andy (04/06/83)
Does anyone know how one can determine the approximate age of a cat? My mother received a siamese as a gift but has no idea how old the beast is. Her vet claims there is no way to age the cat so we don't have even a ballpark figure. My mother says the cat looks old, I say it looks young. Any ideas as to how we can establish the cat's age? The cat is healthy and active, a bit small for its breed and not too friendly. Other than that, that's all the data we have. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. I have owned both cats and dogs. The cats ranged from stray alley varieties to angora pure-breds. The dogs were mostly sporting or working breeds, my favorite being the German Shepherd Dog. I now have a German Short-hair and find her to be the best all-round house and field companion. Anyway, as I was saying, I have had cats and dogs but will never own another cat again. They are just not as much fun as dogs and seem to prefer playing and being on their own--sorta anti-social. I like to be followed around and have someone to talk to and all the cats I ever had just slept away most of the day. I also don't like the idea of a litter box in the house and have seen too many baby birds killed by house cats let out to roam. Only if I couldn't have a dog and the choice was no pet at all or a cat would I ever have a cat again. I think it is all a matter of lifestyles though. I try to get out of the city every chance I get and want to have an "outdoorsy" companion to roam the woods with. A cat just wouldn't do, especially when it comes to trundling through marshes and swamps in near-freezing weather. My dog loves it and as my bumper sticker says "I love my GSHP". Andy Rubaszek, Zoology, U of T decvax!utzoo!andy