Cat Behavior Archives - The Petster Pets Care partner Sat, 07 Sep 2024 18:19:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://thepetster.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cropped-the-petster-high-resolution-logo-3710195-8625031-32x32.png Cat Behavior Archives - The Petster 32 32 The Fascinating Reasons Cats Chase Their Tails https://thepetster.com/why-do-cats-chase-their-tails/ https://thepetster.com/why-do-cats-chase-their-tails/#respond Thu, 29 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0000 https://thepetster.com/2024/01/04/why-do-cats-chase-their-tails/ There are behaviors of our cats that we find curious, even funny. One of them could be this: that the feline begins to spin like crazy while he tries to chase his tail. And although it catches our attention, some owners are concerned about this way of acting for their animals. Is it Normal for ... Read more

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There are behaviors of our cats that we find curious, even funny. One of them could be this: that the feline begins to spin like crazy while he tries to chase his tail. And although it catches our attention, some owners are concerned about this way of acting for their animals.

Is it Normal for My Cat to Chase his Tail?

Is it Normal for My Cat to Chase his Tail?

Yes and no. It is normal for him to do so, as it is within his own feline behavior, but it is a situation that we must monitor because if there are problems or signs of damage to the tail, we will have to intervene. We refer to the absence of hair on the tail, scratches or blows, wounds caused by furniture and walls or by the cat’s teeth, and even mutilations caused by the game itself or by the animal.

Therefore, it is a characteristic of these animals that responds to their own character. Still, it can become an obsession and affect the cat’s health. Therefore, if the appearance of the tail is normal and there are no wounds or bald spots, we will let him act calmly; that is, we will let the tail be chased as long as he wants.

Of course, we should mention it to the veterinarian in the next visit, as this professional will examine if there is a problem in the anus, an allergy, or excessive itching due to the presence of fleas. If the specialist confirms that the animal is healthy, we do not have to worry about this unique behavior.

But Why is the Tail Being Chased?

As we have already advanced, it is in the feline nature itself. We must remember that cats have the hunting instinct in their genes and chasing the tail is within their behavior as a hunting animal. On the other hand, they also do it as part of a game. Cats are animals that seem isolated from the world, calm, but also bored or stressed. Chasing the tail is a game with which they manage to entertain themselves or calm their state of nervousness.

Finally, we must emphasize that there are animals that, although it may not seem like it, are more restless than others. Therefore, this behavior is still a way to channel his excess energy. It is also very common in cats that do not have access to the outside, as their life is much more leisurely and carefree, so this game provides them with a bit of action.

If we want to reduce these acts, either because the animal has become obsessed, or because it hurts himself during the game, the ideal is that we dedicate time to the cat. Let’s play with him, let’s take him for a walk, let’s pamper him, etc. There are times when this behavior denotes a wake-up call because they remain alone for a long time. Spending time with our pets reduces stress levels, helps release energy, and ends boredom.

Other Reasons

For young kittens, tail chasing can be seen as exploratory behavior, while in adult cats we must see if it is compulsive or psychological behavior. The common reasons why this disorder appears are:

  • He needs to socialize more.
  • Travels, home moves, and changes in his life.
  • He needs more stimulation
  • Bad experiences or trauma.
  • Stress and fear.

Why Do Cats Wag Their Tails while Lying Down?

The tail of cats can tell us many things depending on their movement, i. e., it gives us information about the emotional state of our cat. In the event that our cat is lying down and begins to wag his tail, it is a good sign, it means that he is calm. Pay attention if, while gently wagging his tail, he also purrs.

If the kitten is lying down and wags his tail abruptly while maintaining a surprising look with large eyes, it may be that he is getting ready to play or wants to play. However, if he wags his tail while lying down and you approach him and he leaves, he may be a bit stressed or upset. The important thing is to know how to differentiate how the cat moves his tail since depending on which direction they do it, they may be saying that they do not feel well and for that, you should read the next section.

Different Positions of Cat Tails and what they Mean?

Along with the eyes and whiskers, the tail is one of the most characteristic features of felines and also fulfills an important mission. Thanks to it they are able to relate and communicate both with their environment and with human beings. Learning to master and interpret a cat’s body language is only a matter of time and deciphering the mood behind its different movements and positions. These are some of the most common:

  • Vertical or raised tail: If the cat’s tail is in this position, the meaning is very positive. A kitten with a raised tail is happy, confident, has a friendly attitude, and wishes to show his affection to those around him. If, in addition, the tip of the tail is slightly bent, this represents the maximum state of joy.
  • Low tail: On the contrary, a stiff tail in a low position means that a storm is coming. The cat thus announces great anger and, beware; it could be the preamble of an aggressive attitude.
  • Ruffled tail: When a cat bristles his tail, the volume of his tail grows and in this way, it tries to appear larger to face an enemy or a danger. With this posture, the cat announces his agitation, his anger and confronts those who threaten him or try to frighten him. It is basically a defense posture.
  • Tail sweeping the floor: In this case, the meaning can be variable. If the tail wags and, at the same time, brushes the ground, it could indicate that the cat is interested in something or wants to play. It can also be a sign of anger when the movement is accompanied by tapping on the ground.
  • Tail with whip motion (side to side): Attention, angry cat. In this case, it is a warning sign. The animal warns that someone does not like or does not tolerate something that is happening around him.
  • Rapid movement of the tip of the tail: The cat will always react with this movement to a pleasant stimulus that produces great emotion: our arrival home, something that is attractive to him, etc.
  • Hidden tail: If the kitten hides the tail or rolls it under his body, it means that he is afraid and that something or someone is causing it. Also, he might want to convey disappointment at not having accomplished something. As a general rule, the lower the tail, the lower the feline’s mood.
  • Swinging tail: A tail that sways from side to side with slow, smooth, and deliberate movements generally indicates that the cat is calm and focused on something. This attitude used to be common in cats when they want to bring out their most hunter side.
  • Tail with vigorous movements: If, on the other hand, the cat’s tail moves strongly forward and backward, it can mean a mixture of fear, aggressiveness, and anger. Be very careful because the next move could be to bite or scratch. The faster he wags his tail, the more disgruntled he will be.

When Should We Worry?

Cats can be obsessed with this behavior becoming a problem for them. If you see him doing it all the time, every day, and you can’t change it by making him play or other activities, then is important to see the root of the problem to be able to help your cat.

Serious Cases

As mentioned above, if you notice that your cat’s tail is bleeding, missing hair or other abnormalities after his tail has been chased, you should be alert because it is not normal. These behaviors may be due to neurological or psychological problems and he will need you to take him to a vet as soon as possible.

Sometimes cats can also injure themselves by chasing their tails due to stress or inattention as many cat breeds are very sensitive to loneliness. If the cat is stressed due to loneliness, you should make changes in your daily routine to help your cat feel better, if you can, adopt another kitten or leave him with someone during the hours that you will not be with him to alleviate the stress.

The best option is to consult a veterinarian who is a specialist in animal behavior to help you improve the quality of life of the cat. On the other hand, it should be noted that if you have neglected your kitten in terms of fleas, it may be that his tail is chased because that area is very itchy or it may also be suffering from some osteoporosis problem in that area.

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Effective Scents to Stop Cats from Peeing in Unwanted Areas https://thepetster.com/what-smells-deter-cats-from-peeing/ https://thepetster.com/what-smells-deter-cats-from-peeing/#respond Thu, 21 Dec 2023 13:55:33 +0000 https://thepetster.com/2023/12/21/what-smells-deter-cats-from-peeing/ Do you see your cat urinate where it shouldn’t? The first thing to do is the simplest: is my cat’s litter box clean? There are very clean cats that as soon as they see one more poop protest “in their own way” to get you to clean it. Or they are not even protesting, they ... Read more

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Do you see your cat urinate where it shouldn’t? The first thing to do is the simplest: is my cat’s litter box clean? There are very clean cats that as soon as they see one more poop protest “in their own way” to get you to clean it. Or they are not even protesting, they are just doing their things in a more hygienic place in the house for them.

Once this has been verified, we must look at the shape of the piss, i. e., has it pissed on the floor or on something, or is there a mark on the wall, furniture, etc. as if it had pissed horizontally? (a circular spot with streaks down). In the second case, the cat (female or male) would be marking its territory (if you catch it you will see that it is effectively urinating horizontally, with its tail very erect and moving as if with spasms).

  • If the cat is sterilized (very important, in addition to all the advantages it has).
  • If there are a lot of cats in the house lately.
  • If there is any new smell in the house (it could even be the smell in the clothes of a visitor).
  • If there is any other territorial problem between house cats (it can be very subtle and that we have not realized before). In that case, you would have to go there, urinating is a consequence.
  • If the cat hears a female cat asking for boyfriends on the street, or even sees street cats (he better not see them).
  • If we have changed our work hours, we spend less time with the cat, we have gone on a trip, etc. All kinds of changes can make the cat feel insecure, from a furniture change to a prolonged visit from a family member.
  • If the cat suffers from anxiety, we must take into account that the smell of its own “fragrance” relieves it; in that case, we must solve the anxiety problem first of all.This also has to do with the smell of new things, if the cat is shyer, it reassures it to have everything with the smell of it, i. e., it will mark new things or things that have just been washed.

In case you do not know what is happening and you want your cat to stop urinating everywhere, you can solve it by adding other smells that cats hate.

Although it is a very popular fruit for its high potassium content and rich flavor, cats often hate the smell of bananas. If you want to avoid seeing your cat keep urinating on the door, rub the peel of a banana or leave it there for a while.

As we mentioned at the beginning, being such clean animals, cats can’t stand having their litter box dirty, so if it is, they just won’t go near it and they’ll choose to urinate elsewhere. In addition, a dirty litter tray can be a reason for your feline to get angry at you by making its own litter box in a carpet, clothing, or pot around the house.

Fish in bad condition is a smell that even humans detest, and it’s also one of the smells that cats hate. Although we love to eat fish, we cannot bear the smell of a bad one and the same happens to felines. Cats are animals that hate anything that is in bad shape. If there is this smell nearby, the cat will not want to approach.

Cats hate smells like oranges, limes, lemons, etc. In fact, we can find repellants for cats with this type of fragrance on the market. If you want to prevent your cat from entering the garden of your house and spoiling the flowers, you can sprinkle some citrus fruit peels or put a little orange oil: it will not come close.

Even the litter in the tray can be one of the smells that cats hate. Although we can find natural sand that is made from pine, we cannot abuse its fragrance, since it can lead to our cats rejecting and hating the sand. What you should do is rotate the aromas of the sands and make them more neutral. In this way, you will ensure that your feline does not tire of them.

All strong chemical odors are rejected by cats. So be careful with the fragrances of soaps and cleaning products, both for the home or the toilet of its litter box and for your personal hygiene. On the other hand, if you want your cat to stop peeing outside its litter box, you can use some deodorants here and there.

Mustard, pepper, and curry are other scents that cats hate. These animals strongly reject the odors of spicy or highly seasoned food. To your nose, these are toxic odors.

For the most part, cats reject the aromas of certain plants that are toxic to their smell. A very particular case is the hatred they feel towards Eucalyptus since the essential oils of this plant can be harmful to the health of the animal. It is simply a natural instinct and survival rejection.

On the other hand, if your kitty keeps peeing in certain uninvited places, keep in mind the following:

Physical problem: Visit the vet now. The cat may be feeling bad and what it does is try to draw your attention to it. Among these problems, the most common are:

  • Urine: Diabetes, kidney diseases (be careful with the food we give to cats, they must always be high-end to avoid these things), hyperthyroidism, FUS (feline urological syndrome), stones, cystitis, neurological diseases, arthritis, disc disease, neoplasm.
  • Stool: IBD, diarrhea, anal vasculitis, stubbornness, neurological diseases, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, neoplasm.

Remember that cats are very clean and generally tend to urinate directly in their litter box, but if it is not clean, then they will do it elsewhere. You can check with your trusted vet if your kitty has trouble peeing on it.

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Reasons Why Cats Lick Human Hair – Understanding Feline Behavior https://thepetster.com/why-does-my-cat-lick-my-hair/ https://thepetster.com/why-does-my-cat-lick-my-hair/#respond Tue, 28 Nov 2023 17:41:02 +0000 https://thepetster.com/2023/11/28/why-does-my-cat-lick-my-hair/ Everyone who shares his or her life with a cat knows of his desire to lick. Either because they are grooming themselves or because they want to show their owner how much they love him or her. However, this gesture can also denote that something is happening to your kitten. Read on and find out ... Read more

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Everyone who shares his or her life with a cat knows of his desire to lick. Either because they are grooming themselves or because they want to show their owner how much they love him or her. However, this gesture can also denote that something is happening to your kitten. Read on and find out what it could be.

Although it is difficult to determine if cats feel emotions such as love, licking is undoubtedly a sign of affection and belonging. Cats generally lick to groom themselves. Cats also lick their kittens as part of the grooming process. We will tell you below what the reasons why your cat licks you are.

Licking is a way for your furry to show you how much he cares about you and how much he loves you, although sometimes it hurts a little and excessive licking can be an indicator that something is wrong. The main reasons why your cat licks your hair are:

One reason your cat may lick your hair is that he is creating a social bond with you. Since they are born, the mother licks them as a way to groom them, but also to show them affection. Later, when they are older, cats replicate this behavior with their human as a way of showing their own affection.

The lick is the equivalent of a hug. Cats that live together, even if they are from different breeds, lick each other as a way of socializing. It is a way to show belonging and that they are family. If your cat licks you, he is forming an affectionate bond with you to bind the two of you.

Felines are very clean animals, they can’t stand having their fur dirty, and they won’t stand their human being dirty either. If he licks you, he is likely to find that you are poorly groomed or not doing well.

It is common, for example, that he licks your legs when you are just getting out of the shower because he finds that you do not smell as you should. When licking your hair, he leaves you the smell of him through the pheromones that you eliminate when you bathe, leaving a “wrong” smell on your skin, which he must quickly correct by putting his mark on you again.

The same happens if you have leftover food or cream, or even some perfume. Therefore, be very careful about using products that may be toxic to him or her if your cat has a habit of “washing” your hair.

Cats use pheromones to mark their territory. The most common way to mark territory is through urine, but it is not the only one; they can also do this by rubbing their cheeks against objects or people.

Licking is another way that cats claim something or someone as their property. Cats lick their kittens to establish that they belong to them. When your cat leaves her pheromones on you, she is telling all the other cats that you belong to her and that you are very valuable to her.

Another reason your cat may lick your hair is that he is experiencing some stress moment. It is very common for cats and other animals to lick things excessively if they are stressed. If you think your furry is stressed, try calming him down with soothing music.

The licking relaxes them and reminds them of how comforting the breastfeeding stage was and the security they felt around their mother. Excessive stress licking is common in cats that are weaned early or orphaned, which can be accompanied by kneading and purring.

Licking excessively deserves your attention (can be your hair or himself), and sometimes it is so compulsive that it can pull out strands of hair and cause skin lesions. If you think this may be the case, don’t hesitate to ask your vet.

Remember that, for your cat, being licked is something that makes him feel good, he does not know that it can be uncomfortable or painful for you.

When a cat licks you, he is just trying to show a little love. Never challenge him or react in a brusque way that he can understand as a punishment. If you want him to stop licking you, try diverting his attention to a toy or other activity. On the other hand, if your cat bites your hair, most probably is because he wants to play.

Licking may be difficult to understand as a token of love because it is sometimes uncomfortable and may even hurt a bit if your skin is sensitive.

This is because the cat’s tongue is designed for cleaning, and removing dirt and dead hair. Their papillae are like backward-facing hooks and are made of keratin just like their claws, this is what makes them so rough and why this act of affection can feel the same as small scratches, causing even irritations or erosions on the skin.

As you can see, it is not your cat’s fault that his displays of affection can become painful for you. Be grateful for his love, take the necessary measures if you see that this behavior is out of the ordinary, and show him back how important he is in your life.

On the other hand, if you want your kitten to stop licking your hair, try changing the fragrance of your shampoo, for example, one with a citrus scent since they don’t like it however, avoid using products that may be toxic to him.

Always remember that the licking action is something that cats will not do with everyone, if he does it with you is because he considers you as part of his own clan as he can do it with other cats.

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Understanding Why Cats Scream During Mating https://thepetster.com/why-do-cats-scream-when-mating/ https://thepetster.com/why-do-cats-scream-when-mating/#respond Sat, 07 Oct 2023 09:39:04 +0000 https://thepetster.com/2023/10/07/why-do-cats-scream-when-mating/ You may have jumped in shock when you suddenly heard the heartbreaking meow of a copulating cat. Because, honestly, their way of manifesting their instincts during the reproductive process is not very acceptable to humans. But do you know why cats scream when they mate? In the following article, we will give you the reasons, ... Read more

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You may have jumped in shock when you suddenly heard the heartbreaking meow of a copulating cat. Because, honestly, their way of manifesting their instincts during the reproductive process is not very acceptable to humans. But do you know why cats scream when they mate? In the following article, we will give you the reasons, which are not far from the nature of the animal.

It is not the male cat, it is the female cat that makes the loud noises. It is not a subhuman condition in which cats are connecting with evil spirit entities or from another parallel universe, not at all. What happens is that once the female cat accepts the male and they finish the act of mating, the female cat emits a signal when stimulated by the cat to activate ovulation. It doesn’t hurt them; when the cat meows in such a way, it is because copulation is over.

The first thing you should know is that the reproductive organ of the male cat is quite particular, compared to dogs, but nothing strange among some animal species.

What happens with this is that the cat’s penis has a series of physiological characteristics that add hard and rigid parts called spicules; it could be said that they are a kind of very small spikes or similar things, in proportion to the size of the limb, which is reduced.

Those spikes or small thorns that surround the cat’s penis, really are more like hardened keratin hairs which is why they acquire the shape of tiny thorns.

The answer to this is no, but it depends on the time in which the cat has been intervened to neuter, because if this is carried out before the pet reaches the stage of sexual maturity, which goes from 5 to 8 months, the safest thing is that he has not developed this part of his body, so he will reach adulthood without keratin hairs forming.

This is a condition of cats of which there is less certainty, however, the reasons that specialists offer as a result of the study of the physiognomic conditions of such characteristics, their formation, and location, show two uses in the cat’s penis:

The first of these, and perhaps the most logical, is that, during the reproductive process with the cat, these so-called spikes or quills tear the walls of the female’s vagina, moderately to stimulate and ensure ovulation. It must be emphasized that felines are a highly reproductive species by nature, due to their vulnerability.

The second reason is linked to the performance of the male. Well, it is considered that these lifts in the penis of cats help the male cat to accelerate its physical stimulation and can guarantee successful fertilization in the shortest time invested. As already mentioned, the main purpose of these animals is to ensure reproduction and preserve the species.

As you read it, the reproductive organ of the male cat has a bone called the “penile bone” and what is it for?! Well, as it happens as a cat, has a bone called the penile bone or staff, this curious characteristic is precisely a trait that both cats and dogs share.

The penile bone is a fairly small bone structure, which is located on the inside of the penis of cats. The function of this small bone is to aid the penetration of the female cat and allow the animal’s penis to remain erect for a longer time.

It begins when the female cat enters the stage of sexual adulthood, from that moment on, the female will begin her mating ritual; she begins to make a series of movements, frictions, and pirouettes quite noticeable, to claim the attention of those around her, but mainly of the males.

It involves a whole series of phases that the cat goes through to ensure that the male cat heeds her requests, understands the message, and the reproductive act is consumed.

Once the female has gone through her four phases of zeal or “menstruation” if you want to call it that, although the cats do not present any hemorrhage and her cycle of heat is not exactly monthly. After this, the cat will prepare to be penetrated, positioning its body diagonally, tilting its front legs and head as low as possible, raising its tail, and giving a movement to its rear legs that resemble to a suggestive walk.

When this happens, the cat proceeds to mount the female, biting her neck to keep her in the mating position thus, once the cat has accepted it, ensure that the act will continue. Well, in general, the female tends to take an aggressive attitude a few minutes after copulation is completed.

The entire mating process happens quite quickly, by this, we mean ejaculation and the previous minutes. Once it is finished, it is when the cat should move away from the female cat almost immediately, because she will respond in an attacking way to drive him away with her nails. For this reason, “alpha males” are often seen with lesions and scratches on their faces but sometimes, they are the product of fights with other males to take the female.

The feline, despite being moved away by the female cat, tends to maintain an alert position near its female, because, as with most animals, when a female is in heat, nearby males will want to mount her and that is precisely what the strongest cat will want to avoid. Although many times, it happens that a second cat achieves his mission.

Another important thing, which happens throughout this process, is the fight for the female and this is another reason why cats scream when they mate. Sometimes, you can hear loud fights between cats, in which it is difficult to differentiate if it is the female or it is two males fighting to mount the cat. Many of these fights result in serious injuries, infections, and even complications that can lead to health problems for pets.

Unlike females, which at practically 6 months may be entering their first heat phase, cats experience sexual maturity a few months later, around 8 months. Of course, this varies depending on the environment in which the animal is raised and the climatic conditions of the space in which the animal developed.

During that period of sexual maturity, or heat that the cat experiences, it usually meows very loudly and leaves sprays of its urine in different parts, to show that this smell characterizes it, that it is an adult male and the territory belongs to it; The smell is often difficult for the owners to bear, and it is usually confused with some disease in the animal, but if your pet has accompanied you since he was a puppy, it is completely natural for this to occur.

It also happens that cats in heat take a more restless attitude, even becoming a little aggressive; this is linked to the animal trying to escape from home and getting lost for a few days. It is a stage of discovery for these animals, where they want to explore the changes in their system and want to demonstrate their adulthood.

In the case of cats, the female is characterized more than all because they are “seasonally polyestrous”, which means that during the year she has a period in which her reproductive system is activated, which will be conditioned by how much The days last, which translates into, while the days are longer, there will be more hours with light, therefore, the appearance of heat will be longer.

For sure, puberty in cats, only in general terms, but not as a normal or biological pattern, occurs between 4 and 12 months of age, being more frequent between 6 and 9 months, but as we have already said, several factors determine the arrival of this stage in felines.

Nowadays, it is not strange that kittens are sterilized before they are sexually fit, at ages 6 to 8 weeks; this is done mostly when living in an area where there is an overpopulation of felines. A very common problem because their biological nature allows them to reproduce very quickly.

If you want to prevent your cat from getting pregnant and you want your male cat not to fight with other cats, the best and wisest decision is to sterilize them.

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