My female Snowshoe Siamese cat hates men over 5 feet 8 inches tall. She hates them so…

My goodness--I didn’t know cats carried measuring tapes with them. *smile* Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

Cats love the status quo. If your cat has only been exposed to people under that height, she feels safe and comfortable with them. A man that’s taller than her comfort zone also likely walks with a heavier tread, has a lower voice, and moves very differently. He may even smell BAD to the cat (his cologne, or scent of dog, or other cat-obnoxious scents).

Fix the behavior by first, above all, having your friend ignore the cat. Do not try to touch her. Do not make eye contact. Have him sit on the floor--suddenly he’s shorter than the 5 foot 8 inch scary height. Allow the cat to approach him at her own pace. He can have treats available, or a long distance toy such as a fishing pole with a feather, so she can keep out of reach but enjoy safe interaction. Have him fill her bowl with food so she sees that good things come from men, too.

Kit-Ten is my beautiful longhaired gray cat I have had for the last three years. She was…

How interesting. I love hearing from people because there’s always something new to learn. My question for you would be--what has changed? Are the screens new? Have they been in the windows all the time? What’s outside the screen?

I suspect one of two things is going on. Many cats seem to have an attraction to certain types of plastic, possibly because these products are derived from petroleum. Perhaps the screen material just tastes good to Kit-Ten for this reason.

Or, perhaps a stranger visits Kit-Ten and rubs against the outside of the screen. Are there stray cats in the area? Birds that perch on the sill? Squirrels that hurl cat-curses and drive Kit-Ten batty? The remaining scent could lure your cat to this behavior.

I don’t believe there’s a health issue on the face of your description. But yes, some cats do become compulsive about certain behaviors. So, unless the behavior develops to the point that it interferes with Kit-Ten enjoying other normal cat behaviors (particularly mealtime), I wouldn’t worry.

Effect of Energy Restriction on Feline Weight Loss

Villaverde, C., J. J. Ramsey, et al. (2008). "Energy restriction results in a mass-adjusted decrease in energy expenditure in cats that is maintained after weight regain." J Nutr 138(5): 856-60.

Treatment of obesity in cats can be frustrating, even if appropriate energy restriction (ER) is employed. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ER causes a long-term decrease in mass-adjusted energy expenditure (EE). Such a decrease in EE would impair weight loss and even promote regaining lost weight. EE and body composition were measured in 10 obese neutered adult cats (average body weight 6.1 kg, body condition score 7.6/9.0, fat mass 38%) at 3 time points: at baseline, during weight loss (40% ER), and after regaining weight. After weight loss, the average body weight was 5.0 kg, body condition score was 5.5/9.0, and fat mass was 31%. After a period of regaining weight, the average body weight was 6.2 kg, body condition score was 7.7/9.0, and fat mass was 42%. The total EE was significantly lower than baseline during weight loss, and remained lower than baseline even after weight regain. The results support the suggestion that ER results in a sustained mass-adjusted decrease in EE in cats.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Weinsier, R. L., T. R. Nagy, et al. (2000). "Do adaptive changes in metabolic rate favor weight regain in weight-reduced individuals? An examination of the set-point theory." Am J Clin Nutr 72(5): 1088-94.
>> Free full text article

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Feline Patellar Luxation

Guillaumot, P., S. Scotti, et al. (2008). "Two cases of surgically treated feline patellar fractures." Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 21(2): 156-8.


Diseases of the patella, such as luxation and fractures, are reported less commonly in the cat than in the dog. This articles details the reports of two cases of patellar fracture: one in a 6-month old cat and one in a 2.5-year old cat. Two different methods of repair are detailed, along with information on etiology and diagnosis.
>> PubMed Abstract


Related articles:
McLaughlin, R. M. (2002). "Surgical diseases of the feline stifle joint." Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 32(4): 963-82.
>> PubMed Abstract


More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Heartworm in Cats: Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention

Hoch, H. and K. Strickland (2008). "Canine and feline dirofilariasis: prophylaxis, treatment, and complications of treatment." Comp Contin Edu Vet 30(3): 146-151.

While several agents have been available for treatment of heartworm infection in dogs, no safe and effective adulticides exist for treatment of heartworm in the cat. Cats infected with heartworm may benefit from corticosteroid therapy to reduce clinical signs of pulmonary disease. Fortunately, four products are available for prevention of heartworm infection in cats (ivermectin, selamectin, moxidectin, milbemycin). Two products are given orally, and two are administered topically. Even cats diagnosed with heartworm infection can safely be given preventive treatment.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Bowman, D. D., C. J. Torre, et al. (2007). "Survey of 11 western states for heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection, heartworm diagnostic and prevention protocols, and fecal examination protocols for gastrointestinal parasites." Vet Ther 8(4): 293-304.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Feline Heartworm: Life Cycle, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis

Hoch, H. and K. Strickland (2008). "Canine and feline dirofilariasis: life cycle, pathophysiology, and diagnosis." Comp Contin Edu Vet 30(3): 133-141.

The heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, infects many animal species, including dogs and cats. While cats are resistant to heartworm infection, they may suffer infection rates 5-20% of the local canine rate. The American Heartworm Society released new guidelines on feline heartworm in 2007. It is important to understand the pathophysiology of heartworm disease in cats, and to educate pet owners that cats are at risk, even if they live 100% indoors.
>> PubMed Abstract

American Heartworm Society

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More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

My 8 year old male cat was diagnosed with feline herpes back in March. He has been taking…

The herpes virus in cats can be very difficult and frustrating in cats. You didn't say what kind of symptoms he's showing but most cats may have eye issues or upper respiratory signs. One of the difficult things about the herpes virus is that it is not curable. It will lay latent in a cat's system and then has the potential to flare back up. Since we can not eliminate the virus, the best we can do is treat the symptoms and try to decrease outbreaks. My concern in your question is that your cat is not eating well and why pain medication has been offered. Most cases of herpes are not severe enough to warrant pain medication and I would be concerned there could be something else going on as well. I would also revisit the antibiotics.

Antibiotics will not address the herpes itself but rather a secondary bacterial infection. Some antibiotics can have the potential to upset a cat's stomach so long term usage can influence appetite. I know this is all a lot for you and that you only want your cat to get better. If you feel confused about your current treatment and the information you are getting from your veterinarian, you could consider a second opinion as well. Please let us know how things are going or if you have more questions. Hope this helps.

My cat keeps itching her face/ears, she doesn’t have mites or fleas. She also has a bald…

An itchy cat can be problematic. If you've ruled out fleas or ear mites, my next thought would be she's itchy due to allergies. Most cats with allergies tend to have itchy skin rather than runny eyes or nose like humans do. Cats can be allergic to many things....pollens, grasses, dust, fabrics, food ingredients etc. I would work with your veterinarian to figure out what you can do to make your cat more comfortable. There are many options to treat skin diseases in cats and could make her feel better.

My cat, Gracie Petunia, had a small cut on her back, the vet shaved off some hair to…

I'm sorry to hear that Gracie is having a hard time with this spot on her back. It is certainly possible that the original cut may have been a symptom of what is going on...perhaps Gracie was itchy and cut herself when she was trying to itch or rub at her back. I would communicate with your veterinarian that your girl is still having problems. You may want to consider an Elizabethan collar so that she can't continue to exacerbate the spot on her back. Also see if your veterinarian can suggest an alternate topical medicine. Cats are so meticulous about their skin and coat, they will try to lick off anything on their skin - especially something thick like a cream.

In many cases, spots like these can be related to a medical condition like mites or allergies. Further testing such as a skin scrape may be worthwhile, topical treatment for fleas could help, or a food change to a limited ingredient diet could be useful. Hope this helps and good luck with Gracie and her skin!

My kitten does this “squirrel thing” whenever she eats, could she be teething? Up close,…

It is possible that your kitten is teething. When kittens are teething they can have some oral discomfort and may bite more, rub their mouth or show other behaviors for comfort. If you are concerned, it wouldn't hurt to have her examined by your veterinarian to rule out any other medical issues.