FELINE
Cats Being Cats
Jane Ehrlich addresses a selection of questions posed by students and professionals
A
of feline behavior, including grieving and body language
t present, I am an “instructor” on the Humane Society of the United States’ online retention course. I put instructor in quotes because I am not lecturing but just putting in my two cents’ worth to students’ questions. The students, who work in shelters across the country or are otherwise involved with cats, have been sending in questions that any of us could relate to so I have decided to share some of them.
Cats have individual, preferred styles of play
Playing
Q1: How do you know when cats are done playing? Sometimes they walk away only to turn around and chase the toy again. Q2: How do cats pick their prey (birds vs. snakes/mice)? My cat, for example, © Can Stock Photo Inc./ancientimages that he is ready for a new friend? Would following cat-cat inloves snakes/mice. She hardly ever jumps for toys. She troduction protocols correctly help mitigate any issues? watches them until they land and then waits for them to move again before she pounces. Should we tell people to just stick to what their cat likes (either/or - or both) or is it A: There is no specific amount of time. It depends both on you better for them to encourage the cat to hunt both types of and the cat when each of you is ready. It can be weeks, months, prey? Should I keep the toy flying until my cat jumps to get or even years. Answer these: who was in the home first, the it? grieving cat or the one who has died? I ask because if the grieving cat was there first, you have had experience of the cat on his A: Cats have their own individual styles. It is assumed this is beown. He knows what it was like to be the only cat. What was his cause of what they have seen their mothers/siblings/other cats personality like before second cat came on the scene? And after? do. (I like to include the possibility that while the kitten is going Many cats can adjust to a new cat on the scene and there can to mimic mom’s wisdom in order to survive, there may be some be some repression or liberation of personality, with accompanyindividuality there too.) One of my cats, for example, could not ing traits, as a result.You have to consider, what was the relationcare less about flying toys like Da Bird, but goes happily crazed if ship between the two? Tolerance? Bonded? Real dislike? Some she sees snakes slithering or mice scrabbling. Another watches cats come into their own when another cat dies. Others do not. skittering bugs on the floor but only for a few seconds. However, The remaining cat may need time to become himself before you a fly gets her going. Cats tell you what they like. Also, cats can consider another friend for him. What is his relationship with have a second wind so after a wind-down, let the 'prey' rest and you and how has it changed since the other cat's death? Closer? see if Noodles gets excited after his pause. He may be up for an- More removed? Answering these questions can help inform you other few minutes of dash-and-grab. When cats walk way away, as to whether or not remaining cat wants another or not. (You, or look at you as if you have turned into a turnip, you know the of course, are another matter—but I would put the cat’s emoonly one who wants to keep playing is you. tional needs over your own!) And when is a good time? When the cat's appetite, manner, sleeping habits, etc. return to normal, Grieving Period then grieving has found its resolution but it takes time to see if Noodles even wants, or would truly blossom, with another cat in Q: How long should someone wait until they adopt another the home. If you think it is worth a try, then a slow introduction cat to replace one that recently passed away? They say pets would be the way to start. If it does not work out, usually it is go through a grieving period too so what would be the signs 40
BARKS from the Guild/May 2016