List of articles № 10
Instruction: how to train a cat not to climb on you like a tree.
Cats climb instinctively to satisfy three biological drives: exploration, safety, and resource acquisition. Exploration provides sensory stimulation; elevated positions expose the animal to new scents, sounds, and visual cues. Safety emerges from a predator‑avoidance strategy:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat eats its own feces.
Coprophagia- the consumption of feces- is a documented behavior in many animal species, including domestic cats. It occurs when an animal ingests its own excrement or that of another animal. In felines, the act may be triggered by nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal discomfort, or environmental stressors.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell that a cat is trying to get your attention.
Cats seek attention for several biologically and psychologically grounded reasons. Understanding these motives helps owners respond appropriately and maintain feline wellbeing. Social affiliation: domestic cats retain a need for interaction with trusted humans, especially when they view the owner as part of their social group.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat scratches the floor near its bowl.
Cats often scratch the floor adjacent to their bowl as a manifestation of an instinctive behavior observed in wild felids. In natural habitats, many predators conceal captured prey beneath leaves, soil, or debris. This practice serves three primary purposes:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to choose a brush that your cat will like.
Choosing a grooming tool that a cat accepts hinges on aligning the brush design with the animal’s coat characteristics. A mismatch often leads to discomfort, resistance, or ineffective grooming, which can affect the cat’s coat health and the owner’s experience.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is afraid of you.
Cats communicate fear primarily through subtle physical signals. Recognizing these cues allows you to adjust your behavior and create a safer environment for the animal. A flattened or twitching tail, especially when held low, signals anxiety.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if a cat has a stomach ache.
As a veterinary professional, I recognize that a cat suffering from abdominal discomfort often displays distinct behavioral shifts. Decreased appetite : The animal may ignore food or eat only a few bites, indicating pain when the stomach contracts.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat doesn't purr.
The phenomenon of feline purring has long attracted scientific scrutiny, yet the absence of this vocalization in certain cats remains underexplored. As a veterinary neurologist, I observe that purring originates from rhythmic activation of the laryngeal muscles, driven by neural circuits in the brainstem.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to organize space for multiple cats.
Understanding feline social dynamics is essential when designing a shared environment for several cats. Cats establish a hierarchy based on age, confidence, and prior territorial claims. Dominant individuals typically occupy preferred perches, high‑traffic pathways, and resources such as feeding stations.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat has become lethargic and apathetic.
Lethargy in felines denotes a pronounced decline in energy, movement, and interest in the environment. The condition manifests as prolonged periods of inactivity, diminished responsiveness to stimuli, and a reluctance to engage in typical behaviors such as play, grooming, or eating.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if a cat is having nightmares.
As a veterinary sleep specialist, I explain that feline sleep consists of alternating REM (rapid eye movement) and NREM (non‑rapid eye movement) periods. During NREM, muscle tone remains high, heart rate and breathing are regular, and the cat appears still.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat always greets you at the door.
Cats greet owners at the threshold because the behavior satisfies several innate drives. The doorway represents a transitional zone where the animal monitors external stimuli, asserts territorial boundaries, and reinforces social bonds. These instinctual motivations operate simultaneously, producing the consistent “welcome” display.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to train a cat not to sleep on your head.
Cats are attracted to the head because it supplies a combination of heat and a sense of security. The scalp generates steady warmth, while the proximity to a human’s pulse mimics the body heat of a littermate. Recognizing these drivers enables owners to replace the head with equally comfortable alternatives.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat eats its own hair.
Cats groom themselves several times a day; a modest amount of hair ends up in the stomach and passes harmlessly. This routine behavior is characterized by short, intermittent licking sessions, a clean coat, and normal stool consistency. In contrast, excessive ingestion manifests as prolonged, compulsive licking, visible hair loss, a greasy or tangled coat, and frequent vomiting or hairballs.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to know that your cat adores you, not just tolerates you.
The Feline Enigma presents a persistent puzzle for owners who seek reliable evidence of genuine affection rather than mere tolerance. As a specialist in feline behavior, I base conclusions on observable patterns that differentiate attachment from indifference.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat hides food.
Cats frequently conceal surplus food, a behavior rooted in the natural instincts of their wild ancestors and reinforced by evolutionary pressures. The act of hiding serves three primary adaptive functions. First, it reduces the likelihood of theft by conspecifics or opportunistic scavengers.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to make «cat TV» at your window.
Cat TV refers to a low‑tech visual stimulus setup positioned at a window to provide indoor cats with live, outdoor scenery. The system transforms a plain pane of glass into a dynamic “television” by allowing the animal to observe birds, insects, passing pedestrians, and shifting light patterns, thereby satisfying natural predatory instincts without leaving the home.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is in heat.
When a female cat enters estrus, her behavior shifts noticeably. Vocalizations intensify; she may emit persistent, high‑pitched cries that echo through the house. This is a direct attempt to attract a mate and signals heightened sexual arousal.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if your cat needs a diet.
Feline obesity has risen sharply in the past decade, with surveys indicating that up to 30 % of domestic cats exceed a healthy weight. The increase mirrors broader lifestyle changes, such as indoor confinement and calorie‑dense commercial foods.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat licks your hands.
Cats employ licking as a deliberate signal directed toward humans. When a cat presses its tongue against a hand, it transmits information about trust, affection, and social hierarchy. The act originates from feline grooming rituals, where mouth‑to‑mouth contact reinforces bonds within a colony.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to teach a cat to use the toilet.
As a veterinary behavior specialist, I have observed that training a cat to use a toilet yields measurable advantages for both animal and owner. Eliminating litter eliminates a common source of bacterial contamination. Without a litter box, cats avoid contact with pathogens that thrive in moist, organic material, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal and respiratory infections.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat won't let you work at the computer.
As a feline behavior specialist, I observe that a cat interrupting computer work typically signals a demand for interaction. The animal interprets the stationary human as an invitation for play, petting, or simply proximity. Recognizing this motive allows targeted interventions that preserve productivity while satisfying the pet’s social needs.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if a cat is grieving for a deceased owner.
Cats often reveal emotional stress through their eating habits. When an owner passes away, a grieving feline may display one of two opposite patterns: a noticeable reduction in food intake or an unexpected increase in consumption. Reduced appetite :. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat sleeps in strange places.
Cats often select sleeping locations that appear odd to human observers. This behavior reflects evolutionary adaptations and sensory priorities. An expert analysis begins with three core considerations: Safety through concealment - Elevated or hidden spots reduce exposure to predators and allow rapid escape.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to choose a second cat so they become friends.
Choosing a companion cat requires careful assessment of age and temperament to foster a cooperative relationship. Kittens (under 12 months) typically exhibit high energy, curiosity, and a willingness to tolerate novel scents. Introducing a kitten to an adult cat can stimulate play without overwhelming the senior’s routine, provided the adult is not overly territorial.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat has been poisoned.
When a cat shows signs of toxin exposure, rapid home intervention can stabilize the animal before veterinary care arrives. The following steps constitute essential first‑aid measures. Remove the cat from the source of poison. Isolate it in a quiet, well‑ventilated area to prevent further ingestion or inhalation.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if your cat is sanguine.
Sanguine temperament describes a lively, sociable disposition characterized by high activity, confidence, and a propensity for quick emotional shifts. In feline behavior, this pattern manifests as frequent engagement with people and objects, enthusiasm for exploration, and a tendency to seek attention.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat growls when it eats.
Cats produce a range of vocal signals that convey emotional state, intent, and physiological condition. Common categories include purrs, meows, chirps, hisses, and growls. Each sound possesses distinct acoustic parameters-frequency, amplitude, and temporal pattern-that allow conspecifics and humans to interpret the underlying message.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to break a cat of the habit of pouncing on feet.
Cats retain a strong predatory drive that manifests as rapid, low‑to‑the‑ground attacks on moving targets. Feet that shuffle across a floor mimic the swift motion of prey, triggering the instinctive pounce response. Understanding this drive is essential for modifying behavior without suppressing the animal’s natural energy.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat becomes aggressive after sterilization.
As a veterinary behavior specialist, I identify five principal aggression categories that may emerge in a cat following neutering: Pain‑related aggression - defensive bites or swipes triggered by postoperative discomfort, incision irritation, or internal soreness.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if your cat sees you as a parent.
As a feline behavior specialist, I explain the kitten‑mother bond and its relevance when assessing whether a cat regards you as a parental figure. The bond originates in early life when the mother provides nutrition, warmth, and protection.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats like to watch water.
Feline predatory instincts drive the fascination with moving liquid. Cats evolved to detect subtle motions that could indicate prey. Water surfaces generate ripples and reflections that mimic the disturbance created by small animals. This visual cue triggers the chase response hardwired in the cat’s brain.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to choose a house that a cat will actually sleep in.
Choosing a sleeping enclosure for a timid or nervous cat requires attention to security, privacy, and sensory comfort. An anxious feline will avoid open, brightly lit spaces and may reject a shelter that feels unstable or noisy. Enclosure shape:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat's whisker falls out.
The whiskers, or vibrissae, are highly innervated tactile organs that provide a cat with precise environmental feedback. Each follicle contains thousands of nerve endings, allowing detection of minute air currents and surface contours. This sensory input enables the animal to gauge the width of openings, judge distances while moving in low‑light conditions, and maintain balance during rapid maneuvers.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if a cat needs social interaction.
Cats vary widely in their desire for human contact, and recognizing these individual differences is essential for accurate assessment. Genetic background influences baseline sociability; breeds such as Ragdolls, Siamese, and Burmese typically display higher affiliative drive, while many domestic shorthair lines tend toward independence.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat «talks» to you.
Cats employ a diverse vocal repertoire when interacting with humans. Each sound carries specific information about the cat’s internal state, needs, or intentions, allowing owners to infer the cause of the communication. Mewing and meowing - high‑pitched, short bursts used primarily to solicit attention, request food, or signal discomfort.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to train a cat not to steal small things.
Cats exhibit stealing behavior because they are natural hunters and explorers. The instinct to capture moving or tactile objects translates into a fascination with items that mimic prey, such as pens, socks, or small toys. When a cat bats a loose object, the motion triggers a predatory response, reinforcing the action through dopamine release.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat doesn't like to be held.
Cats that resist being held often carry memories of painful or frightening encounters. A history of rough handling, accidental drops, or medical procedures can create a lasting association between close contact and discomfort. The animal’s nervous system interprets the sensation of being restrained as a threat, triggering a stress response that manifests as squirming, hissing, or escape attempts.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if your cat is cold.
As a veterinary behavior specialist, I identify a limited set of observable actions that reliably indicate a feline is experiencing low ambient temperature. Curling tightly - the cat presses its body into a compact ball, minimizing exposed surface area.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat kneads with its paws when you pet it.
The kneading motion observed in domestic felines originates from a neonatal reflex that ensures survival during the early weeks of life. Newborn kittens instinctively press their forepaws against the mother’s abdomen to stimulate milk flow; the rhythmic alternating pressure activates mechanoreceptors in the paw pads and triggers a coordinated motor pattern.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59