Your daily cat and kitten news

[Epona]

I wasn't planning on taking my cats there for anything else - just for the vaccinations

But they are real vets

Well it would be completely illegal for someone who wasn't a vet to offer veterinary services, so I would bloody well hope they are real vets. Probably ones who couldn't get a position elsewhere mind.

BUT - I don't know where you have been taking yours, but my vet doesn't do "just" vaccinations - my boys get a complete annual checkup including stuff such as heart check and dental examination, and as they are all now 8 years old or over they will be getting blood tests for thyroid and kidney function.

I don't take them to the vet annually just to have vaccinations (in fact some of their jabs are only once every 3 years), they get a thorough health check every year - you won't be getting that - and I bet you won't be taking them to another vet to have that done. It's not the great deal that it may appear to be.

 

[trashpony]

Yes, that's a very good point (the annual check thing). Thank you - hadn't thought of that

 

[Looby]

The vet at our local Pets at Home are part of a smallish chain. I was suspicious at first but we use another branch in the chain and they're great.

Lovely vets and nurses, long opening hours, lots of free services and occasional vaccination offers.

I wouldn't have a problem registering somewhere for the offer but you'd either have to be registered at two practices or change vets completely.

It might be worth checking out the practice and seeing if they're any good.

 

[Looby]

To add to this-we were registered with a small independent practise with a supposedly good reputation. I thought they were crap. They charged through the nose for everything, the staff were snotty, the vets gave you very little time and the facilities were crap.

They were good when my cat was run over but other than that I was really unimpressed.

I'm just saying that a chain doesn't always equal crap.

 

[trashpony]

Is is Companion Care sparklefish? That's who run the ones at my P@H.

I'm inclined to stick with my current vet - not least because she made enormous efforts to get in touch with me when she found out that cat I'd adopted had that infection which she was worried might harm the foal. They're much nearer too

ETA: although I've heard people say they think they're very expensive but I don't know what 'normal' is - all vets seem very expensive to me!

 

[Looby]

Is is Companion Care sparklefish? That's who run the ones at my P@H.

I'm inclined to stick with my current vet - not least because she made enormous efforts to get in touch with me when she found out that cat I'd adopted had that infection which she was worried might harm the foal. They're much nearer too

Yes it is. I obviously can't vouch for all of them but my vets are great.

 

[Cribynkle]

I love this sort of thing - a lot people say that cats don't care whether you're away as long as they get fed, but that's not my experience - if I'm out for just longer than usual I get smothered by a small pile of needy cats who want cuddles and reassurance upon my return.

I always know when my boyfriend's coming home because Higgins comes running to the front door miaowing. Boyfriend got a new car about 6 weeks ago and it took him about a week to recognise the engine

 

[Manter]

I always know when my boyfriend's coming home because Higgins comes running to the front door miaowing. Boyfriend got a new car about 6 weeks ago and it took him about a week to recognise the engine

When he hears us coming home, Idiot cat leaps up from where he is, legs it halfway down the stairs till he can see the door, then lies down and pretends to be asleep, so he can 'wake up' as you come in and go 'oh, it's you, I suppose I better get up then'

 

[Epona]

I went out on Sunday and was out for most of the day which is unusual (but Red Bull Air Race !!!) and when I got home I was met by a small blue cat with a very serious expression on his face, this was followed by lots of wailing and deamding of cuddles from aforementioned small serious-faced blue cat.

 

[story]

Was away for one night, and exhausted on return so pretty much went straight to bed. Woken this morning by the whiskerings and purring of a cat. I opened my eyes to see the gaze of love directed laser-like into my own eyes. Two-eyed-cat was lying on the bed, his face as close to mine as he could manage, his whiskers stroking my face, and gazing at me, waiting for my eyes to open. And he just went on purring and gazing into my eyes. This wasn't "wake up and feed me you bastard!" This was "oh my god I love you soooo much!!"

It was really quite disconcerting, but also totally lovely.

 

[Epona]

Was away for one night, and exhausted on return so pretty much went straight to bed. Woken this morning by the whiskerings and purring of a cat. I opened my eyes to see the gaze of love directed laser-like into my own eyes. Two-eyed-cat was lying on the bed, his face as close to mine as he could manage, his whiskers stroking my face, and gazing at me, waiting for my eyes to open. And he just went on purring and gazing into my eyes. This wasn't "wake up and feed me you bastard!" This was "oh my god I love you soooo much!!"

It was really quite disconcerting, but also totally lovely.

I love my cats dearly, but I find that being woken by having one thrust all his whiskers in your face can be a bit discombobulating. Given that I've been woken by this method every morning for 8 years, you'd think I'd be used to it by now, but I still wake up spluttering and rubbing my face cos of the tickles. Radar has massive whiskers mind you, and the tickles of them on my face are often followed by him trying to wash my face with his tongue, so it is imperative that I wake quickly if I don't want a cat-style bath

 

[moodygirl86]

Was away for one night, and exhausted on return so pretty much went straight to bed. Woken this morning by the whiskerings and purring of a cat. I opened my eyes to see the gaze of love directed laser-like into my own eyes. Two-eyed-cat was lying on the bed, his face as close to mine as he could manage, his whiskers stroking my face, and gazing at me, waiting for my eyes to open. And he just went on purring and gazing into my eyes. This wasn't "wake up and feed me you bastard!" This was "oh my god I love you soooo much!!"

It was really quite disconcerting, but also totally lovely.

One of my mum's mates used to have this cat who was obsessed with her husband. He used to follow him into the bathroom and watch him while he washed or pissed. If the bloke locked the door, kitty used to howl outside the door, making a heck of a row, until this guy would just open the door and sigh, "Come in if you must!" Cat would then sit stare at him with embarrassing intensity.

 

[Epona]

One of my mum's mates used to have this cat who was obsessed with her husband. He used to follow him into the bathroom and watch him while he washed or pissed. If the bloke locked the door, kitty used to howl outside the door, making a heck of a row, until this guy would just open the door and sigh, "Come in if you must!" Cat would then sit stare at him with embarrassing intensity.

Oh aye, my lot follow me to the loo and sit outside the door wailing until I come back out. I'm not letting them in. I always say to them when I come out that I don't go stand and stare at them when they use the litter trays, but I don't think they get it.

 

[Manter]

Cat parenting fail today. Loads of scrabbling at the door, checked the under stairs cupboard, all the doors downstairs, he wasn't trapped anywhere.m then realised it was coming from outside the front door. He must have got out when I opened it to put the bins out and I didn't notice In my defence, I have an ear infection and feel rubbish, but still

Fortunately he is home and in one piece....

 

[Epona]

Cat parenting fail today. Loads of scrabbling at the door, checked the under stairs cupboard, all the doors downstairs, he wasn't trapped anywhere.m then realised it was coming from outside the front door. He must have got out when I opened it to put the bins out and I didn't notice In my defence, I have an ear infection and feel rubbish, but still

Fortunately he is home and in one piece....

I take it he's an indoor cat like my lot?
Glad he hung around by the door rather than wandering off and is now back in where he should be!

 

[Vintage Paw]

We've been away for 2 weeks and the cats came running up the road to greet us

We weren't even talking that much - I think they recognise our tread as much as our voices

My cat certainly knows what I look like without needing to hear or smell me. He used to sit on the window upstairs at the back of the house and regardless of what time it was (ruling out it being a regular 5.30pm kind of deal that he memorised) as soon as I got within sight distance he'd meow at me until I got to the gate and then jump down and be waiting at the kitchen door when I got in. It was a lovely feeling

 

[Epona]

My cat certainly knows what I look like without needing to hear or smell me. He used to sit on the window upstairs at the back of the house and regardless of what time it was (ruling out it being a regular 5.30pm kind of deal that he memorised) as soon as I got within sight distance he'd meow at me until I got to the gate and then jump down and be waiting at the kitchen door when I got in. It was a lovely feeling

I once was on my way home and Radar was sitting on the windowsill, I waved at him and he jumped up all excited and bonked his head on the glass

I often ramble a bit about the intelligence displayed by various domestic or pet animals, but I don't think my cats are prime examples, they seem to have very few brain cells between them.

 

[Epona]

I do wish that Sonic wouldn't sometimes sleep with his main eyelids open and his 3rd eyelid half across.
I look round at him and it looks like he's died or something, never fails to freak me the fuck out.

 

[Manter]

I take it he's an indoor cat like my lot?
Glad he hung around by the door rather than wandering off and is now back in where he should be!

I think he went off for an adventure- I think the frantic scrabbling was because he didn't enjoy it much...

 

[toggle]

One of my mum's mates used to have this cat who was obsessed with her husband. He used to follow him into the bathroom and watch him while he washed or pissed. If the bloke locked the door, kitty used to howl outside the door, making a heck of a row, until this guy would just open the door and sigh, "Come in if you must!" Cat would then sit stare at him with embarrassing intensity.

midnight does that to bakunin. she will do the gaze of adoration to me as well, but only he is watched

 

[TikkiB]

I think he went off for an adventure- I think the frantic scrabbling was because he didn't enjoy it much...

He went on an adventure by accident.

 

[T & P]

My cat certainly knows what I look like without needing to hear or smell me. He used to sit on the window upstairs at the back of the house and regardless of what time it was (ruling out it being a regular 5.30pm kind of deal that he memorised) as soon as I got within sight distance he'd meow at me until I got to the gate and then jump down and be waiting at the kitchen door when I got in. It was a lovely feeling

One of ours has learnt to recognise the sound of every vehicle I've used or owned during his lifetime. First the scooter, then a Honda Civic, and now the work van. So most evenings he comes running out of the back garden and onto the street to greet me demand food, even before I've finished parking. It's rather sweet & clever of him.

 

[CRI]

Was away for one night, and exhausted on return so pretty much went straight to bed. Woken this morning by the whiskerings and purring of a cat. I opened my eyes to see the gaze of love directed laser-like into my own eyes. Two-eyed-cat was lying on the bed, his face as close to mine as he could manage, his whiskers stroking my face, and gazing at me, waiting for my eyes to open. And he just went on purring and gazing into my eyes. This wasn't "wake up and feed me you bastard!" This was "oh my god I love you soooo much!!"

It was really quite disconcerting, but also totally lovely.

A bit like this you mean. Early morning Breeze!

To be fair, she doesn't actually wake you up, which is nice. She sits at the foot of the bed or opposite on her bed, waits for you to wake up, THEN dives on you. No chance of going back to sleep though, with a rather large and heavy creature balanced uncomfortably on your elbow!

 

[Manter]

after his adventure yesterday, he feels the need to supervise me when I go to the loo

and headbutt my fingers when I am trying to type on my phone

 

[CRI]

after his adventure yesterday, he feels the need to supervise me when I go to the loo

and headbutt my fingers when I am trying to type on my phone

Ah, bless!

Breeze DOES NOT LIKE me doing anything on the phone in bed. Nope, time to get up and do stuff! She quite literally grabs it out of my hand.

 

[Manter]

Ah, bless!

Breeze DOES NOT LIKE me doing anything on the phone in bed. Nope, time to get up and do stuff! She quite literally grabs it out of my hand.

Idiot cat doesn't mind as long as he gets a hand free to stroke him. If the northerner is playing a game on his iPad and so not providing any attention, idiot cat will headbutt the iPad out of his hands, or, craftily, chew his headphones as he has discovered he gets attention as the Northerner tries to rescue them

 

[CRI]

Few more of Breeze in somewhat less annoying mode this morning.

Staring down an interloper, 2 gardens away.

 

[CRI]

Idiot cat doesn't mind as long as he gets a hand free to stroke him. If the northerner is playing a game on his iPad and so not providing any attention, idiot cat will headbutt the iPad out of his hands, or, craftily, chew his headphones as he has discovered he gets attention as the Northerner tries to rescue them

Clever kitty, not an idiot at all!

 

[Bakunin]

I love my cats dearly, but I find that being woken by having one thrust all his whiskers in your face can be a bit discombobulating.

Wait until one wakes you with a morning gift...

Of a live, severely-mangled and very noisy blackbird.

On your pillow at six in the morning, inches from your nose.

 

[secretsquirrel]

We take ours to Companion Care at Pets at Home and also have nothing but good things to say about them. A lovely lady vet there was the one to spot Rollo has a heart condition and, luckily for us, this was her specialism so he got fantastic treatment and the nickname 'love sponge' due to his extreme soppiness with all the staff :-D Wish we'd had insurance sorted before we got the bill though :-\ Furry fucker's still worth every penny