Purina Cat Chow: Cat Care Center: Adult Cat Care Center

Physical. Emotional. Complete.® - That's the Purina® Cat Chow® Way of Life®

They're all grown up—it's time to start treating, and feeding, them that way. Just because they're older, however, doesn't mean they're completely self-sufficient. Adult cats have nutritional needs particular to their life stage just as kittens and senior cats do, and they need your help to meet them. The CatChow.com Adult Care Center will clue you in on what you need to know.

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Topic: Cats and Other Pets

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I have had my cat for six years and when I got her from the pound as a kitten I had a dog at the time. She grew up with him and loved him dearly. Well, my dog (18 yrs.) died in July and it was very traumatic for both of us. I have just adopted a dog from the pound that is 1-1/2 years and he is an Australian Shepherd. Well, he likes to chase her and while I know he is not going to hurt her, I worry that they are never going to get along. Do you have any suggestions on how to help their relationship?

I recently adopted a cat that came to my door. He is very friendly and he is outside all day, except at night, I put him in the garage. How do I get my dogs to accept him?

I have an affectionate 6-year-old Persian cat. I recently got a roommate who brought with her a 1 1/2-year-old Rottweiler/Shar-Pei mix. The dog is ultra-hyper and my cat is ultra-sensitive. The cat (along with his litter box and food) is now kept in my bedroom with the door closed and a baby gate to prevent the dog from coming in. How can I get the pair to equal out their behavior so they aren't both freaked when they see each other. I am only home twice per week and have tried everything. I should mention that I have a Golden Retriever at my boyfriend’s home and the two get along just fine. The dog is about 65 lbs (he is full grown) not the 120-150 pounds expected.

Any tips on how to introduce a kitten (age 7 weeks) to 2 female boxers (ages 3 and 4). All are in the house together. They don't seem to like her much. The "stare" really worries me.

Can a kitten or which kind of kitten will live peacefully with a guinea pig (which is very shy and easy frightened) and not harming the guinea pig?

I have a 5-year-old tabby that is very set in his ways and territorial. My stepdaughter, her husband, a 9-year-old, a 2-year-old and a puppy are moving in temporarily. What can or should I do to help my kitty with these changes? When they visit, all he does is hide. I feel bad because he isn't himself when they are here. I don't know how he will be when they move in.

What cat would do the best around other cats and dogs?

My 3-month-old kitten Mickey loves to play with my German Shorthaired Pointer, Sadie. Sadie loves Mickey. However, Mickey sometimes bites and plays rough. When Sadie growls and snaps at Mickey as a warning he doesn't understand it as such and continues playing. Sadie has NEVER harmed any of our cats. But I am afraid because of Mickey's misunderstanding her he may get hurt. Is there anything I can do to make him understand that growling means stop?

My kitten and my puppy play really rough now, but they are too young to hurt each other. I'm worried that as they get older they will keep playing rough and they may seriously hurt one another without meaning to.

I got a kitten and I'm not sure how he's going to react with a ferret. Please tell me what to do.

Do kittens get along with other cats two-three years of age?

You say one should determine whether the resident cat is social and likes the companionship of other cats or prefers to be solitary. How would I go about determining which type my 9-month-old spayed female cat is?

We have six cats. One is always being picked on (the oldest male). Four are females and two are male. The oldest male is probably faster than any cat we have and quite capable of out-leaping them. So when he's being chased, he's leaping and running all over the place. One of the females in particular seems to take a great deal of pleasure in chasing him. Why won't he fight back? He could easily beat any cat we have.

Why do cats hate dogs, but my dog plays with my kitten? She likes to play with my dog all the time. Why’s that?

My girlfriend and I are starting a new home together. She likes cats, but I prefer dogs. We decided to have both in compromising. Is it better to start with a dog and introduce a cat to the family or would it be better allow a cat to settle in first? Also, would age play a big role in the relationship between the two animals? Any assistance would be great!

What if you have birds and a dog?

Is there a recommended method of introducing a puppy and a kitten into a household? Is it better to get the puppy first, the kitten, or both at the same time?

Here's one you haven't heard before. I take my 2 cats for a walk in the evening. They love it, but there is a neighborhood bully cat that waits for us and chases them up trees or under cars. Is there anything at all I can do to discourage this cat? So far they haven't been hurt. They just love to go on this walk, and I would hate to stop.

A year ago we adopted a 2-year-old Scooby (female) from an animal shelter (she came from a home) and at the same time got 8-week-old Butterscotch, a male yellow lab puppy. Since the first moment we brought Scooby home, she has ruled the roost. She beats on Scotch, now a 100-pound dog; we often hear him crying on the stairs, and when we investigate inevitably Scooby is blocking his passage up or down. They play together often, she often instigates trouble, but he gets reprimanded because he’s big and wrecks things. They sleep together, so I know they can get along. She is moody, very affectionate, cuddles and purrs, then literally, with no signs (ears back, etc.) will turn and bite or scratch. Our youngest child is 14 months, she loves the baby, and lets her pet her and won’t attack her, but when she gets fed up will walk across the room to bite and scratch someone else. She jumps on the dinner table while we're eating, on the counters while I'm cooking, just basically running amok. We let her outside because she'd destroy this place if we kept her locked in. She has toys, everything she needs I think. What can I do for her?

I have a male cat and a female cat. Punkin (male) is SOOO jealous. He has scared Muffin (female) in that she acts scared to even get in my lap because when she gets down he will attack her. Yet they play together and sleep together well. He just goes on the attack after I have played with her.

We found a mouse in our house because it was sleeping next to our cat. When our cat woke up it continued to play with the mouse gently and at one point rolled on her back to have her belly rubbed by the mouse. Neither the mouse nor the cat showed any aggression, and seemed to enjoy each other's company. Is it healthy for us to keep this wild mouse as a friend to our cat? I know this is a strange question but our cat seems to really care about this mouse!

Is there any product that will help calm a 15-cat household? Also are there any books on the subject of multiple cat households?

Bootsie is a 3-4 year-old shorthair with tuxedo markings. She had two litters before I got her spayed-she was a stray I took in. I have kept her and one kitten that is only one year younger than "mama." Bootsie ran off a male kitten and has tried to run off the female I kept. What causes her jealousy? Is it a dominance problem? I've tried twice to get a kitten for younger cat (Shadow)-she gets so lonely. Bootsie has a fit and Shadow will not have anything to do with one because Mama doesn't approve. Any advice?

I live on 10 acres in the forest. I have two female cats (6yrs) that are sisters and friends. A wild cat came into our lives 3 yrs ago. 2 yrs ago I got him fixed and he is now friendly to me and appears jealous of other two getting attention. All three live outside. Stray cat is male and chases off my cats when he is in the mood, but not always...what can I do to encourage them all to get along...I am a dog person and don’t know much about cats.

I have three male cats, all fixed. Two are three-year-old brothers, one is deaf and the other is about five. The older cat will from time to time try to be 'intimate' with the deaf one. I am wondering if there is anything that can be done to stop him and what would cause this behavior?

I have two indoor/outdoor cats and a dog. When I sold my house I had to move in with my fiancé. He is not a cat lover. Actually he has never lived with animals before. The cats have created a huge problem between us. I don't want to get rid of the cats. Would it be possible to make them totally outside cats? He is willing to build them a really nice cat tower with cathouses attached so they can cuddle like they do. The tower will be on the back porch. The female cat is already staying out 90% of the time because she is very skittish of men and doesn't like my fiancé. Sam stays in 60% of the time now, but he used to stay out all the time when he was younger. They have been inside/outside cats for six years. What do you think?

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Balanced nutrition for cats of all ages

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The most desirable age to place a kitten is between eight and 12 weeks of age, according to The Cat’s Mind: Understanding Your Cat’s Behavior, by Dr. Bruce Fogle.

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