I want to make my own homemade, raw meat (chicken and rabbit) cat food. My girlfriend thinks it's a bad idea. Almost everything I can find on the interwebs suggest that feeding a cat a BARF (biologically appropriate raw food) diet is healthy for the cat. This wiki suggests that there is no scientific evidence pointing to a clear resolution - in the references section there are some vets arguing one way or the other, but nothing concrete. Has anyone been there, done that, or have any other advice? [more inside]
posted on Jun 11, 2008 - 16 answers
My wife and I are moving across country from California to Massachusetts. And we want to bring our animal posse with us. Moving the dogs is not too bad (they are both small enough to fly), but we also have a number of cats, including some that aren't keen on big life changes. How do we get them across the country without them killing us or vice versa?
[more inside]
posted on Jun 7, 2008 - 7 answers
What's the best way to get dogs and cats to live together harmoniously? [more inside]
posted on May 15, 2008 - 20 answers
If I feed my cat more often will he stop bringing home his own snacks from the wild? [more inside]
posted on Apr 18, 2008 - 31 answers 
I can't believe I'm asking this filter: I think my cat has an intimate relationship with his lovie. Is this normal?
[more inside]
posted on Apr 9, 2008 - 23 answers
Hive mind, I have a dilemma. I love dogs and have since I was tiny. I long to own a dog the way some women long to have a baby (ick). I haven't had a dog companion since I was a kid, but I now have just about the best lifestyle I think I'm going to have: we own a home, will have a fenced-in yard (as soon as I can get the contractors to finish the fence; soon, I hope), and have plenty of love to lavish on a pup. But I want to provide the very best possible home, so I'm having some trouble with this decision. [more inside]
posted on Mar 31, 2008 - 19 answers
What is the "baseline" level of physical comfort for a housepet? [more inside]
posted on Mar 21, 2008 - 12 answers
What is the best way to deal with a "mean cat" as far as vet visits and administering medication? [more inside]
posted on Mar 13, 2008 - 19 answers
Does anyone have any suggestions for catproof earbuds? My cat seems to find the tender plastic to be extremely succulent. [more inside]
posted on Feb 24, 2008 - 11 answers
Our former roommate had a cat, which he was babysitting for his ex. He lived with us for 6 months and barely acknowledged this wonderful, personable animal - they hadn't bothered to give her a name - and my girlfriend and I became close with her and kept her for 2 months after the roommate moved out. Now he has reappeared and wants to take her back to a lonely, neglected existence. We want to say no. How can we do this? [more inside]
posted on Jan 11, 2008 - 94 answers
Does my cat have a chronic respiratory infection, or is it possible she just naturally has poor breathing passages? Ever since my partner and I adopted her and her sister in August she has had periodic coughing and hacking fits that have been relatively unaffected by three separate rounds of antibiotics. Now I wonder if maybe she just has the equivalent of a deviated septum, or whether it's time for hospitalization. [more inside]
posted on Dec 13, 2007 - 13 answers
How is eating a dog or cat more morally objectionable than eating cow, pig, chicken, etc? It's a crime to eat them in the U.S.A., but why? [more inside]
posted on Dec 5, 2007 - 54 answers
This Christmas I would like to make a donation to a New York animal shelter or cruelty prevention group. [more inside]
posted on Dec 3, 2007 - 8 answers
What treats would you suggest for a cat who, so far, doesn't like treats? [more inside]
posted on Nov 19, 2007 - 36 answers
Air purifiers, are they any good and how do I know which one to buy? Anyone know the "real" deal on these things? [more inside]
posted on Nov 9, 2007 - 13 answers
If you see a cat or dog wandering around outside, how can you tell whether it’s lost or just hanging out in its own neighborhood? If you can’t tell, should you act as though it’s lost or just leave it alone? [more inside]
posted on Nov 9, 2007 - 28 answers
Help me out, Hive Mind, with some excellent arguments in favor of pets in general and cats in particular, so I don't have to divorce my husband. [more inside]
posted on Nov 8, 2007 - 55 answers
Sliding scale cat dentist in Chicago? [more inside]
posted on Oct 19, 2007 - 2 answers
Advice gratefully received on approaching a neighbour re a wandering cat. [more inside]
posted on Aug 8, 2007 - 23 answers
PDXkittyfilter: Help my kitties find a new veterinarian! [more inside]
posted on Aug 6, 2007 - 11 answers
PetFilter: I am about to travel over 1000 miles with two cats in one car. The cats get along together. Both are healthy, about two years old, and hate car trips (usually because it takes them to the vet). We are only going to stop once for the night. I need your advice, opinions, and experiences to make this move easier for all involved.
posted on Jun 24, 2007 - 20 answers
What steps do you take to grieve companion animals? [more inside]
posted on Jun 15, 2007 - 29 answers
I'm looking for suggestions as to what I can do to keep the boiler & furnace in my house inaccessible to our cats, without closing up the actual room they are in. The boiler has some fluffy insulation around it that I can completely imagine my cats having a ball with. They are not bright. [more inside]
posted on Jun 1, 2007 - 10 answers
Is it wrong to get my dog high by blowing marijuana smoke at him? I am asking medically and ethically, of course. He's neutered and very good natured.
I have known people that have intentionally 'smoked out' their animals from time to time, and it hasn't seemed to be harmful, but I was just wondering, since it's come up recently.
posted on May 29, 2007 - 48 answers
The ethics of getting a cat. A roommate and I have been planning to get a cat when our allergic roommates move out. We got the OK from the new roommates on getting the cats. The day after the three new roommates signed the lease, one of them calls and asks us to not get the cat because his girlfriend is allergic. What should we do? (Apologies for the length inside) [more inside]
posted on May 22, 2007 - 95 answers
How likely is it to switch the eating patterns of a sister pair of 1 year old cats without them becoming overweight? [more inside]
posted on May 8, 2007 - 10 answers
Why are my girlfriend's cats fighting? [more inside]
posted on Feb 11, 2007 - 17 answers
Should I regularly bathe my cats? [more inside]
posted on Jan 13, 2007 - 35 answers
Two cats need a new home in or around NYC. Shelters not an option. Please help! [more inside]
posted on Jan 4, 2007 - 16 answers
What the heck was wrong with my mom’s cat? [more inside]
posted on Dec 8, 2006 - 7 answers
Will minor cat allergies translate to rat allergies? [more inside]
posted on Nov 21, 2006 - 10 answers
How many dogs per person do people have in various cities? Also, how many cats? [more inside]
posted on Nov 16, 2006 - 3 answers
I 'rescued' a cat off the street today because it looked just like a cat I saw on a 'lost cat' poster. The missing cat's owner just came by and said it wasn't the right cat. Now what? [more inside]
posted on Oct 29, 2006 - 17 answers
When fleas can't nibble on your cats ('cuz you've treated the felines with Advantage or something), what do tehy live on? Fur? Cat food? They should just starve. But they say that if you don't sweep them daily you don't get rid of them... [more inside]
posted on Oct 29, 2006 - 17 answers
Why does my cube-mate's cat have hygiene issues? [more inside]
posted on Oct 12, 2006 - 8 answers
I'm trying to get my six to nine month old rescue kitten off wet food, but its just not working with the usuals.
I've had her for 3 weeks now.
Difficulty: 20 year old prima-donna feline housemate who needs wet, but now enjoys kittenchow. [more inside]
posted on Oct 4, 2006 - 9 answers
Help! The dog's decided cats are fun to chase.
[more inside]
posted on Sep 11, 2006 - 26 answers
Why are there no canine equivalents to lions, tigers, leopards, and panthers (etc.)? [more inside]
posted on Aug 29, 2006 - 19 answers
Help me settle a disagreement with my fiance - how many cats is it reasonable for two people in a flat to have? [more inside]
posted on Aug 29, 2006 - 73 answers
Are there any pets other than cats and dogs that have a mutually affectionate relationship with their owners? [more inside]
posted on Jul 2, 2006 - 28 answers
How do you go about integrating two very different pairs of cats into one happy household? [more inside]
posted on Jun 3, 2006 - 6 answers
How can I find a new home for my overweight, unhappy, kind of gross cat? [more inside]
posted on May 23, 2006 - 51 answers
How do I find a lost house cat that made a break for it? [more inside]
posted on May 15, 2006 - 14 answers
Humans sometimes feel depressed or anxious with no apparent environmental cause. Does this happen in animals? Or do humans possibly have brains that are too evolved/sophisticated for our own good, in a way? [more inside]
posted on May 4, 2006 - 24 answers
How do I get my cat to stop biting my other cat's ears? [more inside]
posted on May 1, 2006 - 5 answers
He will defecate normally in his box, solid and behave regular. He will urinate in the litter box as well. But then he reverts to acting strange, pawing around territorially, and leaving diarrhea on the floor Desperate kitty question from the son of a friend Booger has put us in a bad situation. [more inside]
posted on Mar 5, 2006 - 12 answers
Have you ever had a pet euthanized? I need advice on the process. [more inside]
posted on Feb 1, 2006 - 32 answers
How much money should we allow for cat veterinary emergencies? This is for our cat sitter or vet to spend to fix up our cat, without contacting us, if we're incommunicado. We're putting together a letter of consent for the cat sitter and vet. [more inside]
posted on Jan 22, 2006 - 15 answers
Petfilter: My wife and I plan to have our two (currently quite healthy) cats cremated when they die. Exactly how does one get a cat body to a cremation service, including handling delays? [more inside]
posted on Nov 19, 2005 - 9 answers
Traveling with cat: this winter, I need to go from NYC to Boston for the weekend every few weeks. I just got a cat and while someone can watch him, I would rather take him with me so he won't be alone. But neither Amtrak nor Greyhound accept pets. I don't know how to drive. What should I do? [more inside]
posted on Nov 3, 2005 - 17 answers
Last week my wife put one of those toilet cleaning puck things - 2 discs, one blue and one white (a type of chlorine bleach, I think) in the toilet tank. Apparently one of us or our houseguest left the toilet open and one of our two cats - the stupid one - drank a quantity of the water, even though he had a big bowl of fresh water by his food (yes, we're now being very careful to leave it closed). My questions: 1) did he drink it because it tasted good, the way some animals will eat antifreeze, and 2) is he gonna be OK? He's acting a little odd - staring at his own shadow and attacking invisible things, growling at nothing, but then again he's kind of brain-damaged anyway (flea anemia as a feral kitten). He's 9 yrs old and otherwise in good health.
posted on Oct 25, 2005 - 15 answers
Name our kittens! We have just brought home two entirely black boy kittens from the shelter and they need names. [more inside]
posted on Oct 19, 2005 - 100 answers
I just picked up a pair of rats and have some general rat-based questions as well as rat&cat co-habitation questions. [more inside]
posted on Oct 17, 2005 - 8 answers
CatchACatFilter: We have discovered 4 very cute kittens and a mother living in the bushes behind our office. We need some tips on capturing them before the winter hits. [more inside]
posted on Oct 13, 2005 - 15 answers
Can I mix interferon with food to dose my cat? She's been diagnosed with stomatitis, a viral mouth infection, so she'll be taking interferon for at least a few months. I'm getting conflicting information from the two vets who have seen her about how to administer it. [more inside]
posted on Oct 11, 2005 - 7 answers
My girlfriend's cat has an incredible knack for destroying my furniture. I've got an opportunity to replace my uncomfortable fabric couch with a farily nice, comfortable, microsuede couch for cheap. I'd like to avoid having this piece of furniture become yet another unintended scratching post. What's worked for you? [more inside]
posted on Sep 21, 2005 - 23 answers
My cat hates me. She hates city life, and she deserves better. [more inside]
posted on Sep 14, 2005 - 18 answers
I'm bringing my eleven-year old cat to the vet tonight for his first teeth cleaning. I know he has to have blood tests first, and that anasthesia will be involved. The vet said there might be some extractions depending on the condition of his teeth. Can anyone give me a ballpark on what this is going to cost? I need to figure out how to juggle my finances to pay for it.
posted on Aug 8, 2005 - 17 answers
Can anyone recommend a good veterinarian in the San Francisco area who is flexible in terms of paying for large procedures, or can anyone direct me to services to help finance a high ticket vet procedure? [more inside]
posted on Jul 15, 2005 - 6 answers
Because of long-standing behavior issues, I need to find a way to keep a large, determined, unusually intelligent cat in the basement all night. Actually, I need to keep her from climbing some stairs. [more inside]
posted on May 10, 2005 - 23 answers
I recently acquired two cats which is lovely and enriching excepting that I am now living inside a giant hairball. Cat hair everywhere. Millions spent on lint rollers.
First question: Can anyone recommend a decent, reasonably-priced vacuum cleaner that can tackle pet hair? It must have attachments and a HEPA filter. Also, I have bare floors.
Second question: Does anyone use an Ionic Breeze or a similar air purifier? Is it worth the money?
posted on Apr 4, 2005 - 20 answers
One of my cats has had a loud and contentious history with a neighbor cat. I have not seen then fight but they hissed and screamed and generally did not like one another. Well the neighbor cat showed up dead under one of our bushes (it had been like that for awhile but when the weather warmed up a tad, whew. .that is when we found it).
I am wondering if it is possible that my dear kitty did this other cat in. I have not heard of such a thing but it creeps me out to think that I might be harboring a murderer among our menagerie of pets.
Has anyone had any experience with this?
posted on Feb 17, 2005 - 16 answers
Is cat puke just a fact of life? [+]
posted on Feb 10, 2005 - 49 answers
So, I got a new cat (a male, approx. 6 mos. old, not fixed yet). He and my other cat (also male, about 8 mos. old, was fixed about a month ago) were finally introduced after spending three days on opposite sides of a closed door, and they've been rolling around and fighting like crazy. (MI)
posted on Jan 19, 2005 - 23 answers
CatFilter-- What is the deal with anise and cats? Is it like catnip?
posted on Jan 7, 2005 - 18 answers
Pets pets and more pets:
http://ask.metafilter.com/mefi/4681">Sorta tangental followup from about a year ago- re: feline urinary tract blockage.
posted on Jan 6, 2005 - 10 answers
I have a cat that's about 8 years old. She's a bit large and lazy. Well, in the past two months or so, she's noticeably dropped some weight and is running around, playing like a kitten and super-vigilant... it's been fun, but I'm wondering if her change may be physiological. [+]
posted on Jan 2, 2005 - 10 answers
Can anyone recommend a good cat food for our three fat cats? (more inside)
posted on Dec 22, 2004 - 28 answers
How can I find a home for a troubled pet? [more inside]
I am at my wit's end and don't know what to do. The problem started when my girlfriend moved in over two years ago, bringing two adult cats along. My two adults did not get along with hers, and we've tried just about everything to get them used to each other. Eventually, we had to just separate them, but it broke my heart to have cats barricaded in my basement, so we decided to just open the basement door to let the cats come and go. It's been like that for about a year without many problems, and I thought I was making some progress when one of my cats started coming upstairs willingly and tolerating the others (being able to sit in the living room with the other cats while we watch TV).
The past month or so has been different, though. My cat started peeing (and worse) on our bed. I draw the line there, because I cannot afford to buy all new bedclothes and mattress pads every couple of weeks.
I would like to find this cat a new home, because I think the basic problem stems from having too many cats in a small space. I know if I take her to the animal shelter, they will have trouble adopting her out, given her past and her age (nine). I doubt an ad would work because she's very skittish (and I cannot in good conscience give a cat away without telling someone about her problems).
Does anyone have any suggestions?
posted on Dec 12, 2004 - 13 answers
HomewreakerFilter: A neighbor of mine has a cat door that allows her two cats unrestricted access to the outdoor world. Unfortunately, these cats don't get along, so the smaller cat can often be found hiding somewhere in the neighborhood trying to avoid the larger, bullying cat.
Over the past two years, the sweet, smaller cat has developed a special relationship with my partner and I. What started as infrequent visits and little pats has turned into the cat staying at our place for a minimum 20 hours a day, only returning to his rightful owner when we leave the house (banishing the cat to the outdoors) for several hours at a time. The owner knows that her cat practically lives with us and has never come over to retrieve the cat.
Recently, the cat became ill and needed medical attention. I notified the owner and offered to take the cat to the vet or to assist in any way I could. She refused my offer and took the cat herself. The next day, the cat was back on our couch, happy to be "home".
Both my partner and I are madly in love with the cat, and the cat seems to be madly in love with us. We're moving in a couple of months and the idea of having to leave the cat behind makes my heart break. Should we approach the neighbor and try to get her to give the cat to us? Should we steal the cat? Should we be adults and realize the cat belongs to someone else?
posted on Dec 3, 2004 - 17 answers
Cat query: we are exploring getting a cat for our four year old for Hanukkah, but my wife is allergic. A few years ago we met someone that had a variety that had actual hair, not fur/dander, I suppose akin to a poodle. It's coat was sort of a brindle texture, with dark brown, black, and gold coloration. Anyone know what I'm thinking of?
posted on Nov 26, 2004 - 17 answers
CatFilter: overeating. we have two cats, sisters, just over one year old. One eats all the food that is put in front of her (and is developing a little paunch), the other moderates her intake. We have been taking an "eat-at-will" approach, but the one keeps eating all the food. How do we keep one less than fat, while not starving the other one?
posted on Nov 11, 2004 - 9 answers
How do I get kitty to stop being a painful alarm clock? (scratches and bites inside)
posted on Nov 1, 2004 - 29 answers
I (female) don't like cats. My (male) partner has 2. We're considering living together. However, I can't stomach the filth, the smell, the cat hair, the mewling, the destruction of furniture, and the litterbox. I don't want this thread to turn into a vilification of me for not liking cats and I don't want the situation itself to become "the cats go or I go". Surely a mefite or two has had this happen. How did you work it out? What were the compromises?
posted on Oct 21, 2004 - 42 answers
How did you successfully leash train your cat?
posted on Oct 2, 2004 - 8 answers
Sick-Kitty-Filter. Has anyone here had success in switching a cat from their favorite dry food to a prescription canned food? Any tips would be greatly appreciated...more inside...
posted on Aug 20, 2004 - 14 answers
Pet door. One cat gets to come and go as he pleases. The other cat isn't allowed to use it. Question: How? (more inside, of course...)
posted on Aug 18, 2004 - 23 answers
I need help deterring cats from my yard. Would like some feedback on products/ideas. see inside for (lots) more.
posted on Aug 5, 2004 - 7 answers
SickKittyFilter: more inside...
posted on Jun 23, 2004 - 13 answers
Can cats get high from eating frogs? My mom just moved to a new house by a fishpond where a family of frogs also lives. Her cat seems to have grown addicted to the frogs - he eats one and then gets lethargic and glassy-eyed and just generally weird. Is this dangerous for him or just harmless fun? Well, not harmless for the frogs, of course.
posted on Jun 8, 2004 - 13 answers
WashingCatFilter - My boyfriend suggested we wash the cat, his reason being, it will help her finish her summer shedding. Is this something that is ok to do once in awhile, or should we leave her alone? It's hard to wade through the lame google "Ha-ha-here's-a-joke-story-about-washing-a-cat."
posted on May 26, 2004 - 33 answers
KittyFilter! I think Skinny broke a toe. I saw him take a fall and he's been limping on one foot since then. It's improved steadily, he can walk on it now (though gingerly) but I can see some swelling in one toe. Before you tell me to take him into the vet, please read the [more inside].
posted on May 22, 2004 - 16 answers
HELP! My new dog has a real problem with my cats. The situation seems unsolvable. More inside.
posted on May 16, 2004 - 19 answers
My cat won't pee in the box.
posted on Apr 20, 2004 - 24 answers
My female cat's hind end slips from side-to-side in a strange fashion.
posted on Apr 10, 2004 - 11 answers
AskCatFilter: I've had cats almost all my life; currently my girlfriend and I have three of them. One of them has an odd behavior that I've never noticed before, and I can't seem to figure out. [More Inside]
posted on Mar 18, 2004 - 24 answers
Kitty downers? One of our cats is an older ragdoll. He's generally very sweet and lives to snuggle. About a year ago, however, he started up with night crying - around 3 in the morning he wakes up and will. not. shut. the. &*@#. up. He has access to food, water, clean litter; the vet says there's nothing physically wrong with him. The cat's been sleeping in the basement so that we can sleep. He's not happy with this and yowls disconsolately most of the night, so loudly that we can hear it two floors away. I'd really like to get him back to normal. Any ideas? Experience with kitty sleeping pills?
posted on Feb 6, 2004 - 25 answers
What to do about a foundling kitten... [more inside]
posted on Jan 15, 2004 - 33 answers
I desperately want a cat, and my S.O. is slightly allergic. Does anyone know if there are any breeds of cat that are less likely to provoke an allergic reaction? Any suggestions for keeping his allergies from being a problem, other than a HEPA vacuum? Also, he wants a ferret. Is a ferret likely to cause him any problems? Am I likely to have any problems raising a ferret and a cat together?
posted on Jan 5, 2004 - 34 answers
Cat Trouble- my wife and I have two huge cats, each of whom grew up being the only game in town. They seem to live for combat. How can we keep them from clawing the hell out of each other? [more inside]
posted on Dec 11, 2003 - 20 answers
