See more readers' letters to CAT FANCY magazine.
Posted: May 30, 2008 2 a.m. EDT
Cat Carrier Blues Solution
Like Laurie Cox who wrote the letter in “The Cat Carrier Blues” on page 10 of the June 2008 issue, I also have a cat that freaks when I try to put him in a carrier. Rather than buying a top-opening one, I "hide" my normal carrier, but stand it on one end with the open door facing up.
When it's time to go, I take my cat to the carrier, being careful he doesn't see it, and gently lower him in, back feet first, and close the door quickly. Then, I slowly lower the carrier to the normal position and we're ready to go.
Laurie Stepanian
CAT FANCY at Work
I only have been reading CAT FANCY for about four and a half years, but I have saved almost every issue. I now have two beautiful kitties, a 5-year-old calico (Squeakers) and a gorgeous 13-year-old Siamese mix (Sandy). I now find myself frequently referring to past issues of CAT FANCY for anything from health issues to fun and interesting articles. I love the newer issues, but I sometimes miss things like Dear Tabby, Homeless to Housecat and Flights of Fancy.
Recently, I have been bringing my older issues of CAT FANCY to work with me. I work in a call center, and my job is based on how busy the phone lines are. I read and share my CAT FANCY copies with other coworkers with cats who either cannot afford a subscription or haven't considered subscribing. One year, I also bought a Christmas subscription for my aunt who really appreciated it.
Thank you CAT FANCY for educating not only me but my friends and coworkers about our favorite feline friends! I can't bring Squeakers and Sandy to work with me, but this is the next best thing!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Niki Mattson, Minnesota
Diet Change Helps Perineum Problem
Two cat owners write about cats with soiled perineal areas in “Smelly Cat” on page 20 of the June 2008 CAT FANCY issue. My orange tabby Buffy also had that problem. He deeply resisted being washed off. However, when the veterinarian changed his diet to avoid diabetes due to obesity, the problem went away.
Since my cat has been on M/D dry and wet food, his stool consistency has improved, and he is a much tidier cat now. He is a large cat with a large skeleton, but was vastly overweight at 30 pounds. On the diet, he lost nine pounds, with a few more to go. He still cannot reach the perineum to clean it himself, but it's 99 percent cleaner now than it was before the diet change.
It is a challenge to keep one cat on a special diet when there are three cats in the house. His last lab work indicated normal blood studies. Hope this information might be useful to others.
Lillian Hoyle Parent