Jackson likes to play in sinks and stare blankly at walls. He has recently gone to live with his mom (we split up), and his sister-kitten and I both miss him very much.
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I looooove Black Kitties………My Sacha is a character!!!! He weighs about 23 lbs and is 7 yrs old on occasion runs around like a kitten on kitty crack……funny guy my Sacha
What a cutie! Love black kitties!
Splitting the family up is always so hard. Luckily my X didn’t want the responsibility and my 18-year old best friends are still with me. I’m sure they miss you too!
Jackson looks like a cat I had when I was very little. Her name was Abi (pronounced like Abby). I miss my little Abi, but it’s good to know she’s in a safe place, upstairs in Kitty-Heaven.
Zak,
If you do a search for ‘The Rainbow Bridge Poem”, you’ll have such a good read, and a positive image of where your FuZZ is waiting for you!
Jackson, you are the handsome kitty! I know you must miss your sister very much, bot you still have your biped Poppy!
Happiness to the both of you!!
p.s. My Emily loves sinks, too!
Excellent! Its a while since we’ve had an insane kitten picture. This one certainly qualifies!
Re: the discussion yesterday about declawing, we have found two cheap and simple options that help to minimize the problem, these may not work for everyone, but might be worth a try. 1) cats scratch in part as a way to get the dead cells that build up off their claws (imagine how itchy that would feel!). So one way of helping is to clip the ends of their claws with a nail clipper (there are even special animal clippers for this purpose). Just be sure not to clip them too short, since that will hurt kitty! 2) get a scratching cardboard thing with some catnip. Our cats love it, they use it a lot which meets their need for cleaning their claws, and really alleviates their desire to do the same to the furniture.
I have my 2 big cats declawed & will get my baby kitty declawed in a couple weeks. My cats can wrap their little fingers around my finger with no problems. I don’t agree that it is like amputation. They have had no problems from being declawed.
It’s a odd thing to disagree with, as the process involves amputating the entire end digit, or bone. How is that not like an amputation? This really isn’t up for argument, as it’s a fact. Whether you think it’s cruel or not *is* up for debate, but the fact that the procedure is banned in most of Europe (and occasionally in the US) gives a clue to the way many professionals view declawing. Interestingly, the US National Animal Welfare Act, which is currently being prepared, would also ban declawing, exceopt for medical reasons.
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Comment by mommy of allie the devil kat
2006-06-28 08:48:15
I agree that declawing is inhumane. I would never do that to my cats. My vet who only sees cats and has very poor people skills, but who is amazing with cats will throw you out of his office and refuse to see you again if you even mention that you are thinking of declawing. I call Dr Cress the patron saint of lost kitties. He runs a spay and neuter clinic for homeless and feral cats. If I ever win the lottery Dr Cress will get a big check from my allie and me!
Comment by A cat lover
2006-06-28 15:49:04
My cats do not have any problems picking things up with their front paws, so, sorry but I still do not view it as an amputation. I had a cat for almost 18 yrs that was declawed & he, along with my grown babies have never had any trouble because of being declawed. So, I guess it just boils down to: you do with your cats what you wish & I’ll do with mine as I wish. I just don’t appreciate being labeled as cruel. My cats ARE my children, I love them dearly & I am NOT cruel to my babies.
It is not a matter of whether you ‘view’ declawing as amputation or not. It is, for a fact, the equivalent of chopping off the first digit of each of your fingers. With the exception of the US, it is illegal in most first-world countries. Scratching is also important for cats’ psychological health as it is pleasurable and stress-relieving for them. Even if that weren’t all true, why on Earth would you put your ‘children’ through painful, unnecessary surgery? There is simply NO need to declaw, especially with alternatives such as SoftPaws (http://www.softpaws.com/) available.
Comment by A cat lover
2006-06-28 21:05:51
My “children” are just fine, as I said, I will do with my cats as I see fit.
Comment by phyllis
2006-06-29 10:19:47
I had my cats front de-clawed several years ago and it was definitely not amputation. The doc I used did a fine needle procedure where he just removed the claw. They didn’t even have stitches - just a little superglue over the incision. My cats did very well with the procedure and experienced no pain that slowed them down at all. Now I don’t have holes in my screens or snags on my furniture and am not yelling at the cats to stop scratching, so everyone is happy.
Comment by Claudia
2006-06-29 17:21:42
You’ve also deprived your cats of the ability to scratch, which is enjoyable and stress-relieving, when you could have gotten them SoftPaws (softpaws.com) and solved the same problem more cheaply and without amputating anything or potentially causing them more health problems later in life.
The claw, unlike our nails, is attached to the bone. You can’t remove it without amputating the first digit of the toe.
Comment by Claudia
2006-06-29 17:25:04
PS. With a small investment of time and effort, you also could have trained them to use a scratching post.
Comment by A cat lover
2006-06-29 17:30:08
Thank you Phyllis!!! My cats also seemed to have no discomfort & everyone in the house was happier after it was done.
Comment by Claudia
2006-06-29 22:20:43
“No discomfort”? You chopped half their toes off.
Comment by A cat lover
2006-06-29 23:50:55
Whatever you want to believe. I know my cats & I take care of them. I would think if they had half their toes cut off I would know. As I said before, they wrap their “fingers” around mine & I don’t think they could do that if half of their toes were cut off. They scoop things up & hold things in their paws. Believe it or not, they are very happy kitties & are not handicapped in any way. If you are so dead set against declawing your cats, then for God’s sake don’t do it. But don’t tell me that I am cruel for declawing mine. I have no problem with anyone that chooses not to declaw their cats, it’s whatever you think is best for your babies. But don’t run me down for doing what I think is best for mine.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet
Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You
Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
Spaying and Neutering Are Good for the Community
Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
Should I Declaw My Cat?
Declawing is a procedure whereby a veterinarian amputates the end digit and claw of a cat’s paws—similar in scope to cutting off a person’s finger at the last joint. The Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing when done solely for the convenience of the owner. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and can be directed to appropriate items.
Declawing is almost never medically or behaviorally necessary, and should never be considered routine or done preemptively. The success of campaigns for spaying and neutering may have inadvertently normalized the idea of routine surgical intervention to reshape cat behavior. This idea is reinforced by the linkage between the two practices in small-animal veterinary practices, where declaw and spay/neuter packages are routine. Kittens begin to retract their claws at 28 days of age and begin to scratch at 35 days of age. Thus eight-week old kittens are just beginning to scratch when they are adopted into new homes and can be introduced immediately to scratching posts and other acceptable objects to satisfy their need to scratch.
jeepers peepers - such a captivating pose…I am not certain i want to lock eyes with Jackson. what am i saying - i’m a push-over with the lil furballs…i could and would gaze into those peeprs any day of the week and twice on Sunday!
My Emma likes to sit on the toilet and try an catch the water droplets that go down the shower curtain. So fun to watch the funny things our fuzzbabies do!
seeing Jackson makes me miss my Mr Moosie so much.. hes been gone 3 years but i still miss him and think about him every day. Im grateful i have his kitty cousin Miss Allie to keep me company
I love the kitten and I love his name! Sounds like “old money!” And speaking of cats in bathrooms, my 10-month-old kitten, Emily, (named after Emily Dickinson because she’s crazy, as well) FELL INTO THE TOILET this morning!! She was daintily perched on the seat, watching me brush my teeth, and as she tried to jump down, she fell in and got all wet! How hysterical/disgusting!!
My 8 months old ginger/white sweetie, Alfie falls into the bathtub at least once a week. He doesn’t seem to mind water but it is always a great suprise :))
Likes to play in sinks - and stare at walls? Who doesn’t?
A beautifiul kit, and I am somehow drawn to that little paw pressed against the sink.
FAUCET FUZZ
Yes we have met them before. Last year Sara (my wife) and I decided to adopt. A month later we went to Russia and met Caitlyn & Christopher. If anybody wants pictures feel free to ask!
I was just about to post before you asked, Joanna.
Here’s the item of the day…..
*Cat Translations*
miaowbu- Feed me.
meeow- Pet me.
mrooww- I love you.
Miioo-oo-oo - I am in love and must meet my betrothed
outside beneath the hedge. Don’t wait up.
mrow- I feel like making noise.
rrrow-mawww- Please, the time has come to tidy the cat box.
rrrow-miawww- I have remedied the cat box untidiness by shoveling the contents as far out of the box as was practical.
miaowmiaow- Play with me.
Miaowmioaw- Have you noticed the shortage of available cat toys in this room?
mioawmioaw- Since I can find nothing better to play with, I shall see what happens when I sharpen my claws on this handy piece of furniture.
raowwwww- I think I shall now spend time licking the most private parts of my anatomy.
mrowwwww- I am now recalling, with sorrow, that some of my private parts did not return with me from that visit to the vet.
Roww-maww-roww- I am so glad to see that you have returned home with both arms full of groceries. I will now rub myself against your legs and attempt to trip you as you walk towards the kitchen.
gakk-ak-ak- My digestive passages seem to have formed a hairball. Wherever could this have come from? I shall leave it here upon the carpeting.
Your cat translations were great! (If I wasn’t at work, I’d be rolling on the floor!!) I don’t get a chance to post often, but always enjoy reading all the things you come up with!
What is it with kitties and sinks (and water)? Both my KC and KiKi have always loved jumping up on the bath sinks to get water from the faucet. This was cute until the middle of the night when they would sit by the bathroom door and hoooooowl for me to come turn the water on! Anyway, I have since discovered a “cat fountain” that has a continuous flow of water…KiKi really loves it.
Jackson looks like such a little sweetie…like he’s getting ready to pounce on that invisible spidie on the wall!
Thanks, Pam!
About the cat fountain: I’ve heard they are a lot of upkeep—that the filter is always getting clogged with hair, and you have to keep replacing it…..is that true?
My other crazy cat, Atticus, always has to “tap” the side of his water bowl before he drinks out of it….I’m assuming he likes to see the water move….
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Comment by meegle
2006-06-27 11:44:18
My cats “paw the water” before drinking EVERYTIME they approach the multiple bowls throughout the house. From what I have been told - it’s because they have no depth perception, so they do that to determine where the water line is.
Comment by Dee from Tampa
2006-06-27 11:47:47
Hmmmm, maybe that’s why Emily fell into the toilet this morning.
Comment by meegle
2006-06-27 12:00:24
indeed…or Emily was just supplying a chuckle for you and taking one for the team hahaha
Comment by ...pam...
2006-06-27 12:00:31
I don’t really think the cat fountain is much upkeep at all…I clean it once a week (just a simple wash & dry) and a rinse of the filter. I bought the “Drinkwell” fountain from Petsmart. It comes with one filter and you can buy filter refill packs (3 to a pack). They recommend that you change the filter every 6-8 weeks…the fountains are a little pricey…but I consider it well worth it if it’s going to keep KiKi healthy. (She’s 18 yrs. young, by the way, and you’d never know it by looking at her). I haven’t had any problems with cat hair clogging it…and Ki is a short-haired tabby that loves to leave her hair everywhere! I have the fountain on an end table in the living room, which makes it easier for me to see how much use she’s getting out of it…and I would say she has easily increased her water intake alot!
I think they do like to see the water move! Kiki will on occassion dip her paw into the bowl…maybe she’s testing it to see if it’s cool enough! (hee hee) Next she’ll be asking me for ice cubes!!
Comment by Dee from Tampa
2006-06-27 12:07:34
Ok, now I feel like I’ve gone overboard. I put a couple of ice cubes in their water bowl when it’s really hot (which in Florida, is ALWAYS). They seem to drink more when the water is cool.
Growing up, our 4 dogs used to love to chomp on ice cubes and the vet said it was good for their teeth. But, then again, our Samoyed used to eat our crayons if we left them out!
Comment by meegle
2006-06-27 12:15:39
ice cubes that make it to the floor from the dispensor on the refrigerator are Jaz’s FAVORITE toy to be knocked around the kitchen until they melt or he hits them under the refrigerator or the moving island. for the record, i don’t think i have seen one melt yet because it’s too busy flyin around the kitchen floor followed 10 seconds later by his “slower than molasses” keester.
Comment by Jasper's Couch
2006-06-27 12:43:31
Oh my goodness! My Jasper loves a dropped ice cube on the kitchen floor too. She chases it around until it goes under the refrigerator or the oven and then she sasses me for losing it.
Jackson is one cute kitten. This is not being mean, just curious: have you turned on the faucet while he’s in there? The aforementioned Jasper loves to drink from the faucet almost more than she loves chasing ice cubes.
Comment by ...pam..
2006-06-27 13:02:47
I didn’t mean to make you feel like you go overboard…I confess! I have actually dropped ice into the fountain for KiKi already…and heaven help me if I put a glass of ice water for myself on the table without a lid…the fountain is quickly forgotten about, there is slurping of ice going on in MY cup…and I then have to go get myself a fresh cup! Our baby fuzzes aren’t spoiled, are they group?
Comment by maura aka miss allie's chief of staff
2006-06-27 13:15:15
my allie will wake me up at 4am for cat treats….of course shes NOT spoiled! how dare anyone imply such a thing!! lol
Comment by meegle
2006-06-27 12:09:55
they really can get particular and fussy in terms of the water. a few years back when we had that Black-Out and again when our power went out for 2 full days, i filled their water bowls with Evian because we have well-water, so the use of our faucets (and toilets/showers) shuts off as well. Tawney tried a “drinking strike” (which lasted 12 hours with her sitting at the bowl staring at “it” then to me and back to “it”, etc.) until the Evian was back in the dish - i won that battle! she drinks water like it’s going outta style, so that was an easy victory for me!
Comment by Dee from Tampa
2006-06-27 12:18:55
Meegle—I’m always fascinated with the idiosyncrasies our pets have. Emily, my extra-cuckoo cat, is unbelievably fastidiuos about her litter box. If one of my other 2 cats have used it before her, she will pace around it and meow while she’s looking at me. Well, of course, she has me perfectly trained….I know that means that I not only have to scoop out what was just “deposited”, but I have to sprinkle FRESH LITTER over the box and make sure it’s perfectly LEVELED!!
Someone please remind me why I have three cats again…..
Comment by meegle
2006-06-27 12:28:31
that is too funny - my former co-worker has two cats and the one REFUSES to use the box if the other has already “deposited” as well. HOWEVER, the only difference is that this cat will not accept anything less than a FRESH box on new litter…my co-worker told me that the cat will just do her business outside the box until properly prepared for her business!
Comment by ...pam...
2006-06-27 13:04:22
Now that’s one finicky fuzz!
Comment by meegle
2006-06-27 13:09:44
that’s what i told her too…at that point, i’d be potty training - can you imagine how expensive that would be to refill the litter box after EVERY SINGLE USAGE?! talk about going bonkers just to please your 4-legged pal.
Comment by Jes
2006-06-27 22:49:36
It may be too late in the evening for anyone to actually read this message…
I have a water fountain for my kitties because my Darwin won’t drink anything but moving water OR nasty dirty stagnant water outside. Go figure. It doesn’t ever get clogged with fur, but due to its location, it does get quite a few bugs dying in it. Anyway, I rinse it out about once a week & run it through the dishwasher about once a month. It gets mildewed after a while, which is why I put it in the dishwasher — it’s got lots of crevasses that I can’t get to to clean. I change the filter after the dishwasher. Though it sounds like a lot of work, I actually think it’s less trouble than filling up a fresh water bowl every day…
I often put ice cubes in my dogs’ water outside when it’s hot. It definitely helps keep them cool. I don’t think that’s weird at all. :o)
Here’s a good article from Iam’s pet food about caring for our cats during the summer months.
*9 tips to protect your cat from the dog days of summer*
Summer’s here and the time is right to protect your cat from the dog days of summer. Keep your kitty cool and free from parasites, hairballs and other nasty side effects associated summer by following these simple steps.
1.Beat the heat. If you don’t have air conditioning, find the coolest place in the house and consider moving your cat’s sleep area there. Keep her inside and out of the sun as much as possible. If you do let her out, be sure to have plenty of fresh water nearby.
2.Bite back against fleas. Fleas are always more plentiful in the summer and it’s important to nip them in the bud. Make sure your house is free of fleas and ask your veterinarian about the latest flea treatments available for your cat.
3.Rein in your cat. Cats that are allowed to roam freely outdoors are more susceptible to any number of mishaps. For her own protection, keep your cat indoors.
4.Plant a cat garden. Plant a small garden filled with cat-safe herbs and flowers. Sprinkle in a little catnip and the entertainment value increases tenfold.
5.Get vaccinated. Summer is the perfect time to get caught up on your vaccinations
6.Provide plenty of cool water.
7.Hairball relief. Cats tend to shed more during the summer, which can lead to hairballs. Specially formulated foods such as IAMS® Hairball Care™ can provide hairball relief for your cat.
8.Watch for loss of appetite. Though a lighter appetite is common during the summer, sudden weight loss could be a sign of hepatatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease. Consult your veterinarian if you suspect this might be the case.
9.Set aside plenty of play time. Cats still need plenty of play time in the summer but on extremely hot days, you might want to consider doing so early in the morning or after dusk when temperatures are cooler.
Is that ACTION JACKSON? He is a cutie! I love black cats too. I have 2 now and a tiger. I used to have 3 black cats. I love all cats and kittens. They are truly good for people. They amuse them, comfort them, and love them. Hurray for all cat lovers! Keep the special cuties coming! They make my day.
My Domino the chubba bubba tuxedo cat and Taffy the ginger tabby would use one box for number #1 and the other box for #2. Domino wouldn’t waste his time covering his leavings so Taffy being the dutiful younger brother would climb in and cover it up for him. I was given a decrative fountain with slate slabs and river rocks. It was quite pretty and made a relaxing sound the critters thought it was put there for there personal use. I would have to clean it out once a weeks to get rid of the kitty slobber and hair. Since I don’t have my boys anymore I haven’t had the heart to set up the fountain again it just wouldn’t be the same. My black kitty I had when I was a teenager loved sleeping in the sink on hot days in Chicago.
Jackson likes to play in sinks and stare blankly at walls. He has recently gone to live with his mom (we split up), and his sister-kitten and I both miss him very much.
Jelly bean kitten in a sink.
Awwwwww.
This makes me really miss my black kitty!
Aww, my mom calls her black kitten Jellybean.
Awww… poor you and Jackson’s sister. I’m sure he misses both of you too.
I looooove Black Kitties………My Sacha is a character!!!! He weighs about 23 lbs and is 7 yrs old on occasion runs around like a kitten on kitty crack……funny guy my Sacha
What a cutie! Love black kitties!
Splitting the family up is always so hard. Luckily my X didn’t want the responsibility and my 18-year old best friends are still with me. I’m sure they miss you too!
oh my gosh!!!! Jackson is SO cute! He looks so innocent! By the look in his eye he knows he’s cute!
Very cute baby, sorry about the split up-I’m sure he misses you too.
Jackson is adorable! His eyes are so unique.
Jackson looks like a cat I had when I was very little. Her name was Abi (pronounced like Abby). I miss my little Abi, but it’s good to know she’s in a safe place, upstairs in Kitty-Heaven.
We call kitty heaven The Rainbow Bridge.
Zak,
If you do a search for ‘The Rainbow Bridge Poem”, you’ll have such a good read, and a positive image of where your FuZZ is waiting for you!
Jackson, you are the handsome kitty! I know you must miss your sister very much, bot you still have your biped Poppy!
Happiness to the both of you!!
p.s. My Emily loves sinks, too!
that cat looks exactly like mines:}:}and its cute like mines
that cat looks exactly like mines:}:}and its cute like mines wat a little sweetie
Sorry about your loss. He is a very adorable kitty. I’m sure he misses you as well. He must have been lots of fun for you.
Excellent! Its a while since we’ve had an insane kitten picture. This one certainly qualifies!
Re: the discussion yesterday about declawing, we have found two cheap and simple options that help to minimize the problem, these may not work for everyone, but might be worth a try. 1) cats scratch in part as a way to get the dead cells that build up off their claws (imagine how itchy that would feel!). So one way of helping is to clip the ends of their claws with a nail clipper (there are even special animal clippers for this purpose). Just be sure not to clip them too short, since that will hurt kitty! 2) get a scratching cardboard thing with some catnip. Our cats love it, they use it a lot which meets their need for cleaning their claws, and really alleviates their desire to do the same to the furniture.
I have my 2 big cats declawed & will get my baby kitty declawed in a couple weeks. My cats can wrap their little fingers around my finger with no problems. I don’t agree that it is like amputation. They have had no problems from being declawed.
It’s a odd thing to disagree with, as the process involves amputating the entire end digit, or bone. How is that not like an amputation? This really isn’t up for argument, as it’s a fact. Whether you think it’s cruel or not *is* up for debate, but the fact that the procedure is banned in most of Europe (and occasionally in the US) gives a clue to the way many professionals view declawing. Interestingly, the US National Animal Welfare Act, which is currently being prepared, would also ban declawing, exceopt for medical reasons.
I agree that declawing is inhumane. I would never do that to my cats. My vet who only sees cats and has very poor people skills, but who is amazing with cats will throw you out of his office and refuse to see you again if you even mention that you are thinking of declawing. I call Dr Cress the patron saint of lost kitties. He runs a spay and neuter clinic for homeless and feral cats. If I ever win the lottery Dr Cress will get a big check from my allie and me!
My cats do not have any problems picking things up with their front paws, so, sorry but I still do not view it as an amputation. I had a cat for almost 18 yrs that was declawed & he, along with my grown babies have never had any trouble because of being declawed. So, I guess it just boils down to: you do with your cats what you wish & I’ll do with mine as I wish. I just don’t appreciate being labeled as cruel. My cats ARE my children, I love them dearly & I am NOT cruel to my babies.
Please take a look at this site: http://maxshouse.com/Truth%20About%20Declawing.htm and/or the others you will find by doing a Google search for ‘declawing’.
It is not a matter of whether you ‘view’ declawing as amputation or not. It is, for a fact, the equivalent of chopping off the first digit of each of your fingers. With the exception of the US, it is illegal in most first-world countries. Scratching is also important for cats’ psychological health as it is pleasurable and stress-relieving for them. Even if that weren’t all true, why on Earth would you put your ‘children’ through painful, unnecessary surgery? There is simply NO need to declaw, especially with alternatives such as SoftPaws (http://www.softpaws.com/) available.
My “children” are just fine, as I said, I will do with my cats as I see fit.
I had my cats front de-clawed several years ago and it was definitely not amputation. The doc I used did a fine needle procedure where he just removed the claw. They didn’t even have stitches - just a little superglue over the incision. My cats did very well with the procedure and experienced no pain that slowed them down at all. Now I don’t have holes in my screens or snags on my furniture and am not yelling at the cats to stop scratching, so everyone is happy.
You’ve also deprived your cats of the ability to scratch, which is enjoyable and stress-relieving, when you could have gotten them SoftPaws (softpaws.com) and solved the same problem more cheaply and without amputating anything or potentially causing them more health problems later in life.
The claw, unlike our nails, is attached to the bone. You can’t remove it without amputating the first digit of the toe.
PS. With a small investment of time and effort, you also could have trained them to use a scratching post.
Thank you Phyllis!!! My cats also seemed to have no discomfort & everyone in the house was happier after it was done.
“No discomfort”? You chopped half their toes off.
Whatever you want to believe. I know my cats & I take care of them. I would think if they had half their toes cut off I would know. As I said before, they wrap their “fingers” around mine & I don’t think they could do that if half of their toes were cut off. They scoop things up & hold things in their paws. Believe it or not, they are very happy kitties & are not handicapped in any way. If you are so dead set against declawing your cats, then for God’s sake don’t do it. But don’t tell me that I am cruel for declawing mine. I have no problem with anyone that chooses not to declaw their cats, it’s whatever you think is best for your babies. But don’t run me down for doing what I think is best for mine.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for Your Pet
Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Spaying or Neutering Is Good for You
Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.
Spaying and Neutering Are Good for the Community
Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
Should I Declaw My Cat?
Declawing is a procedure whereby a veterinarian amputates the end digit and claw of a cat’s paws—similar in scope to cutting off a person’s finger at the last joint. The Humane Society of the United States opposes declawing when done solely for the convenience of the owner. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats and can be directed to appropriate items.
Declawing is almost never medically or behaviorally necessary, and should never be considered routine or done preemptively. The success of campaigns for spaying and neutering may have inadvertently normalized the idea of routine surgical intervention to reshape cat behavior. This idea is reinforced by the linkage between the two practices in small-animal veterinary practices, where declaw and spay/neuter packages are routine. Kittens begin to retract their claws at 28 days of age and begin to scratch at 35 days of age. Thus eight-week old kittens are just beginning to scratch when they are adopted into new homes and can be introduced immediately to scratching posts and other acceptable objects to satisfy their need to scratch.
jeepers peepers - such a captivating pose…I am not certain i want to lock eyes with Jackson. what am i saying - i’m a push-over with the lil furballs…i could and would gaze into those peeprs any day of the week and twice on Sunday!
*HOCUS POCUS FUZZ*
Adorable baby! My black kitty named Grr likes to get in the shower and stare blankly down the drain. Don’t know what that’s about.
My kiddoz do the same thing! Initially I thought they were off their rocker at first…but now it’s a daily thing! too funny
Oh god mine does too.
he’s wierd. He just sits in there sometimes doing nothing.
My Emma likes to sit on the toilet and try an catch the water droplets that go down the shower curtain. So fun to watch the funny things our fuzzbabies do!
Aww, special kitties can see ghosts and aliens that we cannot.
I got a BIG black kitty. 7 years old, 16-1/2 pounds.
When Wizard first came to live with us, he was a little ball of fur whose eyes were still blue.
seeing Jackson makes me miss my Mr Moosie so much.. hes been gone 3 years but i still miss him and think about him every day. Im grateful i have his kitty cousin Miss Allie to keep me company
I love the kitten and I love his name! Sounds like “old money!” And speaking of cats in bathrooms, my 10-month-old kitten, Emily, (named after Emily Dickinson because she’s crazy, as well) FELL INTO THE TOILET this morning!! She was daintily perched on the seat, watching me brush my teeth, and as she tried to jump down, she fell in and got all wet! How hysterical/disgusting!!
Dee,
My kitten Louis has fallen into the bathtub 3 times now, and it is always a big surprise for him
My 8 months old ginger/white sweetie, Alfie falls into the bathtub at least once a week. He doesn’t seem to mind water but it is always a great suprise :))
Jackson is adorable, love the stare!
Okay, this is weird, my cat fell into the toilet this morning also. It really took her by surprise.
Linda, I think your cat is just being a copy-cat! Tee-hee
My Emily is named after E.D., too…but we don’t use the word “crazy” in our household…we use “eccentric”.
Rose, I’m too poor to be considered eccentric! haha
Your story makes me so sad. I hope you and sister-kitty are doing OK.
He is a handsome boy! He looks like my Ferris Bueller when he was a kitten.
what a sweetie!!
*Hypnotic Fuzz*
Likes to play in sinks - and stare at walls? Who doesn’t?
A beautifiul kit, and I am somehow drawn to that little paw pressed against the sink.
FAUCET FUZZ
Ben,
Congrats on adopting! I was wondering have you met the kids before?
Yes we have met them before. Last year Sara (my wife) and I decided to adopt. A month later we went to Russia and met Caitlyn & Christopher. If anybody wants pictures feel free to ask!
I was just about to post before you asked, Joanna.
Jackson is so awesome!
Ben can I have some pictures?
Ben & Sara,
Please count me in on the pics list for Caitlyn and Christopher!
emilyrose2005@optonline.net
Thanks!
Deb and the rest of the FuZZ Family want to dote on your “new additions”, too!!!
Here’s the item of the day…..
*Cat Translations*
miaowbu- Feed me.
meeow- Pet me.
mrooww- I love you.
Miioo-oo-oo - I am in love and must meet my betrothed
outside beneath the hedge. Don’t wait up.
mrow- I feel like making noise.
rrrow-mawww- Please, the time has come to tidy the cat box.
rrrow-miawww- I have remedied the cat box untidiness by shoveling the contents as far out of the box as was practical.
miaowmiaow- Play with me.
Miaowmioaw- Have you noticed the shortage of available cat toys in this room?
mioawmioaw- Since I can find nothing better to play with, I shall see what happens when I sharpen my claws on this handy piece of furniture.
raowwwww- I think I shall now spend time licking the most private parts of my anatomy.
mrowwwww- I am now recalling, with sorrow, that some of my private parts did not return with me from that visit to the vet.
Roww-maww-roww- I am so glad to see that you have returned home with both arms full of groceries. I will now rub myself against your legs and attempt to trip you as you walk towards the kitchen.
gakk-ak-ak- My digestive passages seem to have formed a hairball. Wherever could this have come from? I shall leave it here upon the carpeting.
Dee,
Your cat translations were great! (If I wasn’t at work, I’d be rolling on the floor!!) I don’t get a chance to post often, but always enjoy reading all the things you come up with!
What is it with kitties and sinks (and water)? Both my KC and KiKi have always loved jumping up on the bath sinks to get water from the faucet. This was cute until the middle of the night when they would sit by the bathroom door and hoooooowl for me to come turn the water on! Anyway, I have since discovered a “cat fountain” that has a continuous flow of water…KiKi really loves it.
Jackson looks like such a little sweetie…like he’s getting ready to pounce on that invisible spidie on the wall!
Thanks, Pam!
About the cat fountain: I’ve heard they are a lot of upkeep—that the filter is always getting clogged with hair, and you have to keep replacing it…..is that true?
My other crazy cat, Atticus, always has to “tap” the side of his water bowl before he drinks out of it….I’m assuming he likes to see the water move….
My cats “paw the water” before drinking EVERYTIME they approach the multiple bowls throughout the house. From what I have been told - it’s because they have no depth perception, so they do that to determine where the water line is.
Hmmmm, maybe that’s why Emily fell into the toilet this morning.
indeed…or Emily was just supplying a chuckle for you and taking one for the team
hahaha
I don’t really think the cat fountain is much upkeep at all…I clean it once a week (just a simple wash & dry) and a rinse of the filter. I bought the “Drinkwell” fountain from Petsmart. It comes with one filter and you can buy filter refill packs (3 to a pack). They recommend that you change the filter every 6-8 weeks…the fountains are a little pricey…but I consider it well worth it if it’s going to keep KiKi healthy. (She’s 18 yrs. young, by the way, and you’d never know it by looking at her). I haven’t had any problems with cat hair clogging it…and Ki is a short-haired tabby that loves to leave her hair everywhere! I have the fountain on an end table in the living room, which makes it easier for me to see how much use she’s getting out of it…and I would say she has easily increased her water intake alot!
I think they do like to see the water move! Kiki will on occassion dip her paw into the bowl…maybe she’s testing it to see if it’s cool enough! (hee hee) Next she’ll be asking me for ice cubes!!
Ok, now I feel like I’ve gone overboard. I put a couple of ice cubes in their water bowl when it’s really hot (which in Florida, is ALWAYS). They seem to drink more when the water is cool.
Growing up, our 4 dogs used to love to chomp on ice cubes and the vet said it was good for their teeth. But, then again, our Samoyed used to eat our crayons if we left them out!
ice cubes that make it to the floor from the dispensor on the refrigerator are Jaz’s FAVORITE toy to be knocked around the kitchen until they melt or he hits them under the refrigerator or the moving island. for the record, i don’t think i have seen one melt yet because it’s too busy flyin around the kitchen floor followed 10 seconds later by his “slower than molasses” keester.
Oh my goodness! My Jasper loves a dropped ice cube on the kitchen floor too. She chases it around until it goes under the refrigerator or the oven and then she sasses me for losing it.
Jackson is one cute kitten. This is not being mean, just curious: have you turned on the faucet while he’s in there? The aforementioned Jasper loves to drink from the faucet almost more than she loves chasing ice cubes.
I didn’t mean to make you feel like you go overboard…I confess! I have actually dropped ice into the fountain for KiKi already…and heaven help me if I put a glass of ice water for myself on the table without a lid…the fountain is quickly forgotten about, there is slurping of ice going on in MY cup…and I then have to go get myself a fresh cup! Our baby fuzzes aren’t spoiled, are they group?
my allie will wake me up at 4am for cat treats….of course shes NOT spoiled! how dare anyone imply such a thing!! lol
they really can get particular and fussy in terms of the water. a few years back when we had that Black-Out and again when our power went out for 2 full days, i filled their water bowls with Evian because we have well-water, so the use of our faucets (and toilets/showers) shuts off as well. Tawney tried a “drinking strike” (which lasted 12 hours with her sitting at the bowl staring at “it” then to me and back to “it”, etc.) until the Evian was back in the dish - i won that battle! she drinks water like it’s going outta style, so that was an easy victory for me!
Meegle—I’m always fascinated with the idiosyncrasies our pets have. Emily, my extra-cuckoo cat, is unbelievably fastidiuos about her litter box. If one of my other 2 cats have used it before her, she will pace around it and meow while she’s looking at me. Well, of course, she has me perfectly trained….I know that means that I not only have to scoop out what was just “deposited”, but I have to sprinkle FRESH LITTER over the box and make sure it’s perfectly LEVELED!!
Someone please remind me why I have three cats again…..
that is too funny - my former co-worker has two cats and the one REFUSES to use the box if the other has already “deposited” as well. HOWEVER, the only difference is that this cat will not accept anything less than a FRESH box on new litter…my co-worker told me that the cat will just do her business outside the box until properly prepared for her business!
Now that’s one finicky fuzz!
that’s what i told her too…at that point, i’d be potty training - can you imagine how expensive that would be to refill the litter box after EVERY SINGLE USAGE?! talk about going bonkers just to please your 4-legged pal.
It may be too late in the evening for anyone to actually read this message…
I have a water fountain for my kitties because my Darwin won’t drink anything but moving water OR nasty dirty stagnant water outside. Go figure. It doesn’t ever get clogged with fur, but due to its location, it does get quite a few bugs dying in it. Anyway, I rinse it out about once a week & run it through the dishwasher about once a month. It gets mildewed after a while, which is why I put it in the dishwasher — it’s got lots of crevasses that I can’t get to to clean. I change the filter after the dishwasher. Though it sounds like a lot of work, I actually think it’s less trouble than filling up a fresh water bowl every day…
I often put ice cubes in my dogs’ water outside when it’s hot. It definitely helps keep them cool. I don’t think that’s weird at all. :o)
you forgot MAMMA : what are you doing in the bathroom all alone, or for god sakes woman open the bedroom door
awwwwwww Jackson is so fuzzy and adorable!
i’m sorry you had to split up the house. i’m sure you both miss his sister
maybe you can get him another playmate?!
He is soo cute. Reminds me of my baby bubba when he was a little kitten. That innocent, blank stare definitely defines the adorable kitten.
Here’s a good article from Iam’s pet food about caring for our cats during the summer months.
*9 tips to protect your cat from the dog days of summer*
Summer’s here and the time is right to protect your cat from the dog days of summer. Keep your kitty cool and free from parasites, hairballs and other nasty side effects associated summer by following these simple steps.
1.Beat the heat. If you don’t have air conditioning, find the coolest place in the house and consider moving your cat’s sleep area there. Keep her inside and out of the sun as much as possible. If you do let her out, be sure to have plenty of fresh water nearby.
2.Bite back against fleas. Fleas are always more plentiful in the summer and it’s important to nip them in the bud. Make sure your house is free of fleas and ask your veterinarian about the latest flea treatments available for your cat.
3.Rein in your cat. Cats that are allowed to roam freely outdoors are more susceptible to any number of mishaps. For her own protection, keep your cat indoors.
4.Plant a cat garden. Plant a small garden filled with cat-safe herbs and flowers. Sprinkle in a little catnip and the entertainment value increases tenfold.
5.Get vaccinated. Summer is the perfect time to get caught up on your vaccinations
6.Provide plenty of cool water.
7.Hairball relief. Cats tend to shed more during the summer, which can lead to hairballs. Specially formulated foods such as IAMS® Hairball Care™ can provide hairball relief for your cat.
8.Watch for loss of appetite. Though a lighter appetite is common during the summer, sudden weight loss could be a sign of hepatatic lipidosis, or fatty liver disease. Consult your veterinarian if you suspect this might be the case.
9.Set aside plenty of play time. Cats still need plenty of play time in the summer but on extremely hot days, you might want to consider doing so early in the morning or after dusk when temperatures are cooler.
Oh, how sad….Eddie, the dog from Frasier died today….he was 16 1/2 years old. I loved Eddie.
Oh no! I really liked Eddie! At least he passed knowing he was famous.
I loved Eddie! He was a character!
*Don’t turn on the water! FUZZ*
We call ice cubes water bones in my household………Jackson is a precious baby pussycat.
Boy, I wish my cats would get my sinks that clean!
What a dear baby in a sink! They’re cute enough–put them in a sink and they’re EXTRA cute. May the Lord bless and keep you and Jackson safe always.
Is that ACTION JACKSON? He is a cutie! I love black cats too. I have 2 now and a tiger. I used to have 3 black cats. I love all cats and kittens. They are truly good for people. They amuse them, comfort them, and love them. Hurray for all cat lovers! Keep the special cuties coming! They make my day.
My Domino the chubba bubba tuxedo cat and Taffy the ginger tabby would use one box for number #1 and the other box for #2. Domino wouldn’t waste his time covering his leavings so Taffy being the dutiful younger brother would climb in and cover it up for him. I was given a decrative fountain with slate slabs and river rocks. It was quite pretty and made a relaxing sound the critters thought it was put there for there personal use. I would have to clean it out once a weeks to get rid of the kitty slobber and hair. Since I don’t have my boys anymore I haven’t had the heart to set up the fountain again it just wouldn’t be the same. My black kitty I had when I was a teenager loved sleeping in the sink on hot days in Chicago.
What a sweetie… bet you’re missing him!!! Best wishes to all.