How to fix clinginess in cats

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A cat’s want for human attention, though, can turn into clinginess. Even the most loving cat owner can be put off by a clingy cat. [1] X Research source If your cat wants to follow you around and not leave you alone, try some interactive and environmental enrichment strategies to fix its clinginess.

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Indoor cats can live anywhere from 12-20 years of age (and sometimes longer), so it’s no wonder cat owners get particularly attached. There’s no “one” experience cat owners have during their pet’s final days or weeks, but there are a few signs to look for that may be an indication that the end is near.

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It’s like Willard Scott on “The Today Show.” There are lots of people celebrating their cat’s 20th birthday. As a rule, we think of cats above the age of 10 as older, and at that point serious age-related medical issues could affect them. If you keep your cat lean, that’s going to keep it healthier longer.

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seniorcatwellness.com

Excessive Clinginess. At the other end of the emotional spectrum, we have clinginess. A cat in cognitive decline may follow you around the house, verbalizing to excess and seeking constant reassurance. Cats can be needy for a number of reasons, but dementia is a common explanation.

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petmd.com

Clinginess. If your cat meows excessively, follows you around, and generally won’t leave you alone, it could be a sign that she needs more social interaction, says Pam Johnson-Bennett, a certified cat behavior consultant and owner of Cat Behavior Associates in Nashville. This “extremely needy” behavior could indicate separation issues .

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seniorcatwellness.com

Any cat older than 10 is at risk of some symptoms of senility. Once a cat reaches 15 or older, it becomes increasingly likely. As per The Journal of Small Animal Practice, eliminating outside the litter box is a symptom of feline cognitive decline. Other warnings include: Excessive verbalization and clinginess; Reversed sleep-waking cycles

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The clinginess is more of a behavioral problem and not an emotional state since the latter often makes a cat to be needy. However, most needy cats tend to be clingy, but not all of them. . in early stages of cognitive dysfunction, elderly or geriatric cats have been noted to show clingy behaviors. However, this does not happen to all old .

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Let’s face it. You very well may have a clingy CH cat. In fact, a few months ago 75% of readers said their CH cats *love* being close to them. But as some of us know, our cats’ love can be a clingy, dependent type of love. As much as we all may list our…

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cat-world.com

The cat may prefer to sleep in the lounge room close to their human companions, or in a quiet spot elsewhere in the house. Let the cat decide, now is not the time to be fussy about where your cat sleeps. Maintain routine: Keep your cat’s home life as simple and familiar as possible. Avoid any major changes. Groom and clean the cat:

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What is Clingy?

Studies have shown that dogs are typically clingier than cats; however, recent research has shown that clingy cats, or cats that suffer from separation anxiety, is a genuine concern. Cats that are overly clingy with their owners are ones that want to be petted very often, groom themselves excessively, want to be held seemingly all the time, cry out when they do not receive attention, have the desire to “groom” their owners by licking them, and do not like to be left alone. These cats suffer from emotional instability, and some may have psychological issues. A feline that is overly clingy and suffers from separation anxiety can cause the owner to be at a loss on how to fulfill their cat’s needs. Suffering from separation anxiety can happen due to the following reasons:

• They were orphaned or abandoned
• They were weaned too early
• They were removed from their littermates too early

Why Clingy Occurs in Cats

Cats that are clingy and have separation anxiety have behavioral symptoms that are protective and reactive. They do not want to be left alone, and may cry often when they are. When their owners are present, they want to always be in their arms or lap in order to “protect” themselves from being alone. When left alone, they react with odd behaviors, such as urinating or defecating outside the litter box or hiding in a closet. They may excessively chew or scratch furniture or other household possessions. Reasons why these behaviors may occur are because:

Orphaned or Abandoned

Cats that have lost their mother right after birth do not have the opportunity to bond, making their very early days difficult to adjust. These cats often have clinginess or separation anxiety with their owners due to lack of early nurturing.

Weaned Too Early

Cats that were weaned to early from their mother’s milk may also develop anxiety, which can lead to clingy behavior and separation issues.

Removed From Littermates Too Early

Cats that were abruptly removed from their littermates (without any transition, or gradual weaning) before the age of 8 weeks may be susceptible to emotional issues as they grow up. Cats and their littermates have a very strong bond, and when they are removed too early, they may suffer from separation anxiety and clinginess.

What to do if your Cat is Clingy

If your cat is showing signs of clinginess and separation anxiety, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Having a complete physical examination will rule out any other health conditions that may be causing some of his symptoms. Once these health conditions are ruled out, your veterinarian will base the diagnosis of separation anxiety on other factors.

Your veterinarian may want to take basic laboratory tests in order to check for health problems. Blood work, urinalysis, and biochemistry profile will check your cat’s organ functions and overall health. The vet will also do a complete physical examination on your cat, and if he notices any signs of illness, he may need to run more tests to get to the root of the problem. You may find that your companion has external parasites, which is why he may be grooming more than normal, or he may have a urinary tract infection or some other illness which may be causing him to urinate outside the litter box, if he is doing so.

Your medical professional will also ask questions pertaining to his behavior. He may want to know how old your kitten was when you adopted him, how long he was being nurtured by his mother, and how long he spent with his littermates. These factors are very important in a cat’s emotional development. The veterinary doctor may also want to know if your cat has had more than one owner, because cats that have been shuffled from owner to owner may have a sense that they will lose you as their owner.

Once your veterinarian gathers more information, he will come to a conclusion about why your cat may have separation anxiety. There are ways to treat this condition. A behavioral therapist may help, or he may give you advice on what you can do to help your cat. For severe cases of clinginess and separation anxiety, there are medications that can be prescribed to help your cat.

Prevention of Clingy

In terms of prevention, it is very important that kittens stay with their mother and littermates for as long as possible (at least 8 weeks) before being adopted. The bond kittens have with their mother and each other is very strong, and gradual weaning should be done, starting around six weeks. Weaning should be a very slow process.

There are ways to prevent odd behaviors exhibited by your cat in your absence. You can enrich his environment by including elevated areas, places he can hide, more toys and puzzles to occupy him, and scratching posts located throughout your home. When your cat is by himself, he may feel secure in a more comfortable environment. You may want to consider purchasing a cat tree, which is complete with carpeted areas, scratching posts, and a hideaway area. This may help him feel more at ease.

Discovering ways to praise him when he is acting the way you wish for him to act will help. When he is sitting away from you, you may want to give him a few treats and praise him. Simply rewarding him for appropriate behavior may help him realize what you desire as his owner, or “parent”.

If your cat has a severe case of separation anxiety, you may consider looking into a behavioral therapist. A therapist can come into your home, observe your cat’s behavior, and give you suggestions on ways to eliminate the unwanted actions that your cat is doing. Over time, this will help enhance the relationship between you and your companion.

Cost of Clingy

If your cat has separation anxiety, there are ways to treat it. Treatment options for separation anxiety begin at approximately $500 for a cat therapist. This will depend on the amount of time your therapist will need to spend with him, as well as any prescribed medications.

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Is your cat turning your couch into confetti? Or your best carpet into a litter box? Maybe she’s up on the table at mealtimes or dashing through doors and into trouble.

Next to allergies, behavior problems are probably the most common reason cats lose their homes. But there’s no need to toss Fluffy out into the street. This article will give you the answers to your behavior questions, including:

• Understanding Cat BehaviorCat behavior problems can be quite frustrating, but the first step to correcting them is actually understanding where your cat is coming from. First, we will show you how to read your cat’s body language. Whether your cat is crouched or her ears are pulled back, we will tell you what that body language means. We will also tell you how to read your cat’s various meows. We will also analyze your cat’s play and what it could mean about her behavior. Finally, we will show you how to encourage good behavior in your cat.
• Cat-Training BasicsNow that you understand cat behavior, we will show you how you can mold and change it. In this section, we will show the basics of training a cat. We will show you how to reinforce good behaviors in your cat and how to discourage negative habits. We will also point out that there are some behaviors that you will not be able stop, and how you will be able to curb them.
• Dealing With Cats That Bite and ScratchIf you are petting your cat and are constantly worried that she will turn around and scratch you, you have a behavior problem. Many people just accept that their cat is “unpredictable” or “temperamental,” but you do not have to live with this behavior. We will show you how to break your cat of this habit as well as offer some reasons why your cat might scratch. Though it can be painful and upsetting, your cat may think she is just playing with you.
• Dealing With Cats That Are Finicky EatersFinickiness is a trait that is often associated with cats. Though some owners may prefer cats for the detached aloofness, some pet owners might run out of patience with their picky-eating cat. In this section, we will offer some suggestions to make your cat a more accepting eater. The first rule of advice is not foster this behavior in your cat. You should not offer your cat endless alternatives if she turns up her nose at the meal you prepared.
• Dealing With Cats That Knock Things DownCats instinctively like to explore and climb on high places. However, while your cat is investigating the top shelf of your bookcase, she might send your grandmother’s vase crashing down to the floor. While it is impossible to keep track of cat’s whereabouts all the time, you can discourage your cat from knocking over you belongings.
• Dealing With Cats That Have Litter Box AccidentsCats that have difficulty using her litter box can be create a mess and damage to your home. In this section, we will offer some tips to help you get your cat to use the litter box properly. First, more litter boxes might be the solution to your problem, especially if you have more than one cat. Also, using simple, basic litter might suit your cat more than the fancy deodorizing litters. Finally, we will show you how to teach a cat to stick to her litter box instead of that plant in the corner.
• Dealing With Cats That Eat NonfoodsMuch like dogs, cats will probably try to eat any piece of litter they find lying on the floor of your home. Not only is eating off the floor unsanitary, foreign objects could get stuck in your cat’s throat and present a choking hazard. In this section, we will offer some reasons why your cat might engage in this activity. We will also show you some tips to get your cat to stop eating the various bits of junk she finds on her travels throughout your home.
• Dealing With Cats That Scratch FurnitureCats may have an instinctive need to scratch and exercise their claws, but that doesn’t mean you should allow you cat to trash your new favorite couch. While you can always declaw your cat, surgically removing the claws, this may not be an option if you have an outdoor cat. A scratching post or a cat toy might focus your cat’s need to scratch on to an acceptable alternative. Finally, if your cat refuses to stop scratching, we will show you some disciplinary actions you can take.
• Dealing With Skittish CatsIf you have ever visited a friend with a skittish or shy cat, you might not even be able to tell they have a cat aside from the litter box. On some level, cats are just naturally reclusive animals that do most of their roaming at night. However, to get your cat out from under the bed, you might only need to show your cat a little more love and tenderness. In this section, we will explore this method and other strategies for dealing with skittish cats.
• Dealing With Cats That SprayCats usually begin spraying when they are kittens, but, if you don’t break them of this habit, they can continue the behavior for the rest of their lives. Of course, a failsafe strategy for this problem is to get your cat neutered, but this might not be the most desirable option for some pet owners. We will show you some easier strategies for getting your cat to stick to the litter box.
• Dealing With Cats That Suck WoolA cat that sucks wool might sound like a bizarre problem, but it is actually quite common. Any cat owner who has had a sweater destroyed by their cat would mostly likely want to know how to stop this behavior. In this section, we will describe some simple home remedies to break your cat of this habit.

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You’re probably very familiar with the fact that dogs can suffer from separation anxiety but you may not have realized cats can go through this as well. Many people have an inaccurate image of cats being solitary creatures who don’t need companionship but they actually are social and do form very strong bonds to their human family members and animal companions.

Causes of Separation Anxiety

Cats who were orphaned may be more prone to separation anxiety. Too-early weaning may also be a factor. It’s my opinion that how you’ve set up your cat’s environment plays a role as well. If your cat has no other activities and ways to build confidence without being attached to you at the hip, then that increases the chance of separation anxiety. I believe many cat parents also reinforce the separation anxiety by rewarding the cat for clingy, needy behavior.

Your cat may go along just fine and have no problem with you coming and going on a daily basis but then something, such as a change in work schedule, a vacation, a divorce, etc, could trigger separation anxiety.

Signs of Separation Anxiety in Cats

When the cat parent leaves, the cat may exhibit excessive meowing. Elimination outside of the litter box may also occur. The cat may urinate or defecate on the cat parent’s bed or on clothing belonging to that human family member. It’s easy to misread this behavior as one of spite but it’s really a way for kitty to self-soothe by mixing his scent with yours. It’s also a way that the cat attempts to help you “find” your way home. Think of it as the feline version of dropping bread crumbs along the path.

Photo: Pam Johnson-Bennett

Other signs may include excessive self-grooming, eating too fast or not eating at all when the cat parent isn’t present.

Treating Separation Anxiety

Before labeling your cat as having separation anxiety, it’s important he be examined by the veterinarian. The behavior being displayed may have an underlying medical cause. For example, elimination outside of the litter box may be due to lower urinary tract disease or have some other medical cause. Excessive grooming may be the result of external parasites, skin allergies, irritation, etc. Eating too fast or a lack of appetite may also be caused by an underlying medical condition. Don’t skip this very important step of visiting your veterinarian.

Elizabeth Knox / Getty Images

Working with fearful cats can be a challenge because people often confuse their behavior with aggression. Does your cat hiss at strangers? Dive under the bed when the doorbell rings? Attack other pets or humans? While a normal dose of caution keeps cats out of danger, extreme fear makes cats miserable and disrupts a happy home. Fortunately, there are things you can do to calm your cat’s fears, though it will take time and patience.

Create a Calming Environment

Cats are observers and very cautious by nature. They take their time getting to know everything and everyone before they are comfortable enough to explore and socialize. With timid or fearful cats, it’s best to let them work this out on their own, but there are ways you can encourage it.

Provide your cat with high perches and calm places where they feel safe and can get away when needed. Make it inviting with things like catnip or feline pheromone spray and diffusers, which do wonders for calming down cats.

It’s tempting to be very cautious around fearful cats but that’s not the best approach. You want your cat to get used to your home as it normally is, so walking on eggshells because you don’t want to upset kitty is not going to work. Act normal, but try to keep the home as calm as possible. Don’t lose your temper around your cat or yell at it, and do your best to avoid startling noises. A relaxed environment is one that both you and the cat can benefit from.

If you have multiple cats in your home, keep in mind that fearful cats can also be targeted by other cats. Felines that act like a victim may as well wear a “kick me” sign. The other cats obligingly turn the shrinking violet kitty into a punching bag. If a scared cat can’t get away from a perceived threat, it will use aggression to defend itself.

Designate a Kitty Room

Sometimes having a full house to explore is too much for a cat, so you may need to temporarily narrow your cat’s range. Remember that cats are territorial, so having a big space to “oversee” can be overwhelming.

Creating a room just for your cat can be a good approach. It creates a home within a home and has all the comforts kitty needs, including food, litter, a bed, and toys. This can become a safe haven in any spare room that doesn’t get a lot of normal traffic. It’s not off-limits to people, of course, but can offer comfort to your cat.

At first, you can keep the door closed until kitty adapts to its surroundings. After a while, open the door and let it explore the rest of the house at its own pace. This may be at night when everyone’s asleep and that’s OK. You can also leave a bowl of treats in another room to encourage your cat to explore more often and close off potential hiding spots.

Take It Easy

Encouraging timid cats to break their cycle of fear takes time. Be very patient and don’t force your cat to do anything. That means you shouldn’t poke your head under the bed or carry and place it anywhere in the house against its will. This will only reinforce the scared behavior.

Let the cat come to you. You can encourage interaction by speaking softly and offering positive experiences, but don’t push it. If there’s a person in the home who the cat is particularly uncomfortable with, have them feed the cat. With time, the cat will learn that people are not a threat.

Offer Positive Experiences

Just like dogs, cats do best when offered positive experiences. Offer your cat treats and toys to soften their fear. Encourage interaction with toys cats can’t resist but give it space. A long feather wand is perfect because the cat can play with you while keeping what it perceives as a safe distance.

If your cat is very timid, place treats near your cat and step away. Over time, slowly move closer or stay longer each time you do this and talk in your soft, encouraging tone. If you’re patient, you can work it up to taking a treat out of your hand.

For cats who are scared in specific situations, such as when a stranger enters the house, concentrate on overcoming that fear in particular. Whenever someone comes over, give your cat a treat so they know it’s OK for that person to be there. These situations will take more time and you might be able to enlist the help of understanding friends or family members who come by regularly.

Problems and Proofing Behavior

While a hiding cat may not bother you, constant anxiety increases the stress that can make cats sick. For instance, stress can aggravate bladder inflammation (cystitis), which in turn prompts hit-or-miss bathroom behaviors. Even when the bladder doesn’t hurt, anxious cats use potty deposits or will increase scratching behavior as a way to calm themselves—sort of the way nervous humans bite their fingernails.

For these reasons, you might need to seek the help of your veterinarian or a cat behaviorist if you have patiently tried the other methods without success. There are medications available which your vet may prescribe, but they aren’t magic and won’t turn your terrified tabby into a social butterfly. However, they can help get your cat in the right frame of mind to learn, by helping to normalize brain chemistry gone haywire.

Pilling cats, especially fearful felines, can make their anxiety worse and leave you a bloody mess. Most drugs can be compounded into tasty treats, or turned into salves you can smear on the cat’s ear to be absorbed through the skin. Some medications may take several days or weeks before you’ll notice any improvement, so be patient.

Drug therapy generally isn’t used forever and it can have side effects. These solutions work best when paired with behavior modification, counter conditioning, and desensitization techniques that teach the cat better ways to deal with its fears. This is where a veterinarian behaviorist can be of tremendous help.

The most important thing to remember is to avoid pushing your scared cat into situations it finds uncomfortable, which means there’s no good way to actively proof the behavior. Allowing the cat to be wary and overcome fears on its own is the best way. Over time, it’s likely that the cat will have more confidence when exposed to new experiences in the future.

Let’s be honest, every living thing has a specific life span and the average cat lifespan is somewhere between twelve and twenty years. For this reason, most owners form an incredibly tight bond with their […]

Let’s be honest, every living thing has a specific life span and the average cat lifespan is somewhere between twelve and twenty years. For this reason, most owners form an incredibly tight bond with their beloved pet and often fear the worst when it comes to illness or rather strange behaviour.

It’s true, cat owners can unnecessarily fear the worst when they spot certain symptoms but at the same time, these symptoms or signs should always be taken seriously.

In this article, we take a look at some common signs associated with cat nearing end of life and what you should know about the lifespan of your cat.

6 Common Signs That Your Cat May be Nearing End of Life

While it’s common to wonder if cats can get conjunctivitis or the meaning behind catloaf, there’s no reason to assume that any one symptom is a sign of cat nearing end of life. With this in mind, here are some of the most common reasons you might want to take your cat for a checkup.

1. Your Cat is Weak or Especially Lazy

Some cats are lazy by nature but any owner should spot when they seem especially lazy. When most cats are nearing the end of life, they lose power or strength and willingness in terms of activity. For instance, cats nearing the end of life will have visible weakness in their hind legs in particular.

2. Your Cat is Colder or Hotter than Usual

In the latter stages of the cat lifespan, you should notice a change in body temperature. More specifically, both the ears and paws tend to be cold and even below 100 degrees. While this is normal in very hot or cold conditions, these signs of extremity will also happen in normal temperatures.

Learn More:

3. Your Cat Has Stopped Eating or Drinking

Lack of appetite is something which often happens when a cat is nearing end of life. However, your cat may have stopped eating or drinking due to a non-life threatening illness. For example, snake plant poisoning or even nibbling orchid plants can have the same impact on the behavior of your cat.

Either way, loss of appetite is a clear sign that something can go wrong and will likely lead to dehydration which is usually present in the final stages of a cats life.

4. Your Cat is Behaving Strangely

Behavior is very different during the cat pregnancy stages but strange behaviour is sometimes very obvious to the owner. That is to say, clinginess and strange social behaviour can suggest your cat might be nearing the end of his/her life. Now, that’s not to say we can easily identify ‘strange behaviour’. After all, we already know why cats lick their owners hair and scientific studies have also explained why cats lick each other.

5. Your Cat Smells Bad or Looks Rather Disheveled

As you know, cats spend a lot of time grooming but this effort decreases significantly toward the end of the cat lifespan. When you think of it, dehydrated cats or those with less energy are less likely to keep up with grooming. With this in mind, cats that stop grooming or appear especially disheveled might be ill in some way or approaching the latter stages of the cat lifespan. Needless to say, this lack of hygiene will also result in a bad smell which most cat owners should notice pretty quickly.

6. Your Cat Has Started Hiding Around the Home

Have you noticed your cat seems to be hiding out? Cats tend to hide in odd places when they don’t feel well. When cats are very ill, they have a natural instinct to hide as a means of protection. After all, they are vulnerable when ill. While this might suggest that your cat is merely ill, this is also a common behavior pattern for cats nearing the end of life.

Final Thoughts

It’s true, most owners form an incredibly close bond with their cat and end up worrying about every little action by their beloved pet. In reality, many of these symptoms are just a sign of illness and something with which your local vet will be able to help or rectify. On the other hand, it’s always best to play things safe, and you should always seek assistance if your cat displays any of the above.

It always hurts to see your cat falling ill, and they will always appreciate the special attention, whether nearing the end of their cat lifespan or not.

June 15, 2018 3 min read

Discovering your cat is a bully can be tough. But feline bullying is a widespread problem. About 27% of cats who come into shelters for behavioral reasons were relinquished due to aggression .

Not all bullies are aggressive, though. Cats can be passive bullies, too, making life difficult on feline housemates in sly ways. That’s why it’s important to recognize the signs of feline bullying and learn ways to put a stop to it.

Is your cat a bully?

One cat attacking another cat without provocation is a clear sign of bullying. Unfortunately, not all cat-on-cat aggression is so obvious. A feline bully may guard food and water dishes, shield the litter box or resting space from other users, or refuse to let other cats touch the toys. Some cats hiss or growl when another animal comes close to you, the human. A few even show aggression through staring.

If you suspect one of your cats is bullying another pet in your home, it’s time to take action.

How to stop one cat from bullying another.

Have your pet spayed or neutered .
It’s the most effective bullying prevention program around. By sterilizing your pets, you reduce the sexual frustration and aggression that provokes intact, same-gender cats into attacking each other. Plus, you’re doing everyone a service since sterilization also reduces feral cat populations and decreases certain feline cancers.

Provide multiple resources .
Are your cats fighting over the food bowl? Try buying a second one and setting up a feeding station far away from the first. Are toys the problem? Invest in a few more playthings for the cats.

Add territory to your home. Cats are territorial creatures who may attack when another animal encroaches on their home turf. You don’t have to add a new wing to the house just for the cats, but a second hammock, cat tree, or high space on the shelf may reduce squabbles.

Follow the law of the litterbox. A home needs one litterbox per cat plus one extra. Two cats require three boxes. Three cats? Four boxes. And so on. If your house has more than one floor, make sure there’s a box on each level and that they all sit in unobstructed areas. An adequate number of litter facilities can keep the peace between feline housemates.

Confirm it’s really a bullying issue. Some cats earn a reputation as bullies when in fact they are simply ill or even extra energetic. Before you let your cat get the bully label , take her to the vet for a checkup. If your cat seems to be more energetic than most, provide plenty of puzzle toys, active games, and playtime. You may find that your “bully cat” has a charming personality when she’s in good health and well entertained.

How to stop a cat from bullying a dog.
Cartoon stereotypes have us believe that dogs bully cats. Some dogs do, but a cat can also be the instigator in a feline-canine spat. If you’re worried that your cat is bullying your dog, you’re probably right.

In general, cats bully dogs for one of three reasons:

• The cat has a high prey drive.
• The dog keeps up boisterous play after the cat is tired.
• The dog noses around the cat’s litterbox too often.

Let’s deal with these in order.

While dogs with high prey drives can be deadly to cats, it is cats who are the more predatory creatures in the wild. Often, playing with your cat can help redirect its natural attack instincts. Spaying or neutering may also help curb the animal’s prey drive. If these options don’t work, separate the animals as much as possible until you can talk to a vet or a pet behaviorist.

If your dog is innocently (or not-so-innocently) provoking the cat with enthusiastic play maneuvers, work on behavior training. A clicker and a few commands can help restore inter-species harmony in the home.

Finally, if the dog is irritating the cat while she’s doing business, put a stop to it by choosing a covered litter box like the Modkat or Modkat XL Litter Boxes. They minimize order and keep “treats” safely shut away.

Final thoughts.

Feline bullying is no fun for any member of the household, but with patience and effort, you can help minimize most cat aggression.

Have you ever had a bully cat? Do you know tips and techniques we didn’t mention? Share them with us in an email or on Facebook. We’re always looking for new ideas to keep our cats healthy and happy. 💕🐈

Gail Shumway/Getty Images

Cat lovers frequently ask for help in stopping aggressive behavior in their cats—but there are many kinds of aggression, and a one-size-fits-all program doesn’t work.

Of the several types of cat aggression, none confuses, frustrates, and frightens most owners as much as petting aggression, also called status-related aggression. The cat begs for attention and loves the petting, but then bites you after only a few strokes.

These cats use the “leave me alone” bite to stop interactions such as petting, being lifted or approached, or being moved from a favorite perch. It’s a very common behavior in cats, but you can work with your pet to stop it.

Why Is Your Cat Aggressive During Petting?

Unlike dogs, cats often have a low tolerance for being petted and can become overstimulated quickly. The length of time it takes for petting to go from enjoyable to uncomfortable varies by cat. But when it reaches that point, the cat reacts almost as if it’s being hurt or is in pain. Animal behaviorists refer to this as petting-induced aggression.

Petting aggression seems most common in young, energetic cats taken early from their litter and left alone for long periods during the day.

Smacking the cat may make the aggression worse since most cats view physical correction as a challenge and may become even more aggressive during subsequent petting sessions.

Petting aggression can be explosive and dangerous, especially for well-meaning young children. Learn to identify and avoid situations that might lead to this behavior.

Rule out Medical Causes

There are some medical conditions that may cause a cat to become aggressive, and you should rule these out before you try to modify your pet’s behavior. Have your veterinarian check for signs of arthritis, an injury, or dental problems to make sure it’s not any physical pain that’s causing your cat to aggressively reject your petting.

Common Signs

Cat communication varies somewhat among cats, just as human speech may include different accents or colloquialisms. But body language offers clues as to what your cat intends to do:

• An active tail and turned-down ears point to a coming attack.
• Sudden dilation of the cat’s pupils indicates arousal.
• Increased heart rate (which you may feel if the cat’s on your lap) indicates the cat is on alert.
• Purrs that transition to low growls warn you to back off.
• Rippling skin on the back suggests aggravation or irritation.
• Any sign or combination of signs means scratching or biting is imminent.

Prevention

As long as biting and scratching work, your cat will continue to use them to control interaction. Make these behaviors unnecessary by avoiding situations that prompt them, and/or manage the circumstances so the cat never gets a chance to bite or wield its claws.

Be consistent, though, and practice tough love. If you give up before you’ve established the ground rules for petting and aggression, you may have to start the conditioning from square one.

And remember, a pet’s bad habits often become worse just before they go away as your cat tries harder to get the previously successful behavior to work again. Behaviorists call this an extinction burst, and when it happens, it means you’re on the right track.

Petting Threshold

Cats accept grooming from other cats on the head and neck. But the full body strokes a human applies may feel unacceptable and make the cat uneasy or uncomfortable. It’s this feeling of unease that stimulates the biting.

Limit your petting to the cat’s head or the back of its neck. Then identify its petting threshold. In other words, count the number of strokes your cat allows before aggressing; pay close attention to its body language so you can stop petting before the cat bites.

It may be three strokes, five, or more. Once you’ve identified its limit, stop before the cat attacks so that you control the interaction. This is the key to reversing this behavior: letting the cat know you’re in charge of the situation.

When you reach the petting threshold, if the cat is sitting on your lap, don’t push it off or it may claw at you in an attempt to attack your hands. To end the petting, simply stand up and dump the cat off without touching it. Don’t interact with the cat, who may cry to get your attention. Other cats in this situation may simply run away and sulk.

Use Positive Reinforcement

The goal in these situations is to teach the cat that all good things in life (play, food, attention) must be earned and that you call the shots. Then rewards and resources can be used to motivate the cat to properly respond.

For instance, teach the cat to “come” by using dinnertime to your advantage.

Before the cat gets the food bowl, say “come” in a cheerful, strong voice and then turn on the can opener, shake the bag of kibble, or pick up the treat jar. Your cat has already learned these cues and what time to run to its bowl, so you just teach it to associate the come command with the action. When the cat obeys, reward it with the treat or bowl of food.

You can also clicker train your cat by pairing food rewards with a clicker that makes a noise. Eventually your cat will begin to think of the clicker as the reward and treats may no longer be necessary.

Use a treat or toy to lure your kitty off furniture or out of the way instead of pushing or lifting it, which puts your hands within the strike zone. Say “move” and toss the treat on the floor or entice the cat down with a feather.

If the cat is in your chair, tip or shake it to get the cat to leave on its own. Eventually, you’ll just need to say the word move and offer a sweeping gesture for the cat to obey—and you’ve avoided an encounter that could otherwise lead to a bite.

Desensitization

Finally, if you like, you can desensitize the cat and improve its petting tolerance. If it allows three strokes before its ears and tail signal distress, add one more stroke, paired with a reward such as the clicker; then stop and dump the cat off your lap before it can bite. By adding one stroke each week, over time you can increase its threshold while avoiding its teeth.

Cats are common pets that can follow the player. In order to obtain a pet cat, a player must complete the Gertrude’s Cat quest, after which Gertrude will give them a kitten as part of the reward. After three hours, the kitten will grow into a pet cat. Cats no longer need the food or attention required of a kitten, and will not run away.

Any colour of cat can be turned into a generic Hellcat by chasing the hell-rats in Evil Dave’s basement, or morphed back into its original colour by feeding it a bucket of milk.

Cats may be spoken to with a catspeak amulet, or without it after partial completion of Dragon Slayer II. After Icthlarin’s Little Helper, an extra dialogue option is added which allows the player to review some events of the quest.

Players can interact with their cat in a number of ways, via right-clicking the cat and selecting Interact-with. Stroking a cat requires no items. However, if players wish to play with their cat, they must use a ball of wool on it. This will not use up the ball of wool, which will stay in the player’s inventory. A cat can also catch rats via the Chase-vermin option with a success rate of 50%. Players can shoo away their cat from the Interact-with menu using the Shoo-away option.

After a further 2–3 hours of having your cat following you, it will become an overgrown cat. If you allow your cat to become overgrown, you will be able to take a new kitten from Gertrude, saving trips to West Ardougne if deemed tedious.

Players can sell their regular, overgrown, wily and lazy cats to civilians in West Ardougne in the southwestern area of the city for 100 death runes ( 19,700 ). This increases to 200 death runes ( 39,400 ) with the easy Ardougne achievement diary reward. Use the pet cat on the civilian in order to make the trade. Hellcats do not need to be transformed back to normal cats before being traded in.

Contents

• 1 Combat stats
• 2 Quests
• 3 Dialogue
• 4 Changes
• 5 References

Combat stats [ edit | edit source ]

When fighting Hell-Rat Behemoths, the King rat or in the Rat Pits, cats have the following combat stats: [1]

Video of the Day

Cat breeders have long used inbreeding — mating closely related cats — as a way to distinguish and promote their lines. Inbreeding allows them to produce predictable, uniform kittens with no surprises, good or bad. Though the breeder knows exactly what to expect a healthy kitten to look like, there is a downside to inbreeding. Too much inbreeding can produce cats with depressed immune systems and other health issues.

Inbreeding for Predictability

Mating closely related cats — brother and sister, father and daughter, mother and son or half-siblings — is referred to as inbreeding. Some breed aficionados find value in inbreeding’s ability to produce outstanding specimens of a breed. Breeders use it to fix traits in their cats, making their lines identifiable and prized. The related cats with the desired traits are mated and eventually — sometimes as quickly as a generation or two — the traits become uniform, passing on the genes for the trait, known as breed true. This allows breeders to know how the offspring will look.

Inbreeding is not limited to breeders; anytime two unaltered cats are together, chances are strong that nature will take its course. After all, cats don’t understand the taboo and potential problems of inbreeding.

Inheriting Problems

International Cat Care states that inbreeding increases the risk of the development of genetic defects. The organization acknowledges both pedigree and nonpedigree cats are vulnerable to inherited diseases, however they’re more likely to occur in pedigree cats.

Even though some breeds are more inbred than others, it’s difficult to state that one breed is genetically healthier than another. Though a breed may have more identified diseases than another it only means that there’s been greater identification of a disease, not necessarily that it has a higher number of inherited diseases. International Cat Care notes the exception to this “rule” is for a breed specifically bred for a disorder, such as Scottish folds and Persians, where the breeds are developed based on a gene mutation that’s ultimately harmful to the cat.

Inbreeding Problems

The benefits to inbreeding include predictability and the elimination of unwanted traits. As recessive genes appear, they can be eliminated by selective breeding. However, there are additional problems with inbreeding cats. As strengths are doubled, weaknesses are doubled as well. The Cat Fanciers Association of America notes that inbreeding may lead to immune deficiencies, more congenital abnormalities and cats that don’t grow to their potential.

Overbreeding Inbreds

Signs of excessive inbreeding include regular small litter sizes (one or two kittens), crooked noses, misaligned jaws, abnormal eye set and asymmetry. Male and females may experience low fertility and cancer is more common in younger cats. Immune system deficiencies are clear if half a litter or a group of adults die from a simple infection.

Other Breeding Possibilities

A breeder may take the slow route to purity through line breeding, mating cats who are less closely related, such as cousins or grandparent to grandchild. The kittens produced are predictable; though genetic decline still occurs, it happens at a slower rate than inbreeding. Outcrossing, mating unrelated cats within the same breed, is not as consistent as inbreeding and line breeding, however, the line’s vigor is improved, while maintaining a “pure” line. Unrelated cats of different breeds are hybrids, and though they’re “impure,” they are generally healthier cats with stronger immune systems.

Hair loss, or alopecia, is a common problem for cats. It may include full or partial loss that appears in asymmetrical or symmetrical patterns in your feline’s fur coat. In addition to taking your cat in for a veterinary exam, you can take a few palliative steps to reduce the discomfort your cat may be experiencing.

Why Do Cats Lose Hair?

A variety of factors can contribute to feline alopecia, making the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder all the more difficult. The earlier you discover the hair loss, the better the chance that your cat can be successfully treated.

Medical and Skin Conditions

Hormonal imbalances, such as hyperthyroidism or increased levels of steroids in the body, may lead to hair loss. Another cause can be skin allergies or an allergic reaction. Aside from the obvious loss of hair, another sign of feline alopecia is the appearance of redness, bumps, scabs, or skin loss surrounding the area of hair loss. These could be signs that your cat is suffering from some form of common skin disease or even dermatophilosis, although this condition is rare in cats.

Parasites, like fleas, ticks, and mites, can cause itchiness, inflammation, and lesions that can also lead to hair loss. These parasites may lead to overgrooming by the cat as well. Felines can become allergic to fleas to the extent that they scratch hard enough to irritate the skin or bite and pull the hair out.

Emotional and Behavioral Issues

Nervous disorders that manifest in behavioral issues like over-grooming can cause hair loss in cats, but these are tricky to diagnose. Once other medical issues are ruled out, this could be determined as the cause of your cat’s fur loss. Keep your cat mentally stimulated and try to redirect any over-grooming behaviors as soon as you see them. In some cases, behavioral modification medications can be prescribed by your veterinarian.

Physical Pain

Pain may be another cause of hair loss in your cat, who may be feeling muscle or joint pain under the skin. To ease the pain, the cat may continue to lick the area and may lick it so much that they can lick away the fur. Hair loss may also be a side effect of taking some medications.

Treatment

When you take your cat to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. The first step is to take samples from the surface of the skin to look under the microscope for infectious causes such as mites, yeast, and bacteria. She may do a skin biopsy or culture as well. She will also do a visual exam to look for fleas and other infestations. If these are normal, your vet will likely order blood work, to determine whether hormonal or thyroid imbalance is causing the alopecia. If the cause still cannot be found, she may use various imaging tools, such as X-rays or ultrasound, to rule out cancer or abnormalities in the adrenal glands.

If the alopecia is due to a medical disorder, like skin erosions, thyroid imbalance, or other hormonal imbalances, medications, and topical treatments are available to treat these. If the hair loss is due to a behavioral issue, you will need to use behavior modification to lessen the problem. A feline behaviorist could be helpful in “reteaching” your cat the appropriate grooming behaviors. Anxiety medications, synthetic feline facial pheromone spray, or other calming aids could prove helpful as well.

Regular tick and flea control medication is also essential to keep the cat healthy and rule those pests out as a possible reason for hair loss. If your cat is losing hair due to fleas or ticks, you’ll also need to clean your house, including the cat’s bedding, toys, and other kitty gear. Speak to your vet about the safest approaches to flea control and prevention.

In addition to administering the appropriate medication, you should observe the cat’s condition to make sure the hair loss doesn’t get worse. If no cure is available, properly caring for your cat with alopecia will focus on preventing itchiness, pain and secondary infections. Your cat may or may not be able to regain their hair coat.

How to Prevent Hair Loss

If you observe your cat biting and pulling at its hair, do a thorough examination of its skin and hair at least once a week. Use a fine-toothed comb and part the hair so you can examine individual sections.

If you’ve noticed the cat scratching one area more than another, pay particular attention to that area. Also make sure that any bedding, toys, or scratch posts are not contributing to the issue by being too rough on the cat’s fur.

Ask your veterinarian to recommend a safe topical treatment to provide relief from pain and itching. If you can break the cycle of scratching and biting the inflamed skin, your cat has a better chance of healing.

My cat has dermatitis, he goes to the vet every 6 weeks for a steroid injection. The vet says he can’t get that injection any more regularly but it only stops him from biting himself for 4 weeks. What can I do at home to help him? Is there a special diet I can feed him or a Shampoo I can use? I don’t think he would take too kindly to me bathing him however, but if it needs to be done I will do it.

2 Answers

Yes, it is true that injectable steroids are not good for cats long term, with diabetes being one of the consequences. Have oral steroids been tried? They are not as bad as the injectable ones. Has allergy testing been done to see just what the cat is sensitive to? It would be best to determine what is causing it and fix it that way. And it could be as simple as a food allergy, or an allergy to tiny microscopic mites. Had one cat with that – and monthly treatment with Revolution or Advantage Multi solved her problem. Discuss these things with the vet, or even a referral to an internal medicine specialist, or an allergy specialist.

There are other medications available for allergic dermatitis in cats, such as Atopica. You can ask your vet about this to see if it’s a good choice for your cat. This drug is given by mouth and is better than using steroids long term.

Have parasites already been ruled out? If you have an outdoor cat, keeping him on a flea/tick preventative is important.

You can try over the counter foods and shampoos, however they will not provide long-term relief. Bathing him could end up making it worse if it dries out his skin, as well.

CaoWei / Getty Images

Like people, cats have different personality traits. One of those happens to be jealousy—or, at least, what looks like jealousy. In fact, it’s probably your pet displaying some aggressive, competitive, or hierarchal tendencies in an attempt to get what it wants, whether it’s a favorite toy or extra head scratches.

Jealous cats often crave attention and are clingier than a standoffish cat, and sometimes they can act out. While it can be frustrating, there are steps you can take to stop the jealous behavior. The key is trying to discover why your cat is feeling this way.

Why Do Cats Get Jealous?

Just like some people, cats can become jealous when they feel they’re being excluded or their environment has changed drastically or suddenly. The jealousy may be triggered by any number of events:

• Cats may show signs of jealousy when you pay more attention to an object, person, or another animal. This is especially true when you used to spend this time playing with your cat. It may be the arrival of a new family member, such as a newborn baby or pet. Simple things like your cell phone, a video game, or a hobby can also be triggers.
• Poor socialization as a kitten may lead a cat to become codependent on you and display signs of jealousy at times.
• A sudden change in daily routine, including your cat’s feeding schedule, can cause behavioral issues such as jealousy.
• A lack of personal space, beds, or other belongings can also encourage jealous behavior if a cat feels threatened by another pet.

Signs of Jealousy in Cats

Typical “jealous” behaviors include hissing, growling, and swatting at the object that the cat is jealous of, such as your cell phone while you are holding it. Jealous cats may also intrude on your personal space while you are holding a new baby or video game controller. They may attempt to sit on your lap while you cuddle with your significant other instead of them.

A jealous cat can be more aggressive and start scratching or biting. It may also lead to destructive behavior, including chewing or shredding furniture, curtains, and other items. Objects sitting on a countertop or table, such as a drinking glass or decoration, may be knocked over or broken as well.

In some cases, cats may begin urinating outside of the litter box to make a point. Urine marking is one of the most problematic and frustrating behaviors for cat owners. Not only is it a sign that something is wrong with your cat, but it is difficult to clean and eliminate the odor, which can lead to continued marking.

Some cats will simply spray onto walls and other vertical surfaces. Others will squat and make urine puddles outside their litter boxes. This may be random items like sofas or plastic bags, or the item they’re jealous of. Sometimes, the target may be an object the animal or person they are jealous of uses regularly. For instance, if your cat is envious of the new dog, it may mark the dog’s bed.

How to Stop Jealous Behavior

It can be difficult to manage jealousy in a cat, but there are things you can do to eliminate or lessen the unwanted behaviors.

Determine the Trigger

The first thing you need to do is determine what exactly is provoking these behaviors. Once you figure out the cause of the jealousy, you can address the problem. Ask yourself what has changed in your home:

• Did someone new move in?
• Did you recently bring home a new baby or pet?
• Are you spending more time doing something you didn’t do before?
• Has your cat’s favorite spots in the house been disturbed?

Spend More Time With Your Cat

The easiest way to decrease jealous behavior in your cat is to simply spend more time with it. The extra attention can usually curb the bad behavior and there are many ways you can do this:

• Get a few interactive toys, such as feather wands and laser pointers, that allow you to play with your feline friend.
• Make it a point to seek out and pet your cat when you come home or anytime you have a free moment.
• Cuddle with your cat on the sofa or bed and give it your undivided attention for a few minutes.
• Offer your cat treats when it shows good behavior.

Give Your Cat Personal Space

Many cats really like their own personal space. If you have introduced a new family member—whether a person or animal—you may have inadvertently taken away from your cat’s established area.

To correct this, give your cat a place to call its own again. This may mean moving the new pet’s feeding station to another room or giving your cat a new perch where it can observe the family undisturbed. Make sure your cat’s favorite toys are not available to the newcomer as well.

When it’s a new person in the home, try to keep their personal belongings out of places your cat previously claimed. It can also be helpful to have that person interact with the cat in or near that location.

Teach Your Cat to Accept It

If you cannot completely avoid the person, pet, or item that is the subject of your cat’s jealousy, work on helping your cat adjust to the change. You can reward your cat with treats, praise, attention, and petting when it is near the object or person, for example. It’s also good to incorporate your cat into the change whenever possible.

For example, hold the new baby while also petting or playing with your cat. Have your significant other give your cat treats and feed them at mealtime. You can also feed the cat before a new pet to establish priority and rank within the household.

Is someone you know too clingy?

Posted Jul 09, 2012

THE BASICS

• Why Relationships Matter
• Find a therapist to strengthen relationships

Emotional intimacy is a double-edged sword; it brings joy, but it can also make you clingy.

In the past few posts we’ve been dealing with people who have problems trusting and truly opening themselves to intimacy. Good sex and warm romance make us happy, but for some it’s a trigger leading to strange fears, a need for control and even, sometimes, rage.

You see, problems in the field of intimacy sneak up on you in a number of ways.

Abandonment: Many of us become afraid that if the person we are intimate with leaves, they will never return. We are afraid that if our partner talks to a member of the opposite sex, all is over. And, this is all in the context of a relationship in which you truly feel loved. It makes no sense because neediness is less often about the present and more often about the past. Plus, it’s no fun for you — or for your partner.

The irony, of course, it that the more you worry, the more he or she can’t stand it. The more you hold on, the more he or she will want to escape. Love requires trust in order to work.

Child Development and Basic Trust: If you adjusted well to childhood, you learned that when your parent left for a bit of time, they would invariably come back. Imagine yourself as an infant whose parent was in the adjoining room; you could play quietly or cry uncontrollably. Most kids fit somewhere in the middle.

For those who have internalized an image of mom or dad, they can self soothe knowing that sooner or later, they will see their beloved parent again. For some, a baby blanket will suffice to keep them comforted. In psychology we call this Basic Trust.

Or think about when you were a toddler and wandered away from your mother to explore the world. If you had a healthy adjustment to childhood, you would explore and then run back for a hug — only to go out once again. Margaret Mahler called this refueling. Yet, for some of us, the fear that mom or dad wouldn’t be there is crippling. Such toddlers have trouble leaving mom’s side; they are just too anxious.

This neediness can infect future relationships.

Children like this are usually “high maintenance” from a young age. They cry a lot, and don’t usually sleep through the night right away. They strongly dislike babysitters, and have trouble starting pre-school. Some get a diagnosis of Separation Anxiety Disorder; others are just considered needy. (Note: not every problematic emotion gets a diagnosis!)

These youngsters generally don’t feel better once their mom or dad returns. This can make their parents pretty exasperated, as it seems like nothing they do is what their child needs. But the majority of these kids grow up to live a normal life — until these early fears are triggered by entering an intimate relationship.

The sad fact: Adult love can reawaken childhood complexes. Yes, love can make us crazy.

Example: This was true of Janet; a young woman in her early 20s who began seeing a therapist for depression and anxiety. She reported that her boyfriend, Richard, had enough of her antics. Janet was extremely needy and tended to self medicate with drugs. She lacked motivation and was almost unable to hold down a job. Janet tired easily and constantly battled health issues — like recurrent headaches, chronic fatigue and irritable bowel syndrome. She wanted Richard to take care of her, and he was tired of attending to Janet and seeing no changes in her behavior.

Janet was a lot of work as a child. Her parents remember that she required tons of attention, and every morning before school was a battle just to get her out of the house. Like most parents of kids like this, they were exasperated, but did not seek psychiatric help.

Janet eventually “got over it” and did well in school, pleased her parents and found employment, but she failed time and again in relationships.

An Adult Therapy: After a string of ineffective therapies, Janet’s new therapist tried something radical; she made a pact with her. Let’s not turn this therapy into another dependent relationship. Let’s deal with the adult self in you that actually wants to be independent. And, let’s find a way for your adult self to take care of your needy child self, even if it means that Richard may be disappointed because you’ve become stronger.

The therapist put a time limit on progress: she would not simply replace a needy childhood with a needy therapeutic alliance. This therapist was less interested in a dependent patient and more intent on giving Janet tools to handle surges of neediness. It helped.

Janet agreed and soon discovered that she was rather severely depressed, and this had gone untreated for a long time. The depression made Janet feel entitled to act the way she did around Richard and her parents. Her drug use perpetuated the problem. She saw life as an arduous task and not as an exciting adventure. Everything seemed impossible to Janet. She thought it was impossible to pursue her education, hold down a job, or even be happy with herself.

Yet, in therapy, she discovered that these thoughts were very old and linked back to an insecure childhood, where her mom and dad had been inconsistently available. Her need for safety seemed to emerge from her need for love; and in therapy she realized that this was a backwards way of thinking. After all, if a person wants to be parented by their partner, what are they bringing to the table?

A self-limiting belief: Janet believed that the only thing that would make her happy was to be loved by Richard. As absurd as it sounds, self-limiting beliefs like this one are not uncommon.

Janet’s treatment involved some medication and talk therapy. Her mood improved, and she was able to return to work. She started to eat healthier and take better care of herself. For instance, sobriety soon became appealing. Soon, Richard wanted to be around Janet all the time.

It turns out that Richard was a lot like Janet. He had trouble moving forward in his life and was a chronic Marijuana smoker. Richard worked at a dead-end job, lived with his parents, and did not go to college, despite being extremely smart.

As Janet began to take better care of herself, she started to question her relationship with Richard. He was going nowhere fast, and he had no intention of changing.

The tables had turned entirely.

From the Couch: Clingy people are often in relationships with other insecure people who want to be needed. When one gets better, the other can be thrown off balance. This happens a lot when one person in a relationship commits themselves to getting better. Sometimes, when one person changes it drives their partner forward. Janet was driven by the notion that she might lose Richard. Unfortunately, the thought of losing Janet wasn’t enough to make Richard seek change. Janet eventually broke things off with Richard and got her act together.

There is no shame in admitting that you are too clingy. And there are usually good reasons why you became that way. Good relationships are worth a lot, so if you’ve got a tendency to be too needy, do something about it. Work on overcoming the wounds of the past, and make better relationships in the future.

The answer is within; you are more powerful than you may think.

My cat has dermatitis, he goes to the vet every 6 weeks for a steroid injection. The vet says he can’t get that injection any more regularly but it only stops him from biting himself for 4 weeks. What can I do at home to help him? Is there a special diet I can feed him or a Shampoo I can use? I don’t think he would take too kindly to me bathing him however, but if it needs to be done I will do it.

2 Answers

Yes, it is true that injectable steroids are not good for cats long term, with diabetes being one of the consequences. Have oral steroids been tried? They are not as bad as the injectable ones. Has allergy testing been done to see just what the cat is sensitive to? It would be best to determine what is causing it and fix it that way. And it could be as simple as a food allergy, or an allergy to tiny microscopic mites. Had one cat with that – and monthly treatment with Revolution or Advantage Multi solved her problem. Discuss these things with the vet, or even a referral to an internal medicine specialist, or an allergy specialist.

There are other medications available for allergic dermatitis in cats, such as Atopica. You can ask your vet about this to see if it’s a good choice for your cat. This drug is given by mouth and is better than using steroids long term.

Have parasites already been ruled out? If you have an outdoor cat, keeping him on a flea/tick preventative is important.

You can try over the counter foods and shampoos, however they will not provide long-term relief. Bathing him could end up making it worse if it dries out his skin, as well.

Tips to Painlessly Groom Your Pet

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Mats in cat fur are not only unsightly, but they are also painful to your cat. They can lead to skin irritation and infection if they’re not removed.

De-matting a cat is typically not a fun experience for the feline or the human. Take things slowly, and don’t be surprised if you can’t remove all the mats in one sitting. You may want to enlist the help of an assistant because even though this technique is the easiest and least painful way to get rid of mats, it takes a lot of patience.

Before You Begin

Most cats groom nearly constantly (or so it seems), and it’s not just due to vanity. Fur licking keeps a cat’s skin healthy and stimulates sebaceous glands in their skin to produce oil to lubricate the fur.

Usually, grooming keeps the fur clean and prevents fleas from taking hold. But sometimes, if something becomes stuck in its fur or a cat neglects its grooming, mats may form. These clumps of fur can be painful for the cat. Certain breeds of cats (Persians, Maine Coons, and other long-haired breeds) are more likely to develop mats.

If your cat has stopped grooming altogether, this could be a sign of a serious health issue, and a trip to the veterinarian is in order.   But if there are one or two spots of stubborn matted fur, you should be able to take care of them at home.

Removing mats from cats takes a steady hand, a lot of patience and sometimes more than one person, to keep the cat calm.

What You Need

Start with a relaxed cat. You won’t want to suddenly decide to remove a mat in the middle of a play session, or you’ll suffer serious damage from claws. Gather a few tools before you start:

• Blunt-end scissors
• Fine-toothed comb
• Spray bottle/conditioner
• Cornstarch
• Cat treats

Prepare the Matted Area

Sprinkle a little cornstarch or talcum powder in the area of the mat, and gently work it around with your fingers. Gently pull the mat up away from the skin, so you can see where the skin is.

If the cat resists, take a break and speak in a soothing voice, petting the cat until it relaxes. Repeat this soothing at any point during the procedure if your cat starts getting stressed out.

Cut the Mat

Using sharp blunt-nosed scissors, carefully slide the scissors along the skin into the mat, holding them perpendicular to the skin; the bottom blade should slide along the skin. Cut up, into the mat. Make a clean cut and try not to pull the hair while cutting.

Give your kitty a small treat and praise it for its patience.

Move the scissors over half an inch or so and cut again. Once you are able to, you should start working the separated mats apart with your fingers, and loose pieces will easily pull away.

Comb the Mat

Starting with a separated section of the mat, use your non-dominant hand to hold the base of the mat down with thumb and forefinger, so the comb won’t pull hair out.

Using a fine-toothed flea comb, gently start combing through the mat piece, starting at the very tip of the hairs. Move down into the mat as you work, occasionally using only the first three or four pegs of the comb, for stubborn sections.

Preventing Problems With Your Cat While De-Matting

Give your cat a final treat and stop for the day. Depending on the severity of the mats, it could take several days to tackle them all, and you need your cat’s cooperation and patience, so don’t push it all at once.

With short-haired cats, a small slicker brush may be used next to slowly and gently brush through any remaining tangles.

Seriously matted cats require veterinary attention. Affected cats are lightly sedated and their hair coats are shaved to remove all affected mats. If this drastic step is necessary, be sure to maintain a regular program of brushing and combing when the coat grows back, to prevent future problems.

Conditions & Solutions

Wellness

Cats are adorable pets who with their random act of cuteness force you into pampering them with treats. However, now it is becoming more and more evident that fat cats are not actually healthy cats. Pampering your cats with treats is a positive reinforcement methodology to improve their behavior but overdoing it poses health dangers.

You might be seeing it as a kindness to feed your obese cat but you are killing her with kindness. The frequency of feeding is not the only factor for obesity in cats but the quality of food is equally important. Nowadays, even the most highly-touted commercial cat foods have poor nutritional value. Then, how exactly can you fix obesity in your fluffy pet?

The answer lies in knowing the cause of feline obesity.

Causes of Obesity in Cats

Feline obesity can be caused by a number of reasons and often it is a combination of more than one reason.

The single most common reason that adversely affects feline health is high-carbohydrate dry food that is high in rich calories but is short in meat protein. Cats need muscle meat proteins for healthy muscle growth such as fish, turkey, chicken, rabbit, etc. Experts agree that cats are quintessential Atkins species that implies high-carbonate diet is not only irrational and unhealthy for them but also deadly.

You need to keep a check on these factors:

1. Not to Free-Feed Dry Food

Free-feeding is a common practice in households with dual income parents. As they are often not home to feed the cats, they choose free-fall dry food feeders. Ideally, your cat needs to be fed 3-4 times a day with high quality canned food or freeze-dried food.

Fortunately, for such pet owners, there are portion-controlled feeders made available. If you have breeds like Persian kittens, then you must get such feeders as Persians need to have a strict portioned diet.

2. Insufficient Exercise

Cat caregivers agree to the fact that obesity among cats who have free access to outdoors is minimal. Climbing on trees, chasing around and jumping over the fence provide plenty of exercises. It might not be safer for city cats to be allowed run aloof as a solution for their weight problems.

Instead, supplies like climbing towers, interactive toys and scratching posts can be helpful in keeping their weight in check. There are other safer outdoor alternatives too like walking your cat on a leash or building an outdoor enclosure.

3. Hypothyroidism in Cats

Rare but still a cause, hypothyroidism can cause cats to become overweight. Fortunately, with thyroxine supplementation, such obesity can be turned around quickly.

What Diseases Develop in Obese Cats?

Just as in humans, obesity in cats in itself is less of a concern but the serious diseases that it predisposes felines is the actual threat.

Overweight cats are at high risks of developing Arthritis, diabetes and Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver Disease). These diseases not only reduce the quality of life for felines but also reduce their life expectancy. Other than these there are several other health conditions that are linked to morbid obesity in a cat.

As a cat parent, it is your responsibility to deeply consider what we have shared with you and take the necessary steps to turn your cat into a svelte, active feline.

Thank you to guest blogger, Patricia Miller with Kismet Kittens for her submission.

One thought on “Obesity in Cats – How to Fix It”

Thank you for the information on other types of food for cats. I have a cat that is showing signs of obesity and I wasn’t sure what I could do to get that under control. I plan to look into the freeze dried food. It makes me feel better about feeding my cats canned food.
Thank you again.

The conventional wisdom is that cats should be spayed or neutered at 6 months of age. The Fix by Five campaign challenges that assumption, aiming to reduce cat overpopulation by reducing the standard age of spay and neuter to 5 months or earlier for cats.

Fix by Five is a program of Marian’s Dream, a nonprofit that aims to end dog and cat overpopulation. The program convened a task force of veterinarians and other experts in 2016. According to the recommendations from the task force, “Given the known benefits of sterilization and the lack of evidence for harm related to age at which the procedure is performed, the Veterinary Task Force on Feline Sterilization calls for veterinary practitioners and professional associations to recommend sterilization of cats by five months of age.”

The AVMA endorsed the recommendations in 2017. The recommendations also have been endorsed by the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, the American Animal Hospital Association, the Winn Feline Foundation, the CATalyst Council, the Cat Fanciers’ Association, and The International Cat Association. Yet, the recommendations have yet to become common knowledge in the profession.

A surplus of cats

Esther Mechler, director of Marian’s Dream, said the organization is named for her sister, a cat lover who died about 40 years ago at the age of 25. During the last decade, the organization has focused on reducing the surplus of cats and dogs.

A 2009 study by Ipsos Marketing found that three out of four people did not know when to spay or neuter their cats or dogs or thought the age was 6 months or older. For cats, Mechler said, the earliest age that has been widely accepted is 8 weeks or older.

“There’s a range for cats between 2 months and 5 months that is optimal,” Mechler said. “It’s a perfect time for veterinarians to do that. Just build it into your kitten shot series.”

Neutering male cats early also will prevent them from spraying urine to mark their territory.

Mechler said questions have been raised recently about the appropriate age to spay or neuter dogs because of health concerns, but not cats. Back in 1994, the AVMA adopted a policy supporting pediatric spay and neuter of dogs and cats to reduce the number of unwanted animals. The current policy also highlights the importance of veterinarians using their professional judgment regarding the timing of surgery. Shelters have long spayed and neutered cats at an early age, but many private practitioners default to 6 months.

A 2018 survey by Marian’s Dream found that three out of four veterinarians were neither aware of the recommendation to change the age of spay and neuter for cats to prior to 5 months nor aware of the endorsements by the AVMA and other associations. After hearing about the recommendation and endorsements, however, three out of four veterinarians said they would implement the recommendation in their practices.

Reducing euthanasia

Dr. Phil Bushby serves as a veterinary spokesperson for the Fix by Five campaign. He is chair of humane ethics and animal welfare at Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He became aware of and concerned about pet overpopulation in the early 1970s.

That’s when he was an intern and surgical resident with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals at the ASPCA Animal Hospital in New York City, when the ASPCA served as animal control for all of New York City. He was shocked by the number of dogs and cats that had to be euthanized just in that one facility, and the experience has always haunted him.

“Given the fact that cats can become sexually mature between 4 and 5 months of age, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to wait until 6 months or older to spay and neuter them,” Dr. Bushby said.

It is a myth that neutering male cats before they are sexually mature predisposes them to urinary obstruction, he said. Spaying female cats before they ever come into heat reduces the chances of getting mammary neoplasia to nearly zero.

Dr. Bushby said most small animal practitioners have a basic wellness plan for kittens with vaccines at two- or three-week intervals and parasite control from about 6-8 weeks to about 4 months. He suggested adding one more appointment two or three weeks later for spay or neuter.

“There has absolutely been progress over the years in reducing the numbers of animals euthanized in shelters,” Dr. Bushby said. He attributed to the progress to many factors. He said, “Pet overpopulation in cats, I think, is at this point a more serious issue than pet overpopulation in dogs, and that’s another reason to say let’s spay and neuter every cat about 4 or 5 months of age.”

Get information about the Fix by Five campaign. Veterinarians can click on “For Vets” to find veterinary resources and to sign up as a participating veterinarian.

My cat has dermatitis, he goes to the vet every 6 weeks for a steroid injection. The vet says he can’t get that injection any more regularly but it only stops him from biting himself for 4 weeks. What can I do at home to help him? Is there a special diet I can feed him or a Shampoo I can use? I don’t think he would take too kindly to me bathing him however, but if it needs to be done I will do it.

2 Answers

Yes, it is true that injectable steroids are not good for cats long term, with diabetes being one of the consequences. Have oral steroids been tried? They are not as bad as the injectable ones. Has allergy testing been done to see just what the cat is sensitive to? It would be best to determine what is causing it and fix it that way. And it could be as simple as a food allergy, or an allergy to tiny microscopic mites. Had one cat with that – and monthly treatment with Revolution or Advantage Multi solved her problem. Discuss these things with the vet, or even a referral to an internal medicine specialist, or an allergy specialist.

There are other medications available for allergic dermatitis in cats, such as Atopica. You can ask your vet about this to see if it’s a good choice for your cat. This drug is given by mouth and is better than using steroids long term.

Have parasites already been ruled out? If you have an outdoor cat, keeping him on a flea/tick preventative is important.

You can try over the counter foods and shampoos, however they will not provide long-term relief. Bathing him could end up making it worse if it dries out his skin, as well.

What is Play Aggression?

This is when playful bites, scratches and ambushes become more serious and can actually cause injury. It’s something cat parents tend to notice more when the aggression is directed toward them, usually in the form of ankle attacks, ambushes or biting and scratching that break the skin.

This type of aggression is usually seen in kittens and young cats. As most everyone knows, cats are hunters and that instinct kicks in at a very young age as kittens play by stalking, chasing and pouncing each other. Although rough play and miscommunication may happen as kittens play with each other, this is an important time of learning. This time spent together helps them develop healthy play skills as they take turns being the mock aggressor and learn to control the intensity of biting, scratching and wrestling. During play with littermates, kittens learn to keep their claws sheathed and not inflict injury. Kitten play also teaches necessary skills needed for survival and hunting as adult cats.

Kittens who had the benefit of being raised around littermates, learn these valuable lessons in order to keep the activity well within friendly play mode. Kittens who are orphaned or taken away from their littermates too early, miss important social lessons and may then develop play habits that include more aggressive biting and scratching.

Kittens who don’t receive adequate socialization, are played with improperly and roughly by humans, or not given appropriate objects or opportunities for play may also develop play aggression behavior. These cats may be less inclined to keep claws sheathed or control biting intensity.