Tag: feline

Preventing Cat Bites

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You have just brought home the most adorable cat or kitten that is cuddly and sweet. You play together, hang out together and probably sleep together. You are still getting used to each other's routines and personalities. You might soon find out that your cat sometimes will attempt to bite or nip you. What is going on?

Communication

Biting is a form of communication. Your cat is trying to tell you something. It is up to you to figure out what that is. Below are some reasons why your cat might bite you.

Reasons That a Cat Might Bite

  • Medical issue
  • Overstimulation
  • Not receiving enough and/or proper play time
  • Attention-seeking
  • Hypersensitivity to touch

Medical Reason

If a cat isn't feeling well or is in pain, s/he might bite when touched or held. If this is a new behavior, it is advised that your cat be examined by a Veterinarian. If it is a medical issue, your Veterinarian can help to determine the illness or possible injury, and work with you on the best course of treatment.

Overstimulation

Some cats become overstimulated and react negatively which could include biting. I have seen cats become overstimulated during playtime. They become so hyper or frenzied, that they bite if touched or if you move past them. I have also seen cats become overstimulated while watching prey, ie birds or mice. They become so focused on the prey, that if you stand too close or touch them, they think it's the prey animal and become reactive. Same if cats are playing together or fighting. If you intervene, they might think it is the other cat and react defensively by biting.

Playtime

Knowing HOW to play with your cat is important. First of all, it is very important to never play rough with your cat. When a cat rolls onto its back and shows its belly, it usually does not mean to be an invitation to be touched or rough-housed with. Now, that being said, some cats do enjoy a gentle belly rub. If you are still in the stages of learning what your cat likes, I highly recommend that you do not touch the belly. Also, wiggling fingers, hands, feet or toes are out of the question. Cats love to pounce on them if given the opportunity. You are inviting them to behave inappropriately.  What might seem cute while they are a kitten, isn't so adorable when they start to bite harder.

Use toys to play with your cat. Wand style toys are excellent ways to have fun with your cat, provide playtime and exercise, and strengthen your bond with them. Wand toys are wonderful in that you can dangle and move the toy attached to the end of the wand away from you. The cat will focus on the toy (prey) and not you.

When using a wand toy, it's important that it is used correctly. The best way to use it, is to move the attached toy away from the cat (and you), move it around in the air, up and down furniture, in and out of a tunnel or box, etc... Make the toy act like it is a mouse or snake for the cat to hunt. When it is near the time to stop playing, do not just suddenly stop. Move the wand toy around slower and slower until it no longer moves. Allow your cat to catch the toy throughout playtime so she or he does not become frustrated or loses interest. Once the toy has stopped moving, provide a treat or a meal to your cat. The idea is to mimic hunting prey, catching it, then eating it. Afterwards, your cat should feel quite satisfied.

Attention-Seeking Behavior

Some cats will bite just to get your attention. I have one of those cats! Mufasa only has 2 teeth, so he doesn't cause any harm, and luckily, he doesn't bite down hard. However, if he feels he is being ignored when he wants attention, he "bites" my arm. Every cat is different in how you might need to deal with this kind of behavior. The best way to deal with it, is to recognize the pattern and then figure out how to prevent it from happening. In Mufasa's case, if I play with him, he won't bite. I realized that there was a "look" Mufasa gets and at that point, I toss one of his favorite mice for him to chase after, and it works. Redirection is a wonderful tool!

Hyper-sensitivity to Touch

There are some cats that love to be pet or brushed all day long. There are some cats,  that even though they might enjoy it, become overstimulated to the point where they bite. This is very confusing behavior because it appears that the cat is enjoying the attention.

Watching their body for signals is key to knowing when to stop providing attention. Signs to watch for include, but are not limited to: tail twitching or swaying, ears flattened, fur rippling down their back, rubbing their face against you in a frenzied manner. Once you learn their signal, you will know when attention time is over.

Reward Good Behavior

Always remember to reward your cat's good behavior. Never punish them, as that can create fear or anxiety towards you. You want to create or continue to have a special bond with your cat.

It is easy to forget to reward a cat when they are behaving, and that could include when he or she is just sitting on the couch or even sleeping!

If your cat bites, and you have figured out how to prevent more bites from happening, be sure to reward them. Provide a tasty treat, have a fun play session, extra cuddles, etc... As long as you give them something they highly enjoy, they will remember and it will help you both to have a safe and positive relationship.

Ask for Help

If you are experiencing aggression with your cat, and medical issues have already been ruled out, please reach out for a behavior consultation.  I would be happy to help!

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Preparing For Your New Cat

 

Preparing For Your New Cat

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Congratulations on adding a new cat to your family! Whether you have had a cat before or not, here are some good tips to follow to help your new furry family member adjust to its new home.

Supplies For Your New Cat

To help your new cat have a smooth transition to its new home with you, do some shopping first. Here is a list of items you must have before you bring your new cat home.

  • Pet Carrier
  • Litter Box & Scoop
  • Litter
  • Food Bowl
  • Water Bowl
  • Toys
  • Cat Scratchers
  • Cat Food & Treats
  • Blanket or bed
  • Collar & Tag
  • Cat Tower

Cat Carrier

Why is a cat carrier important? A cat carrier is important for safe traveling. You will need one when you go to pick up your cat. You will need it to keep your cat safe while in the car, so that it can't get loose. If you are in an accident, it could prevent serious harm or death. A cat carrier is an easy way to carry your cat to and from the car when taking your cat to the Vet.

Which cat carrier should you buy? There are a lot of options today when it comes to pet carriers. Ask family and friends which carrier they use for their cat, and what they like or dislike about it. Research online and read reviews. A lot of people prefer a carrier that opens from the front and from the top.

Litter Box, Litter & Scoop

You will want a minimum of 2 litter boxes for your new cat. The general rule when it comes to how many litter boxes should be in your home is 1 litter box per cat PLUS 1 more.

The litter box should be uncovered, and the size should be the length of your cat and a half. If you are getting a kitten, it's fine to purchase a small litter box, but as your kitten grows, you will want to slowly transition to a larger litter box. Your cat will thank you. Remember you will need a litter scoop!

Which litter is best? There are so many terrific options when it comes to cat litter these days. Ultimately, try to start off with the litter that your cat was previously using. If you want to change that litter once your cat has settled into its new home, that's ok. Just do a slow transition of reducing the current litter and adding in the new litter until there is only the new litter.

Cat's prefer unscented litter. Scented litter is for humans. If you don't want your home to smell, clean all litterboxes a minimum of twice daily. Generally, scoop after poop! Again, your cat will thank you. Keep the level of litter at about 2 inches. Clean as needed using regular dish soap and water (not bleach), but not more than weekly. You don't want to completely remove your cat's scent from the litter box, but if it really needs a thorough sanitization, use 1 ounce of bleach to 32 ounces of water so the smell of bleach won't be overpowering for your cat (they WILL smell it, even if you can't).

Food, Water & Bowls

1 bowl for dry food and 1 for wet

 

There are a lot of terrific options available for choosing food and treats for your cat. When you first bring your cat home, try to continue feeding it the same food it was eating. Ask family & friends for suggestions of which food to buy, but also do your own research. There is a wide variety of brands and flavors to choose from. Transition your cat to the new food slowly so he or she won't have an upset tummy.

Choosing food & water bowls can be fun. There are all kinds of decorative and cute bowls to buy. Be sure to buy stainless steel or ceramic, as they are less likely to cause chin acne (yes, cat's can get acne!), especially when washed after each meal. The most important thing about bowls is that you choose ones that are wide enough that your cat's whiskers will NOT touch the sides. Cats can get whisker stress and sometimes the wrong bowl size can make your cat not want to eat. Providing a wide enough bowl will make your cat's eating and drinking experience much more enjoyable and comfortable.

Cat fountains! I am a huge believer in cat fountains. Always provide fresh water on a daily basis, even if you don't purchase a fountain. If you do get a fountain, be sure to get one that has more than 1 option of how to drink from it. Each cat has its own preference - drink straight from the bowl or from where the water comes out or is moving. Fountains are a great way to entice your cat to drink more often which in turn can help them stay hydrated and healthy.

Collar & I.D. Tags

You never know when your cat might try to get out of your house or the carrier to get outside. One of our cats, Rupert, has managed to get out of our house and it was terrifying when I realized it. Luckily, he was not far, and the rattling of a treat bag brought him back inside quickly. He has a break-away collar with a name tag attached. The tag also includes both my phone # and my husband's. The break-away collar is the best recommendation because if the collar were to ever get caught on something, if Rupert pulled enough, it would break off and keep him from being strangled. Your cat should be microchipped already, so if someone finds your cat, they can take him or her to be scanned for the chip by a veterinarian or animal shelter/animal control, which would lead back to you. Keep the microchip information updated.

Toys & Cat Beds

                 

Mufasa loves his toy mice

 

Buying toys and cat beds can be so much fun. There are so many types of toys and beds to buy. Keep in mind that what you might like, your cat might not. Cats can be choosy. Starting out, buy a variety of toys - different shapes, sizes, smells, crinkly or not crinkly, toys that your cat can play with on its own and wand toys so you can play and bond with your new cat. Rupert prefers anything with catnip, but he mostly prefers a red sparkly toy. Mufasa, even though he is 15 years old, is our most playful cat. On his own or with me, he loves to play with specific toy mice (we have at least 7 of them, and his favorite is still the green one). Mufasa also loves wand toys to chase after. Twyla loves wand toys, also. She also seems to prefer toys that are snake-like. Try not too buy to many at once, and alternate toys so your cat doesn't get bored with them.

Cat beds are fun to buy, also, but don't be surprised if your cat doesn't use it. It does happen. Mufasa has only ever used a cat bed when he isn't feeling well, which is rarely. He prefers the floor, couch, our bed, or one of our window ledges. Rupert usually is on our night table, but he also likes to climb into his cat bed that is shaped like a cave. He also loves boxes! Twyla prefers a lap, one of the cat towers, anywhere the sun is, and in the evening, my husband's chair. So, my recommendation is to either buy 2 different styles of a bed, or, wait a week or so to see what your cat might prefer. Be sure to have something for the cat to be able to hide in, though, while he or she adjusts to the new home environment. A hooded style of bed, a tunnel, or even a box would be ideal.

 

Cat Towers & Scratchers

                           

Cat Towers are important to have for any cat, but especially if you have more than 1 cat, or have other pets. Cat Towers placed near windows provide enrichment for your cat, as they can look outside and watch birds, squirrels, etc... Towers are comfortable enough that your cat might sleep in them. Your cat might enjoy the climbing aspect of going from one ledge to the next, depending on the style and height. The taller the better, but make sure to buy one that is sturdy enough that it won't topple over when your cat is climbing and playing on it. Online reviews are very helpful in choosing a cat tower.

Mufasa loves his sisal mat

Cat scratchers are a necessity in your home! The most commonly used style is one made of sisal (rope). Your cat must have a scratcher that is taller than him or her when standing up. Cats need to be able to really stretch up or out when using their scratcher. We have a variety of them for our cats. We have vertical towers, sisal, cardboard, mats, triangular, you name it, we probably have it. Of course not only does this provide the cat the opportunity to perform a natural behavior on an appropriate item (and not your furniture), it can be a stress reliever as well. The SmartCat Pioneer Pet Ultimate Scratching Post is quite popular with a lot of cats. 

Location and Set Up

Location, location, location. Just like people, cats have preferences for where their things are located and how they are set up.

Before you bring your new cat home, have 1 room set up to give your cat a place to take its time in adjusting to a new environment. Some cats will adjust immediately, and some could take days or longer. Most of the time, the adjustment period might be a day or two.

Set the room up with at least 1 litter box, a food and water bowl, a couple of toys, a scratcher, and a towel/blanket/bed. It will be important to offer something for your cat to have the option to hide in, so even a box instead of a bed would be fine.

Place the food and water bowl away from the litter box. No one wants to dine next to the toilet! Try to place the food and water bowl a few feet apart, if space allows. Some cats are finicky about having their water close to their food. They might be concerned with food being in the water and the potential for bacteria.

Time and Patience

Give your cat as much time as it needs to adjust to the room he or she is in. If he or she is walking around comfortably, and not slinking around or hiding, and also interacting with you, it is probably time to let your new cat out to explore the rest of the home. Leave the room with the cat's belongings in it for a few more days. Once your cat has adjusted completely to its new home, you can start to move things to their permanent spot. As always, do things according to your cat's preference and comfort level to ensure a happy cat.

 

 

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Going Back to Work? How it Might Affect Your Cat.

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Going Back to Work? How it Could Affect Your Cat.

Photo by Sam Lion of Pexels

Cats love routine.  Just ask our 9 yr old, Rupert.  He can tell you when each of his meals are served.  He will also let you know if you are late, by knocking the tv remote off of the end table.

Gonna share, Mom?

More people are heading back into the office now that the Covid vaccines are available.  For some people, this will be an easy transition back to an old and familiar routine.  However, have you considered how this will affect your cat and its routine?

Cats are known for not liking change.  That's true for a lot of cats, but certainly not all cats.  When offices started closing down due to Covid this was a big change for people and everyone in their home. Including pets. Some people and their pets likely adjusted to the change of working from home rather quickly.  Others might not have.  

These were stressful times and still continue to be.  Cats can be very sensitive to change, but also to how we are feeling and dealing with things.  Unfortunately, this can often go unnoticed until your cat "tells you".  Meaning, their behavior changes.  Sometimes with unacceptable behavior. Hopefully, your cat was happy and content with having you home more often.  I also hope that you found some stress relief by spending more time with your cat.  

Now, with offices bringing people back, this is another change in routine for your cat.  But wait, isn't this just like when you are home on vacation or the weekend?  No.  Those are shorter periods of time, and most likely, your cat is used to the weekend routine.  Yes, vacation time might be longer than a weekend, and your cat might feel it needs to do some adjusting. But, not nearly the same as you being home for a year.

Your cat could have 2 different reactions when you go back to the office on a daily basis.

The first reaction would be that he or she will miss you! You might have spent more time cuddling or playing with your cat.  You might have slept in more and/or stayed up later.  Your cat likely adjusted to that new routine. 

I miss you!

Photo by Marko Blazevic from Pexels

Or, the other reaction is one of relief.  Yes, your cat might be happy to go back to the old routine, as much as he or she loves you.  Some cats prefer having more time to themselves and less noise or stress in the home.

Finally, peace & quiet again

Photo by Francesco Ungaro from Pexels

So, before you head back into the office on a regular basis (or if you have already), be sure to help your cat with this transition.

How?

If you had been playing more often with your cat, continue to have fun play sessions when you are home.  You may have less time, but having a fun play session is a great way of spending time with your cat and sealing that ever so important bond.  Playing with your cat can also serve as a stress reliever for your cat (and you too!). Kind of like exercise can help people shed stress.  An active round of play can do the same for your cat.

Playtime!

Photo by Wendelin Jacober from Pexels

If you spent more time hanging out with your cat, cuddling, watching tv together, etc...  continue to do that as much as you can.  You can always scale back on that gradually, but please don't stop completely. 

Some cats might even experience separation anxiety, which could potentially cause behavioral problems such as not using their litterbox correctly. Try to spend quality time with him or her before and after work.  Try to do this at the same time of day each day, so your cat will know when to expect this special time with you.  

If you have not yet started working from the office, but know you will be soon, start the transition now with spending less time with your cat.  Go out for an hour or more each day, to give your cat more time on its own.  If your cat appears relaxed and has not shown any behavioral issues, reward him or her when you come back with a special tasty treat or extra cuddles. 

If there are other family members in the home, include them in the new/old routine. Your cat won't understand that you might feel tired or not up to playing with him or her as often as you were, so if others can fill in, that would be ideal.

If your cat is experiencing a change in behavior, please contact your Veterinarian to arrange for an exam.  If your Veterinarian rules out medical issues, please contact me at realworldcatconsulting@gmail.com or fill out and submit the Behavior Consultation Form.

Wonderful Whiskers

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A cat’s whiskers are also called vibrissae. These hairs are very sensitive and grow on a cat's face - above the eyes, near the ears, the jaw and also their legs. We mainly notice the hairs or whiskers to each side of the cats nose, and also above the eyes.  Whiskers are connected to a follicle full of nerves.

Cats can use their whiskers to determine if they can fit into certain spaces such as a box or tunnel.

They also use their whiskers to position their prey.  Cats do not have the best eye sight, however, their whiskers can detect vibrations in the air.  So, if their prey moves, they know it, and they will then get into position to pounce!

Cat whiskers do not need to be cut. Whiskers occasionally shed, so you might find a whisker on the floor once in awhile.  Some people believe that these whiskers bring good luck and keep them!

Because whiskers are so sensitive, cats require shallow and wide bowls to eat out of.  This way, their whiskers do not touch the bowl or at the very least, aren't crammed into the bowl.  Some cats will actually refuse to eat due to whisker stress.

You can even tell what kind of mood your cat is in by its whiskers.  Be sure to watch its ears and/or tail as well, as the combination of these might tell you much more.  This is beneficial especially if you have just added a new cat to your home and you are just getting to know him or her. If its whiskers are relaxed and sticking out to the side, your cat is feeling calm. If they are fanning out forward, your cat is excited and alert. If they are flattened against the cheeks, your cat might be angry, afraid or stressed.

Kittens are angels with whiskers.
- Unknown

I don't think the boys used their whiskers to determine if they would fit!

Can Cats Be Trained?

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Can Cats Actually Be Trained? Yes!

When I first started working with cats, it was all new to me.  Growing up, I knew 1 cat, and like a lot of cats, I rarely saw her.  Once I was married and we had our first kitten, it was a learning experience mainly for myself.  Why was this cute little kitten flattening her ears back, why was she zooming throughout the house for no apparent reason, why did this sweet kitten turn into a scary monster when she first met our puppy?

We had to teach her that the puppy only wanted to play. How? We supervised and we made sure there were obstacles between them until we felt comfortable that both would feel safe. We also made sure their interactions were positive ones and they were rewarded for positive behavior.  They ended up being quite the pals as the years went on.

Volunteering at an animal shelter for the first time, I quickly learned that these cats were not the same as my cats.  Not because they might not have come from a home, but they were in a different environment entirely.  Even though they were being well cared for, many were scared and/or under-socialized.  That was when I realized that cats can learn to change their behavior or learn new behaviors.  Many cats were better socialized by the time they were adopted, we learned how to have positive interactions with them so we could interact with them. We even taught some cats agility!

Whether we want to teach a cat a new trick, a new behavior, change a behavior, or just to provide enrichment for them, it can be done.  Patience and consistency are key!

Some cats learn faster than others.  Discovering what will motivate them, is especially important.  Is it a tasty treat?  Is it a favorite toy?  Is it receiving attention/affection? Knowing what to provide for a reward is important.  Cats want to know what's in it for them sometimes. And, knowing when to end the training on a positive note is important so that no one is left feeling frustrated or bored.

Clicker Training is a wonderful method of training animals.  It creates a bridge between the animal performing the behavior, and receiving the treat.  The animal learns if it does the behavior correctly, when they hear the click, they know their reward is coming.  

Clicker Training can be used to teach fun tricks (look them up on YouTube), to learn a new behavior or change a behavior.  In our home, Mufasa (the oldest) has learned to high five, boop (touch my finger with his nose), and to sit. Rupert can also boop and sit.  Twyla is still learning, but is mastering sit quickly. 

So, yes, cats can learn. We just have to work in partnership with them to be successful.