YOUR CAT QUESTIONS ANSWERED |
YOUR CAT QUESTIONS ANSWERED |
Cats are wonderful pets, but people don’t always understand them well. If we provide our pet cats with the things they need in their environment, it helps them to be happier and healthier. This applies not just to the physical environment, but also to social interactions with us and any other animals in their space. If not provided, our cats may become stressed and show signs of behaviour problems.
The five pillars of a healthy feline environment are described by the International Society of Feline Medicine and the American Association of Feline Practitioners, based on the scientific evidence on pet cats. They consider that cats evolved as solitary hunters and that cats can be solitary or live in groups. They also reflect what we know about the cat’s senses, and that kittens have an optimal period for socialization. A Safe Space Cats like to feel safe. They prefer to avoid confrontation and their natural response to something stressful is to hide. One study that gave shelter cats a choice of different enrichment items found they preferred the hiding place. From a cat’s perspective, a safe space is somewhere that is enclosed and just the right size for them. Cats also like to be high up where they can see what is going on around them, so good hiding places can also be high up, like enclosed spaces in a cat tree or a perch at the top of a cat tree. The good news is that a safe space can be as simple as an upturned cardboard box with a hole cut in for them to get in and out. If you look around your home, you may identify other places that will make good hiding places. Maybe there is a shelf where you can clear a cat-sized space and put a fleecy blanket to make a nice perch. You can make places feel safer by having a cat bed or blanket that smells of the cat, or even putting some of your own (already worn) clothing down for them to relax on. They will feel comforted by your smell. Ideally, your cat carrier should be a safe space for your cat and can be out at all times as a space for your cat to relax in. Multiple and separated key environmental resources The things that matter to your cat should be in different places, and there should be enough of them that your cat does not have to compete with other cats (or even the dog) to gain access to them. The key environmental resources for your cat are their food bowl, water bowl, litter tray, scratching post, somewhere to play with their toys, and cat beds or other nice places to rest. Every cat should have a choice, so even if they already have one scratching post (for example), they should also have another. For litter trays, a general rule is to have one per cat plus one spare. They should not all be located in the same place, otherwise in a multi-cat house it would be possible for one cat to block the other cats’ access. If your cat has outdoor access, these resources should also be provided outside if possible (although this may not be appropriate for food, which could attract rats, raccoons, and other animals). If you have more than one cat in your house, they may form one or several social groups. Ways to tell if cats are part of the same social group include if they groom each other, rub their faces or bodies on each other, and tend to rest or sleep near or even next to each other. Each ‘group’ should be able to access their resources without having to compete with the other group. Opportunities for play and predatory behaviour Cats are solitary hunters, and if not cared for by a human would need to spend a lot of time each day hunting. Play is important for cats, and allows them to satisfy their predatory instincts, for instance by chasing a wand toy or catching a toy mouse. This also helps the cat to get some exercise (especially important for indoor cats). Cats can have toys they can play with on their own, as well as toys for interactive play with you. Wand toys can be moved to mimic prey, and allow your cat to chase; bigger toys can allow your cat to hold it and kick with their back legs; and cats like smaller toys they can pick up with their mouth and walk off with as if they just caught it. Food puzzle toys are also a great way to provide play opportunities. Providing daily play opportunities has been linked to fewer behaviour problems in cats. Toys can also contain substances like catnip or silvervine which many cats love. Be sure to pick toys that will be safe for your cat, as string or bits that fall off can be ingested and cause a blockage. Always put wand toys away when not in use. Positive, consistent, and predictable human-cat interaction Cats like to have regular interactions with their humans, but being cats, they also like to feel in control. The guidelines say that “Many cats prefer high frequency, low-intensity level of social interaction with humans. A scenario that gives them a good deal of control.” You can help by giving your cat a choice of whether or not to interact with you, either by calling them to you (and waiting to see if they come or not), or getting down to their level and putting out a finger or hand to see if they approach. Kittens need to get used to being handled, and it is best if at least four people handle them during the sensitive period to help them learn that people are safe. It is important to ensure these are positive experiences in which the kitten has a choice, as bad experiences at this time can have a serious impact and may make the kitten fearful. Kittens and young cats tend to prefer longer interactions and play sessions, and as they get older they may prefer shorter sessions. An environment that respects the importance of the cat’s sense of smell Cats have amazing noses, as well as a vomeronasal organ that allows them to detect pheromones (chemical signals). Cats use pheromones in several ways. When a cat rubs their head on you, for example, they are depositing pheromones. They also deposit pheromones when scratching (one of the reasons scratching is a normal behaviour for cats, and why they need us to provide suitable scratching places). Cats can find strong smells very unpleasant. One of the ways we can respect their sense of smell is to avoid using cleaners with strong smells and avoid bringing strong smells into the house. Don’t use scented litter, as most cats do not like it. Remember that your cat’s scent on their bedding helps them to feel secure, so wash their bedding on rotation instead of all at once.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorElizabeth Llewellyn lives in South Burlington, Vermont with her three cats. She has owned a cat sitting service since 2002 and has worked professionally with cats in a variety of settings including, veterinary, boarding and breeding catteries, and rescue organizations. Elizabeth is a qualified feline welfare and behaviour specialist. Archives
July 2024
Categories |