Pets
Q: My cat sits on his window perch, looks out at the birds, then chirps at them. Is Freckles the Rich Little (an impressionist) of cats? — S. G., West Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
A: Sorry, but your cat’s talent isn’t unique. Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Sharon Crowell- Davis, a professor at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine-Athens, has observed outdoor cats actually jumping into trees and then chirping as they hunt. She suggests this could be a feline version of a bird call. Cats may also make this sound when playing or as a friendly greeting.
It’s likely Freckles will chirp when playing with one of those toys that replicates a bird, such as a fishing pole toy with feathers. Some cats excitedly chirp at their owners when they return home. Generally, the higher pitched the chirp, the more excited the kitty.
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Q: I’ve rescued several feral cats with ear mite problems. Most of them don’t allow human contact. Is there anything I could put in their food to treat ear mites? — S. W., Richmond, Va.
A: I don’t know if you’ve taken these cats indoors — not the best idea if they’re truly feral. The best option, in my opinion, and Stocking agrees, is trap-neuter- return. This program involves trapping feral cats, having them spayed/neutered, vaccinated for rabies and perhaps treated for fleas, ear mites, etc. Friendly kitties are then adopted through a participating shelter. All others are returned to their colonies to live out their lives. The colony cats may be provided with supplemental food and watched over by caretakers. Learn more at www.alleycat.org . You might also ask your veterinarian about ivermectin to treat the mites, which could be added to the feral cats’ food.
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