Cat Chat 2

[Angelus Gaston]

I'm probably going to be getting a harness for Pepper this weekend! I'm so excited, I'm sure Pepper would love to do some (supervised) outdoor exploration.

My only concern is that she might be uncomfortable wearing it or refuse to let me put it on. Any suggestions for helping me get her used to wearing a harness?

Treats lots and lots of treats the best thing in the world which she is never aloud. I used deli meat such as ham and chicken as its something my cats are never aloud, dont attach the leash just use the harness and only do small amounts with lots of praise and treats.
After awhile attach the leash and get them follow with treats.

[ru.]

I wanted to say thank you to everyone for providing me with a lot of very good information and informative sources! I have thoroughly enjoyed learning all of this that I had never known about cat color genetics. I also want to thank everyone for being patient with me, because I know that it can be frustrating when someone just isn't grasping what you're trying to explain to them, haha.

That being said; I just have ONE more scenario that I want to run by to you guys! Just to see if I'm actually grasping this.

So a few years ago my Aunt took in a cat that had a litter of kittens. [any attached are not my photos. They just closely resemble the cats and are being used for visual reference]
Mother: Ticked black ("brown") tabby
Father: Unknown
Kittens;
1: Black Female
2: Black Male
3: Black Tabby Female
4: Black Tabby Male
5: Lynx Point Male

SO.
The black kittens appeared because the mother is actually a "black" tabby so she carries the black color gene that appeared in the kittens? The tabbies were a direct color & pattern result of the mother's markings.
And the Lynx Point kitten appeared, which means that both the mother and whoever the father was carried the "Color Point" gene and the "blue" lynx color is the dilute of the black gene that she carries?
Do I have that correct?

Thank you so much guys! c:

[PeachFuzz]

Does anyone know how to avoid startling a hard of hearing cat? I've realized that Maisie does not hear well at all. Even if she's wide awake she never hears me coming up next to or behind her. She'll only notice me if I make a noise within a couple inches of her face. She also sleeps very, very soundly. She's older (vet estimates 12 years) and was a stray in the winter so it may be a combination of age and cold weather damage. I always feel bad when I accidentally startle her. :\

[flyteck]

Does anyone know how to avoid startling a hard of hearing cat? I've realized that Maisie does not hear well at all. Even if she's wide awake she never hears me coming up next to or behind her. She'll only notice me if I make a noise within a couple inches of her face. She also sleeps very, very soundly. She's older (vet estimates 12 years) and was a stray in the winter so it may be a combination of age and cold weather damage. I always feel bad when I accidentally startle her. :\

You could try walking loudly if she's on the ground. She might not hear you, but she should feel the ground shake if you stomp a little bit. Impractical, but other than just never coming up behind her it's the only thing I can think of.

[Thalassic]

Does anyone know how to avoid startling a hard of hearing cat? I've realized that Maisie does not hear well at all. Even if she's wide awake she never hears me coming up next to or behind her. She'll only notice me if I make a noise within a couple inches of her face. She also sleeps very, very soundly. She's older (vet estimates 12 years) and was a stray in the winter so it may be a combination of age and cold weather damage. I always feel bad when I accidentally startle her. :\

If she's awake, try to approach her from the front so you can be sure she sees you before you actual touch or pet her. If she's asleep, then yeah, she probably will get spooked if you suddenly touch her, but any cat would to some degree. Basically you just want to give her some sort of an indication that you're near her, and if her eyesight is fine, then that would be the best bet.

[Keriae]

That being said; I just have ONE more scenario that I want to run by to you guys! Just to see if I'm actually grasping this.

So a few years ago my Aunt took in a cat that had a litter of kittens. [any attached are not my photos. They just closely resemble the cats and are being used for visual reference]
Mother: Ticked black ("brown") tabby
Father: Unknown
Kittens;
1: Black Female
2: Black Male
3: Black Tabby Female
4: Black Tabby Male
5: Lynx Point Male

SO.
The black kittens appeared because the mother is actually a "black" tabby so she carries the black color gene that appeared in the kittens? The tabbies were a direct color & pattern result of the mother's markings.
And the Lynx Point kitten appeared, which means that both the mother and whoever the father was carried the "Color Point" gene and the "blue" lynx color is the dilute of the black gene that she carries?
Do I have that correct?

Thank you so much guys! c:

If the male kitten had black stripes then he was seal (black) lynx point but yes, you've got it right!

[liv :)]

I'm probably going to be getting a harness for Pepper this weekend! I'm so excited, I'm sure Pepper would love to do some (supervised) outdoor exploration.

My only concern is that she might be uncomfortable wearing it or refuse to let me put it on. Any suggestions for helping me get her used to wearing a harness?

Treats lots and lots of treats the best thing in the world which she is never aloud. I used deli meat such as ham and chicken as its something my cats are never aloud, dont attach the leash just use the harness and only do small amounts with lots of praise and treats.
After awhile attach the leash and get them follow with treats.

Thanks for the suggestion! We actually decided to get the harness today, and she's doing very well with it so far!

I started by introducing the harness to her and letting her smell it and have it around her as she eats. Then (using a treat), I coaxed her to put her head through and let it hang around her neck. At first, she seemed a bit frustrated by it (shuffling around a bit uncomfortably), but after lots of pets, reassurance, and treats, she seemed to not even notice it! Next step- officially harnessing her up!

I think getting her used to it is going to be a slow process, so I'm happy with what I've done so far. :)

[ru.]

I got more photos from the foster mom of the litter of kittens that I will likely adopt a male from!


{Family Photo, haha}






The two darker ones and two flame points are male, and the black tabby & one of the flame points is female.

What do you guys think of the darker males' markings? Are you guys still think they might be seal/seal point/seal bicolor. I know that one of them has white feet.

[typicalkelpie]

Mark

[aestheticShadows]

I got more photos from the foster mom of the litter of kittens that I will likely adopt a male from!


{Family Photo, haha}

Awwwww! my heart just melted!