C’attitude’… an undesirable behaviour

Nobody likes a cat who attacks other cats or dogs or even you. Territoriality and fear are usually the causes and the good news is both can be controlled.

Cats don’t plan nasty behaviour. They probably don’t lie around the house waiting to punish their humans for some perceived behavioural infraction or slight. “It’s more likely they are saying, Hey, This is my house,” says Katherine A Houpt, VMD, PhD, Director of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Behaviour Clinic, NY.

Kitty behaviour…it’s all in the genes

Probably more than 50 percent of cat behaviours is genetically programmed. Cats were originally solitary hunters and territorial animals. Cats began to live together in social groups only when humans began to provide concentrated sources of food.

Early socialization…a must

Cats must be socialized early. The critical period for the socialisation of cats is 2-7 weeks of age. During that time, kittens should meet other cats, humans and dogs. Cats who are not socialised early may end up as difficult house cats.

Numbers count…

A one-cat household will have fewer socialization problems than a two-cat household. And having three cats in the house almost always leads to some trouble - aggression, spraying, or litter box infractions. When a new cat joins the household, it is not necessarily the original cat who is the aggressor; it can be the new cat. If this arrangement occurs, keep the litter boxes separated as well.

The problem can also develop with as simple an act as taking one cat to the veterinarian. Another cat doesn’t recognize him upon his return. The returning cat smells different.

Cattitude…the signs

Besides obvious behaviour, how do you know when an attitude develops? Cats stare and they walk with their hind legs extended so that their backs slope form tail to shoulder. Sometimes they make caterwauling sounds and hissing noises (although hissing can also indicate fear). In addition, a cat staring at a human in irritation may lash his tail from side and point its ears backward. A wagging tail is a happy dog but an angry cat.

Taming the kitty…

• Bell the cat: One way to discourage staring and tension between cats is to put a bell on the aggressor; the bell warns the other cat.


• Keep the two cats separate: It is important that the victim not be frightened of the other cat. One elaborate way to reintroduce cats if they become hostile is to keep the aggressor in a less desirable area of the house behind a solid door, gradually replaced by a plastic door, a screen door, or a door open just a crack. It is not always possible to do this unfortunately but as an alternative the aggressor can be put in a cage while the other cat remains free.


• Feed them together: Feed the cats their meals together, although initially with their food bowls on opposite sides of the room. Gradually, move their food dishes closer together. When the aggressor is first let out of the cage, keep him on a harness.


• Medication for both: Medication for both cats, prescribed by a veterinarian, may be useful – to reduce aggression in one cat and reduce anxiety in the other.


• Careful with a pup: Don’t introduce a puppy to an adult cat - what is play to a puppy can be torture to a cat.


• Redirected aggression: Cats go after human as well, especially after what they may consider to be a threatening experience. Owners do get attacked, but most often it is a case of redirected aggression; a cat seeing another cat out of the window may become aroused and attack his companion cat, a dog or his owner. The cat picks the handiest target and it is a good example of how tenuous cat social bonds are.


• Work out a solution: Don’t let a bad attitude continue. Cats can become enemies forever unless you do something. It is wise to talk to your veterinarian as they will often have a good solution to the problems.

Thus, cattitude can be controlled and your kitty can be the epitome of love and friendship…your friend for life!

(Joan Henderson is based in Australia and she has judged furry felines in many other countries including the USA, Bermuda, Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Philippines and New Zealand).

Smarten up your Siberian

Comb up their tresses

The fur of Siberian does not tend to mat usually. They only tend to shed heavily twice a year, which can be prolonged depending on weather. You can comb your Siberian weekly but in shedding season, they ought to be combed every day, maybe more than once and I recommend a Furminator for shedding season.

Different combs for different age groups

Kittens: Use plastic combs to comb kittens’ fur. Kittens have fine silky fur and a comb with a fine tooth side on it,

[caption id="attachment_8262" align="alignright" width="250"] Joan E Henderson[/caption]

is an easy tool to use. Since they will bite the comb or brush, always keep two plastic combs handy.

Adult cats: As they get older, shift to steel and a full groom kit for the adult coat. The adults’ fur does nicely with the combs with a Furminator, which greatly cuts down on the shedding. A brush made of rubber called Pet Hair Elimator is very comfortable for the cat and a good tool for a cat who does not like grooming. You can use battery-powered ionic deep brush, which catches flying fur. And you can also use a fine rake brush. The cats seem to especially like the rubber brush as it feels like petting.

Tips to follow

• Always talk to your cats whilew grooming them, telling them what a wonderful experience it is.


• They must be taught as kittens too like grooming, so that they will enjoy it as adults when they really need it.


• If you have a problem with feces sticking to perianal hair, try trimming the hair shorter with scissors.


• With or without grooming, a kitten needs to be petted and played with every day.

So, make your grooming sessions fun and see your kitty really smarten up!

The unfolding of our sweet felines

Evolution is the process by which species develop, being slowly formed over millennia by pressures such as natural selection and genetic drift. Here’s how our felines tiptoed into our lives….

The Felidae family...

The Felidae family, to which all cats belong, has done well, branching out in all geographical directions with thirty-seven variations on a highly effective blueprint of a top predator, ranging from Sand Cats to Tigers. These all trace back to one common ancestor who lived on our planet between 20 and 30 million years ago: Proailurus. This animal was remarkably like a large domestic cat and probably spent a lot of time hunting in trees for small animals. From this humble beginning the cat’s family tree started to branch out. A legacy of huge and frightening Sabre-toothed Cats, some of whom thought nothing of snacking on a Rhino, spread across the world and dominated it for millions of years. However, these fearsome beasts were outlived by less assuming cousins and all living cat species today owe their heritage to the Cougar-like Pseudaelurus.

Sometimes in the history of an animal’s evolution a change occurs because it develops a symbiotic relationship with another species. That is to say, two unrelated animals find a way to get along and have a mutually beneficial relationship. The youngest species of cat arose in this way and is the cat we all know, love and cuddle on a cold night.

The first domestic cat…

Felis Silvestris Catus or the Domestic Cat developed around 5000 years ago when there was a social shift among the people of North Africa who for the first time ceased a nomadic existence in order to settle on fertile land and farm food. Excess grain was stored for leaner times and this attracted the destructive attention of mice. The sand brown African Wild Cat, Felis Silvestris Lybica, was and still is, present in the area hunting small prey in the steppes, savannas and bush-land. Unlike many small cat species, African Wild Cat kittens can develop a certain level of tameness if raised with people from a young enough age.

Cats in religion…

Cats became increasingly important in religion in Egypt, with the cult of cat goddess Bast elevating their status to sacred and worshipped VIPs. During this time it became common practise to keep cats confined for the first time, and they were bred and pampered in temples.

The sailors…

The Phoenicians were great sea traders sailing all around Europe in boats propelled by muscle-armed galley slaves. One of their great strengths was realising that cats were as vital to successful seafaring as cooperative oarsmen. Between 1200 and 800 BC these ships took cats all around the Mediterranean and beyond and by 500 BC, cats were well established in Southern Europe and traders were taking them on journeys to and from China and Japan where they were invaluable in protecting silkworm cocoons from rats.

Touched by luxury…

It was in Rome that the cat had its first taste of luxury as a pampered pet while the mongoose was sent out to work catching vermin. As the Roman Empire came to prominence cats hitched a ride again to even more countries, including England, where feline footprints on clay tiles date back to 4 AD, and India, where sea-faring Romans had many trade links, especially in the West coast. Then as time passed travel and exploration took ship’s cats across the Atlantic to America and down under to New Zealand and Australia with the first colonists.

Not only had Felis S Catus become a new, distinct sub-species but a highly successful one thanks to its ability to live alongside humans. Our cats had to adapt and change themselves in order to fully exploit this relationship, and several key differences set the domestic cat apart from his wild cousins.

(Anthony Nichols has been showing cats for about 20 years, starting with non-pedigrees, and breeding for about ten years. He has bred Devon Rex and Singapuras, but mainly focuses on breeding LaPerms in a range of colours, particularly the reds, creams, torties, chocolates and colourpoints.) (To be continued…Read our next issue to know how domestic cats are different from wild cats.)

‘In touch’ with your cat’s health

Regular visits to the veterinarian are an essential part of keeping your cat healthy. An excellent way for you to keep tabs on him in between vet visits is to do your own, nose-to-tail checkups at home.

Get in the habit of running your hands all over your cat’s body whenever he’s cuddling with you or you’re grooming him. This is the best way to discover problems before they become serious. Call your veterinarian if you find any of these conditions.

Skin deep

While petting your cat, feel for any lumps, scratches, scabs, swelling, or any other irregularities. Dandruff, oily fur, and missing fur can indicate skin or internal problems. Part the fur to look for fleas; specks that look like black pepper are actually “flea dirt” (flea feces that contain your cat’s blood turn red when wet).

Lend an ear

The hairless part of your cat’s ears should be clean and odourless. If your cat is having problems, he may shake his head a lot and scratch his ears. Check for flaking, scabs, foul odour, or discharge. If you see a black, gritty substance inside, he probably has ear mites, a parasite that causes severe itching and is contagious to other cats.

Eye spy

Look for bright, clear, evenly focused eyes. Redness, discolouration or discharge, squinting, or the emergence of the third eyelid can signal that your cat has a problem.

Open wide

Healthy gums are pink, pale or bright; red gums may mean something is wrong. Drooling and pawing at the mouth are cause for concern as well. Brown streaks and tartar build-up on the teeth may indicate a dental problem. Your cat’s breath should not be so bad that you can’t stand to have him near you.

Get nosey

Cat’s noses should be clean, and, depending on his activity level and the ambient temperature, his nose may be cold or warm. If he paws at his nose, sneezes frequently, or there is a discharge, contact your veterinarian.

Tall tails

Look under his tail. If you see what looks like grains of rice or spaghetti, contact your veterinarian. Your cat has parasites—some of which may be spread to you or other pets.

Foot the bill

Most cats don’t like to have their feet touched, but if yours doesn’t mind, look for stuck-on litter, torn claws, cuts, swellings, or infections. Also, check your cat’s claws regularly to see if they need to be trimmed; untrimmed claws can inadvertently scratch you, get caught on carpet and furniture, and grow into the paw.

Brush it off

If your cat likes to be brushed, finish off your exam with a nice grooming session. Brushing is good for removing loose fur, distributing oils, and stimulating blood flow. Brushing also helps prevent hairballs, which cats cough up when they’ve swallowed too much fur from grooming themselves or another cat in the household.

Book smarts

All owners should have a book on cat care (recommended by a veterinarian) that includes a section on emergency first aid. You should never try to be your own veterinarian, but there are some emergency procedures that could minimise damage and keep your pet relatively comfortable on the way to the veterinarian. Familiarise yourself with these procedures before an emergency happens.

(This article is contributed by Humane Society of the Unites States (HSUS). Established in 1954, HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals; www.hsus.org)

Can you advice me about Toxoplasmosis in cats?...May-June 10

Q: Can you advice me about Toxoplasmosis in cats? Also what is the prevention/ cure for cats and people around them?
– Rajesh Talreja, Mumbai

 

A: Dr KG Umesh: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis is usually transmitted from ingestion of undercooked meat, sporulated oocysts (eggs), paratenic hosts, and it can be congenital. Acute toxoplasmosis in pregnant women leads to serious disease and/or defects in the fetus. Disease in cats may cause brain disease, liver disease, pancreatitis, respiratory disease and eye disorders. Cats with symptomatic toxoplasmosis are often immunosuppressed. Prevention: Do not feed raw or undercooked meat to cats, keep cats inside and do not let them hunt. Washing hands with soap and water after handling a cat or contacting any urine, feces or other bodily secretions is one of the simplest and most important means of infectious disease control. Pregnant women should avoid contact with cats and cat feces, which are more than 24 hours old. Do not let the cat lick the person in question, particularly on the face, nor should they handle the cat. Practice good hygiene (wash after handling uncooked meat, wear gloves while gardening, cover sandboxes, clean litter boxes daily. Freeze meat to -20oC (-4oF) for two days or cook meat to 160°F and thoroughly clean areas where raw meat is prepared, wash fruits and vegetables prior to consumption). Keep the cat in good health by having regular examinations by a veterinarian, as well as up-to-date vaccinations and regular fecal exams to check for parasites. Feed a high-quality commercial cat food that does not contain any raw ingredients.

A step towards an adorable Tomcat

If you have a male cat and do not wish to breed him, get him neutered to keep him safe and healthy.

Tomcats…vulnerable to fights

Many intact Tomcats come to the Blue Cross Shelter with severe bite wounds that result from fights with other male cats. These wounds, frequently, develop into abscesses and become infested with maggots. These wounds can also become infested with viral diseases that prove fatal to the cat, without proper and timely veterinary care.

Puberty issues…

Tomcats attain puberty at 6-8 months and develop some undesirable changes in their behaviour. They become territorial in nature and start to mark their territory by spraying urine indoors as well as outdoors. The urine has a strong odour which is difficult to remove. The cat will start enlarging his territory and this would often result in fights with other male cats. An un-neutered male cat will also start roaming to look for female cats in heat. It is believed that a male cat can detect and follow the scent of a female cat for seven miles!

A roaming male cat can get into fights with other male cats and also the chances of the cat getting lost are high.

A solution…

You can protect your feline friend from attacks by other male cats by neutering him. Neutering is necessary if you want your Tomcat to grow into a healthy and an adorable adult. Neutering male cats also cuts out the risk of testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate and anal tumours.

Shun the myths…

Neutering does not alter the basic personality of your cat. He doesn’t suffer any kind of emotional reaction or identity crisis when neutered. On the other hand, he will become more loving and contented.

(Sudhersena is volunteer at the Blue Cross since 1998 and an avid animal lover, owns nine cats and three dogs. She is associated with a number of animal welfare campaigns and programmes. For further information, contact: Blue Cross of India, 72 Velachery Road, Chennai –32 or e-mail at bci@bluecross.org.in )

Ocicats: An amazing combo of wild looks and adorable temperament

If you are fascinated by leopard but wary of his temperament… get home an Ocicat, who has the look of a leopard and a heart of gold!

French writer Fernand Mery rightly said, “God made the domestic cat in order that humankind might have the pleasure of caressing the tiger.” And Ocicat, a new domestic breed, has been selectively bred from pedigreed ancestors to resemble a wild jungle cat and may be the answer to bridge the gap between the savage and the tame. Although still quite rare, Ocicat is rapidly gaining worldwide recognition and popularity primarily because of its striking wild-looking appearance and its possession of a temperament that’s anything but ferocious.

The first Ocicat…

The first Ocicat was Tonga, a breeding between a pedigreed Abyssinian and a Seal Point Siamese. People were amazed with this exquisite kitten with bright golden spots on an ivory background.

Looks that kill…

This cat in motion captures the dramatic presence of a wild animal with his large size, well developed musculature and suggestion of a stalking leopard. They come in 12 distinct colours ranging from the leopard colours of ivory with brown spots or reddish brown spots; cinnamon, which is ivory with bright red spots; tawny, that has a white to ivory undercoat with buff tips and black spots; to the more unusual coloured silvers that have a white background with ebony, red, or chocolate spots.

Attitude to die for…

And yet, in spite of their size and appearance, the Ocicat has a gentle and affectionate nature and is totally devoted to their people. The intelligence of the breed impresses their admirers. Most are capable of opening doors, walking on a leash, responding to whistled commands and learning to ‘fetch’. As a bonus, they readily adapt to household rules and are not “aloof ” as are many other feline breeds. Unlike his untamed counterpart, this cat will gladly roll over for a good stomach rub and won’t take your arm off at the elbow. This cat is quite extroverted, even around strangers, and they get along especially well with children of all ages, other kinds of cats and pets.

Sturdy body…

These cats have no associated diseases or genetic anomalies and are generally easy to breed and experience few problems during birthing.

Easy upkeep…

The Ocicat requires no special diet or excessive grooming and needs no special permits or licenses to own.

The Ocicat’s temperament, coupled with their intelligence and adaptability, creates for both one-cat owners and multi-animal households, a truly unique and loving companion.