Goodbye Sharon, Hello Carol

I know, I know, it's been a while. Shortly after posting my last blog post, my sharonsparkles Yahoo account was reported to the Yahoo Police so I was banned from creating any new thought-provoking cat questions.   Typically this would discourage the normal adolescent prankster from seeking further online damage, but for a mischievous troll like myself, this only motivated me to step up my game.  So what ensued was the creation of a brand new yahoo email and account.  Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you carolhebert@yahoo.com:

Step 1: Upload a believable profile picture- there’s a fine line between an over the top crazy woman and sincere cat lover and I believe this picture I found on google images captures just that.  She kind of reminds me of a grown up Elmira from Tiny Tunes haha

Step 2: Create an intriguing “About me” section

Step 3: And of course, get down to the bottom line with “Interests”

Now that the crazy cat lady foundation has been laid, I give you Yahoo Questions Part Deux:

Question 1:
What is the best way to mute a cat?

For the past 4 months I have been waking up to my cat purring outside my bedroom door. It has grown very old and I am very annoyed with it. Waking up to a cat purring is something that no one can get use too. If I wanted to be woken up to an animal noise I would have boughten a stinkin' rooster not a cat. I saw a documentary on Animal Planet a few years back about how a circus ring master silenced his circus tigers by removing some vocal cords or something like that. I know that this procedure can be done safely on large cats but can also be done on small domestic cats? If so is this an operation that can be done in house? If you don't recommend that where can I get the procedure done and how much will it cost?

Answers:

1) I think if you give him attention and take him to bed with you he'll stop doing it. he just needs your attention

Source(s):

my cat is like this

2) I can't believe that a purring cat would upset you so much, even one that meows. The cat does not have a problem, it is you. Don't even destroy the vocal cords of an animal. Get yourself some ear plugs.

3) Sorry to say but If you are willing to be a pet owner. You have to take responsibility. Question to you. Why do you even have a cat? You said its annoying so I suggest you give it away to a shelter. They will take care of it better. By the looks of it you just aren't an animal person. No need to have a cat then. Good luck :)

Source(s):

Myself

4) If you cant handle you pet then why have one?

5) Their is a simpler solution to your question, Just give your cat a way to a family that will actually love it because it's obvious you can't stand the poor thing and removing your cats vocal cords is just Cruel how would you like it if someone removed yours?????

Question 2:
What's the best way to discipline a cat?

My cat does not listen. I feel as if she does the opposite of everything I command. I'm sick of chewed up shoelaces and couch cushions :/ So, what discipline techniques have you seen to work? So far I've tried isolating her in the mud room, spraying her with "sassy spray" (spray bottle with vinegar), shock collar, and "kennel time." None of this seems to work. If you have seen anything that has worked for you I would love to know. Thanks in advance!

Answers:

1) honey.. this is a cat... not a dog... you cannot simply train it, cats will not do anything you command, and WILL be naughty when they think your not paying attention. But the only thing you can do is spray them with WATER, say it with me, WATER. NOT VINEGAR. Another thing you can do if you want a cat to stop destroying things and stop getting on furniture, is to spray things with a heavy scented perfume, cats do not like the smell and will stay away. Also consider getting a scratching post.

2) I've thought of spraying my cat too, but it doesn't really affect her in any way. What I personally do isn't so "inhumane" as my mom addresses it, I basically pick her up and grab her by the loose skin around her neck and (not too hard) just press her head against whatever she's done. I also yell, yelling is probably an easier way... but they'll understand for a while and then continue. You can also keep them in a room in which they dislike, like for example my cat; a bathroom. I keep her in there for a few minutes(while bringing her there I yell at her saying what she's done is absolutely wrong) 
These are just a few ways my mom's taught me.

3) I have NEVER had a cat chew, scratch or misbehave-here's how:
1. Never spray with anything. It increases anxiety-you want calm animals.
2. Don't yell. They run but don't listen
3. Never touch a cat in anger-they payback!

I play with my cat morning and night 5-20 minutes with a toy like "Da Bird". And I really get into it and interact with my cats while talking and laughing.

I put out 2 different types pet treats and let them pick while I talk about their choice, etc.

The point is to get them to associate listening to you with good things. Now, when I call or ask them to gett off a table, they do it, without my anger!

And they do all the loving stuff too-so worth it!

Source(s):

Have had many cats

4) Maybe she's bored! Get a wand toy with something on the end of the string and play with her until she gets tired! Then she will have less energy to destroy things in your house. Cats are hard to discipline and more likely to react to positive reinforcement, as opposed to negative reactions. Does she have cat furniture or toys? Get a sisal cat scratching post for her to take out her aggressions on! A cat tree with sisal on it would be even better!

Source(s):

36 years of cat and kitten rescue

Question 3:
What is the proper steroid dosage for cats?

Me and a few neighbors have organized a Cat Olympics for our cats to participate in. The event is next weekend and I feel like I do not have that much time left to train and prepare her. Last year I got really bad poison ivy and my doctor prescribed me some oral steroids. I have some leftover and was wondering if I should give my cat the normal dosage or if I should give her a smaller dose since she weighs a lot less than me. I am very competitive and I can't afford to lose to my neighbor's cats or else I'll never hear the end of their bragging. My cat does not seem to have the stamina like I know she should have so I am wondering if I should give her 1, 2, or maybe half a capsule? I know that the steroids they use in sports are illegal, but the ones I got were legal so it wouldn't be considered cheating or anything. Any ideas on the dosage? Thanks!

Answer:

1) DO NOT GIVE THEM TO YOUR CAT!
Human steroids are very different. There is a significant potential you could severely harm or even kill your cat with ANY amount given.

Source(s):

Reg'd Vet Tech

Question 4:
Do cats have feelings?

I'm a proud owner of 8 cats :) (Tibbles, Kiki, Cleo, Boots, Beans, Cody, Maple and Stefani) Lately I feel like the other cats realize that Tibbles is my favorite. Other than allowing him to sleep at the foot of my bed and feeding him the occasional Trader Joes shrimp, I feel like I treat all my cats equally, or at least I try. Tibbles was my first cat and I can't deny he's my favorite, which is why I feel bad having him sleep with the others in the mud room. Lately i've noticed that my other seven cats are acting very hostile to Tibbles. They exclude him from their cat games and refuse to let him join in their cat parties. This inclines me towards even more favortism for Tibbles as I feel he is the victim amongst the eight cats. Is it possible that my other cats are jealous? Can cats have feelings too? Should I start taking turns bringing different cats with Tibbles for his weekly grooming? I just want my cat Tibbles to be loved and accepted by his siblings!

Thanks :) :)

Answers:

1) Very much so. My cat ran off under the entertainment center and wouldn't have anything to do with me when she saw me pet another cat on the head. Her entire body language screamed "Jealousy".
When I was gone for a couple of weeks, her entire body language was extreme happiness when she saw me again. And she jumped up on my lap and tried to constantly have full body contact non-stop for a very, very long time.
I once walked in on her using the litter box, and she was embarrassed. You could see it in her face.

2) Yes, cats have feeling too. They are very smart and can catch on to when they are being treated differently. That is why if a cat is treated bad they tend to become "wild" or "feral". It isn't just because that's how they are in most cases. Some are just mean, but some are scared. Some are nice, and some just don't care. 

My cat gave birth and couldn't take care of her kittens (she tried, but couldn't) and I could only keep one. I kept one my niece named Teddy Bear. I grew VERY attached to him and him to me. The other cats noticed that I was showing favor to him and started attacking him...even his mother (which all of my cats grew up together and had never been separated). I started making sure to show them more attention and they stopped attacking him. They have all went back to being their sweet loving selves.

Source(s):

self, personal experience.

3) If you let Tibbles Then let the rest of them or put him with the rest of them

4) For someone having 8 cats, you seem naive about this stuff. :/