Creature Comforts Pet Services, LLC

Compassionate care for your friend

Theresa Berrett

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!

Cat Communication

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Cat Tails

It is always a good idea to get to know what your cat is thinking. Most of us intuitively understand them, but it can help to know the various ways a cat can communicate. Keep in mind it is a good idea to note the context in which a cat is displaying certain body language to fully understand what they are communicating.  They communicate visually through body language, auditorily through vocalizations, tactile (touch), and through scent.  Overall communication can be put into 3 categories:  distance increasing (antagonistic), meaning the cat wants to get away.  Distance decreasing (affiliative) meaning the cat wants to be nearer a person or object.  Or simply neutral with neither a desire to get away or move closer.

I will start with visual communication, beginning with the details, then putting it together with whole postures.


Tails

Cats’ tails are quite effective in helping a cat to balance, but they also say quite a lot with their tails.  


A neutral tail is generally horizontal or slanting slightly down, this can indicate the cat is confident and relaxed, yet alert.  

An aroused cat will have a twitching, waving, wagging or flicking tail.  Arousal could mean agitation for a number of different reasons such as fear, aggression, or playfulness.  Sometimes a cat can exhibit arousal while stalking prey with almost complete stillness except for a tiny twitch at the tip of the tail.

It is a good idea to approach a cat with a thrashing tail with caution as this indicates extreme arousal that could result in attack.

They can communicate excitement with a quivering tail, of course this can also indicate spraying urine.

A tail tucked close to the body or between the legs indicates fear. Although relaxed “loaf” cats will also hold their tails close, it is often not pressed against the body tightly.


A standing straight up, puffed “bottle brush” tail is a show of fear or defensive aggression.  

While a hooked L shaped tail indicates offensive aggression (ready to attack).  

A tail held high is a confident and friendly greeting, particularly if it is in the shape of a question mark.  A high quivering tail is excited to see the person or object.

Pet Food Guidelines

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When it comes to pet nutrition it boils down to what works best for your particular animal, that includes what is tasty and interesting, and nutritionally appropriate. There is such a huge variety out there these days it can be hard to choose.  For the most part, any of the major brands out there will provide adequate nutrition for your pet, so there is no need to stress over it.   Here are a few pointers to help.  Keep in mind that quality and price are not always equal.   

First look for high quality protein listed as the first ingredient.  For this you will want to see the specific name of the animal ingredient (i.e. chicken, beef, lamb).  For instance, “Poultry” could mean chicken, turkey, or duck. Also “meal”, as in Chicken meal, could mean non meat items such as beaks, feathers, and feet are included and counted as protein.  If your pet has special food needs or allergies, it is important to know exactly what you are getting.

Second, just like with human foods, avoid ingredients that you can’t pronounce, as well as dyes. Many dry pet foods use grain ingredients to act as binders and fillers.  Wheat, soy, and corn are common, but better choices are brown rice, lentils, oatmeal, and quinoa.  

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) have established guidelines that pet food manufacturers need to follow and these can be very helpful in understanding what you are getting. 

  •  Look for  “Complete and Balanced” on the pet food label.  This means the contains all the required nutrients and they are in the correct ratios.  Foods that are listed as “intermittent” or “supplemental” are not nutritionally adequate for a healthy animal.
  • A pet food containing the word “with”, such as “Super Cat Food with Chicken”, has to contain at least 3% of that ingredient.
  • Words such as “Premium”, “Gourmet”, and “Senior”  are allowed, but have no technical definition and most likely will mean you will pay more and that is about it.  
  • However, kitten and puppy foods do have the required ingredients for growing animals.  Look for “Puppy”, “Kitten”, or ‘Growth” on the label.  “All life stages” is appropriate for young animals, as well as gestating/lactating females.

Cats and dogs have different digestive tracts from ours and require food that is specific to their species.  

Cats do well on multiple smaller feedings of wet food in a day, similar to eating several mice per day.  They are obligate carnivores meaning they require animal protein at each meal.  Cats do not do well if they stop eating for more than 24 hours, so if you notice this in your kitty have them checked by a vet right away.  Cats also get quite a bit of moisture through their food.

Dogs, on the other hand, have much more hardy digestive systems, designed to occasionally withstand a fast and even manage on somewhat old meat.  In their wild past they may not have had any luck on the hunt and have to go hungry for a day or two.  Their intestines are much shorter than a human’s and cannot digest plant fiber very well.  Again, in the wild, most of their “vegetables” would have come from the partially digested contents of a prey animal stomach.  So any plant ingredients need to be cooked and finely chopped.

There are other factors related to eating besides just nutrition to consider.  Kibble size should be appropriate to the size of animal you are feeding.  Very large kibble could be a choking hazard for a smaller dog.  It is best for your pet to chew their food for the maximum absorption of nutrients. There are a whole lot of possibilities for slowing down a fast eater, from simply tossing the food over an open area to be picked up one piece at a time, to one of the many food puzzles available.  How much to feed comes down to breed, and exercise level.

Nutrition in pets can be a complex science, but does not need to be a source of stress for you and your animal companion.  Fortunately we do have AAFCO guidelines to help regulate the industry and make it clear what our animals are eating.

Feline developmental Stages

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Feline Developmental Stages

In order to understand your cat’s behavior it can be helpful to know the social development stages kittens go through as they grow.  Evolutionarily cats come from solitary predators.  The closest living ancestors is the African Wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica. As you can see from the photos (right) they look just like your average gray tabby, however I don’t think you would have too much luck petting one of these!  As cats became domesticated, they had to adapt to denser populations and that is where they adapted to more complex social structure.  Dogs were originally social hunters and because of this have body language and facial expressions that are more easily readable.  Cats, on the other hand, do not have as many social body language cues.  This has given the false impression that cats don’t care for or need any social interaction.  Modern domestic cats are “socially flexible” meaning that they can either remain solitary hunters or learn to function in a group.  During their growth and development, all kittens need to go through the domestication process with exposure to handling by humans.  This is why there is a range of cats all the way from solitary feral cats who are completely wild and survive on their own as well as feral cats living in groups to sweet and tame kitties living in complete cooperation with humans.

While all cats develop at their own rate, there are 8 feline social developmental stages.  

Fetal Stage

The first stage is Fetal which is prior to birth.  The health of the mother during gestation can affect the development of kittens.  For example, a  mother cat who is exposed to stress or does not have adequate nutrition can have kittens with lifelong both behavioral and physical issues.  Certain infections and illness in the prenatal mother can also affect the kittens.

Neonatal

This Stage is from birth to about 10 days old.  Kittens are born with their eyes closed and have limited hearing, however they do have a sense of touch, smell, and taste.  They are very much dependent on the mother cat for food, elimination, as well as warmth and protection.  Good nutrition and reduced stress for the mother also affects the kittens at this stage.  Socialization can begin with short periods of gentle handling, although this does not affect their acceptance of humans, it can help them to develop resilience.

Transitional

From about 10 days to 3 weeks is the transitional stage. During this time the kittens develop more mobility and sensory input ability.  Physical milestones also begin during this stage, such as eyes opening, teeth erupting and beginning to walk.  Exposure to different sights, sounds, and situations can affect the kittens throughout their lifetime.

Socialization

This stage is from about 2 weeks until about 7-10 weeks of age.  This is the most important time for a kitten to be exposed to a variety of new experiences.  A kitten’s fear of novelty is shut off at this point allowing the kitten to have more curiosity about the environment it is growing up in.  They essentially learn what is “normal” for their situation.  This is the time to set up positive social interaction with humans, other cats and other animals.  Cats who have socialization to other cats, at this point will become more likely to accept cat companions in adulthood.  Gentle handling of all a kitten’s body parts  (paws, tail, belly, toes) will help with future handling and grooming.  Gentle exposure to situations such as wearing a harness, car rides, carriers, nail clipping, and tooth brushing are more readily accepted at this stage.  Providing a variety of toys can also help to simulate a kitten’s mind at this point.

However, it is important to know that even a single traumatic experience during this phase can cause a lifelong fear.  Therefore it is important for all the interactions to be paired with positive reinforcement and care should be taken to avoid stressful situations.  
It is vitally important for kittens to remain with their litter during this time.  Play with littermates helps kittens develop behaviorally.  Problems such as excessive timidity, fear, and aggression can develop if removed from the litter too early. 

Kittens will also begin to eliminate without their mother’s help at about 4 weeks.  Not all mother cats will “teach” their kittens to use a litter box, but exposure to a litter box to explore will assist kittens in following their natural instincts to cover their wastes.  Clumping or absorbent litters should be avoided because of the possibility of ingestion.

Typically, kittens will also begin to eat solid food at this point and will be fully weaned by 7 to 10 weeks.  What a kitten is fed at this time will affect future tastes, so now is a great time to introduce a variety of flavors and textures to avoid a picky eater in the future.

Juvenile

At about 8 weeks kittens will begin to have a fear response to novel stimuli.  This Juvenile stage lasts for about 4-10 months and is characterized by a reduction in the playful kitten behavior and does include a period of avoidance to humans, even in the most socialized kittens.  In the wild cats will begin to hunt on their own during this time and toys which can mimic the hunting sequence (stalk, chase, pounce) are important.  It is still important to expose kittens to new experiences as this can set the tone for being able to handle changes throughout their lifetime.  

Adolescent

A cat will remain in the adolescent stage from between 4-10 months until 2-4 years.  This is the period when a wild cat begins to go off on its own or to leave a feral cat colony, therefore, mental stimulation and environmental enrichment are important in keeping a young cat occupied and in preventing unwanted behaviors out of boredom.  A variety of toys, scratch posts, cat trees, as well as training can help to keep cats mentally stimulated and entertained.

During this stage, and throughout adult life, care needs to be taken in introducing new cats as now they become less accepting of new additions.

Adult

Cats reach social maturity between 2-4 years.  Behaviors toward other household animals, including humans, may change and need to be adjusted to.  Mental stimulation in the form of toy variety, games, and cat furniture, as well as social connection is important for a healthy happy cat.

Senior

Over 12 years cats are considered geriatric.  Cats of this age still require attention and mental stimulation although physically they may begin to slow down.  Attention to physical health is important in catching illness early.   Because cats are prey animals, as well as predators, they don’t readily show signs of distress or illness and may be difficult to spot early signs of illness in.  Behavioral changes such as not using the litter box suddenly can be an indication of an illness.

Knowing what is normal behavior and development in cats can help you to understand how to provide your cat with what it needs for a happy and healthy life with you.

Possible New Canine Disease

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***Update***** It may not be viral, but bacterial and resistant to antibiotics.

There is a new respiratory virus emerging called Canine Atypical Respiratory Disease. There are currently no reported cases in Washington (closest has been Oregon) and it does seem to be isolated to canines only. However, it is long lasting, non to minimally responsive to antibiotics, and has a high mortality rate.

Signs of illness:

  • Nasal DIscharge
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Sneezing

At this point the best protection for your dog is to limit exposure. Limit time at grooming and boarding facilities, dog parks, and other densely dog populated areas. If you do need to use grooming and boarding; Use dog social distancing, at least 6 feet from other dogs and do not allow the sharing of toys, blankets, bed, and food and water bowls. Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations. Closely monitor your dog for any signs of illness. If you do see any signs, isolate your pet and call your veterinarian and get medical support immediately. Do not wait!

Respiratory disease is spread through respiratory secretions from licking, coughing, sneezing, and barking. DOgs who come into close contact are at increased risk. It spreads both directly and indirectly through objects such as kennels, bowls, and leashes, or from people who come into contact with infected dogs. The incubation period is short (1 to 8 days) and dogs are most contagious during this time even while they are not showing outward signs of illness. there is also the possibility of carriers, who never show any signs of illness, but can still shed the virus.

Currently there are 3 vaccines that protect dogs from respiratory viruses: DHPP, Bordatella, and Canine Influenza. All breeds and ages are susceptible, however special care should be taken with young, elderly, and brachycephalic (smushy faced) dogs. Higher risk dogs, those who need to be at places where dogs typically gather, such a boarding, should be vaccinated as soon as possible.

At this time the best protection is to keep your dog at home and keep distance on walks.

Please share this information with other dog owners.

For further information and updates, please refer to reliable sources for information, such as ARG.wa.gov