List of articles № 13
Instruction: what to do if a cat hisses for no reason.
Understanding why a cat hisses without an obvious trigger is essential for effective intervention. Hissing is a defensive vocalization; it signals discomfort, fear, or perceived threat. Identifying the underlying cause allows owners to address the issue promptly and reduce stress for both animal and household.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell your cat's mood by its ears.
Understanding feline signals directly influences animal welfare and human‑cat interaction. Ears provide the most immediate visual cue because they move independently of facial muscles and remain visible even when the cat’s eyes are partially closed.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat rubs its nose with its paw.
As a feline behavior specialist, I observe that nose‑to‑paw contact is a consistent element of a cat’s self‑maintenance routine. The action serves several precise functions within the grooming repertoire. The paw functions as a tactile tool, allowing the cat to reach the nasal bridge, an area difficult to clean with the tongue alone.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to teach a cat not to run out of the apartment.
Cats bolt primarily because their innate survival mechanisms clash with the confined environment of an apartment. When a door opens, the sudden change in spatial parameters triggers a flight response that has evolved to protect against predators and secure new hunting grounds.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is afraid of men.
Cats display specific signals when they feel threatened by a particular individual. Recognizing these cues is essential for designing an effective desensitization plan. A cat that is fearful of men may: Flatten ears against the head, indicating heightened alertness.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell that your cat feels like the master of the house.
Cats assert dominance through scent distribution, a behavior that reveals their perception of ownership. When a feline rubs its cheeks, chin, or tail base against furniture, walls, or your legs, it deposits facial pheromones that signal “this area belongs to me.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat plays with its food before eating it.
As a veterinary behaviorist I observe that many domestic cats manipulate their meals before consumption. This pattern reflects innate predatory sequences retained from wild ancestors. Hunting simulation - The act of pawing, tossing, or batting food reproduces the capture‑and‑kill phase of a hunt.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to make the perfect cat house out of a cardboard box.
A well‑designed cardboard cat house offers several measurable advantages for feline health and behavior. First, the material’s natural texture provides a tactile surface that encourages scratching, which helps maintain claw health and reduces the risk of overgrown nails.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat has seizures.
When a cat experiences a seizure, the first priority is to prevent injury. Immediately clear the area of objects that could cause harm-sharp edges, heavy furniture, cords, and small items that the animal might bite or swallow. If the cat is on a hard surface, place a folded towel or blanket underneath to cushion the body without restricting movement.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if your cat is offended by you.
Cats communicate displeasure primarily through visible cues. An alert observer can differentiate a mild annoyance from genuine offense by noting consistent patterns in posture, ear placement, tail movement, eye expression, and vocal output. Ears:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat «rocks» kittens, even if there are none.
Maternal behavior in domestic cats includes a repertoire of actions originally evolved to support newborns. One of the most recognizable actions is a rhythmic back‑and‑forth motion that mimics the movements used during nursing. This motion, often called “rocking,” activates the mammary glands and stimulates milk ejection through the release of oxytocin.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to train a cat not to jump on the curtains.
Cats climb curtains because the behavior satisfies several innate drives. The vertical surface mimics a tree trunk, offering a perch for surveillance and a route for escape. Scratching the fabric releases tension in the claws and deposits scent, reinforcing territorial claims.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is afraid of other cats.
Understanding why a cat reacts fearfully toward conspecifics is the first step in developing effective interventions. The most frequently observed triggers include: Insufficient early socialization - kittens that miss critical exposure to other cats during the socialization window (approximately 2-7 weeks of age) often perceive unfamiliar felines as threats.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell that your cat is trying to protect you.
Cats descended from solitary hunters that occasionally formed loose colonies to defend shared resources. Over millennia, individuals that intervened when predators approached a vulnerable companion increased the survival odds of both parties, embedding protective tendencies in the species’ genetic repertoire.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat sleeps with its nose pressed against the wall.
As a veterinary behavior specialist, I examine the habit of cats positioning their noses against vertical surfaces during sleep. This posture serves several physiological and environmental functions. First, the behavior provides a stable point of contact that helps maintain balance while the animal rests in a semi‑upright posture.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to choose the perfect bowl for a cat.
Stainless‑steel feeding dishes rank highest among hygienic options for feline nutrition. The metal’s non‑porous surface prevents bacterial colonies from embedding, allowing thorough sanitation with hot water or a dishwasher cycle. No absorbent material remains to retain odors or residues, which eliminates sources of contamination that can provoke digestive upset.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is afraid of being left home alone.
Cats that experience anxiety when left alone display specific behavioral cues that signal distress. Recognizing these cues enables owners to intervene before the situation escalates. Excessive vocalization, such as persistent meowing or yowling, often intensifies shortly before departure and continues in the owner’s absence.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat stares at a single point where there is nothing.
Cats focus on seemingly empty spots because their sensory systems operate at a level far beyond human perception. High‑density rod cells in the feline retina detect minute changes in light intensity, allowing cats to perceive subtle shadows or reflections invisible to us.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to safely transport a cat in a car.
Choosing an appropriate carrier is the first step in ensuring a cat’s safety during a vehicle trip. A carrier must be large enough for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably; measure the cat’s height and length, then add at least two inches to each dimension.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is bitten by a tick.
When a cat acquires a tick, prompt action reduces the risk of disease transmission and tissue damage. Secure the cat - Gently restrain the animal using a towel or a cat‑specific holder to prevent sudden movements that could rupture the tick’s body.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to understand that a cat is trying to tell you something.
As a feline behavior specialist, I observe that vocalizations provide the most direct window into a cat’s intentions. Meowing is not a monolithic sound; it varies in pitch, duration, and intensity, each pattern conveying a specific need or response.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat eats plastic bags.
Cats frequently chew or ingest plastic bags because their natural hunting instincts drive them toward objects that mimic prey. The crinkling sound of a bag resembles the rustle of small animals moving through foliage, triggering a predatory response.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to teach a cat to give a paw.
Training a cat to offer its paw requires a small set of reliable tools. Selecting items that are safe, durable, and easy for the animal to recognize speeds the learning process and reduces frustration for both trainer and cat. Clicker or a consistent verbal cue (“yes”, “good”) to mark the desired response.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat refuses food and water.
When a cat stops eating and drinking, underlying health issues are often the primary factor. Immediate evaluation should focus on identifying conditions that impair appetite or hydration. Dental disease: pain from infected teeth, abscesses, or oral ulcers discourages chewing and swallowing.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to understand that your cat is smarter than you think.
Cats are frequently dismissed as solitary, instinct‑driven animals, yet research consistently reveals cognitive abilities that rival those of many domesticated species. Studies of feline brain anatomy show a proportionally large neocortex, a region linked to problem solving and flexible thinking.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats love to sleep in the most uncomfortable positions.
Cats frequently adopt seemingly awkward postures because these positions fulfill evolutionary imperatives tied to survival. When a feline curls its limbs tightly around its body, it reduces exposed surface area, conserving heat in cooler environments.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to break a cat of the bad habit of biting.
Cats often bite during high‑energy play, mistaking excitement for aggression. The behavior stems from natural hunting instincts, but it becomes problematic when the animal targets hands or feet. Effective intervention requires a clear understanding of the underlying drive and a consistent redirection strategy.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a kitten is not using the litter box.
A kitten’s approach to elimination reflects instinct, development stage, and environment. Understanding these baseline patterns is essential before intervening when a young cat avoids the litter tray. Kittens typically begin using a litter substrate within the first two weeks of life, guided by the mother’s grooming behavior.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell that your cat is aging.
Veterinary specialists recognize that feline aging follows a predictable physiological trajectory, allowing owners to identify senior cats through observable changes. Physical indicators include: Gradual weight loss or muscle wasting despite unchanged food intake.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat hisses at its kitten.
A domestic cat may hiss at its own kitten as a deliberate communication tool within its repertoire of common feline behaviors. The sound conveys boundaries, reinforces social order, and protects both mother and offspring from potential threats.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to choose a safe flea and tick remedy.
Flea and tick prevention protects animal health, reduces veterinary costs, and safeguards human households. Parasites transmit diseases such as Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, and tapeworm infections; eliminating exposure eliminates these risks.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is too clingy.
A cat that constantly trails its owner may be displaying excessive following, a manifestation of heightened attachment that can disrupt daily routines. This behavior often stems from insecurity, lack of environmental enrichment, or recent changes in the household.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if a cat has vision problems.
Cats with compromised sight often demonstrate changes in how they move through familiar environments. An expert observer can identify several specific patterns that signal visual impairment. First, a cat may hesitate before crossing thresholds such as doorways, stairs, or furniture edges.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat hides its toys.
Cats conceal their play objects as a manifestation of innate predatory and territorial instincts. The behavior aligns with the following motivations: Hunting simulation - Storing a toy mimics the capture and concealment of prey, reinforcing the cat’s natural chase‑capture‑hide cycle.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to prepare a cat for moving to a new home.
As a veterinary behavior specialist, I advise that a cat’s successful transition to a new residence begins with a calm relationship to its travel carrier. The carrier must become a familiar, safe space long before the move. Place the carrier in a quiet area where the cat spends most of its time.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is vomiting.
Veterinary professionals assess vomit color and consistency to gauge the seriousness of a cat’s condition. Clear or frothy liquid suggests mild irritation, possibly from hairballs or rapid eating. Offer small amounts of water and monitor for recurrence.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to understand the secret signals your cat is giving you.
As a feline behavior specialist, I outline the primary components of cat body language that convey intentions, emotions, and needs. Tail: a relaxed, slow sway indicates contentment; a puffed, upright tail signals alertness or agitation; a thumping tail denotes frustration or imminent aggression.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat has suddenly stopped liking its favorite food.
Cats may abruptly reject a previously favored dish for several physiological and environmental reasons. Understanding these triggers helps owners intervene before nutritional deficiencies or health issues develop. Common factors include: Dental problems such as gingivitis, tooth decay, or oral infections that make chewing painful.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to get a cat used to a new scratching post.
As a feline behavior specialist, I emphasize that a scratching post is a non‑negotiable element of a cat’s environment. Cats are hard‑wired to scratch; the action sharpens claws, removes the dead outer sheath, and keeps the nail bed healthy.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is tearing the curtains.
Cats damage curtains for multiple, well‑documented reasons. Understanding these motives helps owners choose effective interventions. Instinctual hunting behavior - The movement of fabric mimics prey. Cats swipe, bite, and claw at the material to satisfy predatory drives rooted in evolution.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59