My Cat Behaviour

23/06/2024

Completely ignore the cat when it tries to wake you up. No responding, yelling, etc. Reward silence and calm behavior rather than active/tantrum behaviour.

16/06/2024

Inappropriate elimination in cats is a common issue faced by cat owners and behaviourists in the UK. Addressing this problem is crucial as it accounts for about 50% of all behavioural referrals to veterinarians and is a ...

13/06/2024

Interpreting Cat Body Language
Relaxed, Happy Cat Fear/Anxiety Avoidance Behaviours
* Freezing, not moving
* Moving away slowly, fleeing
* Hiding
* Crouching, trembling
* Dilated pupils, flattened ears
* Averting eyes
Fear/Anxiety Repulsion Behaviours
* Hissing, growling, spitting
* Swiping, scratching, biting
* Staring intensely
* Blocking access to resources
* Ears flattened out to side
Fear/Anxiety/Curiosity Behaviours
* Hypervigilance, scanning
* Fixation on object of interest
* Ears erect and directed forward
* Sniffing, flehmen response
* Easily startled
* Tail swishing
Frustration Behaviours
* Vocalising - meowing continuously
* Circling, pacing
* Rubbing on objects/people
* Scratching
* Rapidly switching behaviours
* Ear flattening/rotating
* Tail thrashing
* Gazing upward
* Intense grooming
Pain Behaviours
* Hiding
* Limping
* Withdrawal
* Flattened ears
* Dilated pupils
* Hunched back
Play Behaviours
* Ears forward
* Tail up
* Whiskers forward
* Tail twitching
* Stalking, pouncing, swiping
Relaxed/Content Behaviours
* Half-closed eyes
* Minimal muscle tension
* Purring
* Kneading
* Rubbing on things
* Exposing belly
Mating Behaviours (Females)
* Rolling
* Purring
* Stretching
* Rubbing
* Increased affection
* Raising hindquarters
* Treading back legs
* Loud vocalisations
* Backing up, twitching tail

12/06/2024

Moving can be overwhelming for cats. Here's some tips to help both you and your cat.
1. Plan AheadThere are two main options - booking your cat into a boarding cattery or taking them with you during the move. Consider your cat's personality to decide which is best for them.
2. Have Space for Your Cat About 1-2 weeks before moving, allocate a room in your current home and new home that can be cleared of furniture. This will be your cat's secure, familiar space during the transition.
3. Provide Enrichment In the allocated "safe room", set up their sleeping area, litter box, toys, scratching post, water, etc. About a week before, start feeding them in this room so they associate it as a safe space. If you have multiple cats, provide separate resources like litter boxes to reduce stress.
4. Secure Carrier Have a sturdy cat carrier ready that your cat is already comfortable with. You can spray the carrier with synthetic pheromones (like Feliway) to help reduce anxiety.
5. Use Pheromone Diffusers A week before the move, plug in a synthetic pheromone diffuser (like Feliway) in your cat's safe room to create a calming, familiar scent.
6. The Night Before Confine your cat to their safe room with all their belongings - litter box, scratching post, toys, bedding, etc. Make sure they have food and fresh water.
7. Moving Day Keep your cat confined and don't let them out. When ready to go, place them in their carrier and bring the carrier and all their belongings to the new house. Take them immediately to their new safe room set up with familiar items.
8. Settling In Keep cats confined to their new safe room for 2-3 days initially. Gradually allow supervised access to the rest of the house, ensuring windows/doors are closed. Provide access back to their safe space.
9. Going Outside Wait at least 3 weeks before allowing outdoor access so they acclimatise to the new home smells. Start with short, supervised trips timed around mealtimes.
10. Vet and Microchip Register with a new local vet ahead of time and transfer records. As soon as you move, update your cat's microchip details with the new address.
Loads more helpful information here. https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/home-and-environment/moving-home-with-your-cat #:~:text=Help%20them%20settle%20in.,them%20relax%20into%20their%20environment.

12/06/2024

Tip 1: How to introduce cats. One of the most frequently asked questions I receive is, "How do I introduce a new cat?" or "My cats don't get along. What should I do?" Introducing cats to each other can be a delicate process, but with patience and the right approach, it can be successful. Here's how:
Set up a separate safe room for the new cat with all necessary resources like food, water, and a litter box. Give the cats time to get used to each other's smells before visual contact.
Put a clean sock over your hand and gently pet the new cat around the face to collect its facial pheromones. Facial pheromones are the "friendly" ones that cats deposit when they feel comfortable. They are not as intense as the pheromones from the back end.
Place the sock in a general area in your resident cat's space, but not where it eats, sleeps, or near the litter box. Do not draw attention to the sock; casually drop it as if it fell while you were carrying laundry.
Observe your resident cat's reaction to the scented sock. Your cat's reaction, whether it sniffs it indifferently or hisses at it, is normal. The goal is for your resident cat to become acquainted with the new cat's scent without a physical confrontation. Reward no reaction.
Repeat the scent swapping process with the resident cat's scent for the new cat.
Once the new cat is comfortable, allow visual contact but separated by a barrier like stacked baby gates. Reward calm behavior on both sides with treats, play, etc. Also, perform scent swapping and room swapping.
Slowly bring the cats physically closer over multiple sessions while continuing positive reinforcement. Use toys and other distractions to break up tense moments.
Fully introduce the cats in short, supervised sessions only after the previous steps have gone smoothly. Watch their body language for signs of stress and separate them if needed.
Utilize calming aids if necessary, such as Feliway plug-ins (multi or friends). However, positive reinforcement is still critical for success.
Provide ample territory and resources for both cats, including multiple litter boxes, food/water stations, high-up cat trees, etc. This prevents resource-guarding conflicts.
Be patient and gradual throughout the process, separating the cats when unsupervised until they are living harmoniously. Forcing interactions can cause setbacks. Let them progress at their own pace.
NOTE: During the introduction, we do not recommend feeding outside the door. Feeding your cats together can create conflict, or at best, make them feel uncomfortable. Cats are solitary hunters, and they like to enjoy their meal, either a mouse or food at home, in solitude. Forcing them to eat close to each other, especially when they are just slowly getting to know each other, can make them feel vulnerable or create tension.
The key is going extremely slowly, keeping things positive, providing plenty of resources, and being willing to take a step back if problems arise. Taking the time upfront leads to long-term harmony. Please watch the video for more information:

Read our guide how to introduce your cat to another cat or kitten. Learn the steps to a harmonious household and how to spot bullying between your cats.

10/06/2024

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-67719709?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2Ot0rZDbGk57yxYn06Susl1tozyNacGsfbhd9ZJowlgYCwUmfonL05HLE_aem_AS_r5VefOvfw6lUNbMLV05EOYIFmwtNs6zC0M9g6g6m0qzTX6kO3yaEQS919sfXaZAnFhfaCdi66UMp4njDSiFZk

Scientists find many cats instinctively want to play throwing and retrieving games, just like dogs.

18/12/2023

Our brave boy Alfie was so chilled at the vet today for his vaccinations! The handsome boy took it all in stride, not panicking once. Unlike last time, open mouth and peed down my leg 😂🤣😂I'm so proud 😻. He is needs to put on weight, I only feed him 6 pouches and maincoon dry 😂🤣😂

26/04/2023

26/04/2023

13/02/2023

Nope ! You are not making the bed today! 😼😼

09/02/2023

The look of fear when being weighed ! . Chewie terrified of travel so Alfie went for support, she was so much better

07/01/2023

Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth 😈

29/12/2022

Love ❤️

14/11/2022

Cartoon cat 😺

08/11/2022

Calm before the storm

01/11/2022

It’s a hard life being so handsome

04/10/2022

This maybe my new brother 🙀🙀🙀😾😾😾 names???

13/09/2022

Ops!!! Chewie not happy nor am I !!!!

18/08/2022

🙀

14/07/2022

SAD DAY!!! No more feeding the birds or bird watching!! 😾😾😾 Chewie found her legs today 🙀🙀 🐦 all fine thankfully

02/07/2022

Idiot human forgot her birthday 😹😹😹 can you believe 5 whole long years of hell - pass me the nip please 🌿🌿🌿

29/06/2022

Stupid short leg Chewie ! WTC? Wimp!
#

16/06/2022

Chilling under our arch . 😸☀️🕶🌿🐾

21/05/2022

Chewie’s besties - this bird has been around 4 years! Lucky for the bird she has short legs
🤣🤣🤣