The dictionary defines stress as “a specific response by the body
to a stimulus, such as fear or pain, which disturbs or interferes with
the normal physiological equilibrium of an organism.” When a cat is
confronted by what it perceives as a “stressor” or a potential threat,
its body goes into a “fight or flight” reaction. If the stressor
continues, the cat will either act out toward its environment — for
example, toward you, a family member, another pet or the carpet — or
toward itself, such as licking excessively or becoming ill or depressed.
For a cat to be happy, a guardian must satisfy its basic needs: food, water, a clean litter box, warm places to sleep and companionship. And most important, all of these must be free from stress.
For a cat to be happy, a guardian must satisfy its basic needs: food, water, a clean litter box, warm places to sleep and companionship. And most important, all of these must be free from stress.
Urinating outside the box, spraying, biting or scratching are the kinds of “acting out” behaviors that bring cat guardians to behavior consultations. Of course, if a cat is ill or injured, no amount of behavior modification will be effective so the first step would be to receive a clean bill of health from a veterinarian. Once physical troubles are taken out of the picture, you can look for triggers in the environment.
Cats are creatures of habit so any changes in routine can be upsetting to them. A new baby or pet, strange people, home improvement projects, or an unknown noise or animal outside can all stress a cat.
It’s best to address such environmental stressors with a behavior consultant. You can then turn to other ways to help make your cat feel loved and safe, such as triple-checking that all of its needs are being met. It will love you for it.
Your cat needs a high-quality kibble, wet food or both, which are generally sold at pet food stores. Cats are true carnivores; they don’t eat grain or carbohydrates in the wild. The first few ingredients of their food should be meat. Wet food is about 70 percent water, as is the natural food of cats — mice and gophers — so it’s more species-appropriate for them. Wet food is particularly important for male cats, which may be prone to urinary tract blockages.
Plentiful, fresh water is important to cats and many prefer their water straight from the tap. If this is true of yours, you may want to try a cat drinking fountain. Make sure you change the water frequently and take apart and clean the entire fountain regularly.
No one likes a smelly potty and cat’s noses are far more sensitive than ours. Scoop at least daily; twice a day is preferable. Also consider the location of the box. A high-traffic location will not do. Cats feel vulnerable when they go to the bathroom and can easily be startled.
Cats enjoy a warm sunbeam. When toasty and comfortable, cats tend to relax and bathe. Bathing or grooming themselves is the way they check their body for blemishes. And, like yoga, grooming increasing blood flow to all body parts. Make sure they have a safe, comfortable place to escape any stressors they might face elsewhere in the house or yard. Many cats like to perch up high so you might want to invest in a tiered kitty condo unit.
Your cat likes you and wants to be with you, even though its body language may sometimes say otherwise. It is a social creature so you are one of its best stress-busters. By adhering to a regular feeding schedule, providing it with regular daily play time, and giving it excess amounts of love and cuddling, your kitty should be able to face changes more successfully and peacefully.
To learn more about feline behavior, come to Catapalooza at the Marin Humane Society on Oct. 25. Cat expert Jackson Galaxy, host of “My Cat From Hell,” is the keynote speaker. Go to www.MarinHumaneSociety.org for details.
Beth Weil is the feline behavior coordinator for the Marin Humane Society, which contributes Tails of Marin articles and welcomes animal-related questions and stories about the people and animals in our community. Go to MarinHumaneSociety.org, Twitter.com/MarinHumane, or email lbloch@MarinHumaneSociety.org.
source
No comments:
Post a Comment