HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: enielsen@cayley.uwaterloo.ca (Erica Nielsen)
Subject: Cats in nursing homes (was fiancee troubles)
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 16:16:23 GMT

>Have you tried any nursing homes, etc...  I have heard about the programs
>where pets are used in therapy with very good results, and the cats they've
>shown on the news seem happy enough.  Also, if it's close, maybe you can
>visit them occasionally.

 The nursing home where my grandfather is was adopted by a cat quite a few
 years ago (before grandad went in) and is an extrememly happy cat.  All the
 residents just adore him and he will often be found collapsed on the hand
 rails around the home :-)  Either that or he's begging for a treat from 
 anyone who will sit still long enough to feed him.  For a bunch of 
 over-50's, those people in that nursing home hardly sit still.  :-)

 Anyway, a nursing home would be a great idea, if it is permitted.  It will
 not only brighten up the residents stay, but it will give the cats an
 opportunity for endless love and treats.  :-)

 Erica Nielsen
 ...happily owned by Kitty for the last 14 years & counting...  :-)


  **************************************************************************
  *   Erica Nielsen                         Univeristy of Waterloo         *
  * enielsen@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu    Waterloo, Ontario, Canada      * 
  * enielsen@descartes.waterloo.edu                                        *
  *                                                                        *
  *       Happiness is a warm cat on a cold day                            *
  **************************************************************************
*
From: mverman@msus1.msus.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: litter box problem getting out of hand.
Date: 27 Jan 93 21:46:11 -0600
Distribution: world
Organization: Minnesota State University System

									b"H
In article <1jrpolINN6t4@apache.dtcc.edu>, rob@apache.dtcc.edu (Rob Jarman) writes:
> I've been having alot of problems getting our 1 year old cat to use the
> litter box regularly. Sometimes he'll use it and other times he uses the
...
> use of the carpet. I love cats, but if I can't get him under control we'll
> have to get rid of him. I'd really like to aviod that if possible. Does
> anyone have any suggestions?


also, remeber not to use ammonia cleaner, since this just reinforces the scent
marker (urine has ammonia) and says:  this is a place to pee.

good luck
...shu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: Lesa von Munkwitz-Smith <lesa@boombox.micro.umn.edu>
Subject: Re: We want a cat
Organization: University of Minnesota
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1a2
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 14:03:20 GMT

"Allerpet" seems to give good results.  You spray it on the cat's coat
and it's supposed to cut down on dander.  You need to be vigilent and
make sure you're treating the cat according to directions.  

People with mild allergies find that bathing and grooming (by someone who
isn't allergic) plus a diet with supplemental coat conditioners can make
a difference.  Ask someone who shows cats or your vet for specific
products.

A former officemate, who had developed a severe allergy after owning a
cat for several years, hired someone to clean her house, which helped a
lot (surprise!).  When her cat died, she adopted a 1-year old Cornish Rex
cat from a vet.  (The cat was formerly owned by some jerks who wanted a
stuffed cat rather than a real one that needed to be fed and loved, so
they brought it in to the vet to euthanize.  He couldn't destroy a
healthy cat just because it didn't fit into someone's lifestyle, so he
kept it as a blood donor until she called, asking about Rex breeders in
the area.)  She reported that her allergy seemed to go completely away
with the Rex.  But, some experts say that Cornish and Devon Rex cats
still produce dander and have the enzyme in the saliva (usually
considered the true allergen), so they really aren't hypoallergenic. 
Maybe less so than other cats?

Someone on this list also reported good success with allergy shots.  

I also read about some new product on the market that neutralizes the
enzyme in cat's saliva so that the allergen is eliminated.  But the
thought of giving medicine to my cat everyday gives me the heebie
jeebies.  Maybe if you started administering the stuff when it was a tiny
kitten....

Hope this helps.

lesa
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: judy@evolving.com (Judy Bettinger)
Subject: Re: ATTIC DANGERS
Summary: what about rock wool?
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 19:44:50 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Evolving Systems, Inc.


[discussion about kitties falling into wall from attic snipped]

We live in an old house (1918), and Bast loves to sneak up into
our walk-up attic if we're not really careful.  She can't fall
into the walls as in a newer house, but her favorite thing
seems to be to get as filthy as possible in the old rock wool insulation.
Does anyone know if this is dangerous?  (Yes, we do our best to keep
her out of there, but you know how it goes sometimes...)

-- 
#include <std_disclaimer.h>
Judy Bettinger  (judy@evolving.com)
Evolving Systems, Inc.
Denver, Colorado
From: rcroteau@sobeco.com (r.croteau)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: counter top controversy continues
Date: 26 Jan 93 17:51:17 GMT
Distribution: rec.pets.cats
Organization: Sobeco Ernst & Young

In <SBILES.93Jan24122528@dante.nmsu.edu> sbiles@nmsu.edu (Susannah E Biles) writes:


>Hello all...

>I decided to try to train my kitlets out of jumping onto the kitchen
>counters because it was getting a LITTLE ridiculous! I have two male
				.
				.
				.
>My question is...how long do we have to keep this modern art in our
>kitchen ? I am afraid if I take them down now, the cats will just
>start jumping back up! The cans have been there about a week.

>Suggestions?

	Well, we have 4 cats at home and we have threee of them jumping on
the counter and the fourth one, well, can't jump on the counter because
he's too fat(a little of 20 pounds).  Our experience, no matter what you do
they'll start all over as soon as you think that you've won the battle. Cats
ain't dumb !  We tried with water guns, screams and other tricks but to no
avail.  To me, to only (unreasonable) solution is to feed the cats like crazy,
give them real yummy food, and at one point they'll be too fat to jump any-
where.  Realistically, IMHO, there's not much you can do.
-- 
Robert-Andre Croteau BSD,MOTU       3575 St-Laurent #132 Montreal, Quebec
Le Groupe MacLawran Inc.            +1 (514) 843-4269
uunet!sobeco!paxmtl!robert
	"Maintenant est le debut de la fin de votre vie"
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: REVENGE
From: acutshall@acs.harding.edu
Date: 26 Jan 93 15:58:02 -0600
Reply-To: acutshall@acs.harding.edu
Organization: Harding University

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jpk@Ingres.COM (Jon Krueger)
Subject: advantages of indoor cats
Reply-To: jpk@Ingres.COM (Jon Krueger)
Organization: Ask Computer Systems Inc., Ingres Division, Alameda CA 94501
Date: 22 Jan 93 23:19:54 GMT

Keith Norwood asks:
> What exactly are the positive aspects of the indoor cat?

Here's a few.

Doesn't get run over by cars.  Common hazard for outdoor cats.

Less exposure to other cats, fights, FeLV, FIV, FIP.
Remember there is no vaccine for FIV.

Not shot at by kids (of all ages) with slingshots and BB guns.
Real problem, I regret to say, here in Alameda.

Not mauled by dogs.  Not that I blame the dog, nor that the dog
should be allowed to run loose, just that it's a risk an
outdoor cat experiences.

Not exposed to poisons.  Commonest example seems to be car
antifreeze, which tastes good to cats but kills them.

There are other advantages. There are also disadvantages.
Unfortunately, in an increasingly urban world, the scales
seem to be tipping toward keeping cats indoors.

-- Jon
--
Jon Krueger  jpk@ingres.com  
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: lhuffmanp@stsci.edu
Subject: Re: Sliding Closet Doors...
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 18:57:34 GMT

In article <1993Jan21.165905.8068@nsc.nsc.com>, urban@nsc.nsc.com (Gregory Urban) writes:
> Well, I guess it had to happen eventually. Our cat, Shadow, has
> just figured out how to open our sliding closet doors. I suppose
> she wedges her head between the wall and the door until it slides
> open. She only does this when we're away at work. Unfortunately...
> 
> She likes Mommy's expensive trouser socks. We now come home every day
> to an apartment littered with socks. (We're talking 10-15 pair!)
> It must take her at least an hour to get all of them out and "decorate"
> the room.
> 
> Yesterday she ruined a pair (infamous little-teeth holes).
> We can't punish her after the fact, so our only option is to
> figure out how to keep her out. I can't put something in the
> door track to stop it's motion, either.
> 
> Any suggestions from all you intelligent people who have outsmarted your
> intelligent cats?

First, punishment NEVER works, especially with cats, she will come to fear you.
Second, treat her as an intransigent 2 year-old child. Lock up things. 
For your sliding doors, put little screw-in type hooks and eyes and latch the
doors when you leave.

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: brokaw@flamingo.weeg.uiowa.edu (Pete Brokaw)
Subject: Re: Garrison Keillor's "Cats Credo"
Organization: Weeg Computing Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 14:56:55 GMT

Several years ago, I heard a song "To all the cats I've owned before" 
(sung to the tune "To all the girls I've loved before") on Garrison
Keillor's Prairie Home Companion.  I think Willie Nelson may have
actually done the singing.  It was hilarious, and I've tried to find it
on the cassette tapes of old shows, but can't find it.  Am I crazy :-?
or does anyone else remember it?

Pete
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"The secret to a long life is knowing when it's time to go."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pete Brokaw		Email: pete-brokaw@uiowa.edu
Weeg Computing Center	University of Iowa	Iowa City, IA 52242

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: robyn@rs1.tcs.tulane.edu (robyn williamson)
Subject: Re: litter box problem getting out of hand.
Organization: Tulane University, New Orleans, LA
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 17:54:49 GMT
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-662]: rs1.tcs.tulane.edu

In article <1993Jan27.214611.2231@msus1.msus.edu> mverman@msus1.msus.edu writes:
>									b"H
>In article <1jrpolINN6t4@apache.dtcc.edu>, rob@apache.dtcc.edu (Rob Jarman) writes:
>> I've been having alot of problems getting our 1 year old cat to use the
>> litter box regularly. Sometimes he'll use it and other times he uses the
>...
>> use of the carpet. I love cats, but if I can't get him under control we'll
>> have to get rid of him. I'd really like to aviod that if possible. Does
>> anyone have any suggestions?
>
>
>also, remeber not to use ammonia cleaner, since this just reinforces the scent
>marker (urine has ammonia) and says:  this is a place to pee.
>
>good luck
>...shu

also, please don't use a cleaner with pine oil, as it is toxic to cats
From: sb51@prism.gatech.EDU (Susan Bovair)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Questions about Feline AIDS
Date: 21 Jan 93 02:03:48 GMT
Organization: Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology

My cat (Jurgen) was diagnosed as positive for Feline AIDS a couple of 
years ago.  My vet said that it is not a death sentence, and it is
quite possible for him to live for years.  He is a little over 12 now,
and basically as fit and healthy as ever.  the only thing the vet 
attributes to the AIDS is his gum disease, which has led to several
tooth extractions.  This is a problem for human AIDS patients too.
The vet did suggest that I not get a second cat because of the biting
that might go on while they get to know each other.  She also advised
extra care for any minor infections etc, as they might not be minor
for him.  

So I think the "kill the cat now" vet was overreacting - Jurgen has
had two great years since his diagnosis, and I'm hoping for many more.

Susan

-- 
Susan Bovair
School of Psychology,
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
From: dan@msen.com (Dan and Karen Sugalski)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Help me find a kitty.
Date: 22 Jan 1993 18:37:18 GMT
Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, Michigan
NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.msen.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]

Jon Krueger (jpk@Ingres.COM) wrote:
: Karen Sugalski writes:
: > Cats do respond to negative reinforcement.  Physical punishment
: > may make them afraid, but the same goes for almost any animal

: As has been noted numerous times in the literature, it's not that
: aversive methods don't work -- they do -- it's just that other methods
: work better.  Aversive methods are the first resort of incompetent
: trainers everywhere.


Negative reinforcement can take many forms, including the methods used by
a mother cat to let her kittens know that they have done something she
doesn't like.

Karen

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: wd6cmu@netcom.com (Eric Williams)
Subject: Re: Help me find a kitty.
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 00:33:29 GMT

rmilner@zia.aoc.nrao.edu (Ruth Milner) writes:
> About the hissing method that everyone has been advocating: do you hiss
> through your teeth like a long-drawn-out "sssss", or in the back of your
> throat like the cats themselves do? I have tried both ways on my cats,
> and they just look at me like I'm weird :-). So I figure I must be doing
> it wrong somehow.
> 
> Any advice on hissing technique?

I prefer the back-of-the-throat hiss myself.  Get up close so they get a
good blast of hot breath in the face, that seems to be an essential element.
My main problem is I need to use it when the preditor is stalking my
dinner plate, and my mouth is often full.
-- 
Eric Williams     wd6cmu@netcom.com  |  Never attribute to malice that which
WD6CMU@WD6CMU.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA       |  is adequately explained by stupidity.
From: www@Ingres.COM (Bill White)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Help me find a kitty.
Date: 22 Jan 93 23:09:23 GMT
Organization: Ingres, an ASK Company, Alameda CA 94501

In article <1993Jan21.202708.8316@emr1.emr.ca> thiessen@emr1.emr.ca (Tracy Thiessen) writes:
>In article <1jmj2kINNqic@nigel.msen.com> dan@msen.com (Dan and Karen Sugalski) writes:
>>Barry Fowler (barryf@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM) wrote:
>>: > 3)  Discipline?
>>: > 
>>: Discipline?  Hah!  Actually, I've done lots of "cat reading" and cats
>>: do not respond to negative reinforcement.  It only makes them fear their
                      ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>: owners.
>> 
>>Do you mean hitting and the like?  Cats do respond to negative reinforcement. 
                                                        ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>Physical punishment may make them afraid, but the same goes for almost any
>>animal including (but not limited to) humans, dogs and horses.
>>
>>Karen
>>
>
>I agree. When more gentle tactics fail, and kitty has copped
>an attitude, I find yelling (not hitting, I hate hitting) at
>the top of my lungs is an excellent deterrent, especially if
>it is reserved the more severe kitty crimes.
>
>Tracy 

Sorry to nitpick here, but this is sort of a pet peeve with me (no pun
intended -- really!).  "negative reinforcement" is not quite the same thing
as "punishment".  Punishment is used to discourage a behavior by responding
to it with something negative, like a loud noise or a slap.  Negative
reinforcement _encourages_ a behavior by responding to it with the _removal_
of something negative, like a loud noise or an annoying bright light.

I doubt there are many practical applications for negative reinforcement,
especially where pets are concerned.

That said, I strongly agree with the other posters who've said that punishment
is not a good way to train a cat.  Cats find it very hard to understand the
connection between a behavior and a punishing consequence (or a reward, for
that matter).  Unless the punishment (or reward) is absolutely immediate,
all the cat understands is that you're suddenly being mean to him/her. If
you do this very often, the cat will become skittish, because it never knows
whether it'll get love or pain when you approach it.

My approach to cats: Indulge them, spoil them, let them do whatever they
want! :-)

--Bill
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: levine@symcom.math.uiuc.edu (Lenore Levine)
Subject: Re: Cats need New Home
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 16:50:59 GMT
Keywords: adoption allergy help

vboynton@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Virginia R Boynton) writes:

>It's clear from the length and detail of your posting about Max and Rita that 
>you love them very much.  I find it hard to believe that you would sacrifice a 
>life with these beloved family members to live with your fiance, the 
>"cold-hearted bitch."  Are you really sure you want to do this?  Is she really 
>worth it?  If she expects you to give up your cats, what next?

>Ginny, Salem, Emma, Whiskers, and Woody

Another point: Do you trust this woman to stay with your *children*,
when they become a problem?
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: isc40041@nusunix1.nus.sg (LOO KOK HOE)
Subject: Looking for James Herriot  8)
Organization: National University of Singapore
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 17:54:36 GMT

[ Article crossposted from rec.travel ]
[ Author was  ]
[ Posted on Sat, 23 Jan 1993 08:17:32 GMT ]

[ Article crossposted from rec.pets.cats ]
[ Author was  ]
[ Posted on Thu, 21 Jan 1993 05:02:44 GMT ]

Hi People!

I am trying to locate the address of  James Herriot ...
the author of animal books such as 

"Vets might fly", "Its shouldn't happen to a vet",
"The Lord God made them all", ...

All I know that he is in Yorkshire in UK ...
I will be going to UK this May, 
so thinking of getting his autograph  ... 8)


george

Internet:   isc40041@nusunix1.nus.sg


Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: ramirez@julia.math.ucla.edu (Alice Ramirez)
Subject: getting catpee out of down comforter, a possible help
Organization: UCLA Mathematics Department
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 93 23:21:30 GMT

Cat peed on your down comforter, eh?  One thing that might help (no
guarantees here) is to wash the area as thoroughly as possible with a
product like Nature's Miracle (this is some sort of enzyme based
eater of biological odors sold at pet supply stores.  If this exact
product is not available you might see if the store can offer something
comparable.

You probably have to do this more than once.  

If this were a carpet or a floor, you would be advised to put down a bowl
of food in that spot AFTER cleaning it with the abovementioned product.
Probably can't do THAT though, on a down comforter.  Good luck!
Those things are wonderful AND expensive. 

Come to think of it, when the same thing happened to me I then took
the entire comforter, after washing the affected areas
with that stuff, and hung it outside
in the sun to dry  The exposure to sunshine and fresh air may have
had no effect at all, or something significant.  As far as I can tell,
whoever did it to my comforter before hasn't tried it again.  Don't know
why.  I'm just glad the villan, whichever one it was, has lost interest.
From: curt@vtucs.cc.vt.edu (Curt Tilmes)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: DECLAWING?
Date: 21 Jan 93 20:33:35 GMT
Followup-To: rec.pets.cats
Organization: Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
In-reply-to: nlp@pacvax.pacersoft.com's message of 20 Jan 93 22:52:29 GMT

In article <nlp-200193174548@192.156.173.150> nlp@pacvax.pacersoft.com
 (Nancy Pilsch) writes:
>I was watching a documentary on cats on The Learning Channel.  It was done
>by the BBC.  ....
...
>BTW, the british vets WILL NOT declaw a cat.  They even consider having a
>strictly indoor cat cruel.  

Did you (or anyone else) think the documentary was just a *little* bit
anti-American?  They used emotionally charged language throughout the
show.  It seemed more of a comparison of british vs. american views
abouts cats than a documentary about cats.

They seemed to focus on all the problems caused when the 'cruel'
americans kept their cats 'captive' all day, without talking much
about any of the positive aspects of an indoor cat.

Curt
From: mverman@msus1.msus.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: litter box problem getting out of hand.
Date: 27 Jan 93 21:42:37 -0600
Distribution: world
Organization: Minnesota State University System

In article <1jrpolINN6t4@apache.dtcc.edu>, rob@apache.dtcc.edu (Rob Jarman) writes:
> I've been having alot of problems getting our 1 year old cat to use the
> litter box regularly. Sometimes he'll use it and other times he uses the
> tub. I've tried keeping scooped out and change it as often as possible (It
> gets too expensive to change it every few days).
......
> use of the carpet. I love cats, but if I can't get him under control we'll
> have to get rid of him. I'd really like to aviod that if possible. Does
> anyone have any suggestions?
> -- 
        								b"H
Hullo.  Sometimes cats will  avoid the litter box when they have urinary or
bowel problems.  They develop a conditioned aversion to the place that is
associated with pain when they void.  Sometimes cats change their litterbox
habits when other changes have occurred in the home.  Sometimes a chance
behaviour will develop into a habit.  (At about 9 or ten months of age our male
cat began urinating in the bathroom sink.  First occasionally then frequently. 
He soon started spraying.  Once neutered, both behaviours stopped.)  Vets are 
experts at diagnosing the medical problems or offering retraining strategies for
behavioural problems.  Call your vet!  Our local humane society offers handouts
on retraining litter use.  If it turns out not to be medical, you might check
with your humane society, too.

Good luck!

P.S.  Our local vets say that toileting and behaviour problems are the
primary killers of cats -- owners have them euthenized.  We have a neighbour
that simply refused to let their cat indoors again, after it developed bladder
problems -- not a trifling consequence in Minnesota winter.  The first move
when a litterbox problem develops should be a call to the vet.  Cystitis and
blocked urinary tract in male cats can rapidly lead to death.

Let us know how your cat fares.

... Shu
From: berthiau@iro.umontreal.ca (Eva Chan)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Cat on Counters, HELP
Date: 24 Jan 93 21:56:24 GMT
Reply-To: bunny@gnu.ai.mit.edu (Eva Chan)
Organization: Universite de Montreal

It's interesting to read about different reactions to cats getting on
the kitchen counter or dining tables.  Both our cats have been trained 
(more or less) to stay off the kitchen counter and dining table, although
they do get relapses and decided "hey! I need something!" and jump up.
But I don't think it's so much the idea of bacteria, etc., but more the
cat hair that ends up all over the place and eventually into our food 8)
We may have taught them to stay off the counters and tables when we are 
around but that doesn't mean they won't do it when we're asleep at night.

I will, however, growl at them if they decide to situate themselves on
top of the fridge where my African violet is! (Last time I had it on a 
table, small depressions were made and bits of dirt were scattered
around the pot).  Plus, Finster has a taste for leaves from time to time.
Ah well....

The book _The Secret House_ I've heard about and one of these days I'm 
gonna check it out at the library if it's there :)


- Eva


-- 
= Eva Chan 		| Never lose my youth, I hope it never ends. =
= bunny@gnu.ai.mit.edu	| Hope I never lose my wallet!               =
= on IRC: bunny 	|	- Bosstones			     =
=			| 					     =
--
	Andre Berthiaume 	 |  "Sometimes you're the windshield,
				 |   Sometimes you're the bug"
    berthiau@iro.umontreal.ca    |			
				 |	       Dire Straits, The Bug