[vishwasvr]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

If your dog tries to mate with street bitches then it is better to get him neutered. If he is in heat then he will have the urge to spit urine and mark territory. IF you are ok with that then no need to get him neutered.

Dog experts can throw more light on this.

The boys, especially when in heat, tend to be a bit aggressive/difficult to handle. You know, when they don’t get to do it.

They become calmer when their urges are not there anymore. Always a good idea to spay only after they reach adulthood. Because they need the hormones during their formative years.

[vishwasvr]

Originally Posted by greenoval

The Indian pariah is best suited for the requirements mentioned. There are many of them seeking good homes yet get never adopted as most people want breeds (or 'brands' like you mentioned). Keeping a pet is a big commitment. I suggest you foster a dog (belonging to a friend or neighbor) for a few days before you actually get one.

Absolutely true. It’s an emotional roller coaster ride with pets. They’re as good as your human kids. It is a lot of effort to raise a pet at home. Please consider all factors such as space available at home, time you can dedicate to them (for walks, vet visits etc), do you travel too often, is there someone who is equally committed to taking care of the pet in your absence, budget etc

I might get beaten up for saying this, but I realised having a pet at home is more or less pointless when so many animals are suffering in shelters and roads, that I wish I could either donate more money or spend all the time and effort in caring for these animals. My friendly indies around home and office also give the exact same love and affection the minute they see me!

I wish my friend had educated me before he asked me if I wanted to adopt Fiona (my dog). Of course, it is also my fault too that I didn’t weigh in these things before I jumped into it.

My biggest problem is that I can’t travel without making arrangements for her. I can’t take her home because she is too big and flooring is mostly slippery and beef isn’t allowed in my house! I dislike boarding her at dog boarding places because she picked up tick fever once and I’m generally not comfortable with her around dogs who have temperament issues. So she’s happy and safe at my office.

So please do consider fostering for a little while and then decide.

Cheers!

[dark.knight]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Of course my grany continues feeding it milk, biscuits and bread stuff but I dont think thats the right diet. Hence, what best can be done in this scenario? I currently feed it only once a day and around 1/2 packet of whiskas along with some water, bread. It completely enjoys the food but I am not sure how regularly I can do this once I get back to work. I thought of some adoption ad but the kitten isnt so human friendly as of now. Also if someone can tell me its approximate age -

WHAT???! Tell your grandma before you leave that it's highly critical to put absolutely nothing than feed it bread and biscuits. Milk is fine for kittens but not necessary after 3/4 months when they become adult.

Cats are pure, pure, carnivores, no amount of dietary practice can change that, that cat is eating out of desperation and it'll affect her big time. Cats are lactose, sucrose and carb intolerant, in other words no milk, no biscuits and no chapati or bread. They are naturally skilled hunters and foragers, let this one learn that before its too late.

Alternatively, all pet products are by-products of human consumption requirements.. all vegetarians should understand this. The fish and chicken used here are mere left overs from industrial fisheries and poultries. Humans are vegetarians, not dogs and absolutely not cats.

If my parents and I can open a pack of cat gravy (Royal Canin) and put it for the cat, sometimes even having to swipe the contents out by finger then so can your grandma, and that there is the right diet for cats - fish gravy, gives taurine, oils, protein and fat. The kibbles are fine but it wont give cats their source of hydration (many cats do drink water but they don't prefer it). Kibbles at the very least though. Vegetarianism has nothing to do with with handling meat products for starving animals sanctioned by god to only eat meat.

That seems to be an adult cat now, right time to change the diet.. they will suffer kidney enlargement and blindness in later stages if they don't eat proper meat soon, processed or raw.

[carboy]

Originally Posted by dark.knight

That seems to be an adult cat now, right time to change the diet.. they will suffer kidney enlargement and blindness in later stages if they don't eat proper meat soon, processed or raw.

Not later stages. Taurine deficiency causes blindness & heart issues within a year or two. This is almost certain. But, if it's an outdoor cat, maybe it's also hunting & also getting taurine from eating it's prey. And diet of Carbs causes diabetes & renal failure in cats as they grow older.

And cooked meat has very low taurine, cooking destroys most of the taurine. That's why commercial cat food has added taurine also.

OTOH, Raw fish causes other problems, so fish if given needs to be cooked.

[pyrodrive]

Sleeping babies. They are 25days old today

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by pyrodrive

Sleeping babies. They are 25days old today

My god they are adorable! I might want to adopt one

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by hserus

Please don't feed onions or garlic to the dog.

A bit of pepper and some coconut oil would be ideal for this.

Try this chap in Delhi - www.kennelkitchen.in - they have canned dog food and kibble and should be hopefully able to deliver to Noida.

Raw onions and raw garlic are harmful, but cooked garlic is fine for dogs. At least my Lab has been having garlic and turmeric in his food for the last 14 years.

[ninjatalli]

Originally Posted by audioholic

Hence, what best can be done in this scenario? I currently feed it only once a day and around 1/2 packet of whiskas along with some water, bread. It completely enjoys the food but I am not sure how regularly I can do this once I get back to work. I thought of some adoption ad but the kitten isnt so human friendly as of now. Also if someone can tell me its approximate age - Its fur coat is the best I have come across in any stray cat

I think you are doing great - given the choice of food alternatives between you feeding it Whiskas, your grandmom feeding it (not the best alternative) milk, biscuits and bread stuff; and it also figuring out to kill live insects and small rodents, it should be pretty good.

Best case scenario - your grandmom stops feeding it milk and other stuff and agrees to give it Whiskas too; this will solve the problem in the potential scenario you aren't around to feed it. Try talking to her; my parents are staunch vegetarians but they feed 4-6 dry food to stray cats and kittens in our society as well as during their daily walks (in addition to the 3 at home); all that food is meat-based. People can change.

The above setup is a very good situation for your slightly adultish kitten. She looks more like 5-6 months old; so by that age, I'd definitely assume she has the lay of the land and will be able to handle herself out in the open.

The domestic cats in our cities have very good survival instincts; I'd say with guarantee/high probability that she has identified other patrons too who might be feeding her on an occasional or regular basis. And her being in the open - she's definitely hunting insects and rodents. My domesticated cats are able to do that, so definitely she would (it's an inbuilt skill). There are decent signs for a well-fed cat; her motor skills, the quality of the fur; self-grooming and so on. One suggestion - see if you can arrange for her neutering/spaying once the lockdown is lifted. The earlier the better.

[karan0009]

Meet my handsome boy Sheero. He is around 18 months old now.

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by dark.knight

Milk is fine for kittens but not necessary after 3/4 months when they become adult.

I'd go one step further: milk is not fine even for kittens. Or, at least... mother's milk is, but their mother is not a cow.

There is a strong cultural association between cats and milk/cream. Decades ago, I too used to give milk to cats, but then learnt that it is neither necessary nor good, and since then, my experience has been:- If you give the kittens milk, they will continue to want and drink it into adulthood; if you never give the kittens milk they will grow up quite happily never wanting it.

Don't give kittens milk! Make sure they have plenty of clean water,

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

I'd go one step further: milk is not fine even for kittens. Or, at least... mother's milk is, but their mother is not a cow.

There is a strong cultural association between cats and milk/cream. Decades ago, I too used to give milk to cats, but then learnt that it is neither necessary nor good, and since then, my experience has been:- If you give the kittens milk, they will continue to want and drink it into adulthood; if you never give the kittens milk they will grow up quite happily never wanting it.

Don't give kittens milk! Make sure they have plenty of clean water,

Curd is absolutely fine though: https://www.gopetplan.com/blogpost/can-cats-eat-yogurt

[GutsyGibbon]

We recently adopted a rescue pup. He is a Great Dane mix, we think Pointer. It could be anything, as he was a stray pup in the desert. Underweight, ticks, parasites, stink, he had them all. Hopefully we can give him the good life he deserves. Our lab definitely welcomed this young guy. With the lockdown, he certainly has the full attention of the entire family.


Yin Yang


Puppies can sit in weird ways

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by vishwasvr

Always a good idea to spay only after they reach adulthood. Because they need the hormones during their formative years.

Can you share any writeups related to this?
Just this afternoon a friend was telling that his 3-year-old lab is in heat and causing troubles. And, since it is too late to get him neutered, there is no option but to trudge ahead. I want to pass this info if my friend is indeed misinformed.

[vishwasvr]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

Can you share any writeups related to this?
Just this afternoon a friend was telling that his 3-year-old lab is in heat and causing troubles. And, since it is too late to get him neutered, there is no option but to trudge ahead. I want to pass this info if my friend is indeed misinformed.

Sure, I’ll send it across!

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by GutsyGibbon

We recently adopted a rescue pup. He is a Great Dane mix, we think Pointer. It could be anything, ... ... Our lab definitely welcomed this young guy.

Lovely to see the two new friends together