Your daily cat and kitten news

[Cribynkle]

I think a new one may be in order although as he came back, at least he seems to know where he lives now

I have a (not very scientific as it's based on a sum total of six cats) theory that grey cats are trouble and have far too much personality for their own good.

 

[CRI]

Grey cats seem to be about the most common type of "ordinary cat" in North America. Far more of my childhood cats (Mark, Jason, Tracey and David) were solid grey than all other varieties combined, but they seem to be really uncommon in the UK. Anyone know why? Can't remember them being more trouble than others (I've heard tortiseshell's can have "Tortitude" but haven't had one so don't know!) Was delighted that Breeze is grey/blue/silver tabby blotched, but generally "of a grey theme," as most of my best early cats were grey, apart from Denis (first ever kitten, ginger and white) and Nigel (last cat before emigrating, mostly ginger with bit of white.)

Breeze certainly has personality, but I'm thinking that's a Maine Coon thing and just a Breeze thing!

 

[oryx]

The word 'tortitude' has officially made my day.

I think I have unconsciously been searching for it since acquiring my first tortoiseshell in 1993.

 

[Agent Sparrow]

Brilliant!
Hope she's sorting a reinforced catflap

Something like a bank vault door might be more appropriate

 

[Agent Sparrow]

I have a (not very scientific as it's based on a sum total of six cats) theory that grey cats are trouble and have far too much personality for their own good.

My mum thinks something similar about black cats, that they are essentially wilder by nature than other cats.

My mum is obviously a cat racist

 

[tufty79]

Grey cats earworm

 

[Shirl]

My mum thinks something similar about black cats, that they are essentially wilder by nature than other cats.

My mum is obviously a cat racist

Funnily enough, I have never liked or wanted black cats. Until, a year apart, two black cats decided to move in with us and our dogs. They were two of the loveliest, softest cats ever. The second one to move in was very bad tempered and grumpy at first but he had injuries and may well have been in pain. My vet said he'd had a broken leg that had healed badly. They both became our darling cats.

I wouldn't have another black cat from choice but it's aesthetics rather than their nature. I love gingers and solid mackerel tabbies and they are what I would choose.

Except that I saw our current tabby and white cat in a cat rescue ad and couldn't resist him.

 

[Shirl]

Next door's cat is back. A photo of our cat Vincent, sulking, to follow

 

[Shirl]

pretending he hasn't seen Brett

 

[Shirl]

Now the dogs are fussing next door's cat and our Vincent is in a mood.

 

[Shirl]

Getting closer.
Apologies to Facebook friends. I can only post photos by linking to Facebook so you get them twice.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Getting closer.
Apologies to Facebook friends. I can only post photos by linking to Facebook so you get them twice.

"I am going to make a determined effort to ignore him. Therefore he does not exist"

This is a feature of cat physics. It's like an SEP Field only more so...

 

[Epona]

Grey cats seem to be about the most common type of "ordinary cat" in North America. Far more of my childhood cats (Mark, Jason, Tracey and David) were solid grey than all other varieties combined, but they seem to be really uncommon in the UK. Anyone know why? Can't remember them being more trouble than others (I've heard tortiseshell's can have "Tortitude" but haven't had one so don't know!) Was delighted that Breeze is grey/blue/silver tabby blotched, but generally "of a grey theme," as most of my best early cats were grey, apart from Denis (first ever kitten, ginger and white) and Nigel (last cat before emigrating, mostly ginger with bit of white.)

Breeze certainly has personality, but I'm thinking that's a Maine Coon thing and just a Breeze thing!

The genetics vary massively between different types of grey cats. Silver tabbies and selfs have the silvering (ordinary coloured fur but with the outermost half of the hair lacking pigmentation, in tabbies there are unpigmented bands along the hair shaft resulting in stripes) caused by a dominant gene - so if one parent is silver, there's a 50% chance that kittens will have the silver gene. Then there are 'blue' (dark grey) cats and 'lilac' (light pinkish/silver-grey) cats.

Blue cats are genetically black (which is a dominant gene) but have 2 copies of the recessive 'dilute' gene, so are somewhat more rare in the general population. Lilac cats are genetically chocolate/brown (which requires 2 copies of the recessive chocolate gene) and also must have 2 copies of the recessive 'dilute' gene, making them an unlikely proposition for accidental breeding. Then there is 'fawn' which is rarer still, and pretty much never occurs accidentally (although some cats may carry the combination of genes responsible for that colour).

Pedigree breeders will deliberately try to breed dilutes so the occurrence of blue/lilac is far higher in the pedigree population than amongst births from strays or ferals. I cannot think of a good reason why silvers are less numerous here, what with it being a dominant gene.

 

[Epona]

My friend got a new cat on Monday. A 2 year old British Blue male who was entire. She took him to the vets yesterday to be neutered and microchipped and last night he escaped somehow by bashing his way through the locked cat flap
She's putting up notices and is contacting vets and other likely places he could be taken if found but as he came from about 50 miles away in a car and has been shut indoors since Monday she is really worried she may not get him back or that he will be injured/killed on the road

Oh blimey I'm so sorry to hear that. He's still going to be raging with hormones which is probably why he went the escape route. At least he has been microchipped, so letting local vets and shelters know that he is missing is a good thing - if he is found there is a much higher chance that they will be reunited. He will still have live sperm in his tubes for up to 8 weeks after neutering though, so any entire queen he meets on his sojourn could still get up the duff (although obviously no-one can blame your friend for this, people should have had their females spayed, that's instant sterilisation).

Most worrying thing is that he won't have any idea where 'home' is now as she only just took him in. So posters and calls to vets and shelters is the way forward. Posters and calls in a wider area than she might think necessary. And a call to his previous owners to keep an eye out for him, if his old home is within a 10 mile radius it's far more likely that he will head back there. Chances are though that there was a local female in call - she should check under bushes and ask neighbours to look in their sheds and garages where he might take shelter for the night. What a nightmare, I hope they are reunited soon.

 

[Epona]

Tax collector smells chicken and issues ultimatum...

Is that my Radar's brother or something? Very similar markings, and face and ear shape! (although Radar's ears are bigger).

 

[Epona]

Grey cats seem to be about the most common type of "ordinary cat" in North America. Far more of my childhood cats (Mark, Jason, Tracey and David) were solid grey than all other varieties combined, but they seem to be really uncommon in the UK. Anyone know why? Can't remember them being more trouble than others (I've heard tortiseshell's can have "Tortitude" but haven't had one so don't know!) Was delighted that Breeze is grey/blue/silver tabby blotched, but generally "of a grey theme," as most of my best early cats were grey, apart from Denis (first ever kitten, ginger and white) and Nigel (last cat before emigrating, mostly ginger with bit of white.)

Breeze certainly has personality, but I'm thinking that's a Maine Coon thing and just a Breeze thing!

Just out of interest, what is Breeze's 'official' colour (in terms of the breed reference number on her pink slip), I find it awfully difficult to tell with longhairs because the longer the hair gets, the less well defined markings become. My guess would be either blue tabby or blue tortie, but kind of hard to tell with hair that long whether it's a definite tabby pattern, or irregular markings!

 

[Cribynkle]

Grey cats seem to be about the most common type of "ordinary cat" in North America. Far more of my childhood cats (Mark, Jason, Tracey and David) were solid grey than all other varieties combined, but they seem to be really uncommon in the UK. Anyone know why? Can't remember them being more trouble than others (I've heard tortiseshell's can have "Tortitude" but haven't had one so don't know!) Was delighted that Breeze is grey/blue/silver tabby blotched, but generally "of a grey theme," as most of my best early cats were grey, apart from Denis (first ever kitten, ginger and white) and Nigel (last cat before emigrating, mostly ginger with bit of white.)

Breeze certainly has personality, but I'm thinking that's a Maine Coon thing and just a Breeze thing!

My take on stroppy greys is probably due to the fact that I've known proportionally more greys than other cats. And it's probably that cats in general have more personality than they actually need. Though after reading Epona's post, the cats I've known have been blue rather than silver. Also the fact that I have a fondness for stroppy cats so have probably encouraged it

 

[Agent Sparrow]

Getting closer.
Apologies to Facebook friends. I can only post photos by linking to Facebook so you get them twice.

Look, it's fine, they're practically best buds already! Adopt the ginger cat!

 

[High Voltage]

I don't mind that madam can be a right fussy so and so

It's just the way that she shows her dislike for any new food

She'll jump up on her eating tower and sit there in her ballerina pose (one foot behind the other)

I'll then plonk down her, usually breakfast, it must be said. She'll take the briefest of glances down to have a look at it and then look up expecting something else

It's that look of utter disdain she can get that pisses me off - she gets fed before we do

 

[Manter]

I don't mind that madam can be a right fussy so and so

It's just the way that she shows her dislike for any new food

She'll jump up on her eating tower and sit there in her ballerina pose (one foot behind the other)

I'll then plonk down her, usually breakfast, it must be said. She'll take the briefest of glances down to have a look at it and then look up expecting something else

It's that look of utter disdain she can get that pisses me off - she gets fed before we do

Eating tower?

 

[Epona]

My take on stroppy greys is probably due to the fact that I've known proportionally more greys than other cats. And it's probably that cats in general have more personality than they actually need. Though after reading Epona's post, the cats I've known have been blue rather than silver. Also the fact that I have a fondness for stroppy cats so have probably encouraged it

My blue cat is not stroppy or mischievous. He's extremely serious and intense and seems to take everything very seriously and put everything into it, whether it is a cuddle, or repeatedly pulling the throw off the sofa to drag it under the desk and beat it up, or a game of fetch. Sometimes playing fetch with him I wonder whether he is actually having fun, or whether it is just something he feels he has to conquer. Once he has set his mind on doing something, it is very difficult to distract him from it. He is serious, intense, persistent, and stubborn.

 

[Epona]

Thinking about it, I wonder whether if there is indeed a higher rate of blue cats in the feral/stray/shelter population in the US than the UK it might be because a higher number of pedigree cats are put out on the street due to owners no longer being able to care for them. Things are far from ideal here, but take into account weaker employment laws (in terms of protecting employees) and less of a safety net, especially in terms of medical care - I can't help but wonder whether there are just more pedigree cats (who are more likely to be dilute or carry a dilute gene) put out on the streets.

 

[High Voltage]

Eating tower?

We have 2 cats. Bob (he's my avatar) and Rusty (a picture of whom I'm certain izz has posted)

Bob is, quite simply a food hoover and Rusty is a fussy eater who likes to pick at her food throughout the day - not a good mix

They've got a scratching post with a platform on the top - big enough for one cat to sit (and eat) on and high enough up so that an elderly cat who likes his food can't get to it

Plus she thinks she's a leopard or a tiger or some other big cat eating her prey up in a tree

 

[Schmetterling]

I don't mind that madam can be a right fussy so and so

It's just the way that she shows her dislike for any new food

She'll jump up on her eating tower and sit there in her ballerina pose (one foot behind the other)

I'll then plonk down her, usually breakfast, it must be said. She'll take the briefest of glances down to have a look at it and then look up expecting something else

It's that look of utter disdain she can get that pisses me off - she gets fed before we do

'she gets fed before we do' ???? Isn't that a No-No? I always make sure they see me/us eat first. Son says it means nothing to them; I say it shows them I am the Tog Girl/Cat. What say you? Either way, what you describe is well-practiced Cat though, isn't it - the little (%(EN^**!

 

[Cribynkle]

'she gets fed before we do' ???? Isn't that a No-No? I always make sure they see me/us eat first. Son says it means nothing to them; I say it shows them I am the Tog Girl/Cat. What say you? Either way, what you describe is well-practiced Cat though, isn't it - the little (%(EN^**!

It's probably best to eat before them to make sure they know their place. But it's so much nicer to be able to eat in peace without being shrieked at and having whiskery furry faces poking their way into my plate

 

[Agent Sparrow]

Bob is, quite simply a food hoover and Rusty is a fussy eater who likes to pick at her food throughout the day - not a good mix

God, we had that with our two. In fact when the fussy eater sadly passed away the greedy cat started to lose weight, until we realized that she had been consistently eating x amount of other cat's food, and we therefore had to increase what we gave her.

 

[Manter]

Idiot cat has the squits. Not badly, but because he has a fluffy arse I have to follow him with kitchen towel and wipe his bum when he's done. Eyw.

I reckon I know why, too- the northerner keeps buying him shit food, I have no idea why- and fed him some supermarket own brand stuff that's full of fillers and bulking agents last night. It drives me crackers- He's a ludicrous posh cat from a breed that is notorious for stomach trouble, so we should feed him appropriately. The northerner keeps trying to get him to eat what he admits is the cat version of MacDonslds (except not even tasty) and we have poo dribble episodes. If he didn't want a fussy, princessy cat, he shouldn't have insisted we got a silly cat! Grrr

 

[Epona]

'she gets fed before we do' ???? Isn't that a No-No? I always make sure they see me/us eat first. Son says it means nothing to them; I say it shows them I am the Tog Girl/Cat. What say you? Either way, what you describe is well-practiced Cat though, isn't it - the little (%(EN^**!

It doesn't matter, cats are not pack animals with a hierarchy. Feed them first or feed yourself first, it makes no difference because they have absolutely no pack mentality.*

*Edit: and therefore have no notion of being either above you or below you on some sort of pecking order, regardless of when you feed them, because there is no pecking order. For cats, it's a completely irrelevant issue.

 

[Epona]

Idiot cat has the squits. Not badly, but because he has a fluffy arse I have to follow him with kitchen towel and wipe his bum when he's done. Eyw.

I reckon I know why, too- the northerner keeps buying him shit food, I have no idea why- and fed him some supermarket own brand stuff that's full of fillers and bulking agents last night. It drives me crackers- He's a ludicrous posh cat from a breed that is notorious for stomach trouble, so we should feed him appropriately. The northerner keeps trying to get him to eat what he admits is the cat version of MacDonslds (except not even tasty) and we have poo dribble episodes. If he didn't want a fussy, princessy cat, he shouldn't have insisted we got a silly cat! Grrr

Try Bozita - it's a cheap Swedish food that despite its price is 93% meat (mostly chicken). No soya, wheat, or corn.

 

[Manter]

Try Bozita - it's a cheap Swedish food that despite its price is 93% meat (mostly chicken). No soya, wheat, or corn.

I'm buying almo natur in bulk off the internet at the moment. If you have room to store it, it's pretty economical, but you have to get opening-a-pet-food-shop sized quantities . (And hope the bloody animal doesn't suddenly decide he won't eat it)