Any cat owners out there?
Last summer I adopted a one year old cat from a relative. Before that, the cat was an outdoor-only cat and I’ve seen him a few times before, whenever I visited my relative. I would pet him. I noticed at the time that he had somewhat coarse coat. Not smooth and fine coat. But coarse. Then, about two months ago, I noticed that his coat has gotten smoother, finer. Like silky hair. I wonder if it is because I keep him inside now? Do outdoor-only cats develop a different texture of coat than indoor cats?
hair quality is most usually a function of diet (provided you dont pour acid on it or anything on those lines)
Aah, didn’t think about that. Thanks. Didn’t know you care about…oh j/k.
My father and I adopted two kittens from the animal shelter 9 years ago. Recently, my father’s girlfriend moved in and brought in a three year old male cat with her. They don’t like each other much, well… I guess the new cat (Earl) is real curious about the older ladies, but they’re a little stuck up.
Anyways, Earl gets fed Fancy Feast by my dad’s g/f and the others get a pellet food thats supposedly better for them (That stuff seems highly addictive, but thats besides the point). Earl’s coat has sheen all over the place; smooth and soft. My older feline’s have dull hair with no shine to speak of. They look similar but have obvious differences. Perhaps Earl got the gene for some sleek hair, but I believe the Fancy Feast is a main part of it. He does seem to clean himself more often than the others. Maybe thats part of the aging process, but I thought I’d give you my account.
By no means is this a pro-Fancy Feast post. Like I said earlier, it’s got to have some potent stuff keeping those cat’s fiending for it.
P.S. All three are strictly indoor.
Thanks for that Zachariah. But I have more questions, I hope you could help. (Before I adopted it): My cat was born at my relative’s place and grew up with one of its siblings. The cat was very affectionate although it was an outdoor-only cat and was never petted or held much at the time (before I adopted him). He and his sibling were very close to each other–and did everything together–eat, sleep, roam around the neighborhood. Then, one night, his brother was hit by a car and died. After that, he ate very little and would only sleep in one corner of the yard. Sometimes, he wouldn’t eat at all. He got to the point where, my relative believed, he was starving himself to death. So, he asked me if I wanted to adopt it and I did (last summer). There was nothing wrong with the cat, as far as illness. He is fine now, got back to his normal weight and his coat is looking great. But I was wondering whether cats do feel loneliness, something that would make them starve themselves to death?
most likely
most likely
It is my belief that felines are succeptible to the feeling we call loneliness, or something like it. One of the older afforementioned cats (Shirley) has markedly dingy fur and a weight problem. The other elder (Laverne) has similar dull fur, but it’s not as… disheveled as Shirley’s. Laverne actually has the larger frame but weighs less than Shirley, which is where I gather the weight problem. I have an inkling that Shirley has anxiety problems and that they have worsened after the introduction of the younger cat. Perhaps loneliness is also felt by her. I do know that the cats experience joy through compassionate companionship so I can see her feeling the opposite of that when no one is home, or perhaps we’re home, but the younger cat is romping around with the newest edition, Sophie, a golden retriever. Having lived with Laverne and Shirley for 9 and a half years it’s easy for me to tell them apart by looks, temperment, voice, and probably even by the way their fur feels. I have no doubt in my mind that these animals go through a range of emotion, not as complex as our own, but I’ve seen embarassed cats before, and thats something. But as for a cat trying to starve itself to death, I’m not so sure. I do believe that it could be in an emotional state where it sees no need to eat, but I doubt that it’s planning its own demise in such a romantic fashion.
I agree. It seems more likely that my cat’s behavior was due to sudden loss of companionship (btw, they were siblings, so no romantic attachment there). And I do believe they respond well to human affection and attention, because since I brought him home and allowed him to sleep on my bed, he has become very affectionate and cuddly. Thanks guys.
An outdoor cat has to have a heavier coat than an indoor cat. I know I have 1 indoor, and 1 outdoor.
What’s it like? Because the other day Kitty (I don’t have a name for him) tore up the cover of my book and I said to him in a somewhat angry, and scary voice" You bad kitty!!!" and he ran under the bed. I don’t think he was scared. But I think he was embarassed.
Btw, does Earl show more affection than the ladies? Because I think male cats are calmer and more affectionate than female cats.
course. female cats are all bitches ;p
Do you own a cat, Zenofeller?
nope.
besides i thought your religion forbid you to own cats. they have rights after all, right ?
So, that explains your three-word chirp each time. But I still do appreciate your response, this is mundane babble after all. 