Another Step in the Bonding Process With Your Cat

Since we just talked about chatting with your kitty being the best way to begin the bonding process, let’s talk about the benefits of petting Mr. or Ms. Puss.

Petting is another way to spend quality time with your cat and the benefits are passed on to both owner and pet alike. I read recently research shows that petting a cat evens out human brain waves associated with depression and increases human brain waves associated with anxiety relief and positive feelings. It only takes five minutes of affection for your cat to experience lower blood pressure and positive neurochemical changes, as well.

It just can’t be denied, there’s something so relaxing about stroking that soft fur and hearing them purr as they begin to knead their little paws. You can start to feel the tension flow out of your neck and shoulders as your heart rate slows and a smile spreads slowly across your lips.

Take some time to figure out where kitty’s favorite spot is, it’s all part of the bonding process with your pet. For many the back of their neck behind the ears is just glorious, for others, it’s under the chin. You may want to avoid stroking their backs for too long as some cats can get over excited and the area becomes sensitive. What was initially pleasant for them becomes just too much. The stomach is generally not a place where most kitties like to be touched, but there are exceptions to this too. Two of my five absolutely love their "belly rubs". A word of warning, if kitty is just not in the mood, don’t force it on them, they have a long memory and it will just erect obstacles in your bonding process to try and make them accept any affection against their will.

This time you spend with puss is another step in the bonding process with your pet and something that brings happiness to both of you. The stronger a tie you can build between you and your pet will make every other facet of your relationship and training just that much easier. Now, go find your feline friend, kick your feet up and start to relax and bond!

Cat Chat and “Kitty in a box”, an unusual rescue tool

Do you talk to your cat? I mean, really talk to your cat? Well, I confess to being a cat chatter. Pointless, you say? If you are not engaging in cat chat, you are missing out on an important part of your relationship with your feline friend and a tool that may one day save kitty from a sticky situation.

So what is so important about talking to your cat you may wonder. Speaking to your cat is an important way to show affection, control behavioral issues and improve your relationship with your pet.

Obviously kitty will not understand every word you say, however, the tone of your voice and body language help to convey your meaning very well. Whether using single word commands or animated conversation, your voice can help to socialize, soothe or sweet-talk your cat to obtain a desired response. 

Let me share something that happened at the Cathouse recently with our beloved escape artist Moxie.

Cathouse residents are not allowed to wander outside unattended. They do however have an enclosed patio area where they can enjoy a bit of the outdoors safely. Moxie is an extremely active, curious and intelligent kitty that spends the better part of her day searching for a way to thwart this safety system and escape to the great and very dangerous outdoors. She finds an escape route and I close it, until she discovers the next one. We call this the “Moxie Wars” and it has been going on since she came to be a Cathouse resident. I believe she is ahead in the score right now. 

On one of her recent excursions, little Moxie found her way to the roof but was unable or unwilling to find her way back down. So there I was, once again in my pajamas, outside the front of the house, begging Miss Moxie Houdini Ninja Katt, to please use her considerable intelligence and athletic abilities to come down from that roof, all to no avail. Then the answer came to me. 

Moxie has a game she loves to play called “Kitty in the Box”. This is a very simple game she invented that merely involves her jumping into a plastic tub to hide while I excitedly say “Kitty in the Box” and run my nails along the outside for her to chase. Because I have spent many hours in the past repeating this phrase to Moxie while she is in this box, all I need to do now is utter those few words and she leaps gleefully into the box to begin her favorite game. 

So as Moxie looked smugly down at me from her rooftop perch I decided to put the “Kitty in the Box” game to the test. I fetched her plastic tub, held it up over my head and said the magic words and... Plop!; I had a kitty in the box. The rescue was a success. 

This is just one example of how taking some time to talk to your cat and teach them some simple commands can help in a difficult situation in an unexpected way. One or two word commands are the easiest for your pet to learn, and keep in mind that the tone of your voice is important as well. Repetition, repetition, repetition is another important factor. Giving a treat when your pet responds correctly will also positively reinforce the behavior you are teaching. Never force anything on your cat, it will only result in a kitty hissy fit and frustration for you. Cats learn best when they think it was their idea. 

Spending time chit chatting with your kitty may make your friends and neighbors think you have gone a bit batty but be assured that the rewards are great. It is a very wrong conception that cats cannot be trained, and the first step to achieving this and strengthening the bond between you and your pet is to engage in a little cat chat time.

An introduction to The Cathouse

Welcome to the Cathouse! Please relax, this cathouse is strictly a G-rated area and suitable for family visits. This blog is being created as a place for all cat lovers to come and enjoy a few kitty tales and share some of your own, meet fellow cat lovers and hopefully pick up a few good tips on cat care.

Let me begin with a quick introduction to the household members of  The Cathouse who inspired me to begin this blog -

Gabby - a lovely orange tabby that was the first to arrive at the Cathouse. Just a wee little kitten at the time, he announced his presence to me very loudly from the branch of the tree where he was perched. He has grown into a lovely, large easy going lad, that loves lettuce, melon, yogurt and all the attention he can get. If he were a human, I'm sure he would be vegetarian and a member of Greenpeace.

Moxie- the second arrival to the Cathouse. Also a teeny little kitten when we met, her introduction was no less dramatic. She was in a terrible state of affairs, living in the street and extremely ill, but it didn't stop her from following me down the sidewalk complaining of her ills and demanding I do something about it. It took four trips to the vet to get her back to good health but now she is the terror of the Cathouse. Her name "Moxie" was no mistake and she's got plenty of it. There will be more later about the "Moxie Wars" that have gone on here. She's quite the clever girl. If Moxie were a human, she would either be a member of the black ops, a leather wearing biker chick, or in jail.

Kohlie - This little girl worked her way into the Cathouse by persistence. Another street rescue, she was one of the many strays that I feed (much to the dismay of my neighbors) and she literally followed me around and wore me down to take her in. Kohlie is not a fan of open displays of affection, and she has an odd bathroom fetish where she is fascinated by the shower drain. If Kohlie were a human, she would be a high-maintenance beauty queen or real life princess.

Sugar - so named for his color and sweet disposition. Another rescue from the group of strays where Kohlie came from, he arrived here with his two sisters for adoption. He also arrived very sick with a virus that is common among the street cats here, but has grown into a super affectionate, if not a little neurotic, gorgeous boy. His sisters were quickly adopted but Sugar was too sweet for me to part with. If Sugar were a human, he would be a Class A gigolo. Though neutered, he still thinks he's quite the ladies man.

Pixie - Recently arrived at the Cathouse, Pixie at this moment holds a temporary resident status. She is fresh from the street and still adjusting to life as a housecat. Sweet and nearly unshakeable, she is staying at the Cathouse while her health improves from having lived on the streets too long. She is also suspected to be "with kittens", which is to be confirmed later in the week after her first trip to the veterinarian. If this suspicion is confirmed, she will remain here until the blessed event and then mama and kits will be turned over to new, loving homes. Well, that's the plan, stay tuned....

So now you have met the members of the Cathouse. All were rescues, all have turned out to be special, wonderful friends, each with their own unique personality. Please feel free to leave any comments or introduce your special kitty friends as well.

KITTY CARE TIP:

Onions should NEVER be on your furry friend's menu. Cats who eat onions develop a red blood cell abnormality called Heinz body anemia. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, vomiting, depression, and loss of appetite and require immediate attention from your vet. Giving kitty large amounts of onion can even cause kidney damage or worse. That includes onions in any form - raw, cooked, powdered or dried, so hold the onions!