general living here than she's probably ever had before. Heck, I suppose the same could be said of me, too.
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Jan 12, 2021 01:12
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Got a 2yr old named Violet from a foster home a couple days ago (Sunday night), her first night and day she was pretty shy, happy to get pets and scritches when we came to the room she was holed up in but reluctant to come out into the rest of the apartment. Today she’s much more curious and comfortable but she still hasn’t eaten any of the food that we put out for her. Should we just let her take her time or do we need to strongly encourage her to eat? Also should we be changing the food each day if she’s not touching it or keeping the same one so she gets comfortable?
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Jan 12, 2021 15:09
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I'm looking to adopt (ideally) two cats after my last cat died, but my local shelter doesn't have any pairs ready to adopt and I'd rather not wait until they do because they've said it could be a while. Is it a better idea to adopt two single cats at once or should I adopt one and then another when the first one is settled in?
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Jan 12, 2021 16:27
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Julio Cruz posted:I'm looking to adopt (ideally) two cats after my last cat died, but my local shelter doesn't have any pairs ready to adopt and I'd rather not wait until they do because they've said it could be a while. Is it a better idea to adopt two single cats at once or should I adopt one and then another when the first one is settled in? It sounds like you are looking for adults, but if you want to adopt two unbonded cats at once, I'd suggest kittens are the way to go.
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Jan 12, 2021 16:47
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Julio Cruz posted:I'm looking to adopt (ideally) two cats after my last cat died, but my local shelter doesn't have any pairs ready to adopt and I'd rather not wait until they do because they've said it could be a while. Is it a better idea to adopt two single cats at once or should I adopt one and then another when the first one is settled in? Two adult cats will learn to get along eventually just fine, either procured at the same time or separately. They are unlikely to become cuddle buddies, but they'll tolerate each other. I'd recommend getting both at once so they divvy up the house together, rather than one getting used to owning it all and then having to accomodate a newcomer. If getting them one at a time is more convenient, that's fine, too. It doesn't make a lot of difference.
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Jan 12, 2021 16:51
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My local cat rescue orgs (not shelters) often have a bunch of cats fostered together. They're happy to give away cats that get along. However, it also sounds like a good way to get fleas.
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Jan 12, 2021 16:59
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pidan posted:My local cat rescue orgs (not shelters) often have a bunch of cats fostered together. They're happy to give away cats that get along. However, it also sounds like a good way to get fleas. Shelter (worker, that is) that works with a foster network checking in: our fosters all use the same flea treatment procedures we do, it's not any bigger of a concern than shelters unless the foster is incompetent or breaking fostering policy. You'd be surprised how easily that sort of thing can slip through in an understaffed shelter (so, all of them) where it's less likely to when an individual foster can give closer individual attention. (regardless, no cat is leaving the shelter without flea treatment, so that's not exactly a risk for adoption either, don't get me wrong; individual cats about to go get extra close attention/etc to catch any potential problems)
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Jan 12, 2021 17:04
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Dienes posted:It sounds like you are looking for adults, but if you want to adopt two unbonded cats at once, I'd suggest kittens are the way to go. I don't think I'm looking for kittens, one of the issues is I live next to a main road so I'm looking for a quieter cat that's not going to want to roam too much and get itself into trouble. Deteriorata posted:Two adult cats will learn to get along eventually just fine, either procured at the same time or separately. They are unlikely to become cuddle buddies, but they'll tolerate each other. That's good to know, thanks. One of the reasons I'm asking is that my previous cat was a stray that my sister took in and he and her original cat really didn't get along, so he came to live with me instead - we think it was because like you say, original cat was used to owning the whole place and was very unhappy about another cat appearing.
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Jan 12, 2021 17:19
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