Dr. Liz,

I have a orange tabby but I know next to nothing about it can you list something about it.

- M

To give you a detailed description of your cats personality and characteristics I would need to first know what breed your cat is. The interesting thing about the Tabby is that contrary to popular opinion it is not actually a breed of cat.

Tabby, is in fact the name of the markings on the coat and not the name for a cat breed. It is a common mistake that people make, there are so many tabby cats that it is common for people to think that they are in fact a breed.

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The Cornish Rex is a unique looking and playful cat, the most striking thing about the Cornish Rex is the appearance of the coat. This cat is easily identified because it's coat is very short and often appears to have a slight curl in it. This feature coupled with their sleek looking agile body and galloping run has earned them the name "Greyhound" of the cat family.

The Cornish Rex is a great breed for people who suffer from allergies. This cat is said to be hypoallergenic, although no cat is completely hypoallergenic this breed has a greatly reduced allergy rate. This is due to the unique coat.

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One question that i often get asked from new cat owners is about why cats purr? And how the cat is able to produce that sound, while seemingly doing nothing. The sound of a cat purring differs slightly between each different cat. Purring is a unique sound that is produced by your cat both inhaling and exhaling. The action is similar to that of a human circular breathing. I guess the equivalent would be if you played the bagpipes or the didgeridoo.

It has still not been scientifically discovered exactly how the purring sound is made. Although scientist have tried to discover the key, cats actually do not have any unique physical features that stand out as being the key to the noise production.

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Dental hygiene for your cat is just as important as dental hygiene for yourself. It is easy to forget that your pets need your help when it comes to cleaning their teeth. Your cats teeth play an important part in the digestive process. I always recommend that owners should play an active role in taking charge of cleaning their cats teeth.

The process of cleaning your cats teeth can be a difficult, it is a routine that you need to ease your cat into. Once your cat is accustomed to the process, it will make for a healthy and happy pet.

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Dr. Liz

My cat -a spayed female longhair has begun to pee all over the place. All over the house -putting her back end toward the area she pees in. I have tried different spray repellents but they haven't helped.

Alexis Fasolka

There are a number of different reasons that could explain why your cat has started urinating in places around your house. Cats dislike interruption to routine, they can start peeing in other areas of the house as a reaction to change. Some reasons for changes in behavior.

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I was visiting with friends last week, and they have a Bengal cat. I was reminded what a wonderful breed these cats are. Quirky and agile the Bengal cat can be identified by the intricate leopard-print on its coat. The thing that i find most striking is that these cats are very similar to dogs. This is an entertaining and aesthetically beautiful breed, a great choice of cat breed for busy families.

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Dr. Liz,

This past November we lost our old boy cat to cancer. We have a 14 year old female calico that seemed to be depressed since he died. Three weeks ago we adopted a 2 year old male cat (orange-like Garfield) to keep her company. Needless to say, she does not like him. Every time he goes near her she hisses and grumbles. Is there something I can do to help them get along. He's not aggressive, but if she swats at him he'll swat back. Luckily, no blood loss.....yet. Thank you!

Christa Sangataldo

The task of initiating a new cat into your family is always a challenge. It is a difficult situation for both cats involved, as you said Calico is lamenting the loss for her companion. Cats are creatures of habit and can get very rattled when circumstances in their environment change.

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Is feeding your cat milk or milk products harmful? Well this depends on your cat. Most cats are lactose intolerant, this means that they lack the enzyme lactase in the stomach that breaks down the sugars in cows milk. This can lead to upset stomach and and diarrhea. However not all cats have this problem. As a general rule it is not necessary to feed your cat cows milk. If you find your cat can tolerate cows milk it is ok to give it as a treat in small doses every now and then.

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