February 2011: Understanding Common Cat Behaviors
February is Pet
Dental Care month. Veterinary experts stress the importance of good dental care
for overall health, and estimate routine care can increase a pet’s life span by
up to one third. (Please see our February 2009 issue: http://canine-clippers.com/
“You can't help that. We're all mad
here." - The Cheshire Cat from
Through their
behavior, every dog we’ve adopted has given signs of past treatment. Even
though he’s lived with us for five years, during which time he’s never seen a
menacing hand raised, Captain still cringes if someone reaches to pet his head.
Our cats, on the other hand, reveal little about their backgrounds. My daughter
rescued Buttercup as a tiny kitten, abandoned in the middle a busy highway,
where she stood hissing. Buttercup has grown up to be the most trusting, stress
free cat (and also the most clueless in regards to potential dangers). Evie, on
the other hand, has known no trauma and is the most timid and suspicious pet
I’ve ever encountered. This month, we’ll try to answer: Why do cats…….
Rub their
heads and chins against legs, furniture and other objects? Cats are very territorial and, in order to leave their
sent, will deposit pheromones secreted through glands in their forehead, mouth,
chin and tail.
Roll over to
expose their stomach? This is a cat’s ultimate sign of trust
(especially when asleep) and means she feels safe and secure in her environment
and especially in your presence………
……..then grab
the hand that’s been petting them? There are theories that they’re ticklish,
tired & irritated, or that they think your hand is a toy to be attacked
(best not to play bare handed with an aggressive cat). Whatever the reason,
re-direct attention with a toy in the other hand and hope he retracts his claws
while you gently slip away from his reach (and carefully clean scratches &
bites).
Immediately
lick his fur after you’ve petted him? He may be extending tactile pleasure when
you’re done petting, or he may simply be washing himself of human scent.
Gravitate to
guests who don’t like cats? I found this true with my cats and my
mother. When threatening another cat, the aggressor approaches and boldly
stares. An interesting theory is that when a cat perceives an encounter, even a
friendly stranger’s attention, as threatening, he will seek safety from a
person paying absolutely no attention.
Hiss, spit & growl? Mimicry is common in the animal world and
hissing may be in imitation of snakes, a creature feared by most others. (Other
land animals, including raccoons, spit. Llamas spit not only when threatened
but often when they’re annoyed.)
Suddenly start
to run at breakneck speed? It’s probably a release of energy; cats
are natural predators and can run at a speed of over 31
Squeeze
themselves into bags, boxes or any new containers they find? I can’t remember ever unpacking a paper bag in which a cat
doesn’t then climb inside. This may be because cats like to doze and want to
feel protected on at least three sides. I also think it’s because they really
are naturally curious.
Bury their
feces? Not all cats do this. In the wild some
cats cover their waste to hide their scent from predators, while a dominant cat
will overtly display them. One theory is that the house cats that do bury are
showing subservience to us, their dominant guardians.
Bring home
dead prey? It’s widely believed that cats bring gifts
to present to their guardians. They may also be showing off their hunting
abilities or wanting to share ‘the spoils’ of their kill. Either way, it’s
important to praise, rather than punish a cat, because it’s either a gift or an
effort to communicate.
Get stuck
climbing trees? Cats’ claws are designed for climbing up
front first and down backwards. Some cats don’t seem to know this and others
take a bit of time figuring it out. And, if they do fall……..
…Land on their
feet? Cats, naturally attracted to high places,
have a sophisticated reflex involving inner ear-brain communication, called the
‘righting reflex’, that signals the difference between up and down. Using their
tails for balance, they are able to swivel their bodies in mid air, right
themselves and will try to land on all four feet with their backs arched to
absorb the shock. It’s believed that cats fare better when falling from
greater, rather than shorter heights, because they have more time to adjust
themselves.
Aimee Mootz, a
groomer at our
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Please note we
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second Tuesday of every month. Please contact our Dumfries Salon at
703-221-3647.
~ Written by
Rebecca Nilson ~
703-378-9500; featherlepetcarechantilly@
703-430-0414; featherlepetcaresterling@
703-221-3647; canineclipperschool@verizon.