Article on the different types and reasons for cat aggression
Tim Cuthbertson has a long scratch down his arm, now nearly healed. It’s the latest reminder of his cat’s favorite game—wrestling.
“Once a day, he’ll come up and bite me on the arm,” Mr. Cuthbertson said. “The only time it’s really annoying is when he’ll do it when I’m trying to sleep. He’ll come up and bite me on the face.”
Cat aggression falls into several categories: play aggression, defensive aggression, misdirected aggression, and territorial status aggression.
Aggression toward people is a problem most commonly associated with dogs, but cat owners also deal with this issue. Though it’s not one of the top 10 reasons for turning cats over to shelters, it plays a significant role in the number of cats turned over for behavioral reasons. A 2000 study of 12 shelters by the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, published in the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, found that about 14 percent of owners turning in their cats for behavioral reasons only listed aggression toward people as the basis, with about 9 percent citing biting. The numbers dropped only slightly, to about 11 and 8 percent, respectively, for mixed behavioral and non-behavioral reasons.
This article very briefly goes over what is required if you find a newborn kitten.
Like a newborn baby, the care of a newborn kitten requires special attention and focus. For most cat owners though, this care is not usually required of them as kittens are typically adopted at approximately eight weeks of age, when they have been weaned from their mothers. However, there are several instances when newborn kittens may require hand-rearing, and in those situations, it is important to have a good understanding of what these neonatal animals need for proper growth and development.
The two most common situations where kittens may need to be hand-reared are either because they have been orphaned, or because their mother is not providing adequate care. This second point can be due to a variety of reasons, but the most likely cause is that the runt of the litter may be being overlooked by the mother in favour of healthier kittens.
A quick primer on different cat breeds
Purebred dogs are very popular. They are carefully bred for personality and appearance. Many people are devotees of specific breeds, and it is not uncommon to see purebred dogs. What most people don’t realize is that cats have also been …
Meowing, tail movements, ear movements and other ways cats communicate.
Cat Communication
Cats may not be able to speak English but they do have many other ways in which they can ‘talk’ to you. Cats are cognitive animals, they solve problems just like any other highly developed species. Cats can …
How cats communicate with humans and other cats
Cats do not use words and vocabulary like we do, but they still communicate with one another. Imagine a society without words, where you can determine someone’s mood by just looking at them. Where you can have an entire conversation …
Regular teeth brushing helps keep cats' teeth and gums healthy.
By Dr. Fitzgerald DVM
Dental care for your cat can be a good experience, especially when it is started when they are young. The best time to begin dental care is when the kitten is between three and six months old. It is important …
Diabetes in cats - Symptoms and treatment for diabetes in cats
In North America, one of the up and coming disease “epidemics” to be noted in people is diabetes (diabetes mellitus). This is a disease that most often affects obese, middle-aged patients. Coincidently, the same phenomenon can be found in our …
Intestinal disorders in cats by Dr. Bruce Fogle DVM
Intestinal disorders
Diarrhea may be trivial or life-threatening
Bowel problems can originate outside the bowels
The liver and pancreas are vital for digestion
The intestines are a vital part of the immune system, and some inflammatory bowel diseases and dietary …
Cat fight wound infections
Why do cats fight?
Cats are very territorial. They fight with other cats to protect their territory or to acquire more territory. As a result, fight wounds are common in cats. These wounds frequently result in an infection that can …
Cat gives birth. What to expect.By Dr. Bruce Fogle DVM
Giving birth – Dr. Bruce Fogle DVM…
Problems are rare
Do not fuss with your cat when she’s giving birth
Monitor her activities during birth
Feline birth is usually uncomplicated. In her chosen, secluded, warm den , the mother-to-be digs
Heart diseases and feline heart problems
Cats, as most people know, are extremely stoic animals. It is very rare that a cat will complain about pain or discomfort. This may seem like a desirable trait to some, but in fact, it makes it much more difficult …
A brief history of the cat
The furry felines that inhabit our homes were not always a part of our families. It is believed that it was the Egyptians who first transformed the wild cat into a domesticated creature. This occurred an estimated 4000 to 5000 …
How far can cats fall?
Currently, there has been no specific group of researchers that have determined by controlled experimentation exactly which heights cats can fall from before death is almost absolute. Mainly, this is because it would be completely inhumane to systematically throw cats …
Feline leukemia virus
Feline Leukemia (FeLV) is similar to Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) in that it is caused by a retrovirus, is transmissible between cats, and results in suppression of the immune system. The end stage of both diseases is death from secondary …
Cat respiratory infections and disease
Sometimes we notice our cats coughing and sneezing. Is it something to worry about? Do cats get colds like humans do? How does one know if it is serious? How long should one wait before bringing the cat to the …
How cats live with each other and with you
Cats make great pets for so many reasons. They are small in size and don’t occupy a lot of room. They preferentially use a litter box so don’t have to be walked. They can often be left at home alone …
Cat training - principles of training your cat
Can cats be trained to do things?
What! Training and cats in the same sentence? We all know that cats are independent, can even sometimes be just a touch aloof, and interact with us on their terms. How can such …
Inappropriate urination in house cats
The most common reason for surrendering or euthanizing a pet cat is a result of inappropriate urination in the household. This represents 30% to 60% of behavioural problems presented to a veterinarian. House soiling is not only damaging to the …
The sounds and noises cats make
Cats are capable of communication on several levels. Their body language can tell other cats if they are feeling tense or relaxed. They can mark their territory with urine, or with scent particles from their faces to claim ownership of objects and spaces and they can also communicate vocally. This article will explore a few of the common vocalizations that cats make. Some of the vocalizations are meant mostly for humans, while other sounds are meant for other cats, humans or predators.
One of the most common sounds a cat owner is likely to hear from its cat is the famous meow. There are many different types of ‘meows’ and they are generally reserved for communicating with humans and not with other cats.
Why some cats love catnip
Catnip is a plant with pretty coloured flowers at the tip and heart shaped leaves on a thick stem and contains a chemical ingredient that often has a stimulating effect on cats. In this article, we will discuss the possible effects it can have on your cat, and common questions you may have regarding catnip.
How Does Catnip Work?
Catnip contains chemicals that trigger a behavioural response in cats when they breathe it in. What is this behavioural response? Well, let’s use an example that I’m sure we’ve all been exposed to. The smell of delicious freshly baked cookies comes wafting to your nostrils, this triggers you to salivate, so you to walk to the kitchen and cannot help eating the cookies.
Do cats get colds? Upper respiratory infections in cats
Respiratory Infections and the common cold in cats
Cats can get upper respiratory infections or what we call the common cold or flu. However you can not pass a human cold on to your cat and vice versa. The cat …
Short article on getting your cat protected.
Does your cat need protection from rabies?
(NC)—According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the answer is an unqualified ‘yes’. Recent statistics show that 75% of Canadian cats are not vaccinated against the …
In cats, the term “in heat” is the more common way of referring to the estrous cycle, or the period of time when your cat is fertile and able to become pregnant. Note that this can only occur in intact …
Why some cats suck on wool
Sucking, and wool sucking in particular, is a common behaviour in cats. While the causes are unknown, it is most often seen in Siamese or Burmese cats, suggesting that there may be a genetic basis to this behaviour.
A possible …
Feline elimination disorders (FEDs) can be difficult to deal with. They may take time to resolve, require detective work to find the cause of the problem, and undermine the human-animal bond. However, there are ways to tackle this issue.
Inappropriate …
