List of articles № 14
Instruction: how to tell if your cat dreams.
Cats experience rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a phase characterized by low muscle tone, irregular breathing, and brain activity resembling wakefulness. During REM, the cerebral cortex processes daily experiences, producing vivid mental imagery that manifests as dreams.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats love to knock objects off tables.
Cats regularly displace items from elevated surfaces, a behavior that captures owners’ attention and prompts scientific inquiry. This introduction outlines the central question, reviews current hypotheses, and establishes the framework for subsequent analysis.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to properly feed a sterilized cat.
Proper nutrition directly influences the health outcomes of neutered felines. After sterilization, hormonal shifts reduce basal metabolic rate, making cats more prone to weight gain if caloric intake remains unchanged. Excess body fat increases the likelihood of diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular strain, underscoring the need for diet adjustment.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat will not drink from a bowl, only from the tap.
Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Elena Markov observes that many felines reject stationary dishes and prefer water flowing from a faucet. This preference stems from innate survival mechanisms that evolved long before domestic environments existed.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if your cat is copying you.
Recognizing mimicry in animals requires observation of specific patterns that indicate intentional replication rather than coincidental similarity. In felines, mimicry manifests when a cat adopts behaviors that directly mirror its human companion’s actions, posture, or routines.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat «kneads» you before sleep.
Cats exhibit the rhythmic pressing of paws-commonly called “kneading”-long before they settle down for rest. Archaeological evidence shows that wild felids used this motion while stimulating the soft undergrowth of their hunting grounds, creating a comfortable nest for themselves and their offspring.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to help a cat cope with the loss of another pet.
As an experienced feline behavior specialist, I observe that loss of a companion triggers distinct shifts in a cat’s routine and demeanor. Recognizing these changes enables targeted support. Common behavioral indicators include: Decreased appetite or refusal to eat.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is constantly yowling for no apparent reason.
Cats vocalize for a range of physiological and psychological reasons, and understanding these drivers is essential when a feline repeatedly yowls without an obvious trigger. The primary mechanisms behind persistent yowling include: Medical discomfort - pain from arthritis, dental disease, urinary tract infection, or gastrointestinal upset can prompt a cat to vocalize intensely.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to recognize heat stroke in a cat.
Heat stroke, or severe hyperthermia, occurs when a cat’s core body temperature rises above the normal range (≈101-102 °F or 38.3-38.9 °C) and the animal cannot dissipate excess heat. The condition overwhelms thermoregulatory mechanisms, leading to cellular damage, organ failure, and potentially death if untreated.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats hide in the closet.
Cats seek confined spaces because instinctual drives prioritize safety, thermoregulation, and predatory preparation. The drive for concealment originates from ancestral survival strategies; enclosed areas reduce exposure to predators and allow rapid assessment of threats.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to train a kitten not to climb the curtains.
Kittens climb curtains because the behavior satisfies several innate drives. Vertical exploration: young cats are programmed to seek elevated positions where they can observe surroundings and avoid predators. Claw maintenance: the fabric’s texture offers a convenient surface for sharpening and exercising claws.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is constipated.
A cat suffering from difficulty passing stool often displays distinct alterations in routine. Recognizing these changes enables timely intervention and prevents complications. Typical behavioral indicators include: Reduced appetite or refusal to eat.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to understand that a cat is trying to warn you of danger.
Cats communicate danger through distinct physical cues. Recognizing these signals enables timely response and reduces risk for both human and animal. Ears flattened against the head indicate heightened alertness and readiness to react. Tail puffed to double its usual diameter signals an attempt to appear larger, a classic defensive posture.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats don't like their tails being touched.
The feline tail consists of vertebrae, musculature, and a dense network of sensory receptors. Each caudal vertebra is linked by intervertebral joints that allow precise, rapid movements. Intrinsic muscles attach to these bones, enabling the cat to flick, balance, and communicate without conscious effort.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to build a «cat tree» with your own hands.
A cat tree is a purpose‑built structure that offers felines vertical and horizontal surfaces for climbing, scratching, and resting. It mimics natural arboreal habitats, allowing a cat to satisfy instinctual behaviors while staying indoors. Key elements typically include:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is afraid of the hair dryer.
Cats react strongly to sudden, high‑frequency sounds. A hair dryer produces a broadband noise that peaks around 5-6 kHz, a range to which feline hearing is especially sensitive. The resulting auditory stimulus can trigger a fear response, causing the animal to flee, hide, or display stress signals such as flattened ears and rapid tail movement.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if your cat is faking it.
Cats sometimes display behaviors that appear deceptive, masking true intentions to achieve specific outcomes. Understanding the motivations behind such mimicry helps owners interpret signals accurately. One reason is the pursuit of attention.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats choose one «favorite» person in the family.
Cats are often portrayed as solitary hunters, yet scientific observations contradict this image. Field studies of feral colonies reveal stable group structures, coordinated feeding, and shared resting sites. Domestic cats retain these social capacities, expressing affiliation through grooming, vocal exchange, and synchronized sleeping.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to calm a cat during a thunderstorm.
When a storm erupts, a cat’s stress becomes evident through specific behaviors. Observing these cues allows immediate intervention, preventing escalation and facilitating a calmer environment. Typical indicators of feline distress include:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat has diarrhea.
When a cat experiences loose stools, the first step is to determine how serious the condition is. Observe the stool’s appearance and frequency. Runny, watery feces occurring more than twice in 24 hours suggest a mild upset, while profuse, liquid discharge or the presence of blood indicates a more urgent problem.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how veterinarians deceive cat owners.
Veterinary deception of cat owners represents a persistent ethical breach that undermines trust in animal health care. As a professional with extensive experience in veterinary ethics and practice oversight, I have observed patterns that enable practitioners to manipulate client decisions for financial or reputational gain.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what cats really want from their owners.
As a feline behavior specialist, I observe that cats communicate their needs primarily through subtle physical signals. Recognizing these cues enables owners to respond appropriately and fulfill the animal’s expectations. Key body‑language indicators include:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how a cat's body language reveals all its secrets.
Observing a cat’s posture, ear position, tail movement, and facial expression provides the most reliable gateway to its internal state. Subtle shifts-such as a slight flattening of the ears or a barely perceptible twitch of the whiskers-signal changes in mood that vocalizations alone cannot convey.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why your cat wakes you up at night.
Cats operate on an internal clock that differs markedly from human patterns. Their circadian system drives heightened activity during twilight periods, aligning with the natural hunting times of small prey. Consequently, a cat’s alertness peaks in the early evening and again before sunrise, often overlapping with the hours when owners are asleep.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if your cat has liver problems.
The liver is the principal organ for metabolic processing in cats. It converts carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into usable energy, regulates blood glucose, and synthesizes cholesterol and fatty acids required for cell membranes. Detoxification is a core function;. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is constantly grooming itself.
Cat grooming is a self‑maintenance activity that serves three primary functions: removal of loose hair and debris, distribution of skin oils, and regulation of body temperature. The act also provides sensory feedback through whisker stimulation, which helps the animal assess its environment.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats love to sleep on laptops so much.
Cats gravitate toward laptops primarily because of the heat generated by the devices’ internal components. Modern portable computers contain multiple heating elements, such as the central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), and power management chips.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if your cat is lonely.
The belief that cats thrive in isolation persists despite extensive ethological research demonstrating their capacity for complex social interaction. Studies of feral colonies, domestic multi‑cat households, and interspecies bonding reveal that cats routinely seek companionship, engage in mutual grooming, and communicate through vocalizations and body language.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat has scratched a child.
When a child is scratched by a cat, the first priority is a systematic evaluation of the injury. The examiner should: Observe the site for active bleeding; apply gentle pressure with a clean gauze if bleeding persists. Determine the depth of the puncture or abrasion;. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to properly introduce a cat to a new partner.
As a feline behavior specialist, I stress that successful integration of a cat with a new partner begins with a clear assessment of the cat’s temperament. Recognizing the individual’s dominant traits-such as sociability, territoriality, and stress tolerance-provides the foundation for a smooth transition.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats are so afraid of veterinarians.
Cats exhibit heightened sensitivity to unfamiliar environments, a trait rooted in survival instincts. Their evolutionary history favors vigilance against potential threats; a clinical setting introduces unpredictable sounds, scents, and tactile stimuli that trigger a defensive response.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to understand what your cat really thinks about you.
Cats communicate primarily through posture, ear position, tail movement, and facial expressions. A relaxed body with a loosely curled tail indicates comfort and trust, while a puffed tail or arched back signals fear or aggression. Ears flattened against the head denote anxiety, whereas forward-facing ears show interest and attention.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat scatters litter around the litter box.
Understanding the reasons cats fling litter is essential for developing effective countermeasures. Instinctual digging - Felines instinctively dig to cover waste. Excessive digging can propel granules beyond the box rim. Territorial marking - Some cats spread litter to leave a scent trail, reinforcing ownership of the area.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to determine a cat's breed by its behavior.
As a feline behavior specialist, I evaluate subtle patterns that differentiate purebred lines from mixed ancestry. Each breed exhibits a constellation of actions that, when observed consistently, reveal its genetic heritage. Activity level - Siamese and Bengal cats maintain high stamina, engaging in prolonged play sessions and rapid pursuit of moving objects.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat tries to «bury» your food.
Cats conceal food for several instinctual reasons rooted in their evolutionary history. The behavior originates from predatory ancestors that stored prey to protect it from scavengers and to keep it fresh for later consumption. Domestic cats retain this drive even when presented with human‑prepared meals.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to save furniture if there is a kitten in the house.
Protecting your furnishings when a curious kitten roams the home requires deliberate kitten‑proofing. The practice prevents damage, extends the life of upholstery, and maintains a safe environment for both the animal and the occupants. A well‑planned approach eliminates hazards before they cause harm.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if your cat is ignoring you.
When a cat appears indifferent, stress or anxiety often underlies the behavior. Elevated cortisol levels, disrupted routines, and unfamiliar stimuli can cause a cat to withdraw, reducing social interaction and vocalization. Recognizing stress‑related signs-such as excessive grooming, hiding, reduced appetite, or litter‑box accidents-helps differentiate emotional avoidance from medical issues.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if a cat is sick by the condition of its coat.
Veterinary specialists recognize the coat as a direct reflection of a cat’s internal condition. A well‑maintained fur layer provides a physical barrier against parasites and environmental contaminants while simultaneously revealing physiological changes that may not be apparent elsewhere.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats narrow their eyes when they look at you.
Feline eye narrowing is a communicative signal rooted in physiology and social interaction. When a cat reduces the aperture of its pupils, the iris contracts, limiting light entry and sharpening focus on the target. This adjustment enhances visual acuity for objects at moderate distance, allowing the animal to assess subtle facial cues and movements.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat steals things.
Cats often seize objects because their predatory instincts treat moving or dangling items as prey. This behavior stems from a natural drive to stalk, pounce, and capture, which persists even in domestic environments. When a feline appropriates a sock, a pen, or a small toy, the act reflects a simulated hunt rather than deliberate mischief.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59