HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: ballt@ucs.orst.edu (Teresa Ball)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: ants in the catfood
Date: 26 Jan 93 20:13:30 GMT
Article-I.D.: gaia.1k461aINN8k8
Organization: University Computing Services - OSU
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucs.orst.edu

I had this problem last summer when I went on vacation and left my cats home
with someone to come in every day and feed them.  I ended up just spraying
all the surfaces in my house with ammonia (especially the floor boards and
cracks).  The cats wouldn't go near the room where the ammonia had been
sprayed, so I had to find a different spot to feed them for a while.  I 
needed to spray the spots where the ants where coming in two or three
times.  But the little beasts haven't invaded my kitties food since.

Terry
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: david@tms390.micro.ti.com (David Thomas)
Subject: Re: Giving Pills to our Fuzzy Friends
Organization: Texas Instruments, Houston
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 23:48:07 GMT

vicki@steam.atd.ucar.edu (Vicki Holzhauer) writes:
>Actually, pills would almost be preferable to that horrible pink
>liquid antibiotic vets always give out.  I hate giving it to the girls
>almost as much as they hate getting it.  Even if I wrap them up
>tightly in a towel before administering it and keep their heads as
>still as possible, they still wind up with that pink glop all over
>their beautiful fur, and then they're so mad at me that they don't
>even want to hold still for me to clean it off ... :-(

I use a 3cc syringe to squirt the Amoxi-Drops into the cats' mouths.
No needle, of course, just a plastic syringe.  It's faster and more
accurate than the little eye-dropper in the bottle.  Otherwise, it's
fairly standard technique: with the cat facing away from me, I pin the 
cat to the floor between my knees, tilt the head back, pry open the
jaws for a split-second, squirt it in the back of the mouth, and let
'em go.  I still get dirty looks from them (that pink stuff must taste 
bad), but at least I get it all on the inside of the cat.

Ask your vet for a syringe the next time he prescribes Amoxi.
-- 
David Thomas  Texas Instruments  (david@wotangate.sc.ti.com)  (713)-274-2347
From: feldman@flash.crd.ge.com (Sandra F Feldman)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: snooky wants a girlfriend
Date: 26 Jan 93 13:26:52 GMT
Organization: GE Corporate R&D Center

The background:
We have a total of 5 indoor cats.  Two boys and a girl who are about 3 years old,
a 1-1/2 year old male (Snooky) and a female kitten who is less than 1 year.  
They are all neutered and spayed.

The problem:
Snooky doesn't seem to know that he has been neutered.  He chases Roxy (the older
female) around the house and tries to, uh, you know.  She is NOT interested, so
these chases are accompanied by a lot of hissing and growling.  The odd part is
that even though she is smaller than he is, she beats him up.  He always has
little scrapes and scabs, and she even gave him a slight fat lip last week.  This
does not deter him at all.

Does anyone have any suggestions?  I'm feeling envious of people whose cats
confine their romantic overtures to gloves and other inanimate objects, especially
in the middle of the night when there are two growling cats wrestling under the
bed.
Thanks.
-- 
Sandy Feldman
feldman@crd.ge.com

my opinions are mine and do not reflect a position of General Electric
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: malwen@granta.demon.co.uk (Sheila Thomas)
Subject: Re: Strange foods for hairballs? 
Distribution: world
Organization: moderate-to-good
Reply-To: malwen@granta.demon.co.uk
X-Mailer: Simple NEWS 1.90 (ka9q DIS 1.19)
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1993 20:56:33 +0000

In article <1993Jan20.104642.2130@msus1.msus.edu> ghmo@msus1.msus.edu writes:

 But in Minnesota in January, green grass is unavailable. 
 Any ideas or experiences?
>
I grow grass indoor for my cat to chew when she is visiting me
and so unable to get outside to wild-in-the-garden grass.
It grows well enough on the windowsill but needs clearing out
and resowing fairly often.
			
__________________________________________
Malwen                             

..even snails get there in the end.
___________________________________________
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: julie@eddie.jpl.nasa.gov (Julie Kangas)
Subject: Cat and Fish Story (was Re: Cat eats $5000 during night)
Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 15:47:27 GMT

In article <1993Jan26.215957.23194@cbnewsi.cb.att.com> klf@cbnewsi.cb.att.com (karen.l.fenton) writes:
>
>One dilemma with Koi is their "friendliness". My daughter
>raises them: they really are sociable and fun.
>They come to you and allow you to "pet" them, and they like to
>nibble at your fingers. My daughter's cat (Loft) like
>to dibble his rotten little paw in the water, allowing the koi
>to nibble while he watches in fascination.
>He never makes a move on them and I don't think he will.
>Anyway, they're currently in a tank (A BIG tank) and so he's
>always supervised.  He can't "visit" without help,
>so someone is always there with one hand ready to yank that
>paw out of the way. We've discussed how we'll protect
>these 'Lotus-land' dumb fish from other feline visitors
>when we construct the inevitable pond.

A friend of my mother has a cat and had a large goldfish.  For six
years, the cat would 'play' with the fish by sticking his paw 
into the water and gently touching the fish.  The fish didn't seem to
mind this and the cat never hurt the fish.  The goldfish recently
died and the cat has started 'acting strange' in the words of
the owner.  The cat is doing things like splashing water out
of his water bowl and turning it over.  I say he's looking for
his friend the fish!

Julie
DISCLAIMER:  All opinions here belong to my cat and no one else
From: dan@msen.com (Dan and Karen Sugalski)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Racoons & dogs :-(
Date: 23 Jan 1993 14:56:13 GMT
Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, Michigan
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: garnet.msen.com
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL8]

[ Article crossposted from rec.pets.dogs ]
[ Author was Ruth Ginzberg ]
[ Posted on 20 Jan 93 15:39:46 EDT ]

This morning's paper carried a real downer of a story about a raccoon & a dog:
(in Cromwell, CT)

In the town just up the river from where I live, a Siberian Husky had an
encounter with a raccoon.  The dog had asked 'Out' and had been let out to 'Go'
at 8pm. He noticed the raccoon in the corner of his own yard, & went to check
out the situation. Dog tried to chase raccoon off property. <Now, how many of
us have dogs who would do EXACTLY the same thing under the same circumstances,
huh?> Fight ensued. Raccoon bit dog.  Neighbor shot raccoon.  Sent raccoon to
state lab & it tested out positive for rabies.  So now the Husky had to have a
booster rabies shot (even though his shots WERE up-to-date) and he has to be
quarantined for 90 days in order to watch him for any signs that he might be
developing rabies.  Of course if he develops any signs of rabies he will have
to be killed.

The animal control officer said that this was the 6th raccoon found to be
infected with rabies in Cromwell since June, and of those, it is the second to
have had contact with a dog.  The (CT) state health department said Tuesday
that 787 cases of rabies were detected in animals, primarily raccoons in 1992
in the state of Connecticut.  (50 mi wide x 100 mi long; about the size of the
L.A. basin)

Whatta drag!  (Reason # 2 million for not just "letting the dog out" to
heed nature's call, without having him in an enclosed space or on a leash.)


------------------------
Ruth Ginzberg <rginzberg@eagle.wesleyan.edu>
Philosophy Department;Wesleyan University;USA
From: 2hwbtalk@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: suffucation (sp)
Date: 22 Jan 93 03:07:56 GMT
Organization: University of Kansas Academic Computing Services

My cat has this strange habbit of thinking he's human or we are his kitty
parents and he has learned it from us---sleeping under the covers just like mom
and dad.  he loves electric blankets too.  We have never experienced any
problems with this behavior.  I never slept with a teddybear, but now I have a
live one that always wants to cuddle up.  Perhapps your kitty was just a little
sleepy and didn't want to wake up.  Our little guy will sneek under the covers
(I like lots of covers, so we'er talking about a heavy layer) and he has never
had a problem breathing.  I have seen him on the sofa in a sleepy daze, My
hubby thinks he looks sleeper than me when I sleep walk.  
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: m2choi@undergrad.math.waterloo.edu (Margaret Haag)
Subject: Re: Cats need New Home
Keywords: adoption allergy help
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 14:57:24 GMT


I would like to say that I agree with Sally : it is neither kind
nor politic to flame-broil anyone's significant other.  I have
been following the thread of posts and it sounds to me like a decision has
already been made.  A fiancee / wife has some advantages too and
- let's face it, they've got a MUCH longer lifespan :).  

If the kitties have got to go, you might want to advertise at your 
vets' clinic - photos with the add are always nice.  I think advertising
at schools, churches, community centres, etc. might also bring some results ?
Good luck, I hope you find your cats a nice home.
From: lianne@bcarh17e.BNR.CA (Lianne Barre)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Questions about Feline AIDS
Date: 28 Jan 93 14:45:50 GMT
Reply-To: lianne@bcarh17e.BNR.CA (Lianne Barre)
Distribution: world
Organization: Bell-Northern Research Ltd.

In article <81001@hydra.gatech.EDU>, sb51@prism.gatech.EDU (Susan
Bovair) writes:
|>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.
...stuff deleted...
|>
|>Susan

                    
My husband and I have just bought a house. The person who is living there
right now has a beautiful cat, who is FIV positive. He's the colour of a
Russian Blue, but I have no idea if he is one. He's very stocky, heavy, 
and looks healthy as a horse. I would think that as with human AIDS, 
testing positive does not mean the cat is going to suffer from the disease.
If he's lucky, he'll be able to fight it off and live a happy normal life
(and hopefully a long one).

Good luck with your cat; may he be with you for another 12 years :).

By the way, I understand FIV can only be contracted by actual contact 
with an infected cat, through saliva, etc. Is there anything else I should
worry about, seeing as I'll be bringing my two cats into this new home?

- Lianne -
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: malwen@granta.demon.co.uk (Sheila Thomas)
Subject: Re: DECLAWING? 
Distribution: world
Organization: moderate-to-good
Reply-To: malwen@granta.demon.co.uk
X-Mailer: Simple NEWS 1.90 (ka9q DIS 1.19)
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 19:11:08 +0000

In article <1993Jan22.193036.2730@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> rkn3u@kelvin.seas.Virginia.EDU writes:
replies to these comments -
>>
>>Where I live cats are at very high risk of (1) getting run
>>over by cars or (2) getting eaten by coyotes.  An added 
>>minus (or plus depending on how you look at it) is the 
>>possibility of getting half-bobcat kittens.
>
 
...... but don't the same hazards exist in Britain?  Why the different
>views?  

I did see the programmes on BBC when first transmitted. 
The hazards faced by cats outdoors in Britain are, of course,
rather different to those in other countries, and I have to 
remind myself of this when getting het-up about cats confined
indoors.
Yes, the cats are very much at risk from traffic, being shut in when 
their curiosity leads them into dangerous places, catching parasites
or diseases from other animals, getting into fights, and, most
distressing of all, being maltreated by evil people.
But we have very few wild animals left here who can harm a cat.
The one type of poisonous snake is rare in most habitats, rats
are not often a problem, foxes are rarely spoken of as a 
danger to cats. We killed most of the larger wildlife long
ago - sad but safer for the pussy cats.


>

-- 
__
__________________________________________
Malwen

"Even overweight cats instinctively know the cardinal
rule: when fat, arrange yourself in slim poses."
John Weitz
________________________________________________________
From: giordano@andromeda.rutgers.edu (E. Giordano)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: cats and olives
Date: 22 Jan 93 02:58:20 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

vicki@steam.atd.ucar.edu (Vicki Holzhauer) writes:

>In article <9301211902.AA06554@rwasic27.aud.alcatel.com> alclark@rwasic27.aud.alcatel.com ( Amy L Clark) writes:
>>My mother has a friend that wanted me to ask ya'll about a
>>quirk that his cats have.  It seems that when he gives any
>>of them (he owns about 8 cats) olives (green or black) the
>>cats go crazy as if they had just inhaled catnip.

>My uncle's late cat, Fruitcake, was also an olive addict.  They
>allowed him to have an olive at Thanksgiving and one at Christmas, as
>a special treat.  He got too wild and crazy for them to give him
>olives on a regular basis.  Wonder what there is in olives that has
>this effect on some cats?  I've tried them on other cats, with no
>results.


>--
>Vicki Holzhauer, National Center for Atmospheric Research
>Boulder, Colorado / / / /  vicki@ncar.ucar.edu




I thought I heard everything but this is a first,
although cats, like humans are all individuals and each
have their own peculiar habits, tastes and personalities,
my question is WAHT KIND OF OLIVES? With or without
pits, marinated in oil or plain, sicilian, greek or those
plain black canned pitted ones?
From: nvonstein@memstvx1.memst.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: allergies suck
Date: 26 Jan 93 16:51:30 -0600
Organization: Memphis State University

In article <8149@dove.nist.gov>, livigni@bldrdoc.gov (David livigni 303-497-5898) writes:
> 
> Hello netting cat lovers!
> 
> I have a problem similar to the one in Article 19418 from
> Susannah E Biles - Subject: help!!!> 
> Please Help!
> 
> Is there anyone in the Denver/Boulder area of Colorado who would like
> to adopt them?  If so, please call Dave at (303) 425-5180 and leave
> a message (I use call screening).
> 
> Also, the vet at the cat clynic in Boulder perscribed Ace Promazine
> to reduce the allergen in their saliva.  Anybody heard of this?
> It doesent appear to do much... her problem may be with the furr
> anyway, cardigen sweaters also bother her.  She tolerates her mother's
> poodle, so a devon rex may work (not that that'll do Max or Rita any good).
> I'll try that Allerpet stuff next... think it'll help?
> 
> It figures fate would be so cruel...
> 
> David Livigni


David--
  I have seven cats, two dogs, a ferret and an iguana.  I'm allergic to
all of them (except the iguana).  I'm also allergic to dust, trees, grass,
mold, the list goes on.  I went to the allergist for testing and I get a tiny
little painless shot once a week.  BTW, my allergies were manifested by
asthmatic episodes.    Maybe you could strike a compromise, and your intended
could go to an allergist.  It is painless - broken hearts aren't.

Good luck!
Nancy

 > -- 
> @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
> @   Anything stated here is my opinion only    @
> @   livigni@bldrdoc.gov                        @
> @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@---D@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
From: v384rv4k@ubvmsb.cc.buffalo.edu (Lynn Harper)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Anitra's diet from New Natural Cat
Date: 21 Jan 93 20:16:00 GMT
Organization: University at Buffalo
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41

Hello!  I learned about Anitra Frazier's book _The New
Natural Cat_ from this list and purchased it a few days
ago.  It's great!  But it's distracting me from my work.
I was wondering if anyone had tried any of her techniques
and if so how they worked?  I am especially interested in
the cat diet she suggests.  If you post to the list about
this, can you please make sure it's clear in the subject
line?  Because I am not able to read all of the postings.
Or you may e-mail me directly.  Thank you very much.

Lynn
V384RV4K@UBVMS.CC.BUFFALO.EDU
or V384RV4K@UBVMS.BITNET
From: tims@bvc.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Summary of Allergy Responses
Date: 26 Jan 93 09:25:22 CST
Organization: Buena Vista College, Storm Lake, IA

Several people have asked me to post a summary of the reponses I've has to 
my post regarding my allergies (asthma) and our desire for a cat.  

While I am allergic to cats, I don't have any reaction to my golden 
retreiver, who seems to have enough hair for two dogs.  The reponses fell 
into three areas:

Area 1:	Becomming accustomed to your cat.  Many folks with allergies who 
responded said they are allergic, but have grown accustomed to their 
cat(s).  While dander and saliva are thought to cause the allergies, after 
a short period of time with the same cat, people's bodies adjusted and they 
live just fine with their kitty.  This seems to be the best and most 
frequently suggested way to deal with allerigies: let your body adjust.

Sub-area 1: As a sub-area of adjusting to your cat, many people said it was
just the type of cat.  Some suggested the Cornish Rex, which I think are very 
nifty-looking. Others said to go to the shelter and play with a different 
cat each time and see if you react.  When you don't react to one, get it!  
While this may seem an odd approach, it certainly makes a lot more sense 
than adopting one, taking it home and finding you need to wait several 
weeks to adjust or you can't live with it.

Area 2:	Drugs. Many of the same people who were adjusting to their cats sid 
they had visted their doctor or allergist who prescribed drugs to combat 
the asthma attacks.  Some still use the drugs, others gave them up after 
becomming accustomed to their animal.  OR you can use products on the cats 
like Allerpet, which is supposed to neutralize the dander and saliva to 
make the cat's coat more acceptable.  Everyone said drugs on you or 
products on you cat was a pain.

Area 3:	Plan of Action.  Doing things like keeping the cats out of the 
bedroom and off the bed or furniture and bathing them to keep hair to a 
minimum.  People who bathed their cats started doing it with kittens, so 
the animal became used to it.  I know this is possible, as my little sister 
(she was 10 when she got her kitten) showers with Nigel, her 
monster male longhair who doesn't put up with much.  By keeping the cat and 
the house clean and monitoring where it can and cannot go, you can avoid 
nasty, ongoing reactions.  

That's about it!  Thanks to everyone who mailed me suggestions!  We're 
working on finding a kitty.  With a dog, two parakeets and fish, a cat 
would complete our own indoor petting zoo!

T.
..................................................................
tim seydel / buena vista college / storm lake / iowa / tims@bvc.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jonesk@ur.msstate.edu
Subject: re: Twitching kitty?
Reply-To: jonesk@ur.msstate.edu
Organization: Mississippi State University
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 16:32:03 GMT

He's just dreaming.

Kay



Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: kkv@inel.gov (Jamie J Ferguson)
Subject: Re: Help me find a kitty.
Organization: Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 93 21:12:53 GMT

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:
>>: 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.
>>
>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.
>

The best form of negative reinforcement we've found is hissing.
It works very well with our cats.  We used squirt bottles when
they were younger.  I would NEVER hit a cat!  I try very hard
not to hit our dogs, too, but I feel more strongly about not
hitting cats.  When our youngest bites (when he is playing) I
tap his nose, but I don't hit.


Jamie

*********************************************************************
     canines:  Kenzie -- 1 yr old black Lab X
               Meggin -- 8 month old Australian Shepherd X
               Harry  -- 4 month old Border Collie X

     felines:  Kieri  -- 5 1/2 yr old lilac point Siamese
               Zak    -- 5 1/2 yr old blue point Siamese
               Duke   -- 1 yr old seal point Siamese
*********************************************************************
========== long legal disclaimer follows, press n to skip ===========

Neither the United States Government or the Idaho National Engineering
Laboratory or any of their employees, makes any warranty, whatsoever,
implied, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility regarding any
information, disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe
privately owned rights.  No specific reference constitutes or implies
endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States
Government or the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory.  The views and
opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the
United States Government or the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory,
and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes.
From: cyndie@sequent.com (Cyndie Sutherland)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Cat Digs Hole in Chair
Date: 26 Jan 93 18:59:05 GMT
Article-I.D.: sequent.1993Jan26.185905.25264
Distribution: usa
Organization: Sequent Computer Systems, Inc.


My cat tries to dig holes in chairs, blankets or whatever.  It's
almost like he's trying to make 'it' soft for him to sit in??  Does
anybody elses cat do this??  Does anybody know why they do that?  Are
they trying to make the thing soft?  It looks so funny and is so
pointless.
Organization: The American University - University Computing Center
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 18:29:24 EST
From: Diane L. Herdt <DH6530A@auvm.american.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Help me name my cat
Distribution: world
 <727731102snz@granta.demon.co.uk>

Very good advice!  When we adopted our cat, his name was Sambo.
However, we quickly discovered that going outside and calling
"Sambo" was not socially acceptable in our neighborhood.

Now we call him Bote.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: lhuffmanp@stsci.edu
Subject: Re: ants in the catfood
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 20:50:04 GMT

In article <1993Jan25.195612.15127@inel.gov>, kkv@inel.gov (Jamie J Ferguson) writes:
> 
> I had ants in potted plants (outside) when I lived in Florida,
> and my neighbor told me to sprinkle grits around them.  It
> seemed to work.  I think that the grits expand and the ants
> explode (or something similarly disgusting).  I've also
> heard red pepper works, but it didn't with my ants (at least
> not noticeably so).
> 
> 
> Jamie

This my have some merit. We had a guy at work who rescued some wild bunny
babies and kept them in a little box. He fed them Quaker Oats with water as
a washer.  He was devasted one day soon after to tell us that they were all 
dying. Turns out they had stuffed themselves on the Quaker Oats then sipped
water. The oats expanded and blew the poor things up. We called him 
the bunny-killer and I guess we were none too kind.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats