Cat behaviour is seen as something mysterious as cats are less direct than dogs. This need not be the case for you and your feline. The more you observe, the more you will learn. Read on for some stepping stones to become a fully-fledged cat whisperer.
Scratching
From kittens to geriatrics all cats need to scratch. This is to mark territory by leaving their smell behind. It also sheds the outer capsule of the nail for a natural trim. Every cat needs a scratcher. The main characteristics of a good scratcher are: sufficient height for your cat’s full body length, sturdiness, favourable material and to be either horizontal or vertical.
Exercise
An outdoor cat gets sufficient exercise but an indoor cat will need help. Play with your cat to provide not only exercise but also bonding between you both. No need to invest money to buy fancy toys as there are lots of D.I.Y toys you can make.
Grooming
This is every cats favourite pastime. It stems from the wild when they needed to cover their scent from predators. It also removes dirt from the coat and to bond socially with other cats and even humans and dogs too!
Feeding
Kittens, adults and geriatric cats all have different nutritional needs. The one thing they have in common is that they have both a predator and prey mentality. This means cats will prefer to eat from a bowl in a quiet area where they can see an escape route, such as an open door. Keep the water bowl in a separate area because in the wild cats would never eat beside a water source.
Litter Trays
Most kittens and cats use a tray naturally as it is in their instincts to bury. Store trays in a private area away from busy parts of the house. Have one tray per cat plus one extra. So if you have two cats then three litter trays are needed and so on. This is to prevent accidents occurring outside the tray.
Unrivalled Body Language Masters
Once you learn your cats body language you will have a whole new relationship. Their tail is one of the best indicators of their feelings. A tail straight up is confident and happy. A tail tucked up between the legs is fear. A cat in a playful and curious mood has a tail straight up with a curve at the end like a question mark. A swishy tail means fear, aggression or annoyance. The more rapid the swish the more intense the emotion. Remember though that a swishy tail during play time is a sign of excitement and curiosity. Ears up and forward is a sign of interest and relaxation. Ears flat down is a sign of aggression or fear. To rub up against you is to transfer their scent to tell the world how much they love you. To roll over and show some belly is a sign of true love and trust.
Vocalisation
A meow is a language that cats created to communicate with humans. It is hardly ever used amongst themselves. A low meow is usually a sign of being unhappy or uncomfortable. A high-pitched meow is a sign of being happier or looking for food. However it has been documented that each cat and owner can have their own unique language! To purr is usually a sign of contentment and happiness in cats. Yet they also purr during times of pain and stress as a calming mechanism. It is recognised that purring can help promote healing during times of illness.
We hope you have fun decoding your cat’s subtle yet precise behaviour style
By- Maria Reidy RVN. Maria is A Registered Veterinary Nurse working at Petcare Vets Charlesland. For more great advice and services 1 on 1 Nurse Clinics are available with Maria by calling 012870321 or using our Book an Appointment Online Button. For more information click here