DEAR JOAN: We took in a 6-week-old feral kitten that is now 4 months old. She has adjusted well to being a house cat but has one problem we can’t stop. She will try to bite and scratch when she is grooming herself or just when we try to pet her.
Is she just playing or being aggressive. Also, after getting all of her shots, she is still very plump. Could that be worms that are still in her after this long?
Wayne and Chris Maddock, Fremont
DEAR WAYNE AND CHRIS: As I mentioned in a column last week, cats in general don’t care for a lot of contact with humans or other cats. Being petted often is tolerated, but they have their limits.
I had a Maine Coon that seemingly adored being petted, but I’ve had two other cats that didn’t care for anything more than a quick scratch behind the ears or under their chins.
Your kitten, being a stray adjusting to having a permanent home, might be even more standoffish. She will probably become less so and I encourage you to continue the interaction, but respect her boundaries and don’t push them too hard — for her sake and for yours; kitten scratches hurt.
She might also be showing typical kitten behavior. Kittens play with their littermates, scratching and biting them as they wrestle and cavort. It’s how they learn good behavior. If they bite too hard, they get a good swat in return.
When you play with your kitten, always use some sort of toy, not your bare hands. That can send the wrong message to the cat and you’ll pay the price for years to come.
If your kitten has completed her treatment for worms, she should be clear of them. The pudginess is more likely a sign that she is eating well, perhaps too well. Talk to your vet about her weight, how much you’re feeding and treating her, and whether she might still have worms.
DEAR JOAN: I am hoping that you can help answer a question. Something showed up on my back porch that looked like some type of intestines from an animal.
Because there was something inside the intestines, like the size of a baby hamster, my first thought was that a squirrel or possum aborted a fetus! On second thought, I figured an animal had discarded the intestines of another animal it was devouring.
Have you seen anything like this before? I am wondering if they were left from the neighborhood cats and if that is something that cats normally leave.
I would love to know your thoughts on this and any insight that you may have.
Mrs. Curiosity, Atherton
DEAR MRS. CURIOSITY: It’s doubtful that a cat left you the disturbing gift. With some exceptions, cats will eat everything they can, including the intestines.
The most likely culprit is a bird of prey. Most raptors will carefully remove the intestines before devouring their prey. There is a theory that they are wary of any bacteria or worms that could be in the digestive tract.
The size of the remains left behind indicates they come from an opossum, cat or rabbit, which means it was a larger bird, such as a red-tailed hawk, that did the hunting.
Have a question for Joan?
Use this form to submit questions. Photos should be mailed separately to [email protected].
DEAR JOAN: We took in a 6-week-old feral kitten that is now 4 months old. She has adjusted well to being a house cat but has one problem we can’t stop. She will try to bite and scratch when she is grooming herself or just when we try to pet her.
Is she just playing or being aggressive. Also, after getting all of her shots, she is still very plump. Could that be worms that are still in her after this long?
Wayne and Chris Maddock, Fremont
DEAR WAYNE AND CHRIS: As I mentioned in a column last week, cats in general don’t care for a lot of contact with humans or other cats. Being petted often is tolerated, but they have their limits.
I had a Maine Coon that seemingly adored being petted, but I’ve had two other cats that didn’t care for anything more than a quick scratch behind the ears or under their chins.
Your kitten, being a stray adjusting to having a permanent home, might be even more standoffish. She will probably become less so and I encourage you to continue the interaction, but respect her boundaries and don’t push them too hard — for her sake and for yours; kitten scratches hurt.
She might also be showing typical kitten behavior. Kittens play with their littermates, scratching and biting them as they wrestle and cavort. It’s how they learn good behavior. If they bite too hard, they get a good swat in return.
When you play with your kitten, always use some sort of toy, not your bare hands. That can send the wrong message to the cat and you’ll pay the price for years to come.
If your kitten has completed her treatment for worms, she should be clear of them. The pudginess is more likely a sign that she is eating well, perhaps too well. Talk to your vet about her weight, how much you’re feeding and treating her, and whether she might still have worms.
DEAR JOAN: I am hoping that you can help answer a question. Something showed up on my back porch that looked like some type of intestines from an animal.
Because there was something inside the intestines, like the size of a baby hamster, my first thought was that a squirrel or possum aborted a fetus! On second thought, I figured an animal had discarded the intestines of another animal it was devouring.
Have you seen anything like this before? I am wondering if they were left from the neighborhood cats and if that is something that cats normally leave.
I would love to know your thoughts on this and any insight that you may have.
Mrs. Curiosity, Atherton
DEAR MRS. CURIOSITY: It’s doubtful that a cat left you the disturbing gift. With some exceptions, cats will eat everything they can, including the intestines.
The most likely culprit is a bird of prey. Most raptors will carefully remove the intestines before devouring their prey. There is a theory that they are wary of any bacteria or worms that could be in the digestive tract.
The size of the remains left behind indicates they come from an opossum, cat or rabbit, which means it was a larger bird, such as a red-tailed hawk, that did the hunting.
Have a question for Joan?
Use this form to submit questions. Photos should be mailed separately to [email protected].