Cat questions & update

[akw94]

Hi,
Since you all were so helpful with the cat food switch, I have a couple of questions.
First, just wanted to say that the cat food switching is going very well. I found another store which sells Merrick, Evo, Wellness and Tiki Cat. I''ve been switching between them (well, haven''t tried the Wellness and Evo yet) and she''s doing very well. I also decided to stop giving the dry food b/c all those I''ve spoken to say it''s not necessary if she likes the wet food, which she definitely does!

So here''s my non-food related questions:

1- For those who have flown with a cat, did you give the cat something to make them sleep or to relax them? If so, how was it? What did you give them, what were the effects and how long did it last? If not, why and how did you handle the flight?

2- Would you let your indoor cat outdoors? If so, only on a leash or allow them to be an indoor and outdoor cat? Any problems with letting a cat outdoors?

Thanks!!

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Outdoor cats have a MUCH shorter life span. Too many dangers. Other animals, cars, etc...I will NEVER have an outdoor cat b/c I get WAY too attached. I have never flown with a cat but have driven long distances (moved) and we gave her a sleeping pill (from vet). Driving is really stressful on her so we all agreed it would be kinder to relax her. No problems.

 

[akw94]

Thanks Tacori! How long did she sleep with the pill? How soon after you give the pill does it put her to sleep?
I think I tend to agree with you about the outdoors issue. I also am paranoid and worry that she could catch something and bring it in the house. But I do like the idea of putting her on a leash while I''m outside and letting her explore a bit. I''ve taken her on "walks" before and she seems to like it. I also would fear that she''d get lost and not be able to find her way back home if I just let her out.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

DH used to let a stay in (he felt bad

) and our whole house got infected with fleas

Not fun. I can''t remember the details. I think it just relaxed her but I do remember she peed on herself in the cage (it was an 8 hour drive) and I gave her a bath as soon as we got to our apartment. She was NEVER so willing. She hardly put up a fight. The vet can tell you more details. Without it she would have screamed the WHOLE way. She would have stressed us ALL out!

 

[Mrs Mitchell]

I never flew or travelled far with the cats, so I can''t say anything about that, but when I moved from the city to a small village, I let my house cats go outside with no problems at all. They are chipped and neutered. I suppose it depends on the cat, but they never go very far and generally don''t leave the garden (it''s about 1 acre). They were perfectly happy as indoor cats but I think they are thriving better now - coats are glossier, they don''t cough or sneeze like they used to, they just look brighter these days. One is a British short hair and one is a little bit of everything! Both are shorthaired.

We don''t live near a road and there aren''t really any other cats or dogs that would do them harm, so I don''t worry about them being out.

Good luck with what you decide.

Jen

 

[PrettyBlues]

I haven''t actually sent my cat on a flight, but I have researched it a bit as our beautiful girl will be making the long trip from Australia back to Canada next year. Our vet said you can give them sedatives (I guess it will also depend on the nature of your cat) but that the things that make them stressed out in car travel aren''t as applicable. Meaning it''s all the images and movement in cars that get them agitated, but on a plane they don''t have that so are more likely to be calm. Does that make any sense? I''m sick so I think I''m rambling a little bit

We probably won''t give her any sedatives on the flight, I think for such a long one I worry more about her being knocked out with no one to check on her!

 

[bee*]

A lot of times we won''t give sedatives to animals travelling by plane over here as they can''t thermoregulate as well when they''re sedated. Unless the animal is really easily stressed, we try and avoid it and recommend Dap or Feliway for dogs/cats. The majority of cats in Ireland are both indoor/outdoor cats, so we don''t seem to have the same system as you guys. I''d say if you let your cat on a leash you should be fine.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

Most airlines will let you carry the cat in a carrier into the main body of the plane which is MUCH safer for the animal, seditive or not. As for whether to sedate, I think depends more on your cat than anything. One of mine would have to be or she would throw a fit but the other would be fine.

As for outdoors, it is fine if you keep a very close eye one her and are very dilligent about shots.

 

[VegasAngel]

Date: 3/31/2008 11:20:39 PM
Author:dixie94
Hi,
Since you all were so helpful with the cat food switch, I have a couple of questions.
First, just wanted to say that the cat food switching is going very well. I found another store which sells Merrick, Evo, Wellness and Tiki Cat. I''ve been switching between them (well, haven''t tried the Wellness and Evo yet) and she''s doing very well. I also decided to stop giving the dry food b/c all those I''ve spoken to say it''s not necessary if she likes the wet food, which she definitely does!

So here''s my non-food related questions:

1- For those who have flown with a cat, did you give the cat something to make them sleep or to relax them? If so, how was it? What did you give them, what were the effects and how long did it last? If not, why and how did you handle the flight?

2- Would you let your indoor cat outdoors? If so, only on a leash or allow them to be an indoor and outdoor cat? Any problems with letting a cat outdoors?

Thanks!!

I have never flown with a cat but Bach Rescue Remedy is an option if you dont want to use medication.

Does your cat show any desire to go outside? If you are open to using a harness I would go that route rather than letting kitty roam free. Cats that roam freely outside are more prone to illness/injury than an indoor only cat. I should say that my cat does roam free (She is 7 now, I think ) but there are several reasons why she is allowed out.

 

[sumbride]

I take one of my cats out on the patio with me, but he''s only allowed out there when I''m with him, and not allowed near the fence. It''s a concrete patio so not so much worry about fleas and such, but he likes to scratch his back on the rough concrete, and he loves to smell all the flowers and roll around in the sunshine. He was a stray, so he especially appreciates the fresh air, but he is afraid of other people so I have to be careful and make sure nobody else is out in the alley or next door because he is easily frightened.

The other cats don''t go outside because they never have and don''t know about it. It''s easier to keep it that way.

 

[Elmorton]

Cats should not be outdoors.

First, most US towns have ordinances/laws about cats not being outdoors.

Second, there are way too many things that could happen. If you wouldn't let your dog roam around without your supervision, why would you let your cat? DH's childhood cat got out once and came back a week later dragging his legs behind him - feral cats are not friendly and he'd gotten in a fight - and lost. And that's just another cat- dogs (or cars, for that matter) might not be as friendly. Fleas are certainly the most minimal issue that an outdoor kitty faces (btw, you should give your cats flea protection even if they're not outdoors).

ETA: Harnesses and kitty areas are an exception - my MIL has an AWESOME "kitty coop" that is basically a human-sized chicken coop with different heights and ramps - the cats let themselves out of a kitty door in the window and can go out into the yard and play and eat cat nip and grass and it's pretty nifty.

OH - and another reason cats shouldn't be outdoor cats - they're the #1 killer of birds.

 

[LegacyGirl]

I don''t see a problem walking your cat on a leash. My neighbor does it, just like a dog. When the cat gets tired they have a stroller for it. It''s cute actually. Just make sure s/he has all their shots.

 

[brazen_irish_hussy]

I just reread the first post. NEVER let a cat out to just wander, they don''t live very long when you do that. Leashes and outdoor "boxes" are just fine as long as your cat has its shots and you are careful. Also be aware of the area. I know where I live ther was a plague outbreak last summer. It actually killed a few animals at the zoo close to my apartment.

 

[akw94]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me!

Tacori, I don''t even want to think about fleas! There was a time I thought my cat might have them and it drove me crazy just thinking about it. That is enough to not let her roam around outside! My cat would hate traveling also unless I gave her something. Just a trip to the vet in her carrier, less than 10 min. away, she is meowing the whole time.. very unhappy! I can''t even imagine her on a plane without something to relax her or put her to sleep.

MrsMitchell, I think my cat would like to go outdoors. She''s managed to get out a few times and is always by the door when we come in. I would be more ok with it if I knew she''d stay in the yard. I just worry that she could jump a fence and either get lost, hurt or catch something!

PrettyBlues, just putting my cat in her carrier gets her stressed out which is why I worry. Maybe she''d be calm on the plane but I''d hate to chance it and then she''s meowing and driving everyone crazy. Were you planning to have her be cargo or take her with you as a carry-on? I worry about the cargo option b/c then I can''t check to make sure she''s ok, especially if I give her something.

Bee, I''ll have to check out Dap or Feliway. Thank you!

Brazen irish hussy, I was thinking about taking her as a carry on. It seems to be a better option, thanks! I think I''ve been convinced not to let her out w/o some sort of supervision, thank you!

VegasAngel, thanks for the recommendation of Bach Rescue Remedy! I have used a harness before when we''ve taken her on walks. She doesn''t seem to mind it much so maybe I''ll just stick to that. Or maybe I can find an extra long leash so she can roam around the yard a bit.

Sumbride, I think my cat would love to lay around outside. That''s a good idea about just keeping him on the patio!

Elmorton, I''ll have to look into the ordinances, thanks! I hadn''t thought of that. You make a good point about just letting them roam around. The "kitty coop" idea is great too and I will look into that too. Thanks for the ideas!

LegacyGirl, I think you''re right about talking her for walks. I haven''t done it in awhile, waiting for nicer weather!

Thanks everyone, very helpful as always!

 

[Hera]

I have flown with my siamese. He yowled really loud for about 15 minutes but I wouldn't give him sedatives. So with that said, if I can take my siamese on a plane you should have no problems

They sleep most of the time. I took him as carry on and you have to call the airline to make sure they allow pets (I believe some don't)on the plane and the size of the carrier.

And keep the kitty inside as others have said. Even the Humane society suggests it.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I hear ya on that! Our female screams in the car. The vet said it was actually KINDER to give her something b/c she would get so stressed out. Talk to your vet. They''ll know what to do. I think they did have us test it out to make sure she didn''t have any bad reactions.

RE Fleas: That is not the only reason we do not let our cats out. It is too dangerous out there for my little fur babies. But when he would let the stray in we got SO flea infested they were upstairs/downstairs even in my car!!!!

I was so pissed. He never listens!

 

[Elmorton]

Here''s a link to an example of a cat enclosure - my MIL''s is not quite this elaborate. She had a good friend who built hers - if I remember right, he only asked her to pay for materials or something and it was around a couple hundred dollars, but they can be really pricey if you purchase a ready-made kit (which is what she''d been planning on doing before her friend heard about the project).

http://www.xmission.com/~emailbox/catrun.htm

 

[Cind11]

I have one comment to make about cats and harnesses. I once saw a cat that an older couple had and it was wearing a harnass. This was in one of those rest stop areas on a freeway. The cat seemed nervous. Something spooked it and it was so freaked that it was able to wriggle out of the harnass and it took off and ran under a fence and disappeared into some woods. Ever since then, I have wondered about how well harnasses really work.

When I was growing up, we had two indoor cats. We started letting them go onto our front porch area only if we were out there sort of keeping a hold of them. Well, then it got to the point any time we opened the door, they''d try to get out. My mom was afraid they''d dart out some day and we woudln''t be able to get them back. So, we stopped the outside thing. It took a LONG time for them to stop hovering around the door.

I really think it''s better to avoid the whole outdoor thing. It might be asking for trouble.

I''ve never flown with a cat, so can''t answer anything about that.

 

[sumbride]

I need to rescind my endorsement of taking my cat outside... I just got off the phone with my vet and my cat has Giardia. It''s a parasite and she suspects he picked it up outside. I don''t know if it''s by drinking stagnant and infected water or if it is a result of walking somewhere a feral cat might have been or what, but I know I can''t take him outside anymore and he''s going to be really mad about it.

Of course, I''m really mad at my vet because the only reason I found out is that Bill has had diarrhea 4 times in 2 weeks and I called to see if I needed to bring him in. She looked at his test results from his annual exam in January and said "but didn''t you treat him?" and I said "I didn''t know he had anything, you didn''t tell me!!!!" So I''m also shopping for a new vet. Grrr....

So keep your cat inside!

 

[bee*]

Hi dixie-sorry I mentioned dap and feliway-the feliway is for the cats (dap is for the dogs!!).

Sumbride-most cats over here are treated against parasites every three months so it might be worth starting a regular programme. Not sure if you use Droncat tablets over there but they are brilliant.

 

[sumbride]

Hi Bee - thanks for chiming in on my situation.

I picked up liquid Panacur from the vet last night and am supposed to give it to each cat 1x a day for 5 days, and then repeat in 2 weeks. I was able to successfully administer it to Jack and Bill, but Lucy spit it 6 feet across the room. She's got mad skillz.

So I see it's going to be a bit of an issue to get this all done. I can't imagine doing it every 3 months!

I'm hoping we'll be able to get this wiped out and prevent a recurrence, but I'm still not entirely sure how Bill contracted it. It's possible he's had it ever since we got him because we rescued him from a storm drain where he lived with a few other cats and maybe they were drinking the contaminated water. I'd like to think that's it and he just hasn't had problems until recently... takes a bit of the guilt out for me... but I have no idea. He's had fecal tests each year, but I read that it's a hard organism to locate so they may have been false negatives before. Or maybe Jack had it from his stray kittenhood. I don't have any idea.

ETA: sorry for the hijack, Dixie!

 

[firebirdgold]

I seriously regret having let my cat be an indoor-outdoor cat for so many years. I think it''s shortened his lifespan and I worry about how thin he is. We''ve also had trouble with parasites. I took him in to the vet for diarrhea and she said he had two parasites and a bacterial infection that he''d probably had for a years. It just doesn''t start to be obvious until the cat''s immune system gets weaker. I had to give him these medications several times a day for weeks, and it was a total disaster! I ended up giving it to him in the shower to make it easier to clean the projectile medication foam/spit off the walls!

One of the parasites was giardia too, and I''m a little worried it hasn''t gone away. Apparently it''s xeno... something. Cats can give it too people by walking on, say, our kitchen counters, and we can then give it back to the cats if they drink out of the toilet. (like my cat does. someone always forgets to close the lid!) *sigh*


Anyway, about traveling. Kitty has gone on planes with me before and he did just fine. We''re helped by the fact that cats can shut their bodies down for periods of time, so they don''t need to use the litter or anything. I also second the recommendation for Bach''s remedy. The first time I went to the new vet kitty was so stressed out that they used it on him and he mellowed right out. There''s apparently this new stuff out that isn''t oral, but rather you rub it into the inside of their ears. Their ears have such thin skin with so many little blood vessels that it absorbs the stuff rapidly without having to struggle to get the cat to swallow something nasty tasting.