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inTvHeEsCAtTigLAaDtYes WITH ELEANOR FORRESTER Tales of cats in Aesop’s FablesI t was once said that slow and reveals the moral of this In order to answer this steady wins the race. This tale: ‘Better one safe question, Jupiter turns phrase was coined by a wise way than a hundred on a cat into a maiden andman called Aesop who lived in which you can reckon’. he gives her a man toAncient Greece between 620 – 564 marry. During the wed-BC. He is remembered as one of Another fable which ding feast, Jupiter andthe greatest storytellers in history. featured a feline was Venus comment on howHe tells tales in the form of fables. ‘Belling the Cat’; at naturally the maiden isThey were however much more the beginning of the behaving and how theythan mere stories as each had a story the mice coun- could not believe that justmoral to offer the reader. They often cil have a meeting the other day she wasfeature animals that are anthropo- where they are talking a cat. Then Venus let amorphised, meaning that they have about how they can mouse into the room and suddenlyhuman qualities such as being able best protect themselves from the the maiden tried to pounce upon it.to speak in human languages. This cat. After several suggestions had Venus was proved right, ‘nature willmonth I am investigating how Aesop been discussed, a mouse who had out’.used cats in his famous fables. a lot of experience spoke up and What the cat represented in this suggested that they should try and story is a single mindedness to stay In ‘The Fox and the Cat’, a fox is put a bell around the cat’s neck so true to its nature. Although she hasboasting to a cat about how good when it approached the mice would been transformed into a human,he is at escaping from his enemies hear it. The mice all cheered at the when Venus saw the mouse herbecause he had many ideas about brilliant idea until an older mouse behaviour was that of the feline shehow to get away. The cat replies, came over and said: “That is very really was.saying she knows only one way to well but who is to bell the cat?” They In these classical fables it wouldavoid being caught. They both hear all looked at each other and then the be fair to say that the cat charactersthe sound of a pack of hounds and wise elder mouse spoke again: “It’s have fared quite well in comparisonthe cat decides to to previous historical portrayals Iquickly run up a easy to propose impos- have looked at. This for me is onetree. The fox could sible remedies”, and that of the great things about Aesop’snot make up his was the moral of this story. fables: the humble moggy comesmind how to es- across as intelligent and not evil.cape and as a result ‘The Cat and Venus’ is It’s amazing that here we are atof his confusion another fable where Ae- the beginning of 2017 and Aesop’she is killed by the sop uses a cat in telling fables are as popular as ever.hounds. At the end the tale. At the beginning Have a purr…fect, peaceful newof the story the cat, of the story the gods Ju- year and I hope to see more of youwho has watched the piter and Venus are hav- in 2017.whole event happen, ing an argument about whether a living being can change its nature.“The humble moggy comes across as intelligent and not evil. ” 51CAT WORLD

Cats and curios Pat Clements recalls a cat called Rudy who was at the centre of a real kitchen sink dramaI“ expect you get hardened to it,” is a phrase often directed at me continued attempts to free him, his down hard on her finger and wouldn’t when I say I work with sick and owners called the plumber who gave let go. limited advice on the phone - this was Her screams alarmed her husbandelderly animals. On the contrary, I get at eleven o’clock at night - then a pest who stamped on the brakes, offeringworse. removal service followed by a twenty- to stop. Between screams of pain sheThe slightest sadness with regard four hour all-night emergency veteri- urged him to hurry onwards. It wasto any animal at all has me in tears narian clinic with no reply from either then they realised the journey wasand often brings on a spate of night- of these last two. taking far too long and discoveredmares. I never watch animals on tel- In desperation they resorted to 911 they were now lost but the cop carevision except one American rescue – their equivalent to 999 – figuring was still in front. Pulling up, they wereprogramme which I know always has that, if the fire brigade got cats out of shattered to discover it was anothera happy ending. trees, they should be able to do this cop car, the wrong one entirely.I always try to keep my newsletters job. The dispatcher had other ideas The staff were waiting for themlighthearted too, in deference to the and sent two policemen. It was now when they finally arrived and werereader’s feelings. Because of this I will close to midnight. concerned that Rudy’s temperaturetell you now that the story I am going The policemen were extremely was right down and his oxygen levelto relate has a happy ending and you nice and were concerned for the half normal. The cat was in seriouswill be forgiven for laughing, though welfare of Rudy. One of them had shock and the only recourse was totake heed: When I first started to read kept cats all his life and went off back sedate him. The owners queried thethis, sent to me by friends in Canada, home to fetch his circular saw to cut advisability of this but were told it wasI confess to thinking ‘oh, yeah!’ but through the heavy plastic flange en- the only option.I assure you, after investigation, that circling Rudy’s neck. As the injection took hold, Rudyit is true and hopefully we can learn They managed to remove the bot- relaxed and was slid easily from hisfrom other people’s mistakes. tom of the unit and at least they could prison. They quickly set up IV fluidsRudy was attracted to the kitchen now see the cat’s face and knew he and put little socks on his paws tosink as his owner had just put some could breathe. The saw proved too retain the heat. Someone brought hotsmoked salmon down the garbage risky and that idea was discarded. water bottles, a blanket and a blow-disposal. His cries alerted her and They then decided that if they dryer to warm his head. All the previ-she was devastated when she dashed removed the whole sink and laid it on ous gunk they had used to try to freein to find only his body visible and his its side the poor old moggie would him had now dried stiff and made himhead stuck firmly down the unit. An simply slide out. The electricity was look like a pathetic little punk as heattempt to dismantle the disposal unit cut, plumbing lines were capped, lay limp and motionless.from underneath the sink failed. In metal clamps unfastened and the sink At 3am the vet came to tell themthe meantime, Lowell, Rudy’s brother, removed, only for them to discover a the prognosis was excellent. Theycame to investigate and freaked out. still firmly-fixed cat. would keep Rudy overnight to re-hy-He jumped up and down on the unit, Sedating the cat might just help drate him and give him something forfirst licking what remained visible of and one officer offered to lead them the brain swelling. He returned homehis pal and then biting him in frustra- to a nearby vets since they were new late the next day.tion. to the area. Rudy’s owner sat in the The cost of this ‘adventure’ wasLubricating Rudy’s head and neck back of their car with the sink unit $1100 (several hundred pounds) infirst with baby shampoo and then a and the cat carefully positioned on emergency vet bills, follow-up vetbutterflavoured concoction also failed her lap. Attempting to calm him she care, a new sink, new plumbing, newand the cat remained firmly stuck. As reached into the garbage disposal to electrical wiring and a new garbagetools clattered on the kitchen floor in comfort him whereupon he chomped disposal unit - with a cover of course.52 CAT WORLD JUNE 2016

osity... JUNE 2016 53CAT WORLD

TALKING CATWhat would we thinkif cats could talk?Have you ever stopped to wonder what your cat mightthink of you and the world you live in? It could besomething like this… BY HANNAH BARRICK stared at my owner, Kim, until she chocolate biscuits while she continued why don’t you? to drink her tea, plain as day in front Reluctantly, I settled myself downi (finally) caught my eye. Judging of me! I could see why it was me who by the way she rolled her eyes, needed the diet. Clearly I had lost this on the rug instead. I listened to the she clearly knew what I was after, battle and so, reluctantly, I sauntered murmur of their voices as they talked,although she made no move to go over off through the cat flap. Maybe I could and gradually began to drift into a lightto the kitchen. go over to Monty’s next door. If I sneak sleep. through his cat flap I could take some “Tabs leave it out! You only had your of his food…he never finishes it all, Thankfully, the rest of the afternoonbreakfast about an hour ago.” Ap- anyway. went relatively smoothly. Kim hadparently, I hadn’t been starved long finally decided my fast was over andenough yet. Still I persisted, and stayed After finally getting my well-de- decided to take pity on my poor growl-sitting staring at her, hoping she would served brunch, I headed back home. ing stomach and give me dinner, sorelent. She didn’t. I jumped onto the At least I could have my afternoon nap now I was washing my paws as she satsofa next to her and pushed myself on my favourite chair. I could almost tapping away on that machine thingonto her lap, crumpling the newspaper feel the soft cushions now…some that she called a computer. Suddenly Ishe was trying to read. things never change. heard her gasp. “Hey! Stop it! there’s nothing for you. I stopped sharp as I walked into the “Oh, Tabs! Look at this picture! YouYou’ve had your pouch and biscuits lounge. It seems I was wrong about looked so cute!” I prayed it wasn’t thatthis morning, what else do you want?” things changing. Grandma was sitting one from last Christmas with me in thatTuna, sardines, chicken… anything ed- right in my spot, on my chair, looking ridiculous outfit.ible will do, really. very comfortable if you please. She smiled and greeted me. I jumped onto I jumped up and perched myself Clearly getting annoyed, Kim the arm of the chair and let her pet me. on the edge of the desk next to her toshooed me onto the floor with a huff. I had to be polite, after all. take a look. It was worse. It was from when I had come home from the vets “Go on, stop pestering me. Go and After a minute I gently batted her after surgery and this photo showedchase some mice or something.” I sat hand away. Ok, thanks for keeping the me looking less than my usual, splen-down again on my haunches, sulking. seat warm for me, Gran… off you go, I did self and wearing that awful plasticMy five star service had downgraded want my nap now. cone thing around my neck.to self-catering. It was that vet’s fault…ever since he decided I was slightly “What’s wrong, Tabs?” she said. As “I’ve got to show this to Julie!” sheoverweight Kim had started the war if she didn’t know. Kim walked in and gave a chuckle. Well I’m glad sherations on the food. I knew I shouldn’t smiled. could find my humiliation so amusing!have made that extra visit to Old MissMable’s house in the summer. “Oh that’s where he normally sleeps.” Gran laughed and I narrowed I stayed for another few minutes my eyes. What was so funny? Kim bentjust in case she changed her mind. down and stroked my head.Stubbornness usually won me a treat.Today, however, Kim seemed to have “You’ll just have to find somewheredeveloped a will of steel. Unbeliev- else for now, Tabs.” Great. First no food;ably, she then started munching on now this. Kick a cat while he’s down,54 CAT WORLD

TALKING CAT Paf & Tika - finding a motherly kind of love It’s always a worry when you introduce a new kitten to a home where there is already a resident cat - but we were very luckyTo my dismay, she continued to put the T BY LISA FLORESphoto on the computer. I had to stop ika, a rescued kitten, came to our home when she was just a fewher! I started batting the keys, hoping weeks old. We decided to take care of her since she was so tiny andit would do the trick. How did she get needed special care.this thing to work again? The poor baby was very ill with worms and an intestinal infection. The vet told us that the kitten may not survive as she was so sick and couldn’t eat “Tabs, come on! Don’t do that you’ll anything.break it!” Still I kept batting the keyswith my paws. I couldn’t let her share After a few days, feeding her every two hours day and night with a sy-that picture; if Monty the Mouth next ringe and also taking antibiotics, a little miracle occurred! Tika was gettingdoor heard about it I would never live stronger and started eating by herself.Yay! Tika’s health was improving well.it down! I had my reputation to think of! However, once this little kitten was feeling a little recovered, she started Beep! The screen suddenly went meowing for her mother.blank. I looked at Kim, my ears perkedforward. Was it meant to do that? Paf is our resident cat, two years old and with a strong character. Although Paf is very kind and warm, she has a tough cat attitude. At the beginning, “That’s it!” she cried. Clearly it we were not sure that they would get on well together. Paf had been reallywasn’t meant to do that. Kim picked me spoiled and was used to getting all our attention. We wondered if she wouldup and promptly put me out into the be jealous of her new furry friend and then, we were surprised…hall, shutting the door behind her. Hu-mans. I would never understand their As soon as Paf heard the baby kitten crying, she came running to her.fascination with social media. I loitered Tika stopped meowing; she was very curious about her big kitty friend.in the hall for about half an hour, until They stared at each other for a while and suddenly, Paf started sniffing Tikafinally Kim let me back in. She prob- very closely.ably had put that stupid picture on thecomputer, but at least she seemed The bigger cat showed a lot of interest in playing with the kitten and so,calmer. She sat on the bed and turned shyly, these two kitties started to play together. Then this happened…littlethe TV on, let me crawl into my usual Tika was held down for a mandatory bath. Paf officially became her fostercosy place on her lap and she started mummy.petting me. My loud purring showedmy contentment. Finally, I could relax. Paf, the ‘mummy’ cat, made sure that baby Tika was clean and warmAll was right with the world once more. every day.Yes! A mother’s love is amazing. Now the two girls always sleep together and even share the small cat bed. The only problem is, they are now both too heavy to fit on one bed together! Search for Paf and Tika on YouTube. 55CAT WORLD

TCHEACTOSUOCHN WITH LEADING BEHAVIOURIST INGA MACKELLAR Sometimes the difference between a loving cuddle and a swipe of the claws or a vicious bite, says Inga MacKellar, can be knowing when enough is enoughB ehaviour that is very com- us for food and shelter. But in order to the long haired breeds that will need mon amongst pet cats is that survive in the ‘real’ outside world, the regular daily grooming in later life. of the cat ‘attacking’ the owner adult cat needs to be very alert andwhilst it is being stroked. The cat may ready to defend itself at a moment’s However, care must also be takenbe happily sitting on its owner’s lap, notice, as well as to hunt and kill. that kittens are not over handled orprobably emitting a deep contented handled too roughly as, if this occurs,purr and is enjoying being stroked. When a cat catches its prey, how the kitten may become frightenedThen, all of a sudden and without any it does so will depend on the type of and react by scratching or biting.warning or apparent provocation, the prey: insects and birds are normally Over time, it may learn that if it doescat will turn into a savage beast. It caught using both front paws, whilst not want to be stroked, biting andmay bite the owner, scratch or even mice are normally hit with one paw scratching makes people go away.curl itself around the owner’s hand and then bitten in the back of theand start to ‘kick’ with its back legs, neck. But if the cat has caught a larger So, what can be done to overcomeoften simultaneously biting and grip- prey it may also lie on its side, hold- this problem? The following case thatping with its fore paws. ing the prey in its teeth and its front I saw some years ago will give an paws, whilst kicking and ‘raking’ at it insight into how this common behav- Quite understandably, many cat with its hindclaws. A similar action to iour problem can be approached andowners are mystified and very upset that displayed towards the owner in helped.by this dramatic change in their cat’s Petting and Biting Syndrome.behaviour and can sometimes suffer Case study:Minniesome nasty scratch and bite injuries. It is believed that Petting and Bit- ting Syndrome is displayed by cats Minnie was an eight year old, What the owner has experienced who may have problems switching rescued, domestic short haired catis a common behaviour problem – from their outdoor ‘adult’ role into the that had been obtained for an elderlythat of ‘Petting and Biting Syndrome’. indoor ‘kitten’ role. However, as Pet- lady in her eighties by her daughter.In order to understand what is occur- ting and Biting Syndrome also occurs She was re-homed as her first ownersring it is first necessary to understand with indoor cats, another explanation had just had a baby and they werewhat a cat is. The cat was designed is that the cat may not have received worried that Minnie might hurt it. Sheto hunt and kill but many cats have enough handling as a kitten. As part had lived with her present ownerto live dual existences as they are of the critical socialisation period for six years and was considered anobtained as pets and brought into a (3-7 weeks of age) kittens need to be independent cat. All interactions werehuman household as part of the fam- gently handled by a variety of people very much on Minnie’s own termsily. When in the house we expect our and children. This handling should and when her owner went to strokepet cats to display playful kitten-like include gentle stroking, lifting, hold- her, whilst she seemed to enjoy beingbehaviour and to be dependent on ing and also brushing, particularly stroked for a short while, she would invariably lash out if her owner triedShe wanted a friendly cat to cuddle56 CAT WORLD

to stroke her for too long. This was - food being present. In all interac- much more relaxed and seemed tovery distressing for the owner as all tions Minnie was to be encouraged be a more contented cat.she wanted was a nice, friendly, lap to come to the owner, for which shecat that would sit with her in content- would be rewarded with a tasty piece Petting and Biting Syndrome canment throughout the day. of food, such as a piece of chicken, be very distressing for owners but if ham, cheese or prawns. Time was it is approached methodically and on Minnie would often sleep on her also to be spent playing with Minnie the owner’s terms then it can often,owner’s bed and might even, once or using fishing rod type toys so that she over time, be helped so that the fero-twice a week, jump onto her owner’s was kept well away from the owner’s cious feline becomes a cuddly catlap, but would behave aggressively hands but had the opportunity to again.if her owner insisted on cuddling or direct her natural hunting behaviourstroking her too much. Whenever she onto toys. Tip of the monthlashed out at the owner, she would,understandably, back off. The owner The owner worked really hard on Why not make a New Year’sasked me to come and help as she the programme and when she called resolution to spend time play-wanted a friendly cat to ‘cuddle’ and me a few weeks later to report on ing with your cat at least onceshe was also concerned that Minnie progress, she was delighted with the every day. Owners often stopwas getting upset and stressed. results. Although she had been very playing with their cat when it is tempted to rush the programme and no longer a kitten. But most adult The first thing I advised was that a stroke Minnie for longer, she made cats will happily play into theirrecord be kept of how quickly Minnie sure that she was methodical and geriatric years and regular playreacted to being stroked so that we disciplined in her handling of her. By results in a happy cat. Happycould more accurately predict when the time that she called me she was and well stimulated cats areshe may be aggressive. Minnie was sitting and stroking Minnie several less likely to display behaviourthen not given the opportunity to be- times every day for a long period of problems.have aggressively. As she generally time. Minnie had not attempted toreacted aggressively after three or scratch or bite her once since the If you are experiencingfour strokes, she was only to be given programme had been implemented. behaviour problems with yourone or two strokes. This ensured that Minnie had even been happy to be cat, to find your nearest APBCthe interaction was controlled by the picked up and cuddled, something (Association of Pet Behaviourowner and that Minnie’s last interac- that the owner had never previously Counsellors) Member visittion with the owner was something been able to do. Minnie was also www.apbc.org.ukpleasant, rather than Minnie trying tostop the stroking because she’d hadenough. The essence was to breakthe cycle that had been occurring formany years: owner strokes cat, cathas enough, cat bites owner, ownergoes away. Our aim was to achieve: ownerstrokes Minnie, owner stops strokingMinnie whilst she is happy, Minnie willwant owner to come back. The process of stroking Minniejust twice and walking away was tobe continued for a couple of weeks.When the owner started to see thatMinnie was really enjoying the inter-action, she was to increase the strok-ing by just one stroke for the next twoweeks, then if all was still well, ontofour strokes for a further two weeksand so forth. Stroking was also to occur whenMinnie was being fed so that shestarted to associate being strokedwith something nice happening 57CAT WORLD

CoOf aNCFEASTSLIOOVNESR HE’S NOT EXACTLY SURE WHY BUT TIM SEEMS TO BE ASKED FOR HIS ADVICE ON EVERYTHING FROM BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS TO WORMS hen people know hairdresser showed me a happening. I hardly dis- ing at home rather than video clip of the litter of courage it. And the boot’s abroad.W you’re a cat lover, kittens her cat has just had often on the other foot. For they come to you (three video clips, in fact). a long time, I was the talker Meanwhile, I’ve heard with all manner of as well as the listener. My so much about my friends’cat-related conundrums. People come and sit with other half, Isabel, teases pets that I’ve become fond me in the canteen, accost me about this. “Banging of them, almost by proxy. I don’t mind because I me in Starbucks, strike up a on about cats,” is what she I’ve got quite attached to alike hearing about other conversation in the lift. says I do. She says it’s at its few. Naturally, I get sum-people’s pets but it does worst when I’m in the vets’ moned to meet them whenhappen rather a lot. It’s not even confined waiting room. It’s impossi- they first arrive. In one to friends any more. It’s ble to get a word in edge- household, I’m referred to As well as hearing all the become friends of friends. I ways there, she reckons. as Uncle Tim – which thenpositive stories, you be- once had a call from some- makes me wonder whethercome a sounding board for one I’d never met asking if She’s got a point. And I I should be rememberinghealth and medical matters, they could have my opinion am aware that not all my the cats’ birthdays. Thisplus a shoulder to cry on on a feeding issue (their stories are exactly grip- is problematic, becausewhen their animals are ill or tabby’s, not their own). I ping. Once, when I found I can’t even rememberthe unthinkable happens. always thought the expres- myself explaining to a people’s birthdays, so I’m sion ‘go-to person’ was a relative I hadn’t seen for hardly going to be able to Maybe it’s symptomatic professional compliment in a few years how Parsley remember their pets’.of my age but my Monday the workplace – testimony prefers eating the grass inmorning ‘water cooler’ mo- to your abilities for, say, IT the flowerbed at the top of When cats go missing, Iments at work don’t involve queries or financial advice. the garden to the bottom, I also seem to have becomecolleagues recounting their I seem to have become the thought: Maybe I do ‘bang the first port of call for prac-drunken antics from the go-to person for questions on’ about them! tical advice and emotionalweekend but rather the about where to find kittens, support. It’s happenedcomings-and-goings of behavioural issues and In fact, when I first got quite a few times, so I havetheir cats over the previous worms. I’m not sure I can Nutmeg and Parsley my my spiel off pat. Firstly, don’t48 hours. put that on my CV. colleagues put a jar in the panic, as they’ll often return middle of the office. It was after a few days or some- Barely a day passes I suppose I can’t really times longer (occasionally,when I don’t receive a complain about all this like a swear jar: every a lot longer). Check shedsphoto by text or email of time I mentioned my and garages – your owna friend’s moggy or a link two new charges I and your neighbours. It’sto a website featuring had to put a pound also worth pinning up post-feline-related news in. I can’t remember ers in the neighbourhood,and views. which charity it was plus ringing local rescue in aid of but who- centre and vets. Neighbours inter- ever it was, they didcept me as I return well out of me that I had a tree-relatedhome in the evening year. I, conversely, incident emergency lastto give me updates. may well have week. A friend called latePeople I used to work ended up holiday- one night to inform me thatwith stop me in thehigh street. Last timeI had my hair cut, the58 CAT WORLD

Sally was stuck up a coni- me up at ten past four in the spot on his eye a few years rather dashing look dur-fer. Could I help? morning. back. The vet checked it ing convalescence – were at regular intervals and, al- taken out 10 days after the Being almost as rubbish In addition, I’ve been though it was getting slowly op and he’s behaving nowat remembering names as asked about many health bigger and was thought to as he always did. Frombirthdays, my first thought matters. With just a D grade be cancerous, decided not a distance, you wouldn’twas: What on earth is your in Biology A level, I’m glori- to operate as it didn’t seem know he had one eye.wife doing up a tree? Then I ously unqualified to answer to be causing any distress.remembered that Sally was these. I’m also squeamish Eventually the time came: Now he’s recovered, it’sthe black-and-white cat and don’t like blood. he had to have an eye taken become a source of hu-they’d recently acquired. out. mour. Perhaps he could be Fleas seem to be a fitted with a cat’s eye from Said creature had, appar- subject I get consulted on Thankfully, Jess seems to the road? Or maybe anently, taken to the tree early a lot. “We thought you’d have made a full recovery electronic one that shines athat morning and progres- know,” people always seem and has adjusted to having red dot, like the laser on asively climbed higher. Now to say, which I try not to see one eye (although I’m not gun, on whoever he set hisit was night and it was 40ft too much into. Clearly, I’ve sure his owners have fully eyes on.up, way out of reach, and become the ‘go-to’ person adjusted to having had tomewing plaintively. Under- about fleas, as well. pay for it), even if having My favourite suggestion,standably, his kids were his whiskers shaved off though, is getting him aupset. The latest medical mat- before the operation must skull-and-crossbones eye- ter I’ve been hearing about have been a little degrad- patch. People say teenag- “What should we do?” was one that was clearly ing for such a handsome ers get aggressive-lookingmy friend asked. “Come beyond my remit from the tom. dogs as status symbols. Ion, you’re the expert.” start. Some friends, David think a cat with a pirate eyeMy fondness for cats has and Cari, have a lovely The stitches – bright patch would be altogetherled me to be called many black-and-white cat, Jess, blue, which gave him a more intimidating…things, but an ‘expert’ which developed a smallwasn’t previously one ofthem. I told him to put a bowlof food at the bottom of thetree – and then I did whatmost people do who wantto learn something: goton the internet. The con-sensus seemed to be thatyou should keep an eye onthe situation but shouldn’tclimb the tree yourself forrisk of inadvertently en-couraging it higher (not tomention falling out your-self). Give it a bit of space.Let it come down in its owntime. And yes, put somestrong-smelling food at thebottom. “I’ve got a chainsaw,”my friend said, only halfjokingly, “I could have thewhole tree down in fiveminutes.” As it happened, Sallycame down of her ownaccord (as they often seemto). I was informed of this ina text message that woke 59CAT WORLD

KITTY COVERS THE BOOKS WE’RE ALL READING AND ROLLING OVER THIS MONTHThe Trainable Cat The Dancing Barber Catopedia – A Fascinating The Hundred Names ofBy John Bradshaw & Sarah Ellis By AC Michael Collection of Feline Curi- Darkness ositiesThe subtitle to this book is ‘How Fans of a good thriller will By Battersea Dogs & Cats Home By Nilanjana Royto make life happier for you instantly want to add this bookand your cat’ - with around 300 to their wish list. The story and Justin Hankins Readers of The Wildings, bypages, you know you will find follows Taras, once a top ballet the same author, will be keenthis a fascinating and useful ad- dancer but now a barber by Publisher: Headline to learn that the story con-dition to your bookshelf. day, ballet teacher by night, Price: £14.99. ISBN: 9781472224781 tinues. The Hundred Names with a new life in the north of Darkness finds the Niza- The advice within aims to of England, having escaped Did you know that Battersea muddin cat clan licking theirhelp you to help your cat deal from Stalin’s Soviet Union thirty Dogs & Cats Home now wounds and recovering fromwith every day situations that years earlier, and enjoying the rehomes more cats than dogs? the fierce battle with feralscould otherwise be stressful: promise of the acclaim he was Feline experts from Battersea from The Shuttered House.the arrival of a new baby that previously denied. Dogs & Cats Home share theirultimately becomes a lively knowledge plus fascinating cat It isn’t long before they aretoddler; visiting the vet; sharing Just when everything seems tales and quirks in ‘Catopedia distracted by other dangers.his home with other pets and to be going right, one-time – A Fascinating Collection of Their Delhi neighbourhood ishumans or taking a worming priest and alcoholic, Klem, Feline Curiosities’, available in changing and new enemiestablet without fuss or anxiety - enters his life. Accompanied all good book shops. arrive in the form of humans,all can cause a cat to perform by his inimitable Russian Blue dogs…and snakes! They need‘antisocial’ behaviours. cat ‘Mr Pushkin’, he moves Battersea has been looking to find a safe new home and into Taras’ attic and begins to after and rehoming cats since their journey across India’s The authors are both well unravel the past. Something 1883, although it wasn’t until urban jungle begins.qualified to advise and instruct Taras had hoped was buried 2002 that the Home changedyou in how to train your cat. for good but past untruths its name to include cats too. However, you don’t needEach of the eleven chapters be- unexpectedly come back to Now the charity rehomes more to have read The Wildingsgins with a general introduction, haunt him and events soon cats than dogs, finding loving in order to enjoy The Hun-mostly from John, as to how the take a sinister turn. new homes for nine homeless dred Names of Darkness.cat sees the world in relation cats every day. A prologue nicely sets theto the subject of the chapter. Although most certainly scene and the story is lovelySarah then provides the training a thriller, set between the Catopedia celebrates the to read in its own right. Authoraspect to enable the cat to deal Ukraine and 1960’s West York- nation’s love of cats, exploring Nilanjana Roy writes in such apositively with the situation it shire, the story also has a lot of everything from how signifi- beautifully descriptive way thatfinds itself facing. humour, especially when Mr cant cats have been in society you can easily visualise the Pushkin is involved. throughout the ages, through wonderful surrounding coun- Far from considering training to understanding why cats tryside or urban squalor.your cat to be interfering with Look out for a collection of meow and purr.his freedom or natural behav- short stories concerning Mr Cats will be cats and theiours, this is a positive and help- Pushkin, coming soon from Royalties from the sale of book heads towards anotherful guide to channeling your author AC Michael Catopedia will go towards sup- epic battle but what creaturescat’s behaviour to enable him to porting the work of Battersea will the clan and their oddcope with life as we know it with Dogs & Cats Home. band of friends be facingthe minimum of stress for both in a bid to secure their newhim and his owner. home…?60 CAT WORLD

SHOW DATESCLUB EVENTS FOR YOU DIARYGCCF DECEMBER 17 Asian Group Cat SocietyDECEMBER Maidstone & Medway Cat Club Sports Connexion Leisure Club & Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot Venue, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-DECEMBER 03 Road, Bracknell RG12 9SE Dunsmore, Coventry CV8 3FLTrans Penine Oriental &Siamese Cat Club JANUARY 2017 Cornish Rex Cat SocietyStockport Masonic Guildhall, Sports Connexion Leisure Club &169-171 Wellington Road South, JANUARY 07 Venue, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-Stockport SK1 3UA Capital Longhair Association Dunsmore, Coventry CV8 3FL Woodson Park Leisure Centre,Scottish Cat Club Wadesmill Road, Ware, LaPerm Cat ClubRavenscraig Regional Sports Hertfordshire SG12 0UQ Sports Connexion Leisure Club &Facility, 1 O’Donnell Way, Motherwell, Eastern Longhair & Semi Venue, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-North Lanarkshire ML1 2TZ Longhair Cat Club Dunsmore, Coventry CV8 3FL Woodson Park Leisure Centre,West of Scotland Cat Club Wadesmill Road, Ware, Short Haired Cat SocietyRavenscraig Regional Sports Facility, Hertfordshire SG12 0UQ Sports Connexion Leisure Club &1 O’Donnell Way, Motherwell, Venue, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-North Lanarkshire ML1 2TZ Scottish Cat Club Dunsmore, Coventry CV8 3FL Ravenscraig Regional Sports FacilityDECEMBER 10 1 O’Donnell Way, Motherwell, Singapura Cat ClubNational Cat Club North Lanarkshire ML1 2TZ Sports Connexion Leisure Club &Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot Venue, Leamington Road, Ryton-on-Road, Bracknell RG12 9SE West of Scotland Cat Club Dunsmore, Coventry CV8 3FL Ravenscraig Regional Sports FacilitySphynx Cat Association 1 O’Donnell Way, Motherwell, Snowshoe Cat SocietyBracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot North Lanarkshire ML1 2TZ Sports Connexion Leisure Club &Road, Bracknell RG12 9SE Venue, Leamington Road, Ryton-on- Exotic Cat Society Dunsmore, Coventry CV8 3FLTonkinese Breed Club Tydd St Giles Community Centre,Bracknell Leisure Centre, Bagshot Broad Drove East, Wisbech, Burmese Cat ClubRoad, Bracknell RG12 9SE Cambridgeshire PE13 5LN Sports Connexion Leisure Club & Venue, Leamington Road, Ryton-on- Burmese Cat Association Dunsmore, Coventry CV8 3FL Audley With Fewcott Village Hall, Ardley Road, Fewcott, Bicester, TICA Oxfordshire OX27 7PA DECEMBER 09-11 - SpoTICAt JANUARY 21 Abyssinian Cat Association 2017 Sports Connexion Leisure Club & Venue Leamington Road, JANUARY 07-08 - Londoncats Ryton-on-Dunsmore, Coventry CV8 FEBRUARY 04-05 - NaturallyTICA 3FL 61CAT WORLD

SHOW NEWSSupreme celebrates40th anniversaryFor cat lovers around the UK, this year’s Supreme wasnot to be missed as there were some special guestsin attendance to help everyone celebrate he 40th Supreme held at the NEC BY CAROLE KEMP current show manager Celia Leighton has now retired from running the event.t Birmingham was a great day Judging time Good luck to the new show manager out for all that are cat lovers. Not in creating what will be a new dawn for only did we have some celebri- All too soon it was time for Best of the crowning glory of the show year -ties there en masse but we were also Variety to be judged and the house- the best show cats in the country!visited by BBC’s The One Show. Peter hold pet section had the delight ofPurves, Paul Darrow, Colin Baker, John Peter Purves announcing the cats as Supreme Exhibit - Tweediemill IslayLeeson, Michel Keating, K9 and a great they were brought over to the judges; Mist (SBI a)Dalek were all there to help with the Janet Wilshaw, Tania Murray and Irene Reserve Supreme Exhibit - IGRPRSci Fi theme of the show and oh boy Roos. What a challenge they had as Hemlock Alfredo Ferrari (OSH b 24)were they a hit. A couple of them were the cats were all so well behaved and Supreme Non-Pedigree Pet -involved in judging the Household beautifully presented. In the end it was Supreme IGMC Tiny Spice SupremePet section while Peter Purves did the a 2 - 1 vote for the stunning semi-long- Pedigree Pet - IGMC Jak Frostcommentary for the Best Of Variety hair white boy, Supreme Uk Imperial Supreme Pedigree Pet Kitten -Non Pedigree and Pedigree Pet and Grandmastercat Jak Frost (above right) Bubble Spicethen went on to do the commentary owned by friend Sarah Holden.for the Overall BIS Non Pedigee and ● My 13 year old Pedigree PetPedigree Pet. Non-Pedigree Pet went to Supreme GMC Thundercat (pictured Imperial Grandmastercat Tiny Spice, left) was in the Imperial class There were over 750 cats in attend- and Supreme Pedigree Pet Kitten that had four stunning cats inance: pedigree, non pedigree and Bubble Spice both owned by Joanne it and any one of them couldpedigree pets but also some of the Gummery. have won but bless him hecats were on exhibition and on Club won it. Then he went overRow. Pedigree judging com- to be judged by the voice of mentary was done by the K9 himself, John Leeson, who The idea of Club Row is that the well known judge John Han- awarded him the Best of Colour.various GCCF clubs have a stand soon who also whipped the Stunned by that, I was shocked tothere with cats of that club’s breed so crowd into a frenzy when it learn that he was then going to bethat the public can go and not only see came to announcing the win- considered for Best of Variety. Outthe cats but can also chat to the owners ners. I was delighted with the of a fabulous line up Thundercatand breeders that are there. Overall BIS Adult as it went to a very came runner up to the Pedigree good friend’s cat, British Adult – GRCH Pet BIS winner IGMC Jak Frost. It The show had been sponsored by Skellum Redrambo. really was a day that I will nevercat food producer Royal Canin and for forget!!all of the cats that were entered, they Overall BIS Neuter went to thefound a treat in every pen. There was Persian IGRCH & GR PR Cullykhan Photos page 62 - Carole Kemp.also a small bag of Breeders Celect cat Vivaldi. Overall BIS Kitten and Overalllitter - just in case anyone had forgot- BIS Supreme Exhibit 2016 went to aten to bring some with them for the stunning Birman kitten called Tweedie-day - most important for any discern- mill Islay Mist.ing show cat! Next year there will be a new Supreme Show manager and a new team running the Supreme show as the62 CAT WORLD

SHOW NEWSBIS results - Best of Variety Supreme AdultPersian Adult – OGIGC Riascatz PHOTOS COURTESY OF DEE MACIE.Final Countdown (PER d 03) WWW.DEEMACIEPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UKPersian Kitten – Jemineve MissGrace (PER f 03) 63CAT WORLDPersian Neuter – IGRCH & GR PRCullykhan Vivaldi (PER n 03 21)Res Supreme Neuter Semi-Long-hair Adult – IGRCH Mlyward Xanti(SBI a)Semi-Longhair Kitten – Tweedie-mill Islay Mist (SBI a) - SupremeKittenSemi-Longhair Neuter – IGRPRIsadoryou Polobear (MCO es 03 11)British Adult – GRCH SkellumRedrambo (BRI d) – Supreme AdultBritish Kitten – Abaluki Betcha ByGollywow (BRI ny 12)British Neuter – SUP OSIGPPinemarten Tina Sparkle (BRI j)Foreign Adult – UK OGIGC Nobi-lero Ruaidhri Seainin (SPH d 03 22)Foreign Kitten – GlendavanConstance (ABY n)Foreign Neuter – GRPR GaresSilver Seamist (ASH bs 11 31)Burmese Adult – GRCH AureusFirecracker (BUR d) Res SupremeAdultBurmese Kitten – RossikhanPixiekhan (BUR c)Burmese Neuter – GRCH & UKOB-IGP Molynmeux Gold Dust (BUR e)Oriental Adult – OSIGC HemlockSpotty Muldoon (OSH n 24)Oriental Kitten – Alderstar WilloThe Wisp (OLH c 82 v)Oriental Neuter – IGRPR HemlockAlfredo Ferrari (OSH b 24) –Supreme NeuterSiamese Adult – CH Tintally Rafael(SIA m)Siamese Kitten – Pashtan Vavavoom(SIA k) Res Supreme KittenSiamese Neuter – UK OSIGC &IGRPR Littlefeat Powderfinger (SIA f)

PASHA & TANNI A homely ChristmasWriter with a Melody with Pasha & Tannion her mind With Santa on his way, there is lots of present-wrappingS ussex Agony Aunt Petra and unwrapping fun to be had, not to mention festive Boynton was on Facebook fare and fireside cuddles one evening when she readabout a litter of rescue kittens that BY INGRID HOOPERneeded a new home. The poststarted a chain of events, which s the days grow chilly and dark, to join in the fun. Sometimes their en-led to the mother of the kittens, thusiasm gets carried away as PashaMelody, featuring in Petra’s latest A Pasha & Tanni are reluctantly lands in the pastry on a kitchen workbook, ‘The Research Companion’. turning into house cats! They surface or scatters the mince pies. still visit the Outside World after He knows he isn’t supposed to be on It all began when a volunteer breakfast to check on the wildlife and the kitchen work surface. Meanwhilefrom charity Yorkshire Cat Rescue other cats but they don’t stay out for Tanni’s whiskers twitch as he picks upposted on Facebook about a cat long. But being optimists they are the scent of festive food aromas. It’s ashe was fostering called Melody. convinced the chill outside is just a given that when there is food aroundShe had given birth to a litter of one off and they keep asking to go Tanni is bound to be close by!kittens which would soon need out to check on this; once out, theynew, loving homes. But the more soon beat a hasty retreat running back The boys know where the box ofPetra followed updates on Melody indoors. If the cat flap is closed Tanni presents is kept and jump inside givenand her kittens, the more she has worked out that a loud meow or half a chance. Boxes of cellophane andwondered what would happen to better still, a series of meows, opens wrapping paper, not to mention rib-her once the kittens had gone. doors. Pasha opts for jumping on a bon, have great allure for the curious convenient ledge staring into the back- Siamese boys. Both cats like to ‘help’ Petra said: “I travelled to meet door window and showing the paw. with present wrapping, especiallyMelody and somehow felt I knew Both strategies work and they are soon Pasha who sees it as a good excuse toher already. There was no doubt; inside, warm as toast. run off with the paper. While Tanni isshe was coming home with me. more interested in the ribbon, tappingAs soon as she arrived in our With Christmas preparations under it while I try to tie bows. He has beenhouse she became my best way, Siamese cats Pasha & Tanni wantfriend, the children’s hair cleaner-upper, an accomplished snackthief and a wonderful distractionwhen I was working on the com-puter!” The book’s illustrator SeanLongcroft was told about thefamily’s interaction with Melodyand decided to create a drawingthat illustrated the cat’s role in thehome. Petra said: “She is a real char-acter and continues to inspireme to get busy typing each day.I could not imagine our housewithout Melody in it now.”Illustration by Sean Longcroft http://longcroft.net/ Copyright: Routledge Publishers64 CAT WORLD

PASHA & TANNI“Their very own Christmas tree covered with have catered for veggie householdsfeathered birds. What more could a cat want?” like ours, bringing out Festive Turkey dinners for cats.known to run off with ribbon reels so apart!guess what he will be finding in his Pasha & Tanni have their own tree I think there is a good argument forSanta sock? trying this out on Pasha & Tanni a week decorated with an array of glittering, or so before the Big Day. How disap- For some reason Pasha & Tanni have colourful and sparkling birds. Swans, pointing for them and us if they turn uptwo Santa socks each. They don’t know doves, robins, parakeets and bluebirds their dainty little noses at the Christ-this yet but their socks will be filled with exotic tail feathers cover the tree. mas fayre and end up having to eatwith at least one toy mouse each, pom something from their well stocked andpoms and various cat treats, perhaps When they first saw their finished varied every day store cupboard?a feather or two and table tennis balls. tree they could hardly believe theirIt’s tempting to give them a few of the beautiful blue eyes! To begin with they Despite having been given roastthings which they pilfer and hide such sniffed at the branches and circled chicken and turkey at a very earlyas an emery board and a bath plug. around the tree. They soon noticed age they just don’t like it. OtherwiseBut I think that could end up being an the sparkle and the feathers and then it would be nice to cook them a roastown goal! worked out there was play potential. dinner as their humans work up an ap- As they tapped at the exotic birds they petite for a nut roast! No matter how much I tell myself bobbed up and down enticingly. Theirthat they prefer the packaging and the very own Christmas tree covered with In Pasha & Tanni’s household,ribbon, there will still be packages un- feathered birds. What more could a cat Christmas will be spent around homeder the tree with their names on. Some want? and hearth with cats and humanswill come from family and friends, oth- curled up by the fireside and eatingers from their adoring Mum! Siamese are a sociable breed and more than is good for us. By Boxing Pasha & Tanni delight in having visi- Day it’s a good bet that Pasha & Tanni Bringing in the Christmas tree from tors come to the house to share our will ignore their presents, preferringthe garden caused great excitement. Christmas. Tanni has taken on the role to play with the ribbons and wrappingAs the tree stood waiting to be deco- as front of house, meeting and greeting paper instead!rated Pasha & Tanni sniffed at it excit- and making everyone feel welcome.edly, taking messages from cats and He meows his way around and curls Pasha & Tanni would like to wish allother creatures. It must be puzzling up on visitor’s feet! cats and humans a Merry Christmasfor a cat when the garden is brought and a Happy New Year!indoors. Pasha meanwhile is happy to im- press friends and family with his climb- ● Follow Pasha & Tanni’s kitten When the decorations were brought ing and jumping skills before settling adventures on their blog atout they eagerly sniffed at them before down and snuggling up against them. www.CatsHaveStaff.co.uktrampling over the boxes and lifting ● Cats Have Staff – The Saffi & Misaoff lids and jumping inside. I have As we head towards Christmas in a Diaries by Ingrid Hooper is availablereached the conclusion that cats and vegetarian household Pasha & Tanni’s from the above website or from Ama-Christmas decorations are best kept Christmas dinner will become a prior- zon. Out now in paperback and Kindle. ity. Thankfully a few pet food suppliers 65CAT WORLD

&me GORDY ME & ELAINE MEAD SHARES HER EXPERINCES OF LIVING WITH A CHALLENGING SPECIAL NEEDS CAT An apple a day....the symbol of knowledge and of sin, the humble apple, is known throughout history and more recently in biblical proportions in our houseR y daughter rang me one wine?” the juice. As well as being surrounded “Sure” I said to my daughter, “but M Saturday afternoon. She was at her boyfriend’s parents’ by apple orchards we are lucky to just a few apples.” She came home house, the same house live next door to the farm house the following Monday morning with with a garden I envy due to its size, and their small plum and damson two carrier bags bursting with ap- beautifully tended shrubs and long, orchard. Every year we get invited ples. disappearing-into-the-distance poly to go and fill bags with deep pur- tunnels filled with all manner of ple fruits bursting with flavour and Gordy was full of energy that vegetables and fruit of which we are perfect for my style of wine making, Monday. My daughter dumped the sometimes the lucky recipients. This which is bung it all in a big vat, cover bags of apples on the kitchen table phone call was about apples. with hot water, leave in the corner of and promptly left for work, leaving the kitchen for a week or so (recipe me with the job of finding some- A few years ago my husband was says four days!), separate the fruit where for them to go. Gordy sniffed ‘surfing’ on-line and came across a from the juice, add the sugar and and rolled a few apples around the cider press. We live in rural Here- yeast and leave in the airing cup- table and dribbled on more than he fordshire, seeped in 350 years of board for a year. This makes the should. I decided that it would be a cider making, and at the bottom of perfect port-style wine with an alco- great idea to encourage him to help our lanes, where rural life meets the hol content that could fly a jumbo jet me ‘sort’ the apples and Conference more fast paced world of Hereford to the other side of the world just on pears that had also got put in the City centre, is the Bulmer Cider the fumes! The reason my daughter bags. factory, still making cider and perry thought of apple wine is because (cider with pears - my favourite!) to only the week or so before we had I found three large bowls and this day. All around us are orchards been and picked the damsons and between us we sorted the apples; bursting with fruit and, come Au- between us we carried and dragged Gordy sniffed them (they were tumn, the smell of the apples as they our bounty home, where upon we washed after) and tried to climb in are harvested and loaded onto trail- weighed it roughly, decided 30lbs the bag to roll a few out but then, in ers pulled by tractors to the factory. of fruit was about right and chucked the blink of an eye, he grabbed the The smell is delicious; it perfumes it all in the big plastic brewing vat biggest one he could find. As he the air around here for weeks and as – where I am ashamed to say it still bit into it, the juice from the apple Summer ebbs away, Autumn arrives is as I need the help of some big ran down his chin and onto his bib. in a riot of red and gold and smells strong men to separate the fruit from He looked so funny, so I did what reminiscent of cider and freshly all responsible cat owners do and baked apple pie. grabbed the camera. “Do you want to make cider this Gordy’s eyes became round and year?” my daughter asks down focused; this was his apple and he the phone and I roll my eyes to the was having it. Defi, the dog, realis- ceiling, cast a glance at the husband ing food could be in his immediate who is once again musing over future, stood against the table, block- something remarkable on ‘that’ in- ing Gordy’s escape route, which was ternet site and remind the daughter probably not a bad thing as Gordy that her dad didn’t actually buy the has grown again just lately and his press so how do we make the cider? balance isn’t at its best. “Oh” she says, “What about apple Obviously I didn’t intervene; I just clicked away with the camera. Gor- 66 CAT WORLD JUNE 2016

dy, realising that he couldn’t jump the apple, minus a huge chunk that As soon as the ‘deed’ was donedown from the table without being was still attached to the inside of his and the bath was had, Gordy donnedambushed, leapt over Defi’s head teeth. the pumpkin costume he owns whichin a fine display of athleticism and doubles as a dressing gown after acrash landed, still on his paws, with I put him quickly on all four paws ‘tummy episode’ as he can’t regulatehis apple in his mouth, onto the floor on the kitchen side, out of the way of his temperature too well and soonbehind the dog. Iz, who had been the now very alert dogs watching his back to trying to climb the side nextasleep next to the hearth, raised her every move; what he had, they must to the table for another apple!head and sniffed the air, also realis- have. That is dog law and, not want-ing that food could be in her future. ing him to choke or lose his prize, We haven’t made apple wine;I stopped taking photos and went to being a little higher than the dogs we have been eating them as theyGordy who was still hanging on to meant he could spit out his huge really are delicious and not just tohis apple, dribble and apple juice chunk, chase it dribbling for all he certain cats and dogs. We have hadrunning down his chin and onto his was worth around the kitchen side (I to establish a vigil on the kitchenbib, his eyes big and determined have a cupboard full of anti-bacterial door, ensuring it isn’t left open,as I picked him up and he lay like sprays for occasions just like this!) giving Gordy access to the kitchen,a baby in my arms, his front paws and happily munch his way through especially after my husband camereaching upwards towards his prize the now soggy mass. home from work in the early hoursand protecting his reward. one morning after the ‘great apple I recounted this story of how dex- robbery’ and ‘accidentally’ let Gordy I went to take the apple from terous Gordy had been to the family into the kitchen, closing the door be-him and was quite surprised at the later that evening. “He loves his fruit” hind him and leaving a very happystrength of his jaws as he refused we all chorused with smiles, right up cat with full access to the fruit.to give it back. I didn’t want to tug until the next day, just after lunch......it in case I damaged his teeth so I The following morning I cameresorted to tricks I remembered The morning after the ‘great apple down to see Gordy sat on theusing on Iz when she was a puppy. robbery’ Gordy was a little subdued. kitchen side, licking that one paw heI blew gently up Gordy’s nose to I wasn’t unduly worried; he had been does clean, a smile on his face andencourage him to swallow and so well for a few days before that but light in his eyes. Three half eatenrelease the apple. His eyes got big- this Monday he had been especially apples and two banana skins wereger and bigger until I thought he active and these boisterous days are strewn across the kitchen floor. Hewas going to ‘pop’ then, with a deep often the prelude to a growth spurt. was so very proud of himself…untilsigh as he knew he was beaten, Gordy did gain a little more girth a few days later when he once againhe relinquished his hold and I had which was surprising because it was in the dressing gown and the seems apples have a rather laxative husband was in the dog house! effect and what goes in... JUNE 2016 67CAT WORLD

EAXSPKEtheRTS two, and Molly, just eight months. Molly will eat when we put her food LET THE CATWORLD TEAM OF EXPERTS HELP WITH YOUR PROBLEMS down but Tilly won’t eat her food at the same time. If Tilly is eating andShould she moult this much? and dramatic changes in the weath- Molly wants some of it, she will pushQ: My tabby cat, Poppy, is three er; for example one day we can be Tilly out of the way. basking in warm sunshine then theyears old and has been micro- next day the wind blows from the Both cats were abandoned so wechipped and spayed. She seems to north, it rains and the temperature think that perhaps when they foundmoult all the time and I wondered if drops considerably. food to eat, Tilly let her kitten Mollyyou could tell me if this is normal. eat first. We have tried putting down Our pets are unable, generally, two bowls of food, as well as a bowlA: When humans are too cold, we to add or take off an extra layer of of biscuits and of course their water clothing like we do and it can be but Tilly still won’t eat unless she’s onput on a thicker jumper. If we’re hot, very difficult for them to adapt - her own and when food is around,we remove a layer of clothing. When hence the fact that Poppy seems to Molly won’t leave her mum on herwe’re indoors we can turn the heat- be constantly moulting. I wouldn’t own. They are so clingy that we can’ting up or down or open a window. worry too much unless you notice seem to separate them long enoughEssentially, we try to keep a com- that her coat is looking thin in just to feed them separately evenfortable temperature and we dress one particular area. though we have tried feeding themaccording to the weather conditions. in different rooms - but then neitherThis means that our houses can be a Why won’t they eat together? of them will eat…please can youvery different temperature to the air Q: We have two cats - Tilly, aged help? They are fed the same foodoutside. There can also be sudden except for the biscuits. A: It sounds as if you were initially feeding both cats from the same bowl. It may be an idea to try putting down several bowls of food, rather than just two, as most cats like to find their own space. It is wrong to assume that they are happy to feed next to each other and Tilly clearly is not. Place a number of bowls around the house, at different levels so may- be one or two on a shelf. Tilly should then find her own feeding place and have the opportunity to eat in peace. An alternative solution is to obtain a small indoor crate then feed Molly in the crate so that she can’t disturb Tilly.You could also try providing a few feeder toys so that both cats have the opportunity to play and feed during the day. Providing several water bowls is important too to ensure they do not feel forced to share with each other. Does he have acne? Q: I recently discovered tiny black dots on the chin of my five-month-68 CAT WORLD JUNE 2016

old kitten Spice. He is a ginger or kitten is usually a very enjoyable A: The sound and sight of a cattabby with a white chin so the spots experience for both cat and owner.are easy to see. I have only re- Firstly though I would suggest that vomiting can be rather upsetting. Icently treated Spice for fleas so this you are certain your kitten will be firmly believe that prevention is bet-shouldn’t be the cause. happy with the show environment ter than cure and there is very little and getting there and back. If he is that will break down a mass of fur I was wondering if there is such not happy about getting into a cat stuck in a cat’s stomach! Far better toa thing as feline acne and if there is, carrier or travelling in the car over not let it build up in the first place.how common it is and how would I any distance, this could be a prob-go about getting rid of it. lem at the outset. Homeopathic Nux vomica 30 may help to shift a fur ball (one doseA: There is a condition of so-called He will also need to keep calm three times daily for three days) but when being handled. On arrival at may still only result in the fur ball be-feline acne and it does sound very the show he will be vetted to ensure ing brought up rather than passed.much like your kitten may have it. he is in good health and the judgesI am not aware of a cure as it really will need to pick him up and look In order to prevent a fur ball form-comes down to hygiene. I would him over later in the day. ing you must reduce moulting andsuggest giving Spice’s chin a good keep the cat’s skin and coat in goodclean after he has eaten his food and I would recommend that you condition. The following supple-then apply some sort of barrier; over take a look at the GCCF website ments should all work:the years I have suggested these (or TICA/FIFe) where you will findto numerous owners with spotty advice and information about regis- Omegaderm - a fish liver oilcats: vaseline, to seal in moisture; a tering your cat and applying to enter based liquid preparation that helpsveterinary-licensed dermisol cream; him in a show. minimise dry or flaky skin itchingaloe vera gel. and shedding fur. Use the dosage You can also see if there is a cat recommended on the container. It There has been no conclusive evi- club local to where you live. Find out can also be combined with eveningdence that diet plays a part although when their next show will be and primrose oil.I have often wondered if it might. go along as a visitor initially. RatherLogically, eating dry food should than be viewed as an outsider, most Evening Primrose Oil - Onecreate more salivation than wet food clubs will be very pleased to wel- 500mg capsule daily for an aver-so saliva would spill down the chin come you to their show - what cat age sized cat. Fish oil and eveningand possibly cause the acne…or owner doesn’t thrive on having other primrose together make an idealwould the saliva be a natural anti- people ooohing and aaahing over formulation for glossy fur and cleanseptic? their favourite feline? They will be skin which should mean less moult- happy to answer any questions you ing and fewer fur balls. Wet food should have more have about showing your kitten andchance to accumulate on the chin you will hopefully make some new Missing link - A powdered prod-which could make ideal conditions friends at the same time. uct containing a range of vitaminsfor a skin complaint if the cat did not and minerals, including trace ele-clean the area well. Fur ball worries ments, all from natural sources. This Q: My cat is not particularly keen helps keep the quality of hair and Whatever is causing the black coat at its optimum and helps ensurespots, if they do not seem to be af- on being groomed. It isn’t too much there is little risk of any mineralfecting Spice’s health and are just of a problem as he is shorthaired deficiency that might contribute toa little unsightly, keeping the area but I know that he will shedding of hair.clean and dry will hopefully resolve still accumulate furthe issue. balls in his stomach. Is there a natural remedyShowing query I can give him that willQ: My sister and I would love to help break them down or prevent them forming in theshow our kitten at a breed show in first place? I find the wholethe new year but as we have never process of him vomiting verydone this before, we’re not sure how distressing.to go about it.A: How lovely. Showing your cat JUNE 2016 69CAT WORLD

RESCUE CATSHow many more catsmust be abandoned?Despite Katy and her team’s best efforts, the number ofabandoned cats and kittens never decreases but they worktirelessly to ensure each one is given appropriate care BY SONJA K STEINER ctober has been another busy BCWR. him. Carrots was found wedged in a Update: After four days at the res- fence in a garden in Bradford and wasO month for the volunteers at taken to the vets by a kind member Bradford Cat Watch Rescue. cue Rocket is thriving; he has gained of the public who also provided They are currently feeding 10 weight, is growing in confidence and him with much care and love overmotherless kittens under the age you can see his character coming 24 hours. The vet believed that hisof four weeks, all of whom require through. His feeds are now reduced right eye had either spontaneouslyfeeding every 2-3 hours, so rather to every four hours and his weaning popped out at some point or, lessexhausting work. introduction has been started, al- likely, that the eye actually never though he is still dependent on feeds developed. Sadly it would appear It is only when you hear about the overnight. unlikely that the left eye can be saveddaily arrivals of kittens that you won- either. The vet proposed to exploreder where their mother is? Is she safe Tikka & Masala and remove any remnants of the rightand well and why was she not neu- eye and possibly an enucleationtered? More worryingly is that many These little girls were found behind (surgical removal) of the left eye; thisof the motherless kittens who have a takeaway in Bradford and were surgery is risky for various reasons.been taken in by BCWR have been cold, wet, tired and hungry. Like manydumped. It is incredibly sad to think of the kittens BCWR has taken in Update: Carrots’ surgery wasthat a person has deemed their life so recently, they both have a heavy flea scheduled for the 3rd November. Heworthless and that instead of doing burden and are anaemic and dehy- saw veterinary surgeon Stephen fromright by them they have been left to drated. They have had emergency Yorkshire Vets in Morley, along withsuffer needlessly, unless of course treatment including fluids, antibiotics a veterinary ophthalmologist. Bothmembers of the public find them. It and have now started on a flea and felt that the condition of the existingmakes you wonder how many others worm program. The next 48 hours eye and the remnants of the missingare not as fortunate to be found. The will be critical. The person who found eye had improved and were not inmoral of many of these cases is, if you them is being supported by volun- any way having a detrimental effectdo not want your cat to have unwant- teers from BCWR to desperately try on Carrots’ health and, whilst there ised litters then please take them to be to find their mother and any other very little or no vision, it was felt thatneutered. siblings. the anaesthetic posed a far greater risk. Carrots will be monitoredRocket Update: Two days after they were closely and checked regularly by the rescued, they are looking so much vets for any sign of deterioration or Affectionately named Rocket as better! The anaemia is much im- discomfort. The latest photo of Car-he arrived close to Bonfire night, proved and the fleas have gone. rots shows he has improved since hearound 3-4 weeks old and had to be was rescued.be fed every three hours. He was Carrotsfound outside in the cold on his own Can-Canbut thankfully he was rescued by a Carrots is around 4-5 weeks oldpasserby who took him into Calder and arrived at BCWR in the middle Can-Can is only about five monthsVets in Dewsbury who then contacted of October. To keep him company a teddy called Curly was put in with70 CAT WORLD

RESCUE CATSold. He was taken to a vets in Leeds ‘been entertaining the volunteers with to the care they received, all of themafter being apparently found as a his singing, acrobatics and aquas- made a full recovery and have nowstray. It is believed that he had a very plash. This adorable boy has a long been rehomed.old and tightly dressed bandage road to recovery ahead of him buton his leg which had been left on, his paw will be held every step of the Kittens for Christmas? No!resulting in horrific injuries. The leg is way.almost totally de-gloved which means BCWR is receiving a worryingthe fur, skin, soft tissue and some Wonka update number of enquiries from peoplemuscle have been ripped from the wanting to adopt cats and kittens asleg and it is full of infected fluid. He Remember Wonka from the June presents for Christmas. One personreceived emergency care when he edition? Well he is a 10 year old even emailed Katie to ask whetherwas admitted, along with strong pain ginger cat who was found wandering she could deliver the kitten to themrelief as he was in a lot of pain. the streets with his head tilting to one on Christmas Eve and what was the side. Upon examination it was found latest time they could do this! They BCWR will work with the vets to he had a mass deep inside his ear have a strict policy whereby no adop-make every attempt to save his leg canal. ‘Wonka’s Wish’ was set up to tions will be done in the two weeksbut sadly there are no guarantees; if raise vital funds for his operation. I am before Christmas and for one weekthe leg can be saved, the recovery delighted to say that Wonka has found after. As anyone knows, Christmasperiod will be months. Can-Can was his ‘furever’ home and can be seen can be a very stressful time, with peo-anaesthetised the following day so here relaxing! ple coming and going thus increasingthe vet could fully examine his leg. the risk of the kitten escaping and aHe was under for two hours so the New homes found lot of hazards around the house. If youleg could be cleaned, ‘debrided’ and imagine kittens leaving the security ofthe wound dressed; following this he Readers may remember kittens Kit their mother and the rescue, which iswas on intravenous fluids, very strong Kat, Jaffa, Ann, Emmot and Mia, who a quiet environment, to go to a busypain relief and antibiotics. He now appeared in last month’s issue of Cat and noisy house with unfamiliar peo-faces months of treatment including World. All were brought into BCWR ple and sounds, it would be dauntingregular dressing changes, further where they were immediately put into for an adult cat, never mind a kitten.anaesthetics and lots of intensive isolation as they all suffered with anursing care. heavy flea infestation and signs of cat To follow the wonderful work Brad- flu. I am delighted to say that thanks ford Cat Watch Rescue do, please Update: Well what a difference check out their website www.bcwr-a week makes! Can-can is much ‘It makes you wonder kittens.co.uk this also gives the link tobrighter in himself and the wound is how many others are the social media page.looking much cleaner and healthier. not as fortunate toHe had to have another anaesthetic to be found. BCWR are always very grateful forenable to the vets to clean the wound help in caring for the cats broughtand redress it. Can-Can has proved to them while they are at the rescue.to be a very resilient little fella; he has Please help if you can. Details can be found on their website. 71CAT WORLD

A NURSE’S NOTES JANET PENNINGTON REPORTS FROM THE FRONTLINE OF A BUSY VETERINARY PRACTICE Persuading the owner and the cat that a weight loss dietT here was no doubt was necessary proved to be rather difficult about it, the lady was terribly em- agree with him. For you expect me to eat that?’ complete starvation - and breakfast he has a cou- ple of fried eggs but for way and refused to eat. yes, weight loss - he finally We expected that kind tried some of the food webarrassed. Mrs Kinnear lunch and dinner he has of reaction: he was waiting offered. He found that itwas wishing for a quiet the same as us. It’s quality for something better to was palatable after all.day. But there’s no such meat and potatoes mostly. come along. It didn’t. We knew that as a generally healthy cat hething as a quiet day in our I don’t give him rubbish. I noticed that he hadveterinary practice. The Well, maybe sometimes some knots of fur at the would stop short of starv-problem was her tabby he has burgers or pizza.” base of his tail and started ing himself to death, heboy. He wasn’t ill exactly “I see,” said the vet to work on those. He had was simply holding out forand he definitely wasn’t calmly. become incapable of a better offer, which in theugly. She was ashamed to “And some cheese for grooming himself prop- past had always come.show him in public be- supper.” erly, there was so much to He stayed with us forcause it was her fault he I was surprised that he reach as he was so big. a fortnight and when ourwas this way. He was fat. was so slim given his diet Also the vet had noticed biggest kennel cameHer face fell when she – it was more than I ate. I that Rubik was constipat- free – the one that housedsaw how many clients wasn’t surprised that the ed, another consequence calves and ponies – Iwere in the waiting room. vet diagnosed Rubik as of his poor diet and obe- moved Rubik in there“I’ll just wait in the car if being obese. sity. complete with toys and a Poor Rubik. He must small ladder with plenty ofthat’s OK,” she whispered. So as not to give in toWhen it was her turn to temptation, the vet recom- have thought that he was cardboard boxes to climbsee the vet, she carried mended that Rubik be in prison. Then he had to on. At last he was happy.her chunky cat under a admitted to start his diet. suffer the indignity of an He was discharged ablanket so no-one could I placed him in one of the enema. I held him secure- slimmer cat but he stillsee him. dog kennels to give him ly using my body as well had the prescription diet“He can’t fit in his more room. As often as we as my hands while the vet to continue for a while.carrier any more,” she could manage, we brought did the job. When he reached hisexplained. target weight, he could go him out of his kennel to I hugged the rotundRubik had a lovely, encourage him to play tabby afterwards trying to onto ordinary cat food.happy face with big round with the cat-dancer toys or make him feel better. He The vet convinced Mrseyes. The rest of him was balls. was very cuddly. Kinnear how importantbig and round too. The vet At first he was too busy His happy face began to maintaining a healthyweighed him. He was 28 investigating and then look a bit sad after a few weight was to avoid arthri-pounds. looked slightly bored, as days and I worried about tis, diabetes, heart dis- The vet explained what moving around was not re- him becoming depressed. ease and feline urologicalcould cause obesity and ally his forte. But he joined There were other patients syndrome.how some simple tests in after a couple of days to see who had more He came back once acould identify the cause. and enjoyed the exercise. pressing needs but after- month to our special pet“Incidentally,” the vet The diet wasn’t as wards I went back to talk weight-watchers club andsaid casually as he picked successful. We gave him to him and never forgot to although we didn’t run aup his stethoscope, “what a special prescription- say goodnight. I don’t like ‘slimmer of the month’do you feed him?” only chicken cat food to see sad cats, they make scheme, I know Rubik“Well, he won’t eat with reduced calories. He me sad, too. would have won it everyordinary cat food – doesn’t looked at us in that ‘and After four days of time.CAT WORLD JUNE 2016

BIG CATSHalloween happinessfor lynx kittensThere was a Halloween surprise for the Scottish lynx kittensbut far from being scary, this was a very tasty treatPHOTOS: RZSS/KEITH COLLINS he three lynx kittens at RZSS High- Although the species is not cur- rently endangered, the lynx at RZSSt land Wildlife Park were treated to Highland Wildlife Park are part of the a spooktacular Halloween surprise European Zoo Association’s coordinat- on Tuesday, 25 October. A set ed breeding programme. The speciesof spooky paper-mâché Halloween had become locally extinct in manyenrichment for the kittens to play with areas across Europe, resulting in somewas made by the keepers and given sub-populations being considered asto the kittens just ahead of Halloween. endangered or even critically endan-The kittens, one male and two females, gered. The lynx was formerly nativewere born in May and have grown to the UK until possibly as late as thequite a lot in the last five months, be- Middle Ages.coming extremely playful and boister-ous. While loss of habitat, reduced prey availability and hunting are the biggest Vickie Larkin, Head Carnivore threats to wild lynx populations, thereKeeper at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, have been a number of successful lynxsaid: “Halloween is always a great time reintroduction projects within Europe,for the keepers to get creative and including in Switzerland and France.have fun with the animals’ enrichment. RZSS is part of the National SpeciesInstead of using traditional pumpkins, Reintroduction Forum’s Lynx Workingwe thought it would be exciting for Group which ensures that lynx rein-the kittens to play with paper-mâché troduction proposals are assessed inenrichment, which they can easily a fair, balanced and evidence-basedpounce on and tear into shreds, allow- fashion.ing them to exhibit natural behaviours.” 73CAT WORLD

NHAETAULRTAHLThe A-Z of treating feline ailments continues but only once Richard Allport has given his opinion on the indoor/outdoor cat debateI s it really fair to keep cats out of windows. have a happier life than one solitary solely indoors? Isn’t every My own feeling is that, apart indoor cat. creature – feline or oth-erwise – entitled to his or her from the ‘justifiable’ reasons But introducing a strange, new catfreedom, if the normal lifestyle mentioned previously, it should to a long-time solitary resident, orwould include going out and about? be the exception rather than the settled group of cats, may set off any rule to keep cats indoors perma- manner of behavioural problems. Like most things in life, there is – nently.in my view – no fixed answer to this Certainly, older cats that have It is common, accepted knowl-question. Cats that are allowed free been used to going out should not edge that cats are independent,access to the outdoors are more suddenly be forced to stay indoors solitary creatures that in the wildlikely to get into fights, suffer ac- unless circumstances are truly ex- will live on their own, and have notcidents, pick up diseases and wake ceptional. developed the social groupings thatyou up at night when they bring a It may well be easier for a cat to we humans – and for that matter,mouse home for you to share. be brought up to live an indoor life dogs and many other animals - take from day one. But I still don’t feel this for granted. On the other hand, cats that are should be used as an excuse forkept indoors may suffer stress and committing cats to an indoor life on On the other hand, it does seemboredom and show behaviour prob- a regular basis. that through the long evolution oflems such as spraying, destructive- If, for whatever reason, a cat is to domestication, cats have learnt toness or even aggression. be detained at her owner’s pleasure live in loose social groupings with or for a life sentence indoors, it is vital near humans. There are some situations where to make that life stretch as interest-keeping cats indoors at all times is ing and stimulating as possible. Otherwise, why would our catsmore or less totally justifiable – deaf Cats may spend a large part of ever show us any signs of attentionor blind cats, for instance; very old, their lives asleep but still need men- at all? Why would they rub aroundfrail cats; and cats that, for various tal and physical stimulation while our legs, sit on our laps or simply sitreasons, are unwilling to go outside they are awake. next to us on the sofa?of their own accord after experienc- Now supposing you have moreing severe shocks or frights. than one cat living indoors, is life Cats are able to develop social going to be easier or more difficult? group activities and live with appar- Beyond these kinds of cases, is it Depends, is the answer. ent pleasure and lack of stress injustifiable to keep cats imprisoned Cats may relish having a compan- close proximity to us and sometimesinside ‘for their own safety’ – or be- ion, or companions – more stimula- to other cats.cause it is just easier for us – such as tion, more friendship, more thingsin high-rise flats? to do. Cats that have grown up But having a safe, secure territory together indoors may, without doubt, and having the need to hunt are still It isn’t even as if keeping a cat in- strong, powerful urges in cats anddoors is a guarantee of safety – each this can set up tensions, especially ifyear many cats die or are seriously a new cat – or for that matter a newinjured after falling off balconies or baby, partner, boyfriend or even a redecorated room - arrives on the

scene. These intruders won’t have overnight. edy Fragaria – made from the wildthe recognised smell of the exist- It seems that, these days, huge strawberry – is reputed to help mini-ing social group and so may trigger mise calculus. But a good healthy,behavioural disturbances. numbers of cats have to have regular crunchy diet is far the best way to anaesthetics plus dental scaling and clean, calculus-free teeth. One final point is that cats have polishing at huge cost, both to theirnever learned to take things in carers (financially) and to the cats Cancerturn. So if, for instance, there is only (healthwise).one litter tray but two cats, and cat This is such a huge subject thatnumber one is just using the tray, cat I simply don’t believe that regular I am going to just suggest a fewnumber two won’t wait in line, as our general anaesthetics can be good remedies that I regularly use forAmerican cousins so quaintly put or safe for cats. I see many cases of most cases of cancer but cover theit. Cat two will simply slope off and kidney failure, liver disease, and im- different types of cancer during thefind the next best thing to use, which mune system dysfunction that seem rest of this A-Z.could be your bed or best new rug. to start shortly after an anaesthetic has been given. So how do we stop In essence, stimulating the im- So there we are – is it natural to the dreaded calculus building up? mune system to fight cancer is thekeep a cat indoors? Well, no. Is it Special prescription diets? Regular key to achieving control or remissionever the right thing to do?... well, brushing of teeth? Well, maybe – but of cancer. This may include sub-sometimes. If it does happen, make easier and infinitely more health- stances such as Mycoplex coriolussure the environment is right and ily, simply give cats something to – an anticancer agent derived frommental stimulation is available. crunch, bite and gnaw on. a particular species of mushroom; homoeopathic remedies such as The final option, which one of my Give them chicken wings to eat Viscum album (derived from mis-clients decided on, is simply to com- – raw and with the skin on. Make tletoe); herbs such as Red Clover,pletely cage in the garden – high their teeth work, don’t give them soft, Sorrel, Burdock Root and Echinacea;fences and cat-proof netting spread processed food. and antioxidants such as fish liver oil,over the whole garden, including Selenium and vitamins C and E.trees and bushes. Works a treat – but If all else fails, I find that the calcu-at a price! And now on to the contin- lus which forms on most cats’ teeth However, in any case of cancer,uing story that is the Cat World Natu- can be dislodged with the flick of expert help is needed to find theral Health Guide to Cat Diseases. a thumb nail. I have several clients right treatment for the right cancer who bring their cats in twice a year in the right cat.Calculus just for me to perform my ‘manual dentistry’ on – end result is fairly Cannabis As applied to teeth, this means tartar-free teeth but more important-the deposits of tartar, plaque or ly, no anaesthetics for years on end. Now, I’m not prying into yourwhatever you want to call the brown leisure activities, believe me, but I’dconcrete-like layers that build up on It is said that rubbing the teeth just like to point out that cats are justcats’ teeth, sometimes seemingly with strawberry pulp helps prevent as likely to suffer, shall we say, hallu- calculus and the homoeopathic rem- cinogenic effects as are we humans, if they accidentally ingest cannabis. Other plants, apart from Mari- juana, which can cause such effects are: Morning Glory, Periwinkle and Thorn Apple (also known as Jimson Weed). So if you do cultivate any of these plants - and we won’t go into the reasons why you might do! – keep them away from cats. I do occasionally use Cannabis – as a homoeopathic remedy (honestly!) – and it could be used to help cats get over a reaction to the real thing. But, you never know, said cat might just be happy enough not to want to be helped to get over it!

FUN PAGES FELINE FUN Kriss Kross Spot the difference There’s a chill in the air and a chilly theme to this Can you find 6 things in the picture that are missing? month’s puzzle. Snuggle up with your loved one and see how quickly you cUannctoitmlepdlete it. 1 23 4 5 6 7 8 AcrossAcross 3. Birds love to feed on these inDwowinnter3. Birds love to feed 5on.tThehseisin bwiingtercat has a wintry nam1e. White flowering bulb, often first seen in January5. This big cat has a6wi.nYtryonuamaend your cat could snugg2l.eFaullinngdteemrpetrhatiusreswahreemneaistu’rsed by this6. You and your cat croeualdlslynugcgoleludnder this when it’s 4. A bed fits over this heating appliance to keep kitty nicereally cold and warm8. The name given to8a.sThahrdeofnicae,mhaenggingivfreomnatroooaf shard of5i.cTread, ihtioananllgy, iwningterfbreogmins eaacrhoyoeafr on the Winterfor example, during ffreoerzinegxteammperpatluere,sduring freezing tem???p??e?r?a?t(ualsroeksnown as the shortest day of the year) 6. Car drivers should bang on this before driving to make Down sure no cats are underneath 1. White flowering bulb, often fir7s. TthseefirestnnaimneJoaf MnruFarorsyt Answers from last month 2. Falling temperatures are measured by this 4. A bed fits over this heating appliance to keep kitty nice and warm Wordsearch: 5. Traditionally, winter begins each year on the Winter Missing word is ???????? (also known as the shortest day of the year) SPROUTS. 6. Car drivers should bang on this before driving to Spot the differ- make sure no cats are underneath ence, right. 7. The first name of Mr Frost DID YOU KNOW? A CAT’S NORMAL HEART RATE IS 160 - 240 BPM (BEATS PER MINUTE), WHICH IS MUCH FASTER THAN THE NORMAL HUMAN HEART RATE OF 60 -100 BPM. 76 CAT WORLD

BIG CATSTIGER TRACKS ON SHOW IN SCOTLAND Conservation charity, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), is delighted toannounce the official opening of a large new and improved enclosure at RZSS Edinburgh ZooT iger Tracks - the new Royal Zoological Society of new home delivers on the tigers to splash in. The and improved home Scotland, said: “The new welfare, breeding and visi- landscaping cleverly imi- for the pair of criti- development is part of our tor experience grounds. At tates the tigers’ natural habi-cally endangered Sumatran ongoing Big Cat Strategy, three-times the size of our tat and interpretation boardstigers at RZSS Edinburgh started in 2014, and demon- previous Sumatran tiger tell the story of how human-Zoo - has now been officially strates our commitment to enclosure, Tiger Tracks will wildlife conflict is one of theopened by Olympic diver the conservation of threat- provide a more enriching major issues threatening theGrace Reid. The rising star ened cat species across the experience for our animals Sumatran tiger in the wild.of British diving lives in world. and greater engagement forEdinburgh and became one The innovative design ofof the first visitors to experi- “Jambi and Baginda’s our visitors.” the Sumatran tiger exhibitence the immersive Up in the tree tops, allows visitors to come facenew viewing tunnel to face with these mag-at the heart of the ex- the new enclosure nificent big cats courtesy ofhibit, where tigers can includes covered the fantastic glass viewingwalk directly above walkways, a high- tunnel that runs across thevisitors’ heads, on a level viewing plat- whole space, whilst web-walkway. form, feeding posts, a cams around the enclosure brand new cubbing will allow visitors to tune Barbara Smith, in at anytime to watch theInterim CEO of the den plus climbing tigers via the Zoo’s website. structures, heated rocks and ponds for 77CAT WORLD

BECOMING A BREEDERHand rearing kittenswhen needs mustThe kittens are here but it may not be time to breathea sigh of relief yet: Carol Hebden advises what to dowhen your queen has no milk BY CAROL HEBDEN here are all sorts of reasons why of the kittens are not growing because grows at a different rate, so this is only they aren’t able to get to the nipple or a guide.t you might have to hand rear a litter the queen doesn’t have enough milk. but basically it comes down to the In this case it is a good idea to ‘supple- Start by dripping the milk from the fact that your queen has no milk ment’ feed the smallest kittens. They syringe into the kitten’s mouth oneand you have no surrogate mothers may only need feeding once or twice a drop at a time.You don’t want to ac-available. This is a major undertaking, day or they may need all of the feeds. cidentally choke them or drown them.especially with a large litter. You need to weigh the kittens regularly You will soon find that the kitten gets to see how they are progressing and the idea and you can increase the We have had large litters where it decide what is best for them. amount you put into the mouth eachhas taken two hours to feed and clean time. It won’t be long before the kittensthem all – and as you have to do two Feeding routine learn to suck on the syringe and youhourly feeds, that leaves you no time will be amazed how quickly and easilyfor feeding yourself - or for sleep - un- Below is the feeding routine we they will take their feed.less you can get someone to help you. have used for the litters we have hand reared. Do remember that these are Week 1:Insufficient milk averages and each kitten in each litter eats more or less than the average and Weight loss of 2 - 6 g first three days It may also be that your queen has - 1-2ml per feed every two hours.a very large litter and perhaps some Then weight gain increasing from 6g to 14g per day for rest of week - 2-4ml per feed every two hours. Week 2: Average weight gain of 12g per day - 4-5ml every two hours up to 10 days old but with no middle of night feed. From 10 days old, 6-8 ml every three hours, missing another middle of night feed. Week 3: Average weight gain of 10g per day - 7-10ml every 3 hours (6 feeds a day) for first 3 days. Increasing to 10-12ml per feed by end of week. Week 4: Average weight gain of 10g per day.78 CAT WORLD

Moved from five feeds a day at start a fork and you can add a little warm Electrolyteof week to four feeds a day by end of water to make it into a thick soup ifweek with milk intake increasing from they won’t eat. Once eating the soup, Always worth having some12ml to 18ml per feed. decrease the amount of added water Electrolyte in (or the makings) in over 3-4 days, until they are eating it case you have feeding or tummy Left some milk in a bowl for them to mashed. problems and a cat or kitten islap after each feed (not that interested suffering from dehydration.in it). If you get one that won’t wean, use one of the ‘recovery’ type cat foods You can get ‘brand name’Week 5: available from your vet, which are a electrolytes from the vets, but if very fine pate. Mix a teaspoonful with you don’t have any in stock, you Average weight gain of 10g per boiled/cooled water (ideally blood can make up your own for shortday - Four feeds a day of 15-18ml per temperature) – until it is a consistency term use:feed plus introduce one meal per day of thick soup. ● 1 pint (500ml) boiled andof finely minced cooked chicken in a cooled water.little water and a bowl of kitten kibble Use either a syringe or bottle to put ● Add to it 2.5 teaspoons (12g)soaked in water. small amounts at a time into the kitten’s glucose powder with vit c (not mouth. Once they are taking it happily sugar) Leave some milk in a bowl to lap (usually within 24-48 hours), put the ● 0.25 teaspoon salt andafter each feed. soup into a bowl and encourage them ● A pinch of sodium bicarbonate to eat from the bowl. This is quickly (baking powder).Week 6: done by getting them to lick the soup ● The made up solution can be from a teaspoon and once they are do- kept in fridge for up to 24 hours. Dried food soaked in water + bowl ing that, gradually lower the teaspoonof ordinary ‘dry’ dried food. into the bowl until they are eating The above mix should only be directly from the bowl. used short term, as an emergen-Weaning cy measure, as it does not contain Once they are happy eating soup, the trace elements required for At approx 4-5 weeks old, start put- put less liquid in it and mash up a little longer term use.ting down kitten kibbles for them to try. moist kitten food into the mix. Gradu-If they will not eat it dry, try putting a ally increase the amount of normal kit- I hope the information in some or alllittle warm water on the kibble, which ten food in the mix until they are eating of this series will have been of interestwill then soak up the water and turn normally. to anyone breeding their own kittensinto a mush. and wish you well in what is a hard but rewarding experience. If using moist food, mash it up with 79CAT WORLD

DIRECTORY THE UK’S LEADING BREED-BY-BREED GUIDE TO CATS AND KITTENS FOR SALE AUSTRALIAN MIST You have seen the rest, Telephone: 01326 240907 now ask the 'BEST' Valerie: 01652 654574 [email protected] VALLEY. Australian Mist Sharon: 02476 684350 www.amoramist.comkittens. New breed to the UK. We are a group of dedicated,Claimed to be the perfect family experienced and well CORNISH REXcat. Reg/Vac/Ins and micro- respected breeders of thechipped. Spotted or marbelled in British Shorthair Cat. If you Curly coated Pedigreesix colours. Tel 0118 9811109. need help, information or advice Cornish Rex kittens, vari-Also Burmese kittens. in choosing the ‘purrfect’ companion for ous colours, home reared, wellwww.katsacute.co.uk you, whether you would like a kitten or socialised and used to [email protected] an older cat, please contact us. This unusual breed makes fun loving, affectionate family pets. BENGALS www.bestofbritishshorthairs.co.uk GCCF Reg/Vacc/Insurance/ Flea & Wormed/Microchipped.OAKMERE HALL AMIGAMIA & everyday comings & goings. boys, Lilac girls and Lilac Point Enquiries welcome, contact:BENGALS AND RAGDOLLS. Specialising in Colour Points, boys. Sometimes available: 0208 641 5695 or email:Alison Newman. Family reared Self’s & Bi colours. Blues, Blue points & Chocolates. [email protected], well socialised, affec- Email [email protected] Reg/Vacc/Ins. 01442 236860 /tionate from multi champion phone 01527 273942 website 07866266477. FOREIGNlines. GCCF/TICA ref TBRCC/ www.carassacat.co.uk [email protected] VACC/INS. co.uk web: www.leahsblues. MS MARJORIE DAVIDSON-www.amigamia.co.uk CROWVALLEY. Mrs Betty com. Hertfordshire SMITH, Hatfield. Ootha.Mid-Cheshire 01606-883528. Williams Pontypool F.A.B. *Siamese, Foreign White & Listed cattery breeder of British BURMESE Oriental SH. Kittens sometimes BIRMAN Shorthair Silver Tabby/Spotted available. 01707 264450 and Black Smoke. All kittens are KATSACUTE BURMESE, most [email protected]. Mrs Ann V home reared with Ped/Reg/Vac/ colours. Bred for temperament,C Mott Bury St Edmunds. Ins.flea & worm treated. substance and quality. House KORATS*Birmans - Seals, Blues, Parents can be seen. reared with children and dogs.Chocolates, Lilacs, Reds. Also 01495 785546 Fully Vacc/Ins/Reg and micro- KOORAHK KORATS oftenTabbies in these colours. [email protected] chipped. Responsible homes have kittens available. Home01359 221200 Crowvalleycattery.co.uk only. Tel 0118-9811109. reared with love. Registered,[email protected] www.katsacute.co.uk Vaccinated, Insured,www.ann.mott.freeuk.com KERNMERE BRITISH BLUES, Hants/Berks.border. Microchipped. Own stud. Creams, Silvers, Colourpoints, Tel 0161 281 6482. BRITISH SHORTHAIR Lilacs, Torties. BURMILLA Email: [email protected] Tel: 02476 681335 Web: www.koorahkkorats BRITISH SHORTHAIR Mobile: 07519972046 GAZZELLA. Burmillas & Asian direct.co.uk KITTENS Email: jeanette.Knapp@ Smokes - Experienced breeder. btinternet.com Cats tested PKD negative Home MAINE COONS Colourpoint, Chocolate, Lilac, Web: www.kernmere-cats.com reared, vaccinated and micro- Black. Show, breed or pets. chipped kittens sometimes avail- AMORAMIST MAINE COONS Excellent pedigree. LARNIKAT. British Shorthairs able. See website for current Maureen Holden Ritchie. GCCF Reg. Vaccinated, flea’d kittens, Colourpoints in all details. Gloucester Breeding solid whites, tabbies and wormed. colours, + Tabby Colourpoints, 07507 649294 / 01594 564071. with and without white, and Four weeks free insurance. selfs in Blues and Lilacs, [email protected] solids. Champion lines. Persians Ready mid November. sometimes Spotties and www.gazzellacats.co.uk and colourpoints. (winner of Tabbies. Reg/Vacc/Ins. Home- Supreme). All PKD negative and 07753 807587 (Hertfordshire) reared. PKD-negative tested. COLOURPOINT reared underfoot. 01922-620505.W.Midlands. 01326 240907CARASSACAT British [email protected] AMORAMIST COLOUR- [email protected], GCCF Registered www.larnikat.com POINTS, chocolate torties and co.uk www.amoramist.comBreeder. PKD Tested. All my red points available. PKD nega-kittens are fully vaccinated, LEAHS BLUES British tive. Micro chipped.microchipped & insured before Shorthairs. Available now: Lilacthey leave me. They are rearedin my house so are used to dogs80 CAT WORLD

OF BREEDSTO BOOK YOUR ADVERT IN THE DIRECTORY OF BREEDERS CALL US ON 01903 884988 THE MAINE COON RAGDOLL USEFUL ADDRESSES CAT CLUB EMERISLE CATS. Mrs Jeanette THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE INTERNATIONAL CAT ASSOCIATION GCCF AFFILIATED, ESTABLISHED 1985 Fitzpatrick. Ragdolls - all patterns THE CAT FANCY, Phil Cornwell, Regional Director, 31 Louthe & colours. *Seal Colourpoint, 5 King’s Castle Business Park, The Drove, Way, Sawtry, Cambridgeshire PE28 5TR For general information about *Seal Tabby Colourpoint, *Blue Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4AG. Tel: 01487 800014 the breed or the club, Bi-Colour, *Cream, *Seal Mitted, Tel: 01278 427 575 www.tica-uk.org.uk *Blue Mitted. *Tiffanies. *Scottish www.gccfcats.org/contact.html contact Steve Butters on Fold. *British Shorthair. BLUE CROSS ASSOCIATION OF PET BEHAVIOUR 0114 2692306 TBRCC or PRBCC Breeder of The Animal Hospital, Sheppard House, COUNSELLORS the year 1999- 2011. TBRCC High Street, Victoria, London SW1V 1QQ. For details of a behaviour counsellor For details of kittens available breeder of the top Ragdoll 1993, Tel: 020 7834 1128 in your area, send a SAE to: countrywide, contact 1995/96. Best Opposite Sex FELISBRITANNICA PO Box 46, Worcester WR8 9YS. Val Kaye on 1995/96. Breeder of Supreme Office of the General Secretary, 63 Fingal Tel: 01386 751151 01484 666728 Show 1999 Top Ragdoll & sire Street, Greenwich, London SE10 0JL THE BLUE CROSS ANIMAL of the first Ragdoll to win the Tel: 0208 858 5318 WELFARE SOCIETY Or visit the club’s web site at UK Grand Title 2003. Breeder Email: [email protected] Shilton Road, Burford, Oxon OX18 4PF www.maine-coon-cat-club.com of the Best kitten, adult & neuter www.felisbritannica.co.uk Tel: 01993 822651 1999-2003. Established 27 years FELINE ADVISORY BUREAU THE PET BEREAVEMENT SERVICELEAHSBLUES. Maine Coons - our beautiful cats feature on Taeselbury High Street, Tisbury, Run jointly by the Society of Animal Studies- Silvers, Blues, Torties & Reds. ‘Its a Cats Life’ video, appeared Wiltshire SP3 6LD and the Blue Cross.British Shorthair - Blues, Blue on Granada Live TV and photo- Tel: 0870 742 2278 Fax: 01747 871873 Freephone: 0800 096 6606,Points, Chocolates, Reg/Vacc/ graphs regularly feature in all cat Email: [email protected] (between 8.30am and 5.30pm)Ins. 01442 236860/07866 magazines. www.fabcats.org266477. 01943 461852 07774 [email protected]. fitzpatrick.jeanette@googlemail. ALNAKEED SPHYNX world VARIOUSco.uk web: www.leahsblues.com com www.emerisle-cats.co.uk Champion babies to loving indoor homes. Kittens often EMERISLE KITTENS. RagdollsLUNARIS. Mrs Jean Brown OAKMERE HALL AMIGAMIA available. All colours including from breeder of the year 11yrsAldwincle Maine Coons - Quality BENGALS AND RAGDOLLS. Lilac. Tel: 01383-721311/07939 running, Tiffanies, Scottish Fold,home reared kittens sometimes Alison Newman. Family reared 116861. [email protected]. British Shorthair.available to approved homes. indoors, well socialised, affec- Find me on Facebook under 07774-650217/01943-46185201832 720359 tionate from multi champion Carole Langham. [email protected] lines. GCCF/TICA ref TBRCC/www.lunaris.uk.com PBRCC VACC/INS. SHOWCASE www.amigamia.co.uk your special catNORWEGIAN FOREST Mid-Cheshire 01606-883528. Give your cat the recognition heELFENTANZ. Mrs Elinor M B SIAMESE or she deserves with a spot in CatHerbert Kirkcaldy. Norwegian World’s prestigious breed gallery.Forest Cats - Brown Tabby, Ms Marjorie Davidson-Smith,White and Black kittens Hatfield. Ootha. *Siamese, [email protected] 267002 Foreign White & Oriental SH. call: 01903 884988 (opt. 2)[email protected] Kittens sometimes available.www.elfentanznfc.co.uk 01707 264450 [email protected] ORIENTALS SPHYNXMS MARJORIE DAVIDSON-SMITH, Hatfield. Ootha. WOOZLES Mrs Sue Bloxham,*Siamese, Foreign White & Colchester. Sphynx - HappyOriental SH. Kittens sometimes outgoing personalities. Indooravailable. 01707 264450 homes. Various [email protected] 01621 815769 [email protected] www.woozles.uk.com 81CAT WORLD

CATTY CHATTER TAIL END Jillian King recalls a special relationship with a very special catS nowball was by coat, impressive ruff and We moved from the other sick cats, and yet as far the prettiest of large yellow/green eyes. suburbs into a townhouse I walked down the path his three siblings. Being half-dog so to with a small garden, not towards the hospital blockThey were a motley crew speak, he was very dif- suitable for large dogs, so I could hear him beginof ginger, tabby and ferent from my other cats. Charlie and Sally went to yeowling.tortoiseshell, whereas He used to be waiting at well chosen new homes.Snowball, the image of his the gate for me to ar- Snowball soon made When Snowball wasmother, was an energetic rive back from work and friends with the Beagle seven years old his coatwhite pompom. would run ahead of me next door and every began to look much into the house. The one morning when I opened neglected and I could When I first brought thing that kept him catlike the driveway gates, he tell that he wasn’t himself.him home my other three was his personal hygiene. would dash out to next He always slept on onecats greeted him with His coat was always in door’s gate and touch of my brick gate postshisses and flat ears. I was pristine condition no mat- noses with his new friend. and greeted passers-byostracised as well for ter what the rough and but now I noticed that hewhen I spoke to them I tumbles of the day. We moved twice dur- just lay there ignoringalso was presented with ing Snowball’s short life everyone. A trip to the vetthe back of the head and When I bought a new and each time he tried confirmed my worst fears,flat ears. Snowball, being scratching pad for the to stamp his authority on Snowball was terminallythe gregarious creature cats he would spread his the neighbourhood. The ill. He had a conditionthat he was, decided to vast bulk over it and swat vet solved the problem known as Cardiac Myo-keep company with my any of the other cats who by dosing him up with pathy, very rare in cats,two dogs, Charlie and Sal- tried to come near. He oestrogen to off-set his but then Snowball wasly. Sally loved to mother would lie on top of the TV obvious testosterone ‘special’. We tried to keepmy kittens and Charlie set and let his large, very problem - even though he him alive with humanwas just a big softie and fluffy tail hang down over was neutered. heart tablets but to nofriends with everyone. the picture. He knew what avail and he died on my he was doing because He was run over once 47th birthday. So Snowball began when we shouted at him and tore his diaphragmhis stay with me and my he would just flick his tail rather badly and the vet It took a whole yearmenagerie in the com- at us. We had to physically had to perform an ‘open before I could speakpany of the dogs. During turn him round so that his chest’ operation – the first about him without weep-the day he slept in the tail hung down the back. he had done on a cat. But ing outright and anothergarden with them and Snowball survived. I used year before I could thinkused to come in for his But his main love was to visit him every day in about him with dry eyes.evening meal covered in food. If one of my sons hospital and bring him his Now he is a very fond andred soil, which amazingly, happened to be eating favourite food – mackerel. delightful memory and Ihe seemed to clean off in a frankfurter sausage he He must have had a nose can recall him with grate-no time. could spot it a mile off and second to none because fulness - grateful that such would leap up on their he was in a room which a wonderful and colourful Snowball grew into a laps and try to intervene smelt of disinfectant and character shared a brieflarge cat with huge paws, between hand and mouth. was full of cages housing time in my life.a lovely long silky white“Being half-dog, so to speak, he was very different from my other cats”82 CAT WORLD

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