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Cat Behavior
Cat Behavior
More Oddities
In my previous article on cat behavior, we discussed some interesting and unusual
behavior displayed by the family of cats that live on my farm. That was only the
beginning. These cats seem to delight in unexpected behavior. I thought I would share a
few more gems with you.
There are three female cats on my farm. They consist of matriarch, Patch, and two
of her daughters. There have been other female cats on the farm, but I have been able to
find new ... Read More »
How Kittens Learn to Hunt
Cats have been famous for hunting mice and rats for as long as cats and people
have been together. As strange as it may seem to some people, cats are not born knowing
how to hunt. It is a skill they learn from watching their mothers. If the mother cat is a
good hunter, then her kittens will learn to be good hunters. Interestingly, kittens seem to
learn the best from their mothers. They do not seem to learn as well or as quickly ... Read More »
Cat Mythology
Cat Mythology
Cats as Familiars
Cats as familiars have a long and dark history in western mythology. These cats
often found their way into literature. One of the most famous was Grimalkin, the witches'
cat from Shakespeare's MacBeth. Cats as witch's companions are still a part of the
popular symbology associated with the modern holiday of Halloween.
What is a familiar? In western mythology a familiar was an animal companion
given by the devil to a witch in order to help her with her evil magic. These ... Read More »
Excessive Vocalizing
Cats are much like babies - they speak or cry when they need or want something. As with babies, sometimes a cat can be "speaking" or crying incessantly for no real reason other than to get your attention.
When a cat is still a kitten it will cry because it still feels the need to be close to its mother and you've probably separated them. Other cats vocalize when they're ready to mate or when they're looking for attention.
When in heat.
If ... Read More »
Training Results
As with all other creatures, your cat is an individual and should be treated like one. Even the best training efforts in the world are not going to result in a perfect cat, so don't expect that. Some cats will be more trainable whereas others will be more independent and even downright irritated at your efforts.
Keep in mind also that some breeds are more aloof than others. Cats that are typically found in the wild may have a greater instinct ... Read More »
Always Reward
There is something about a cat's personality that won't always connect a punishment or aversion with the lesson you're trying to teach. When a dog messes on the carpet you can rub their nose it and they get the hint - that mess doesn't belong there. But if you try to punish a cat or use aversion to keep them from doing something, they rarely make the connection between that mess on the carpet and your actions. Instead, they may ... Read More »