Letters to the Editor

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The cat whisperer
Will she be the next TV star animal trainer? She certainly had the right diagnosis for my cat Thompson, a biter.
By Kirsten Weir [2008-03-19]
The letters thread is now closed.

  • More to add

    Since, I can't edit my previous post. I'll add that I see others had mentioned the claw covers in the two pages I hadn't read before posting.

    Also, I don't consider the "love nips" cats do as a biting problem. They set their teeth without exerting real pressure and I hope people don't take that as an agressive bite.

    -- SuznMaree
    [Read SuznMaree's other letters]
    Thursday, March 20, 2008 03:27 PM

  • Cats

    First of all, I loved your story! Thompson seems like a lovely cat! I have a 8 year old cat named Baby! She doesn't bite but she wants attention every minute of the day.(Hints the name)I don't know if I would say she is trained. The only trick she knows is to pose for a camera. She never misses a photo op. Anyway, I have always loved cats and the strong personalities they can have. Your story has really got me interested in cat behavior. However, it could make me show more attention to Baby.(like she needs it) I am glad that things improved with Thompson and hope he is still doing well.

    -- Cap'nJulz
    [Read Cap'nJulz's other letters]
    Thursday, March 20, 2008 04:15 PM

  • @SuznMaree -- A question

    We have the same number of cats as you and, like you, never set out to have that many, but do for apparently the same reasons that you do. Fortunately, our house is big enough to accomodate all of the critters.

    I'm glad that your two declawed cats don't exhibit behavioral problems, but have you noticed any physical problems with their paws? One common problem with declawed cats is athritis, given the damage done to the knuckle bone.

    Good luck with all them kitties! I know the challenges and joys of having so many insane critters under one roof.

    -- DurianJoe
    [Read DurianJoe's other letters]
    Thursday, March 20, 2008 04:45 PM

  • Answer for Durian Joe

    Zephyr is nearly 13 and shows no sign of pain or stiffness, but his paws have always looked slightly deformed. Must have been a bad job. He was about 4 months old when I got him, so the declawing was done early. Tiko's paws look normal and he's not had any problems. Also, the other cat I had, Gypsy didn't seem to have any problems with her boxing paws.

    I want to reiterate, I would never declaw a cat. Luckily, my cats don't seem to show any ill effects except for my certainty that they miss their claws.

    -- SuznMaree
    [Read SuznMaree's other letters]
    Thursday, March 20, 2008 06:02 PM

  • MisterMarker - Are you insane? or Just hate cats?

    DO NOT UDNER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES TAKE A KITTEN FROM ITS MOTHER AT ONE WEEK!

    You obviously know NOTHING about cats - please shut up!

    Ideally, kittens (and puppies) should not leave the mother before they are 12 weeks old. They are still nursing, cannot see, and cannot feed themselves. This simply too cruel. Yes, orphan kittens can survive with optimal care (including round the clock feeding)but many do not - and sometimes we don't know why - fading kitten syndrome.

    Please cease and desist from spreading your ignorance.

    -- EnoMary
    [Read EnoMary's other letters]
    Friday, March 21, 2008 10:32 AM

  • @EnoMary

    You got that right! Kittens should stay with their mothers until 12 weeks of age. Taking a kitten at one week is completely wrong and cruel.

    -- DurianJoe
    [Read DurianJoe's other letters]
    Friday, March 21, 2008 03:07 PM

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