HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: hagel@stsci.edu
Subject: Re: Why do cats...
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 22:45:55 GMT

Mine do that too!  I think it's because we've just removed their scent 
markers for that area & they feel insecure until they're replaced -- that 
is, it doesn't smell like *their* box anymore.

Pyanfar, the neurotic tortie, is the most insistent about it of my lot, but 
is less compulsive about it now that I use clumping litter.  Previously, she
would watch intently whenever I completely changed the box, then
immediately jump in & "christen" it, straining if she had to.

BTW, in the bad old pre-clumping litter days Py had another habit I did my 
best to encourage that we came to call "the Lassie act".  If the box 
did not meet her standards, she would come and get one of us:  pacing back 
& forth & meowing, trotting a little way off & looking back over her 
shoulder, etc. ("I think she wants us to follow her, Mom!")  She would lead 
us right to the box & hover anxiously while we cleaned it out.  Naturally,
we always praised her lavishly & made a big fuss -- better she told us than
found an alternate site!
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: ssnyder@sunai.er.usgs.gov (Steve Snyder)
Subject: Re: Cat Hockey
Organization: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston VA
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 17:02:34 GMT

In article <1992Sep30.160349.14462@bnr.ca> trudy@bcarh17d.BNR.CA (Trudy McConnell) writes:
>[stuff deleted]  why can't he play hockey 
>with his own toys ?????? (and he does have a lot of cat toys !!!!)
> 
I once saw a button that said "Anything not nailed down is a cat toy".
My 2 kittens will play with just about anything they can get their
paws on. Hobbit last night came trotting into the living room with
a red felt tip pen in her mouth. She held it in her mouth like she 
was smoking a cigar. I wish I had my camera ready.

Steve


Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: hagel@stsci.edu
Subject: Re: Missing Cat in Lockex Apt.
Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 23:37:13 GMT

A friend with 2 cats once moved in with me.  On moving day, the cats were
locked in a bedroom of her soon-to-be former apartment.  Once everything 
was out and the moving crew of friends was ready to vacate, no one could 
find Trina (15 pounds of bad-tempered brown mackeral tabby).  Panic 
ensued -- she wasn't in the hall, she wasn't in the elevator lobby beyond 
the locked door, and there was no furniture left to hide under or behind.
Some people started checking the truck to see if she was inside anything, 
others checked the street, etc., etc.  Finally, somebody tried the 
seemingly impossible and moved the refrigerator out from the wall.  There 
she was, and extremely surly at being found.  We could believe she got out of 
the bedroom and past 8 people clear across the apartment to the kitchen; 
what we couldn't figure out was how this large beast got herself into  the 2" 
wide max space between the fridge & the wall (under the fridge was solidly
blocked, so it had to be the other route).

I had moved into the new apartment 1st, so the cats were put in my room
(the master bedroom) while we moved my new roomie in.  At 1 point,
the main bathroom was in use when another person needed it, so he went into
my room to use the master bath.  He came out grinning and reported, "Logan
(the other cat) was glad to see me, but your toilet growled at me!"  Trina
stayed behind that toilet for the next 3 days, growling at anyone who came
near.  Once she finally left the room, she never entered it again for the 2
years we lived there!

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: vicki@steam.atd.ucar.edu (Vicki Holzhauer)
Subject: Re: Why do cats......
Keywords: cats, litter
Organization: Atmospheric Technology Division/NCAR Boulder, CO
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 19:41:15 GMT

In article <1992Oct6.175524.14234@Princeton.EDU> klipec@homes.Princeton.EDU (Kathy Klipec Crow) writes:
>In article <1992Oct5.194758.20444@acd4.acd.com>, jrc@IEDV4.acd.com ( Janis Clark ) writes:
>|>   Why do cats have to use a litter box
>|> the moment you are done cleaning it? 

>My cats do this too; my theory has always been that they need to "refreshen"
>the scent that identifies it as "their place."

Before I had Abigail, most of my cats had used the outdoors as their
primary bathroom.  I remember how agitated Abigail became when I
cleaned out her box.  I called it "Litter Anxiety."  She would run
around the box and try to get in it while it was empty.  It seemed as
if she feared that it would go away, almost as if she were saying,
"No, not now!  I just realized that I had to go!"

Abigail is 16 and has long since stopped becoming anxious when I
change the litter; she never even notices any more.  Zarabeth doesn't
get overly anxious, but she does want to get right in and use it as
soon as I've changed it.  She also demands to be let back in when she
has to go.  I have occasionally seen her use the yard, but she seems
to feel mostly that her covered box is the proper spot for a dignified
(HA!) female cat to perform her toilette ... :-)



--
Vicki Holzhauer, National Center for Atmospheric Research
Boulder, Colorado / / / /  vicki@ncar.ucar.edu
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: hartlemp@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Michael P Hartley)
Subject: cat sleeps in bad place...  help...
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 03:44:48 GMT

   My new kitten, "chutzpah", has chosen an anoying place to sleep.
I have a large computer desk against the wall.  Under, and behind the 
computer, is a typical 1000 sheet form-feed box of paper.  The cat has
decided that this box is real cumfy...  The problem is that I never know
if the cat is in it or not, so when the printer starts, the paper may or
may not come through.  
   Any ideas on how to get the cat not to sleep there?
From: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Automatic Cat Door Source Wanted
Date: 29 Sep 92 21:26:56 GMT
Article-I.D.: ics.2AC8CA20.28471
Reply-To: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Distribution: usa
Organization: ICS Dept., UC Irvine

In <ken.6@ece.orst.edu> ken@ece.orst.edu (KEN MCCRACKEN) writes:

>In article <qmgz!nf@rpi.edu> hughes@yingyang.ral.rpi.edu (Declan Hughes) writes:


>>  I am looking for a cat door with a magnetic lock that opens when
>>the cat approaches if the cat is wearing the supplied magnet. Can
>>anyone recommend a model, and source, that they have used and found
>>to work well ?

>>Declan Hughes
>>hughes@ral.rpi.edu

>I would like to know if one exists or not as well.  I have been half-
>heartedly designing one for several years! :-)  I want one that is
>'codable,' so my neighbor's cat won't open our door, and able to have the
>collar codes changed, so one door can be controlled by many collars.  I
>also want at least a 1-foot range.  I don't want it to require a battery
>on the collar, either, and it must be fairly fast acting.  Sometimes our
>cowardly Tom uses his door as an escape route, and I don't want his nose any
>flatter than it is!

>I was once designing an invisible pet fence, too, but several somebodies
>beat me to it.  I wouldn't be at all surprised to find I'd been beaten in
>the 'coded kitty-door' race, too.


Yes, there is such a thing, it's been around for a while.  The cat faq
describes them:

------

2.  Pet doors

Pet doors are a good solution for people tired of letting cats in and
out.  There are many kinds of doors, including those that fit into
patio doors without requiring a hole cut through the wall or door.

You may have trouble with other animals coming in the door, or want to
let your dog but not your cat use the pet door.  The solution is an
electronic pet door. The door has a lock that is deactivated by a
magnet that selected pets wear on their collar. Look under Pet
Supplies in the yellow pages. If you can't get one locally, call
"America's Pet Door Store" toll free at 1-800-826-2871 for a catalog.

Electronic pet doors are installed much like a regular pet door, but
you plug them in.  The door itself needs a firmer push to open than
most.  A great feature is the 4-way lock. The lock can be set so the
cat can 1) go both in and out 2) go in only - great if you want to
catch them 3) out only 4) totally locked.  Doors cost about
US$80-US$90.

------

--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.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jmcburn@iat.holonet.net (Joye P. McBurnett)
Subject: Re: Should we get two male kittens?
Organization: HoloNet (BBS: 510-704-1058)
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1992 23:53:49 GMT

I've always had male cats until just recently when my husband and I
adopted a male and female from a semi-feral litter.  He said he needed a
female kitten so it would bond with him.  (Our boys have always seemed to
be my cats, rather than his, though we've always had them together.)

Anyway, my point is, there shouldn't be any problem.

Joye and Buster and Smudge and Spot and the female: Racer
and husband Will
-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Joye P. McBurnett                           Internet: jmcburn@holonet |
| How your boss sees you: Help! Help! Stapler misfire!     -Scott Adams |
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: carvalho@tribiet.maintech.com (joe carvalho)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: OK! I'LL GET THE SHOTS!!
Date: 28 Sep 92 05:48:34 GMT
Organization: Tribiet: A city much like hell.

If the damage is extensive enough, there may not be power to activate the 
electric garage door opener. You mighht want to rig an alternate opening 
method/mechanical bypass.

ThanX.

Joe Carvalho
Beacher Tool & Die...A Hughe Jorgen Company
1106 2nd Street, Suite 316
Encinitas, CA. 92024
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: sbp@cbnewsh.cb.att.com (Sue Price)
Subject: Re: Purring as a sign of illness
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 1992 14:43:43 GMT

In article <1992Sep28.195404.23799@pixel.kodak.com> young@serum.kodak.com writes:
>In article <69223@hydra.gatech.EDU> iadt1jm@prism.gatech.EDU (Jean McSpadden) writes:
>>All the other cats I have know have wanted to be by themselves when ill,
>>this little cat's loud purring and wanting to be held through his 
>>illness has mystified and touched me. Has anyone else had a cat
>>who purrs when he is sick?
>
>	The fact that cats purr when sick or injured does seem strange until
>	you apply the knowledge that purring is NOT a sign of contentment,
>	but rather a sign of submission.  

I don't think it has to be either/or.  Sometimes purring means contentment,
other times it can mean submission.  I have read that purring is the 
equivalent of smiling in humans.  People smile when they are content, or
when they are nervous/submissive.

-- 

Sue Price
sbp@hound.att.com
From: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Subject: Re: cookies
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Reply-To: tittle@ics.uci.edu (Cindy Tittle Moore)
Organization: ICS Dept., UC Irvine
Date: 7 Oct 92 02:29:29 GMT
Distribution: usa

In <3125@voodoo.UUCP> das@voodoo.boeing.com (Deb Schwartz) writes:

>I vote that the recipe be added to the FAQ.

Hmm...

I've never been clear if these cookies are for human or cat consumption.

When originally putting the FAQ together, I had a number of recipies
to possibly put in.  I cut them out for reasons of space, but I
suppose they could be included -- perhaps in a separate faq in their
own right.  However, if these cookies are for human consumption, would
they belong in the faq?

Thoughts?

--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.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: Roar.Larsen@termo.unit.no (Roar Larsen)
Subject: Bean Bags (Was Re: Some funny stories)
Organization: SINTEF, Norway
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 92 14:02:27 GMT

alclark@RWASIC27.AUD.ALCATEL.COM (Amy L Clark) writes:
> [deleted]...I walked over to the
> bean bag and discovered the twistie floating in a puddle of
> cat pee.  Oh well.  No more bean bag twistie game.  Come to
> think of it-- no more bean bag.  The urine soaked through
> the material to those millions of little styrofoam balls used
> to stuff the bean bag.  I put it into my mother's fenced-in
> backyard to air out,    ... [deleted]
> I still think my other cat,
> Donchu, got jealous that Baggy and I played the game and decided
> to end it once and for all by "fixing" the bean bag for good!

Almost the same thing happened to me. Both my cats loved the bean bag 
(especially sleeping in it in all kinds of weird positions :-), but the 
youngest one (she was about six months old at the time) developed a
habit of peeing in it :-(

I don't think this had anything to do with rivalry between the cats, but
more the fact that when they walked in it, it sounded _exactly_ like when
they were walking in the litter-box. It probably even _felt_ a lot like
the box, and when it sounds like one, and feels like one it has to _be_
one, right? Even though it _looks_ a little strange...

The bean bag has been sitting in the attic for the last year - perhaps I 
should try to bring it down again, now that both cats hardly ever use even
the litter-box, as they're outside about 12-15 hours every day. (Where
especially the youngest loves "helping" me repair my motorcycle :-)

Roar Larsen           DoD# 463
Trondheim, Norway    '85 FJ 1100
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: jlc5f@poe.acc.Virginia.EDU (Jean L. Cooper)
Subject: Re: Barn Kitty
Organization: University of Virginia
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 21:05:28 GMT


Hi, I'm Deirdre Johnson using Jean Cooper's account
(with her permission, of course):


I found my kitten as a one or two day old stray, and she had
things like these all over her. A friend told me they were
bluefly eggs.  It's imperative that you get them off her right
away, because they contain an enzyme that will break down the
skin.  The easiest way is to shave her fur - if you cut through
the eggs, you will kill them, and the cat will be fine.  If she's
very small, she may get cold - you might want to keep her inside 
for a while. But she'll be OK  as long as you get rid of these 
eggs.  Tuesday Molly (my cat) is fine now - huge and imposing
actually, though she was only about a 4 ounce kitten when I found
her, and spent her first few weeks of life with bald patches on her
back.
--
Jean L. Cooper    (BITNET: JLC5F@virginia.edu   CIS: 70253,1114)
"The true University of these days is a Collection of Books." 
                                           --Carlyle                        
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: lpj@col.hp.com (Laura Johnson)
Subject: Re: fun cat books
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 21:56:21 GMT
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division

> In article <1832@shaman.wv.tek.com> peggys@orca.wv.tek.com writes:
> >I just realized that with all the talk about fun cat books there has been no
> >mention about any of James Herriot's books, the All Creatures Great & Small
> >series.  The reason I mention this now is because I noticed he has a new book
> >out.  Now, it has been many years since I've read any of his books and I 
> >honestly can't remember if there were any good cat stories, but anyone who
> >enjoys reading interesting stories about any kind of animal, especially 
> >since they are true, would enjoy these.  For those of you who aren't familiar
> >with him, he is a vet in England, I believe.  As I recall there is alot of 
> >humor in his stories.  Anybody else care to comment?  How long has it been 
> >since All Creatures Great & Small came out?  Am I aging myself here or what? 
> >

Just read the new one ... plenty cat stuff in there (James and his wife
acquire two feral cats).  Good reading.  Don't read if you absolutely can't
stand the thought of animals dying; but I think Herriot handles that topic
with great sensitivity.  There is quite a bit of humor, also.
-- 
Laura Johnson
lpj@hpctdls.col.hp.com
Opinions expressed are my own, but may be licensed for a nominal fee.
From: jmorris@spider.co.uk (John Morris)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: more quarantine questions
Date: 28 Sep 92 15:15:40 GMT
Organization: Spider Systems Limited, Edinburgh, UK.

In article <1992Sep28.095524.7817@ac.dal.ca> hecate@ac.dal.ca writes:
>Is it still a six-month quarantine period in the UK?
>
> [...]
>
>Julia Holland

Yes. Sorry.

John.


-- 
-John Morris-Spider Systems Ltd-031 554 9424-jmorris@spider.co.uk-GM4ANB@GB7EDN-
Organization: University Libraries - Technical Service, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 08:20:37 -0400 
From: "Susan R. Wagner" <sw39+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Wisdom needed: cat peeing blood

Help, I need some of your great wisdom.  I'm posting this because a
friends cat had a medical emergency (of course, on a Saturday when they
were suppose to be at a wedding).  Our friends cat, Malcolm, started
making frequent trips to the litter box with no luck.  The noticed blood
in his small amount of urine.  They did not mention whether or not he
was whining or anything.  They immediately took him to the vet fearing
FUS.  The vet checked his bladder and said it was not full, they gave
him some medication (I'm not sure what it is).  They returned home, but
there was not improvement, and still blood in what urine he could
produce.  He is eating and pooing. They did not mention if there is
blood in his feces.  What do you think?  The vet did not have a specific
diagnosis and said to watch him.  OF course besides for his emergency
being on a Saturday, he had been to the vet just the day before for his
regular check up?  Could it be stress?  Thanks in advance for any
information.

Susan and Jester
From: jimoates@panix.com (Jim Oates)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Fundraising For Animal Shelters
Summary: How to Raise Money For an Animal Shelter
Keywords: Fundraising
Date: 6 Oct 92 13:45:18 GMT
Organization: PANIX Public Access Unix, NYC


Hello:

I am a Board Member and Corporate Secretary for a not-for-profit
Animal Shelter in Northern New Jersey.

Our shelter is funded entirely by private donations, and has been
for the past 20 years.  We are now planning an expansion of our
facicities, for an approximate cost of $125,000.

My question:  Does anyone know of private corporation, private
foundations, or any other organization that contributes money
to organizations such as animal shelters.

I know money doesn't grow on trees, but I need a jumping off
point to start.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jim Oates


E-Mail

jimoates@panix.com


-- 
Admit Nothing
Blame Everyone
Organization: Arizona State University
Date: Monday, 5 Oct 1992 18:14:17 MST
From: Bruce Tachoir <KGBAT@ASUACAD.BITNET>
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Declawing older cats


Has anyone ever had to have an older cat declawed? I have two cats, Apollo -
a gray tabby going on 10 years of age and Opie - an orange tabby going on 8
years old. Their scratching has gotten progressively worse and I'm afraid
I must have their front claws removed. I'm interested in all experiences and
points of view, specifically: What are the dangers of surgery for cats of
this mature age? Can vets detect if a cat should not under go the declaw
proceedure? Any adverse reactions after declawing? Thanks in advance. BT
From: lsnow@ncrclm.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM (Linda Snow)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Has my cat gone mad?
Date: 6 Oct 92 17:11:47 GMT
Reply-To: lsnow@ncrclm.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM (Linda Snow)
Organization: NCR E&M CLEMSON Liberty, SC

I don't think I've ever had a cat that DIDN'T chase its tail!
From: avi@rix.Corp.Sun.COM (Ann Adamcik)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Purring as a sign of illness
Date: 28 Sep 1992 18:27:22 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Distribution: world
Reply-To: avi@rix.Corp.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: rix.corp.sun.com

In article 69223@hydra.gatech.EDU, iadt1jm@prism.gatech.EDU (Jean McSpadden) writes:
>
>All the other cats I have know have wanted to be by themselves when ill,
>this little cat's loud purring and wanting to be held through his 
>illness has mystified and touched me. Has anyone else had a cat
>who purrs when he is sick?

Yep.  When Maggie is not feeling well, she wants to be held constantly and 
will bury her little nose under my chin and purr loudly.  She'll even purr 
for the vet when she's getting her temperature taken and getting shots (NOT 
her usual vet-behavior when she's well!).

When she's *really* sick, she'll curl up somewhere by herself and won't purr 
at all.  

-Ann

Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: larsenp@mace.cc.purdue.edu (Paul Larsen)
Subject: how much to feed
Organization: Purdue University
Date: Tue, 6 Oct 1992 02:03:13 GMT

Our cat is about 2 and 1/2 pounds overweight.  Her weight optimum is supposed
to be 10 pounds.  The vet put her on Hill's Science diet light and told us
to feed her about half a cup a day.  Maybe it is my feelings getting in the
way, but the poor cat always seems to be starving when we feed her this much.
Should we feed her a little more or is the cat putting on a real good
acting job?


Paul Larsen
larsenp@mace.cc.purdue.edu
From: neile@milton.u.washington.edu (Neile Graham)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Feline Immigration
Date: 28 Sep 92 20:26:45 GMT
Article-I.D.: u.1992Sep28.202645.24684
Distribution: na
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle

All you should need to bring a cat into the U.S. is proof that their shots
are up-to-date, especially their rabies shots.

I've driven my cats across the U.S.-Canada border several times and they
have had no problems getting across with us.  I can't speak for other 
border points, though.
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
From: mgd@world.std.com (Matthew G Davidson)
Subject: Asthma from Cats?
Summary: Can one get asthma from cat?
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 1992 05:57:36 GMT

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.


Matthew Davidson
mgd@world.std.com