Cats

This entire column is devoted to cats.

The first two questions were answered at a meeting of the CATalyst Council at the headquarters of the American Veterinary Medical Association. CATalyst is a non-profit organization devoted to elevating the status of cats.

Q: I rescued a 5-year-old cat from the pound who'd been previously returned three times. I have two issues with this cat. First, he only eats dry food -- and you must be standing by him or he won't eat at all. The other issue is far more serious. This cat will only drink from a faucet. There's no way he'll drink from a bowl.

Any advice? -- R.E., Mesquite, NV

A: First, pat yourself on the back for adopting this cat but don't compare his habits with those of other cats you've had in the past.

"Nutritionally, there's nothing wrong with only eating dry food," says Dr. Diane Eigner, a feline practitioner in Philadelphia and American Association of Feline Practitioners liaison to the CATalyst Council.

One downside of feeding dry food only is that cats who don't like to drink may not get adequate moisture. However, your cat does like to drink and simply prefers running water - so give it to him. Eigner says, "Get him a water fountain for cats. I have one for my cat." Cat fountains are available online and at pet stores.

As for the cat not eating unless you're standing there, your pet doesn't like to eat alone. T

That's a compliment, even if it is inconvenient. Eigner says, "As long as your cat is in good health, my advice is to walk away, and over time the cat will eat. I've never had a cat starve to death. If you're concerned, you can buy a scale (online) which measures in 1/10 increments to track your cat's weight to insure he's eating." Another idea: Offer the food, walk away, and give your cat 10 minutes to eat. If he doesn't eat, pick up the food, wait several hours and then try again. By the next day (or sooner), he'll likely be much more interested in food.

If you're concerned about your cat eating dry food only because that diet may be too laden with carbohydrates (which increasingly worries some feline experts), feed him just a pinch of tuna as a treat for a few consecutive days. On day four or five, add a touch of tuna-flavored canned cat food to the same bowl the tuna is in. Gradually transition to all canned food or a combination of wet and dry food. Soon, you can add other flavors of cat food, though that may also require a gradual transition with each new flavor.

Q: One of my cats urinates in places other than her litter box. She urinates on laundry, especially.

This has been going on now for several years and my patience is wearing thin. If I'm home or not, the cat does this.

Any advice? -- S.K., Cyberspace

A: Eigner says that even though this isn't a new behavior, it's possible your cat has an on-and-off physiological explanation which precipitates the inappropriate piddling. You gave no indication about whether you've discussed this cat's 'issue' with your vet. Assuming the cat checks out physically, Eigner says there are basic steps to take, beginning with daily scooping of the litter box. You could also offer another box with an alternative litter.

Also, be religious about putting away laundry so it's no longer available for the cat to piddle on.

If these changes don't help, ask for hands-on help from a veterinary behaviorist (www.dacvb.org) or a member of the America Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (www.avsabonline.org).

For more information about the CATalyst Council, check my website, www.stevedalepetworld.com and www.catalystcouncil.org.

Q: On various lists on the Internet, people are suggesting dosing kittens with Mega Vitamin C to prevent FIP (feline infectious peritonitis).

Is this is good idea? -- S.G., Cyberspace

A: I've received several questions just like yours, and have seen those Internet reports myself. Here's a perfect example of why information read on the Internet should be double-checked!

FIP is a fatal disease caused by a wacky mutation, which occurs in some cats with the enteric feline corona virus. Where there are multiple cats, such as breeders and shelters, the highly infectious corona virus is common, but not especially dangerous unless it transforms into FIP. No one knows why this transformation occurs from the relatively benign corona virus to deadly FIP in only a minority of cats (usually kittens). Most experts agree that stress and genetics are major factors in determining which cats with the corona virus will develop FIP. And to date, there's no cure for FIP.

With cat owners desperate for answers, every rumor offers a glimmer of hope. The latest Internet miracle answer to cure or prevent FIP is the use of Mega Vitamin C.

Dr. Dianne Addie, of Biarritz, France, arguably the most prominent FIP researcher in the world, responds, "Vitamin C is an antioxidant, and so theoretically should help cats with FIP. However, one has to be careful with Vitamin C and cats, since giving it for a while can cause calcium oxalate bladder stones and risk a blocked urethra, which worries me. " Bottom line, she recommends against using Vitamin C in kittens or cats. For those interested in helping cats with FIP, or learning more about the disease, check out Addie's Web site: www.dr-addie.com.

Dr. Susan Little, of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, president of the Winn Feline Foundation, a non-profit funder of cat health research, agrees with Addie. She also does not recommend giving kittens Vitamin C. The Winn Feline Foundation maintains a special fund to support FIP research, called the Bria Fund, and also provides online FIP info, www.winnfelinehealth.org.

Steve Dale welcomes questions/comments from readers. Although he can't answer all of them individually, he'll answer those of general interest in his column. Write to Steve at Tribune Media Services, 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, NY 14207. Send e-mail to PETWORLD(at)STEVE DALE.TV. Include your name, city and state. Steve's website is www.stevedalepetworld.com; he can be heard Sundays on WGN Radio, 8 to 10 p.m. CST (www.wgnradio.com to listen live), and hosts the nationally syndicated "Steve Dale's Pet World" and "The Pet Minute." He's also a contributing editor to USA Weekend

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