Barn Cats - Thugs of the Homestead

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Additionally, cats (especially outside cats or large groups of cats) are very susceptible to some other unpleasant and potentially fatal diseases.  Feline Distemper is very contagious, and even though it’s rarely fatal (unlike Canine Distemper), it’s still a drag to be surrounded by a bunch of cats with snotty noses and runny eyes.  You can vaccinate against this, Calicivirus and herpesvirus, in a combo vaccine known as the FRP.  These are considered "core" vaccines, and are essential for all cats.  A 4-way vaccine, adding Chlamydia is also available, and for the extra few cents, a really good idea, even though the chance of a human catching Chlamydia from a cat is extremely unlikely.  Feline Leukemia is a good vaccination to consider - if contracted, a cat can either be a carrier who can pass it on to other cats, or break with it themselves - and it’s always fatal. 

Lastly, and dependant on the tameness of your cats and the intestinal fortitude of yourself and your helpers (never attempt doctoring a cat by yourself), cats should be periodically wormed, and treated for fleas and/or ear mites.  Make sure any treatments you are giving only need to be given once a month, maximum.  Cats remember. And act/react accordingly.  Nothing clears a porch of napping cats like the appearance of a human with the flea spray or ear mite drops in hand.  

If you ever need to give a pill to a cat, see the handy directions at the end of this article.  These directions have traveled the world over, and I tried to find the original author, but had no luck. My best guess is that he/she has been quietly committed. 

So, why DO we keep cats around, when we could accomplish mouse control via a visit to our pest control aisle at the Farm and Fleet?  

Well….in addition to catching mice, there is a theory that cats keep the population of snakes in the house/barn in check. Not that they hunt snakes. They don’t.  But since cats are by nature into, under, on top of, and behind EVERYTHING, it makes for precious few peaceful hidey-holes for snakes to, well, hole up in.  And snakes love peace, so are less apt to hang around where there is cat activity. 

I have a friend who runs a boarding kennel who swears that fleas prefer cats over dogs, and when she gets fleas on the dogs in the kennel, she tosses her unflappable house cat in there for a day.  She claims that the dogs are then flea-free and the only critter she has to treat is the cat.  Dubious, but makes for some interesting mental images. 

Oh, there are the Normal Rockwellian reasons for keeping cats - think of every image of a successful, peaceful happy farm - a cat dozing in the hay loft, a cat gazing contentedly into the fireplace, cats following the milkmaid to the barn, cats draped over front porch furniture like furry doilies.  

I suspect that the real reason many of us keep farm cats is exactly because we aren’t KEEPING them.  Everyone else on the farm is being held there by physical barriers through the use of fencing or coops (goats, dogs, chickens, horses) or by mental barriers through the use of legal contracts or age deficiencies (spouses and children). 

In spite of their aloof attitude, so different from dogs (dogs look at you like you hung the moon, cats look at you like you just flashed them a moon) cats stay for one reason.  

Just because they feel like it. 

Instructions for giving your cat a pill:

1) Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby.  Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2) Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3) Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4) Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5) Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call friend.

6) Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws.  Ignore low growls emitted by cat.  Get friend to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth.  Drop pill down, remove ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7) Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap.  Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains.  Carefully sweep shattered Doulton figures from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8) Wrap cat in large towel and get friend to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9) Check label to make sure pill is not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away.  Apply band-aid to friend's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10) Retrieve cat from neighbor’s shed. Get another pill.  Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing.  Force mouth open with dessert spoon.  Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11) Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on hinges.  Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot.  Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12) Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat.  Take last pill from foil-wrap.

13) Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, hold cat's mouth open with small spanner.  Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet of steak. Hold head vertically and pour pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14) Get friend to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye.  Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15) Arrange for SPCA to collect cat.  Ring local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

Compare the above with: 

Instructions for giving your Dog a pill: 

1) Stuff pill into a piece of cheese.

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