Spotmeister's Cat
Care Information PageSpotmeister's Cat
Care Information Page
In choosing a new kitten or cat, you should be careful to look for several things that indicate good health and temperament. First of all, the cat should have clear, bright eyes with little or no tearing, and the nostrils should be clean. Runny eyes, sneezing, or a nasal discharge can indicate a respiratory infection. The inside of the ears should be clean and free of any discharge. A black, tar-like discharge in the ear canal usually indicates an ear-mite infestation, while a pus-like discharge is often seen if there is a bacterial or yeast infection. The mouth and gums should be pink, with no evidence of ulcers or sores. The coat should be glossy, and there should be no bare spots, dry skin, dandruff, or any evidence of external parasites. The cat should not be too thin or have a protruding belly, since either condition can indicate the presence of internal parasites or some other medical disorder. If possible, make sure the cat has normal, well-formed feces.
The cat or kitten should be friendly and comfortable with people. A physically sound individual is active, bright, responsive, rambunctious, and eager to join in play. Beware of a cat that frequently runs and hides or sleeps more than normal.
Once a kitten has been weaned from its mother (usually at about 8 weeks of age), it is ready for adoption. Before accepting the new cat, a prospective owner should ask questions about vaccinations, nutrition, parasite control, and grooming.
Spaying or Neutering
Traditionally, cats have been spayed or neutered at six months of age or older. However, many veterinarians recommend performing the procedure at an earlier age to further insure against unwanted pregnancies.
Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is the surgical removal of the female reproductive organs (ovaries, oviducts, uterus). It is a recommended procedure for all female cats that will not be used in a breeding program. The removal of the reproductive organs eliminates the behaviors associated with the heat (estrus) cycle (i.e., kneading, howling, restlessness); greatly reduces the incidence of mammary cancer; and helps to decrease overpopulation.
Neutering (castration) is the surgical removal of parts of the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, parts of the vas deferens). The benefits, besides preventing impregnation of a female cat, include the reduction of excessive aggressiveness, urine spraying, and the pungent odor of intact-male urine.
In Sickness and in Health
A sick animal often has a dull and patchy hair coat, because the skin is one of the first systems to be affected by disease. Another sign of illness is a lack of appetite. Persistent and severe vomiting (with or without diarrhea) and prolonged diarrhea alone are sure signs of illness. Red, watery eyes, which may be accompanied by nasal discharge or sneezing, also can indicate problems. Straining to urinate, bloody urine, or frequent urination signify disease. Any swelling that appears rapidly or continues to increase in size over time is a cause for concern.
Injuries such as those caused by car accidents, falls, being bitten by another animal, or being shut in the door are all potential hazards for cats and usually require veterinary treatment. Those injuries can be greatly reduced by keeping your cat indoors. If you want your cat to enjoy the outdoors, train it to a harness and leash.
In short, use good judgment regarding your cat's health. When in doubt, a simple telephone call to the veterinarian can usually determine if your cat should be examined.
Cats and kittens need to be protected from deadly infectious feline diseases. If you acquire a new kitten, it is important to find out what vaccinations it has received and at what age. If you obtain an adult cat, you should inquire as to when it had its last booster vaccinations.
A kitten usually will receive a series of two to four vaccinations. The actual number varies depending on a number of variables, including the type of vaccine, the kitten's age at the first visit, whether its mother was vaccinated, and its risk of exposure.
Feline panleukopenia (also called feline distemper) is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease of cats. Until recent years, panleukopenia was the most serious infectious disease of cats, claiming the lives of thousands every year. Thanks to the highly effective vaccines currently available, panleukopenia is now considered to be an uncommon disease. However, because of the serious nature of the disease and the continued presence of virus in the environment, vaccination is highly recommended for all cats.
Feline calicivirus (FCV) and feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) are responsible for 80-90% of infectious feline upper respiratory tract diseases. Most cats are exposed to either or both of these viruses at some time in their lives. Once infected, many cats never completely rid themselves of virus. These "carrier" cats either continuously or intermittently shed the organisms for long periods of time -- perhaps for life -- and serve as a major source of infection to other cats. The currently available vaccines will minimize the severity of upper respiratory infections, although none will prevent disease in all situations. Vaccination is highly recommended for all cats.
In general, the first vaccinations to protect against panleukopenia and diseases caused by FCV and FHV-1 are given at six to eight weeks of age. Occasionally veterinarians will begin vaccination at an earlier age depending on the kitten's risk of exposure and amount of protection received from the mother. The vaccines are then "boosted" at three- to four-week intervals until the kitten is between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. Following this initial vaccination series, boosters will be given regularly to keep the cat protected.
Your cat should be vaccinated against rabies. The vaccine should be given at twelve weeks-of-age, then one year later. Thereafter, the vaccine should be given every one to three years, depending upon the vaccine type and local rabies vaccination requirements.
Feline pneumonitis, caused by a Chlamydia organism, is a mild to severe respiratory and eye disease. Chlamydia vaccines are available, often in combination with other vaccines. Although vaccination does not provide complete protection, it will reduce the severity of the disease.
Vaccines can help protect your cat against the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infection. Ideally, the cat should be tested prior to vaccination, since the vaccine will offer no protection to individuals already infected with the virus. FeLV vaccines should be given twice at three- to four-week intervals; kittens can begin the series when between eight and twelve weeks-of-age. Afterwards, your cat should receive regular re-vaccinations ("booster" vaccinations) against FeLV. Since FeLV vaccines will not protect all cats, your veterinarians will discuss additional ways to help prevent infection.
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is caused by a coronavirus. The currently -available FIP vaccine is administered intranasally to cats at 16 weeks of age, with a booster in three to four weeks, and then yearly. Cats in multiple cat facilities have a much greater risk of developing FIP than most household cats. If used appropriately and in conjunction with proper management, the vaccine has been found helpful in reducing the incidence of FIP in certain multiple cat environments. If your cat resides in a high-risk environment, you should discuss the vaccine with your veterinarian. (For more detailed information about vaccination, see Feline Vaccines: Benefits and Risks.)
What to feed, how much to feed, and how often to feed are common concerns of first-time cat owners. First, you should find out what the new cat has been eating. Even if you don't expect to stay with that diet, you should continue feeding it some of its old food as you gradually switch it to the new. Whether you feed dry, canned, or semimoist food, be sure to purchase a product that meets the standards established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), preferably by animal-feeding trials.
Never give more than 5 to 10 percent of the cat's diet in the form of table scraps. Remember that raw meat may be a source of parasites and bacteria. If you feed a diet that meets the AAFCO standards you can be assured your cat is receiving an adequate supply of vitamins and minerals in the diet. Therefore, the use of vitamin and mineral supplements is unnecessary. In fact, the addition of a supplement without a veterinarian's approval may actually harm your cat. (For more detailed information on nutrition, see Feeding Your Cat.)
General Grooming Hints
Grooming is much easier if you begin the procedure when your cat is still young. This way, the cat will grow to accept grooming as a pleasant routine rather than as a desperation-based chore. A good brush or a steel comb is a necessity for any cat owner. By brushing or combing your cat regularly, you can keep its hair coat clean, shiny, and sleek. Any loose fur removed during grooming will not wind up on the furniture, and your cat will have fewer problems with fur accumulating in the gastrointestinal tract. An extra benefit is that by regularly grooming your cat, you have an opportunity to examine the skin for parasites or disease.
A second necessity for any cat owner is a good set of nail clippers. Trimming the nails regularly reduces the likelihood of damage caused by sharp claws, and lessens the possibility of a nail growing into the foot pad and causing infection. Again, if you start the routine when the cat is young, you will find the task easier as it gets older. Ask your veterinarian for a lesson on how to trim your cats claws.
Internal Parasites
Parasites that infect the intestinal tract of cats can be worm-like organisms (e.g., roundworms, hookworms or tapeworms) or microscopic organisms called protozoa (e.g., Isospora, Toxoplasma, Giardia). Most intestinal parasites deprive the infected cat of important nutrition, causing weakness and susceptibility to viral or bacterial infections. Although initially infecting the intestinal tract, Toxoplasma organisms usually cause disease in other parts of the body. Therefore, keeping your cat free of parasites is important for its long-term health.
Intestinal parasites can usually be diagnosed when your veterinarian analyzes a fecal sample. Occasionally, an owner may see an intestinal parasite in vomit or in feces that resembles a white, threadlike worm, or the parasite may resemble a rice grain near the cat's tail. If your cat is infected, proper medication should be obtained from your veterinarian. A fecal sample should be checked after treatment to ensure that the parasites have been eliminated. Because some intestinal parasites can also cause disease in human beings, have your cat checked at least annually for intestinal parasites. (For more detailed information, see Gastrointestinal Parasites of Cats and Toxoplasmosis.)
Heartworm disease is often thought of as a problem in dogs only, but the internal parasite, Dirofilaria immitis, can infect cats as well. If you reside in an area where dogs are infected, cats living in the area are at risk of infection too. Dirofilaria immitis is carried by mosquitoes, so both indoor and outdoor cats are at risk. Although infection can be serious or even deadly, it is easily avoided by monthly administration of preventative medication.
External Parasites
External parasites that infest cats include a variety of small to microscopic insects and arachnids that derive their nutrients from the cat's blood, tissue fluids, or skin cells. Fleas, ticks, lice, fly larvae and mites are external parasites that can be source of much irritation to a cat. External parasites cause the most common skin disorders of cats and help transmit other diseases (e.g., bubonic plague, hemobartonella, Lyme disease, and perhaps cat-scratch disease). Common signs of external parasitism include intense itching, red crusty lesions or scaly skin. Your veterinarian can provide effective treatments and control methods for most feline external parasites.
Fleas, the most common external parasite of cats, are wingless, brownish insects that are powerful jumpers. Although fleas are small, they are visible to the naked eye. Adult fleas suck blood from the cat, so a heavy infestation can cause anemia, especially in young kittens. A condition called flea-bite hypersensitivity, the most common allergic skin disease of cats, affects individuals that are allergic to the flea's saliva.
There are many safe and effective flea-control products currently available on the market, but the most effective flea control strategies require simultaneous treatment of both the cat and its environment. Make sure that any insecticides used (e.g., sprays, dips, or powders) are safe for use on cats, because many flea products formulated for dogs can be very toxic to cats. Some insecticidal products cannot be used on kittens less than two to three months of age. Also, it's best not to use insecticides from the same class (e.g. organophosphates) in different forms on the cat or in the environment for fear of cumulative toxic effects.
The Older Cat
Cats are individuals, and, like people, they experience old age in their own individual ways. Fortunately, advances in feline health care have helped to extend the cat's normal life span. Today, it is not unheard of for cats to live to be twenty years old, although the average feline life span is from twelve to fifteen years. Providing good health care for your cat through all its stages of life is the best means of assuring an optimum life span.
Aging is a natural process, producing changes in body metabolism, hormone balance, and sensory perception. There is an overall gradual decline in the body's metabolic rate. Decreased drug tolerance, inability to regulate body temperature, decreased caloric needs, and decreased immunity to diseases accompany the decline. Progressive degeneration of hormone-secreting organs (e.g., thyroids, adrenals, pancreas, and kidneys) can result in associated diseases (e.g., hypo- or hyperthyroidism, hypo- or hyperadrenocorticism, diabetes mellitus). The ability to taste, smell, see, and hear also diminishes with age.
Physical and behavioral signs may reflect some of these bodily changes. Physical signs can include a cloudiness of the eyes; a thinning hair coat; decreased tolerance of the cold; flabby skin; prominent spine and hips; joint stiffness or lameness; graying of the muzzle; muscle atrophy; and deafness. Behaviorally, the older cat is less tolerant of environmental changes, sleeps more and is less active, and may seem more irritable.
After they reach eight or nine years of age, cats are more susceptible to the diseases associated with aging. Therefore, it is advisable to have older cats checked yearly or more often by a veterinarian. At each visit samples of blood, urine, and feces may be taken for laboratory examination. Also, keeping current on vaccinations helps to protect your cat against panleukopenia (feline distemper), respiratory diseases, feline leukemia, and rabies.
Special Care for the Elderly Cat
Close observation by the owner and quick veterinary attention when required are important to the health of the older cat. Early detection and early treatment of disease are particularly important for older animals, since their resistance is often reduced.
Feeding
Dietary changes may be necessary if the cat has developed diabetes, heart or kidney disease, or obesity. Older cats lose their sense of smell, which may affect their interest in food. Strong aromas may be required to entice the cat to eat. To ensure proper nutrition, select a cat food that states it is a "complete and balanced product for maintenance" and that meets the requirements of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), preferably by animal-feeding trials.
The veterinarian may also recommend vitamin and mineral supplements according to the individual cat's needs. However, if a cat is voluntarily eating a balanced diet, supplements are not necessary and could even be counterproductive by destroying the nutritive balance of the diet.
Because older cats are less active and have a reduced metabolic rate, many tend to become overweight, and the owner must adjust the amount of food to the cat's decreasing activity level. Progressive weight loss also can be a very serious problem in an older cat; it may signal kidney failure, presence of a tumor, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, or other conditions. Therefore, owners should check their pet's weight every few months and keep a record of any changes.
Exercise
An older cat becomes less agile as arthritis develops and muscles begin to atrophy. Accordingly the cat will limit its physical activity. However, regularly engaging your cat in moderate play can promote muscle tone and suppleness, increase blood circulation, and improve gastrointestinal motility. During times of exercise be alert to labored breathing or rapid tiring that may suggest the cat has a disease. It may be necessary to relocate food dishes and litter boxes for cats with advanced arthritis and muscle atrophy.
Grooming
Daily brushing and combing removes loose and dead hairs before they can be swallowed by the cat during self- grooming. Grooming thus minimizes the formation of hair balls. Hair balls can cause problems for an older cat because its gastrointestinal tract is often less motile, favoring impactions and other obstructions. Brushing also stimulates blood circulation and sebaceous-gland secretions in the skin, creating a healthier skin and hair coat.
While you are grooming your cat, you can also look for unusual lumps, skin lesions, or external parasites. Unusual lumps or skin lesions should be examined by a veterinarian for appropriate treatment. External parasites can be controlled by treating the cat and its environment with recommended pesticides.
Older cats may not use scratching posts as frequently to remove the outer sheath of their claws. Therefore, nails should be checked weekly and trimmed if necessary.
Dental Care
Daily removal of plaque is a prime factor in preventing and controlling dental disease. There is evidence that tartar formation is reduced 95 percent by daily cleaning and 76 percent by weekly cleaning. If your cat has never had its teeth professionally cleaned or has a buildup of tartar, it would be prudent first to schedule your cat for a professional dental cleaning with a veterinarian before assuming the task yourself.
Home dentistry consists of gently rubbing your cat's teeth and gums with a piece of gauze or specially designed toothbrush soaked in a mouth rinse or paste designed for cats, which are available through your veterinarian. (Do not use human toothpaste, as it causes excessive salivation in cats and if swallowed may cause digestive upsets.) Tooth cleaning should be performed on a regular schedule so that it becomes a habit for both you and your cat.
Reducing Environmental Stress
Older cats are usually less adaptable to changes in their environment. Special provision should be made for an older cat that must be boarded for a period of time. Having a familiar object, such as a blanket or toy, may prevent the cat from becoming too distraught in a strange environment. A better alternative, if possible, is to have the older cat cared for at home by a neighbor, friend, or relative.
Other traumatic experiences for the older cat involve the introduction of a new pet or moving to a new home. In both cases, the cat's territory is drastically altered, thereby causing stress. However, some stress can be alleviated by giving the older cat more affection and attention.
Diseases of Older Cats
The aging process leaves older cats more susceptible to certain disease. In particular, diseases resulting from organ degeneration and dysfunction are more prevalent.
Kidney Failure
Chronic interstitial nephritis, resulting in scarred and shrunken kidneys, is the most common cause of chronic kidney failure and death in the older cat. Weight loss, increased thirst and urination, poor appetite, bad breath, mouth ulcers, and occasional vomiting are common signs of kidney disease. However, these signs typically do not occur until after 70 percent of the kidney's functions are lost, and they are related to the recirculation of wastes in the blood that are normally removed by the kidneys. If unchecked, the buildup of toxic wastes will prove fatal.
The effects of kidney failure can be diminished, although not cured, by medication and a reduced-protein diet, which produces fewer waste products. Special dietary foods are commercially available and can be obtained through a veterinarian. With the veterinarian's assistance the owner may also be able to formulate a diet that will meet the disabled cat's special requirements. As always(but even more so in the case of kidney disease)clean, fresh water should be available to the cat at all times.
Cancer
A cat's chances of developing cancer increase with age. An accumulation of cancer-causing substances (carcinogens) in the body, infectious-disease agents, or impairment of the immune system have been blamed, in part, for the increased incidence of cancer in older cats.
The feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is the cause of one of the most threatening and common forms of cancer in cats, lymphosarcoma. The virus is contagious among cats and is considered 100 percent fatal to cats with persistent infections. Disease symptoms are varied but can include anemia, fever, poor appetite, weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, depression, and labored breathing. Tumors associated with feline leukemia virus commonly occur in the lymph nodes, kidneys, and intestines of older cats. The tumors may not be apparent to the touch but often can be revealed by blood tests, radiographs (X-rays), and biopsy samples. Chemotherapy may cause a short-term remission of the disease in some cats. However, because there is no cure, and a painful end is inevitable, many veterinarians recommend humane euthanasia for cats suffering from lymphosarcoma.
Intact queens or females spayed late in life are more prone to the development of mammary (breast) tumors. Unfortunately, about 85 percent of the tumors are malignant and are accompanied by early metastasis to lymph nodes, liver, and lungs. Chemotherapy or surgical removal of the tumor, although rarely curative, can be helpful in treating some tumors, though the risks of associated trauma and side effects may be greater in the aged cat.
Digestive System
Constipation is one of the most common ailments of older cats. Bulk-forming agents, such as wheat bran, or other sources of fiber mixed with commercial cat food can minimize hair-ball formation in the stomach or intestine. However, surgical removal of obstructive hair balls may occasionally be necessary. Regular use of hair-ball medications and moist, bulky foods also should greatly help control constipation. Neither laxatives nor hair-ball medications should be used more than once a week unless recommended by a veterinarian, because they can interfere with absorption of vitamins.
Even though diarrhea is not quite as common as constipation in older cats, it may be a sign of disease, and a veterinary examination would be in order.
Oral Problems
Cats are not prone to tooth decay, but they are very susceptible to tartar build-up and resultant oral diseases such as gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and stomatitis (inflammation of the mouth lining). Those problems may be more prevalent in cats fed primarily soft diets and human foods. Signs of oral problems are bad breath, excessive salivation, brownish-yellow tartar deposits, and difficulty in eating or refusal to eat. In advanced cases of gingivitis, the gums are red and swollen and very painful, the tooth sockets ooze pus, and the teeth become loose and fall out.
Skin Problems
Skin irritations and wounds tend to heal more slowly in the older cat. Also, nutritional deficiencies can occur in older cats that can influence the health of the skin and hair coat.
Musculoskeletal Problems
The older cat may experience chronic degeneration of muscles, joints, and vertebral discs. Arthritis, manifesting itself as lameness, stiffness, pain, and a reluctance to move, is common. Currently, there is no way to prevent or cure arthritis in cats. However, there are medicines that can alleviate the pain and discomfort of inflamed joints.
Hyperthyroidism
Overactivity of the thyroids is one of the most common endocrine disorders in the older cat. Hyperactivity, sudden weight loss, increased appetite and stool volume, and increased fluid intake and urination are associated with the disease. Fortunately, the disease is treatable by medical therapy, radiation therapy, or surgery.
Heart and Circulatory Disorders
Some cats born with heart defects may reveal no effects until later in life, when there is increased stress on the heart and circulatory system. Heart disease usually occurs in middle-aged cats (six to eight years old).
The most common acquired heart disease is cardiomyopathy, or failure of the heart muscle. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may develop as a separate disease, but in older cats it can develop secondary to hyperthyroidism and chronic kidney disease.
Unfortunately, some signs of heart disease (lack of energy and appetite, decreased activity, long rest periods) can be easily confused with the normal signs of old age, and thus may be overlooked until the disease is too far advanced for treatment. Other signs to watch for are a marked tendency to lie flat on the breastbone and reluctance to move from that position, panting or open-mouth breathing (due to fluid accumulation in the chest and resultant breathing difficulty), sudden paralysis of the rear limbs, and, in severe cases, a bluish-gray tongue (due to inadequate oxygen supply).
Anemia is a frequent malady of older cats that can be caused by a multitude of different chronic diseases and by parasitism. Anemia is easily detected by blood tests.
Diabetes Mellitus
Degeneration of the pancreas's islet cells, resulting in decreased insulin production or a reduced ability of the body's cells to respond to insulin, causes diabetes mellitus. The disease is characterized by an unquenchable thirst, ravenous appetite, and increased urination. Fortunately, diabetes can be controlled by dietary alteration and/or by daily dosages of insulin or oral hypoglycemia agents, which aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
Liver Disease
The liver of the older cat is susceptible to tissue degeneration and disease. Signs indicative of liver disease include vomiting, lethargy, poor appetite, neurologic dysfunction, and jaundice. There is no cure for many of the liver disorders, but medications and dietary management as prescribed by a veterinarian can help reduce the signs of disease.
The natural lifestyle of the cat is characterized by low population density, regular scheduling of activities, infrequent interaction between adult cats, defined territories, and a dominance hierarchy with only one reproductively-active male in each society. Obviously, many households depart from some or even all of these conditions, thus causing a wide range of social-stress symptoms. The signs will depend on the individual cat and situation and may include house soiling, aggression, withdrawal, household destruction, and changes in eating and grooming habits. Such responses are considered behavior problems by owners.
Soiling
Failure to use the litter box, or house soiling, is the most common behavior problem of cats. It may be litter aversion, a scent-marking activity, or a medical problem. Feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD)-formerly known as feline urologic syndrome (FUS)-accounts for a significant number of house-soiling cases. Signs of FLUTD include inappropriate urination and passing of bloody urine. Litter box aversion results from association with painful urination or an urgency to urinate. FLUTD can be a life- threatening problem and medical treatment from a veterinarian should be obtained.
Scent marking or spraying is performed as the cat stands facing away from its target, quivering its tail. The target is usually a vertical object such as a window, cabinet or stereo. Uncastrated males mark their territories by urine spraying. Unspayed females may spray when they are in heat. Neutering will solve most spraying problems. However, cats of either sex may spray if there are too many cats in the household. If reducing the number of cats in the household is not possible, treatment with a psycho- active medication may be necessary. Inappropriate defecation or nonspraying urination may have the same motivations.
In contrast to spraying, urination or defecation is performed in a squatting position. The house soiling cat usually chooses rugs, bathtubs, beds, basement floors or other horizontal surfaces. Solving the problem begins with analyzing the location of the elimination. Elimination near the box indicates the litter or box is rejected, whereas elimination elsewhere is probably a preference for the location or substrate. Stress, especially caused by additional animals or people in the household, causes some cats to become more fastidious about their litter. They will also do the same if their litter box is cleaned too infrequently. A first step might be cleaning litter boxes daily instead of weekly. Changing brands of litter, too little litter in the box, overuse of deodorizers, or a poor box location can also lead to house soiling. More boxes, larger boxes, fine-grained clumping litter, and frequent cleaning solve most soiling problems.
Aggression
Feline aggression directed towards people is either predatory/playful or irritable. Stalking and pouncing on a person's feet or ankles is typical of predatory aggression. If the cat is young, the aggression is probably play oriented. In these cases, the bite is usually inhibited. However, if the owner has not corrected the cat for playing too roughly, it may not have learned to inhibit its bite. Playful aggression is best redirected towards swinging toys. Irritable aggression usually occurs when the cat is being stroked too roughly or excessively. Petting the cat more gently and for shorter times should resolve this problem.
Redirected aggression occurs when a cat sees another cat but cannot reach it and attacks the owner or another cat in the household instead. To treat redirected aggression, remove the cat to a quiet dark room and isolate him until he is calm. Don't try to handle the cat-push it with a cardboard shield to maneuver it into a quiet room. Try to prevent visual contact with strange cats-the usual cause of redirected aggression.
Aggression among cats in the same household is the most common feline aggression problem. Introduction of a new adult cat will usually provoke aggression. However, aggression can also occur between cats that had lived peacefully together for years. Redirected aggression is a frequent cause. Sometimes a physical change, or a change in odor can precipitate an attack. Gradual reintroduction of the cat, with or without psychotropic medications, is necessary.
Destructive Behavior
Clawing and Scratching
Clawing or scratching behavior is a grooming behavior that loosens old layers of the claw. It may also be a form of marking behavior. Whatever the motivation for scratching, it is often an undesirable behavior especially if the new sofa or draperies become a scratching site.
Scratching habits can be prevented from developing. If kittens are encouraged to use a scratching post, they usually will not abuse furniture. A good scratching post should have loosely woven material to allow the cat to hook its claws in the fabric. Hemp is a preferred scratching material. Cats scratch more often when they awaken and when greeting a returning owner. Therefore, locate the post near the cat's usual sleeping place and the front door. Carpeted climbing trees also help. The best teacher of a kitten is its mother, so choose kittens from queens that use a scratching post. If destructive clawing persists, discuss other solutions with your veterinarian such as the application of vinyl nail caps, or as a last option surgical procedures such as tendenectomy or declawing.
Wool chewing
Wool chewing or sucking is a behavior problem that occurs with greater frequency in Siamese or Burmese cats than in other breeds. Wool sucking differs from non-nutritive suckling that many early weaned kittens will perform. Early weaning may or may not cause wool chewing. There is no evidence of a nutritional deficiency, but it could be a craving for fiber or indigestible roughage. Thus, feeding a high-fiber diet, providing safe plants and strips of tough meat for the cat to chew are helpful aids in redirecting the cat's behavior.
Wool chewing is usually presented as a problem when the cat is an adult. The behavior is characterized by chewing with the molars. The material chewed is usually wool, but in the absence of wool the cat will generalize to other materials including upholstery. The behavior is sporadic, but large holes can be produced in a matter of minutes. Treating the wool object with cologne and a solution of hot pepper sauce will help teach the cat not to chew the item. The cat associates the smell of the cologne with the unpleasant taste and avoids objects that smell of the cologne.
Plant Eating
Cats frequently eat grass. Therefore, it is not surprising that cats may eat house plants. Plant eating can have serious consequences to the cat because many house plants are poisonous. The best solution is to provide green plants that are safe for cats to eat. Check local pet stores to purchase safe edible plants for your cat. The cat needs to learn to discriminate edible from nonedible plants. A water squirt gun is an effective aid in the discrimination process. Another method is to spray the leaves of the plant with a hot pepper solution. See section on Poisonous Plants for more information on identifying which plants are toxic.
Prevention
Preventing problems is often the easiest approach. Several problems, such as house soiling and aggression, occur more frequently with intact male cats. Also, castrated males do not roam nearly as far, thus limiting their social contacts, fights, and contact with automobiles. Females may be as protective of an area as males. A neutered female will not attract free-roaming males, and there will be fewer fights in the backyard during the breeding season.
If you want to keep several cats in your house, the ideal way is to raise them together as kittens. It is not necessary that they be littermates. An adult cat will be much more likely to accept a kitten as a companion than another adult. Also, an adult of the same sex is more threatening than one of the opposite sex.
Gradually introduce a new cat to an established household. First, confine it to a room for the first few days, then to a cage in the doorway of the room. The resident cat(s) may investigate for another few days before allowing direct contact between the cats. The new cat should continue to have a room or cage to which it may retreat.
Resident cats which are especially attached to people should receive extra attention during this period. Some of the anxiety may be alleviated by giving the cat an antianxiety medication. However, if the resident cat displays persistent aggression, house soiling, or withdrawal, it might be advisable not to keep the second cat. While two cats may become attached to one another, there is no apparent benefit to keeping many cats in one house. In fact, the stress produced by overcrowding may be detrimental to them.
Coping with Change
Changes in daily routine or moving are stressful situations for cats. Cats may require extra attention from the owners during the changeover and, if possible, the change should be made gradually. There are many anecdotal accounts of cats returning to homes that are hundreds of miles from their owner's new residence. Whether true or false, cats do show remarkable ties to their home range, starting when they are quite young.
Adjusting a cat to a new home begins by confining it for at least one week in a comfortable, safe area (room or cage). Then allow the cat to explore the rest of the house.
Behavior Modification Techniques
Realistically, problems may be beyond the prevention stage, and need treatment. There are different methods that can be used to help cats learn more acceptable behavior patterns. The method chosen should be appropriate for the problem you are trying to correct.
Aversion uses an obnoxious stimulus (e. g. hot pepper sauce or strong perfume) to teach avoidance. It is effective for oral behavior problems such as wool sucking or plant eating.
Desensitization works well for managing fear or anxiety. First expose the cat to nonfearful stimuli and then gradually increase the intensity of the stimuli over time. For extreme cases, the use of antianxiety medications are helpful in the initial desensitization process.
Punishment for misbehavior is only effective when the cat is caught in the act. Cats are unable to associate their actions with punishment unless the two occur within minutes of one another. Cats differ from other species in the type of punishment that is most effective to change behavior. The cat must not associate the owner with the action, otherwise the cat learns to avoid the behavior only in the owner's presence. The most effective techniques are using a water squirt gun or throwing a rattle nearby. The cat does not associate these punishments with the owner, but rather with the location or their behavior.
Rewards are used for natural behavior that resembles behavior ultimately desired. Rewards may be in the form of food treats or stroking the cat.
Drugs
The veterinarian may prescribe antianxiety medications, hormone treatments or mild tranquilizers. These drugs help reduce aggression, eliminate territorial marking, and decrease fear during a cat's adjustment to the changes in its environment or routine. Drug therapy has successfully stopped spraying habits when it persisted after castration. However, the aim of the owner and the veterinarian should be to remove the cause of the stress.
Poorly socialized animals may never overcome their fears. Antianxiety medications may help a timid cat through the adjustment period. Extra attention from the owner is important during times of stress.
Adjustment
If the stress is inside the household, expose the cat to the stimulus slowly for increasing time periods. For example, a new member of the household may begin calmly talking to the cat for short time periods, several times a day. Finally, the person can progress to petting and holding the cat. Of course, this only is successful if the person really does want to become friendly with the cat. If the problem is a dog, the dog must simultaneously receive some social training. An aggressive cat being introduced can be calmed with medication during this period.
Caging a cat might be a useful addition to therapy. Separating two aggressive cats will mechanically accomplish a disruption of the behaviors associated with the social problem. The behavioral methods already discussed may then be started after several days or a week.
With patience and an understanding of your cat's needs, you and your veterinarian can work together and restore harmony in the home.
