Listener Questions: Pirate Cats, Harness Protests & Toy Treasures

molly6383
1 day ago
2 min read

Every so often on Cat Talk Radio, I dedicate an episode to answering questions directly from listeners—and this week’s questions were too good not to share! From serious medical concerns to the quirky mysteries of cat behavior, here’s a peek at what we covered.

👁️ One-Eyed Pirate Cats: Iris Melanoma in Cats

One listener wrote in about her cat who was diagnosed with diffuse iris melanoma—a condition that can look like “spots” in the eye. Her question was whether laser treatment or complete eye removal is the better option, and how well cats adapt to losing an eye.Spoiler alert: cats are incredibly resilient. In fact, many thrive as “pirate cats,” adjusting quickly to depth perception changes and living happy, full lives.

🇨🇭 Hip Replacement Recovery in Cats

From Switzerland came a question about a two-year-old cat facing hip replacement surgery. Post-op care for cats like this is all about providing a safe recovery space, limiting movement to avoid injury, and offering enrichment that doesn’t require strenuous activity. Cats bounce back more easily than we might imagine—but they need our support to get there.

🦮 Harness Walks: Why the Sudden Protest?

Another listener had successfully trained her cat to walk on a harness outdoors. But once the cat saw a dog running freely, she began protesting the harness altogether. It’s a great reminder that cats constantly compare their experiences. A harness feels restrictive when they see another animal roaming free. Adjusting expectations and making the harness a positive experience again is key to getting back on track.

🧸 Toy Treasures: What Does It Mean?

One of the sweetest questions came from a listener whose cat regularly carries toys in their mouth and drops them on the bed. Why do cats do this? The answer may be part hunting instinct, part gift-giving, and part wanting to share their “prey” with their favorite human. It’s an odd little ritual—but often a sign of love.

🎧 Tune In for the Full Episode

If you’d like to hear the full discussion—and get even more details on these listener questions—check out the episode here.

Cats never stop surprising us, and your questions help uncover the “why” behind their behaviors. If you’ve got a feline mystery you’d like answered, send it my way at molly@cattalkradio.com —your question might be featured in a future episode!