Meet the cat whisperer

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/11/2010 (5674 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Do you see your cat as a finicky prima donna? If so, would you like to understand what your cat’s behaviour is really telling you? Cat Whisperer and veterinarian, Dr. Susan Little, might be able to help

A recent poll of owners showed 40 per cent referred to their cats as fussy. That seemed to be a really high number. Little, who has run Ottawa’s Bytown Cat Hospital for two decades, agrees. She explains that most owners misunderstand cats cues that could mean these pets do not deserve the finicky felines label. Instead, we may be the problem.

Like other animal whisperers, Little has a keen knowledge of non-verbal feline actions. According to Little, the most common mistake owners make is to apply human traits to felines. Just because they’re our family members doesn’t mean they have the same needs and reactions of their owners.

When cats greet us at the door, many owners misconstrue that as a sign of hunger. This may be true for some, but others merely wish to greet us and expect affection in return. No wonder they seem finicky when we place food in front of them. It would be like your husband pulling you in for a kiss and you shoving a chicken wing in his mouth.

Cats retain many traits once required for survival in the wild. These could explain why we misread them. Unlike dogs, cats aren’t pack animals. Sure, they may live in colonies in the wild, but they don’t have the same hierarchal standards that dogs do, says Little. So a feline can happily live without another cat to keep it company. This is not to say, explains Little, that cats are not social. It’s all dependent upon the cat’s personality.

I’ve always noticed personality differences in my cats. But it’s a difficult thing for kids to understand. Rainbow, my sweet tuxedo that recently passed on, was a snugly, patient feline. My girls now try to force our other cat, Dim Sum, to offer the same form of affection. It’s not her nature. Dim Sum likes to rub and sit near humans, not hug. Dim Sum also despises my dog Bella. Little explains the cat sees this as us bringing “a predator into the house.” I hadn’t thought about it that way. In human terms, it would be like my husband bringing home a Playboy playmate with the expectation that we’d be great friends.

Until recently, not a lot of research has gone into understanding felines. Even how they eat is something that Little says few understood. This is why she was fascinated with a video that used a plexiglass table to allow researchers to view how cats chow down. It revealed they either pick up food with their tongue or teeth and they don’t chew.

The experiment showed that felines are pleased by aroma and the size, shape and feel of food. Taste means nothing. In the wild, cats must eat quickly before others take it. Dinner is not a “social event,” says Little. Savouring taste is something they leave to human foodies and wine connoisseurs.

Little is often approached by pet owners about food. Nutrition is always her first concern. She knows that some owners are upset after buying a lot of food their cat turns their nose up at. It’s why she’s partnered with pet food company Royal Canin to explain the benefits of their new Discovery Pack. It allows cats to try different food shapes and aromas without the purchase of full-sized bags. It’s like paint chips for cat food.

The Canadian cat whisperer has another message for owners: veterinarians can assist with behavioural issues. Actions like furniture scratching or urinating out of the litter box are common complaints. They arise for reasons other than a naughty nature. It’s a natural cat response to scratch. Greater success occurs if owners redirect the behaviour to an appropriate scratch pad or post, other than their $3,000 sofa.

Litter box issues arise for several reasons. One is both logical and avoidable. Cats don’t like to eliminate in a dirty litter box (I have to agree with the cat on this one). Medical issues might be another cause. Little revealed that as cats age they may suffer from arthritis. Pain causes cats to avoid long sets of stairs or heave their limbs over a high-sided box. For a quick fix, owners could simply move the box and cut one side down for easy entry and exit.

Little asks owners not to wait to consult their veterinarians if their cats’ behaviour changes. Dealt with early, many issues can be easily resolved. That might enable you to refer to your cat as a prima donna merely because it is beautiful.

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