Ask a Vet!

[krazyaboutkatz]

I've been wondering why some cats love to play in water even though they don't like taking baths. My kitten Rory loves to jump in the bathroom sink or kitchen sink after I've finished using it. He'll get his paws all wet and he'll also lick some of the water. He will also sometimes play in the water bowls and make a big mess. Why do cats sometimes put their toys in their water bowls?

Why does my cat Alani always want to shred any kind of paper, plastic bag, or cardboard product? If he sees a napkin lying around his eyes light up and he goes crazy. It's almost like it's catnip to him. I thought he would outgrow this but he'll be 3 on April 30th so I really doubt there's much chance of that.

Why do female cats seem to be more territorial than male cats? As you know, I now have 10 cats and both of my females still don't like their younger brothers and they only tolerate Sky. They need their space and seem to do better in a one on one situation with me as opposed to being in a group with me and the other cats. They love me but don't really want anything to do with their brothers.

My cat Pearl also loves to play with her tail. I don't think that she's ever bitten it or hurt herself while playing with it. I used to think that only dogs played with their tails. Maybe she's just bored.

[Karen]

Thanks everyone! We didn't get to all the questions but they answered the ones we did VERY thoroughly. Randi, I will need to send you the audio file, as there was too much for me to take notes on! Amy, they said Thundershirts are iffy for cats, they either work okay or are disastrous, it depends on the cat in question. But they would first try a Feliway diffuser and see if that will help ...

Laura, of Miss Caramella, they both recommended a "hygenic trim" around her backside, to make it easier to keep clean, and were actually concerned about her biting her own tail - I will email you the audio file as well, okay? They said it was more serious, from the sound of it, than just playing like it sounds like Pearl is doing, Tracy! They talked extensively about the ages kittens learn ceratin things, especially bottle babies, which was interesting.

They were very nice and talked a lot about the questions we did get to, and I even threw in Frito Feet at the end, and got an interesting answer (We only had a minute of time left)!

[Randi]

Thanks a lot, Karen, I will look forward to hear the audio file.

[Laura's Babies]

LOL! I can just imagine how Caramella will like a "trim" back there but I will have to give it a try!! You would think that she would realize I clean it and eventually realize "it" needs cleaning and do it herself..

Her regular vet wasn't concerned about her with her tail but I didn't mention it to him again this year... It is facinating to see her act like that, she gets that shocked look on her face like "WHERE in the H*** DID YOU COME FROM?! LET GO OF ME!! LET GO I SAID!" Cant wait to hear what they had to say about that..

[Karen]

LOL! I can just imagine how Caramella will like a "trim" back there but I will have to give it a try!! You would think that she would realize I clean it and eventually realize "it" needs cleaning and do it herself.

Apparently that's one of those things that a kitten needs to learn by a certain number of weeks old ... oh well! Yes, I look forward to being able to send you the audio file, will remind my producer if I don't get it by Monday!

[Laura's Babies]

I never thought about how they learn something like that or at what age they needed to learn.. I always cleaned her afterwards until she got (what I thought) was old enough to do it herself and thought the rest just came naturally to them...

She was my first bottle baby and I knew I would make mistakes..LOL! Never thought about this though..

[Karen]

I never thought about how they learn something like that or at what age they needed to learn.. I always cleaned her afterwards until she got (what I thought) was old enough to do it herself and thought the rest just came naturally to them...

She was my first bottle baby and I knew I would make mistakes..LOL! Never thought about this though..

People know a lot more know that they did years ago, but it is good she is a loved kitty regardless!