Aggressive Cat Behavior

Aggressive Cat Behavior, Aggressive Behavior in Cats, Cat Behavior ProblemsIf you have a cat who is an irresistible darling, don’t presuppose that he is the safest thing to cuddle and play with the whole day. Sometimes he might give you that jolt by displaying sudden bouts of violent behavior. Aggression is nothing unnatural when it comes to cats. From build-up sexual tension to overexcitement, normally every stimulating emotion in a cat is given vent through the display of aggressive behavior. Thus, it is necessary to domesticate your feline cohort and make him adequately socialized and mellowed. Let us find out what exactly leads to aggressive behavior in cats and how to deal with such a behavioral problem.Forms of Aggressive Behavior in Cats
Aggressive behavior in a cat may take any of the following forms

Predatory Aggression
Always remember that your kitty is born with an innate inclination towards hunting. You might provide him with a can of tuna everyday, but at heart he is still a hunter who needs to sharpen his hunting skills. He instinctively pounces and attacks. It is often an extension of his playful behavior. He likes to act out the part of a predator and loves giving playful bites. Beware!

Anger Aggression
Sometimes negative emotions like fear might make your cat aggressive. If your cat doesn’t like being picked, stroked or touched, he might try to fend you off by scratching or biting when you approach him. When he notices that his aggressive behavior helps to deter unwanted pats and strokes, he will show persistent display of such volatile behavior.

Protective Aggression
This form of aggressive behavior is seen in the case of a mother cat. She might get furious and attack when someone tries to pat or play with her kittens. The protective motherly instinct leads her to safeguard her puppies from threats and dangers. Thus, she might see any unknown person or animal as a potential threat to her babies and might get belligerent when you approach them.

Fear Aggression
Whenever your cat is scared of a certain object/ idea/ or a person, he might take recourse to aggression to shield his actual feelings. Cats are generally very apprehensive about befriending strangers, and might get extremely hostile towards them. Similarly they might also burst out when they notice the veterinarian, as those pricks and jabs are no doubt painful.

Territorial Aggression
We all have personal spaces that we don’t like being intruded. Similar is the case with cats. This form of aggression is noticeable when a cat tries to protect his own domain or territory from trespassers. The animal might get violent if he believes someone/ something is toeing this personal line. Proper socialization is necessary to acquaint a cat with people and other animals in such cases.

Overexcitement
Overexcitement in cats takes the form of aggressive behavior. Sometimes excessive patting and cuddling might irritate a cat and lead to sudden explosive behavior. A cat might also display aggression when he is having too much fun during pleasurable experiences. Sexual stimulation in cats also gets manifested through aggressive behavioral patterns.

Health Problems
Sometimes a cat gets violent when he is not keeping a good health. He might get furious if you unintentionally pat him in painful areas. Other internal medical problems might also surface up in the form of violent behavior in your cat. When you notice such an abnormal display of behavior, it is always better to consult a veterinarian. Never presume that a cat gets rambunctious just to have fun.

Remedies of Aggressive Behavior in Cats
Teach your kitty not to bite or scratch during kitten hood. Play aggression can be easily curbed, if a kitten receives early training on apposite behavioral outlines.
Adequately socialize him with people and also other animals. Never expect your kitty to purr welcomingly if he notices a sudden raucous crowd entering the house.
Keep a note of all the signals that precede aggressive behavior in a cat, like tensing of the body or excessive flickering of the tail. Immediately withdraw if the cat displays such a body language while patting or playing.
If your cat displays these pre-aggression syndromes or gets aggressive during play, immediately avoid him. This way you can make him understand that his behavior is inappropriate for playful indulgence.
Trim your cat’s nails as he is prone to clawing. It is their way of marking a territory. So, it is always better to provide him an object like a ragged doll where he can scratch and paw as much as he likes.
If you bring a new pet home, it is always better to confine both the animals in different rooms for a couple of days. This helps proper breaking of the ice and your cat won’t feel threatened when he finally meets the new pet.
If you are still unable to undergo behavioral modification in your cat, it is better to take the help of a veterinarian. Never try to inject or administer drugs to your pet, and get rid of aggression without proper medical supervision.

Posted under Cats by admin on Monday 31 March 2008 at 8:53 am

Traveling With Cat

Traveling With Cat, Precautions Before Traveling with Cat, Cat Travel Ideas, How to Travel with Cats

Transporting cats from one place to another is a big challenge. Cats are terrified of traveling and they raise a big hue and cry. Before traveling with the cats you need to make a few preliminary preparations.
Arrange for some type of crate or fabric containment and put your cat into it. Cats feel physically and psychologically safe in these crates.
Before going on a long trip do some trial runs to see how your cat behaves. If it is uncomfortable and cries and shrieks too much for more than 20 minutes, consult a veterinarian. You may have to give tranquilizers to the cat before embarking on the trip.
Never, ever, let your cat loose when on a trip. The cat may run away. As a precautionary measure use an ID tag or other means of identification securely affixed to the pussy.
The cat can suffer from motion sickness and may vomit. Cats can overcome motion sickness through desensitization by repeat short, uneventful trips. Gradually accustom the cat to spending time in the car with the engine off, then with the engine on, then short trips, lastly on a cross country trip.
Prior to a trip make sure the cat has had food and water available, then remove food and water at least three hours before you set off. You can also use anti-motion sickness medications to help settle the stomach and prevent the prolific drooling that occurs in a nauseous cat.
Always buckle up the cat with the seat belt if no one else is there in the car to take care of pussy. All your attention should be on the traffic and not on the pussy.
Do not ever allow the cat to go near the driver side floor where the brake and gas pedals are located. And the dashboard must be out of bounds for safety sake.
If you are staying overnight somewhere, be sure to have reservations at an establishment that welcomes pets.
It is better to bring along the cat’s food and water from the home itself.
Don’t leave the pussy alone in a parked car. The heat generated may result in sunstroke.

Posted under Cats by admin on Monday 31 March 2008 at 8:51 am

Cat Training

Cat Training, Toilet Training Cat, Potty TrainingYou have a cat in your home. You love her, adore her but are fed up of several of her irritating activities. She litters, pees here and there - on the costly carpet, on bed sheet or in the kitchen. She scratches your furniture, flings from curtain or electric cord. You are wondering what to do of this naughty creature. In a rare and radical case you may be thinking of rearing a dog to teach little pussy a lesson. Well, take a pause. We are giving you some simple tips regarding basic training of your cat. This includes toilet/potty/litter box training.First of all there are two basic rules that are to be followed.
Don’t reprimand or punish your cat for any unwanted behavior. This may make your cat fearful of you or else the cat will continue with the unwanted behavior in your absence.
Reward your cat for the desired behavior. It will act as a positive reinforcement.
Excessive Meowing
Meowing is an acquired behavior of the cat. Cats have been trained to do so. Whenever pussy wants food, attention or affection, she meows. Over a period of time this becomes a self-reinforcing habit and later on cats meow just for the fun of it. The situation gets worsened when the cat is lonely or bored.

The first step in breaking this habit is to exercise and play daily with your cat. There are so many cat toys available in the market. You can choose anyone of them. But you have to really get involved in the game. If left on her own cat will soon get bored of the game.

Don’t pay attention to the pussy and give her anything when she is meowing. In fact ignore her completely whenever she does so. Fulfill her needs when she is quiet. This will instill in her mind the desired behavior that is expected of her.

Posted under Cats by admin on Monday 31 March 2008 at 8:47 am

Cat Scratching

Cat Scratching, Cat Scratching Post, Cat Scratching FurnitureYou are tired of the scratching behavior of the cat. She has shred your curtain, tattered your sofa and you are at your wits end how to deal with it.Well, Relax. Scratching is natural behavior for cats. It is a territorial instinct by which cats place their mark and establish their turf. Through scratching, cats mark their domains with more than just visible signs of claw marks. Cat’s paws also have scent glands that leave their own special scent on their territory.
Scratching also serves to keep your cat in shape. The act of scratching stretches and pulls and works the muscles of a cat’s front quarters.

So. One thing is clear - you can’t stop pussy from scratching. What you can do is stop her from scratching those items you value. Re-channel her into scratching where you want her to scratch.

Bring a scratching post for her. Show her how to use the post by taking her front paws and making scratching motions at the post. The scratching post must be tall enough for her to fully extend her body, and most importantly , it must be stable so that if doesn’t topple over.

If at first the cat is reluctant to give up her old scratching areas use lemon-scented sprays or a potpourri of lemon and orange peels to make her former scratching sites less agreeable to her. Cats have an aversion to citrus odors.

Trim your cat’s nails. But never de-claw them. De-clawing is literally maiming a cat. It can lead to physical, emotional and behavioral complications. A cat’s claws are a vital part of its anatomy, essential to balance, mobility and survival.

Posted under Cats by admin on Monday 31 March 2008 at 8:44 am

Cat Jewelry

Ideas on Cat Jewelry, Cat Silver Jewelry, Cat Gold JewelryThe various cat shows exhibit various breeds of cats such as Siamese and Balinese cats wearing costume jewellery. These days, cat jewels are quite a craze and gold cat pendants, earrings, pins and collars-like necklaces are not uncommon anymore. The tinkling noise of the anklets for the paws of the cats is quite entertaining. Probably, it evolved out of a silly whim of a lady who put on her own jewellery on her cat and attracted so much attention for her that the idea fascinated some business-minded people who started to make specialized jewelry for cats that can be bought by cat breeders and owners. Now, the cat jewellery is much a sign of a fashion statement in the high social circles that they have become indispensable signs of a purebred cat that belongs to a good family. Beautiful cat jewel designs are available now-a-days, produced with the help of gifted artists and goldsmiths that come in all types of metals and are accented with precious and semi-precious gems or fake gems in the cheaper versions.The affordable imitation designs that are much cheaper are an instant delight to all cat lovers and pride of the cats, especially at the shows and exhibitions. The breeders throughout the world crave for the latest novel cat jewelry designs that are quite a proof of status for the well-groomed cat. The materials used, quality and workmanship of the piece mainly determine the price of these jewels. So, if you want to offer a real taste of luxury to your feline companion, offer her the Cat Jewel necklace, as sparkling as her eyes. However, one has to remember that dressing your cat in all this finery needs supervision for your furry friend. If the cat escapes wearing the fine pieces, they may come off or get caught in something. The cat that may ruin it by chewing upon it or the cat may get choked on it. For occasional use, you may also dress you cat in your jewellery, though, cat jewelry definitely looks better on them, as they are meant to be for them and are thus, fits them perfectly. Elegant and classic jewellery needs as much care and protection on the furry cats as on women.

Posted under Cats by admin on Monday 31 March 2008 at 8:41 am

Cat House

Cat House, Cat Homes, Outdoor Cat House

Like us cats too need a house. The house can be indoors or it can be outdoors. If the cat house is indoors in your home, then keep a separate quarantined area for the cat that could be called as a cathouse. The outdoor cat house should preferably a wooden one so that it is durable and the cat is not able to harm it.The house should be waterproofed so that in the rainy season it does not drips and troubles your little pussy. There should be proper ventilation in the house so that the pussy gets ample sunlight and clean fresh air. Cats have a tendency to fling from hanging objects, such as curtain, electric cord etc. For the safety of your pussy no electric cord should be hanging in the cathouse. There should be a fix place for the litter box in the cathouse so that the cat develops a habit of littering in the litter box. Clean the cathouse regularly so that it does not becomes a source of infection for the cats. For the entertainment of pussy you can keep catnip and other cat toys in the cathouse

Posted under Cats by admin on Monday 31 March 2008 at 8:37 am

Cat Health

Cat Health Care Tips, Cat Fitness Ideas, How to Keep Cats Healthy

You want your little pussy to be healthy all the time. But like human beings cats too face general health problems. But taking care of small things you can go a long way in keeping your cat hale and hearty.Annual Check up: Have a thorough annual check up of your pussy done by an experienced vet. This should include examination of the cat’s body, from nose to tail; weighing and taking its temperature; listening to the cats heart and lungs; checking for abnormal discharges from any bodily orifices, including eyes and nose; checking its teeth, gums and ears; inspecting for parasites and abscesses; feeling the cats internal organs. Stool test should also be conducted to test the presence of parasites.

Vaccination: Get your cat vaccinated against all the common diseases.

Excessive licking and grooming: Excessive licking and grooming can have several causes: stress, food allergies, and more. The first step is to take the cat to a vet to determine whether it’s a health or behavior problem. Many cats are allergic to corn, a main ingredient in most dried cat foods. If an allergy is suspected change the cat’s food and watch for improvements in your cat’s coat and behavior. Your vet can suggest brands of food that will help the most. If the licking is due to stress, try to remove the source, or simply manage the stress.

Poisonous House Plants: Be cautious when choosing houseplants for your home, if you have kitties or children. The Berries on Mistletoe are poisonous to cats and humans. Other dangerous plants to cats include: Diffenbachia, Poinsettia, English ivy, Crocus, and others.

Neutering/Spaying: Get your cat neutered or spayed preferably at the age of 6-7 months

Increased Thirst: Increased thirst is an indicator of diabetes, kidney or liver problems, and these are important to consider with the health care of an elderly cat. Although an older cat needs fewer calories and more fluids as he ages, it is better to consult a veterinarian and go for a thorough checkup.

Controlling Hairballs: Hairballs are a problem mostly in longhaired cats. Hairballs are caused by too much hair in the cat’s stomach from their own grooming. Daily brush your cat, especially during the warm months of the year to prevent hairballs. If the problem still persists take your cat to a vet.

Ear mite: Ear mites are highly infectious little pests that feed on the lining of the ear canals. Its symptoms include scratching behind the ear and inside the ear; a dark brown wax inside the ear; and other signs that are not visible without the special equipment a vet uses. Take the cat to a vet immediately if you suspect that she has an ear mite. Persistent medication is required to treat ear mites.

Posted under Cats by admin on Monday 31 March 2008 at 8:35 am

Cat Grooming

Cat Grooming, Cat Grooming Tips, Grooming Long Haired CatCat grooming is important to maintain the hygiene of the cats. It also keeps the cats in the best of their health. Make a habit of grooming your cat regularly. Do it as the first thing in the morning. Gradually it will develop into a habit - both for you and the catBrush your cat regularly, especially if your cat is longhaired one. This will prevent tangled hairs and hairball. Always brush in the direction of your cat’s coat. Going against the grain can irritate her skin. If the hair is tangled too greatly, cut the hair off in order to remove the tangle. Don’t leave a tangle untouched.

Trim the cat’s toenails regularly. This will prevent scratching of furniture and draperies and also help the cat walk more easily. Start nail cutting from an early age so that the cat gets used to the experience easily. While cutting the nail, take the paw and press under the pad so that the nail comes out. Cut the nail tip and stay away from the pink vein (or quick) because it is sensitive and will hurt if you cut into it.

Clean the cat’s teeth regularly. Wet a cloth and dip it in salt and baking soda and rub it on its teeth. This will help clean its gums and mouth and keep it healthy. Also clean its eyes. To do this, use a mild salt-and-water mix. Use a cotton swab dipped in the mix to rub around the eyes.

Posted under Cats by admin on Monday 31 March 2008 at 8:32 am

Cat Gifts

Cat Gift, Cat Lover Gift, Cat Gift Basket

Cat gifts are perfect item to gift to any cat lover on Anniversary, Birthday, Christmas or any other special occasion. Cat lovers will cherish these unique cat gifts.
Some of the items that you can gift are:
Cat Ceramics
Cat Pottery
Cat Figurines
Wooden Cat sculptures
Cat Picture Frame
Stuffed Cats
Cat Doormats
Cat Artwork
Cat Stockings
Cat Pillows
Cat Towels
Cat Clocks
Cat Bowls
Cat Music Box
Cat Jewelry Box
You can also gift a cat gift basket containing an assortment of items listed above.

Posted under Cats by admin on Monday 31 March 2008 at 8:29 am

Cat Food & Diet

Cat Food Tips, Balanced Diet For Cats, What Cats Can Eat

Cats are obligate carnivores and hence, must eat animal tissue to maintain their long-term well-being. If left on its own the cat survives on whatever small animal prey is available in the habitat. From the muscle of its prey, the cat obtains protein. And from the bones and viscera (intestines and other organs), it obtains vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients. The cat also meets most of its fluid requirements through its prey. The cat’s tendency to eat small but frequent meals.Food provides the cat with nutrients - proteins, carbohydrates, fats, minerals, vitamins, and water - that are crucial to the growth, reproductive, and adult stages of its life cycle. Cats require two essential amino acids - taurine and arginine. Taurine deficiency in cats causes reproductive problems, blindness, and heart disease. An arginine-deficient diet leads to a situation in which the cat develops toxicosis because it can’t adequately convert the harmful waste product ammonia into urea (normally eliminated via the urinary system). To avoid the dangers of taurine and arginine deficiencies in cats: make sure that the cat’s diet contains adequate amounts of these and other essential amino acids.

A cat’s protein requirement varies according to its life stage. A healthy adult cat’s diet should contain 30 to 45 percent protein on a dry-matter basis (without the water content of the food). To fulfill protein’s requirement buy meat-based high protein cat food. As such cats do not require carbohydrates but most of the cat foods contain carbohydrates. A healthy adult cat’s diet should contain 10 to 30 per cent fat on a dry-matter basis. Cats also need vitamins and minerals. But we want to strike a note of caution here - Do not add vitamin or mineral supplements to cat’s food without first consulting a veterinarian. It would do more harm than good.

Several factors influence cat’s gastronomic habits. Smell and taste play a major role in shaping cat’s food preferences. In terms of flavor, cats prefer salty, sour, or bitter-tasting substances. Cats don’t develop a sweet tooth because they have no perception of simple sugars. Cats prefer food that is close to their own body temperature.

Contrary to the cat’s image cats must develop a taste for milk. Many cats do not enjoy cow milk. Cow’s milk can occasionally be a problem for cats that do enjoy it. Some adult cats cannot effectively digest cow’s milk (lactose intolerance), which can result in diarrhea.

Posted under Cats by admin on Monday 31 March 2008 at 8:26 am

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