Author
Originally written 1991 & updated through 1997 by Cindy Tittle Moore. Posted by the Fanciers website as of July 1999.
You cannot discipline cats as you would dogs. Dogs form social hierarchies that you can take advantage of by placing yourself at the top. Cats form social groups only by necessity and the arrangement is based on respecting territory, not by respecting the "top dog". Many mistakes made with cats are due to thinking that they will react like dogs.
Do not ever hit a cat or use any sort of physical punishment. You will only teach your cat to fear you.
It is always best to train your cat away from undesireable behavior as soon as possible, as young as possible. You will have the most success training your cat when it is young on what is acceptable to scratch and what is not. Never tolerate it when it is "cute" since it will not always remain so.
Cats are frequently fascinated with houseplants. However, you may not appreciate the attention, which can range from chewing on the plant leaves to digging or peeing in the plant soil.
For chewing, try spraying Bitter Apple or Bitter Orange (there are formulations specifically for use on plants) on the leaves. Dusting cayenne pepper on them may also help. You may wish to grow some grass or catnip for them as an alternative; plants do provide them with needed nutrients (the absence of which may be causing their grazing).
For digging or urinating, cover the dirt with aluminum foil or gravel. If the plant needs it, add some vinegar to the soil to counteract the ammonia in the urine.
Cats can become jealous upon the arrival of a new baby. Reassure the cat that you still love it by paying it plenty of attention. In the exhaustion and turmoil of a new baby, the cat is often neglected, and this will add to its resentment.
There is a myth that cats will kill babies. The superstition is that they'll "steal" the baby's breath; the latter day explanation is that they will lie on babies and suffocate them. While cats may like the baby's warmth and may curl up next to it, it will not often lie on the baby and in any case will move when the baby begins to flail its arms and legs.
Most cats are trustworthy around babies after getting over any jealousy, especially if it is trained not to use people as toys; however babies should never be left unsupervised around any animal.
Some cats start spraying in the house. You will want to first rule out any medical causes, such as FUS or cystitis. Sometimes it is useful to distinguish between spraying (which winds up on walls) and urinating (which is generally on the floor). Spraying is more often a behavior problem and urination is more often a medical problem. It is best to check with a vet first. If the problem is medical, then you will need to simply clean up the odor after the problem is treated, otherwise you will need to try some of the behavior modification outlined below (and you'll still need to clean up the odor).
You must remove the odor from items that the cat sprayed on to prevent the cat from using the same spot again later. The ammonia smell tells the cat that this is an elimination spot, so never use ammonia to try and "remove" the odor! See (Removing Urine Odor).
Cats sometimes spray to mark their territory so sometimes an area for your cat that other animals cannot go to will help. Keeping the litterbox immaculate will help in other cases.
Sometimes cats pick small throw rugs with non-skid backing to urinate on. This is caused by an odor from the backing that somehow tells the cat to urinate there (probably an ammonia-like smell). Cat-repellent sprays or washing the rug may help; you might just have to get rid of that rug.
For persistent spraying after the above steps, try the procedure outlined in (Housetraining).
For unwanted scratching, provide an approved scratching post or other item. Issue firm "no!"s on unapproved items. You may wish to spray Bitter Apple or Bitter Orange (available at most pet stores) on items that they are particularly stubborn about. Praise them and give a cat treat when they use the approved scratching material. Demonstrate how to use the post by (yes) going up to it and scratching it like your cat would. They will come over to investigate your scent and then leave their own.
Pepper (black, white, or cayenne) can be applied to furniture and plants to discourage scratching. This does not deter all cats. You can also cover areas with double-sided tape (sticky on both sides) to discourage unwanted scratching. (Always be sure to provide an alternative scratching item.)
In general, cats will either use a post a lot or never use it. The deciding factor can be the material that the post is made out of. It has to be fairly smooth (cats usually don't like plush carpet) and shouldn't be a material that their nails get stuck in. Once that happens, they may not use the post anymore. Natural fiber rope wrapped tightly around the post appeals to many cats. Some cats like plain wood; a two-by-four made available may work well. Other cats prefer the kind of "scratching posts" that are horizontal rather than verticle.
You may wish to keep your cat off of the furniture or off of a particular piece of furniture. Or to keep them off the counters and or tables. Because of a cat's ability to climb and jump, this isn't always a practical thing to do -- but you can somtimes train them to stay off very specifiic pieces of furniture or locations by covering it with aluminium foil. In most cases, a month of leaving the foil on when you leave the house will be effective.
It is possible for cats to stop using the litter box or to have trouble learning in the first place.
Do NOT ever try to discourage a cat's mistakes by rubbing its nose in it. It never worked for dogs and most certainly will not work for cats. In fact, you wind up reminding the cat of where a good place to eliminate is!
Potential CAUSES for failure to use litterbox:
One alternative to a litter box is to completely dispense with using it. An excellent easy book called "
How to toilet train your cat in 21 days"by Paul Kunkel, Kimble Pendleton Mead (21 days to a litter free house) makes training your cat to use a toilet very possible. Cats are much happier using a toilet than litter. Easy step by step instructions in 21 days will leave you litter free. It can be purchased on www.ebay.com.au and it's available on www.amazon.com. It's very simple and very possible. Of course the kittens are too young presently,
The best way to discourage running to the door is never to let the cat succeed! After a history of unsuccessful attempts, the cat will stop trying. After even one success, the cat will try hard and for a long time.
Tip: don't arrive at the door with three bags of groceries in hand and expect you'll be able to keep the cat in. Instead, put down all but one bag and use that bag to block the floor level when you come in. After you're in, bring in the rest. In general, spend the time to be in control whenever the outside door is opened. Kids will need to learn how to keep the cat in too. A waterbottle may help with persistent cats. It will pay off later when the cat stops trying to get out.
To turn a formerly outdoor cat into an indoor one (or to discourage a persistent one, you might try this, recommended by the San Francisco SPCA: Enlist the help of a friend to hide outside the door with a hose and spray attachment and have her or him spray the cat when you let it out. This may take several applications, over several days.
Some cats are remarkably persistent, and never seem to give up.
If possible, use tension rods instead of drilled into the wall rods. The tension rods will simply fall down on top of the cat if it tries to climb them. Otherwise, take the drapes off the hooks and thread them back up with thread just barely strong enough to hold them up. When the cat climbs up, the drapes will fall down on it (be sure that the hooks aren't around to potentially injure the cat). After the drapes have remained up for some time, re-hook them. These methods have the advantage of working whether you're home or not.
Vertical blinds can work very well; cats cannot climb up them, cannot shred them, cannot shed on them, cannot be bent the way horizontal blinds. It is furthermore easy for cats to push them aside to look outside. Vertical blinds are usually vertical strips of plastic, but they can also come covered with different fabrics to match your decor. These kinds are still pretty indestructible.
Put something distasteful on the cord to discourage chewing. Substances to try: tabasco sauce, cayenne pepper, Bitter Apple/Orange, nail-biting nailpolish, orange/lemon peel. If you cannot find a substance that will repel your cat, you may wish to use gaffer's tape to secure exposed cords. Gaffer's tape comes in a variety of colors and you will probably be able to find something relatively inconspicuous. (Duct tape can also be used, but it's pretty messy and hard to clean up if you're moving out of an apartment. Consider permanent wiring if you own your place: installment behind walls, etc.
This will work on other chewed items, as well, although you will need to check the compatibility of the chewed item with the substance you put on it.
Give a sharp, plantative yowl, like the sound a hurt cat will make. Pull your hand back (or if that would score furrows down your hand, let it go completely limp), turn your back on it, and ignore it for a few minutes. People are divided on the issue of whether to allow hand attacks at all or to allow limited hand attacks. You can train the cat to do either with the same method. For the former, always wail when attacked and then offer a toy to play with instead; for the latter, wail whenever the claws come out, but allow attack of the hand up to that point. Be aware that a cat trained not to use a person as a toy at all will be more trustworthy around a new baby (see A New Baby). You may try hissing at a cat that persistently attacks you.
The best way to prevent this problem is to get a garbage container with a firm lid. Do NOT start with container that's trivial to get into, then gradually move to harder and harder containers: this just trains the cat to get into the harder container. A hospital type of container that opens the lid with a foot pedal is effective and convenient. Another is the kind with metal handles that swing up to close the lid. The important thing is the lid is tight and secure.
Another way to prevent this is to store the garbage can out of reach, such as in the cabinet under the sink or in a pantry where the door is kept closed. If the cat can open the cabinet door, get a childproof latch for it.
If the problem is one of tipping the container over, several bricks in the bottom of the container may help stabilize it. Once the cat is convinced it can't be knocked over, you can remove the weight.
It's not a good idea to let your cat on your kitchen counters or tabletops. There are several ways to prevent this. Leave a collection of poorly balanced kitchen utensils or empty (or with a few pennies inside) aluminum cans on the counter near the edge, so the cat will knock them off if it jumps up. Cats hate surprises and loud noises. Leave some ordinary dishwashing liquid on the counters, or some masking tape (or two-sided carpet tape) arranged gummy side up. Don't leave things on the counter that will attract the cat (like raw meat).
These same techniques will work for other surfaces like dressers, TV's, etc.
Cats are notorious for waking their owners up at oh-dark-thirty. If you wish to stop this, there are several steps to take.
The cat may simply be hungry and demanding its food. By feeding it when it wakes you up at an ungodly hour, you are simply reinforcing its behavior. If this is why it's waking you up, you can handle this either by filling the bowl just before you go to sleep so it will not be empty in the morning, or by ignoring the cat's wakeups and feeding it at the exact same time convenient to you every morning. The cat will adjust fairly quickly to the second.
If it is trying to play, there are again several tactics you can try. If you make a practice of tiring it out with play just before bedtime, you can reduce its calls for play at dawn. What works in some cases is to hiss gently at the cat. You can also try shutting it out of the bedroom. If it pounds on the door, put it in a bathroom until you wake up.
In persistent cases, try the vacuum cleaner, eater of noisy kitties. Go to bed, leaving him out in the hall. Position the vacuum cleaner next to the door, inside it. Plug the vacuum in, and arrange things so you can switch the vacuum on from your bed (eg, wire a switch into an extension cord). Wait for the scratching and wailing at the door. Turn the vacuum cleaner on. If cat comes back, turn it on again. The cat will eventually decide to stop bothering you in the morning.
Five ways to prevent cats from playing with toilet paper:
Some cats like to tip the water dish and empty it all over the kitchen floor. You can try placing it on a small rug. There are large "untippable" (pyramid-shaped) dishes available at the pet store. If the cat then paddles the water out, you may just want to put the dish in the bathtub. Cats should always have a source of fresh water (except for pre-op surgery or prior to a car ride), so removing it while you are not at home is an unsatisfactory solution. If the cat is indoor/outdoor, you may want to put the water dish outside.
Some cats may develop the annoying and expensive habit of ripping up carpet. There are several possible reasons behind this, listed below. In all circumstances, be sure that there is plenty of items that the cat can scratch.
Cats love closets, since they're dark hidey holes full of fun stuff. But you may not want your cat to swing on your good silk clothing or rearrange your shoes. Conversely, you might want your cat to be able to get into the closet and keep larger pets out.
If you have a swing-and-shut door, you might try a cat door to allow the cat access. A child-barrier that lets the cat jump over but not the dog is another possibility. Or a chain (like the chain some front doors have) might work.
A solution with closets that have double sliding doors is to drill a hole through the area of overlap, with the doors positioned closed or partially opened as you wish. Then you can use a nail or a peg in the hole to keep the doors in position.
Outside cats, especially those not your own, can present you with difficult problems. Cats are not regarded the way dogs are under law: there is usually nothing that says you have the "right" to keep cats out of your yard, for example (whereas dogs can be required to be kept confined or on leash, for example). There are historical and practical reasons for this -- but there are still practical steps you can take to resolve several problems. The following is written primarily for people who want to stop other cats (i.e., not their own) from being a nuisance on their property.
As a cat owner, you should consider ways to minimize your cat annoying your neighbors. You could keep your cat inside, supervise your cat when outside, bring it inside at night, etc. All cats allowed to roam outside should, of course, be neutered.
Mating cats can make an unbelievable amount of noise under your window. If these cats are feral, check with your local animal clinic about trapping and neutering these cats. Many will do them at little or no cost, depending on how many cats you're willing to bring in for the procedure. Eliminating the breeding stock in feral cats as much as possible will also help reduce the stray population in your area over time, and reduce similar problems like cat fights and spraying.
If the cats involved are owned by your neighbors, you might try a non-confrontational approach -- let them know what their cat has been doing and suggest that perhaps neutering their cat might help solve some of these problems. A politely worded note can be left on their door if you wish to avoid direct confrontation. You might eventually call Animal Control in your area for help, but first let them know you are having problems with their cat.
Between digging and eating in your plants, cats can do considerable damage to a garden. There are a number of ways to keep cats from digging in, chewing on, or eliminating in your garden.
Some people have successfully used the "diversionary" tactic by planting catnip in another corner of the garden entirely, confining the destruction to one spot.
If you have not yet started your garden, put chicken wire down and plant between the wire. Cats dislike walking on the chicken wire and most plants (unless they grow too big) do just fine growing between the wire.
Other people have reported success with different sprays, gels, and products specifically formulated to keep animals out of your yard. Check your local pet store.
Lemon peels, soap slivers (use biodegradeable soap) dipped in cayenne pepper and other organic materials have also been reportedly successful.
Cats hate water: surprising them with a squirt gun (or turning your sprinklers on) can discourage specific cats from returning.
One reader reported success in putting up cast-iron cut-out cats with marble eyes in strategic places in her yard. The decorative cats were apparently real enough to cats that they kept clear of her yard. Try looking around hardware stores or gardening stores for these. Lifesize cat statues might work as well.
Sometimes there is a problem with a particular cat that fights with other cats. If it is feral, try to make arrangements to neuter it, if possible. If it belongs to a neighbor, try to discuss the matter with your neighbor, and avoid being "threatening." When approached reasonably, most people can be reasonable in turn. Sometimes your neighbor just doesn't know his cat is bothering you.
If the cat actually follows your cat through the pet door, you might try an electronic pet door to keep it out (see Pet Doors).
Locate your birdfeeder in an area where the ground is clear, affording cats no cover. At the same time, try to locate it under something, like a tree, to provide refuge from attack by other birds.
To reduce the problem of birds on the ground (after dropped seeds) getting picked up by cats, use suet feeders instead of seed feeders.
Cats are very good at scaling fences. But if you have a yard that is otherwised fenced in, you can try keeping your cat from going over the fence by attaching corrougated fiberglass to the top of it. There is then no purchase for the cat to pull itself up. It is even possible to find different colors of the fiberglass to keep it inconspicuous. Keep in mind, though, that many cats are clever climbers and high jumpers and may circumvent anything short of a yard totally enclosed and roofed over with chicken wire.
You can try making an overhang on the top of the fence, if you cat cannot jump directly to the top of it. Use large bookshelf type angle brackets and drape netting or screening on it, to create an unstable barrier.
There are some "invisible fence" products for cats, where the perimiter of the yard is marked with a wire that will activate an electric collar on the the cat. Do not use these without supervision, and ideally they should be used in conjunction with a visible fence that the cat can use as a visual reminder of its constraints. This seems to work well with some cats and not at all with others.
Teaching Your Cat
Not to Scratch and
Bite
Does your cat play too rough? Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between playfulness and aggression. What the cat is actually doing is engaging in a type of behavior that is a combination of both predatory play or "sneak attack" and is an expression of a cat's instinctive hunting skills at work on you! While it can be flattering to know that you have been selected as a playmate. you are not alone if you are not particularly enjoying all the scratching biting.
Studies conducted by the University of Pennsylvania and the Animal Medical Center in N.Y.C. indicate that a primary trigger for these rough-house antics is routinely leaving the cat alone for extended periods of time with no opportunity for interaction and feedback from a responsive source. People who live with cats and are away from home all day (i.e. at work) must make a concerted effort to redirect the play/aggression to something other than themselves (toys) so the cat will play with these objects when people are not present. Rolling or dangling (mobiles) toys that can be batted about. large stuffed catnip toys that can be wrestled with and "mauled" are excellent substitutes. Select the toys carefully: do remember that during rough play toys can be chewed and torn into bite-size pieces. Also bells, squeakers and ornamentation can be pulled off and swallowed.
One of the best ways to encourage play with toys when you are not there Is to use the same object in play when you are there. Rub the toy between your palms to impart your scent on it: tie it to a string and drag it or throw it and let the cat chase, stalk or fetch it. Many times when a toy is pleasantly associated with you and the good times you have together, it will also become the focus of attention when you are not present.
Cats that are left alone for extended periods of time can also become over stimulated and excitable during petting. If petting and stroking are met with biting and scratching, keep the sessions short. Take notes as to how long you can pet before the cat begins to bite and scratch and keep the sessions shorter than that. Many cats do not enjoy being scratched and petted on the belly or hips.' so if your cat doesn't like it, don't do it.
Cats that are introduced into a new household can be quite leery about being touched. When first handling a cat that is new to you, offer a closed fist first. If the cat sniffs and moves in toward you, lightly pet it around the head and shoulders only. Proceed slowly. Short, frequent petting sessions are the key. Do not reach for, or restrain, a cat that is not actively soliciting you: the gesture can be perceived as an aggressive move by the cat. Watch the cat carefully for signs of intolerance or over stimulation. Stop handling before the cat becomes over stimulated. Should you miss the signs and the cat begins to bite or claw you, a firm NO is in order. Stop petting at once, leave the scene if you have to. Unacceptable behavior should never be rewarded with positive attention.
Finally, never dangle your fingers, scuff your feet or wiggle your toes while engaging in play with your cat. Body parts are not toys: if you permit biting/clawing sometimes but not others, you are giving the cat two messages. You are confusing the cat.
Consistency and timing is everything in training. This approach will help to minimize and ultimately correct biting and scratching problems while allowing the cat to develop a healthy relationship with you, its caretaker.
| Why
does your cat wash your hair or face? The first thing a kitten experiences, even before it can see, is its mother licking and washing. Grooming is a demonstration of love and caring. So, if your cat occasionally washes your hair or licks your face, he is showing you his acceptance and caring of you as a fellow feline. | |
| » | Why does a cat "knead" or "make
biscuits"? When a kitten is nursing, it typically kneads its paws against its mother, either as a sign of contentment or to encourage the milk flow. When the cat matures, it kneads to show its contentment and pleasure. |
| » | Why
does a cat go to the visitor who doesn't like cats?
When one cat is threatening another, it stares boldly, sometimes hisses, and frequently moves in toward the other cat. Usually, the person who doesn't like cats avoids looking at it, doesn't talk to it, and sits quietly, hoping to be ignored by the cat. The cat, therefore, sees the person's behavior as "cat-friendly" and practically inviting. |
| » | Why
does your cat push its head against you? This is called "head butts". This is a cat's way of showing affection. Some cats will turn their head, and push it against a human (or another cat). |
| » | Why does a cat do a stiff-legged hop/touch
against a human? That is the cat's body language of saying, "hey, hi there, how ya doin'?" |
| » | Why
does your cat rub up against you? Cats have scent glands along the tail, on each side of their head, on their lips, base of their tail, chin, near their sex organs, and between their front paws. They use these glands to scent mark their territory. When the cat rubs you, he is marking you with his scent, claiming you as "his." Too, he is picking up your scent. Cats rub up against furniture or doorways for the same reason - to mark the item as "his". (Urine spraying is also a territorial marking, by the way.) |
| » | Why does a cat sometimes wash its fur
immediately after being petted? There are two theories on this behavior. One theory proposes that the cat is getting rid of the human smell. The other is that the cat is furthering the pleasure of his association with you by tasting your scent. |
| » | Why
do some cats suck wool or clothing? There are a couple of theories on this: The cat was weaned too early and the scent of the lanolin reminds the cat of his mother, or The cat has a lack of fiber in his diet. |
| » | Why
does a cat walk sloooowly, looking straight forward when passing another
cat? All cats are territorial to an extent - the range of a particular inside cat may extend from a small space in a room to the entire house, depending on their hierarchical ranking in the family. When a "superior" cat confronts on "inferior" in the hierarchy, it will stare at and/or move in for a face-to-face confrontation. When a cat wants to show that it doesn't want to get into an argument, it will make a wide, slow path around the other cat, usually avoiding even looking at it. |
| » | Why
does a cat use a litterbox? In the wild, cats learned to bury their feces to hide their presence from predators or rivals. That trait remains ingrained in our domestic house cats. |
| » | Why
does a cat scratch outside the litterbox, instead of inside
it? The cat has probably had several unpleasant experiences of getting his feet soggy or dirty - make sure the litterbox is cleaned out frequently. |
| » | Why
does a cat purr? Usually, a cat purrs because it is content. A mother cat purrs to let her kittens know she is nearby, and kittens purr in response to their mother's grooming. Older kittens purr to entice adults to play. Some adults will purr to show an aggressor that they are non-threatening. Take note, however, that some cats will purr when frightened or in pain. By the way, no one has yet to discover how a cat purrs. |
| » | Why
does a cat sometimes scratch the floor as though he is trying to bury his
food dish? It may be a holdover of the wild trait of burying food for later. Or, it may be that he is trying to tell you that the food is not to his liking. |
| » | Why
does a cat attack human's ankles? Kitten play always involves mock battles, with surprise attacks, pounces, and leaps. The kitty is basically trying to play, as he would with another cat. Direct him to less painful game play - chasing balls, cords, and so on. |
| » | Why
are some people allergic to cats? It's not the cat's fur that causes allergies. It's a protein (FEL D1) in the cat's saliva. When a cat grooms itself, it deposits this protein on its fur (and the protein then may be transferred to upholstery and carpets). Some cats have less (or more) of this protein. Though there is no way to predict which cat in a litter, if any, will be less hypoallergenic, though females seem to be the lesser hypoallergenic. Bathing a cat reduces the amount of protein in the cat's fur, so the human's physical reaction is lessened. I have also been told that putting a few drops of vinegar in the cat's water bowl helps to minimize the effects of the protein. |
| » | Why
does your cat turn his/her back on you after a scolding, or if you've been
gone for a while? Typically, a person's body language when reprimanding a pet includes staring or other overtly "aggressive" behavior. The cat usually responds in a submissive fashion. In a sense, it is telling you he has surrendered to you, as a fellow cat, and is discouraging attack. (By the way, you will get better results from a cat if you enforce his positive behavior instead of reprimanding any negative behavior.) |
| » | Why
does your cat bring you dead or dying creatures?
There are at least four differing theories on this behavior: - Your cat is bringing you a present, in appreciation for you feeding it or as a sign of affection. - Your cat realizes you are a totally incompetent mouser and is trying to educate you. - The cat is bringing her prey home to where it is safe, where she usually eats. - The cat is simply trying to make sure you have fresh food. |
| » | Why
does a cat play with its prey? Cats are attracted by movement, so if a stalked prey keeps moving, the cat's desire to attack continues to be stimulated. If the cat gets very excited over the stalking/killing, he may continue to play with the prey after it is dead. |
| » | Why
do some cats put their toys in their water or food dish?
Cats look upon their food area as part of their territory, and that particular area of their territory usually doesn't change from day to day - so the cats are likely putting their favorite toys away in a "safe" place. Some cats will consistently put away their toys when they're through playing with them - you might try putting your cat's toys in a small basket near one of his favorite spots and see if he will put them away on his own. |
| » | Why
does your cat take a small bite on your arm or cheek and hold on for a few
seconds? Some cats, when they are very happy and feeling extremely affectionate toward the Big Unfurry Cat, will gently take a piece of human skin between their teeth and hold it for a few seconds. Think of it as the feline equivalent of kissing. |
| » | Why do cats roll over on their
backs? Cats roll over on their backs for a variety of reasons: if your cat flops down in front of you and rolls over on his back for a belly skritch, it's a sign of his complete trust in you that you won't ever hurt him. Other times, he wants to play. If the cat is female and in heat, it's a form of foreplay. It's also a part of their social standing. Domesticated cats don't display this as much as wild ones do. Wild cats have a very similar social structure to that of wolves. |
| » | Why does a cat lick photographs or plastic
bags? It has been speculated that they are tasting the slight "odor" that emanates from these products. They may also enjoy the texture of the items on their tongue. |
| » | Why
do some cats go crazy over catnip, but others ignore it?
The response to catnip is the result of a gene in the cat; if the cat doesn't have the gene, it cannot physically react to catnip. Some cats will react to catnip by rolling around on the floor in delight, others will just quickly eat it up and wander off, while others will ignore it completely. |
| » | Why
does a cat sometimes "sneer" when smelling something?
When a cat curls back its upper lip and looks like it's sneering, it has just discovered an interesting, usually intense odor and is smelling it more deeply. Called "flehming, it is drawing the odors into an organ (Jacobson's organ), in the roof of its mouth. |
| » | Why do cats sometimes scratch at
windows? It may be that they are verifying that there is actually a barrier between them and whatever they see outside. |
| » | Why does a cat hate getting
wet? Actually, many cats enjoy water and at least one breed is known to enjoy fishing and swimming. But, it has to be on their own terms - being picked up by two human hands and dunked in a sink full of water is not on the cat's "own terms." |
| » | Why
do some cats insist on drinking from a dripping faucet?
Cats - like most other animals - prefer their food and water fresh, and running water is most appealing for that reason. Too, the motion of water coming out of a faucet is probably appealing to their sense of hearing and sight. Some cats will even put their paw into their water dish and "swirl" it around so they can drinking "running" water. |
| » | Why does a cat hide when it is sick or
dying? Instinct tells a cat to hide where a predator can't find them. When a cat is ill, it may think it is being stalked - so it hides. |
| » | Why does a cat spend so much time
grooming? Besides the obvious purpose of hygiene and the social aspects, grooming helps cats cope with confrontation or embarassment (you may have noticed that if a cat accidentally falls off a chair, the first thing he does is nonchalantly wash himself, as though he intended to get down in the first place.) |
| » | Why does a cat frequently demand attention when
you're on the telephone? The cat, since it can't see the person you are talking to, presumes you are talking to him, and is responding to what he perceives is your conversation with him. |
| » | Why does a cat scratch the furniture or a
scratching post? While some people think a cat scratches to sharpen its claws, that is probably inaccurate. There are typically two reasons for scratching: the cat is marking its territory (cats have sweat glands between their paw pads, and scratching leaves their scent on the clawed object); or, the cat is "filing down" its nails and removing the outer layer |
| » | Why does a cat suddenly bite or hiss at a
person after it's been petted for a while?
If a person persists in touching a sensitive area (such as the cat's tail, ears, or belly), the cat might give a gentle nip to as a way of staying "stop." Too, some cats can tolerate pleasurable stroking only for short periods of time; again, he may communicate "stop it" with a nip or cuff of his paw. |
| » | Why do some cats insist on tipping over their
water dish, or take food out of the dish and drop it on the floor to
eat? Most cats do not like to eat or drink out of bowls if the sides touch their whiskers. Also, if a bowl is too deep, the cat may take the food out for convenience. A wider, shallower bowl will probably eliminate this behavior. |
| » | Why does a cat chatter when he sees a
bird? When a cat kills prey, it bites down quickly several times. The "chatter" is simulating the cat's behavior at the time of attack. Alternatively (according to a visitor): it's pure and simple frustration. When a cat is stalking or killing a bird, they're almost invariably completely silent. It's when they are shut off from the prey that they chatter. |
| » | Why is a cat able to land on its feet from a
fall? When falling, the cat uses its tail to right itself and swivels its body in mid-air, so that it is facing the ground, and lands with its back arched to absorb the shock. Cats have very flexible bodies, so the swiveling is easy for them to do. |
| » | Why do cats like crinkly
sounds? Crinkly sounds are similar to the high-pitched noises of rodents, birds, and crickets, so the crisp, crinkly sound of a crumpled piece of paper or walking into a paper bag stimulates the cat's "prey response." |
| » | Why does a cat swish his
tail? Cats use their tail to communicate their mood. |
| » | Why do cats chew on
plants? It could be that the grass helps the cat get rid of fur swallowed while grooming, or that grass provides fiber or vitamins and minerals not found in meat. Some plants are poisonous to a cat; others are okay for nibbling. |
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