Every cat owner has experienced their cat sitting on our laptop, book, newspaper or clothes. There are a few scenarios when it comes to cats sitting on our things. While cats have retained some of their former wild behaviours, thousands of years of domestication has also created a loving and sentient creature who wants to be a part of their human family.
behaviour
Cat behaviour articles
Boredom in Cats
Signs of boredom in cats at a glance
- Clingy behaviour
- Overeating
- Destructive behaviour
- Excessive grooming
- Going to the toilet outside the litter tray
- Fighting with other cats in the house
- Inactivity
Tail Sucking in Cats
Tail sucking is a common behaviour in which the kitten or adult cat sucks or chews the tip of the tail; it is similar to thumb sucking in children. Some cats will suck their tail compulsively, which can lead to hair loss and trauma.
Why do cats suck their tail?
Sucking is a natural reflex that goes back to infancy when kittens suckled from their mother, which was comforting. Some cats will continue to suck well into adulthood. Tails aren’t the only target, others include soft toys, clothing, blankets, people and other cats.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in Cats
Key points What is an obsessive-compulsive disorder? Obsessive-compulsive disorder is an anxiety disorder characterised by abnormal and repetitive behaviours with no real purpose. Causes: Stress, anxiety, boredom, and in some cases, genetics. Symptoms: Overgrooming, self-mutilation, wool sucking, pica, increased vocalisation. What is obsessive-compulsive disorder? Obsessive-compulsive disorder (abbreviated to OCD) is an anxiety disorder in which … Read more
Why Do Cats Chew Your Hair
Why do cats chew on your hair?
Every cat lover knows how much time cats spend grooming, second only to sleeping. Cats groom themselves (auto grooming) and cats who are closely bonded will often engage in social grooming with one another (allogrooming). Many cats will also groom their human family, which can include licking their skin and hair as well as chewing and pulling the hair.
Cat in Heat (Estrus)
What is a cat in heat? A cat in heat (also known as estrus or calling) is where an entire female cat is fertile and receptive to mating. It usually seasonal but can depend on several factors including the number of daylight hours, age and general health of the cat. There are four phases of … Read more
Why Do Cats Lie On Their Back?
Anybody who follows our Facebook page will have seen the many photos of our cat Norman, lying on his back. No matter how many times I see it, it never gets old. Norman will flop down anywhere and at any time on his back.
Norman will lie on his back when he is awake or asleep. While definitely not unheard of, lying on the back is less common than other positions, especially when sleeping.
How To Help Cats Scared of Thunder and Fireworks
We have recently had a spate of thunderstorms and when they occur, there is an increasing number of calls for help from people whose cats and dogs have run away. The loud noises which come with not only thunder but also fireworks (which sound similar to thunder) can trigger extreme fear and anxiety in our pets.
How Does Catnip Work on Cats?
What is catnip?
Catnip is a perennial herb from the mint family Labiatae and is native to Southern and Eastern Europe and Asia. It has now become naturalised in New Zealand, North America, Southern Canada, and Europe. Catnip is well known among pet owners and veterinarians due to its ability to induce a high in cats. There are 250 species of catnip in the world, Common catnip (Nepeta cataria) and Catmint (Nepeta mussinii) are the most commonly used.
Aggression in Cats After a Trip to the Veterinarian
Most pet professionals and pet owners know the common types of aggression in cats are petting-induced, predatory, fear-induced, play, redirected and territorial. But there is a little-known but commonly seen form of aggression by the name of non-recognition aggression.