Cat Lovers Community

We are getting ready to move into a house that is in the country (and when I say country I mean *country* cows, farms, acres and acres of green country. The bugs get very bad this time of year, ants and spiders mainly. Ideally I'd like to keep them out of the house, but we have 3 indoor only cats. What's the best route to go about spraying for bugs (or should I just leave it)? There are a lot of options, spraying only outside is one, but what I'm really looking for a a pesticide that can applied once, both inside and outside the house. Are there any pesticides that aren't harmful to cats (I willing to use something and say wait a week before moving the kids in) I know something like frontline isn't dangerous because it only kills creatures with exoskeletons, are there any pesticides like that as well. What would you guys recommend?

ETA: The spiders are indeed brown recluses (poisonous) which is why I don't want them in the house. I'm willing to consider a deterrent as opposed to a poison, but I don't want them crawling around the house.

Does anybody knows if cats remember friends after a few months? (6-8 months for example)

In Portugal, I had 4 cats living together. Two of which had a good relationship, which was shaken by the 3rd cat, but then mellowed back in to a great friendship after the 4th cat and the spaying.

However, one day the new cat got stuck in a plastic bag and panicked, yelling and running through the house. My first cat's(Mia) aggressive nature left the second cat(Erika) no doubt: this attack must be her responsibility! And the two former friends got in to a full-on cat fight, screaming, scratching, ultimately Mia ran, soiling herself, as Erika chased the terrified cat.
After this, Mia was kept in my room, and no matter how many times I tried, over the next month and a half the cats could not see each other. They would appear to be accepting each other, when suddenly, another cat fight would break out. Meanwhile, 3rd(Sushi) and 4th(Zara) cats were somewhat neutral: Sushi hissed and pawed at Mia, although Mia only ignored it or hissed back, and Zara remained friendly towards Mia, both sleeping together and cleaning each other.

Nonetheless, Mia's licking of Zara would sometimes look frustrated. I can't actually explain, but it wasn't the relaxed and slow licking, it was more like when they are tired of playing and lick a random body part out of frustration. This was the only sign of animosity between them.

A month and a half ago, Mia moved with me to The Netherlands. After the first week she revealed a happy, playful cat self that I was pleasantly surprised to see. I couldn't bring more than one cat because I'm living with my boyfriend's parents and his dad has allergies. However, we are looking at houses and there is a chance we can get one soon. I would like to bring Zara here, as she and Mia did seem to get along.


So, my question is:
Does anyone have advice for my situation?


Zara was rescued by me from my school, I found a lump in her belly which turned out to be a very big and advanced abscess, which would have killed her in a very short period, had I not found her. (in addition to the fact that she was extremely found of people, a dangerous trait in a High School with hundreds of students) - I became very attached to her and I would also like to relieve my parents of the amount of cats I sneaked in to the house.


Back when all was full of love.




Mia, lovin' them Netherlands


Zara wears the cone of shame, after surgery.


Sushi enjoying the Portuguese sun.


Erika and the murderous ball.


Be not fooled by the sweet look and heart shaped collar!!


The expressions in this picture always make me laugh.

Hi, I was checking over my kits and one of our cats claws is very overgrown (almost to the pad). She's almost 19 and a sweet girl, but a bit fussy. However she *hates* having her claws clipped. I considered bringing her to the vet, but she doesn't like that either. Does anyone know of any sort of at home trick to break the claw? I know that if I could even break the outer layer it would eventually just all flake away, ideas or it's off to the vet in the morning?

For satya, thank you for requesting this.
 Chocomi: Plan ahead. Clear your work on Friday or leave the easy ones for Monday.
 Tiger: Weekend depression can lead to Monday blues. Spend your weekends meaningfully.
 Miki: Keep to a regular waking hour. Sleeping in on weekends means readjustment for your body clock on Monday.
10 more tips here.

Chocomi: I don't know about you, but I was born to sleep...  forced to work .  And there's always so much work to do . They keep piling up . Continue here?

I took my kit to the vet last night because she seemed to be straining in the litterbox. They checked her out and said she was fine, maybe just constipated (she did poo at home after I gave her wet food and fish oil). Anyways, they gave me Clavimox (anti-bacterial), and Metacam (painkiller). The Metacam instructions say not to give it to cats, and when I google it, I get scary Metacam causes renal failure pages. I gave her 0.3 ml last night and don't intend to give her any more. Anyone know anything about this, cause I'm kind of freaking out. I'm calling the next emergency vet on duty, but they don't come in until 4, any info is appreciated.

Hi, fellow feline fanatics! I was pointed here by renegade500 as a place to find possible people for two little ones from a litter & mom we fostered. I'm happy to say we've found homes for two of the kittens and a foster place for the mom, but we still have two who URGENTLY need their own families.

Details (pics include awwwcute 4wk old snaps) on the adorable, happy, sweet kitties we DESPERATELY need to find homes for (our deadline is Monday; after that, despite our best efforts & wishes otherwise, they may need to take their chances at our local shelter):
Boy - http://austin.craigslist.org/pet/1690360292.html
Girl - http://austin.craigslist.org/pet/1690350785.html

Please, feel free to spread these links wherever you think they might be well received (we're able to travel a bit for good homes), and thanks to all who are willing to help them get loving families!

Here's a (sizable, amateurish) video of the whole caboodle from when they were 4wks and genders were still being figured out, for those who would simply like an opportunity to watch kittens toddling about :)

(If this post is out of line, please let me know & I'll fix immediately!)

 Nene: Live in the moment.  Anon5: See more.  Anon6: Hear more.
 Bobo: Taste more.  Tiger: Smell more.  Yan Yan: Feel more.
More furry advice here.

 Momo: Make a first good impression.  Chilli: Be punctual.  Miki: Smile.  Mika: Look others in the eye.
More furry wisdom here.

I'm recently back from a vacation in Turkey. God bless the Turks for their tolerance of their many strays! God knows the world will be a much lesser place without them - the cats (and Turks too).

How do cats react when their human slaves have the audacity to go on vacation and neglect them?
 Miki: I play the guilt card by playing dead. 
Foxy: I go into shock then into hiding  in denial.
 Chocomi: I pout.
 Chilli: I show my disapproval  then completely ignore the human.
 Mocca: I hold on tight and if all else fail  I go all doe-y eyes.  Tiger: I start working on my forlorn look.
 Anon: I seethe with anger quietly in a corner.

 Anon1: LIfe's realising that others are different and it's ok.
Anon2: Life's a constant discovery.Anon3: Life's living the moment.
 Anon4: Life's reaching out and making friends.
 Anon5: Life's a new beginning everyday.
 Chilli: Life's realising that what's out there is not as important as what's in you.
 Chocomi: Life's loving oneself despite the imperfections.
Foxy: Life's appreciating what you have  even when it's not the best deal.
 Momo: Life's about eating, drinking and making merry.
Ne Ne: Life's a spiritual journey. Siam: Life's relishing each moment.
Tiger: Life's having your own fun but also   being there for your loved ones.

Yesterday my bf and I adopted a stray cat from a local shelter. His name is Bear (the name they gave him), he is all black and they guess roughly about 2 years old. Neither of us have ever had a cat before. He is very clingy and follows us around. Also, he won't let us sleep with our bedroom door shut, he just keeps meowing. Is he acting this way because he is just in new surroundings and wants love? And do you think this behavior will pass once he becomes more used to us? I'd like to hear from people who have adopted a cat from a shelter as well.

Thank You =)

 Miki: Only three things in life are certain: death, taxes and change.
 Foxy: Do not be afraid of change, for the world already lies atop changes.
 Mika: Change? I am ready and waiting.
 Kiiro: Fear not. Look change in the eye.
 Anon: Change or no change, I'm a cool cat always.
 Button: Changes come and go, but I remain focused.
 Momo: Come what may, I always look on the bright side of life.

My cat pee'd in one of our indoor plants. Now the smell is just horrible. Is there anything we can do to get rid of the smell without killing the plant? Thanks!

Has anyone's cat ever had to have surgery to remove an eye? I ask because my boy Apollo's damaged eye seems to be more swollen than it used to be and I am just wondering. I already have an appointment for him to get a check up when my next paycheck comes in but for now I'm just searching for a price estimate.

With the festivity in the air, our furry friends have made wishes for all too:
 Kiiro: May you always look good from far and even better up close.
 Miki: May you stay warm and snug.
 Momo: May you alway be grace under fire and  always put your best foot forward.
 Nene: May you get enough restful sleep.
 Tiger: May you always have something to wag your tail about. 
 Chilli: May you always enjoy good food  and still have an ass you're proud of.
More kitty well-wishes at http://avery-averette.livejournal.com/30937.html.
And last but not least, Human: Merry holidays and a very happy 2010 to you and your loved ones!

Mocha: UV protection! Button: Meditation. Anon: A smile from the heart!
Kiiro: Just say 'no'! Chilli: Learning from the experts. Momo: Loving massages!
More feline beauty secrets at http://avery-averette.livejournal.com/28503.html. Enjoy!

Shakespeare must look fierce in this post, as if he was "walking on imported air" past a pile of books he angrily tipped over as he narrowed his eyes at me, but, truly, it's an illusion: the books are scattered on the floor because of my ferocious housecleaning, and the angle is responsible for the illusion of anger. If anything, he's quite the opposite of an alpha male, timid and gentle.