Amy Shojai

What Cat Lovers are Asking this Week…

• Q:

  Our kitty is small in stature and she will come on the bed and throw herself against my side. It is too funny to watch as she stands there a second and literally uses her two legs to throw herself. Why does she do that?

  A:

  That sounds adorable! I can only guess why your kitty hurls herself against you, as this is not a typical cat behavior. I suspect, though, a couple of things account for the action.
  
  First, when you recline in bed it’s one of the few times she has access to you in this particular way. With other cats, a typical affectionate behavior involves full-body strokes—that is, the cat rubs her entire side against another cat. So your cat may be trying to duplicate this action.
  
  Second, cats that feel great trust for a human may place themselves in vulnerable positions. Your kitty could be using this action to declare her undying love and affection. On the other paw, cats also take a moment prior to a pounce to balance themselves, poise their upper body for launch, and then spring forward. So it may also be a play behavior.
  
  Finally, what do you do after she flings herself against you? If your reaction is one that she appreciates (laughing, petting, other positive attention) she’s learned that throwing herself against you will be rewarded.

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• Q:

  I adopted a female cat and she is now two-and-a-half years old. I feel that she is lonely and I should get another kitten. Is this just me? Do felines like company?

  A:

  SOME felines like company. Others enjoy having all the attention to themselves. I can’t predict how your cat will react. But very often, it’s the human who gets the urge to have another cat and simply assume that their singleton feline wants the company. In most cases, the cats that appreciate and get along best with other kitties are those that grew up with other felines and continue that relationship.
  
  Has she ever spent time with other cats as an adult? Young kittens and adolescents have a much easier time accepting new pets into the home. Kitties over the age of about four can have a difficult time if they’ve never before shared time with other felines. It is normal cat behavior to try and chase away/kick out the “interloper.” Should you decide to adopt another cat, be prepared for days to weeks of adjustment for both cats. My recommendation would be a younger cat of the opposite sex, and introduce them very slowly.

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• Q:

  I adopted my seven-and-a-half year old female cat Angel a year and a half ago. I'm disabled and homebound and very rarely go out. It seems as if it was just a couple months ago she started having a hard time when I do leave now for doctor appointments or for a short period of time. Now even when I go grab my mail which is just two minutes away, I come back and she's all upset making sounds and holding her comfort toy in her mouth (she never wants to actually play with it). What should I do?

  A:

  Angel really loves you and relies on you, doesn’t she? Cats can develop separation anxiety, although we think of that being more common in dogs. With kitties, the signs can be increased vocalization like what Angel exhibits—and also inappropriate elimination often on the owner’s bed. Thank goodness, Angel hasn’t developed that behavior!
  
  In cases of separation anxiety, the pet becomes upset and acts out usually in the first ten to twenty minutes. Since you’re only gone for a couple of minutes to pick up the mail, Angel doesn’t have time to calm down. I suspect you also make a pretty big deal over her when you return and see her with the toy.
  
  The usually recommendation for soothing the angst over separation anxiety is to ‘stage’ departures over and over again. Cats get upset not only with your departure, but the “signals” that lead up to that such as picking up the mailbox keys, or putting on a jacket. Repeating the actions gets the pet used to the comings and goings and a departure loses the power to get Kitty upset. For instance, go in and out the door ten times in a row. Pick up your purse and carry it over your arm for ten minutes but don’t leave. Also, it’s important to make your departures and arrivals matter-of-fact rather than making a big deal over saying goodbye or greeting the cat when you return.

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