Dear Fisher,
Cat to cat, I need help. Spring has sprung and I am about to be unsprung. There is talk around here that I need to have an operation. I think it is called something like neutering.
Do you believe that I will be affected to the point of becoming less of a cat and that my attractiveness will be compromised by this procedure? I must admit to being a very vain cat and all things considered what are my options here?
Cory
Dear Cory,
Vanity is one of the most universal cat personality traits. After all, so many of your ancestors were gods and goddesses, creatures honored among kings and serfs alike. You are, for all practical purposes, dignified and regal.
The phrase, “Spring is in the Air” is almost synonymous with the phrase, “Love is in the Air”. The combination of your youthful age and the onset of springtime has probably propelled your people into thinking action is required. With medical modernization, changes in attitude regarding spay/neuter of animals is really in your favor.
Susan Little, DVM, explained in her article “Early Spay/Neuter in the Cat”, for the Winn Feline Foundation, “Early age altering refers to spays and neuters done between the age of 6 and 14 weeks. Altering pets between 5 and 7 months of age was established by tradition rather than for any specific medical reason. Years ago, when safe pediatric anesthetic techniques were not available, waiting until a patient was older increased the safety of surgery. But we no longer need to delay altering for this reason.”
Dr. Smith aptly states, “While surgical sterilization remains the most effective means of population control, delaying the surgery long enough for sexual maturity to occur defeats the purpose.” In other words, bad habits like spraying and early morning wailing may have already formed.
The American Humane Association endorses early neutering as a “feasible solution to decreasing pet overpopulation and the tragedy of resulting deaths.” The American Veterinary Medical Association supports the concept of early neutering. Many other animal rescue organizations are working vigorously to get the word out to all pet people.
Right here in the Tampa Bay area, SPOT, Stop Pet Overpopulation Together is continually working to solve this problem. Do you know that one cat or dog and their offspring can produce over 500 cats and dogs in one year? Wow, that is a lot of fur! But more importantly, it is a lot of homes to find, shelters to fund, and tears shed.
Now that you have some of the background, let us consider your options. SPOT recognizes some very neat behavioral and personality changes as a result of spay/neutering of pets:
•No more trying to escape to find a mate – make the ladies think you are playing hard to get
•No more fighting with other male cats – become a SNAG (Sensitive New Age Guy)
•No more howling all night – a “Yo Dawg!” from Randy, Paula will think you are adorable, and how about a thumbs up from Simon Cowell!
•No more spraying on the furniture – Hello fresh air!
•No need to mark your territory – much less worry and work, and much more time to nap
•No more paternity suits due to accidental litters! Peace in the neighborhood!
You and your humans must sign up, even if it does mean a little temporary discomfort to you. It is humane. You will survive. And, when you walk proudly among the enlightened, you WILL be admired.
Your friend,
Fisher
Dear Fisher,
I am a nine month old Rotweiller and I love to taste anything and everything I can get my mouth on. My parents give me toys and they’re constantly giving me raw hides and bones, but they are completely gone in about two minutes. When my parents named me Rocky, they didn’t know I would take it so literally. Rocks are one of my favorite snacks. Seems like they help keep my teeth clean, but they can’t be too good for my tummy. My latest snack was a brand new wooden sculpture that was nailed to the fence outside. I devoured it. My parents went crazy! What can I do to keep my appetite for EVERYTHING suppressed so my parents don’t get so upset with me?
Rocky
Dear Rocky,
You are indeed well named! Eating rocks and wood sounds very odd to me, but there are many other dogs with the same appetite. Younger dogs will chew on wood or rocks when teething because they just like the feel of it on their teeth and it relieves some of the pain of teething. From my perspective, this seems a little like pounding yourself on the head if you have a headache. For some, this is a passing phase, but many older dogs continue the practice. You must realize that these are not chew toys and become very harmful if you swallow the pieces!
The results can be disastrous. Wood can send nasty splinters to your tummy and rocks can break your teeth. A trip to the vet to remove indigestible elements from your innards will surely help you keep your mind off your teething pain after you have been subjected to surgery and come home with a plastic cone around your neck. Once you have developed this habit that you deem “soothing”, it will be difficult to stop in your older age. The best thing you can do is to stop it now.
Your parents can help by removing smaller rocks from your play yard. Larger rocks, or boulders may give you pause, and you will get bored trying to think of ways to devour them and move on to something else. In your case, that would be wood. Not a good alternative!
Wood such as a sculpture or decorative piece can be sprinkled with cayenne pepper if not removed from your area altogether. The wooden fence poses a much bigger problem. Your parents must be aware of the smallest corner you manage to chew at until you can get bigger and bigger pieces of fence in your mouth. I can hear the theme song from “Rocky” right now. If they cannot keep you away from this feast, there are products on the market that are sour or bitter sprays. Oftentimes, one good taste will deter your appetite for fence.
While your parents are busy securing their property, they will do well to look for toys you cannot devour. According to the Humane Society of the United States, “For dogs and other animal companions, toys are not a luxury, but a necessity.” Their recommendations include:
1. Active Toys: Very hard rubber products such as Nylabone®-type products and Kong®- type products, are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and are fun for chewing and for carrying around. “Rope” toys are usually available in a “bone” shape with knotted ends.
2. Distraction Toys: Kong-type toys, especially when filled with broken-up treats—or, even better, a mixture of broken-up treats and peanut butter—can keep a puppy or dog busy for hours.
3. Comfort Toys: Soft stuffed toys are good for several purposes, but aren’t appropriate for all dogs. For some dogs, the stuffed toy should be small enough to carry around.
In light of your recent destruction, you will not have a lot of trouble convincing your parents to provide you with new toys. Show your appreciation by actively playing with them and keeping your teeth and innards safe!
Your friend,
Fisher
published in tbt Tampa Bay Out There weekend edition
Dear readers,
This week I am posting a letter I received from a human who lost her cat and has searched for her for several years. So many of us have humans who have experienced such sadness, and maybe if you will show the letter to your people, they might write to Morgan’s person with some advice and information on how they handled such a situation.
Your friend,
Fisher
Dear Fisher,
My name is Melissa and I am writing in hopes that you might post this in an attempt to locate my lost cat Morgan. I have spoken with you through e-mail and I thought that if I had a picture, that might help. Morgan has been missing for nearly 4 years now. She is a polydactyl, striped kitty. Always was very sweet and loving. I searched for her for months when she first went missing and I just recently found your site and noticed a column about another kitty who looks so much like her. I would absolutely love to have her back, but if she is happy where she is, I just need to know that she is ok. I miss her so much! I found this picture taken when she was about 1 year old, maybe a little older. I hope someone recognizes her. Today she would be around 6 or 7 years old. If anyone has seen her, please contact me @ hopefloats34@hotmail.com. I just have to know that she is fine and has been for all of these years. Thank you to everyone who reads this.
With Love Morgan,
Melissa
