BS: Cats

Subject: BS: Cats
From: Raptor
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 08:03 AM

Should we get a boy cat or a girl cat? We have a boy dog who gets along with cats a the vet.And we need a mouser.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Becca72
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 08:08 AM

I have had both and much prefer male cats. Females, in my experience, tend to be much more aggressive and bossy and harder to get along with. Of course, that is true of more than just female cats... :-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: artbrooks
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 08:22 AM

We currently have one (very old) male and two female cats. All three are very friendly, to us and each other. None are mousers (not an issue here), although one of the girl wills chase the occasional dove or pigeon. We have had many cats over the years, and the only two mousers we have ever had were male.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Little Hawk
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 08:24 AM

I think it's an individual thing. I've known both male and female cats who were real sweeties....and some who were self-centered creeps...some who were dullards...and some who were just sort of average.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,Seayaker
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 10:04 AM

If you want a mouser the most important thing is to get one with the right orientation.

Some cats I have known catch mice in the garden and transfer them to the house

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,CS
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 10:11 AM

In my experience the best hunters we've had were female. Perhaps something to do with the fact that female cats have to feed young, while male cats only have to make them? As for character the male cats we've had have probably in general been more docile (and fatter!) than the females, but the two females we had who were scratchy and needed 'respectful' treatment had both been abused so it's hard to make a clear judgement on that one..

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 10:25 AM

I've had both, and I don't think it matters. Cats do have individual personalities. It's hard to generalize. Of course you'll want to have it neutered.

To be good mousers, cats need to be taught by their mothers how to catch mice.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Bert
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 10:38 AM

As LH says it's an individual thing. You get two cats from the same litter and they will have completely different personalities.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 10:39 AM

I used to have a cat that I let go outside, and sometimes she would catch and eat a mouse. The result was tapeworms. According to the vet, the mice transmit tapeworms when eaten.

I also fostered two cats for a friend, and the same thing happened to them. In all three cases, they needed to go to the vet for treatment.

I say use traps to get rid of mice and keep your cat in the house. My present cat stays indoors 24/7. She is twelve years old and in good health.

As for male vs female, I have a friend with many cats, and in her opinion, males are more affectionate. (We're talking neutered here.) But I've had two females who are affectionate, members of the family, definitely.

Some people say that tabby cats make the most sociable pets. All of my cuddlebugs have been tabbies.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 11:10 AM

Had to have my queen put down last week, she was 18, kidneys failed. I will get another at some stage, queens are best.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 12:33 PM

Females are often good mousers, but I always prefer males for affection. The females I've known have accepted stroking then suddenly whipped round and scratched me, they seem capricious. I've had so many male cats over the years, and they've nearly all been extremely loving and gentle.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Bert
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 01:22 PM

...have accepted stroking then suddenly whipped round and scratched me...

If a cat does that you might want to get it checked for an ear infection.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Anne Lister
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 06:24 PM

Our female tortie is the most cuddle-able cat I've ever known. Not sure how good a mouser she is, as she has only presented us with dead voles so far (and not many of them) but she's certainly keeping them out of the kitchen, which her predecessor (also female but elderly and deaf) entirely failed to do.
She's also got a wonderful sense of humour, is very intelligent and is a superb companion.
I'm only managing to type this in a rare moment where she's not hugging me. (Extra affection at the moment after a weekend in the cat hotel, which she doesn't like - she likes being home, with us.)

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Raptor
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 07:07 PM

It will be an indoor cat for sure I love the birds. We have mice in the house I'm hoping it will evict.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: ranger1
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 07:55 PM

We've had both males and females, with mixed results in both. My three most recent cats have all been female and all were extremely affectionate. One of them was my constant companion from the time I rescued her from the campground at the park I work at. She was the most inept hunter I have ever known. Our current cat is also extremely affectionate, but I have the feeling she is a natural-born killer. Fortunately for the small feathered and furred set, she is an indoor kitty, forever relegated to watching from the other side of the glass.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: gnu
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 09:00 PM

Males over females for being docile and affectionate but every cat is a cat. Ya pays yer money and ya takes yer chances. After that, it's up to you. If you can communicate with the cat, yer good and so is the cat. I never had any problems with female cats... that I couldn't work thru. Ya just gotta do the right things and train em right. Same with males. If ya know how, it don't matter. If ya don't, get a tom... but read up on it... lots of info on the net.

I still miss Maggie after all these years. Sad story. I hope she lived a good life with the ex after I refused to take her back after the ex took her away from me during the divorce. I was pissed that Maggie was being used as a pawn. She used to come to me when I called and she slept with me. She was... oh, nevermind.

I guess, in the end, it doesn't matter all THAT much about gender. It matters about the luck of the draw and that means you as well as the cat.

Good luck to both of you.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 09:04 PM

Well, ya got yer natural-born mousers

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 09:06 PM

and the it goes with the turf mousers.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,999
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 09:07 PM

Then there's Herbie and the cat ain't sayin' nothin'.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: ranger1
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 10:00 PM

LOL, Bruce. I needed that.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 10:11 AM

Sometimes the mere presence of a cat will keep mice out of the house. The cat doesn't have to be a hunter; the scent of a cat scares the mice away. But I suppose it depends on how cold and hungry the mice are in any given winter.

My sister-in-law once saw her dog and her cat posed in the kitchen door, watching something with great interest. She checked, and they were watching a mouse with its hind feet clamped on the edge of the cat's dish, drinking its milk. The pets evidently thought they were watching "Wild Kingdom."

If you want a nice pet, get a kitten from a mother that was a nice pet. Make sure the kitten has been handled and is used to people. Don't adopt a feral animal. Those are tips that may not guarantee success, but they will stack the odds in your favor.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 11:09 AM

...the other white meat.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: lefthanded guitar
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 02:04 PM

leenia you are absolutely right. My cats were great mousers, they were indoor/outdoor cats and were raised by a very good mother.

I also feel in general, boy cats are more outgoing and affectionate and better mousers, but it's not true of every cat, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Charmion
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 02:43 PM

We have just adopted a second cat, a female Siamese who came to us with a reputation for submissive timidity. Ha! Not so's you would notice. Cat 1, a large aging tom named Bill, is still trying to figure out what the hell happened while Cat 2 eats his dinner.

Cat 2 came to us from a home with three other cats (all male) and two untrained dogs, plus four humans, two of them teenagers, all packed into a frankly cramped row house. We are quiet, middle-aged readers, and there are only two of us.

All of which is to say that living conditions have a powerful effect on feline behaviour. Cats are affectionate if you handle them gently and frequently, and talk to them (they soon start talking back). Even cats who don't like sitting on laps will hang out with people who avoid abrupt loud movements and encourage them with appropriate stroking and scratches. It helps if you don't mind sharing the bed with your cat ...

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 05:24 PM

Feral cats can be a bad idea. Our neighbours took one in from the local cat rescue centre. (Very commendable, and I support these charities with contributions.) He's called Alfie. He'd obviously learned to scavenge and beg, poor little soul, as he'll whizz through any catflap or open door and wolf down any food he can find, even though he's now very well-fed. At night he explodes through our catflap and snarls at our three Siamese cowering in their bed on the counter top. He then hoovers up all the food, then vomits copiously all over our kitchen floor before exiting. I've now stopped putting food down unless I'm there to supervise. I haven't told his owners, as I understand completely that Alfie has problems and no-one's to blame. Feral cats can be so difficult to 'civilise'!

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Raptor
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 07:01 PM

Guest999 please see the Great Music thread in the ubove section.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,999
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 07:10 PM

Camels have been domesticated for five thousand years--and they still don't like people.

Cats can be a blessing or a curse. Feral creatures are just that: feral.

My skunk--don't know where he lives--, Charlie, is a calm peaceful creature who will walk near me, not spray me (he knows my voice because when he's around I say stuff to him like "Yo, Charlie, how's it hangin'" or "You're out early tonight, arent you?") and I know he harbours me no ill will. However, Charlie is a skunk with sharp claws, teeth that could be detrimental to one's well-being and a spray that can cause blindness if not treated very quickly. So, I would never try to pet him or cuddle him. I can think of easier ways to get punctured and ripped to sh#t.

I adopted a feral cat years ago. It was clear to her that he was welcome to the house--actually ground floor of an apt building--but also that I didn't like her any more than she liked me, so let's agree to keep out of each other's way. We did for the eight or so months she stayed around. (She got all pissed off with me near month two because I trapped her and took her to a vet to be fixed and given a check up, etc., but what are ya gonna do, ya know?) Feral means 'leave me t'hell alone, thank you very much', but somehow I think she knew at least one person liked her. I don't know her fate. I like to think she went to live on Mt Royal, but it's as likely she was killed by a car. Tough little thing, no doubt the result of some thoughtless so-and-sos who didn't have the common decency to spay or neuter their house pet. Anyway, since I don't particularly like cats, I'll end here.


Except I want to know one thing. Basically, other than they're wonderful warm creatures and all that, I do NOT like cats. Period. I think they are fairly stupid creatures with a very narrow association to do with anything that requires thinking. So why me? The damned things rub against my legs, come sit where I am, just generally be a nuisance. I tell them in plain English accompanied by hisses and snarls that I think "You are the most useless thing I have encountered since my pet rock ended up in the river (I was teaching it to swim) and left home." You let a dog know you don't like him and he'll keep away. Tell a ^%&(*#@$ cat that and all of a sudden you're his best bud.

And one more thing. There was a Siamese cat in NYC that took a liking to me (yippee) and I admit to scratching behind her ears for a few minutes. It was at a party in Brooklyn. Anyway, some loud mouth took issue with another loud mouth (me) and started towards me with a loud voice. I stood up to deal with the situation and the damned cat was in between us with a 'do not mess with my friend look' on her face and one leg (front right if I recall) up, claws extended somewhat and the surliest and ugliest disposition I've seldom seen other than in humans. The guy stopped and sat down. I scratched the old gal behind the ears for a few minutes. OK, so she was ok.

Then there was the hungry one in Alberta. Poor little thing. I fed her for months until I could find a good home for her.

And the one in north Alberta that came to me to die. His belly had been ripped open by a dog, and it was bad. I'd left food out for him for about two years, but he never was trusting of people, so I didn't think we were friends or anything like that. I went out one morning and there he was. I later traced the blood back and he'd come about 200' in that condition. I wrapped him in a towel, took him off the reserve and shot him. I left him for the scavengers because we all know very little goes to waste in this world, but now and then I think of the old guy and hope he understands.

Then there was Lucy. She was a twit. She also had some issues, so I kept her until she was over her issues and found her a good home. Last I heard she was doing fine.

I don't like cats, but I do know there are as many personalities--good and bad--in the cat world as there are in the human world. One cat, one personality. Ya gotta read 'em right and they'll do what they're s'posed to. Read 'em wrong and all they're gonna do is piss ya off, and you them.

NOW, salut!

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: gnu
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 07:54 PM

There it is, 9. They are them and you are you. Unfortunately, there are bad pets and bad pet owners. Your heart was in the right place and that's what matters most. Kinda like interaction between humans, innit? >;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Feb 12 - 12:01 PM

Oh yeah, gnu. >;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 06:25 PM

Just bought two persian kittens tonight, had to replace my dear 18 year old which I had to have put down two weeks ago. It is like having children in the house again !

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: gnu
Date: 14 Feb 12 - 08:24 PM

Good on ya, Bluesman. Enjoy. And, condolences. It's never easy.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 02:23 PM

Like leenia, I found that a cat needn't be a mouser in order to scare off the mice. When I had a mobile home in the woods I had mice. So I got a cat who seemed never to pay attention, but every night I left the kitchen cabinet doors open and I never found another sign of mice.

Speaking of feral cats, at another place there was a feral mother cat that neighbors said had a litter every year out by the railroad tracks. When I moved there, they were perhaps8 or 9 weeks old and wild as cougars.

I wanted a kitten so I started putting out food and little by little setting the dish closer to the back door. The mother never came close but the kittens couldn't resist and one day a kitten went into the kitchen. I closed the door- that ended up being a wonderful cat.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: gnu
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 02:52 PM

Nice story, Ebbie.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Ebbie
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 03:31 PM

That cat, gnu, ended up knowing what time I should go to bed. At a certain point she would dance on my pillow squalling for me to come into the bedroom. :)

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: gnu
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 03:52 PM

That's cool, Ebbie.

I used to nap every day after lunch for 40 minutes with the office phone ringer muted. I would give this certain call (sounded like a cat) and even if Maggie was a hundred yards away outside, she was there to snuggle up to my chest (never on top of me) in jig time.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: beeliner
Date: 15 Feb 12 - 09:32 PM

We have one of each, my wife calls the male "Homopuss" because he seems to prefer the company of male humans.

When they fight, which is frequently, it's usually the female who is the instigator - or is that instigatrix? The fights are usually about 10% antagonism and 90% recreation.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 07:22 AM

I only had two cats and a dog all of which were female so I can't really give an opinion but I enjoyed the friendship of all three each of them had a personality of their own. The main reason for that was because I was the only female in the house. But I am sure that if we had decided to have a male cat I would have loved it just as much. The other deciding factor was that I had heard that males tend to spray urine marking their territory. It probably would have been trainable but my ex-husband wasn't very keen on the idea.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 08:33 AM

Castrated males do not usually spray.

But cats are a nuisance anyway. At least a dog will learn quite speedily what "fuck off" means .

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Becca72
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 02:34 PM

Richard,
A cat knows what "Fuck off" means; they just choose to ignore you.

The key to spraying is to stop it before it ever starts by having them neutered before they come into maturity. If a male cat starts spraying and is then neutered it is far more likely to continue post-op.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Charmion
Date: 16 Feb 12 - 03:39 PM

Ebbie wrote: "That cat ... ended up knowing what time I should go to bed. At a certain point she would dance on my pillow squalling for me to come into the bedroom."

We are well accustomed to having our behaviour monitored and regulated by the cats: they get us up in the morning, they inform us when dinner is due, and they announce bedtime. In fact, felines are downright normative.

What I find remarkable is that they always seem to know the time. Cats can't read the clock, but they want us up by six o'clock in the morning whether it is black dark (i.e., the dead of winter) or broad daylight (half-way through June).

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Jack Campin
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 07:42 PM

A picture too heartbreaking to ignore:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e4/d8/1b/e4d81b6f0573def29cea8a33fcce042a.jpg

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Bill D
Date: 09 Sep 16 - 07:54 PM

Obviously they're singing doggerel.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 05:07 AM

Can I have a self-indulgent moan here please?
Our little Siamese 'Minty' suffers periodically from triaditis, involving inflammation of the pancreas, gall bladder and liver. He had an episode three years ago and the vet pulled him round, but it cost £600. This summer, he fell ill again and nearly died, but having spent three nights in the vet hospital on a drip, he survived once more. This time, the bill was £800. Minty cost £400 to buy as a kitten. He's cost us an arm and a leg over the years. We can't get Pet Insurance as all our cats are elderly and it wouldn't be possible.
Now, my sis is a hospital doctor, and told me that re-hydration drips cost pennies, and she reckons these vet's bills are a total rip-off. The poor little cat only lay in a cage (didn't eat or drink) with one nurse doing very little. He had antibiotic tablets. But no operation or intervention. I think these fees are exorbitant. In Dundee (where my sis is a doctor) she made enquiries and the vets there would have charged about £80-£100. I'm so glad Minty survived and am grateful for the vet's having saved him, but I do think they having a laugh to be honest!

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 10:43 AM

charge what the market bears & the market for a beloved pet ...

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: gnu
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 11:20 AM

How far are you from Dundee?

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 11:54 AM

The degree to which individual cats will tolerate folk music varies widely, but it's never a good idea to leave an instrument case open if there's a cat in the room. "Oh, you mean that's not a litter box? Well, I thought it was! Maybe I wouldn't have made that mistake if you people were paying more attention to me and less to those noisy things in your laps and under you chins!"

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 12:08 PM

At the time Sandra, I'd have paid a million pounds to save Minty, as he's very dear to us. My husband was in Africa visiting his family, and Minty is his favourite cat. I wanted him to be still alive when 'dad' came home. And one could ask, "What price to save a loved one?" I could have had him euthanased, but it's so hard to face. I reckon vets know this. It made me think about the NHS and how awful it would be to have to pay for treatment of a human loved-one, as in Africa.

Gnu, we're about 500 miles from Dundee.

Regarding 'mousers', it's quite true that eating mice gives cats tapeworms. And while cats will eat MOST of the mouse, one finds a dismembered head or a lone tail lying about on the carpet. Not pretty.
Ours when younger used to bring in mice to play with mercilessly, tossing them around until they expired. And rats. And pheasants (posted with difficulty through the cat flap) And rabbits. And pigeons.... and even sloe worms.
And all my (male only) cats through the years have weed on anything that takes their fancy. Siamese are terrible for that. Even directly into sockets, causing sparks to fly out. (We've taped plastic sheets over ours!)
To be honest, cats are a bloody nuisance. (But have enriched my life immeasurably over the decades) Terrible buggers...

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Senoufou
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 12:10 PM

That should be 'slow worms' of course! Sloes are for gin, and very nice too.

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Greg F.
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 12:48 PM

Ours when younger used to bring in mice to play with mercilessly, tossing them around until they expired. And rats. And pheasants (posted with difficulty through the cat flap) And rabbits. And pigeons.... and even sloe worms.

Oh, isn't that just ADORABLE!

Cats should be kept INDOORS!

Subject: RE: BS: Cats
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 10 Sep 16 - 12:57 PM

Just kidding - love 'em really
Jim Carroll