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Robyn what do you recommend for flea treatment? Mine had fleas but I treated them and the house, but I still worry. I’m on a tight budget, but want them to have what they need. Also, do you recommend flea collars?
We use Revolution Plus on our cats (since they go outside into the back yard; it works on ticks as well as fleas), but on the fosters (as long as I don’t see ticks when I get them) I usually use Advantage. I find that it works well – I do recommend using it year-round if you’re in a warmer area of the country.
I don’t really like flea collars and I feel like they’re less safe than topical preventatives, though I’m not sure if that’s true or just something I heard somewhere. If anyone out there has any thoughts on flea collars, please feel free to chime in!
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Is it too soon to speculate that there might be some extra floofy Crumbs?
It’s definitely too soon, but we can certainly hope (I know I am!)
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Do you think Crumpet has had other litters, or is she just an especially laid back girl? She seemed to have such an easy delivery and is so relaxed with her new babies, and knows just what to do to care for them and keep them all content. Such a nice cat!
I’m pretty sure she’s had kittens before – we think she’s about 2 years old, so I would be very surprised if this was her first litter. She is a VERY competent mama!
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Questions about the Duckling: is their shared medical trauma over? (Poor them and poor you!!!) How long will they be with you, do you think? They truly are ridiculously gorgeous so I have to assume they’ll be adopted as soon as they’re made available.
They are doing really well – they finished their meds Wednesday and while everything isn’t 100% yet in the litter box (the irony is that the medication that takes care of the parasite that was causing the diarrhea can itself cause diarrhea), I think that the probiotics and vitamins they’re on will ultimately get everything fixed up. In the meantime, they’re all using the litter boxes perfectly (before, they weren’t always making it to the litter box.)
They will probably be with us another month or so. They’re going to be neutered on March 6th. There has been a HUGE amount of interest in them, so I imagine they’ll go home soon after they’re neutered.
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Question for everyone: 5 out of my 6 cats love the cardboard scratchers. They have the small holiday box kinds and a large infinity one. The 6th cat, a Siamese, sharpens his claws wherever the mood strikes, including the wooden side of the buffet and the top of the sofa. He’s a lost cause. Has anyone had any success switching out to a non cardboard scratcher? If so, what kind? Links would be helpful. I’m just so tired of cleaning up little pieces of cardboard that are scattered everywhere.
We use the vertical SmartCat scratching posts along with the regular cardboard (flat) scratchers, and they’re both pretty popular. I’d suggest buying a tall scratcher and see how it goes. I’m sure there are horizontal carpet or sisal scratchers, but I can’t speak from experience – y’all, please chime in on this!
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Huey really likes to bunny-kick the corners of the rugs in the foster room. (Look at his innocent little face. “Are we… not supposed to do this?”)
Louie came along and put the ol’ chomperoo on him.
Then Louie fought with the rug while Dewey watched.
Louie gave Dewey a Look, and Dewey raised a paw.
Which Louie did not appreciate.
Then Dewey and Louie had a glare-off while Huey watched from the toy basket. (Ultimately, they went in separate directions and there was no more fighting, at least for the moment.)
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The side of Pita’s head. You can see where she was trying to trim her mullet and lost control of the razor.
Pumpernickel gives me the ol’ hisseroo.
Crouton (to the left of Pumpernickel) joined in, and Crumpet was all “What are you children going on about?”
That’s Pumpernickel in the center.
And Crouton front and center.
The Crumbs are doing very well – eating great and vigorous. They’ve filled out and are getting to be chunky monkeys. As of yesterday they weight between 5.01 oz/ 142 g (Pita) and 6 oz/ 170 g (Ciabatta.) At some point in the next week I’ll get their weight chart uploaded so y’all can follow along. Just rest assured that they’re all gaining and very healthy.
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Posted on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/Tumblr) yesterday.
Good morning, from this sleepy little pile. From left: Pumpernickel, Crouton, Ciabatta, Babka & Pita.
Happy Thlurrpsday, from Dewey.
YouTube link
Some of Crumpet’s kittens have started hissing. And if they knew just how CUTE they are when they do it, I think they’d stop it immediately. Bonus: naming chart with their pictures at the end of the video. See if you can figure out who the hissiest hisser (that brown tabby in the middle) is. Spoiler: It’s Pumpernickel.
Hissing at this age – when they can neither see nor hear – is completely normal, it’s instinctual, and it’s as cute as can be.
(Please be patient – an ambassador from the “Well, actually” contingent will be along shortly to condescendingly stranger-splain to us all how I am, of course, very wrong. That they’re not hissing, it must be an upper respiratory infection or they’re having breathing difficulties and are in mortal danger. Thank you in advance for your assistance, Ambassador. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
Crumpet enjoys a good scritch.
To answer the question: Crumpet is doing really well. Although I know you’re only seeing pictures and videos of her in the crate, I assure you that she does leave the crate from time to time. She likes to flop down on the floor a few feet away and snooze. She also leaves the crate to eat and use the litter box, of course. She’s eating great, her litter box is looking great. I think she’d be more comfy in the larger crate, but that’s not what she wants, and like I’ve said: she’s the boss. Hopefully as they get bigger she’ll move them.
I do not believe this is her first litter – I’m pretty sure she’s done this before. (Gonna be her last litter, though – she’s going in April for her spay.)
YouTube link
Snuggling with Louie and Dewey (while Huey is out cold in the basket of toys.)
Good night innernets. (Yes indeed, that is Dewey in a duck bed. Between the duck bed, the duck blankets and the duck toys, I think we definitely have some sort of theme going on here. 🙃 )
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Previously
2023: Uncle Charlie came to see what was going on.
2022: “What? Is comfy!”
2021: Maybe if she sits in the sun, those kittens will bake faster?
2020: No kittens yet.
2019: No entry.
2018: BUT WAIT. I’M NOT DONE.
2017: The vet called to let us know that Frankie’s mouth is a hot mess.
2016: Koko gets out her slappin’ paw.
2015: Meet Archie
2014: No entry.
2013: No entry.
2012: “Come here, my beloved bird seed. Come ever so closer…”
2011: “Where’s my mama?” starring Reacher.
2010: Skeptical Truvy.
2009: No entry.
2008: No entry.
2007: No entry.
2006: No entry.
2005: No entry.
Option for an unconventional scratching post for cats that like wood – a large tree branch. Our son’s 2nd-grade project was a “family tree”. We mounted a probably 6″ thick, 2.5-foot high tree branch on a thick piece of wood.
After it came home from school it sat in the living room and to our surprise one of the cats started using it as a scratching post. It was the only thing he used.
The duckducklings are like stereotypical precious moments kittens. They slay.
Advantage and Advantage II have the same ingredients and percentages for both dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. The nice thing about it is that is applied by weight. Many of us in the rescue community will buy the one for large dogs and empty them into a bottle. Then use a ml syringe to measure the appropriate amount for that particular pet and apply. If I recall, correctly, one large dog application provides 5 months worth of product for 1 adult cat. This helps with cost. PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND TALK TO YOUR VET. This does NOT hold true for other flea meds or products!!!!
Advantage II Kitten is available in 0.23 ml applicators for kittens 2-5 lbs (turquoise). Advantage II Small Cat is available in 0.4 ml applicators for cats 5-9 lbs or ferrets weighing 1 lb or over and 10 weeks of age or older (orange). Advantage II Large Cat is available in 0.8 ml applicators for cats 9 lbs & up (purple). Advantage II Small Dog is available in 0.4 ml applicators for dogs 3-10 lbs (green). Advantage II Medium Dog is available in 1.0 ml applicators for dogs 11-20 lbs (teal). Advantage II Large Dog is available in 2.5 ml applicators for dogs 21-55 lbs (red). Advantage II Extra Large Dog is available in 4.0 ml applicators for dogs over 55 lbs (blue).
Example:
Advantage II for Kittens 2-5 lbs (Kitten – Turquoise Box) (0.23 ml):
Active Ingredients % By Weight
Imidacloprid 9.10%
Pyriproxyfen 0.46%
Other Ingredients (not specified) 90.44%
Advantage II for Dogs 55 lbs and Over (Extra Large Dog – Blue Box) (4.0 ml):
Active Ingredients % By Weight
Imidacloprid 9.10%
Pyriproxyfen 0.46%
Other Ingredients (not specified) 90.44%
“Please be patient – an ambassador from the “Well, actually” contingent will be along shortly”…this made me snort my coffee. And also — you have my undying admiration, Robyn, for your ability to stay public (blog, social media) all these years. You’re a stronger woman than I am!!!
If I’d been drinking coffee, I’d have snorted too! MizRobyn cracks me up with the aplomb she greets such nonsense with! She boldly goes where no cat blogger has gone before!