Cattitude Feline Behavior Counseling

09/09/2025

Sometimes I wonder about some vets. (Non-medically.) What they were taught, how much is recycled myth, how much experience vs...convenience, say.
Ex: a client sent me this from the website Mental Floss: ‘The Right Way to Hold a Cat, According to a Vet': ‘the key is cat squishing. They're very tough little beasts and just squishing them against your body is never going to do them any harm. In fact, they tend to feel more safe and secure when they're held tightly.'
No. NO.
First, there can indeed be 'harm'--more emotional than physical. Cats associate real discomfort with the person giving it, and with the whole vet experience. The last thing she needs: more fear. She remembers. Of course Noodles has to be restrained or maneuvered in ways they dislike for procedure or pill. But not that way. For the same reason Thundershirts are Not appropriate for cats: dogs may appreciate such snugness, but cats Don't. A dog may calm w/ being restrained by a cloth gizmo, but catto'll either go limp--NOT relaxation, but 'learned helplessness', or struggle. Both distressing. Gentle burrito-ing, yes. Squishing? Hardly.

07/09/2025

A Sunday quickie: There's been detected H5N1 pathogenic avian influenza in lots of RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats.

RAWR Raw Cat Food Chicken Eats (sell by 09/18/26), and RAWR Cat Food Chicken Eats (10/03/26), in 2.5-pound frozen plastic bags, which are white and yellow with black lettering, w/ lot code CCS 25 077 or CCS 25 093 printed on the back.

06/09/2025

We know people who are practically born old, while others only seem to age on the outside. While, too, 'geriatric' in cats usually means 15 years and over, and 'seniors 11-14...sometimes there's leeway, shall we say, according to the source. But ageing comes at different stages with some cats, so there are factors to watch out for, noting even seemingly minor changes. I've noted the enormous variation between two of my 18 year olds, for example. And huge differences between several 7 year olds.

For example, you can watch a cat's memory both develop as well as fade. Sleep-wake cycles can get disrupted, with more nocturnal confusion noted. And that can sometimes mean crying out unexpectedly during the night. Has Noodles' activity level decreased? It may seem sudden to you: one day he won't jump up on the bed, or the counter. Or suddenly prefers lower platforms of his favorite tower. Does he gets repetitive in hos movements, or seem aimless, or restless, when he's even slightly active? Have any of his routines changed? What about how he relates to you, interacts with others, whether they be two- or four-footed? Does he seem more disorientated, not responding the way he did to kinds of stimulation (praise, foods, toys, other animals, physical affection)? And that change in hygiene. The point: whether it's an underlying medical issue, or 'simply' (ha) ageing, please check it out with your vet? Keeping an eye out is one of the more important things you can do as a loving ...member of staff.

03/09/2025

A few other points to help revive play, which is probably the best therapy around. (More a jacks woman than pickleball, me.) If a new toy is fabric or other remotely porous material, wipe with Noodles' scent before offering to Their Majs; some cats dislike the packing and production smells. Matter of fact, you might want to wipe even plastic. Made some of my furrs far more interested. Re-think the material: if a crinkly-plastic tunnel puts the kids off-- it may be the feeling or the sound of paws scrabbling on it-- make that same tunnel using paper bags.
Watch what truly interests Noodles; that's the clue what to make or buy. (Squiggling? Whipping through the air? Stringy snakes? Bat-around mice? Many cats do Not like crinklemetallic balls, while others go haywire.)
Some cats are indifferent about cardboard boxes. With some, we substituted large plastic or fabric ones and lined them with their smell-saturated fleece. Presto.
Cats don't like loud toys. Or too heavy. Or too big. Why? They aren't like prey. And let 'em win.

01/09/2025

Do you ever idly scroll at 3:00 am? Last night, saw reels of owners patting their cats--emphatically. More like whacking. Their rear ends, flanks, back. Catto wasn't running away, so 'Our play! He likes it!’ Well, no. Ears flattening, pupils dilating. It wasn't good arousal. He didn't like it, he’s used to it. It's not fun. It was the connection w/ his person he wanted. Then he walked away.
Stroking, scritching, massaging is lovely and so important, but whacking even playfully, isn’t. Hands are perfect for affection and calming, but play is with toys. Use hands gently, tenderly, on areas she likes. ( It maaaay not be the stomach, for example. You know her forbidden areas.) Scrabbling fingers under the blanket to get her going is easy and works, but then don’t complain of Noodles sees your digits as playthings and prey and grab and bites them at other times. Even seeing them dangling from your arms from his ground viewpoint is one great game. But it isn’t. You can’t encourage him with your hands one moment then chastise him the next for going after the same body part.

30/08/2025

Danaher, my work-in-progress feral, loves my home. Restaurant, social club, gym, hotel, lounge, elimination station, all in one place. It's taken years to get his membership. But he’s inside probably 50-80% of the time, depending on the season.
My point: no matter how long it takes, many ferals, while they may never be cuddle bugs by any stretch, can be independent beauties who feel comfortable on their own terms—not necessarily 24 hours a day—in your home. When they want out, let them out. No expectations. And years of patience. Let them be, appreciate and respect them for who they are. My other cats have grown to like him (especially, interestingly, the older ones), and vice versa. In fact, Danny’s also learned to play with them, a monumental leap. That’s another point: When you see little leaps of trust and learning (‘He didn’t do that yesterday!’) there’s a particular kind of joy you can’t get from anything else. I say this now, because according to another ‘expert’ I've recently heard, this isn’t possible. Yes, you have to account for a feral’s background, whatever it was; for example, possible human abuse, age... Was he always on his own, or were there ever clowders, with perhaps strays included? But after decades of working with them, when they are interested, even just curious at all, I can attest that this emphatically is Not so. There hasn't been very much research on ferals, matter of fact. Ari’s my next case…another time. But oh, the little joys!

28/08/2025

Raw food recall: Viva Raw was found to be potentially contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria, according to a release from the FDA: Viva Chicken for Cats; and Viva Pure Chicken.
Please remember: raw food is Not the same as fresh kill.

27/08/2025

Interview w/ 'Zoe', for a Denver magazine. (Smart reporter.) Training and tricks--and I probably steered her too far away from the topic. I don't teach 'high-fives' or 'play dead'. I'm not amused when cats jump through hoops of fire. I like Noodles to just be her healthy, happy self. Training's another matter, but it’s training the owner. If a cat’s urinating outside the box, dealing with symptoms is important, (good cleaners, blacklights) but motive is crucial. Are the boxes the problem (location, type, hygiene, say)? Territorial insecurity? Stress from getting bullied? Etc. She’s responding normally; what can You do to eliminate (no pun) the triggers?
Providing Noodles with what she needs. Those Five Pillars of the ideal cat environment: A safe place. Multiple, separated key environmental resources. Opportunities for both play and predatory behavior. Positive, consistent & predictable human-cat social interaction. And an environment respecting the cat’s sense of smell, sight, the other senses. (Vet Med. Assn.)
That’s what gives Noodles a happy life. With Lots of love and …that respect. They’re not gimmicks nor fashion statements nor substitute babies.

25/08/2025

Same ol' same ol'. Several times a day. Same flavor or two. Or maybe one day chunks, one day pate, but always fish. Even the same company has the same texture formula whatever the meat.

Mix it up. It's only fair. Not only for taste but for that small amount of enrichment. Company marketing does it: shreds, filets, minced, flaked, bites, stews, chunks, grilled, sliced, and don't get me started on mousses, gems (!) broths and soups (congrats: you're paying premium for air and water.)
Different companies. But avoid the beef: it's not a natural food for cats, and they have to add taurine, whether 'natural' or not's another matter.

What cat catches the same prey every time?

24/08/2025

A brief advertorial. I only do this for Kitty City, part of Wildhorse Ranch Rescue, in Gilbert, AZ., a terrific sanctuary where friends have gotten their furrkids, and I got Tove, my 18 year old, in March. This isn't a shelter but a true sanctuary--no closed cages, here. Director Celeste Johnson has the proverbial gold heart, is a damned hard worker, and one of the most decent people I know. She and her colleagues have saved 100s of cats over the years and those babies are truly that: loved and very well cared for. Can't praise these people enough. Kitty City's having an Open House on the 25th at 6 pm, another on the 28th from 10-11am. In October, they're going to be opening a brand new Kitten House, and they truly need your attention. This is no 'typical' rescue. If you're in the general vicinity, please drop by, or check out their website:

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23/08/2025

Just like that. One day Noodles has aged. A quieter gait. A hesitation. Softer eye. And where did those mats come from? Fur ruffles that weren't there before. We know cats can stop grooming due to illnesses, arthritis, dental problems, allergies, anxiety, depression, obesity, pain...
But the ageing cat can also find grooming too tiring. Look for other symptoms: decreased interest in food or play, or hiding, say. Help her. It's not just for keeping her visually kempt, but for preventing skin irritations, infections, barf-encouraging hairballs. More.
Brushing Noodles frequently, consistently is hugely bonding--more important than people think. Especially now. Along with stroking and massaging, it's a wonderful way of giving her the attention, affection, the sheer touch that she can blossom under.

After a vet check, it may be a matter of accepting that her cognition is beginning to decline. If she’s not familiar with it, get her used to the brush graaaadually. Don't start with the Furminator; for some, it's too harsh. Something gentle, rubber-tipped, wide-toothed. If you feel mats and tangles, steer around them in the beginning. Then use gentle fingers, a wee bit at a time. Treat before and after. Soft words. A quiet cozy place. Routine calms. Regular sessions of loving attention does too. Nothing else can provide that.

20/08/2025

Oh, no. Another expert. Another myth. Heard this one? 'Cats see vertically, not horizontally.' The 'reasoning'? 'Their eyes' slits are are vertical’.

Nuts.

Noodles has vertically-lengthened pupils, but this lets them distinguish depth by perceiving the most minute differences in light as the eye sees it. That’s why, for example, their targeting prey is so accurate.
(If they couldn’t see horizontally, they couldn’t see their ground prey move.)
That lengthened shape means they can beautifully judge distances for hunting; it hardly restricts their general field of vision, but improves it: it’s wonderful 3D.

Same lesson, no? Info-gathering’s so much easier on the net—don’t get me started on AI—but there’s a cost: increased discernment.