Amy Shojai

What Cat Lovers are Asking this Week…

• Q:

  I am not sure how emotional this is as there is not a problem. I just have a question. My Tonkinese cat, Taz has two toys he likes. They BOTH have mainly brown in the color. Can a cat be attracted to toys of a certain color?

  A:

  Absolutely. Scientists have conducted studies to determine color detection in cats. The results were a bit complicated but basically revealed that felines can tell colors apart, but they seem to pay more attention to patterns and textures. In a purely unscientific observation, I’ve had breeders tell me that some of their kitties prefer cats of the same color or pattern, to the exclusion of others. This likely can be very individual. But I do believe Taz could prefer brown-color toys. Or it might instead be the texture, or the size, or the smell, or any combination of these things.

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• Q:

  My daughter leaves her eight month old kitten alone for ten hours, three days a week; eight hours two days a week; and more home-alone time on the weekends. Will this have any type of bad effect on this orange American shorthaired mackerel tabby?

  A:

  Oh dear, I know this sounds like an awful amount of alone-time for the kitten. Truly, though, it depends on the amount and quality of interaction your daughter spends with the baby when she is home. The schedule you describe probably mirrors the majority of cat owners who must work for a living and are gone 8-10 hours a day while commuting and working.
  
  I’m sure the kitten would appreciate having more one-on-one time. Cats normally spend up to 16 hours each day sleeping. So eventually (if it hasn’t already happened) this kitty should adjust sleep/awake schedule to better coordinate with his human.

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• Q:

  I have a 21 year-old male tabby, Satchimo, and also an eight-month-old female tabby, Gracee. They get along fairly well; he has perked up some. She is driving me nuts! I have forgotten how kittens can be. My question is if I give her away, how will Satchimo react? I do not want to upset him in any way! Could this action shorten what little time he has left? This is very hard for me. I feel so sorry for Gracee, too.

  A:

  Wow, you have done some things very right to have enjoyed the companionship of Satchimo for 21 years. I’m not surprised that Gracee has perked him up. Younger cats can have that affect on old-timers, or they can drive the resident cat to distraction. I’m sorry you’re having a difficult time. Unfortunately I can’t answer your question, since I really don’t know your cat the way you do. The fact you’re asking makes me believe you suspect that losing Gracee will have a negative effect on Satchimo, but that’s just a guess.
  
  You also raise an important point, in that when we’ve shared our lives for so long with a special pet, we have a selective memory about the good/bad aspects of the relationship. Was there ever a time that Satchimo drove you nuts? And now, he’s so precious to you that your concern about him trumps your own. When I remember my pets from the past, I think of them as “Saint Kitty” or “Saint Spot” and compare the newcomer’s antics and shortcomings to the pet who took a decade or longer to become that sainted pet.
  
  I can’t tell you what to do. If you write again about exactly how Gracee is driving you nuts, I might have suggestions for saving your sanity. If it’s any help, Gracee should grow out of the terrible teens by age 12-14 months. Good luck with this.

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