List of articles № 4
Instruction: what to do if a cat eats inedible objects.
When a cat consumes a non‑food item, the first priority is to determine the immediacy of danger. Observe the animal for signs of distress such as rapid breathing, drooling, retching, pawing at the mouth, or abnormal posture. Note the type, size, and material of the ingested object;. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to know that your cat is controlling your life.
Cats reveal their influence through distinct behavioral cues that reshape daily routines. Recognizing these patterns enables owners to assess the extent of feline dominance. The cat arrives at the workstation before the computer is turned on, demanding attention until the device is activated.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat sleeps on your workspace.
As a feline behavior specialist, I explain that a cat’s decision to rest on a workstation stems from innate motivational systems. These instinctual drives operate without conscious deliberation and align with survival strategies evolved over millennia.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to train a cat not to climb the curtains.
Cats scale curtains because the behavior satisfies several innate drives. First, vertical surfaces provide a perch that enables observation of the environment. From an elevated point, a cat can monitor movement, detect potential prey, and assess threats, which aligns with its predatory heritage.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat has stopped purring.
When a cat ceases to purr, the first step is to recognize what the sound normally signifies. Cats produce a low‑frequency vibration through the laryngeal muscles, coordinated with the respiratory cycle. This vibration serves several physiological and behavioral purposes.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell that a cat is trying to help you around the house.
As a feline behavior specialist, I explain how a cat’s innate drives translate into actions that appear to assist household tasks. Cats retain predatory instincts that compel them to hunt, stalk, and capture moving objects. This drive extends to detecting small insects, rodents, or stray items that disrupt their environment.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat doesn't like it when you sing.
Cats possess a highly tuned auditory system that detects frequencies far beyond human capacity. Their hearing range extends from approximately 48 Hz to 85 kHz, with peak sensitivity between 8 kHz and 16 kHz. Human singing typically occupies 100 Hz-4 kHz, a spectrum comfortably within the feline audible window but often lacking the high‑frequency components cats prioritize.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to make toys for a cat that it won't get tired of.
As a veterinary behavior specialist, I observe that feline predatory drives are expressed primarily through play. When a cat chases, pounces, or bats at an object, it reproduces the sequence of hunting, which reinforces muscular coordination and sensory acuity.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat has become aggressive towards you.
Fear‑based aggression occurs when a cat perceives a threat and reacts defensively. The response is triggered by uncertainty, pain, or a sudden change in the environment. Typical signs include flattened ears, dilated pupils, a low‑pitched growl, rapid tail flicking, and a sudden swat or bite aimed at the perceived source of danger.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to know that your cat considers you its personal servant.
Cats treat their owners as personal attendants when they consistently monopolize the morning hours. The first indicator appears before sunrise, when the feline initiates a deliberate wake‑up routine. This behavior is not random; it reflects an expectation that the human will respond promptly to the cat’s demands.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats love to sleep on freshly laundered linens so much.
Cats consistently select freshly laundered fabrics as preferred resting surfaces. The attraction stems from several physiological and environmental factors that together create an optimal micro‑habitat. The textile’s low static charge reduces friction, allowing the animal’s claws to glide smoothly while maintaining enough grip for stability.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to break a cat of the habit of marking corners.
Cats spray corners primarily to communicate status, secure territory, and alleviate stress. The behavior stems from innate instincts that prioritize scent marking as a means of conveying information to conspecifics and reinforcing a sense of control over an environment.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if you accidentally step on a cat's tail.
When a cat’s tail is compressed, the animal may experience acute pain, bruising, or more serious damage such as a fracture. Immediate assessment reduces stress for the cat and guides appropriate care. First, observe the cat’s behavior. A stiff posture, vocalization, or attempts to hide indicate discomfort.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell that your cat is a true gourmet.
Cats that consistently choose high‑quality ingredients, reject bland fare, and display selective eating habits demonstrate refined taste preferences. Observable signs include: Preference for fresh, raw proteins such as sashimi‑grade fish or lightly cooked poultry, while ignoring processed or heavily seasoned options.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat loves to play with strings so much.
Cats are obligate predators; their hunting repertoire relies on detecting, tracking, and subduing small, erratic prey. A loose filament reproduces several critical characteristics of live targets, triggering instinctual responses. The string’s behavior aligns with three primary prey cues:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to properly feed a pregnant cat.
A pregnant cat’s diet must meet the heightened demands of fetal development and maternal tissue growth. Protein quality and quantity are the foundation; a minimum of 30 % digestible protein from animal sources supports muscle synthesis and placental function.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat doesn't let anyone near it except you.
As a feline behavior specialist, I emphasize that early socialization determines a cat’s willingness to interact with people beyond its primary caretaker. The critical period occurs between two and twelve weeks of age; experiences during this window shape the animal’s perception of humans as safe and predictable.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell if your cat is jealous of the dog.
Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Elena Marquez explains that the relationship between a cat and a dog is governed by distinct communication systems, resource priorities, and social positioning. Understanding these mechanisms helps owners recognize when a cat exhibits jealousy toward a canine companion.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat stares at one spot for so long.
Cats possess a sensory suite far more acute than that of humans, which directly influences their tendency to fixate on a single point. Visual perception in felines includes a high density of rod cells, granting superior low‑light detection and motion sensitivity.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat has stopped responding to its name.
Cats cease answering their name for several distinct reasons, each rooted in sensory, physiological, or environmental factors. Understanding these mechanisms enables owners to address the problem effectively. • Hearing impairment - Age‑related degeneration or ear infections reduce auditory perception, making the spoken cue indistinguishable from background noise.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell that your cat is an extremist.
As a feline behavior specialist, I begin by defining the baseline from which deviations become apparent. Domestic cats exhibit a predictable set of characteristics that reflect healthy development, social balance, and physiological needs. Typical feline behavior includes:. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat loves to sleep at your feet so much.
Cats often choose the space at a human’s feet because it offers a reliable sense of protection. The proximity to a moving body creates a stable micro‑environment that shields the animal from sudden disturbances. When a cat feels the subtle vibrations of footsteps, it can anticipate potential threats and adjust its posture instantly, reducing the risk of being startled.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to choose flea drops that really work.
Understanding the flea species that commonly infest dogs and cats is essential for selecting a treatment that eliminates the parasite and prevents reinfestation. The cat flea ( Ctenocephalides felis ) accounts for the majority of infestations on both species.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is offended and won't eat.
Cats communicate displeasure through minute physical signals that often precede refusal to eat. A flattened ear, positioned horizontally against the head, indicates heightened tension. When the tail is held low, twitching intermittently, the animal signals irritation.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to know that your cat is trying to manipulate you with meows.
Cats use vocalizations for specific functions, not merely as background noise. The primary reasons for meowing include: Requesting food or water when the owner is nearby. Signaling a desire for attention, such as petting or play. Indicating discomfort, pain, or illness, especially if the sound is urgent and repetitive.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat «makes biscuits» with its paws.
Cats frequently engage in a rhythmic pressing of their forepaws against soft surfaces-a behavior commonly described as “kneading.” Observers note several consistent characteristics: Alternating, circular motions of each paw, resembling the action of dough‑making.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to train a cat not to steal food from the table.
Understanding why a cat attempts to take food from the table is the first step in preventing the behavior. Most felines act out of a limited set of drives that can be identified through observation and simple testing. Observations reveal that hunger drives often surface when feeding schedules are irregular or portions are insufficient.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is constantly trying to open the door.
As a feline behavior specialist, I explain why a cat repeatedly attempts to open a door by referencing its instinctual drives. The desire to explore new territories triggers a strong urge to breach barriers that separate familiar environments from unknown spaces.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to know that your cat has chosen you as its person.
Understanding the cat‑human bond requires observation of specific behaviors that indicate a feline has singled out a particular person. Experts agree that cats communicate preference through consistent, measurable actions rather than occasional affection.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats love to sleep in bags and backpacks so much.
Cats instinctively prefer confined spaces because such environments satisfy several basic needs. Enclosed areas provide a sense of safety; the limited field of view reduces exposure to potential threats and allows the animal to monitor the surroundings from a protected position.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to properly create a diet for a cat with sensitive digestion.
Recognizing digestive sensitivity in felines begins with observing clinical signs. Consistent patterns differentiate a routine upset from a chronic intolerance that requires dietary modification. Intermittent or persistent vomiting, especially after meals Soft, watery, or mucous‑laden stools;. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat does not accept a new pet.
When a feline shows resistance to a newly introduced companion, its behavior communicates specific, low‑key signals. Recognizing these cues allows owners to intervene before tension escalates. Typical subtle indicators include: Slow, deliberate blinking directed at the newcomer, suggesting anxiety rather than aggression.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to know that your cat is actually your guardian angel.
Cats possess a finely tuned ability to track subtle shifts in human emotional states. When a person’s affect changes, the animal registers variations in tone of voice, body posture, and pheromone release. A cat that repeatedly approaches during moments of stress, rests its head on the owner’s lap, or emits a low purr can be interpreted as a direct response to the owner’s mood.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why a cat loves the smell of valerian so much.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) contains volatile compounds-primarily actinidine and isovaleric acid-that bind to the same olfactory receptors activated by nepetalactone in catnip (Nepeta cataria). This receptor overlap explains why many felines exhibit comparable behavioral responses, such as rolling, vocalizing, and increased activity, when exposed to either plant.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to break a cat of the habit of drinking from the toilet.
Cats often choose the toilet as a water source because it offers advantages that typical bowls do not provide. The following factors explain this behavior: Freshness and cleanliness - Flushed water is constantly renewed, lacking the film of dust or hair that can accumulate in a bowl.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: what to do if a cat is afraid of being left alone in a room.
Cats display distinct signals when they experience anxiety about being left alone in a confined space. Recognizing these cues allows caregivers to intervene before stress escalates. Typical behavioral indicators include: Hesitation at the doorway, accompanied by repeated glances back toward the owner.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to tell that your cat is «herding» you.
Cats often appear to orchestrate their owners’ movements, yet many owners mistake this pattern for random affection or simple play. The behavior commonly labeled as “herding” involves a cat positioning itself near a person, then using subtle cues-such as a focused stare, gentle nudges with the head, or intermittent paw taps-to guide the individual toward a specific location, typically a favorite perch, a food source, or a quiet spot.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: why cats love to sleep on their owner's chest so much.
As a feline behavior specialist, I observe that the chest area offers a unique combination of thermal and tactile cues that satisfy a cat’s innate preferences. The body heat emitted from a human torso typically ranges between 36 °C and 37 °C, closely matching the cat’s optimal core temperature.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to properly care for an elderly cat.
Senior cats undergo predictable physiological and behavioral shifts that influence daily care requirements. Recognizing these changes enables owners to adjust nutrition, environment, and medical monitoring, thereby preserving quality of life.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59
Instruction: how to know that your cat understands everything but pretends not to.
Cats often give the impression of indifference, yet their behavior reveals a sophisticated awareness of human actions. Recognizing that a cat comprehends commands, requests, or emotional cues while deliberately ignoring them requires attention to subtle signals.. Date latest changes: 2025-10-02 00:59