how do i tell how old a cat is by looking at it

fuggles

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im wondering how old a cat is that comes into my garden sometimes

how do i tell ? what do i look for
 

twstychik

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Even trained professionals (ie: vets) can't always tell a cats age by looking at it. Most commonly they will check the teeth but I don't recomend trying unless it's your cat. Plus, I personally don't know what about the teeth tell age anyway.
 

pami

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Its really not possble to tell the age of a cat (except maybe a kitten) just by looking at him/her. Most vets give an approx. age based on teeth and gums.
 
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fuggles

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also, how do i pick up a cat so its a like a baby in my arms posture, instead of picking it up the typical way
 

twstychik

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Originally Posted by fuggles

also, how do i pick up a cat so its a like a baby in my arms posture, instead of picking it up the typical way
Again, I wouldn't recommend it. Most cats I've know (and owned) don't care to be held that way and if they struggle it's too easy to drop them. The ONLY cat I can hold like that is my Wickett because he has 120% trust in me and I think he secretly likes it.
 

mobius

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Cut him in half and count the rings, perhaps?


I'm KIDDING, I'm KIDDING!!!!
 
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fuggles

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Originally Posted by twstychik

Again, I wouldn't recommend it. Most cats I've know (and owned) don't care to be held that way and if they struggle it's too easy to drop them. The ONLY cat I can hold like that is my Wickett because he has 120% trust in me and I think he secretly likes it.
hmm okay, thanks
 

binkyhoo

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Originally Posted by Möbius

Cut him in half and count the rings, perhaps?


I'm KIDDING, I'm KIDDING!!!!
Thats EVIL you bad person! (I know you are kidding) When i got my Binky she was a shelter stray. The vet looked at her teeth to try and age her. Like the others said, unless real young or real old, it is going to be a ball park figure.
 

ronit

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I have a colony of about 30 strays... I can only tell when they are really old (for me a really old stray is 8-9 yrs ) or youngish (1-2 years) they have a different body build. otherwise i do not think is possible to tell the age.
 

forensic

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Originally Posted by fuggles

also, how do i pick up a cat so its a like a baby in my arms posture, instead of picking it up the typical way
I agree, I wouldn't recommend it. I can do this with my boys, but they know I'm not about to harm them.

The belly is a very vulnerable spot on a cat and they are likely to defend it instinctively. And if you have them on their back in your arms the instinct is to attack your face.
 

twstychik

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Even old age isn't that easy to identify, particularly in a well cared for house cat. I've seen many "senior" (10+) house cats and I don't think they look old at all. The only signs of aging Frankie shows is that she grunts a lot more now like it's harder work grooming herself and she's almost 12.
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by fuggles

also, how do i pick up a cat so its a like a baby in my arms posture, instead of picking it up the typical way
Funny... That's the only way I pick Lucky up... I don't know why, it just happens to be. Bugsy doesn't let me hold him this way though.
 

autumnblueangel

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Being able to pick up a cat "baby in arms posture" is rare. This comes from absolute trust, relaxation on the cats part, and training when they're very young, lots of attention. They do this because they enjoy it, and it really is an act of submission, because they're not as alert in that position.

My cat Keylah was dumped in my yard when she was 6 weeks old. She was tiny, she was a cold, scared little fluff ball. I cornered her, brought her inside, and she was constantly in my room, on my bed, in my arms sleeping with me. During the day, I'd have her snuggled between my boobs and just under my chin. She'd stretch out and she'd relax. To her, it was a comfort thing, and it formed the closest possible bond between us.

To this day, Keylah who is now 5 years old, will often want "baby in arms posture" with me. When she comes up and sleeps in my arms, she doesn't curl up on the bed, she will stretch out, rest her head on my arm and under my chin, I'll pull the blanket up over her and we could fall asleep like that.

I've got a lot of other cats, all of whom I'm close to, but whom have different personalities. Most of whom I've raised from newborns. They all love me to pieces, but if I try this position, they panic. Yes they trust me, but they don't like it.

This was made harder recently, because one of my cats had a baby girl Shy`el, and Shy`el shaped up to be like keylah. She curled up in our arms, she stretched out, she would bound over to cuddle us, she just loved it, under our chins, she was a tiny fluff ball doll.

Then one day I came home, and she was near death, she was so young (7 weeks) and what I thought were just sniffles manifested into a secondary infection in her lungs, and she passed 4 days later in the vet clinic I had rushed her to.

This crushed me, because when a cat reacts like you want, you form the closest bond with them so quickly, you love them like your child and it's devastating when you loose them.

It really depends on the individual cat, the breed & how you raise them, and if you ever have one that reacts like this - count yourself lucky, because this is their way of telling you how much they truly love you, rely on you, & trust you, it's one of the most amazing feelings in the world.
 

dogstar5988

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Originally Posted by Forensic

I agree, I wouldn't recommend it. I can do this with my boys, but they know I'm not about to harm them.

The belly is a very vulnerable spot on a cat and they are likely to defend it instinctively. And if you have them on their back in your arms the instinct is to attack your face.
I think some cats are more tolerant of this kind of treatment then others. My 2 year old DSH Panther likes to be picked up this way and will lay in my arms with her belly exposed. Sometimes she even meows until I pick her up like this. Although sometimes she likes to put her paw on my face and slowly bring out her claws until I make her stop.
Although I think she is a strange case so it may not be the norm.
 

dogstar5988

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Also sometimes when Panther is totally asleep and curled into a ball I can slip my hands under her and move her somewhere else in her curled sleeping position without even getting more than a slight opening of her eyes. Shes pretty laid back when she is tired. :p
 

twstychik

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Originally Posted by Autumnblueangel

It really depends on the individual cat, the breed & how you raise them, and if you ever have one that reacts like this - count yourself lucky, because this is their way of telling you how much they truly love you, rely on you, & trust you, it's one of the most amazing feelings in the world.
Couldn't have said it better!
 
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