Dr. Kathryn Christensen, AKA the Third Ward's "Cat Doctor," is a veterinarian who only treats our fuzzy feline friends. "I really don't even remember any 'dog' medicine," laughs the 1998 graduate from UW-Madison's veterinarian program.

Dr. Christensen has owned cats for most of her life, and says she decided to focus on cat care because she was able to "read" them so well. Plus, after working as a technician in a small animal practice for two years, she decided dogs just weren't her thing. "The barking, howling and whining drove me crazy," she says.

Currently, Christensen owns six cats: three Abysinnians, one Japanese bobtail and two domestic shorthairs. Three of her cats live at home with her and three live at the clinic where they routinely give blood. "These guys have to work," she jokes.

Originally from Green Bay, Christensen decided to pursue her dream of a becoming a veterinarian after having earned her B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Wisconsin – River Falls, her Associate degree in Veterinary Technology from Madison Area Technical College and her Master’s at Iowa State University. "I graduated from vet school at 45. We had several older students in my class, including two ladies in their 50s," says the soon-to-turn 50-year-old. "I'm not as old as dirt, but close to it."

Christensen decided to open her practice in the Third Ward because it was an up-and-coming neighborhood with a lot of condos and, consequently, a lot of pet cats. And so far, business has been good.

Since Dr. Christensen is a recently-educated veterinarian and an all-around cool lady, we decided to pick her brain about modern cat-related issues.

OMC: Do you recommend getting a cat from a private home or a human society?

KC: I think there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Humane societies in Milwaukee have the cats feline leukemia tested, vaccinated and altered before adoption; so do most rescue organizations. However, by mixing animals together in large numbers they have increased illnesses among their animals. Private homes often have no medical care but the animals are often very healthy and well socialized.

OMC: What kinds of cats make the best pets?

KC: I think the run-of-the-mill domestic shorthairs and longhairs are good; also purebred American shorthairs, Maine Coons, Ragdolls and Burmese are good with kids. I think Persians and Himalayans don't make such great pets because of their upkeep and Orientals -- including Siamese, Abysinnians and Oriental Shorthairs -- are too high strung.

OMC: Do you believe in declawing?

KC: Declawing is not something to be taken lightly, but with proper pain relief I think it's okay if the owners need to have it done because of expensive furnishings or health. It's been pretty much disproven that declawing is the root of all behavior problems, but it is an elective surgery that is only beneficial to the cat in the sense that it may keep it from being abandoned due to excessive scratching and destruction.

OMC: What foods do you recommend? What do you think about raw diets?

KC: Any well-balanced food that the cat likes and doesn't cause a problem is fine, either canned or dry. Most professional foods are in this category but many supermarket foods are okay, too. Raw meat diets are fine, again, as long as they are balanced.

OMC: What kinds of litter do you recommend?

KC: The best litters are the ones that are the most natural for cats to use, so the scoopable, clumping, unscented litters are very popular with the cats. The wheat and corn by-product litters are pretty good too.

OMC: Is it true that cats are easily toilet trained?

KC: I have seen toilet-trained cats in other practices, but I'm not sure I have any in my practice. Some cats actually train themselves because they love to mimic other animals including people. There are also kits that you can buy to train your cat. The down side is if the bathroom door is locked when the cat needs to go.

The Cat Doctor is located at 236 N. Water St. To make an appointment for your cat or for more information, call (414) 272-2287