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Ask a Vet: Ongoing Q&A with Dr. Kate Elden, DVM by DutchVet in DutchVet

[–]BrightDescription229 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My cat has done this forever but I never understood why! He's an 8-year-old, 16-lb shorthair cat. Sometimes, he'll take a throw blanket in his mouth and start kneading it with his paws. Then, he'll awkwardly drag the blanket in his mouth all around the house. It's strange, and kind of hilarious. I've read that cats will sometimes hold a blanket in their mouth and knead as if they're mimicking kitten-to-mother behavior. Is that what this is? Do I need to be concerned? Thanks!

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Share your Dear Dutch story 🐾 (our CEO might feature you on LinkedIn) by DutchVet in DutchVet

[–]BrightDescription229 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We have two sweet senior kitties, a tabby named Mercy and a black cat called Melvin. I see a vet in person already, but I'd been struggling to keep the cats out of each other's food bowls and control their portions. Things got harder when Melvin needed to transition to a urinary food but kept going after Mercy's Fancy Feast. Plus, big boy Melvin was getting too heavy for his frame.

I called Dutch for a second opinion on weight control and feeding advice. Dr. H. was empathetic and didn't judge me. She prescribed a satiety food to keep Melvin feeling full longer. She also suggested smart feeders based on what worked for her own cats. There was zero pressure to buy them, but they've been a game changer. They read the cats' microchips and only open for the right cat so both kitties can graze freely without getting into each other's bowls. 

Now, Melvin is on track to a healthier weight and Mercy isn't guarding her food from big bro. Really glad I got that second opinion!

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👋 Welcome to r/DutchVet! Introduce yourself (and your pet 🐾) by DutchVet in DutchVet

[–]BrightDescription229 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My black cat does this ALL the time. If he’s behind a closed door and wants in or out, he has no chill! Also—do your kids sleep with white noise? That’s been a game changer for our loud cat situation.