National Geographic: Cats



	My cat keeps biting me during “play.” Is there a way I can stop this? Why does my cat keep spraying all over the house? Can I do anything? My cat is always bringing his prey to me. Why? Can I stop him somehow? How can I keep my cat from scratching everything but the scratching post? In our household of several people, the cat only pounces and attacks me. Why does he do this and how can I stop him? Why does our cat drink from the faucet instead of his water bowl? Why do my cats wake me in the early morning? Why do cats do a few rounds at the same spot before they have their nap? I leave my cat alone all day, every day, for long, long hours. I feel very guilty about that. Should I give my cat, my only best friend, to someone else? I hope your answer is no. MY CAT KEEPS BITING ME DURING “PLAY.” IS THERE A WAY I CAN STOP THIS? Single cats are especially prone to rough play. The simplest solution is getting him or her the right companion with the proper introduction, a topic I discuss in Cat Talk. In general, the thing to do is to distract your cat before he or she becomes overstimulated. Try throwing a toy in the opposite direction or waving a kitty wand. Intensive play periods should help with this problem. Back to top WHY DOES MY CAT KEEP SPRAYING ALL OVER THE HOUSE? CAN I DO ANYTHING? This is a complicated issue; there are many reasons for this particular deviant behavior. Cats that have not been neutered or spayed will often exhibit this behavior, as will those whose surgery was ineffective. (The cat may, for instance, still have some ovarian tissue or perhaps a testicle.) Some of the ELEMENTARY causes are an aversion to a particular litter box or type of litter, an aversion to the location of the litter box, or a dirty litter box. There are those cats who prefer shredded newspaper to litter, so you might want to offer a choice and see if that helps. Your cat’s spraying could also indicate a MEDICAL PROBLEM, perhaps as simple as impacted anal glands or a bladder infection. It could also be as esoteric as an immune deficiency, a cardiac problem, or asthma. It’s important to remember that this is a symptom. A neutered or spayed cat may spray because of being excited or anxious. Potential stimuli are new persons or animals in the household; even a neighborhood cat could be disturbing your pet. If you’ve covered all these bases and the behavior persists, you might seek professional help for addressing your cat’s anxiety. Back to top MY CAT IS ALWAYS BRINGING HIS PREY TO ME. WHY? CAN I STOP HIM SOMEHOW? Your cat’s selection of where to situate his prey is based on his residence, his relationship with you, and his desire for recognition of an achievement. Hunting is a natural instinct, and many cats will place catches by their food bowls—the source of sustenance. It would be difficult to change this ritual. The best you can do is to help any catch that is still alive. Distract and praise your cat while the prey animal gets away. Back to top HOW CAN I KEEP MY CAT FROM SCRATCHING EVERYTHING BUT THE SCRATCHING POST? The best way to interest your cat in a scratching post is to provide one worthy of use. You might like to get several varieties to give your cat a choice. I particularly like the scratching posts made by the Felix Company in Seattle, Washington. Their number is +1 206 547 0042. One of their products has a board lined with catnip and then covered with a scratchy sisal material that cats enjoy getting at. If your cat likes wood, you might try a log or wooden post. Be sure that the scratching posts are in convenient places and remember to praise the cat for using them. Furniture that you want to protect should be covered for at least a few months to help make it “out of sight, out of mind.” If you have a room full of valuable possessions, you might simply make it off-limits to the cat. These measures can help you avoid any drastic decisions that you might later be sorry for. Back to top IN OUR HOUSEHOLD OF SEVERAL PEOPLE, THE CAT ONLY POUNCES AND ATTACKS ME. WHY DOES HE DO THIS AND HOW CAN I STOP HIM? If it’s a single cat, it may be “single cat syndrome.” The cat may be treating you as a substitute playmate. You might want to consider getting a companion cat. The best match is probably a kitten. In Cat Talk, I discuss techniques for introducing a new cat into a household. If your cat is not alone, it could be that your presence overstimulates the animal. It’s actually a compliment! Respond by addressing the cat verbally just to lower his energy level. Stroke the cat but stop before he gets too excited. Back to top WHY DOES OUR CAT DRINK FROM THE FAUCET INSTEAD HIS WATER BOWL? It’s natural—the faucet is more like a stream. The water might also taste better. Drinking from the faucet also mimics your style. There are places, by the way, that sell kitty fountains. Cat Fancy magazine usually has a listing. Back to top WHY DO MY CATS WAKE ME IN THE EARLY MORNING? Sensitive and impatient cats may be very influenced by your biological rhythm. As morning starts, your rhythm changes, becoming more restless. To an extent, your keeping the cat awake! Change—such as a move—can be a contributing factor to the situation. Modify this behavior by placing the cat in a “private spot” with perhaps a blanket and favorite toys. Do this gently, not as a punishment. My Cat Caring audiotape discusses nocturnal angst, gives solutions, and relaxes your cat. Back to top WHY DO CATS DO A FEW ROUNDS AT THE SAME SPOT BEFORE THEY HAVE THEIR NAP? It’s a way of winding down, of making sure this is the right spot for a nap. The behavior may also become a ritual. Like us, felines have their bedtime rituals. Back to top I LEAVE MY CAT ALONE ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, FOR LONG, LONG HOURS. I FEEL VERY GUILTY ABOUT THAT. SHOULD I GIVE MY MOST BELOVED CAT, MY ONLY AND BEST FRIEND, TO SOMEONE ELSE? I HOPE YOUR ANSWER IS NO. My heart goes out to you. I assume a companion cat is out of the question. The right cat, introduced in the right way, should help. Another option would be to engage a reliable, cat-friendly child to visit as often as possible. There might also be a neighbor who would enjoy some feline interaction but doesn’t want the commitment of having a pet. Perhaps you could arrange “play dates” with a friend’s dog. (Other species seem less like competition.) Some goldfish in a cat-proof bowl might entertain your cat. You could also try leaving messages on the answering machine. Back to top