Creature Comforts Pet Services, LLC

Compassionate care for your friend

Archives for July 2024

Why cats are different than dogs?

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It is really as simple as predator vs prey. Dogs are purely predators.  They follow directions from pack members while hunting and show clear body language because that is how they communicate as a pack.  Cats, on the other hand, are both predator and prey.  As prey cats are wary, they’re going to assume that there’s a reason to be scared. They go to fight or flight first, stop and assess the situation second. Dogs are more likely to first check out the situation first and see what the scene is, whereas cats are going to slink around the edges and give themselves a way to escape. Cats do hunt, but they’re also going to be wary of what’s happening. Cats are solitary hunters, and because of that they don’t have the same overt body language and communication that dogs have to let the other members of their pack know what they are thinking.  With that said cats body language can be understood, it is just much more subtle than dogs.

We have to view cats and dogs in totally different lights when we’re working with them and training them because of the differences in their status as prey or predator.  Cats are not trying to be elusive or secretive or spiteful.  They are doing what their biology tells them will keep them safe.  Any use of punishment techniques with a cat will terrify them and they are gonna assume that you are not safe.  

That is why positive reinforcement is so important in working with cats.  It increases your bond with your cat and gives them confidence that the environment they live in is safe.  It gives them a reason to want to work with you and a reason to not fear you. Any animal that lives in a state of fear or stress will start to show that fear and stress on the outside.  For cats that may be urinating outside the litterbox, spraying, or destructive scratching.  Using positive reinforcement training you can learn to communicate with your cat before any of these behaviors happen.  And in solving any stress or fear issues, positive reinforcement can help your cat to relax and learn to bond with you and gain confidence in their environment.

Vibrissae!  What are your cat’s whiskers telling you?

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Such a sensual sounding word, and it really is.  It is another word for cat whiskers.  The very thing they use to “sense” the environment around them.  Each whisker is equipped with tactile receptors that communicate both vibrations and touch.  They can detect a breath of air, they are so sensitive.  This can help them find prey by just movement. They are so important to a cat that they are the first hairs to develop before birth.  They are longer and thicker than other hairs and reach much deeper under the skin where they are in contact with nerves.

While cats do have eyebrow and chin whiskers, it is the movement of the muzzle whiskers that communicate a cat’s mood.   They can indicate anything from interest to fear to even pain. 

A relaxed friendly cat will have whiskers just slightly to the side.

An interested cat will have her whiskers perked forward and spread out.  This can also be an indication of a hunting cat.

An anxious or stressed cat will hold her whiskers slightly back, with increasing fear she will pull them back closer to her cheeks.

Whiskers pulled tightly back to the face, along with the ears, are a sign of defensive (fearful) aggression as par of the attempt to get smaller and protective of herself, and a cat will show offensive aggressive by pushing both the ears and whiskers forward much the same as hunting.

Cat’s tend to be very stoic when it comes to pain. Being the prey animals that they are, it is best to hide your weakness from predators.  But whiskers pushed forward can be an indicator of pain.

Cats can get “whisker fatigue” which means they get worn out by just feeling too much.  Kind of the same way I get at the end of a long day and it feels like everyone is talking much more loudly. This may be why your cat does not like to eat or drink out of a deep bowl.  It is always a good idea to provide something shallow, just to increase the wellbeing of your cat.  

Never cut your cat’s whiskers, this can impair their ability to navigate the world around them and can be painful.  This goes for pulling whiskers too.

Is July 4th your cat’s least favorite holiday?

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It is not just from sudden booms from fireworks, but holidays in general tend to take a toll on cats.  Cats derive a huge amount of security and comfort from things being predictable.  Any holiday that changes the normal events of the day is harder for our feline friends.

Here are some things you can do to help your cat to adjust to holidays.

Create a cozy hideaway – Offer a secret place to hide that is comfortable and cozy.   Maybe a familiar bed or blanket in a private cat only spot she can dash off to as things get going in your household. A clock wrapped in a blanket can offer a reassuring tick or vibration. Using feline pheromone spray on the blankets also can sometimes help.

Play some soft classical or species specific relaxing music – Research suggests that cats find music calming.  Don’t make it loud to drown out the fireworks though!

Close the curtains – The flashes of light and the extra activity outside can be disturbing to cats.

Take a deep breath – Don’t react to the extra load of having more going on or to the sounds of fireworks.  Your cat will take his cues from you about staying calm.

Consider veterinary help – If you know your cat reacts to fireworks or the extra activity from past experience, ask your veterinarian about temporary anxiety medications.

Offer something new – Try a brand new toy or scratch pad, distraction is…well distracting.

Keep the drinks away – Alcohol is sometimes a part of the 4th of July celebration, but keep those drinks out of paws reach. Alcohol can intoxicate your cat.  It can quickly become a life threatening emergency such as respiratory failure.

Watch the door – With more outdoor activity and guests coming and going, do your best not to let your cat out.  It may be especially difficult to coax her back inside at this time. Warn your guests to be on the lookout for your pet as they go in and out.

Make sure your cat is microchipped – In the unfortunate event your cat does get out and ends up at the local shelter they can scan and find your information immediately and get your friend back to you.  Remember to keep your chip information updated also, otherwise it is just a number on a microchip.  Without a microchip no one will have any easy way to identify your pet.  Collars and tags can also be helpful, but can be snagged on a tree or branch and be lost.  For cats, stretchy collars with a phone number printed on the collar are best.