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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

2993.0. "New noter, and owner questions." by WETLND::RILEY () Mon Oct 30 1989 14:28

    Hello Feliners!
    
    	I am proud to announce that today is my birthday, and as a
    result...
    		I am now justified in reading and writing in this
    conference, you see my wife said we could get 2 cats!!!
    
    	Nothing makes me happier than this news, as many of you can relate
    to.  But I do have some questions:
    
    	Like fer instance, food recommendations...  Litter box hints... 
    good local vets (Acton area)...  general things that are good to know
    as new cat owners...  (I know there are many topics on this, so
    pointers are welcome), and perhaps unexpected experiences and anecdotes 
    that may have happened to all of you when you were new owners!!!
    
    	Also, are there any tell-tale ways of finding out whether or not
    the cats will get along before we get them???  Though I suppose we will
    be getting them from the same shelter, so the people there might know.
    
    	BTW, where is a good local shelter (Acton area) where we could find
    some cuties???
    
    	I look forward to introducing my wonderful new children, whoever
    they may be...
    
    -Jeff Riley 
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2993.1Kitty adviceDELNI::J_LEMMONMon Oct 30 1989 15:4228
    
    Hi Jeff,
    
    A good vet right in Acton is the ACTON ANIMAL HOSPITAL.  That's where
    I bring my babies.  Fortunately, they haven't been in quite a while - 
    they are very healthy!  
    
    As far as getting a couple of kitties that are sure to get along, try
    to get littermates.  They already know each other that way and there
    is no breaking them in.  I think you are smart to get two, it's no more
    work than one and they keep each other company!  
    
    Now, for the sandbox.  I use "Cats Pride" Litter.  You can buy it in
    the grocery store for about 3.50 for a 25 lb bag.  I've never had any
    problems box training, all I've ever done is show them where it is, and
    how to scratch and there has never been an accident.
    
    Another thing I suggest, is try "Cat Krunchies" Cat & Kitten food by
    Blue Seal.  You have to buy this at a grain or feedery but it is much,
    much less expensive than anything you will find in the store and my
    kitties love it!  Oh, and most importantly, it does not contain
    ethoxyquin - a potentially dangerous chemical preservative.
    
    That's all I can think of for now.  Have fun!!! And welcome!!!!
    
    Joanne
    Puffin & Buttons, (A.K.A. Butslut ha, ha, ha)
    
2993.2MICLUS::MTAGMon Oct 30 1989 16:128
    Re .1
    Joanne - I think I also buy Cat's Pride litter (big red or blue bag?)
    and I only pay 2.99 per bag (I think 25lbs) at Market Basket.  I
    believe Donelan's also has it for 2.99/bag.  I get the blue bag 'cause
    it smells better - like baby powder, and the cats don't seem to mind.
    
    Mary
    
2993.3Extra Large Litterbox with HoodNEWPRT::WEYER_JIMon Oct 30 1989 16:5715
    I have 2 cats (now 9 months old) which I've raised since they were
    8 weeks old.  They don't seem to care what type of cat litter I
    use.  I tried several brands until I found one that I thought did
    the best job controlling odor: "Fresh Step" which comes in a blue
    bag with a picuture of a cat on the front (how original).  The one
    tip I can give you is, get an extra large size litter box with a
    hood.  The kitties cannot kick out cat litter all over the floor
    when they scratch in it.  The extra large size box even has jumbo
    size cat box liners you can buy for it - very handy at cleaning
    time.  My Mother-in-Law's 2 cats share a standard size box, and
    it is really crowded in there (if you know what I mean).
    
    Good luck with your new family additions!
    
    -Jill-
2993.4AIMHI::OFFENMon Oct 30 1989 17:5432
    WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME.
    
    More kitties to read about.  I love it....
    
    I use Fresh Step because Black Thunder refuses to use anything else. 
    She is such a *brat* but I love her.  I buy Triumph Cat food both dry
    and canned at a Pet Food Store.  Lightning has Cystitus and needs low
    ash, low magnesium food.  This is working out well with her.
    
    Toys can be store bought (they sit there and look pretty on the floor)
    or homemade like mine.  Aluminum wrap makes fantastic balls.  Socks
    stuffed with catnip are great exercisers.  Yarn and string belts are
    also great for excercising a kitty.  I know a man who sits in his chair
    witha a small fishing rod and keeps his kitties amused for hours.  No
    hook at end of line of course, just a little lure.
    
    Getting two at the same time is a great idea.  Getting them from a
    shelter is an even better idea.  There are so many just waiting for
    someone to take them home.  If you go to a shelter you might be able to
    spend some time to see which kitties get along.  Besides, you won't be
    choosing the kitties.  They will choose you.
    
    Making them in-door only kitties is a good idea too.  That way you
    won't find them on the side of the road or wonder if they will ever
    come home.  All three of mine are in-door kitties and they are
    definitely very happy and loving kitties.
    
    Again, welcome to the Fantastic World of Feliners.
    
    Sandi mom to Thunder, Lightning, Storm & DejaVu too.
    
    
2993.5CRUISE::NDCW frnds like these,who nds hallucinatnsTue Oct 31 1989 08:1827
    If you're in Acton then I suggest going to "Adopt-a-Cat" in Concord
    or getting kittens or cats from someone in the notes file.  See
    note 415 for adoption notices.
    
    re: Blue seal - can be purchased at Erikson's in Acton.
    
    re:catbox & Litter - we use Multicat or Tidy-cat 3 with baking soda
    added.  We have SIX cats and three litter boxes.  Because one of
    my cats is a real "litter flinger" we have covered boxes.  ITs also
    nice that you don't have to look at the cat "stuff" in the box.
    
    There is a cat show coming up on Nov 11th in Marlboro.  Cat shows
    are excellent places to pick up information and cat supplies at
    good prices.
    
    You'll also want to get at least one scratching post and then teach
    the cats to use it.  Otherwise they may shred your furniture and
    rugs.  My cats are very good about using their scratching posts
    - except Jesse, but he's another story (rescued stray still adjusting)
    If you have any questions feel free to contact me.
    
    Oh - and I'd suggest you avoid pet stores.  Go to a shelter or through
    a feliner.
      And WELCOME!  
      Nancy DC (who also has low cost spay applications if you want
    one)
    
2993.6CRUISE::NDCW frnds like these,who nds hallucinatnsTue Oct 31 1989 08:232
    Oh - regarding the Marlboro cat show - you'll get to meet some
    of us too.
2993.7CRUISE::NDCW frnds like these,who nds hallucinatnsTue Oct 31 1989 08:279
    Try contacting Curt Whiteway (SALEM::WHITEWAY).  He's been
    rescuing feral kittens and trying to place them.  I'm sure he'd
    be delighted to give you two kittens.
    
    OH and regarding food - I feed some Blue Seal Kat Kare and
    Perform dry and canned.  Perform can only be ordered directly
    from Carnation.  They deliver it to your door!
      Nancy DC
    
2993.8welcome!MSBIS1::SADLERTue Oct 31 1989 10:4739
    Another shelter to try is Nashoba Valley Humane Society in Lancaster,
    on Rte. 110 near Lancaster Animal Hospital.  The cats there all
    get along pretty well because they live in one big room.  Kittens
    are adopted much more quickly than adult cats, so if you consider
    getting 2 adults, it would be GREAT!  Some of them have waited SO
    long for a home.  Some other good things about adults are:  litterbox
    trained, felv tested, shots etc. up to date, usually already
    spayed/neutered, may be declawed.
    
    Be sure to give your kittens/cats proper vet care.  Keep their
    immunizations, etc. up to date.
    
    For food, we just switched from Iams to Blue Seal Kat Krunchies.
    There was less odor from the Iams catfood, but Kat Krunchies has
    not ethoxyquin and is also alot cheaper than Iams.  My kitties also
    nag me to give them canned food once per week (Friskies in various
    seafood flavors).  Make sure your cats have a constant supply of
    fresh water.  Buy some hairball remover to feed the cats also. 
    It will prevent gag-ups on the carpet.  You can buy it at mosst
    department stores, cat shows, or your vet.
    
    Get a hooded litterbox for previously stated reasons; it makes a
    BIG difference.  We use Mighty Cat litter.  It is low-dust, cheap,
    and contains the odor well.
    
    Some cats are real toy-maniacs, others could care less.  Experiment
    with household objects such as string, foil, marbles, feathers,
    pens, etc.  Most cats love catnip mice.
    
    If you have lots of household plants, look thru old notes to see
    which ones might harm your kitties.  Some kitties love to munch
    on houseplants, and some plants are toxic to cats.
                                               
    It's always nice to have the kitties to greet you when nobody else
    is home.  They bring a smile to you so easily...
    
    Good luck, have fun, and welcome to FELINE.
    
    Cathy Sadler
2993.9Thanx for the welcome!WETLND::RILEYTue Oct 31 1989 11:2225
    
    Thank you all for the warm welcome!!!
    
    There is also some great advice in here for me (as a new owner).
    
    	I can see that I've got an excellent support group right here in
    Feliners from the start!  This will be helpful as time goes by and my
    kitties involve themselves in some predicaments which I will have no
    idea how to solve...
    
    	As I have enjoyed reading some of the stories about these different
    cats, I look forward to introducing my new cats as well... 
    
    re. .8   I intend to adopt at least one cat from the Nashoba Valley
    H.S., maybe two,  though I've already been offered one by a noter in
    this file!!
    
    	Boy the reality hits home when one starts to look for cats to take
    in.  There are really just too many out there for their own good 8-(
    8-(  But that fact will not bring me down, I just feel good that two
    more will have a good home, and a happy life 8^)  8^)  8^)
    
    	Thanks for the info, and keeps your eyes open for the new kitties
    on the block!!!
    
2993.10CRUISE::NDCDTN: 297-2313Wed Nov 01 1989 09:056
    re: string & thread - do NOT leave such things around for the cats
    to get into.  Frequently they will eat it and if the string or
    thread becomes entangled in the intestine at best you'll be looking
    at surgery, at worst it can kill them.
      That old chestnut about kittens and yarn is not right.
      Nancy DC
2993.11Price went upDELNI::J_LEMMONWed Nov 01 1989 16:3310
    
    Re .2
    
    Hi Mary,
    
    Yeah, I used to pay 2.99 for the 25 lb bag too, but Victory Market's
    prices went up! :-(
    
    Joanne
    
2993.12Beware of stringsMEMIT::MISSELHORNThu Nov 02 1989 11:1530
    Nancy's right about the string and thread.  My future step-daughter
    works at Sudbury Animal Hospital and they just operated on a cat
    who had ingested an entire shoelace.  The poor thing had to have
    part of it's intestine removed.
    
    I also have a friend whose cat swallowed a NEEDLE and thread and 
    had to be operated on as well.
    
    To be honest, I have played with our girls with a shoelace but only
    if I'm on the other end holding it tightly.
    
    Erickson's Grain Mill in Acton is a super place for kitty supplies.
    Not only for food but for scratching posts, litter boxes and toys.
    The catnip mice that our girls get for Christmas cost $1.99 at
    most stores but only $.99 at Erickson's.  Boy, were we happy to
    discover them especially since we live very close by.
    
    Aside from the catnip mice, my girls favorite toy is Q-tips.  They
    also like any kind of ball, my contact lens case (this is also a 
    get mummy out of bed tactic--hearing it batted around would bring me
    out of a coma), plant leaves (which gives Daddy apoplexy--although he
    is getting used to it), and a variety of other things--whatever they
    can find and some of which get taken away like elastic bands.
    
    You will be glad you have two.  Our three are the very best friends and
    play constantly together.  It is much better entertainment than TV!
    
    We look forward to many stories about your new babies.
    
    Barbara (Melody, Missy and Brittany)
2993.1386 the stringCSCOA3::MCFARLAND_Djust call me dunwoody diSun Nov 05 1989 22:1313
    
    another ditto on the string warning.  even if the string is not
    swallowed, it can wrap around the base of the tongue. this happened to
    cissy many yearz ago.  she started gagging something awful. i thanked
    god i was running late for work that morning and was still at home when
    this happened. the poor thing could have choked to death...
    
    my catz have alwayz liked catnip and lightweight ballz (small wiffle
    ballz or ping pong ballz) to play with...
    
    diane & stella & stanley