April 27/2022

 

Why Does My Cat Follow Me To The Bathroom?

"Cats can be real creeps. One of their commonly-reported creepy behaviors is the habit of following their owners to the bathroom. Why do cats do this?

It turns out that some cats are big fans of following their owners everywhere. Their reasons for following you to the bathroom are probably similar to their reasons for following you in general. Though veterinarians & scientists haven't come to any definitive conclusion, they have several theories that might explain why your cat is so keen on following you to the bathroom.

                     

Vulnerability

Veterinarian Dr. Kathryn Primm writes that cats may feel vulnerable without you. Cats are predators, but they are also prey, & they are aware of that. Since you are a source of safety & comfort, they might feel less safe when you're behind closed doors, & prefer to accompany you to the bathroom, where they may continue to take advantage of the safety you provide.

Curiosity

Dr. Primm also posits that curiosity plays a role in a cat's bathroom-following habits (like it does with many cat behaviors). Cats are visual hunters, & like to use their vision to keep track of where things are. Dr. Primm points out that when you close the door to the bathroom, you are doing something mysterious behind it, & your cat may feel compelled to get to the bottom of this.

You're a captive audience.

Cats learn quickly that when a human is seated in the bathroom, they can't go anywhere. Plus, most bathrooms have a counter conveniently located at cat-petting level. This is a great setup for cats, as you have to pet them on their terms, & you cannot leave.

Cats just like you.

A lot of cat behaviors can be explained by the fact that they simply like you. Additionally, domestic cats' lives are fairly uneventful, & you're probably the most entertaining thing in the room most of the time. Your cat may want to follow you to the bathroom to see what entertaining thing you do next. What if you do something really funny in there & they miss it?

Cats demand privacy when they have to use the litter box, but they refuse to grant us the same courtesy.

Unfortunately, it's just one of the many indignities of owning a cat."

Allegra Ringo

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April 20/2022

 

Do Cats Know Their Names?

"Do cats know their names or recognize our voice in some other way? Although we’ve spent over 10,000 years sharing our time with cats, there’s very little research to determine the answer to this question.

Fortunately, things do seem to be changing a bit as we share even more time & experiences with our favorite felines, & there are a few interesting recent research pieces that says there is evidence that cats may indeed know their names.

What Do Cats Recognize & Respond To?

As a veterinarian who has listened to my clients’ perspectives over the past 30 years & a person who has been 'owned by cats' since I was 17 years old, I definitely have my thoughts on the answer—& it seems to be very selective.

An interesting article from 2013 affirms that cats do recognize human voices & respond primarily by ear & head movements. They further found that using harmonics & broad pitch were more effective in eliciting that response. They concluded that cats recognize their owners voice specifically by using the voices of 3 strangers followed by the owner & then another stranger.

Another interesting study from 2017 discussed how we talk to our pets compared to babies using high-pitched voice, simple content & harmonics. The study used 'kitten directed speech' that was simple, higher pitched & musical or harmonic. They found that a cat’s hearing range had a wide scale & pitch & that cats may be attentive to human utterances with more variation.

Teaching a Cat to Respond to Voice Commands

One of the strongest variables I see in how responsive cats are to their owner’s voice is whether they are hungry or not. It is well-known among animal trainers that food is a powerful motivator to respond to verbal or audible cues. Common sense says that food, coupled with the owner’s voice, should result in a response at least some of the time.

If you think about cats only really having only 2 modes, predator or prey, their responses are typically in line with those modes, to seek food or hide. If we can erase any fear of us, the owner, & use food as a reward, they should come to us for food using an audible cue—or even a clicker.

Training a cat to respond to a verbal cue, such as their name, from a young age is very important. Because kittens have a very early human association period that can begin at 17 days old, it is important that kittens are handled & get used to human voice & touch to make sure there is absolutely no fear & they associate us with attention, love, & food.

By starting as a kitten, using a harmonic pitch & variation, & possibly a multi-syllable name in association with food rewards, we should get a better response from our beloved felines (which could be anything from an ear twitch to running to us). As cat lovers we know, we simply need to accept graciously whatever they choose to do!"

Ken Lambrecht, DVM

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April 13/2022

 

Secrets to Keeping Your Indoor Cat Happy

"Indoor cats may seem like mysterious creatures when one doesn’t understand their basic needs. Keeping an indoor cat happy is all about satisfying their instincts & keeping them stimulated so they can live a happy & healthy life.

Dr. Jillian Orlando, DVM, DACVB, & owner of Carolina Veterinary Behavior Clinic in Raleigh, North Carolina, says, 'I think there are people who might get a cat because they think of them as low-maintenance pets. However, cats require just as much effort on the owners’ part to ensure they get adequate enrichment in their lives as a dog would.'

Here are some secrets from the experts for avoiding cat boredom, stress, & disease by turning your home into a feline-friendly environment that meets all of your cat’s needs.

Engage Your Cat’s Hunting Instincts During Mealtime

Hunting is a vital natural instinct & a great way for cats to expend energy. According to Dr. Kayla Whitfield, DVM at Lakemont Veterinary Clinic in Altoona, Pennsylvania, hunting behavior consists of 'seeking out prey, stalking, chasing, & biting.' This sequence satisfies their brain when it comes to their instinct to hunt.

Since indoor cats are provided with food, their opportunities to satisfy all of their natural hunting behaviors are few & far between. So it is up to pet parents to help engage their kitty’s hunting instincts.

To keep your indoor kitty entertained during mealtimes, you can utilize certain strategies & tools to allow your cat to put their hunting prowess to work.

Dr. Orlando provides a few examples for how to help engage your cat during mealtime: 'Owners can make attempts to stimulate hunting scenarios by hiding small amounts of food in multiple locations. There are even cat toy mice that can be stuffed with kibble or treats & hidden in the home.'

Dr. Orlando recommends cat toys that mimic foraging behaviors, like the KONG Active treat ball cat toy or the SmartCat Peek-A-Prize toy box. 'Even low-tech options like a shoe box with holes cut out & kibble tossed inside can be beneficial for cats,' she says.

Caroline Moore, KPA CTP at Animal Alliances, LLC in Northampton, Massachusetts, recommends cat treat toys as well because you can fill them with cat food kibbles or a few cat treats & hide them around the house. She explains, 'Once your cat figures out how to get the food out of the toys, try hiding them around the house for your cat to hunt!' Catnip cat toys can serve a similar function.

Moore says you can even use small dog toys, like the Ethical Pet Seek-A-Treat shuffle bone puzzle dog toy, to help engage your cat in some fun mealtime activities.

Use Cat Interactive Toys

'Hunting' for food is only a portion of healthy predation play for indoor cats.

Dr. Orlando says that you also need to have cat interactive toys available for fun & engaging playtimes. 'Toys that allow cats to carry out components of the predatory sequence, including stalking, chasing, catching, & biting, can be very rewarding for cats. Plush mice, feathers, & toys that move or can be pulled on a string are all good options. Cats will have their own individual preferences for what they like best, so owners should try multiple types.'

Moore suggests using cat toys such as JW Cataction Wanderfuls cat toy & the KONG Active feather teaser cat toy that can be made to move like a bird or a mouse. Dr. Orlando also recommends rotating toys in & out to help prevent cat boredom.

Keep in mind, however, that 'Owners should also use caution with some toys that could pose a danger to cats. Things that can be ingested, like string, should be put away when owners cannot directly supervise their cats,' Dr. Orlando warns.

Provide Cat Scratchers

Cats use several means to mark their territory, including scratching & marking.

Dr. Whitfield explains that scratching plays an important role in a cat’s overall happiness & health. ;Scratching is an important behavior in cats as it not only helps mark their environment physically but also with scent.' She adds that scratching helps to keep your cat’s nails strong & healthy, too.

So, to keep your indoor cat happy & not scratching your furniture, it is essential that you provide them with cat scratchers. Dr. Whitfield says, 'Most cats typically prefer vertical surfaces & like the surface to be something they can really dig their claws into, like sisal, rope, carpeting or cardboard.'

However, when it comes to deciding on a cat scratcher, keep your cat’s scratching style in mind. Dr. Orlando explains, 'Some cats prefer vertical surfaces, while others like horizontal ones. It’s important for the surface to be sturdy & not wobble when the cat uses it.'

You can try products like the Frisco cat scratching post or the Catit lounge scratcher with catnip to satisfy your indoor cat’s need to scratch & mark her territory.

Dr. Orlando says, 'For owners who have concerns about encouraging their cats to use their scratching posts rather than the furniture, the product Feliscratch by Feliway is helpful. It mimics the secretions released by paw pad glands when cats scratch & attracts cats to use that surface to scratch.'

To further encourage your cat to use a cat scratcher, Dr. Whitfield suggests giving verbal praise & even food rewards to help positively reinforce this normal behavior when it occurs in an appropriate location.

Add Vertical Space

As prey animals, many cats enjoy having vertical space to feel safe & observe from. Dr. Whitfield explains, 'Because cats can be prey animals as well as predators, it is important that owners provide places of safety & comfort for their cats. This includes elevated perches & other hiding spots.'

You can use cat trees, cat perches, & cat shelves to help them get the elevation they crave.

There are a variety of cat houses or condos that can help you to provide your feline family member with a safe spot to hang out. 'Kitty condos (such as the Frisco 2-story cat condo indoor cat house) that have little hidey holes or even a cardboard box can provide cover to help cats feel protected,' Dr. Whitfield says.

She recommends giving your cat their own room with a cat gate if there are children or other animals in the household so the cat has a 'special retreat where they can’t be disturbed.'

According to Dr. Whitfield, an ideal cat setup allows the cat to navigate rooms while entirely elevated from the floor—a feature that is especially important when other animals or children are in the home, so the cats can 'distance themselves if desired.'  

Moore suggests putting up shelves at various heights to make a fun course for your cat to run through, jumping from shelf to shelf. The K&H Pet Products EZ window mount & the Frisco cat tree are great examples of easy fixes that can give your kitty some personal space.

'For elderly or arthritic cats, owners should provide furniture options that allow easier, gradual jumps or steps rather than completely vertical fixtures,' Dr. Orlando says.

Grow Cat-Safe Grass

Dr. Whitfield also suggests providing plant material indoors. 'Provide plant material to eat! Grow wheat grass or catnip for kitties to chow down on,' she says.  

According to Dr. Whitfield, even though cats are carnivores, they can benefit from the vitamins & fiber of plant material. Also, by providing kitty-safe plants, you may deter your cats from digging/eating other houseplants.

Optimize Your Cat’s Litter Box

A happy cat will have all their needs met, including the dirty ones. Dr. Whitfield emphasizes the importance of a proper setup for the cat litter box.

She says, 'Litter box setup & maintenance are important for indoor enrichment. Too often we set the litter box up for our convenience & preferences—such as small, covered [boxes with] scented litter [placed] in the basement.' While some cats might tolerate that, Dr. Whitfield says that it is really important to keep the comfort & preferences of your cat in mind.

Dr. Whitfield recommends a large, uncovered litter box, though preferences can vary from cat to cat. Dr. Whitfield also recommends using an unscented cat litter.  

Bring Your Cat Outside

Dr. Whitfield encourages cat owners to take their cats outside while taking the proper precautions.

One of her recommendations is to consider catios, or indoor/outdoor cat enclosures, which allow cats to go outside safely. 'Take your cat outside. Catios are the current trend that provide a safe area for fresh air & bird watching,' Dr. Whitfield says.

If you don’t have catio potential in your home, try using a cat harness for some safe outdoor time. According to Dr. Whitfield, 'You can also leash-train your kitty using special harnesses designed for cats, like the PetSafe Come With Me Kitty harness. It is better to start cats out on a harness when they are young because many cats do not like change or new things.'

However, Dr. Whitfield does add that if you plan on bringing your cat outdoors, 'Don’t forget to have your cat properly vaccinated & keep up with their flea/tick prevention & deworming protocols!'

If you can’t bring your cat outside, Moore suggests that pet parents 'Set up a bird feeder (or scatter seed on the ground) near a spot where your cat can perch & look out the window.' Think of it as kitty TV.

Get Involved With Cat Training

Moore suggests training your cat as a form of stimulation. 'Training is wonderful enrichment! It’s a great workout for your cat’s brain & a great way to bond,' she says.

Besides leash-training your cat, there are plenty of other cues you can teach your kitty, ranging from fun tricks to show your friends to training cues that will help keep your cat safe.

Importance of Environmental Enrichment for Cats

'Cats are predators, so they have natural instincts to stalk, chase, bite, & rip apart prey. They also mark their territories through scratching & scenting. These are their genetic ‘jobs,’' Moore says.  

Cats can get bored & stressed when they do not have a 'job' or outlet for their energy, & when that happens, they can start engaging in activities that humans won’t find so fun.

Moore explains, 'If we can give cats ways to exercise those natural instincts, they will be more relaxed & content household members.'

Dr. Whitfield adds that 'Indoor enrichment is vital to the overall health of the cat. Cats who do not have an enriched environment are prone to diseases such as bladder inflammation, upper respiratory infections, dental disease, & obesity.'"

Carly Sutherland

petmd.com

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April 6/2022

                                           

It's April which means it's time for E.B.W. Critter Corner's annual CAT MONTH!!! 

How to Keep The Peace in a Multi-Cat Household

"Throughout history, cats have been held in high esteem, adored, & even worshipped, so it's no surprise multi-cat households have existed for eons.

Among the most obsessed & prominent cat lovers for whom one cat was not enough were the Ancient Egyptians, writers Mark Twain (19 cats) & Ernest Hemingway (42 cats), & many other renowned authors, poets, & artists; as well as Empress Catherine the Great, Pope Paul II, & presidents of the United States, Abraham Lincoln & Calvin Coolidge, whose multiple felines called the White House their home.

If you have a passion for cats & share your home with a more modest 2, 3, 4, or even more cats, you are among millions of Americans who share their hearts & homes with multiple cats. Carefully managed multi-cat households can hum along nicely like a well-oiled machine — most of the time. In multi-cat households, the key is knowing how to avoid cat disagreements.

It's truly distressing when your cats are not getting along, so if you're wondering how to keep the peace, read on to discover tips and ideas that will help keep your multi-cat household purring along smoothly.

The most important guidelines for multi-cat households

The number one rule for multi-cat households is to spay & neuter all your cats. If this is not a possibility for any reason, designate separate rooms for male & female cats.

Second, eliminate stress & competition...

Third, keep your cats' environment meticulously clean.

Fourth, learn to read cat body language, which is your best heads up on how your cats are feeling at any given time.

Make sure you have enough litter boxes

Multi-cat households need enough litter boxes so that every individual cat has his own, plus one extra. So if you have 4 cats, you need 5 litter boxes. Also, the type of litter you use should be accepted by all the cats, & if you find one cat is going outside the litter box, it could be that cat dislikes the litter, or it could alert you to a health issue. Sometimes, you will need to experiment with different clumping litters; including clay, pine pellets, pine dust, corn cob, & others to determine which works best for all the cats.

Dirty litter boxes are stressful for cats. In addition to scooping each litter box daily, you will need to thoroughly clean all the litter boxes at least every 2 weeks, or more often depending on how many cats you have & refill the box with fresh litter. Keep in mind, that the litter box itself & the litter scoop should be replaced at least once per year, says Dr. Debra Primovic, DVM.

For households with many cats, you might also consider a self-cleaning litter box to do some of the work for you.

Plenty of sleep & relaxation space

In multi-cat households, make sure you have plenty of sleep space because so much of a cat's day is spent relaxing & napping. Towel-lined baskets, boxes, & cat-dedicated blankets & pillows on your sofas & chairs provide lots of cozy lounging & sleeping space where each cat can be on her own or cuddling with her favorite feline housemate.

Mealtime essentials

Every cat in multi-cat households should have their own food bowl to prevent competition during mealtimes. Having several food bowls & bowls of water throughout your house is ideal. Self-feeding works well, too, keeping dry food available at all times — hungry cats are cranky cats.

Bonding one-on-one

Many cats crave attention, while others don't need as much. Getting to know your cat through one-on-one bonding sessions is the key to understanding each of your cat's personalities and needs for affection and attention. Making each cat feel special is essential because when you have a number of cats, little nuances can be missed — cats can feel left out and a stressed-out cat can be overlooked. If an animal is brought home from a shelter, for example, only through spending quality time individually with him will you really understand his unique needs, thus be better equipped to provide what he needs to thrive in his new multi-cat household.

Make playtime a priority

Cats need enrichment and active play is a priority, especially in multi-cat households. Make sure you have enough toys for all your cats, and interactive toys like feather wands are perfect for spending quality time with you. For more detailed information, check out our article on how to keep your cat mentally stimulated.

Cat trees, vertical space, & scratching posts

Cat lovers know that cats love vertical space as well as little hideaways. For an ideal multi-cat environment, install cat shelves and perches for climbing and lounging. Cat trees are available in amazing configurations and provide the perfect vertical space for your cats. Rope and sisal-covered trees also provide the much needed scratching posts and ensure you have enough vertical space to go around so that every one of your cats has a perch and a post to call her own.

Keep cat hair & odor in check

Cats are fastidious creatures, and while many of us are as well, managing multi-cat households takes extra work. All that cat hair and odor needs to be kept in check.

And like you, cats love freshly laundered bedding and pillows so you'll need to keep their cat beds clean and fresh. If they play with soft toys like fabric mice or anything that's washable, ensure you wash the toys regularly. Also, keep food and water bowls sparkling clean at all times.

Depending on how many cats you have, you will be spending a portion of every day morphing into a cleaning ninja and vacuuming often because cats also love clean floors, carpets, and generally like their whole environment to be clean and fresh-smelling otherwise they can become stressed.

Pheromones, catnip, & a pocket full of treats

To keep your cats' environment tranquil, you might consider synthetic cat pheromones in plug-in diffusers that replicate a cat's own "happy pheromones." Keep in mind that we don't have hard evidence that synthetic pheromones are effective. However, some people report success with them. Alternatively, good, old-fashioned dried catnip works just fine, too.

A pocket full of tasty treats comes in handy when you live with multiple cats. Arguments can flare up quickly between cats if they do become stressed. You may be able to deflect their irritation and quell their anger by softly calling them, then tossing some treats their way so that they focus on snacking, and often forget what made them mad in the first place.

Conclusion

Stress triggers mild disagreements and full-on catfights in multi-cat households. Consistently keeping the peace in multi-cat households requires keeping stress at bay by cleaning your cat's environment thoroughly on a daily basis, giving each of your cats ample attention, eliminating competition for food, toys, and litter boxes, offering enough playtime, and providing adequate vertical space for all your cats to hang out and, sometimes, chill out.

And, importantly, you should thoroughly learn your cats' body language, an early warning alert for problems, so you can step in and avert a disagreement.

Creating a tranquil atmosphere is important and synthetic cat pheromones or catnip keeps your cats in their happy place. And, just in case, keep a pocketful of treats."

Susan Dorling  

July 9/2020

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