cat fight! (dial-up warning: 109kb -- photo NOT gross)

[Bertha Venation]

We have frequent cat fights around here. Richard, who's almost ten, and Daddy, age unknown, just do not get along.

About an hour ago I heard a rip-snorter of a fight happening in another room. I went out to break it up and found the two of them with their faces about three inches apart. Richard was growling and had one paw up in the air like he was about to strike. Daddy was squinting and blinking and couldn't seem to decide whether to attack or retreat.

I picked Daddy up and brought him into the office with me -- and then I noticed the claw embedded in his head, just in front of his ear:


I pulled the claw out. It was in there a good depth. No blood. I rubbed the spot and Daddy just loved that. He didn't seem hurt at all.

We have tried everything, including these plug-in diffusers that release feline pheromones, which are supposed to calm cats down. Ppphhhhttt!

[reprehensor]

1. ow n/t

[kalian]

2. Cats are amazing animals.....

Yeah, mine are always going at it, although it has never been
that bad. They can take it and dish it out too. :evilgrin:

[Bertha Venation]

9. dishing it out

Daddy gives as good as he gets. Today just wasn't his day. :)

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. Ohhh, that poor baby! Glad he doesn't seem to be too upset over

it...and you're right, he looks like Merlin's twin!!

[Bertha Venation]

4. My god, what a sleek coat! Merlin is a beauty.

Toby's coat is almost as shiny as Merlin's, and Toe resembles him even more, except for his white markings:


It's been a good day for cat photos.

[ScreamingMeemie]

6. That is a beautiful shot!!!!

:hi: Good job!

[Lars39]

5. Somebody posted and raved about these a while back:

http://www.softpaws.com/default.htm

Pretty cat! I was playing with my cat once and one of her claws came off in my arm. Not too pleasant.

[Bertha Venation]

10. I've tought about those, but

for me trimming their claws is easier. I just wish I'd been able to catch Richard last night. Daddy got his clipped so I could pill him without needing a blood transfusion. :eyes: (He has asthma) I thought I'd better clip Richard's too, for this exact reason, but damned if that ton-o-lard can't run!

[Lars39]

12. We're still at the point of training our cat to sit still in our laps.

I haven't yet got the clippers near her. I'm :scared: She has got very sharp claws to be an indoor cat.

[Bertha Venation]

13. Do you have a couple of good, sturdy scratching posts?

Those combined with regular trimming will keep her claws healthy, keep your furniture safe, and keep you from being a pincushion.

Suggestions for trimming:

Start holding her like a baby. If she tolerates it for a few secs, do it more frequently, for longer periods of time. Make it a comfort thing, a time to get cuddles from you. Then, if she gets used to it, trim her front claws while holding her like that.

Or: wrap her tightly in a towel and pull out one paw at a time.

Good luck!

[Lars39]

15. Thanks for the advice!

She's such a spooky little thing, it's been kind of hard to even catch her some days. :)

[ZenLefty]

7. Yeah, that happens

It's the portion of the claw that would have come off on the scratching post (or whatever piece of furniture your cat uses for one). I've found quite a few on our smaller cat, usually in that exact same spot. :o

[ZenLefty]

8. Here's the obligatory pic for the cat thread...

Midnight a/k/a Short-Bus on left
Elwood a/k/a Bigger-than-a-breadbox on right

[Bertha Venation]

11. I like 'em!

Thanks for showing. :hi:

[MuseRider]

14. Owww!

Seems nothing hurts very much if it gets you a good rub! My 3 boys get into some good ones, hair flying all over. They never seem to really hurt each other but they sound like they are killing each other. Poor kitty, give him another special "in front of the ear rub" for me.

[Bertha Venation]

16. I did, and he loved it.

:hi:

[Adams Wulff]

17. Get a dog, and the cats will get along...

Since they'll have a common enemy.