Post by ncboman on Jan 21, 2006 22:02:03 GMT -5
Part of a complete understanding of your quarry is recognizing unusual behavior and being able to make rapid adjustments in order to take advantage of it.
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Unusual Cat Behaviors
Cats may indulge in behaviors that seem to defy logic and mystify mere humans. Unlike you, your cat probably has a reason for everything it does. Each display is a means of expression, and understanding them is an important part of living a happy life with your cat.
Although some behaviors may mesmerize you, either from their sheer cuteness or even absurdity, pay careful attention to what these behaviors say about your cat's well-being.
Scaredy-Cats
When cats spend long periods under furniture, in distant bedrooms, or simply out of sight, they may be expressing anxiety or fear.
Cat personalities vary and one of the more common personality types encountered is the timid cat. Timidity may not be measurable on a day-to-day scale, but is easily noted when a visitor or new living room furniture arrives.
The best way to deal with a timid cat who otherwise acts content is to leave her alone. Consider her behavior a comforting strategy for coping with life's little traumas. Allow hiding cats to emerge on their own terms and in their own good time.
Less commonly, a cat may avoid contact with a specific household member. The timid behavior is usually a result of fear. You can easily spook a cat by shouting at her when she climbs up on the kitchen counter. You can unknowingly cause fear by startling her as you shout loudly and gesticulate wildly in front of the TV when your home team is about to lose the Super Bowl.
Some cats are simply more sensitive than others to loud noises or abrupt movement. A fearful reaction may even result from accidental odors such as the scent from a strange cat that you cuddled on your lap when visiting a friend.
To help your cat diminish his timid behavior, associate people with things the cat likes. That way, the cat will eventually learn to trust the humans around him. A spouse or older child, for example, can take over feeding entirely so that your cat makes a positive connection between their presence and his favorite activity.
The Unusual Behavior of Eating Greens
Although we think of cats as carnivores (meat eaters) many are, in fact, fond of vegetables and other plant material. Food preferences vary with individual cats. Some may nibble on the grass in your yard, the leaves of a potted houseplant or other common items such as shoelaces.
Both dogs and cats confuse their owners by ending grass-grazing with regurgitation or vomiting. The reason for this predictable (and apparently normal) behavior is unclear, but it has been suggested that our pets eat grass, at least sometimes, in order to stimulate vomiting.
Relief from hairball indigestion (caused by swallowing hairs during self-grooming) may be one motive for plant eating in cats. However, not all plant-eating leads to vomiting, so consult with your vet if the pattern continues.
Sucking and Kneading
If a young kitten is adopted before completing a full 12-week suckling period, it will often suckle its owner in its mother's place. This behavior is often accompanied by "kneading" with its paws while sucking skin or clothing. Sometimes this sucking and kneading behavior continues into your cat's adult years.
While it can be painful for you, kneading is a sign of happiness in your cat. Adult cats knead as a throwback to their kitten days. Kittens knead at their mother's teats to increase the flow of milk. You can either place the cat on the floor when the behavior begins, or place a thick blanket in your lap and let your cat knead to his heart's content.
www.catfocused.com/cat-behavior/unusual-behavior.php
