"STRANGE BEDFELLOWS!"
Cats are strange bedfellows and house mates just ask anyone who is owned by one. I hear stories all the time. Here are some questions I have been asked and some answers to things you might never have thought of by yourselves. Why do cats groom themselves all the time? Well it is not really all the time it just seems that way.
Some cats like dogs lick more than others. This is only a problem when they make sores or start removing hair from their bodies. Skin sensitivity plays an important part in how often a cat performs it's grooming ritual. I say grooming ritual because that is exactly what it entails. Some seem to want every hair in place all the time. If it is not it bothers them. If you have a cat that seems prone to excessive grooming try rubbing the hair in a different direction. They will glare at you and immediately remedy the situation with a good grooming. This cat is obsessed with keeping perfectly coifed at all times.
Most long haired cats are not into "grooming" much like some people don't do windows they don't do grooming. If you own a Persian or other long haired cat be prepared to groom them yourself if you expect to have a lovely long haired cat around the house. These type of cats need special attention around the rectal area where fecal material can and will get caught in the long hair making one heck of a mess. Regular brushing and combing should start in kittenhood so that the cat will learn to love it or tolerate it for the sake of argument. I know that sounded weird but trust me on this one.
Cats who aren't taught the finer pleasures in life such as grooming by a human can and often do get downright testy about the subject. Injuries do often occur to the human from a normally friendly kitty. Even short haired cats need to learn to tolerate being brushed as it does help eliminate the tiny hairs that seem to pop up everywhere.
Bathing cats is a horse of another color...groomers don't always like to bathe cats because of the danger involved when the cat is not used to it. Cat bites and scratches are and can be very nasty suckers to heal. Being put out of commission and not being able to work puts fear into many groomers worldwide. This is why you hear the hesitation on the other end of the phone line when you call about bathing appointments.
Cats will also groom family members...are they giving you a hint or just being friendly? The grooming of human companions is a display of affection and care-giving. They also do it to get your attention. I used to have a cat who was better than an alarm clock which made me very happy except on Saturday and Sunday. He would jump onto my chest and lick my chin to wake me up......of course this was before I became a kennel operator we never sleep in on the weekends!
February 12, 1997
"STRINGY THINGS!"
Last week we talked about cats and their grooming habits or the lack there of. This week we are going to touch base on another of the other strange habits that our feline friends have. This being that they will ingest [eat] strange things....like any kind of string. It can be the string from the petfood bag, yarn, sewing thread and /or fishing line, etc. Cats have a fondness for stringy things and it can and often does get them into a world of trouble.
If your cat or a cat of your acquaintance is caught eating a stringy thing hold the cat firmly and immediately pull the stringy thing out. Make sure that you pull slowly and steadily. Why? You are asking. Well it is because of the rasps or ridges on the cats tongue. They point backwards down the throat and it is easier for the cat the swallow than it is for it to be spit out or vomited. Anything less than a foot of string should not cause your cat a problem. It may remain in the stomach until it is slowly digested, vomited or found in the stool.
If the stringy thing is sewing thread [which by the way you should always store properly if you have animals or small children] with a needle attached you need to see the veterinarian immediately. Small diameter fishing line with fish hooks also fall into this category. These objects will show up on an x-ray and generally do require surgery to remove. On the other hand if you know for sure that there was nothing attached to the section of stringy thing a quick call to your veterinarian will generally bring the response that you should apply some mineral oil to the cat's food and watch it carefully. They will tell you to watch the animal and if it becomes lethargic or stops eating and appears to be in pain to see them immediately. You can also try a teaspoon of Metamucil or maybe a couple of tablespoonfuls of finely chopped grass in the food to help pass the stringy thing.
This can produce one of three results. Either the cat will vomit the stomach contents or not eat the food or "all things will pass". It all depends on the cat in question. Occasionally when the stringy thing passes through the cat's digestive tract it hangs up as it comes out of the rectum. This can often times cause a mild panic attack to occur. The cat may be fidgety, or run around as if it is being chased by something. Catch the cat, wrap in a towel [believe me I don't care if it is your cat] and if you have help, one must gently pull to help the stringy thing pass. If no help, hold cat on your lap with one hand and remove gently with the other. When finished PUT THE CAT DOWN. Do not I repeat do not try to love on this cat until it has had a chance to calm down.
The funniest sight I have ever seen was a cat and Christmas tinsel...You think about it.