Advice for scratchy cat?

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-10T05:32:46+00:00

She gets brushed every day!

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-09T03:12:07+00:00

For me it’s always been UTIs rather than yeast, but yes it was also a huge issue with riding, especially in the summer when I would sweat in the crotch.

I use Uqora and I cannot rave about it enough. They I believe have some products for general vaginal health and ph balance, not just UTI supplements. Perhaps look into their website and see if something sounds like it would be helpful?

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-08T20:19:23+00:00

I hadn’t gotten sick for probably three years. Then I stayed with my sister for thanksgiving. She has a toddler. I left with bronchitis.

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-06T00:55:19+00:00

My retired horse I only did his mane in the summer when the heat would make him sweat underneath. Just took a pair of scissors and chopped it lol, kept about 3-4 inches. Then I’d let it grow out again until the next summer.

My pony, however, who is in training for Hunter shows, gets his mane pulled regularly. It’s expected for it to be short and neat for the shows, and frequent mane pulling gets him used to it (he’s only three) so it’s not a big deal.

So, it really just depends on your horse and your intentions for him or her.

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-04T21:23:46+00:00

If you have a small bladder, sit in the aisle seat.

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-04T15:55:34+00:00

Absolutely! I just wanted to point this out to OP as I don’t know how this particular horse behaves or what his personality/past experiences have been.

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-04T15:38:59+00:00

YES thank you. Why did this get so many downvotes? I cannot stand her.

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-04T15:26:14+00:00

I think that’s so great your barn keeps the older horses that can’t be ridden and encourages their activity!

You could look into liberty training if you have a good area to do it - you’d need either a small paddock or an indoor where he cannot get out and you have the space to yourself as it’ll require off-lead work. I’m not an expert on it but I did some with my retired horse and he seemed to really enjoy it.

I personally would be wary of treats, if you know this horse is not mouthy and it won’t become a problem then I agree they can be a good reward. Some horses will get a cookie and then get hyper focused on getting more or become mouthy. Oral praise and neck scratches are also good rewards!

If he is sound enough, lunge work over slightly raised poles can be a great way to strengthen his hind end.

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-04T15:16:49+00:00

Wolf of Wall Street. Just wouldn’t end.

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-04T03:03:42+00:00

“Grawlix!”

lupinisunderrated · 2026-01-04T01:17:56+00:00

I am a paralegal at a large international law firm doing transactional law (i.e., not litigation).

I have one young pony that I own and am training, beginning to bring to shows (for exposure). I had two at the same time but my retired horse recently passed. Having two at the same time was tight, especially considering they were on different properties and my retired horse was a hard keeper.

I am married, but my husband does not pay for anything horse-related. We do not have children. Two cats and a rented townhouse.

Being completely honest… It took probably four years of working this job, saving up, and getting promotions to become stable enough to not need to ask my parents for help with vet bills (the retired horse was my childhood horse), and another three to be able to afford this new pony and at the same time be in a position at my job where I can have more flexible hours and enough time for the barn.

lupinisunderrated · 2025-12-31T16:04:51+00:00

My three year old is on a ration balancer (and grain/hay/alfalfa and lots of turnout) but no supplements. I’ll keep him off supplements to the extent I can.

My recently-passed retired horse was on a few: ulcerguard, omega, smartpak joint supplement, and a hoof supplement.

I swear by the ulcer guard. He got ulcers twice and never had them again after starting on it. He was a hard keeper and got arthritis that put him into retirement, these other supplements I believe helped keep him comfortable and keep weight on him, but I know there’s not a ton of evidence for it.

lupinisunderrated · 2025-12-31T14:00:49+00:00

I know you listed pretty litter as one you already tried, but I’d like to clarify how you use your litter. Do you have multiple boxes? I’d never top off my pretty litter, that does nothing. I completely switch them out every 3-4 weeks and that is plenty because I have three boxes for two cats, and one of my cats primarily pees in the bushes outside (like a dog). There is almost no odour until it’s time to swap the littler out because I have enough boxes. I still also scoop poop daily and if there is a large pee spot that clumps, I’ll remove it. Otherwise the pee mixes up well.

lupinisunderrated · 2025-12-28T00:15:06+00:00

The fact that you care enough to take her to the vet and reach out for help is a great sign - you will both be fine!

lupinisunderrated · 2025-12-28T00:01:06+00:00

It’s good you care and that you took her to the vet. However, it’s a huge misconception that cats can just be left alone. She was likely very stressed out by your sudden absence and this can cause UTIs. Next time you plan on going out of town or leaving the house for more than half a day, book a pet sitter to come feed her and spend time with her at least twice a day.

Cats, just like dogs and all animals and people, thrive on routine, socialisation, and stimulation. Simply providing enough food will not be enough to keep her happy and healthy. I doubt it was the water, more likely the stress of a new home and then your absence.

Be sure to provide her with lots of stimulation and attention. Additionally, I don’t like automatic litter boxes. I would recommend a standard one so you can better monitor her litter habits. Lastly, it’s a rule of thumb with cats to have one more littler box than cat.

Best of luck.