Ask BYC

[thecatumbrella]

Have you ever had a question that couldn't be resolved through Google, then thought, "I bet a random sampling of people would know the answer." This is the place to ask that question.

There are some GROUND RULES. Please follow them.

• No poultry questions. Those are best asked in the main forums.
• No medical or political questions.
• No binary yes/no questions or "What's your favorite ____?", etc. For that, you want Question of the Day.
• No philosophical questions that could use their own thread.
• Finally, please keep the troll questions to a minimum.

Some GOOD example questions would be:

• What color should I paint this room? Here's a photo with paint swatches.
• Does anyone know what this thing is that I found buried in the yard?
• Can someone recommend a good book on foraging mushrooms?

Some BAD example questions would be:

• How do I solve the 3-body problem?
• What's the meaning of life?
• Is this toenail fungus? Here's a disgusting photo that will ruin your day.

Due to the risk of chit-chat, I suggest starting your question with an all-caps "QUESTION!" to get everyone's attention. My hope is this thread can be helpful and not just collect dust. Enjoy!

 

[MROO]

Have you ever had a question that couldn't be resolved through Google, then thought, "I bet a random sampling of people would know the answer." This is the place to ask that question.

There are some GROUND RULES. Please follow them.

• No poultry questions. Those are best asked in the main forums.
• No medical or political questions.
• No binary yes/no questions or "What's your favorite ____?", etc. For that, you want Question of the Day.
• No philosophical questions that could use their own thread.
• Finally, please keep the troll questions to a minimum.

Some GOOD example questions would be:

What color should I paint this room? Here's a photo with paint swatches.​

Does anyone know what this thing is that I found buried in the yard?​

Can someone recommend a good book on foraging mushrooms?​

Some BAD example questions would be:

How do I solve the 3-body problem?​

What's the meaning of life?​

Is this toenail fungus? Here's a disgusting photo that will ruin your day.​

Due to the risk of chit-chat, I suggest starting your question with an all-caps "QUESTION!" to get everyone's attention. My hope is this thread can be helpful and not just collect dust. Enjoy!

The answer to "What is the meaning of Life" is "42." IYKYK!

QUESTION: LOOKING FOR A RECIPE FOR A BALANCED HOMEMADE CAT FOOD.
I have a cat who requires wet food (urinary issues) and two others who insist on sharing.
Even the CHEAP commercial canned food has gotten outrageously expensive. Our vet had some recommendations, but admits that vet school doesn't cover much on the subject of homemade cat food - just general nutrition. So ... I'm looking for a recipe that includes the taurine and other essentials needed for three cats that are eating me out of house and home!

EDIT for typo

 

[Evadig]

The answer to "What is the meaning of Life" is "42." IYKYK!

QUESTION: LOOKING FOR A RECIPE FOR A BALANCED HOMEMADE CAT FOOD.
I have a cat who requires wet food (urinary issues) and two others who insist on sharing.
Even the CHEAP commercial canned food has gotten outrageously expensive. Our vet had some recommendations, but admits that vet school doesn't cover much on the subject of homemade cat food - just general nutrition. So ... I'm looking for a recipe that includes the taurine and other essentials needed for three cats that are eating me out of house and home!

EDIT for typo

My vet recommended this website; it builds a balanced homemade diet for you.
I used it for my Eva (who also eats prescription food) for a bit but lacked the patience to make it every day.

https://balance.it/recipes

 

[thecatumbrella]

The answer to "What is the meaning of Life" is "42." IYKYK!

QUESTION: LOOKING FOR A RECIPE FOR A BALANCED HOMEMADE CAT FOOD.
I have a cat who requires wet food (urinary issues) and two others who insist on sharing.
Even the CHEAP commercial canned food has gotten outrageously expensive. Our vet had some recommendations, but admits that vet school doesn't cover much on the subject of homemade cat food - just general nutrition. So ... I'm looking for a recipe that includes the taurine and other essentials needed for three cats that are eating me out of house and home!

EDIT for typo

I had a cat that needed to exclusively eat grain-free wet food, so I get it on the price pinch. I know this isn’t what you’re looking for, but is it possible to soak kibble in water, drain a little off, then microwave to make it stinky (which animals love)? This was my strat for my chronic UTI Pug, and it worked great. I believe I added d-mannose as well.

My vet recommended this website; it builds a balanced homemade diet for you.
I used it for my Eva (who also eats prescription food) for a bit but lacked the patience to make it every day.

https://balance.it/recipes

I have to check this site out more later!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The answer to "What is the meaning of Life" is "42." IYKYK!

QUESTION: LOOKING FOR A RECIPE FOR A BALANCED HOMEMADE CAT FOOD.
I have a cat who requires wet food (urinary issues) and two others who insist on sharing.
Even the CHEAP commercial canned food has gotten outrageously expensive. Our vet had some recommendations, but admits that vet school doesn't cover much on the subject of homemade cat food - just general nutrition. So ... I'm looking for a recipe that includes the taurine and other essentials needed for three cats that are eating me out of house and home!

EDIT for typo

Are you wanting a cooked or raw diet recipe?

 

[Debbie292d]

The answer to "What is the meaning of Life" is "42." IYKYK!

QUESTION: LOOKING FOR A RECIPE FOR A BALANCED HOMEMADE CAT FOOD.
I have a cat who requires wet food (urinary issues) and two others who insist on sharing.
Even the CHEAP commercial canned food has gotten outrageously expensive. Our vet had some recommendations, but admits that vet school doesn't cover much on the subject of homemade cat food - just general nutrition. So ... I'm looking for a recipe that includes the taurine and other essentials needed for three cats that are eating me out of house and home!

EDIT for typo

We feed one old cat wet food too. We try to do it when the two other cats aren't around.

We buy the largest, cheapest cans of it we can find. (It still says "Complete and Balanced" on the can.) Then use this can opener to open it. It creates a smooth-edged lid that can be put back on the can. There aren't any metal grindings so not sure how it does that. We've had this one since 5/2023.

It's also great for those larger cans of Bush's Baked Beans. We only eat half a can, and it's too expensive to just buy small cans. Any size can, it can do this.

Saves on dirtying the tupperware and is easily recognized in the fridge when it's in its original container.

If you worry your cat might need something more, we buy "treats" to supplement our two older dogs. One started looking dull, and the other was limping right after getting up from a nap. Now they're both fine. I looked and they have these for cats too. This is one, with Taurine as the first ingredient. You could find one geared more toward urinary tract health, or just put a couple of drops of apple cider vinegar in her food.

 

[thecatumbrella]

QUESTION!

How would you hang these acoustic panels without completely destroying the wall? They are made of felt and pretty thick (as shown in 2nd photo). The manufacturer suggested construction adhesive. Yeah, right. These puppies are coming with us when we move, and I HATE patching drywall.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[MROO]

QUESTION!

How would you hang these acoustic panels without completely destroying the wall? They are made of felt and pretty thick (as shown in 2nd photo). The manufacturer suggested construction adhesive. Yeah, right. These puppies are coming with us when we move, and I HATE patching drywall.

Thanks in advance for any help!

View attachment 4309443

View attachment 4309444

Do a bracket shelf, like what's holding the pictures behind them, and invert one along the top, to hold them flush. The brackets can move with you and all you'll have to patch is the screw holes.

 

[MROO]

Are you wanting a cooked or raw diet recipe?

Cooked would be preferable, as I think it'll keep longer, but I'm open to either. My wet-food kitty had a life-threatening urinary blockage at two. My own vet wasn't sure he'd even survive the trip to the emergency vet, but he did. Both vets credit the wet-food diet and urinary (Nine Lives Plus Care, which is being discontinued!) for his still being with me. I'd like to keep that trend going!

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

(I don't have a question yet, so just following. )