04.29.12 Purring helps to keep newborn kittens safe. Since the vibrations of purrs can not be detected as readily as vocalizations, it’s harder for predators to find the nests of mum’s with their newborns.
Cat Aggression
April 18, 2012 By 2 Comments
Petting induced aggression
There are many flavors of aggression, caused by a variety of triggers. One common aggression that seems to come out of left field is petting induced aggression. It usually occurs when devoted cat people are having special moments with their cats, petting, stroking and cuddling. Suddenly “out of nowhere” their beloved cats turns, bites and sometimes scratches. The physical and emotional damage can be painful. Along with bites and scratches, the victims often take the aggression personally. It just doesn’t make sense to cat-parents why their cats, who they are so bonded to, suddenly hurt them.
The cat isn’t being bad, nor does the cat have a sudden vendetta against her person. Petting induced aggression usually occurs when being stroked and touched becomes unpleasant for the cat. The cat may have a sensitive spot or the stroking may become too intense for her. Or, she may be falling asleep and suddenly is startled awake. In the majority of cases, the cat does try to communicate through her body language that she’s had enough. Unfortunately, most people don’t catch on to her subtle hints. When all other endeavors at communication fail, the cat uses a direct approach that is immediately understood—she bites or scratches.
Avoid being a victim of petting induced aggression by first learning to recognize the warnings. Cats communicate through body language and sometimes through vocalizations when they’ve had enough handling and petting. When cats have had their fill they often communicate their wishes by thrashing their tails, positioning their ears back, flattening whiskers against their face, tenseness and fur rippling. If these subtle messages are ignored, cats will look quickly at the hand that is petting them and then will bite it.
The next step to avoid being a victim of petting induced aggression is simple. As soon as the cat communicates her discomfort at being handled, stop interacting with her. After a time out you may be able to carefully pet her again, avoiding the sensitive areas and varying how she is petted.
Post Byte: Scratch & Play
April 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
04.15.12 A toy that cats love combines playing and scratching. The toy has a flat, circular cardboard scratcher in the center which is surrounded by a plastic channel, open from the top which contains a ping-pong ball.
What an Honor! Nominee for Best Cat Behavior Book
February 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Nominee for Best Cat Behavior Book
Thank you everyone who nominated my book Naughty No More! for the About.com Readers Choice Awards for the best book on cat behavior. Not only did I not expect it, I never knew about the contest until I got a wonderful letter a couple of nights ago informing me that my book was one of the nominees. I am truly honored, especially since I am in the company of two other highly respected authors who have written excellent books.
The voting is opened through March 21st. You can vote every day on the About.com site. In order to vote, you need to be logged in either to your Facebook account or your About.com account.
Naturally, I want to win—and I would love your vote. But, I truly consider it an honor just to be nominated.
Thank you everyone who nominated me! One cool thing… is that I can now proudly wear the about.com nominee badge on the home page of my site!
Cat Toys and Environmental Enrichment!
February 13, 2012 By Leave a Comment
I am sure that it won’t come as a surprise to anyone that I am a big proponent of environmental enrichment for cats.
Cats get bored, especially cats left alone for hours every day with nothing to do and no one to interact with. Sometimes these cats can become depressed and/or start exhibiting troublesome behaviors. Interactive toys, lots of high places to climb and horizontal and vertical scratchers can help keep them stimulated. Depending on the situation, a new cat buddy might chase away those boredom blues.
I am always on the lookout for toys that I can recommend to my clients. Although I like puzzle toys and toys that don’t need human involvement, I really like toys that need people on one end and cats on the other—the interaction helps strengthen the bonds between cats and their people.
I usually don’t review products. I don’t like writing negative reviews… so to be fair, I usually don’t write reviews. Occasionally I’ll give in and write a review—especially when I’ve found something that really rocks my socks. In order to rock my socks, the products have to earn top grades from my rambunctious cats. In regards to toys, this means, they have to not only excite and delight, but they have to withstand extreme play from a 22 pound Savannah and a gaggle of Bengals and one cantankerous Norwegian Forest Cat.
Two toys pass with flying colors.
The first are the Nekoflies toys, by Nekochan. These are toys with interchangeable kritters that attach to a wand. My cats paid attention even before I assembled them… I think they have special Cat ToyDar—sensing toys are theirs before they meet them. Neko sent me two wands and a Katarantula, Kragonfly and a Kittenator. The Katarantula, Kragonfly and Kittenator are the toys that attach to the rods… Anyway, that’s the theory.
My intentions were to start with the Kittenator. As I was removing it from the box, Sudan, my Savannah, grabbed it while it was still in the box and ran through the house with it clenched firmly in his mouth. It was his until something better was unpacked—the Kragonfly. All of my cats, including my 19 year old Maulee (19 on Valentines Day) went ballistic over these toys. So far the Neko toys have successfully survived sliming, chewing, being buried, chased, pulled and rolled on.
Neko toys should not be left within reach of cats unless there is someone to supervise. These are wand/pole toys and have pieces that can be potentially dangerous.
The second toys that impressed me are the durable Hyendry toys. My Bengals and Savannah enjoy carrying the alpaca and sheep hide toys throughout the house, sometimes throwing them up in the air, sometimes rolling on them. I never know where the toys will end up. Yesterday, during a meeting, I reached for my glasses, but found an alpaca toy filled with cat nip living in my purse. The day before I found a furry toy lump stuffed in my shoe.
They are Bengal and Savannah proof. And, they even withstand being mauled by a cranky Norwegian Forest Cat. These toys come with or without catnip.
Hyendry recently started producing Flutterhyde cat teasers. Since my cats haven’t been exposed to them yet, I can’t comment on them. Based on the other Hyendry products, I am sure they are durable and have extreme cat-appeal.
Wow.
November 16, 2008 By 6 Comments
Everyone, I am so moved by your comments on the blog and by the personal e-mails you’ve sent regarding the loss of Bok Choi. Your support and understanding truly is amazing. Thank you so much. Please understand that I can’t answer each of your posts, but know that they are appreciated and that I am grateful for them. Many of you came over and showed your support from Fabulous Lorraine. Thank you Lorraine for your friendship and support.
Helping a loving fur-child cross over is one of the most painful and hardest responsibilities that we as animal caregivers have. I feel that if we are to share in the joy of their lives, we must be willing to share the sad times as well, including the painful act of humanely helping them cross over when it’s their time.
Goodbye my sweet boy. You are missed
- Bok Choi Saber Merkaba 10.30.2001-11.15.2008
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