My new Russian Blue kitten, Raisa, was isolated and then introduced to Sable, my established RB. They get along pretty well. Raisa has abandoned her isolation litter box for Sable's litter box. Can they both use the same box? Also, the kitten frequently eats from the older cat's moist food dish and seems to prefer it to her canned kitten preparations. I've read that kittens are not supposed to eat fishy foods. Will the adult wet food or a fish recipe hurt the kitten's development? Debra, Sable & Raisa in Phoenix

Dear Debra, Sable & Raisa in Phoenix
I have not heard of fish based or ‘fish-tasting’ foods being detrimental to a kitten’s development. If anything, high protein foods (like those containing chicken or fish) are essential to kittens’ development. I am concerned that eating adult cat food is not going to give your kitten the nutrition he needs. Try to find a kitten food similar in flavor and consistency to that of Sable’s. As for the litter box, there should not be a problem with their sharing. Just be sure that you clean it frequently. Simba

Dear Simba,
My 3 kittens have always been fed both dry and canned kitten food. They seem to be fed up with the same kitty chow, so I have gradually introduced them to different flavors from several brands. They love that and have never experienced any tummy troubles. They are growing fast. One vet says that it is fine, but the other claims that this is harmful to my babies. I want them to enjoy their meals, but I don't intend to cause any problems maybe later in life. Kaila

PS
Is it safe to treat kittens to fresh food, such as cream, scrambled eggs, yogurt or boiled chicken as a snack.

Dear Kaila,
Your kittens will be fine so long as they continue eating cat food designed to give them the nutrients they need to grow as kittens. Most commercial, kitten foods will do. As for your second question. While some human foods are fine for cats, you are best off keeping them on cat food only. The reasoning is that once cats get used to the concept of human food, they will expect to be fed human food. This can get them into trouble should they venture into non-cat safe food (of which there is plenty) Simba

Hi Simba,
My Cat loves to loves to drink from the running faucet. In fact, I haven't seen him drink from his bowl in ages. My concern is that Sullivan is not drinking from his bowl. I am away from home all day.

Is the fact that another cat is sharing his water bowl and issue? Will he drink from his bowl if he becomes thirsty enough? Is there something I can do short of running my faucet all day? Tammany

Dear Tammany,
Cats love to drink running water. The reason is that it appears more fresh and clean than does stagnant water. The sounds of a running faucet, are like the sounds of a crackling spring or creek. This attracts cats whose desire for it is sealed by the water's freshness and cool crispness.

So what to do? There are a couple of things. One is to get Sullivan something like a Water Fountain. These work great for cats because they flow water all day long as would a running faucet.

Another thing you could do is just make him drink out of his water bowl, or even place multiple bowls around the house. Sullivan will drink if he becomes thirsty. The presence of another cat should not deter him so long as the water is clean. Simba

Hi Simba!
Would you please tell my boss-person that it is OK for me to eat baby food? I especially love Gerber First Foods such as beef, chicken, turkey and veal. I won't eat my food without a spoonful (at least). Charlie Brown, 9-months old

Dear Charlie Brown,
It is ok to eat baby food with your regular cat food. Baby food is often used with kittens that have been rescued from the streets. So tell your 'boss-person' it is ok, but be sure that the baby food is used as a supplement, not as the main dish! Simba

Dear Simba,
My adorable 5 month old kitten is very active and playful. I never see him drink any water, he also appears to be urinating very little. Should I assume by his general well appearance that he is getting enough water? Should I change his food to something that promotes thirst? Overanxious

Dear Overanxious,
Best way to ensure that your kitten drinks enough water is to place a fresh bowl of it every day next to his food. Cats love fresh water and they will at times refuse to drink unless the water is clean. Do not change his diet at this point (cats do not like change) just make clean and fresh water available for him 24/7. Check out the Urinary Problems if your kitten displays odd urination patterns. Also, you may want to consider getting a continous flow bowl like this one here. Simba

Dear Simba,
My name is Mikey the Cat. I am 11 years old. I have been with my loving parents since I was 3. A quarantine caretaker suggested that I may be urinating a lot and drinking large amounts of water. My parents have not noticed a difference in my habits since I have always been a thirsty cat. What do you think? - Mikey the Cat

Dear Mikey the Cat,
Drinking more water and more frequent urination are among the symptoms of diabetes. Additional symptoms include loss of weight as well as increased food intake (to try to compensate for the inability to produce insulin). Diabetes is more common in adult and sr. kitties. Finding out about diabetes will require a few blood tests. The good news is that it is treatable. The most important thing to watch for is a change in behavior. Are you being your regular thirsty self, or is there a marked difference in your water intake? Either way, this might be a good thing to bring up during the next vet visit. - Simba

Hi Simba,
My sister just got two 7-week-old kittens. What is their ideal weight? She wants to be sure they are growing OK. Also, what is the average size and weight of a small-size adult house cat? B

Dear B,
At 7 weeks, the kittens should weigh anywhere from 1 ½ to 2 lbs. An adult domestic cat has an average height in the range of 8-10" (20-25cm). Females can weigh anywhere from 6-10 lbs. (2.7 to 4.5 kg), while males weigh anywhere from 10-15 lbs. (4.5 to 6.8 kg). These are average weights for a domestic short hair cats, remember that purebred cats can weigh as little as 6 lbs. and as much as 22lbs. The best gauge of your cat's weight status is to examine their body composition relative to the following weight guide. Simba

Dear Simba,
My vet told me to cut back my science diet feline growth food, for my four month old kittens. He says they eat too much and are not handling the food well enough. I always thought kittens should have "all you can eat" dry food. What do you think? - Thank E.

Dear E.,
I think that your vet has it right on the money. As I have told other readers, leaving 'buffet' style meals can sometimes lead to bowel movement irregularities and to obesity. Best course of action is to feed the kittens at regular intervals and feed them only the quantities recommended. - Simba

Dear Simba,
My name is Herb, and I am a 3-4 year old, large (13 lb.) flame point Himalayan with 6 toes on each of my front feet. Mom and Dad say I am a beautiful cat with a loving personality, but they are concerned about my weight. They rescued me from a shelter about a year ago. My energy level seems pretty low, and all I ever do is sleep in the same old chair. My mom has done everything she can think of to arouse my interest in toys, but they all seem passé to me. She is feeding me Purina Special Diet, which recommends free feeding, but she is not sure if that is the right thing for me. I snack frequently during the day, but I only eat 3-4 crunchies at a time. I get a little wet cat food, which I love. My mom and dad think the world of me, and are willing to try anything to make my 100% indoor life healthy and stimulating. Love, Herb

P.S.Please send a reply to my worried mom, Susan. My folks don't let me use the computer much.

Dear Herb,
Certainly sounds as though you have two very loving parents. You are a very fortunate kitty. I agree that your weight & energy level are not ideal. One way to increase your energy level is to exercise more. You may want to have your parents get you a cat tree you can climb and some fun toys (even balls of tin foil work pretty well). It is natural to get bored if with static toys. One way to have more fun is to have your parents play with you, by either throwing toys around or using a cat teaser. The goal is to have you run and chase and exercise your cardiovascular system. As for your diet, it is important that your feeding be limited to either the recommended portions from Purina Special Diet only or a lesser amount of Purina Special Diet and the treats you discussed. Adding in treats & wet food to a low fat diet is equivalent to drinking slim fast & topping off your day with donuts. It is fun, but not good for you. Another thing to consider is catnip. Cats have been known to take to this magical plant. This might be a good way of rousing your energy for play.

If your appetite decreases or if you develop a fever and/or find yourself more lethargic please have your parents take you to a vet (see Lethargy for information). Simba

I've had Lois & Clark, my two 7-month old kittens, for 3 months. Lois is a girl and Clark is her brother. Lois has a potbelly. Should she be fat? Will she grow into it? They also have a gas problem. They are both active and have no signs of sickness. - Tony

Dear Tony,
No, Lois should not be overweight. Bad eating habits and odd feeding times can have a negative effect on your kitties' health. Be sure that you follow a routine feeding schedule and that you not leave a buffet-style meal out for Lois & Clark. Feed your tikes kitten/cat food only and restrict the feedings to the recommended quantities. Fresh water should be made available to them all day. In case your cats eat human food, please stop them from doing so. While cats love human food, it is not good for them and can lead to weight gain and all sorts of other problems. Click here for a Cat weight guide. Simba

Dear Simba,
I have a 7 month old Tabby who is the love of my life. He's so cute and loving. He had a check up the other day…he is now 12 lbs (he was 11 lbs One month ago). I'm afraid he may get too big. The vet told me that a cat his size should be about 10 lbs. I don't want him to encounter any weight-related health problems. He still eats kitten food. I try to monitor his eating habits, but it is a little difficult since my roommate also has a 7-month old Persian. What can I do to ensure he doesn't get to be too overweight? Lori in Virginia

Dear Lori in Virginia,
It may a good time to begin transitioning your kitten out of kitten food. Kitten food is rich in the calories kittens need to grow..in your case it appears that kitty has grown enough! Transition kitty slowly). Also, be sure that your cat gets a good dose of exercise and play. As for monitoring his eating, it may be worthwhile to establish regular feeding times for both kittens so that you can ensure that they are each eating what only they are supposed to eat. Simba

Dear Simba,
My sister and I recently got two, 6-week old kittens. They seemed to like us and their new home, but my kitten got fatter while my sister's seemed skinny. Also, My sister's kitten started licking my kitten's paw making a slurping sound. What does it mean? And how much should 10-13 week old kittens weigh and/or on what should we weigh them on. Thanks, Carla

Dear Carla,
Don't worry about the slurping, the kitten is exhibiting a behavior from her nursing days and it is all harmless (read more in Little Kittens).

The weight difference is a trickier situation. There are a couple of potential causes. It is possible that the your sister's kitten just has a larger frame than the other. Another cause could be that one kitten may be eating more and/or exercising less than the other. If they are fed together, observe what quantities each of them eat. Also, be sure that both you and your sister are carefully following your kitten food's directions. Another cause may be general health. If you have not done so already, take the kittens to the vet for their shots (they are at the right age). Have your vet test each kitten for the normal ailments since it is always possible that the little kitten may have an illness. As for their ideal weight, it will vary by breed. Your vet should be able to tell you how the little guys are doing relative to where they should be. Click here for a weight guide. Simba

We have a kitten with some health problems concerning her liver. Now she won't eat and we are having quite a time getting food into her. do you have any suggestions as to a type of food or a technique we can use together eating again? Worried,


Dear Worried,
Try using a eye dropper or small beaker to feed her liquid formula. I recommend that you go to your local Pet Store and buy formula ASAP. As always, please keep your vet abreast of the situation. Liver ailments are VERY serious. Simba

Hi Readers,
Believe it or not, but adult cats are lactose intolerant, which means they cannot properly digest milk. The reason is that many felines do not have the proper enzymes to properly break down the sugar in milk called lactose. When cats drink milk the lactose remains undigested and ferments in the intestine. This causes diarrhea. This does not apply to a nursing kitten taking milk from its mother. So remember, no milk for kitty. Simba

PS
If you do decide to give kitty milk, be sure to give him one that is lactose free.

Dear Simba,
I have a 3-year-old Bengal that likes to eat newspaper. The behavior seems to come and go. Do you think this is possibly related to some sort of stomach upset? He's an indoor cat and doesn't have any access to grass, is this why it eats newspaper? Choking

Dear Choking,
The behaviour could be due to kitty needing more roughage in his diet, although it could also be due to his just liking to chew!

Although cats are strict carnivores, they do benefit from eating some vegetables like grass. Cats love grass because it contains folic acid and is known to also help them with fur balls & digestion. Grass helps kitties with fur balls and digestion because it both induces cleansing vomiting and functions as a laxative. The vomiting is important when kitty has ingested large amounts of fur. Cats will naturally gravitate to plants so as to help them cleanse themselves. In addition, grass is a good source of fiber.

It is good to have some grass available for kitty to chew on. If not available, adding fiber to the diet can help. You can do this by feeding kitty high fiber cat foods or adding some Metamucil (tm) or pumpkin pie filling to his diet (use very small amounts, talk to your vet about quantity!). You can find cat grass at your local pet store or can just click here. Simba

PS
Remember that while some types of grass are good for kitty, it does not mean that all plants are good. Many plants are poisonous and should not be kept in the house.

Hi Simba,
I have two orphaned, 5-week-old kittens. I want to know what I can feed them. They are currently eating milk and rice. Since I am a vegetarian, I cannot procure non-vegetarian food for them. Would you tell me some home made vegetarian cat food that provides them a balanced diet?Karthik

Dear Karthik,
As you may know cats are carnivores and require meat diets. This is because there are certain nutrients cats can get only from animal sources. In addition, cat's digestive systems are incapable of digesting and receiving nutrition from the majority of vegetable proteins. Essential nutrients found only in meats and animal tissues include:

taurine (amino acid for heart and liver function & vision)

vitamin A (vision, bones & tissue health)

arachidonic acid (fatty acid for healthy cell membranes)

While there are ways to feed your cats alternate diets, I recommend that you not make your kitten's diet wholly dependent on non-meat sources. If you cannot provide them animal proteins, I recommend you make their diets rich in cooked egg whites or yogurt, mixed with carbohydrates such as cooked potatoes, rice or pasta. It is important to cook any carbohydrates because cat's digestive systems require complex carbohydrates to be broken into simple carbohydrates.

Your cats' diets should be 25-30% animal proteins. If you go with a meatless diet, be sure to supplement their food with taurine, fish oil and vitamin A (use cooked carrots). Also, as your kittens grow, their tolerance for milk will decrease. In fact most cats are lactose intolerant. Fortunately, they can consume plain yogurt without problem. Yogurt works because it has been partly digested/cultured by beneficial bacteria that makes it easier for kitty to digest. In addition yogurt contains protein, calcium and phosphorus. Simba

Dear Simba,
My kitten is 4 months old. His eating behavior has changed suddenly. He wants to eat everything in sight, including string and balloons. I am afraid he is going to choke. He is also taking his dry food out of the bowl and placing it in his water. My neighbor thinks he has worms. What do you think? Nikole

P.S Is it true that you should not place the food in the same area as the cat litter?

Dear Nikole,
Any sudden change in eating behavior is cause for concern. I recommend that you visit a vet for a checkup. As for his wanting to eat everything, remember that kittens and cats have a tendency to want to chew on things, and may not digest them. One way to stop unwanted chewing is to spray cayenne pepper in places where there is unwelcome chewing (see Misbehaving Kitties - Chewing for more on this). As for his placing the food in the water, it is natural for food to land in the water as kitty scoots the bowls around. However, a dedicated effort on his part to place dry food in the bowl may indicate either a preference for wet food or an inability to properly chew or digest food. Your vet should be able to determine what if anything is bothering kitty's tummy.

Lastly you should not place food near the litter tray. The main reason is hygiene. Remember that cats are very active in the litter pan. With all the digging and moving it is normal for small particles of litter to fly through the air. These particles may land on or near food & water bowls. Cats, like many other creatures, have an aversion to eating food that may be contaminated by waste, as contaminated food may contain harmful bacteria or cause a parasitic re-infection. So it is best to keep the litter box or pan in an area away from the food. Keep me posted on kitty. Simba

PS
See Intestinal Parasites for information on worms and their symptoms.