http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ Daily Kitten Chat Forum Topic: Advice for my long-winded questions? en Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:36:20 +0000 http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-187175 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:53:00 +0000 Leeny 187175@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Figure-H harnesses are harder to slip than are figure-8 harnesses. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-187173 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:50:53 +0000 astrid 187173@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>HAHAHAHA! I love the harness training steps, NNGM. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-187151 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:24:26 +0000 Renee in Arkansas 187151@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Hi Astrid, to answer your question about a catster page, no I do not have one for Gidget. I hardly have any pictures of her to post! at least any really good ones. I keep trying but she moves so much! :) </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-187147 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:11:33 +0000 2 Popoki 187147@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>LOL @ NNGM. I have had the harness on Chloe.. she does pretty well. I won't even begin to try on Mili. I can't keep her collar on her! I have no idea how she does it, but she gets if off every time I get it on. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-187142 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:00:10 +0000 NNGM 187142@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Congrats on your success with the harness! Brings back some great memories... here is harness training according to the late Mungojerrie (Jerrie)</p> <p>Step #1 (Week 1)- when the harness goes on, you lay down and play dead and refuse to move.</p> <p>Step #2 (Week 2)- when the harness goes on, you only walk backward.</p> <p>Step #3 (Week 3)- when the harness goes on, you walk, but you do it all hunched over and sideways so it looks like you are deformed.</p> <p>Step #4 (Week 4)- you do just fine in your harness, so Mom thinks you are ready to go outside. As soon as she turns her back, you wiggle out of the harness (of course you knew how to do that all along) and then you go explore in the neighbor's garage.</p> <p>Mom never attempts the harness again. You win! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-187130 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:44:32 +0000 SylMiaFelixMomma 187130@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Astrid, welcome to The Daily Kitten (aka TDK). Glad you have received lots of good tips from a number of people here. This is the best group of people where you can get kitty advice or human advice. My cats send a friends invite. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-187123 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:25:11 +0000 KYKAT 12 23 187123@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Astrid, that is great that little Marzipan did well on the harness. If you consistantly take the little guy, hopefully he wont feel the need to dash. Do remnember that he will need flea treatment. He is a beauty! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-187067 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 09:34:30 +0000 astrid 187067@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Thanks again for all your helpful suggestions! I got him a leash and harness yesterday (hoping to teach him eventually that he gets to go outside once he has his harness on and NOT at other times). It took a little while to get used to the harness--he kept rolling over trying to see what it was and get it off--but once we got out to the little courtyard area of my building, he decided that exploring outside was more interesting than the harness was annoying. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186277 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:47:29 +0000 Karenopa 186277@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Hi Astrid! Welcome to TDK..there's nothing I can add to anyone's advice...it's all there! Your little Marzipan is soooo pretty! My kitties just sent a friend invite! You're gonna' love this site! Everyone is so awesome...smart...brilliant...keen....loving...giving...supportive...and Funny! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186274 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:42:52 +0000 daisy mew 186274@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>As far as the door problem, one of my kitties used to dash right out the second it was opened. </p> <p>I ended up getting a baby gate for the doorway. </p> <p>After hitting that a few times going roughly 90mph, he stopped trying to run out of the door. LOL! </p> <p>Just remember yourself that it is there and not fall over the top of it I did a few times. </p> <p>I swear that I heard "kitty bug" laughing his little kitty head off. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186272 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:37:16 +0000 MadcatwomanintheUK 186272@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Hi astrid, welcome to TDK! Marzipan is gorgeous, and I love his drinking fountain! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186270 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:34:01 +0000 astrid 186270@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Oh, wow, Marzipan has so many friends now! I'll show him all your pictures when I get home tonight. Thanks for the treats! Renee, does Gidget have a Catster page? </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186207 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:27:30 +0000 Renee in Arkansas 186207@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Hi Astrid! Marzipan is so cute! I have a ragdoll too, her name is Gidget. She was always a very active kitten and still is active now at nearly 3 years old. She loves to play and as a kitten, I swear she could wear out a hyperactive 5 yr. old jacked up on caffeine and sugar! lol<br /> She ran around so much that I didn't get any baby pics of her until she was about 7 months old. I also left your baby some treats. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186206 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:25:18 +0000 cricketsmama 186206@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Astrid, Marzipan is way too cute!!! My kitties sent him a friends invite. :)<br /> Welcome to TDK, we are a happy little family here. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186203 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:16:51 +0000 astrid 186203@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>2bpurring, your cats are lovely! Thanks for the link to catster.com (I hadn't heard of it). I added a couple of pictures of Marzipan there--I think it's linked from my name now. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186201 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:13:07 +0000 BoogerMercurysMama 186201@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Welcome to our big family Astrid, Try carrying a small squirt bottle full of water with you &#38; if you have to go back inside crack the door andsquirt him with the water if he tries to come out. A squirt gun would also do it. I keep a sray bottle available to discourage my cre from doing things they shouldn't, like claw the carpet, etc. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186170 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:08:24 +0000 2bpurring 186170@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Astrid, hope you plan on hanging around, if so, would you consider putting your furbaby on catster.com you can upload pictures and make kitty friends, you can also have your screen name here link to your catster page. Just click on my name in pink and it will take you to a page to see my furry family.. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186166 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:01:49 +0000 Siobhan 186166@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Making biscuits.....I always called it "swimming" or "happy cat toes" </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186163 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:59:17 +0000 astrid 186163@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Thank you all for your suggestions! It's so nice to have a community to turn to with these issues! I do have to admit that I probably didn't want to know that the nighttime attacks will never end . . . sigh. </p> <p>I am going to see about picking up a harness and leash and get him started on that. Leeny, your leash training is exactly the way I trained my beagle--that sounds like the method that would be easiest for me to be consistent with. </p> <p>I have definitely done the picking him up, walking outside, and then putting him inside the door and closing it fast dance . . . my problem is mostly when I have an OCD moment and have to go back in to make sure that the toilet seat is really down and the stove is really, really off before I leave him for the day. He hunkers down by the door and dashes as soon as it's open a crack. Unfortunately, he's a very brave kitten and isn't particularly afraid of the vacuum cleaner. I will try the coins in a can!</p> <p>I appreciate your suggestions for his sniffles. I think I'll give it until the weekend to see if it clears and then I'll contact the vet. I was hoping that she could remain his vet as he grows up, so I'd like to stick with her, but if he's still sneezy and she doesn't have a plan of action for him, I can always take him to my sister-in-law's vet.</p> <p>Thanks again everyone! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186132 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:04:19 +0000 Ouize in Central FL (6/19) 186132@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>On the intranasal vaccines - last year the vet gave all my cats their annual shots with the intranasal method. It was decidedly unpopular with the kits, and I got the idea the vet didn't really like it either, but had bought a supply of them. Anyway the kits are all adults and had no after affects whatsoever from the 'snorted' vaccines. ~Just my 2 cents' worth~ </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186098 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:12:01 +0000 Leeny 186098@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>This is the technique I use to get the cat to walk where I want her to go. While following her around holding the leash outside, I don't give her enough slack on the leash to go where I don't want her to go (under parked vehicles, under/behind bushes, into the neighbor's flower beds). When the leash goes tight, I NEVER let her have any more slack, no matter how much she strains and pulls at it (it took Katie longer to accept that than it's taking Penny). The idea is for the cat to learn that, when the leash goes tight, there's no point in trying to walk in that direction any more. After the cat has accepted that idea, you can start slackening the leash only when the cat is walking in the direction where you want her to go. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186094 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:01:12 +0000 AZDEBRA 5/27 & crew 186094@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>lol it did make me laugh that one would think that the nightly play attacks stop at any age.....I have a 14 yr old that still does it, cats are night creatures, woo hoo its time to play, c'mon let's play!!!! I agree with Buttercup on the scaring your baby away from the door area, loud noise or something to make the kitten think that isn't a good place to be. Harness training, put it on and a very light lead and let him drag it around until he gets used to it and then try walking with him in the house/apt, first with you following and then gently (without him realizing it) guide him where you want to go making him think its his idea :) As for the cords, Buttercup has a great idea on that too. Haven't done the nasal injections for cats, do it for myself for migraines and figure its on the same principle idea, it goes to the blood system more quickly. Talk to the vet about it or get a second opinion if you are still concerned, imho. Oh yeah, and congrats on getting a feline baby and coming to the TDK family &gt;^..^&lt; </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186093 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:59:32 +0000 Leeny 186093@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Hi, Astrid. As for the massaging (also known around here as biscuit making), some cats do and some cats don't. It's just a matter of their own personalities.</p> <p>As for the leash training, I'm working with my Penny right now to teach her to walk on leash, and my Katie (at the Bridge now) was leash trained. Do you know the steps in the leash-training process? If not, I can give you some pointers. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186092 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:58:06 +0000 2bpurring 186092@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Buttercup, I like your parking the vacuum idea for the door!! never thought of that!! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186091 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:56:56 +0000 2bpurring 186091@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Welcome Astrid. I'll try to answer what I can. As far as the sneezing it may just take time like the vet said, or it could just be allergies..yes cats get them too..If you are not comfortable with what the vet has told you, maybe try another vet..As far as the door, I do it the old fashion way, pick up the kitty and set him down inside the door as I'm closing it..cords, many kitties love cords, they have sprays at Petco and other pet stores that might do more to deter kitty, but covers are your best bet. Massaging is something some kitties do and some don't..it's okay, it's just part of his own personality..and yes most kitties, especially if you start young will do just fine on a harness (I believe its called the split breast kind)..As far as nightly play attacks, well my Blackbeard is about 9 months old and he still enjoys these, however my other BooBoo is 14 yrs old and no longer enjoys them.. </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186087 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:53:30 +0000 Buttercup 186087@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>Hi Astrid and welcome! It sounds like Marzipan is a sweet and lively cat.<br /> Question # 1,I'm not familiar with any intranasal vaccines for cats. My dog gets one for bordatella(or kennel cough). I would be worried about prolonged sniffles and eye discharge too. Is there any way that you can take him to another vet just to make sure he's alright?<br /> #2,you need to scare him away from the front door for his own safety. Nothing major,just put some coins in a tin can and go to the front door,when he follows you and acts interested shake the can noisily and say "NO" and make sure he associates going near the door with something negative. Even park the vacuum there if he hates that. It sounds mean but it's for his safety.<br /> #3 Just keep after him watching him re the cords,spraying them and make sure he doesn't go through one. My Abby did this and with my persistence and the bad tasting bitter apple she finally stopped.<br /> #4Nightly play attacks stop? LOL<br /> I hope I helped,there are lots other people on this site who might have better or different ideas. Good luck and welcome to TDK! </p> http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/topic/7129#post-186082 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:37:14 +0000 astrid 186082@http://www.dailykitten.com/chat/ <p>After years of being a dog person, I got my first cat since I was a kid three and a half weeks ago. He's a beautiful Ragdoll kitten (Marzipan)--now 11 1/2 weeks old. I got him from a breeder who is also a vet. He's had his first two series of shots (intranasal--more about that below) and will get his final series when he's neutered at about 5 to 6 months of age. </p> <p>I'm hoping that you all can offer some advice on the following:</p> <p>1. He still has slightly runny eyes/nose and he sneezes several times a day. The breeder warned me to expect this, as the intranasal immunizations tend to cause it. It was supposed to go away after a week or two. I wrote to her and asked about it after a week and she said to hold out for another couple of weeks and see if it clears. It does seem to be getting a bit better, but he still needs his face washed daily (which he hates). She said that as long as he's eating and eliminating and growing, it's not really a big deal. I'm inclined to believe her since she's a vet, he hasn't been exposed to other animals except at the cattery, and I met most of her cats and they all seemed healthy, but I'd like to hear what others think. There's some very scary stuff online about cat viruses that basically never go away and compromise a cat's immune system for his whole life. It just makes me really nervous.</p> <p>2. Any advice for the door dash? He thinks it is the best possible fun to bolt out the door and go tearing down the hallway of my building like a cat on fire. He's never encountered stairs and he doesn't seem interested in attempting to go down them as he runs past on the way to the far end of the hallway, but I am worried that he'll decide to try and someone will have propped open the back door and he'll bold into traffic (I live in Chicago). Or, that a neighbor will let one of the dogs on our floor out, who will mistake Marzipan for a chew toy. This morning he managed to get out and ran up and down twice before stopping to rest (it's a long hallway). I was able to lure him back in by calling him sweetly and I gave him treats for coming when I called. But, I'd really like to figure out a way to PREVENT the dash . . . anyone successful with that? </p> <p>3. Electrical cords. I've plugged up all unused outlets with baby babyproof plugs, tried to tie down and consolidate as many cords as possible, and sprayed everything with bitter apple to make them unappealing. He tends to like to play with them in areas that wouldn't be affected by sticking them in conduit (like where they come out of the machines). I guess I just need to be reassured that other cats have expressed some interest in cords and lived to tell the tale. </p> <p>Finally, just a few non-scary questions . . . Marzipan has never kitty massaged. I've never met a cat that didn't--it always seemed like one of those ubiquitous cat things, like purring. He does purr. Could it be that he doesn't need to kitty massage because he was weaned properly (all my childhood cats were strays that found us, so no idea what their early childhood was like)? Or is this something that develops later than 11 weeks?</p> <p>Has anyone had luck with a harness and leash for outdoor activities? Ragdolls (and city cats, frankly) can't be let outside alone, but he has really enjoyed going outside with me.</p> <p>Can anyone give me a timeframe for when the nightly play attacks stop? </p> <p>Thank you--sorry to send such a long post!</p> <p>Astrid </p>