 |
 |
Sylvia - Escanaba
I have a female Calico over 7 years old. I would like to adopt a kitten that is more loving. Should I get another female or a male? should I attempt this? Would she do better adapting to a small dog? She runs and hides if anyone comes in the house. |
Dr. Mackie
Hello Sylvia, An adult cat will normally adapt to introducing a new kitten, and as far as male or female, the males are usually more loving to people, and should adapt to an older female. I would suggest a slow introduction, perhaps start the kitten out in its own room, let the adult smell the kitten through a door, then slowly introduce into the house. You need to have 3 litter boxes set up , once you add a cat. In regards to a dog, they are a totally different pet, and may not fit your lifestyle. Cats and dogs can get along, but again, if your adult cat has no experience with a dog, then it may be a disaster. Your adult cat may not feel comfortable with strangers entering her domain, so always have an escape route for her, she has to decide if she is ready. If you force her, that may cause unneccessary stress,and then problems. Good luck, Dr. Mackie |
|
Scott - Escanaba
I rescued a 10 month old cat about a month ago and she is a wonderful cat with a very social personality. I have an older cat (5 years old) also a rescue who is not a very social cat. She does not want anything to do with the new cat and has recently started peeing and pooping out of the litter box, sometimes in front of us. I don't want to have to get rid of the new cat but I have no idea how to handle the problem with the older cat. Both cats are females and both are fixed. Any ideas to help stop the older cat from using the house as her new litter box? Will my older cat ever just learn to live with the new one? |
Dr. Mackie
Hello Scott, NO, the older cat may never accept the new cat. This is not a simple question to answer, and without knowing all the details, I can only say a few things. You might try confining the older cat to her own room or "kingdom", with a litter box, her food , water, and all of her needs. Then periodically, confine the new cat, and let the other cat out to roam the house. You could then try having the new cat in a carrier, and let the old cat meet her, smell her, etc, through a cage door. You could also try feeding the old cat near the kennel, or next to her door in the room, so she can smell, or see the new cat near by, but that she is not a threat. Also, we sell a product called Feliway, which comes in a room diffuser or spray, and that helps create a calming environment for both cats. The rule of thumb is always to introduce a new cat slowly, and you could try a different approach, put the new cat in its own room, and let the old cat adapt that way. Sometimes we put one or the other on medications to soften the anxiety, but you would have to set up a consultation with myself or another veterinarian, to do that. Also, you should always have 1 litter box per cat, plus one in the home, in easy to use, and safe for the cat locations, and on each level of your home. I would be happy to set up a consultation if you would like to pursue this. Good luck. |
|
louie - escanaba
i have a boxer i adopted two years ago, he is a wonderful dog, but i noticed he drinks a ton of water. i always have fresh water out but he drinks it all in one setting is this normal? |
Dr. Mackie
Hello Louie, It may be normal for this dog, but excessive drinking can be due to problems with the kidney or liver, metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, Cushings disease, Addisons disease, anxiety issues, pain, then causing the dog to pant excessively, then they need to drink. My suggestion is to schedule an appointment, have a urine sample checked, and some lab work, with the dog fasted with no food for 12 hours. This would help rule out diseases and guide you towards treatment if necessary. Some of the dog foods out there are very high in salt, and that can cause extra drinking. Good luck. Dr. Mackie |
|
kelsey - gladstone
do female cats spray and if so dose a male cat or a female cat have a better chance to spray |
Dr. Mackie
The answer is yes, both male and female cats can spray urine, generally, the males are more likely to spray. They usually do this when stressed, or to mark territory. It sometimes occurs if there is an underlying urinary tract problem, such as an infection. |
|
Debbie - Gladstone
I have a dog that is very annoying in the car.
She gets very excited to go for a ride, but she starts to squeal and wine the whole time she is in the car. Any suggestions? |
Dr. Mackie
Hello Debbie, the crying and whining are probably due to anxiety, and there are many reasons they are anxious in a car. Does she get sick to her stomach? I cannot suggeat any prescription drugs without being her doctor, but if you wanted to try a few things, if she would ride in a kennel, often times that makes the dog feel safer, and the kennel should be in the middle of the back seat, if she is a small dog. Sometimes pre loading with Benadryl, at least a half hour before travel helps, and I recommend 1 mg / pound of bodyweight, so a 25 pound dog gets a 25 mg tablet. Sometimes that takes the edge off. Go for multiple short rides, and sometimes that helps condition them to a ride. If you need anything beyond that, then you should set up an appointment with your veterinarian |
|
Carol - Brampton
Hi, I am wondering if you have any recommendations re: kitty litter? I have 2 cats, 4 litter boxes, currently using Worlds Best litter, but my cat has runny eyes after each litter use. Maybe from dust? I do clean the box each day and change litter q 3 weeks or so. thank you. |
Dr. M ackie
Hello Carol, I do agree that it could be the litter, especially if it is dusty. I suggest the clumping litter, non scented, and the least dusty you can find. I peraonally use Scoop Away. Cleaning the box everyday is great, and you should provide 1 litter box per cat plus 1. If you change the type of litter, do it gradually, like mix it, or change 1 box at a time to the new system. |
|
Emily - Escanaba
Can a declawed cat and a clawed cat get along in the same household. Should I worry about injury? |
Dr. Mackie
Yes, they can certainly get along. I always advise introducing them slowly, let them get to know each other and then they will work it out. The cat with claws has a slight advantage, but the one without, can at least box with their feet, and they have teeth, and rear claws. Injuries can happen not only with claws, but teeth, so beware of that.
Good luck, Dr. Mackie
PS, you always trim the claws, to keep them shorter, and blunt. There are nail caps, called soft paws, that you glue to the toenail as well. They have to be changed every 3-4 weeks. |
|
Mary - Escanaba
We recently took home a very sick kitty from the shelter who was apparently starving. We have had her for 3 weeks and she is fatting up and doing well. However, now since she is feeling good she is showing her personality and she is not as lovey as she was and she also is biting. My husband wants to bring her back and I am wondering if she is going to out grow this or if this is really who she is. This is not the kind of kitty we were looking for. She had a very bad start from what we were told but we do not know if we can handle these issues. What would you advise? |
Dr. Mackie
Hello, kittens that have a rough start, and that are not socialized with other kittens, or Mom, can show biting behaviors, because they don't get the instructions on how to be a cat, from others. There is a short window of opportunity to teach them how to be social cats, that is between the age of 7-11 weeks. There are certainly things that can be done, but my advice it to get her in for a health check, get her vaccines started, and we can give you information on how to teach her. They do not grow out of it. Do not play with her with your hands, always have a toy, or article between her and your hands. Try to figure out what her triggers are, why she is biting, and avoid those. Not all cats are good with petting, and cuddle time, they are more independent, so you have to learn what she will tolerate. Hope that helps. Dr. Mackie
Added Advice from Jenna
Hello Mary,
My name is Jenna and I am webmaster for the animal shelter website. I read what you wrote to Dr. Mackie and I would like to share some information in hopes that it will help you make some decisions on your new kitten.
I have owned cats for over 30 years and I have to say I've learned plenty on cat behavoir. Five years ago we adopted our first ferrel kitten from the animal shelter. Jinx was only 6-8 weeks when we brought him home. After having him in our home for only three weeks I was in tears, totally frustrated and ready to return him to the shelter. He was wild, hanging off the curtains, running wildly around, hissing and biting us when we tried to hold him and when I tried to correct the behavoir he became more violent with us. I had no idea what to do and decided on a last ditch effort to speak to our vet, Dr. Mackie.
I learned a wealth of information from her and her staff on behavoir and how different ferrel cats are in relation to disapline. My kitten was raised outside for for several weeks and the mother taught him survival techinques which lead to Jinx being a bit wild. I was using disapline methods on him that only made him more on defense and more wild. Dr. Mackie suggested I yell at him in a stearn voice and put him in another room and close the door.. THIS method was 100% right on and hands off! He did not like having us raise our voice to him and he hated being closed in a room (only for a few minutes)
I can tell you that in keeping consistent with these training methods, today we have a BEAUTIFUL and WONDERFUL LOVING cat, he is almost five years old actually and we could not have ever imagined he would grow up to be this loving of a cat, he gives face huggs and if asked for a kiss he will kiss our chins.. Please don't give up on your kitten, there really is hope.... one day they will show you the love and appreciation for you saving their life... it just takes time and patience.. Good Luck to you and I hope this helps a little... |
|
Barb - Cornell
We had a friend that recently adopted a cat from a local shelter. The cat had some upper respitory issues, that was clear up with a vet visit. This is not the first time I have heard of this with shelter cats. Looking on the internet, there ar many different things like upper respitory, parvo, ringworm, kennel cough, etc that they say is always there but depending on the conditon of the animal whether it gets sick from this or not. How do shelters keep these under contrl if, as I read, some of these viruses once there can live for years in that envirnoment? |
Dr. Mackie
Keeping animals healthy in a shelter situation is always a challenge. Protocols are set on how to handle the animals upon admission, by starting with a physical exam when they arrive, if there is signs of illness, some shelters will humanely euthanize the animal, or make arrangements so they can get the medical care needed. Most shelter will vaccinate upon arrival, if the animal is healthy in appearance. Shelters try to minimize stress, and use an air exchangers to keep the indoor air healthy. Most shelters will segregate newcomers to avoid obvious exposure to the others in the same kennel area. Also, basic worming and removing external parasites, such as fleas is done. Hope that helps. Dr. Mackie |
|
Jennifer - Escanaba
We have a 3 year old angora male cat that once in a while will have eye issues. It is random and only in one eye at a time. There is never discharge either. Out of no where we'll look at him and he'll have his eye completely shut. He doesn't itch it or rub. Usually this lasts a day maybe two at the most. We also have 2 other cats. We don't think he gets into anything around the house. Could this be something typical for this breed or could it be something more serious? |
Dr. Mackie
Hello Jennifer, First of all, it is not typical of any breed, keeping an eye closed for a day or two is not normal. It may be a reaction to trauma, such as a paw in the eye, from one of the housemates, an irritant in the house, such as dust, plants, candles, plug ins, etc. Does he go outside? Of course my best advice would be to have the cat examined, he may have a serious eye issue going on in the inner structures of the eye, so a veterinarian would examine the eye with an ophthalmascope. Good luck, Dr. Mackie |
|
|
|
