Understanding Cat Behavior

If you had to spend over a decade of your life with a foreigner who does not speak your language, wouldn’t you take the time to learn theirs?

Our cats can actually learn some of our language, whether actual words or our body language. By the same token, sooner or later most cat owners learn to understand their cat’s behavior and its meaning.
Unfortunately, some people tend to anthropomorphize their cats. They attribute human emotions and thoughts to an animal. I have often seen  people interpret feline behavior in terms of jealousy, vindictiveness or any other type of human emotion.
“My cat is peeing on my bed because he’s jealous of my new boyfriend.”
“She bites the other cats because she’s mean.”
The problem is you can never solve the problem without understanding the real reasons behind your cat’s behavior.
If I had to focus on one piece of advice this would be it -
Your cat is not a little person.
A cat experiences its surroundings in a different way then we do. It has a whole different set of needs too. Felines are semi-nocturnal predators, domesticated only several thousands of years ago. The old adage still holds true:

You can get the cat out of the jungle, but you can’t get the jungle out of the cat.

So what can you do?
The key here is learning. Take the time and read up on cat behavior. Try to see the world through feline eyes (and nose, and ears…) Educate yourself about feline needs and how to meet them in our modern homes.

You can start your research here: Cat Behavior for Beginners. Next, browse through our cat behavior articles for more information. Our huge forum archives hold thousands of cat behavior threads, so make sure you visit the cat behavior forum as well. It’s also a great place for posting your questions.

Last, but not least, I recommend reading Think Like a Cat by Pam Johnson-Bennett – a great guide both for general cat care and for understanding cats and their behavior.

Have you taken the time lately to learn more about feline behavior? Any insights you’d like to share? Add a comment here, or visit our forums!

Calico and Tabby Cats – How Much Do They Cost

This is a question I keep seeing in the search strings by which people reach this blog via the search engines.
I figured it might be a good idea to provide an answer.
Calico and tabby are not cat breeds. They are coat patterns.
A calico is a cat, almost always female, that has patches of all three basic cat colors: white, black and red. Diluted calicoes display the same pattern, only with white, cream and blue (steel gray).

A tabby is a cat that has the dual colored pattern, usually with darker stripes over a lighter background. Tabbies can have slightly different patterns too, such as dotted or marbled. Tabby is actually the “authentic” cat coat pattern, seen in many wild cat species. In domestic cats it shows up in a variety of colors (remember, it’s a pattern, not a color!) That’s how you have red tabby cats, gray tabby cats and so on. You can have tabby mixed with patches of white, or as part of any white/tabby combo.

You can even have calico and tabby in one and the same cat! The tabby pattern is then observed in the cat’s red and/or gray patches.
If you want to know more about tabby and calico cats, we have two wonderful articles for you right here on TheCatSite.com, explaining more about these patterns, how they are formed and facts and myths surrounding them:
Tabby Cats
Calico Cats
So, How Much Do They Cost?
Hopefully, by now you realize these are not cat breeds. These patterns can show in some cat breeds. Persian cats, for example, can be calicoes, tabbies, or anything in between (as well as solid-colored). Some breeds display only the tabby coat pattern – their breed profile indicates that. Bengal Cats are tabbies, and should display the marbled or spotted variations of the tabby pattern too.
However, non-pedigreed domestic pet cats are just as likely to be tabbies or calicoes! Just walk into your local animal shelter and ask to see them – I regret to see you are certain to find some beautiful tabby cats and kittens, and probably calicoes as well. They are every bit as beautiful and impressive as their pedigreed brothers and sisters.
The price? just your regular adoption fees! No extra charge for the coat pattern!

Ikea Cats Commercial Controversy

So far, looks like most people really enjoy the commercial -

Indeed, what’s not to like? A hundred beautiful cats roaming free in Ikea and posing next to the various home decor items. It’s definitely eye candy for us cat lovers. The message is positive too – cats symbolize good feelings and a sense of emotional security.
What bothered me is the way in which this commercial was produced. I appreciate the fact that Ikea released a “behind the scenes” clip, albeit a heavily edited one which is basically part of this campaign. It didn’t make me feel more comfortable.

Cats are territorial animals. Take an adult cat out of its territory and you have already induced stress. Having to explore such a large new space is simply too much for the average cat. Throw in (literally) dozens of strange cats and stress levels shoot up. Kittens may find it easier to adjust, but it is still a potentially stressful situation.
Watching the clip, I couldn’t help but notice cats pawing at each other, obviously distressed. Yes, some of the cats settled in and provided those sweet heart-warming shots, but overall, I am not happy with process. What bugs me the most is the reckless approach of “let’s just do it and see what happens”. This is no way to treat cats, IMO.
It could have been done differently too. Here are a few suggestions -

1. Use professionally trained cats. These cats would be more habituated to strange and new situations.
2. Have a cat behaviorist on the set and allow her/him to assess participating cats and take out cats that show obvious signs of stress.
3. Take it one scene at a time – confine only a small number of cats to a small area of the store and get your shots. Then switch to a different location with different cats.

The Ikea people could have achieved the same effect while substantially reducing stress levels for participating felines.
What do you think? Did you enjoy the clip? How do you feel about the production process?

Losing a Cat, and How to Move Forward Again

Losing a cat may be one of the hardest things you ever face other than losing a family member or friend, especially if you have had your cat for years. While cats aren’t usually as faithful and dedicated to you as a dog, they are still unique in their own special way. When they are kittens, there is nothing more cute or cuddly; as they grow, they develop a personality all their own. Cats can be funny to watch, as they stalk anything that moves or “hide” behind something, thinking they are invisible. Losing a cat is sad; you go through a grieving process, cry, think you are finally over it and then cry again when you discover a favorite play thing while cleaning the house. It hurts your heart, and you vow that you will never have another because there isn’t a cat in the world that would be so special or loved.
While your friends or co-workers may think you are just being silly, losing a cat sparks the same emotions as any loss. To you, your pet was a “member” of the family, and although people may tell you it was just an animal and to get over it, the pain is real, both physically and mentally. How can you get past the loss of a cat that held your heart, that you really loved? Here are a few things you can do to help move the healing process along:
Let yourself cry. By holding it inside, your grief is actually pent up. Crying allows you to release those pent up emotions.
Talk it through with your family. Sometimes, grown ups are afraid to talk about pet loss with the younger members of the family. They feel that it’s best not to bring up a sad subject to the kids, in fear of making them even more sad and upset. It’s actually good for the entire family to talk about the loss, how each person feels – it is a good coping mechanism.
Try to focus on the other beautiful aspects of life, instead of placing all of your energy on the loss of your pet. Look around and think about all of the things you still have to be thankful for, of those things you can appreciate.
Create a memorial to your cat. This may be a photo album, or an area outside where you buried your pet. By collecting photos and putting them in a special album, you can reflect on all of the good times and even laugh at some of the shenanigans your cat got in to.
Don’t completely discard the notion of getting another cat. Frequently, after losing a cat, people swear off the idea of replacing him/her. While it is true that no other cat will be the same as or have the personality Fluffy had, they are all unique – and they all need a good home where they will feel loved. You would feel especially blessed by taking in a cat from the shelter, one that may be facing euphanasia if not placed in a home.
Think about it this way; your cat would want you to be happy, and to move forward with your life. Losing a cat or dog is painful, heart breaking, and the grief is real; allow yourself to feel the pain and sorrow, so that you can move on to happier days.

The Cat Against The Whole World Update, 12.10.10

by GOMA+SACHIE

Hai everyone! We finally have a Junie update! For those who doesn't know Junie, she has been rescued by Lee, and she has rare allergy basically she is severely allergic to everything outside. She has been licking her stomach so much that it is raw, she has asthma as well. We still don't know exactly what cause these and how to cure her.... Thanks everyone for asking about her. Also thanks for all your support and prayers, it really made a lot of difference in their lives! Ok here is Lee's update!

Hi Everybody,

Thank you for all the prayers for Junie and asking about her. I know its been a long while since you last read an update. But I am here to tell you, for now she is doing better.  Perhaps its the winter and everything is dead outside - no molds or pollen etc..

 About two three weeks ago we started her on Cyclosporine or Atopica. Which has to be monitored at some point with blood tests. She is still scratching and licking - but not obsessively.

I did find some fleas on me and cleaned the house and laundered EVERYTHING. I have used the Tiny Tim soap on her - We love it! Thank you Thank you!  I have not seen any since -but that does not mean much those puppies work fast-they could have laid their eggs all over this house in 48 hours. But her tummy is still really swollen and hangs low and continues to be in the healing process. 

We took her off the Clomacalm (OCD medicine) and antibiotic a week after she started with the cyclosporine. I strongly feel that I should have weened her off the COD medicine instead of cutting her off cold turkey - because she did get sick within 48 hours of taking her off it.  Its just like with people. But the Dr. was certain it would be ok.  So she was sick for a few days and  vomiting, then we went through a period where she refused to eat for about a week- again the week we put her on the Cyclosporine. So I was really worried. She still to this day will not eat the Rabbit kibble which we had her on for the food trial - now its Venison. Probably because she associates getting sick with the food.

Since she has been off the OCD medicine, she as had a lot more energy- mostly at night when I go to bed! Aaarrrggghhh!!! She likes to make a lot of noise running between my bedroom window and the front door - crying to get outside. Its been snowing here so I took her outside a couple of times. She was shaking it was so cold but did not want to go in. Now she realizes its cold and does not seem to want out as much. Who can blame her when its 13 degrees out!

I still think there is something being missed. Her symptoms should go away if it was environmental - this time of year. She is still liking all 4 paws like crazy - slurp slurp slurp- and sleeps a lot.

A few days ago I think she also had salmonella poisoning. I was doing dishes and cleaning the kitchen. The garbage bag was on the floor next to me and while I was doing the dishes she dragged the foam tray the chicken came on out of the bag! I saw her and put it back in -tied it up. But what I did not see was that the noise she had made, which alerted me, was her second attempt. She had pulled the white paper off the foam tray earlier -which I didn't notice. Several hours later when I could not figure out why she kept walking in and out of my closet occasionally crying did I figure it out!. She had dragged this paper filled with chicken juice and covered in litter into my closet and had been licking it!!! Gross Right?!! That was thrown out but the next few days she was showing symptoms. She seems better again. I have to keep an eye on her - she is a slick one!

But so adorable.

We've been using Forti-Flora probiotic which she loves and I do too, for her. The Asthma medicine and inhaler is working great. Thankfully we were able to get that for her. I've had to use it less lately. I come home and check on her everyday at lunch time. She is usually sleeping but is always happy to say hello before going back to sleep.

We have been unable to get back down to the Dermatologist- mostly because of my crazy schedule. We were supposed to meet a month after our initial meeting with her but she has been unavailable too quite a bit and I just have had deadlines and meetings out of state every two weeks. So we should be going back down there soon. I may even try for a second opinion.

Thank you again for asking about Junie and praying for her. I will continue to forge ahead with her medical as best I can- things are better right now with the cold weather - maybe it will stay this way. Please keep praying for her and I will keep everyone updated.

The Largest Domestic Cat "Savannah Cat"

by GOMA+SACHIE

I am simply intrigued about this newest cat breed call "Savannah Cat". I found out about this breed simply surfing the web and came across this article "Living with Savannah cat" by Patric Hatt. I was like what is Savannah cat?? Why are they so special??? well let me tell you they are not only special, they are just magnificent cat that resembles a wild cat but without wild part!! 

According to Wiki, Savannah cats are considered one of the larger breeds of domesticated cats. Savannah cats are the name given to the offspring of a domestic cat and a serval— a medium-sized, large-eared wild African cat. The unusual cross became popular among breeders at the end of the 20th century, and in 2001 the International Cat Association accepted it as a new registered breed. Savannahs are much more social than typical domestic cats, and they are often compared to dogs in their loyalty. They can be trained to walk on a leash and even taught to play fetch. 

I checked out some of Savannah cat breeders and came across with A1 Savannahs in New Hampshire.  They seems to be really successful breeding Savannah cat. I borrowed above picture from them. I learned that there are types/grade to Savannah cat. F1~F5. This number associated with it toindicate how many generations it is from its Serval ancestor. So F1 is most wildest and F5 is less. Also F1 cats are the largest and most expensive. F1 goes up to $28,000!!! So interesting. Here are some videos of them I found on their site.