Ring Out, Wild Bells! As 2025 approaches, the Excellent Cats raise their game with a discussion on Tennyson's poetry

[TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne]

And while the cats are thus engaged, their human slaves are still finishing the turkey and Christmas pud, and idly placing bets on whether or not Kitty will use her new cat tree.

No snow here (near Heathrow) - but it is quite parky out.

Some snow here, but the worst thing is the black ice.
It's on the pavements in the village and also on the main road.

There have been four cars off the road already, and one accident was fatal.

I've told the family that we're going nowhere until the temperature rises.

Linney is sulking on the hall carpet, having discovered that the new pheromone plug-ins (the ones with the really lovely smell) have inexplicably disappeared.

It's crazy how hardly anyone in the UK uses winter or all season tyres. I mean, I know it's a hassle for winters that don't get that much snow and ice, but they would prevent a whole lot of accidents and much of the 'chaos' every time the temperature gets close to zero.

We have all season tyres year round and it's a piece of piss to drive on snow/ice. I have studded winter tyres for my bike as well, they're ace!

Fireworks still disturbing Kettle's repose here. He can't wait for twelfth night to be over!

Nothing disturbs Raven's repose.

Kitty went outside for about a minute & a half this morning, then came running back in. I don’t blame her.

Cats do like their comforts don't they.
Herbie is as busy as ever...
Snow has now turned to sleet which is a relief as we have to get DD back to London today.

I have winter tyres. Operate below 7 degrees. They are not studded though. Not sure they would work on black ice.

They would improve the situation by a huge margin. You still have to slow down and take care but you have way more traction. A 4WD on summer tyres is much worse than a 2WD on all season tyres.

I only use studs on my bike - they are amazing though. I can ride on completely smooth ice like it's nothing. The trouble only comes when you stop and put your feet down 😄

Four paw drive with furry toes is also very effective, I believe. Hope all the cats are enjoying the cold snap cosy indoors or adventuring outside according to preference. ❄️

They certainly do improve things.

Well, I’m just back from the gym & that’s all the time I’m going to spend outside today. Kitty & I are going to have a warm, cosy & lazy afternoon.

It is tough being a cat with short legs in 3" snow

Is this a game of spot the cat? Because I am failing! I see the tracks, though.

Brave Breadcat to venture out.

No cat - she would not let me take pictures of her wet undercarriage. I just felt guilty when I saw the deep tracks. Should have let her have a litter box last night. She will get revenge.

She will get revenge

Aye, they always do.

She says thanks for calling her brave though! back on a bed again now.

Breadcat is so pretty! I love her colouring.

Ages ago there was a lovely thread on here about a lady who had a very beautiful fox who visited her. And then one day he brought a little friend who had mange. She was worried her beautiful fox would catch it and be so sore so ordered some mange medicine and put it in the food she gave them and little friend healed right up. I guess that could be an option?

good shout @LostCats
Dervyshire fox rescue sells it
30ml SARCOPTIC MANGE TREATMENT & ITCHY SKIN DOGS CATS FOXES, 100% NATURAL | eBay

Apparently you should stick it on a jam sandwich!

I'll have a look at that one. Unfortunately the wildlife rescue pages I've looked at so far are advising and selling something which is meant to cure mange, but is actually homeopathic rather than having any active ingredients. It's a shame because I would be happy to buy something to help.

I had similar from a local wildlife rescue near me (north Kent). I think the one I was sold when I had a rather mangy visitor technically classes as homeopathic, but it definitely did work - anything sold as mange remedy with sulphur & often an arsenic compound should work without harming the fox. You can get them on EBay, and I think Amazon as well.

The Derbyshire Fox Rescue one seems good value for money, as does the Denes; just make sure you buy one that goes in to food rather than all the spray on /spot on/ shampoos that are available!

It's interesting that it worked for you @Allergictoironing . How bad was the mange and how long did it take to work? Generally I wouldn't touch anything labelled homeopathic as it's basically water with not enough active ingredient to have any effect. I wonder if the arsenic actually works at that level of dilution and it's labelled as homeopathic to enable it to be sold online? It does seem strange that it's so widely recommended and you've had a positive experience.

Thank you to everyone who has made suggestions to help.

Put food out for Visitor every few days, put the 4 drops on the food, didn't always see the fox. I suppose I noticed it was much better 2-3 months from when I started when it was sun bathing in the garden looking quite glossy. There were actually 2 visitors, but they had slightly different colouring and when I saw it sunbathing they were both lying there together looking rather content 😀

I’ve messaged my local wildlife rescue to ask what they use, I’ll report back if they reply.