[Stark777]

My cat & I are each others loyal comapanions - I am not her pet, and she is not my pet. I'm pretty sure that in the next world she is going to help me with the grief I have felt resulting from previous cats that I've been lucky enough to be given the grace of in my life.

However, I am now a vegetarian (not vegan, but think I might be heading that way) and I don't care what anyone says, my cat is becoming increasingly confused about whether or not it is ok to eat any of the many different types of "catfood" that I offer her.

Cat owners will know that cats are lactose intolerant, they may like creamy milk sometimes but it's a bit like giving dogs chocolate - it is very bad for their health if they have too much. I tried to give her milk that is lactose-free once and is supposed to be ok fro cats to drink but she didn't like it. Not only that but she will only drink rainwater and not water from the tap. For this reason, plus she's had most of her teeth removed because they rotted, she cannot really cope with these "everything your cat needs!!!! dry foods". She needs the moisture in wet catfood, I meant.

This morning I wrote many different types of food on pieces of paper and explained what each one represented to her - even stuff like cheese and vegetables. Anyway, she looked at me like she knows that I know already that cats are carnivores & didn't really know why I was asking. She wandered over across all the bits of paper and didn't touch any except for the corner of MICE. As far as I'm aware my cat hasn't ever killed any birds - I feed birds in my garden and she's not even interested in chasing the ones that eat seeds that I scatter on the ground. She has occasionally caught mice though, but she brings them carefully inside and finds me. This is very traumatic for her and usually I manage to release the mouse "unharmed" back outside but I worry many of them are a little injured or have heart attacks after they are set free.

Any suggestions? Her name is Brandy and she is around 15 years old but you wouldn't know it when she scampers up and down the stairs sometimes stretching out, purring and clawing my (thankfully) resilient stair carpet!

I love her very much indeed for many reasons not least because she seems to know when I'm getting too stressed eg. she will just come and sit on my computer keyboard when I'm typing something when I'm feeling overly emotional

Many of you here seem to be ardent animal lovers and I feel a bit like I've been invited into animal-lovers heaven here

Love and Hugs,

Stark777 Brandy

[Rhapsody]

If needed wet cat food only is fine for cats to eat when they are not able to break apart dry hard food... I would suggest that you pick one type of cat food that your little one likes and stick with that brand as animals dont do well when their food is constantly being changed.

Good Luck -

[lynn P.]

I agree with Rhapsody. Are you puzzled and pondering over foods, because she is acting like she doesn't like it. It may be she's having dental problems and it hurts to eat. I like Rhapsody's suggestion to try wet cat food and yes changing too suddenly can make their tummies upset(diarhea). I'm glad you love your cat. We love our animals too.

[ruffy]

Brandy may like a type of milk made especially for cats...Its called "catsip" I have a kitty with no teeth. The vet said they can eat dry food even though they have no teeth, and that their gums get hard enough to chew it, but my cat will only eat the wet stuff. He is also a very picky, sometimes I have to resort to buying canned tuna and chicken to appease him. Maybe Brandy is experiencing pain from the teeth remaining. May have to have the rest of them pulled.

[Stark777]

Thanks very much for the thoughtful replies but you do not seem to understand the magnitude of the problem.

The pic of a kitten seeing a lion doesn't come close to the relationship and connection we share - a previous owner seemed to think of her as a female extreme sports model. She was confused and not overly keen by that imposed "dream".

She has as much potential as I if not more but the if not more part is due to my love for her.

She would attempt to eat a live cow if she thought I really wanted her to - however as she knows me so well - it is extremely unlikely that this has ever crossed her INNOCENT mind.

The only time she seems content to eat what is put in front of her is when someone else is looking after her for me.

And as I am utterly alone sometimes without her - this would break my heart - even though I'm not sure in what way exactly a heart can be broken a million times and still keep beating there it is look.

Again, I am grateful to be here but you have no idea how many times (virtually all times) people have attempted to give me advice that has turned out to be like shadows in the dark - I'm sure that's not my saying and abstract as it is, it's pretty rubbish in my humble opinion.

I will just add (apologeesz) that anyone who mentions paradox to me who doesn't really understand anything of such a concept is a bit like a red rag to a bull - which, incidentally is also nonsense as it is not the red rag at all that annoys most bulls. Try, the fact that people are trying to annoy it for starters and that's just the tip of an enormous iceberg that would not melt in the centre of the Earth.

How can I be even welcome here? If everything I write could be so triggering? Will you chase me away from here too?

I will now post my latest creative effort for you but don't imagine that it is an enjoyable process for me all the time, please.

Stark777 (that is actually just my heart in this particular case and I will attempt to indicate somehow?? when it's not just my heart beating)

Originally Posted by ruffy

Brandy may like a type of milk made especially for cats...Its called "catsip" I have a kitty with no teeth. The vet said they can eat dry food even though they have no teeth, and that their gums get hard enough to chew it, but my cat will only eat the wet stuff. He is also a very picky, sometimes I have to resort to buying canned tuna and chicken to appease him. Maybe Brandy is experiencing pain from the teeth remaining. May have to have the rest of them pulled.

[ruffy]

(((Stark777) Sorry for not understanding!! I really do want to understand. You are always welcome here!

Memorial Day Weekend---"Heeeer I am, the only livin boy in New York"---hate this weekend........everybody having fun, me, alone in a house kids grown and gone.............that was then, this is now.

I take back my apology-----------Hey Stark 777:

"I am just a poor boy, though my story's seldom told; I have squandered my existence for a pocket full of mumbles, such are Promises......lie la lie lie la lie lie lie lie lie lie le lie...............

In the clearing stands a boxer, with a fighter by his side, and He carries the reminders of every man who's cut Him down or slammed him till he cried out in his Anger and His shame........I am leaving, I am leaving,

But the Fighter still remains.........................................."

Found my mind---it just got a little off there for a bit..................................

"Tom get your plane ride on time, I know your pot of gold find, fly away......
Heeere I am."--------a little "paradox" for you-=---theo