(E.B.W.) Critter Corner
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4 Odd Cat Sleeping Habits Explained
“There are many feline behaviors that baffle us — but their odd sleeping habits might take the cake...We’ve got answers to your most pressing questions about your kitty’s mysterious snoozing patterns below.
Why Do Cats Sleep All Day?Cats are champion snoozers — they usually sleep anywhere from 10 to 16 hours a day. Biologists chalk this up to... their protein-rich diet, which requires lots of periods of rest to aid digestion, & their crepuscular predatory pattern (cats usually hunt twice a day: dawn & dusk)...
Why Do Cats Sleep on Us?...We’d like to think our cats sleep on us out of love & comfort, but that may not necessarily be the case. Veterinarian Dr. Mary Fuller has a few theories about feline snuggling patterns: They may be seeking warmth, or it could be that they love our smell & feel safe & content when they are near it. It’s also possible that cats may release oxytocin (the feel-good love hormone) when in contact with their owners — & finally, maybe they really do snuggle with us out of love...
Why Do Cats Like to Sleep in Small Boxes & Tiny Spaces?
Your cat could sleep anywhere...so why does she choose a shoe box, sink or cubbyhole? None of those tiny spaces seem particularly comfortable...Small spaces tend to be safer than large ones; in the wild, cats need to be stealthy, & smaller spaces may be better hiding spots; & small spaces are usually warmer & cozier.
Why Do Cat Snore?
While it’s not as common in cats as it is in dogs, snoring is usually caused by a partial obstruction to the upper airway. For the most part, it’s not something you need to worry about... Flat-faced breeds like Persians & Himalayans are prone to brachycephalic syndrome & may have respiratory issues. In fact, you might hear these breeds breathing loudly while they’re awake.”
Laura Cross
April 1/2016
care2.com
Cute Cat Pic
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(E.B.W.) Critter Corner
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Why Does My Cat…Like to Sit in High Places?
“In order to survive in the wild, animals are constantly learning how best to adapt to their environment. When animals are domesticated, many of these survival traits persist as behaviors...
One thing many cat owners have noticed is that their felines often seem to gravitate toward higher perches...
Height Equals Safety...it’s important to understand that cats are both predator & prey. They are predators to smaller prey, such as rabbits, rodents, & birds, to name a few. However, they are also themselves prey to larger predators, such as owls & eagles from the air & from coyotes on the ground. Staying in higher places was most likely a behavior that...was associated with an increased probability of survival. Staying in a high location provided a cat with a better vantage point to spot prey & predator alike...Cats can also sleep in higher places with decreased risk of getting hunted or surprised... Therefore, over time, cats that exhibited this tendency to sit in higher places were more likely to survive & pass along this behavior.
Give Me Some Space
Adult cats also use their climbing ability to avoid potentially confrontational interactions with other members of their own species... Your cat most likely wants to keep an eye on her environment & increase the likelihood that she will not be disturbed. Some cats...have learned to stay on top of the refrigerator because it is an area of low traffic but high visibility & it can be warm. In certain cases, it may also be a safe place for frightened cats to hide or get away if a safe, low place is not available. Even when she is no longer scared, your cat may learn to associate that high place... with safety, peace & comfort &, she may prefer to go there..."
Dr. Wailani Sung
Vetstreet.com
March 11/2016
care2.com
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(E.B.W.) Critter Corner
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5 Odd Cat Behaviors Explained
“Cats are wonderful creatures, but... some of their habits can be baffling to us humans. Thankfully, animal behaviorists & other experts have theories & explanations for many of their mysterious habits.
To help you better understand your feline friend, we’ve got the scoop on 5 cat behaviors some people consider odd...
Pees on Your Bed...When a cat urinates anywhere besides her litterbox, you should take her to the vet to rule out medical problems, like a bladder infection...If a medical problem is not the culprit, the issue could be anxiety related. Perhaps your cat doesn’t like the location or size (or cleanliness) of the litterbox, or she could be having a social issue with a pet or family member...
Pounces on You
...Pouncing on you is usually normal behavior, & it’s something many cats do for play or attention...If your cat’s pouncing increases in frequency or intensity...have your cat examined by your veterinarian to rule out any underlying health problems that may be contributing to the behavior.
Blinks Slowly at You
Has your cat ever looked at you, slowly blinked then looked away? ...She’s probably telling you she likes you & is comfortable being around you. In the animal world, direct eye contact is often perceived as a threat or challenge...So when a cat slowly blinks at you, she could also be communicating that she’s doesn’t feel threatened by you.
Hates Water
The theory that all cats hate water is actually a myth...there are many who don’t seem to mind it, & even a few breeds that are known for tolerating it...the Turkish Van is famous for her swimming abilities...
Grooms Excessively
Cats can spend anywhere from 15-50% of their time grooming themselves...Your cat’s tongue & saliva help remove debris off fur, it can help your cat regulate her body temperature, & it can be a self-soothing behavior... it can also be a displacement behavior used when your cat feels nervous or uncomfortable...”
Meredith Hooker Williams
Vetstreet.com
Feb. 25/2016
care2.com
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Memorial
(E.B.W.) Critter Corner
*This blog was created in honor of my late grandmother. April 14th would've been Nan's 100th birthday & because she devoted that last part of her life to caring for her cats this month's Critter
Corner is devoted to our feline companions. Happy Cat Month!
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Facts About Cats & Women
“What is it about cats & women? Why are there “cat ladies” but not “hamster ladies”? Why do so many women seem to gravitate towards cats? The crazy-cat-lady stereotype aside...I know many more women than men who have a special bond with their cats...
A new study supports the idea that a special relationship exists between women & cats. To be published in the journal Behavioral Processes, the study explains how researchers observed the interactions between 41 cats & their human families; the scientists noted all behaviors of both cats & humans, & also assessed their personalities as well as their influence over one another. While many people might consider cats to be aloof, self-serving prima donnas, the study concludes otherwise...they found that cats forge true attachment to their owners...
The researchers witnessed a mutual social interaction in which both cats & people signaled to each other when they wanted to give or receive affection.
Cats keep track of how their needs are being met. They were more likely to respond to owners’ needs, if their owners had previously responded to theirs.
Cats seem to remember kindness & return favors later. If owners grant their feline’s wishes to interact, then the cat will often reply to the owner’s wishes later...
While men got along with their cats, researchers saw more interactions between women & their animals, finding that cats were more likely to approach women than men & to do things like jump on their laps to initiate contact. Study author Manuela Wedl of the University of Vienna told Discovery News that women’s relationships with their cats were “more intense...”
Melissa Breyer
care2.com
Cute Cat Pics
Weekly Chuckles
Memorial
Cricket RIP
April 9/2012
