Please help me. I love my cat, but he has the most horrible breath! I can’t stand it when he licks me or sniffs my face. He smells like a septic system. I even notice the smell on his fur after he’s groomed himself. Why is this happening, and what can I do?
–My buddy smells cruddy
Dear My buddy smells cruddy,
Cats can have bad breath for many reasons, and it’s usually NOT because they ate onions or garlic (both toxic to cats). Foul breath, or halitosis, can occur for many reasons—some medical and some not, and halitosis is sometimes the first clinical sign of disease.
Our one-year old cat, Dixie, seems lonely during the day while we're out, and after much thought we've decided to get her a feline housemate. We're looking at adopting a young mixed-breed tabby named Della from our local rescue. Please tell us this will work out. –Matchmakers
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Dear Matchmakers,
It probably will work out. But one of the critical success factors in this new union will be you—you'll want to use all your matchmaking skills. From Dixie's point of view, an intruder will suddenly appear. >From Della's perspective, she will unexpectedly be transported to a strange environment already claimed by a cat. Sounds formidable, doesn't it? But there's no need to hiss or growl over this—at least on your part.
Follow the outline presented in this article, use patience, attentive care, and a bit of feline-type cunning, and most likely, before you know it, you'll have two content cats who keep each other company—perhaps even a perfect match.
CATNIP GARDEN IN A BAG: I have been known to destroy a houseplant or two but that is what is so great about this garden—it's all mine! You just try and find a cat that doesn't enjoy a little catnip and chewing on plants. Now if you excuse me, I have some gardening I must attend to.
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PETITE CAT TOOTHBRUSH: Now that I'm used to having my teeth brushed, I enjoy it. The gentle massage of the brush and the taste of the seafood-flavored toothpaste are mildly intoxicating. Afterward, I always get a treat and plenty of "good kitty" affirmations—so what's not to love? … … … …
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CAT FACT A group of grown cats is called a "clowder."
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