Your daily cat and kitten news

[Saul Goodman]

Again, I think my 2 are defective. I'll give them a box or a bag and they investigate it but they won't really claim it or spend much time in it - they are getting a bit ancient now mind you, but even when they were younger they only played forts with a cardboard box briefly.

Now my dear departed Radar was an absolute fiend for a good cardboard box or paper bag.

BTW just as an aside, the easiest way to weigh a small bird like a budgie is to pop it in a small paper bag, scrunch up the top, and pop it on the scales

I always though Bernard was a defective cat due to his lack of enthusiasm around boxes. Good to know he's not alone!

Theon loves boxes

 

[rutabowa]

The hog has been a good comfort the last few weeks. Not sure if he misses Ibiza exactly as he is pretty tough and streetwise (hence him not trying to play fight with foxes), but he has been a slight bit more affectionate than usual

 

[May Kasahara]

Twisty cat.

 

[stavros]

BTW just as an aside, the easiest way to weigh a small bird like a budgie is to pop it in a small paper bag, scrunch up the top, and pop it on the scales

That only works if you can find all the bits, if indeed they're not in the process of digestion already.

 

[Epona]

That only works if you can find all the bits, if indeed they're not in the process of digestion already.

That is a really shitty thing to say given that some of us have had or currently have birds as pets - don't be such an arse on a thread that is about love and appreciation of our animal companions.

 

[Shellee]

I had budgies when I was a kid but why would you want to weigh one?

 

[Epona]

I had budgies when I was a kid but why would you want to weigh one?

Because they require veterinary care just like any other animal, and weight loss is an indicator of illness... obesity and related conditions are also very common in budgies that are fed a seed only diet and don't get as much exercise as they should - when you take one to the vet for a checkup the first thing they will do is weigh it.

 

[seeformiles]

Because they require veterinary care just like any other animal, and weight loss is an indicator of illness... obesity and related conditions are also very common in budgies that are fed a seed only diet and don't get as much exercise as they should - when you take one to the vet for a checkup the first thing they will do is weigh it.

We had budgies when I was a kid. One killed the other and the remaining one became more friendly as a result. However when it got sick there appeared to be limited actions the vet could take - it always seemed to be this pink liquid to mix in with their water. Hopefully budgie care has become more sophisticated these days.

 

[Epona]

We had budgies when I was a kid. One killed the other and the remaining one became more friendly as a result. However when it got sick there appeared to be limited actions the vet could take - it always seemed to be this pink liquid to mix in with their water. Hopefully budgie care has become more sophisticated these days.

It is, there are avian specialists and proper veterinary care for them, rather than your local vet just giving you something to put in their water bowl (which is never going to be a good way to get an accurate dose into a bird!)

The thing with birds is they hide illness really well - you think cats are good at it, well birds are the absolute experts, a sick bird will often get driven out of a flock or even killed, and they show no sign of illness until they have really gone downhill quite a long way - so even now if a bird looks sick, it may well be too late - but it is why modern care for them involves regular checkups with weighing and general condition being examined - just like you would take a dog or cat to the vet for its vaccinations and a checkup, these days it is expected that you'd do the same for a bird, however small.

Honestly I look back at the way we kept small animals when I was a kid and cringe a bit, compared to the much better care that we'd consider good welfare/husbandry by today's standards.

 

[Shellee]

It is, there are avian specialists and proper veterinary care for them, rather than your local vet just giving you something to put in their water bowl (which is never going to be a good way to get an accurate dose into a bird!)

The thing with birds is they hide illness really well - you think cats are good at it, well birds are the absolute experts, a sick bird will often get driven out of a flock or even killed, and they show no sign of illness until they have really gone downhill quite a long way - so even now if a bird looks sick, it may well be too late - but it is why modern care for them involves regular checkups with weighing and general condition being examined - just like you would take a dog or cat to the vet for its vaccinations and a checkup, these days it is expected that you'd do the same for a bird, however small.

Honestly I look back at the way we kept small animals when I was a kid and cringe a bit, compared to the much better care that we'd consider good welfare/husbandry by today's standards.

Yes, it was horrific sometimes but that was the way it was done. I don’t think it would ever have crossed any bodies mind to take a budgie to the vet

 

[May Kasahara]

Sing it with me:

Oh-owo-owo, mysterious guts, (don't) wanna get close to you...

 

[Epona]

Sing it with me:

Oh-owo-owo, mysterious guts, (don't) wanna get close to you...

View attachment 290275

What in the fuck did that used to be?

(Should be a game for people who have cats, identify the species from either the uneaten remains or from the subsequent pile of vomit)

EDIT: Actually I have rethought this, please do NOT post up pictures of cat vomit to see whether we can identify the species therein. Please don't.

 

[stavros]

That is a really shitty thing to say given that some of us have had or currently have birds as pets - don't be such an arse on a thread that is about love and appreciation of our animal companions.

My apologies; I simply read mention of birds on a cat thread, and wrongly assumed we were discussing one of the latter's latest conquests. I should've read in more detail.

 

[Epona]

My apologies; I simply read mention of birds on a cat thread, and wrongly assumed we were discussing one of the latter's latest conquests. I should've read in more detail.

No worries - very much a difference between "what are those innards on the floor" and "taking my pet budgie to the vet" though

Well at least one hopes that those are different things!

 

[waxoyl]

Going out later raiding neighbours apple’ tree.

 

[Epona]

View attachment 290281Going out later raiding neighbours apple’ tree.

So handsome!!

 

[smmudge]

Tilly getting in the Strictly spirit

 

[Puddy_Tat]

What in the fuck did that used to be?

I was never quite sure whether that sort of thing was a bit that cat didn't want to eat, or whether it was a particularly choice squishy bit they were leaving as a treat for me (sometimes it would be a whole mouse, sometimes just that bit)

 

[A380]

View attachment 290281Going out later raiding neighbours apple’ tree.

Magnificent beast.

 

[Epona]

I was never quite sure whether that sort of thing was a bit that cat didn't want to eat, or whether it was a particularly choice squishy bit they were leaving as a treat for me (sometimes it would be a whole mouse, sometimes just that bit)

I think they normally leave the stomach because they kind of instinctively know they can't tolerate toxins from any undigested plant matter in there? But yeah leaving the stomach or some of the intestines is kind of normal. But yukky if you tread on it mind you!

 

[May Kasahara]

I was never quite sure whether that sort of thing was a bit that cat didn't want to eat, or whether it was a particularly choice squishy bit they were leaving as a treat for me (sometimes it would be a whole mouse, sometimes just that bit)

I'm fairly certain that out of my two it's only Donut that actually eats the prey. Which means we can rule out this sac being any kind of tasty morsel, because no way would the greedy twat leave it if it was

 

[May Kasahara]

Mr K's old cat used to catch mice and eat everything but the arse You would come down in the morning and find a mouse arse on the kitchen floor.

 

[Epona]

I know Jakey catches them but he doesn't have any teeth these days, so I don't so much find innards on the floor as a whole soggy saliva-soaked mouse that has clearly been slowly (and damply) gummed to death

 

[seeformiles]

It’s Mrs SFM’s birthday today and my Ma sent a parcel with a box. Vic has claimed it and, although it’s way too small for him he has adopted it anyway:

 

[Shellee]

I love their determination to squash in anyway and pretend it’s a perfect fit

 

[Aladdin]

I love their determination to squash in anyway and pretend it’s a perfect fit

 

[Shellee]

This one is a classic where the box loving cat get given a tiny box while his friend gets the big one. The hurt look on his face is just so sad. Glad he gets his own box in the end (spoiler!)

 

[stavros]

 

[philosophical]

A three local but familiar cat special this morning.
Firstly sweet three legged Matilda waiting on her doorstep.




Then feral Harry awaiting breakfast after outstaring an indignant Napoleon on this occasion.

 

[seeformiles]

Lil’ Bob has designs on Vic’s new accommodation so now it’s box wars. May have to confiscate it in the name of peace and harmony