Creature Comforts Pet Services, LLC

Compassionate care for your friend

Theresa Berrett

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.

Cat Eyes!

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Cats get a bit trickier than dogs here.  Dogs evolved to work together in packs so their facial expressions are more obvious for the sake of communication with the pack.  Cats, on the other hand, are solitary hunters and don’t need for others to know what they are thinking as readily.  Still cats’ eyes do help to communicate their mood and even can help you know if they are in pain.

A relaxed cat will have their eyes partially or completely shut, they appear to be in a state of delight and contentment.  They do not tend to make direct eye contact, but if they do they punctuate it with blinks.  Sometimes your cat will squint in enjoyment of scritches and cheek rubs, this is a sign of love and trust. When your kitty slow blinks it is a sign of acceptance and comfort.  Directing a blink at you means she trusts you and can, therefore, not need to pay too close attention to you.  You can direct a sweet lovey slow blink in return.  Slow blinks from you are also a good way to meet a new cat and indicate your acceptance of them.

A prolonged direct stare without blinking indicates a threatening or confrontational signal.  Aggressive cats will direct a hard stare at the one they are attempting to threaten.  This is the cat to give space to, and avoid direct eye contact with in order to avoid injury. 

Fearful cats will often direct a wide eyed stare with a furrowed brow at what they are afraid of.

While diverting eye contact is an appeasing gesture toward another.  If you are facing a potentially aggressive cat, you can divert your eye contact, and back down, so to speak.

Cat pupils can also dilate and constrict depending on the light, but also depending on their state of arousal.  

Constricted pupils are expressing contentment for the most part.  But constriction can also occur during offensive aggression.  This is important communication in multi-cat households.  The would-be aggressor can use a direct stare with pupils only slightly dilated to indicate to the others they get access to resources first.  This is a subtlety that humans often miss before any aggression actually breaks out.

Dilated pupils are associated with states of arousal such as fear, excitement, overstimulation, play, or defensive aggression.  However, dilated pupils can also be a tell for pain in a cat.  Cats often do not show pain in other ways being potential prey items.

What are your cats ears telling you?

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Imagine if humans had cat ears and we could easily see each other’s moods.  Imagine driving up to a 4 way stop and all you had to do was glance around to see what each of the other drivers were thinking.

Your cat gives you some pretty visible clues with her ears as to what she is thinking and feeling.

Cats can move their ears independently of each other. Rotate them 180 degrees, as well as move them up and down on their head.  They have 32 muscles that control their ears to our 6!

Ears pointed forward or slightly outward are neutral and relaxed as she listens to the world around her.

Ears pointed held to the side or pinned back indicate fear or aggression.

Ears perked forward show interest. They can show focus. This kitty is intensely interested in something in the grass, maybe a mouse.

One or both ears swiveling in one direction usually indicates when a cat is paying close attention to noises coming from that direction. Cats ears can help them to triangulate exactly where a sound is coming from.

Sometimes both ears rotated back is known as airplane ears. It can indicate arousal, meaning “I want to play” or “I’m scared”, or even “I’m annoyed, watch out”

What?! You can train a Cat?!

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Yes, not only can it be done, but most likely if you live with a cat you are already doing it.  When you call your cat for dinner, or make the sound of a can opening, and they come running, training is happening.  When you walk in the door and say hello and your kitty greets you with a head butt, training is happening.  When you get up at some crazy early hour to feed the kitty because they poked at you, training is happening. (Ok, maybe there, kitty is training you!)  When your cat hides under the bed from a new person, training is happening. When you make a nice cozy spot for your kitty in the window to watch birds, training is happening.  Training is always happening, it is the language you share with your cat. When you are in tune with the needs and wants of your cat, you are training.

Training is as equally important to your pet’s well being as good veterinary care, good nutrition, and a healthy, relaxing environment.  It is not a luxury or just to have a few fun tricks.  Training is teaching your kitty how to share life with you in a way that benefits both you and her.  So why not focus on skills that benefit both of you?  The prevailing view that cats will be cats is not all that healthy.  You and your cat do not have to just live with things as they are.  You can create a thriving environment that will enhance your relationship to each other. Training is a great way to prevent issues that may come up as well.  It increases your bond with your cat and your awareness of their behavior so that you can see when something is not quite right sooner.

Each year thousands of beloved cats are surrendered to shelters because of behavior problems that can be solved.  Most issues that cats have do have solutions.  My training philosophy brings together all the elements of a healthy, enriched environment along with actively working towards behavior that works for both of you.  I promote training through positive reinforcement as relaxing play together, time you can both enjoy each other’s company.

Benefits of Clicker Training

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Clicker training can be a fast and effective way for you to communicate to your pet exactly what you do want her to do.  The concept is simple.  The clicker is used to mark the exact behavior you are looking for her to do. All you need to do is watch for something you would like her to do and the instant that thing happens, you click then reinforce.  Once your pet gets the idea that they can communicate with you she will look for ways to get you to click.  It is a way for you both to form a common “language” that makes clear what you DO want.  

Once your pup is consistently repeating a behavior and shows she understands what earns the click, you can begin to add a cue (or word, hand gesture, or any signal you like) before the behavior that lets her know what you are asking for. When this connection between the cue and behavior is established, there is no need to click further.  The clicker is just a teaching tool and is not necessary to use forever.

I emphasize what you DO want because clicker training is all about positive reinforcement.  There is no punishment or negative aspect to it.  Because of this it has no detrimental effects on your relationship.  She will look forward to working with you and your ability to understand her body language will also automatically increase.  One of the great things about clicker training is how it increases your bond because training becomes play and fun for both. When I pick up a clicker in my household, I get rushed by an excited mass of animals hoping for their turn first!  Any behaviors you do not want you simply don’t click, and they will go away.  You can also use the clicker to teach a different behavior in place of something you do not want to occur.  The focus is entirely on seeing the good.

Clicker training works through two learning pathways. First, with classical conditioning, by establishing an emotional connection between the click and a reinforcer. Much like the connection we have to money, money is not inherently meaningful, but it is something we can use to get things we do want, therefore we are willing to work hard for it.  We like to earn money because it means we can acquire things we like. The reinforcer can be anything she really loves from yummy treats to belly scratches.   You connect them by pairing a click then the reinforcement.  The click is the currency she works for that means something good is coming. Once a connection has been established, you can use the clicker to signal the correct behavior.  Here is where the other form of learning called operant conditioning comes into play.  Operant means your pet gets to operate on, or have a say in, her world.   She chooses to perform the behavior and earn something she really likes creating a very enthusiastic learner who wants to do the behaviors. Clicker trained animals are so enthusiastic they try to learn new behaviors which can result in your own unique mix of behaviors you and she create.  Having the ability to have a say in her world can also increase her confidence.

The click, as opposed to a word, is important because it is a consistent and unique sound that means only one thing, so it can be clearly understood as having a connection to the reinforcer.  It can also happen in the same instant the correct behavior happens and, as a result any behavior can be marked, from a subtle nose twitch to a jump over a fence way across the yard.

Clicker training works with any animal, from dogs, to tigers, to chickens!

Happy training!