HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: marie@guppy.ai.mit.edu (Marie Lamb)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Puzzled by change in behavior
Date: 29 Sep 92 16:53:41 GMT
Article-I.D.: life.28571
Reply-To: marie@ai.mit.edu
Organization: MIT Artificial Intelligence Laboratory

It's been almost 4 months since I moved, and I've noticed that
Domino and Tros are acting rather oddly.

First of all, the Troster was involved in a fight a couple of 
months back, which left him with an infected ear and paw and a
deflated ego (he's always been top cat up until now!)  Now my
mighty hunter rarely goes out, has gained weight, and spends 
all his time napping on the sofa.

Domino, who never even went outside until about a year ago, has
turned into the mighty adventuress.  She wails so loudly to be
let out that it sounds like she's in heat! (She *is* spayed).
When I do let her out, she doesn't return until late at night,
staying out all day.  The first time she did this I freaked and
went looking for her.  I found out she goes down to the wooded
area by the pond.  She also brought back her first mouse, ever,
a couple of nights ago!

I know the behavior as described is not that unusual in itself,
but it is a remarkable difference for my two--it's almost like
they've switched personalities!  Tros was always the outdoor,
aloof hunter, and Domino the timid stay-at-home.  They are both
about 8 years old.  Is this the kitty equivalent of a mid-life
crisis/change of life??  Has anyone else experienced something
similar?  Any behaviorists out there who can explain this?

Thanks for any insights,
Marie
From: amd@space.mit.edu (Ann M. Davis)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Invisible fences...what are they?
Date: 2 Oct 92 13:05:25 GMT
Organization: MIT Center for Space Research

>, "Susan R. Wagner" <sw39+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
|> Just to clarify to everyone,  I was not thinking of using this for my
|> cat.  I was just curious as to how they worked.  I was really thinking
|> about my friend who rents and has a dog.  I was thinking that an
|> invisible fence would allow them to take him off his runner.  So, no my
|> cat stays indoors.  Just wanted some information.  Thanks to everyone
|> who has helped.  I will suggest this type of fence to my friend. 
|> 

My sister's neighbors have one for their dog and it works  very well.  Of
course my sister's cat sits just on the other side of the fence to torment
the dog.  :-)

	Ann

-- 

Ann M. Davis
amd@space.mit.edu			 "Choose your battles wisely"
MIT Center for Space Research		
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: dschlow@epas.utoronto.ca (Deborah Schlow)
Subject: Re: Norse Maid 
Organization: University of Toronto - EPAS
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 03:57:46 GMT

No, she doesn't poop behind the dresser; her spot of preference is
right in front of the front door where EVERYBODY can appreciate it.
She hasn't discovered the box springs yet, but we had to cut a hole in
the back of the sofa the day we got her because she got in and fell
asleep and we were afraid she was dead. Now she hides anything she can
get back there, especially giant ginger cookies.
From: jtn@nutter.cs.vt.edu (Terry Nutter)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Asthma from Cats?
Date: 27 Sep 92 19:43:32 GMT
Followup-To: rec.pets.cats

Hi, folks.

Matthew Davidson asks,

>A friend of mine insists that one can get asthma from breathing 
>in the exhaled respiration from a cat.  She says that this is 
>documented science.  I believe it to be poppycock.  Please 
>post a reply and/or send email directly to me so I can 
>resolve this dispute.

I am not a doctor.  I have asthma, and this is how I understand what
several doctors have told me.

You don't "catch" asthma.  You have it, or you don't.  We know that
genetic factors play a role in who develops asthma; that, I believe,
is the only well identified factor that we know plays a role.  If by 
"get", she means "become asthmatic when you weren't before," then 
that's probably poppycock, regardless what external trigger she cites.

But she could mean, "have an attack triggered." If you have asthma,
there's a long list of things that can trigger an acute attack.  High 
on the list is exposure to any respiratory allergen that you happen
to be allergic to.  

No, "cat breath" isn't an allergen.  So the "exhaled respiration" part 
is almost surely again poppycock.  But cat dender is a respiratory 
allergen.  A person who is allergic to cats and who has asthma will tend 
to experience more accute attacks if/when exposed to them.  This may be
the grain of truth that mutated into what she told you.

Hope this is helpful.

Terry Nutter     Blacksburg, VA     jtn@vtopus.cs.vt.edu     (703)552-1598
From: klipec@homes.Princeton.EDU (Kathy Klipec Crow)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Why do cats......
Keywords: cats, litter
Date: 6 Oct 92 17:55:24 GMT
Organization: Princeton University
Originator: news@nimaster

In article <1992Oct5.194758.20444@acd4.acd.com>, jrc@IEDV4.acd.com ( Janis Clark ) writes:
|> This is along the same line as the postings recently about why
|> cats like to sit on paper.  Why do cats have to use a litter box
|> the moment you are done cleaning it?  I have two 4 month old kittens
|> (whom I am convinced are monkeys in kitten's clothing) that watch
|> anxiously as I scoop the litter box, or replace the litter. As soon
|> as I finish, put the rim back on, and step back, they immediately
|> get into the box to inspect and use it! I have had several cats over
|> the years, and they have all done this.
|>          

My cats do this too; my theory has always been that they need to "refreshen"
the scent that identifies it as "their place."  Either that or it had been
so dirty that they had been uncomfortably waiting for me to clean it up!

Kathy
Spooky and Phantom too!
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: AS.RAF@forsythe.stanford.edu (Rebecca Fenton)
Subject: Re: Feline AIDs
Organization: Stanford University, California, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1992 23:40:04 GMT



>My cat has contracted the Feline AIDs virus.





>My cat is slowly wasting away, and has increasing difficulty
>in resisting disease, but is otherwise alright.

>I am aware that she has had the disease for a couple of years now,
>(assuming she did not have it at birth). She is now about 7 years
>of age.

>Does anyone out there have a cat with AIDs, and information on
>expected lifespan after having caught it ??


My cat is almost 9 years old.  She was diagnosed as being FELV+
positive (not the same thing, but affects the cat the same way) and
about 6-7 years ago (yes, she had had all her shots.  Our other cat
died from it after 1 year).

Angel has only been sick once (she had an abcess appear behind one
eye that cleared up with medicine) and that was in the last 5 mos.
When the vet learned that she was FELV+ (and ran tests to confirm
it) she all but demanded that I destroy my cat.

Angel is an inside cat most of the time.  She does venture outside
ocassionally, but we have 2 large dogs in our yard that keep the
other cats out (Angel is also a loner kitty).  And we pick up the
yard everyday, so in case another cat does come into the yard, they
won't be exposed to the virus (it may be spread by litter box, food
and water to to other cats).

Feline AIDS is like the Human strain.  It is something that can be
lived with.  It will shorten their life and make them susceptable
(sp?) to other host diseases, but don't put your little loved one to
sleep before he is ill.

Enjoy your time left with your kitty.  It may not make it easier in
parting, but it will give you some extra time...




Xref: sparky rec.pets.cats:11703 rec.pets:3189
From: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Subject: Re: HOME NEEDED NOW!
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats,rec.pets
Reply-To: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Organization: ICS Dept., UC Irvine
Keywords: cat, free
Date: 30 Sep 92 18:17:39 GMT
Distribution: nj

In <1992Sep30.131640.4801@cbnewsk.cb.att.com> nastasi@cbnewsk.cb.att.com (joseph.l.nastasi) writes:

>EMERGENCY: Very loving, formally abused cat must be adopted before

Not to make light of this poor cat's situation, but what is "formally
abused"?  Is there a form of informal abuse?  My warped sense of humor
is beginning to kick in, so I'll stop, but I did find this phrase
curious...

--Cindy
--
   Cindy Tittle Moore & Noisy Underfoot (bird watcher extraordinaire)

I post the rec.pets.cats FAQ (in two parts) every 25 days.  To get the FAQ:
ftp to pit-manager.mit.edu and look under /pub/usenet/news.answers/cats-faq/*
(part1, part2), or send email to mail-server@pit-manager.mit.edu with
send usenet/news.answers/cats-faq/part1
send usenet/news.answers/cats-faq/part2
in the body (leave subject line empty).  Send contributions and comments
to me; send questions not covered in the FAQ to the newsgroup.
From: klier@iscsvax.uni.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Dangerous Cat Parasite
Date: 1 Oct 92 16:55:58 -0500
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Northern Iowa

In article <1992Oct1.121005.1@stsci.edu>, lhuffman@stsci.edu writes:
> In article <1992Oct1.140134.14953@csd.brispoly.ac.uk>, th2_oate@csd.brispoly.ac.uk (Tom Oates) writes:
> 
>> Finally, there's toxoplasmosis which is only a risk to pregnant women
>> - it can cause miscarriages. The risk is easily avoided: pregnant women
>> should avoid cleaning litter trays/faeces if at all possible. If this isn
>> not, they should use gloves, and afterwards wash hands in disinfectant. 
>> Like toxicara canis, the risk is small - but it does exist.
>> -- 
> 
> I would like to add that there is a test for toxoplasmosis in cats.  Working 
> in rescue organizations I have seen so many, many sad cases of animals being 
> given up because the woman got pregnant and the doctor scared the daylights 
> out of her by telling her the cat was endangering the fetus.  If your cat 
> tests positive then precautions must be taken. However, if the cat is 
> negative, then there is no need for alarm.

You can also get an antibody test to determine if you're immune to
Toxascaris BEFORE you get pregnant.  If you've got antibodies, you're
not going to be infected while you are pregnant.

Kay Klier  Biology Dept  UNI
From: hughes@dogwood.botany.uga.edu (Wayne Hughes)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: HOW LONG CAN A 9-WK. KITTEN BE ALONE?
Date: 7 Oct 92 04:13:11 GMT
Organization: Botany Department - U of Georgia, Athens

In article <92280.224343U58100@uicvm.uic.edu> U58100@uicvm.uic.edu writes:
>I *thought* that eight weeks old was a sufficient age that a healthy kitten
>could be left alone, but Hendrix is pretty rambunctious and unfortunately
>i work almost 12 hours a day sometimes, though i try to come home for lunch
>to play and feed him, which usually works out fairly well, and we play
>for about an hour at night.  Then someone who is *apparently* knowledgable
>about cats said that they have to be 6 months old before they're moved
>and that *if* i am going to be away for many hours of the day that it is
>actually *kinder* to the cat to lock it in the bathroom with plenty of
>toys, food, et.al.  Theoretically he's supposed to feel more "in control"
>of his domain or territory...  Intuitively this sounds a little strange to
>me, but then, I'm just a paltry human.  Any comments?

    I'm not sure what you mean by "6 months old before they're moved".
    For short term absences such as a working day, I would think
    the operative factor would be to reduce the scope of the 
    war damage.  Certainly there's no problem with leaving a young
    cat in a bathroom under the conditions you describe.  I don't
    know that it's "kinder" to do so.

    Wayne
    another paltry human
From: bagel@vpnet.chi.il.us (marcia goldstein)
Subject: Re: Help name my kittens
Organization: Vpnet Public Access
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 01:43:37 GMT

    How about Damon and Pythias?
From: das@voodoo.boeing.com (Deb Schwartz)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Male cats (neutered)... Are they all lazy?
Date: 1 Oct 92 16:41:33 GMT
Organization: Yet Another Graphics Project, Bellevue, WA

My 10 year old neutered male, Oreo (got him 2 years ago, he was already
neutered) is very active.  Plays like crazy, charges around the house,
gives KC (my other cat) a hard time, is forever 'killing' his scratching
post.  Definitely not lazy.  My sister has had two male cats, both from
kittens, and neither had any increase in laziness after they were
neutered.

Debbie Schwartz // das@voodoo.boeing.com  // or uunet!bcstec!voodoo!das 
    "organic is close to godliness, but like godliness, can have
     drawbacks like the busload of nuns that were wiped out by a
     run-away truck full of organic produce." - Suzanne McCaffrey
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: vicki@steam.atd.ucar.edu (Vicki Holzhauer)
Subject: Re: Why Do Cats Lick Humans?
Organization: Atmospheric Technology Division/NCAR Boulder, CO
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 20:09:40 GMT

In article <1992Oct2.191409.3425@porthos.cc.bellcore.com> gck@hector.uucp (24641-kemmerling) writes:

>I read somewhere that when  a cat licks you, it's the highest form
>of a compliment and affection a cat can show.  If your cat licks
>you, you should be very flattered! :-))
>



I especially love it when Zarabeth half closes her eyes and nibbles on
my nose.  It seems to be the kitty equivalent of saying, "I love you,
Mom.  Will you feed me now?"   :-):-)




--
Vicki Holzhauer, National Center for Atmospheric Research
Boulder, Colorado / / / /  vicki@ncar.ucar.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: carlo@electro.electro.com (Carlo Sgro)
Subject: Summary: How do you remove urine smells from carpet?
Organization: Electrohome Ltd., Kitchener, ON, Canada
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 17:29:43 GMT


In article <1992Sep22.192148.14809@electro.electro.com> I wrote:
> Can anyone recommend a good, proven way to remove the smell of baby and cat
> urine and spilled milk from carpet?  The smells have built up over the past
> few weeks or months and are most intense when the humidity is high and
> windows are closed.  We hesitate to replace the carpet at this point since 
> the baby is still being toilet-trained.  Does anyone have any 
> recommendations?

Thanks to all that replied to my question on how to get urine smells out of
carpet.  By far, the prevalent response was to use an enzyme-based remover 
such as Outright! or Nature's Miracle.  I've purchased a similar product 
(neither of the brands are available in my area) and will be trying it out
on the weekend.  Thanks muchly to the following people:

From: watcgl!rigel.dfrf.nasa.gov!shafer (Mary Shafer)
From: Andy Hill <watcgl!hpbsl118.boi.hp.com!ahill>
From: watcgl!tekig1.pen.tek.com!karenw (Karen A Walker)
From: Rick Farnbach <watcgl!wv.MENTORG.COM!fsf>
From: th2_oate@csd.brispoly.ac.uk (Tom Oates)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Dangerous Cat Parasite
Date: 1 Oct 92 14:01:34 GMT
Organization: Bristol Polytechnic, England

I can't comment re. tapeworms, but there is one parasitic worm (which
can infest dogs and to a lesser extent cats) you should be careful of.
The worm (latin name: toxicara canis) larvae are transmitted via
the faecal-oral route. Once inside a human, larvae can migrate the
the eyes and cause permanent blindness. This is uncommon, but it can
and does happen. The commonest victims are young children who play games
of rough and tumble on the grass. Toxicara canis is found in the UK and
presumably Europe. I don't know whether it is found in the USA.

The dog hookworm (larva migrans) can infest humans by mistake. The
larvae cannot live in humans for more than a few weeks. Before they die,
however, they burrow beneath the skin and cause intense itching. Usual 
treatment is by freezing the affected area with `dry' ice which kills the
larvae. Larva migrans leaves characteristic track marks under the surface
of the skin which doctors are trained to recognise.

Finally, there's toxoplasmosis which is only a risk to pregnant women
- it can cause miscarriages. The risk is easily avoided: pregnant women
should avoid cleaning litter trays/faeces if at all possible. If this isn
not, they should use gloves, and afterwards wash hands in disinfectant. 
Like toxicara canis, the risk is small - but it does exist.
-- 
**************************************************************************** 
* Tom Oates (Bristol Poly, England)  * DISCLAIMER:I speak only for myself. * 
* JANET: th2_oate@csd.brispoly.ac.uk * PGP 2.0 Key available upon request. *
****************************************************************************
From: andrewr@ultrix.EBay.Sun.COM (Andy R)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Gross cat behaviour
Date: 30 Sep 92 18:55:53 GMT
Reply-To: andrewr@Eng.Sun.COM
Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: ultrix

I've read that cats sometimes do this but it seem'd gross at the time:

This morning I get up and feed the cats as usual. Then the following happened:

Our little Blue Point Siamese puked. Oh hairballs, I thought. Wrong..
He immediately ate what he'd just vomited. Ohh gross.

I read that cats use this technique to predigest food. I hope is won't become
a feature of mealtimes.

Andy
From: cyndie@sequent.com (Cyndie Sutherland)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Advise on Vet Visit
Date: 5 Oct 92 20:28:54 GMT
Article-I.D.: sequent.1992Oct5.202854.11138
Distribution: usa
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems Inc.

My kitty has appt with the vet this Saturday for his annual physical
and booster shots.  The vet asked if they could have a poop sample for
analysis that has to be within 6 hours fresh.  How important is this??
What if my cat doesn't poop within six hours???  What will they be
checking for??  Also, he is an indoor only cat.  He nevers goes
out...he's afraid of the outside.  And he has a very healthy kitty
diet.  Do I have anything to worry about??  He has not exhibited any
weird behavior.  My question boils down to...what will I be missing,
if anything if I can get a fresh poop sample for the vet??

cyndie
From: exuptr@exu.ericsson.se (Patrick Taylor)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: cat and toilet paper
Date: 25 Sep 92 19:21:17 GMT
Organization: Ericsson Network Systems, Inc.
X-Disclaimer: This article was posted by a user at Ericsson in North America.
              The opinions expressed are strictly those of the user and
              not necessarily those of Ericsson.

In article <1992Sep23.171029.15085@hemlock.cray.com> jill@cray.com (Jill McAllister) writes:

>My obnoxious cat Dinah used to do this.  One day, years ago, I got a ride
>home from this guy I had a BIG crush on.  He asked if he could come up and
>borrow a record, so of course I said yes.  I opened my apartment door to
>an amazing sight.  It looked like someone had TP'd the entire apartment.

They just know, don't they?

>Dinah had managed to grab the end of the toilet paper in her mouth and then 
>had run throughout the apartment unwinding the roll as she went.  I was 
>MORTIFIED!!!  (I never got a date with the guy, either.)

Probably would have guaranteed a date in my case ;-)

>My cure was to buy that incredibly expensive toilet paper that has hand
>lotion in it.  She hated the taste of it.  

That's pretty clever.

<Now that she's old, we don't
>have to anymore; she's either forgotten or is too tired.

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    "This must be Thursday.  I never could get the hang of Thursdays"
                                                       - Douglas Adams
  - Patrick Taylor                                       (Arthur Dent)
    Ericsson Network Systems
    exuptr@exu.ericsson.se                       "Don't let the .se fool you"
    or exuptr@ZGNews.Lonestar.Org, exu.exuptr@memo.ericsson.se
From: scm@harvee.billerica.ma.us (S. Mudgett aka little gator)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Organization: gators 'r us
Subject: Re: Do they really need all these shots?
	<1992Sep22.220757.12412@sura.net>
Reply-To: scm@harvee.billerica.ma.us
X-Software: HERMES GUS 1.03 Rev. Apr 14 1992
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1992 20:41:08 -0500

In <1992Sep22.220757.12412@sura.net>, Deborah Nunn writes:
>In article <2ABF5FE5.9836@news.service.uci.edu> robin@fisher.bio.uci.edu writes:

>>What do you guys do about shots for your "indoor" cats?  
>
>My sister has had her cats for 15 years, and never gotten them their
>shots.  Admittedly, they are truly "indoor" cats.  There is no danger of
>exposure to other ailments.  If you are going to allow your cat
>outdoors, I'm afraid you'll have to accept the consequences and get the
>shots.
some germs are airborne and can float in an open window, while others can come
in on your clothes or shoes.  the chance is lower than the exposure an outdoor
cat would have, but it is still there.  i get my indoor cats vaccinated.
-- 
-- little gator aka s. mudgett     email: scm@harvee.billerica.ma.us
-- friend of a gator is a friend of mine
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: coimay@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu ( LAURA CARRIERE)
Subject: Re: Need Advice on Kitten Decision
Summary: how to bond
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.3-4   
Reply-To: coimay@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu
Organization: The unofficial LSU news node
Distribution: usa
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 18:56:42 GMT
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-10823]: sn01.sncc.lsu.edu

In article <lcphnkINN3u7@exodus.Eng.Sun.COM>, irod@ourbeach.Eng.Sun.COM (Irma Rodriguez) writes...
>I'm really concerend with what's best for the kitten. If he needs a home where
>someone can be with him all day, then I'll pass him up and keep looking. But
>if the chances are that he'll adjust and be a happy cat, then we'd be glad to
>take him.

I can't comment on any difficulties the 5 week old kitten might have 
without his mother, but we found Frog and the rest of her littermates
when they were 5 weeks old.  We were the first humans they'd seen and 
they were very scared of us at first.  We had the advantage of making
friends with the mother cat too, so Mom told the kittens to trust us.

Anyway, Frog is now 5 and a half months and we could only play with her
in the mornings (a bit) and the evenings (a lot).  She is now one of the
most loving, affectionate cats I've ever seen.

Laura Carriere
From: jsi@flash.ATC.Olivetti.Com (John Ii)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: How to find homes for cats
Date: 6 Oct 92 21:12:03 GMT
Distribution: ba

A couple of cats (one full grown and the other a kitten) have
adopted me and I have been having a real difficult time trying
to find them a home.  Are there any organizations around the
bay area that can help? can any one give me any pointers on
how to find homes for these cats?  

Best,

John
From: ag@gserv1.dl.ac.uk (Old Wolf)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Using your hands (was Re: Help! Viciou
Date: 30 Sep 92 13:09:26 GMT
Reply-To: ag@gserv1.dl.ac.uk
Organization: Daresbury Laboratory, UK


Re.: Cats becoming more vicious with age, from Pete Suters:

I have noticed just the opposite with our cat. She mellows with age.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: lyson@mprgate.mpr.ca (Angela Lyson)
Subject: Re: Help name my cats
Originator: lyson@kiwi
Organization: MPR Teltech Ltd., Burnaby, B.C., Canada
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 92 19:46:57 GMT

I am writing to respond to two recent suggestions which
I hope were made in jest (Sex and Violence, Tyranny and Mutation).

I read somewhere (probably it was in one of Carole Wilbourn's books)
that when naming a cat, choose a name that makes you smile, and
makes you feel good.  Then when you call and speak to your furry friend,
the positive feelings you feel come out in your voice.

Hope this helps you choose names that you and your cats will be
happy with,

Angela
-- 
-----
Angela Lyson	    lyson@mprgate.mpr.ca          ...uunet!ubc-cs!mprgate!lyson
MPR Teltech Ltd.    
8999 Nelson Way	    In the standards game, as in penmanship, 
Burnaby, B.C.	    the best grades often go to the least interesting people.
Canada  V5A 4B5	    	Robert X. Cringely, Accidental Empires