BEHAVIOR

While cat owners know their pets are bonded to them, felines are often thought of as uninterested in collaborating with people. It’s believed all communication has to be entirely on their terms, without any give and take. But that’s not true. Cats can and do learn various behaviors through training. People teach their feline pets […]

It’s often assumed that while dogs can have strong attachments to their human caregivers and feel more secure in their presence, cats don’t share that affinity for people. But researchers from Oregon State University have proven the assumption wrong. Using a research protocol first employed in the 1970s to look at the bond between parents […]

You fall out of a 19th-story window, and the word splat is in your very near future. A cat falls 19 stories, and she glides earthward to live another day. It really happened several years ago when a white fluff ball named Sugar dropped out of her owners high-rise window and walked away to enjoy her eight remaining lives with only some minor bruising on her lungs but no broken bones, no lacerations, no anything. What is it that makes cats nimble enough to be able to land safely, even from great heights?

My cat scratched me on my arm, and a few days later I developed a bump there. But then I went on to develop a fever and also felt very tired. I went to the doctor, who said I had cat scratch fever and that it would resolve on its own. Does that sound right?

Adult cats dont meow at each other. A kitten will meow to let its mother know its hungry or cold, but once it is weaned, it will no longer meow to communicate with those of its own species.

Perhaps your cat is aggressive to the point that you cant defuse the situation on your own. Or he keeps getting into the linen closet despite all your efforts to keep him out of there. Or he wont stop climbing on the table while youre eating. Where do you turn? To an animal behaviorist, of course.

Your cat rolls over on her back and presents her belly to you, so you return the apparent gesture of affection by stroking it, as you would for a dog. But instead of relaxing and enjoying the moment, she turns into the feline version of Cujo, scratching and biting you to make you stop. Why did she show you her belly if she didnt want you anywhere near it?

Ever notice how people who are allergic to cats and pay them no attention are the ones cats come up to? And how people who bend over backwards to make friends with cats are the ones whose efforts are often rebuffed? Its because generally, cats are naturally wary and would prefer to be the ones to take the social initiative.

If your cat lashes out at you or hisses and growls, or if shes swishing her tail back and forth, you know shes not happy. But can you tell her mood by the state of her pupils? Or how her whiskers look? You might think your cat is apt to keep her emotions to herself, but the signs described here will let you know if she feels somethings amiss.

If youve been saying that your cat has lots of spunk, is retiring, or lazy, give yourself credit - her behavior apparently has a lot to do with your own personality traits.

Zooming. Splaying. Kneading…Lets face it: cats can be weird. Or seem weird, if you dont understand why they engage in certain behaviors. In this article, we demystify some of their so-called oddball antics.

Ever wonder what inspires your cat to lift her rump, wiggle it back and forth in place, eyes black with excitement, and then pounce? It may well be an instinctive hunting behavior she shares with lions, tigers, and jaguars even though domesticated cats split off from their big cousins eons ago.