Dear Simba,
kitten is 2-months old and i cannot keep her off the kitchen counters. I have tried the spray bottle and that does not work she seems to "like" the water. What can i do?

Hi,
When she jumps on the counter, remove her from the counter while firmly and audibly saying the word "no". Be consistent and firm in your use of this word. Do not pet her or in any way encourage her behavior while she is on the counter. Be affectionate only when she is not on the counter and do not pet her immediately following her removal (wait a few minutes). You can also try Boundary Indoor/Outdoor Cat Repellent from Lambert Kay. Check out the letters in Misbehaving Kitties for more training tips! Simba

Simba-
I've noticed that my cat drools. Why is that? K.K

Dear K.K,
Drooling is caused by a variety of things. Gum/teeth problems are amongst the most common of causes. Nausea caused by kidney or intestinal problems can also cause excessive salivation, as can nervousness/stress and reactions to medicine. Your best bet is to have your vet rule out the bad stuff. Keep me posted. Simba

Dear Simba,
I have five, 3-week old kittens; how can I determine their genders at this so young of age. I am trying to find good homes for them and some people want male and others want females. - Confused

Dear Confused,
The female kitten's reproductive organs are very close to the rectum while the male's testes are between the rectum and the male organ, such that the male's organ is much further away from the rectum than the female's. - Simba

Why does a cat knead?

If your cat is kneading it means they are happy and content. Quick background, young kittens need to stimulate their mom’s mammary glands in order to have the milk flow. So they knead on her. Once they grow, the behavior is a demonstration of happiness and contentment. Keep kitty purring. Simba

I think my new kitten has ear mites. How do I treat them? Jean

Dear Jean,
Mites are common among kittens and are treated with mite treatments. Ear mites themselves are benign, the risk is that the kitten will begin scratching them, this puts him at risk of infection The treatment may take a while since mites are elusive creatures. It is important that you thoroughly clean your home to avoid re-infestation. If you are pressed for time, Petsmart.com has Ear Miticide for Kittens that might be worthwhile. Simba

It's been a long time since I had kitten, let alone a male one. When should I have him neutered? - Oscar's Nervous Owner

Dear Oscar's Nervous Owner,
Male kittens can be neutered at 6 months. Raising a kitten is a wonderful thing. Be sure to check out Little Kittens for kitten raising tips. I wish you the very best. Simba

Are kittens suppose to have a cold wet nose or a dry warm nose? And does one or the other mean that the kitten could be sick? - Wondering

Dear Wondering
A cold, wet nose is just one sign of good health and is by no means a complete indicator. Even a healthy kitten can have a warm, dry nose occasionally. The thing to note is that regardless of the nose, you need to watch out for symptoms and should visit your vet if you think your kitten may be sick. Simba

My vet said my 19 week old kitty may have panleukopenia. What is this? How do kitties get it? - Z

Dear Z,
Panleukopenia is also known as feline distemper. It is a very serious ailment. Kittens older >16 weeks have a 50/50 chance of making it (younger kittens have only a 25% chance) Panleukopenia is a contagious virus disease that can strike cats at any age. So what to do?

Do not allow any of your other cats to have any contact with the sick kitty.

Take your kitty to the vet and get a treatment plan going.

Inform your breeder so he can warn others.

Make sure all of your other cats are vaccinated.

I wish the news were better. Have your kitty tested to be sure and let me know how the little guy comes through. - Your Pal, Simba

Follow-up:
After a very scary week and many trips to the vet, Sugar is much better. The main thing was to keep him hydrated...that was difficult to do. It is hard to believe how attached you get to little kitty's! - Z
What a relief! Glad to hear he is ok and did not have distemper. Take care & come back, Simba

What is the normal respiration rate for a 10 week old kitten?

Hi,
A cat breathes an average of 20-30 times per minute. This will vary by the amount of exercise it has just had and its emotional state, amongst other factors. Because cats can be quiet breathers, monitor your kitten’s breathing by placing your hand on your kitten’s chest. Simba

I have 2 new 4 1/2-month-old kittens. They are outdoor cats so they sleep on my porch. I have a light on the porch. Should they sleep with the light on or off? Kittyz

Dear Kittyz,
The light does not matter. Cats can sleep upwards of 14-18 hours per day. Your kittens will sleep with or without it and without problem. Your Pal, Simba

What is a cat's normal temperature? - JB

Dear JB,
Cats have a normal temperature of 99-102 degrees Fahrenheit. If you believe that your cat or kitten is suffering a fever or has too low a body temperature go to your vet or local animal hospital right away! - Your Pal, Simba

I’m looking for information on training cat to use the regular toilet not the litterbox?

Sentiment is mixed on the success of this. I do not know much about it, but this book is the standard when it comes to training kitty, How to Toilet Train Your Cat. Good luck. Keep me posted. Simba

Dear Simba,
My name is Kanga, I am a 5-month old gray tabby. I have a loose tooth and I was wondering if I should tell my mommy, 'cause I don't want her to be concerned if it isn't a problem. :-)Thanks, - Kanga, the Kitten

Dear Kanga,
Kittens usually lose their baby teeth when they are ~6 months old. The loose tooth is perfectly normal. I would nonetheless encourage you to have mommy to take you to regular dental checkups. Remind her also to brush your teeth when they grow in. - Your Pal, Simba

Hello,
I had my kitty spayed a week ago and she now has a hard knot about the diameter of a dime where the incision was made. Is this normal? - DecoGirl

Dear Deco Girl,
The Kitten's wound should be clean with the edges together with the skin be normal with a slightly pink or red hue(this may appear like a bruise on pale cats).Call your vet. Talking to him or her is the only way to get peace of mind. - Your Pal, Simba

What are a healthy cat's vital signs (pulse, respiration, and temperature)? C

Hi C,
Here are the facts. Normal temperature is 99'F-102'F, a normal pulse is 160-240 beats per minute (avg of 195). Normal respiration is 20-30 per minute. Simba