(no subject)
It was last week Thursday that I selected my kittens from the SPCA and the following day that I brought them home.
Today I went to the "Cat Talk" behavior and care class- totally free; knowledgeable people who answer any question. I learned a lot of fantastic things that I will place behind a cut.
When approaching a cat, a slow blink will indicate to them that your approach is friendly. The SPCA volunteers use this technique all the time and find it truly effective. Once they've turned around, it is an indication of trust; they don't have to keep an eye on you any longer. It is suggested that cat owners take the time to extend their claws, (which should never be cut with straight scissors- curved blades put less pressure on the sensitive quick of the nail!) check their ears, eyes, butt, and all that on a regular basis, even if they're not really looking for anything- this conditions the cat to being handled as such and will reduce panic when you DO need to look for things. It is also advisable to do all this in the same place, say, on a mat that can be brought to the vet, so that they will know what to expect and feel slightly more at home there. This mat can double as an introductory tool when another pet is adopted- putting something with the cat's scent on it gets the other animal used to the idea, and vice versa. Not every pet relationship works out well, and they cannot be expected to cuddle and love each other, only to co-exist, much like family members sometimes do. They also suggest leaving the cat wanting more petting, rather than petting until they're irritated.
Shapes in the cat's face will belie their personality most of the time; triangles indicate active and aggressive (though not to mean "mean", just very playful). Circles indicate timid, shy cats, and Squares are sociable and confident, much like dogs are. I believe Dori is a triangle and Lydi a circle, but it's hard to tell until their faces are completely in proportion- kittens have big ears that they grow into later. There is also a sort of breed personality distinction in a few cases- tortoiseshells and calicos are supposedly "bitchy" and orange cats are supposedly very smart.
Fat cats can be treated at home by a few simple methods- feeding of wet food allows more protein and fewer carbs in their diet, which cuts back on some weight. Putting the dry food in ball with a small hole (they sell them) forces them to work for their food, appealing to the hunter in each cat and giving them much-needed exercise. Simply moving the food dish around so they have to find it, and putting it in places the cat will have to work to get to is also beneficial. Cats who regurgitate after meals are usually stressed and eating too fast, and since the food has to go essentially up in the esophagus before going down, fast eaters can actually choke- this is their body's defense against that. Finding ways to get them to eat slower or to get them vertical after eating (like with a cat teaser against the wall) will aid digestion and cut back on clean-ups.
Litter box problems can usually be remedied by understanding the cat's needs. Cats originated in the desert, and a recreation of this environment helps them to be comfortable in the litter box. Sufficient head room, a moderate litter depth (so their feet aren't sinking) and a lack of added scents will help. (Bad smells can be taken care of by cleaning the litter box.) They also like to have multiple 'escape routes' when using the litter box. Having to stop like that apparently makes the cat feel vulnerable, and being cornered is scary. A cat making "mistakes" right outside the litterbox obviously understands it is supposed to use the box, but there is something about the environment that needs to be reexamined before usage will return to normal.
They allowed a number of cats and kittens loose in the room, partly as a ploy for adoption, I'm sure, but also because they demonstrated a lot of the things the speaker was discussing. With 30 to 40 minutes left in the class, a kitten approached me looking like it might like to be picked up and cuddle. I picked her up, she curled up in my arms and fell asleep. When the class was finished, people were turning to see the kitten that fell asleep and telling me "you have been chosen". When I put her in her carrier, she not only didn't want to go in, but once inside, began sticking her little paws out the carrier door and meowing frantically as she was carried away. Once outside the building, I burst into tears. I know I can't have another- heck, I wasn't looking for another! It was just that this particular cat wanted me, in particular, to be hers- she hadn't been willing to cuddle with anyone else in the room. I have always had an affinity for cats that allowed me to connect with them rather well, and I tried to remind myself of this, but I needed Jason to talk me down from my heartbreak, nonetheless. I called him in tears. This was on top of a certain sadness I felt at seeing the pair of kittens that were second runners-up last week in my own selection- they hadn't been adopted yet. So lovely, and sleeping so peacefully curled around one another. I stroked their heads through the bars and wished them well. It's a good thing they didn't open their eyes, because now I can convince myself that they're content. I mentioned to some of the people standing near me that I had nearly adopted these two in the event that perhaps someone would be inspired to have a look at the sleek, poised, slightly older kittens.
As it was, adopting cats that were NOT black made me feel somewhat guilty, as I am not superstitious, and would be a great candidate for a black cat owner. They just... weren't Dorian and Lydian. The girls stole my heart and were clearly the best match for me.
When I came home this evening, the kittens were their usual follow-you-around-and-be-adorable selves, and I relished that as best I could to soothe my sadness. After dinner, I was sitting on the floor scrubbing down one of my lawn chairs, and Dori came over, climbed into my arms and fell asleep, changing position several times, always pressing her tiny forehead against my chest and purring ever so slightly, except for when she was completely out, and stretched out upside down along my arm. Even Lydian, who doesn't like to be handled, came and curled up beside me. I think they sensed something was not right and that they could make it better by doing that. I felt as if they wanted me to know they appreciated everything I've done for them and that I can be proud of that instead of ashamed that I can't take anyone else.
Today I went to the "Cat Talk" behavior and care class- totally free; knowledgeable people who answer any question. I learned a lot of fantastic things that I will place behind a cut.
When approaching a cat, a slow blink will indicate to them that your approach is friendly. The SPCA volunteers use this technique all the time and find it truly effective. Once they've turned around, it is an indication of trust; they don't have to keep an eye on you any longer. It is suggested that cat owners take the time to extend their claws, (which should never be cut with straight scissors- curved blades put less pressure on the sensitive quick of the nail!) check their ears, eyes, butt, and all that on a regular basis, even if they're not really looking for anything- this conditions the cat to being handled as such and will reduce panic when you DO need to look for things. It is also advisable to do all this in the same place, say, on a mat that can be brought to the vet, so that they will know what to expect and feel slightly more at home there. This mat can double as an introductory tool when another pet is adopted- putting something with the cat's scent on it gets the other animal used to the idea, and vice versa. Not every pet relationship works out well, and they cannot be expected to cuddle and love each other, only to co-exist, much like family members sometimes do. They also suggest leaving the cat wanting more petting, rather than petting until they're irritated.
Shapes in the cat's face will belie their personality most of the time; triangles indicate active and aggressive (though not to mean "mean", just very playful). Circles indicate timid, shy cats, and Squares are sociable and confident, much like dogs are. I believe Dori is a triangle and Lydi a circle, but it's hard to tell until their faces are completely in proportion- kittens have big ears that they grow into later. There is also a sort of breed personality distinction in a few cases- tortoiseshells and calicos are supposedly "bitchy" and orange cats are supposedly very smart.
Fat cats can be treated at home by a few simple methods- feeding of wet food allows more protein and fewer carbs in their diet, which cuts back on some weight. Putting the dry food in ball with a small hole (they sell them) forces them to work for their food, appealing to the hunter in each cat and giving them much-needed exercise. Simply moving the food dish around so they have to find it, and putting it in places the cat will have to work to get to is also beneficial. Cats who regurgitate after meals are usually stressed and eating too fast, and since the food has to go essentially up in the esophagus before going down, fast eaters can actually choke- this is their body's defense against that. Finding ways to get them to eat slower or to get them vertical after eating (like with a cat teaser against the wall) will aid digestion and cut back on clean-ups.
Litter box problems can usually be remedied by understanding the cat's needs. Cats originated in the desert, and a recreation of this environment helps them to be comfortable in the litter box. Sufficient head room, a moderate litter depth (so their feet aren't sinking) and a lack of added scents will help. (Bad smells can be taken care of by cleaning the litter box.) They also like to have multiple 'escape routes' when using the litter box. Having to stop like that apparently makes the cat feel vulnerable, and being cornered is scary. A cat making "mistakes" right outside the litterbox obviously understands it is supposed to use the box, but there is something about the environment that needs to be reexamined before usage will return to normal.
They allowed a number of cats and kittens loose in the room, partly as a ploy for adoption, I'm sure, but also because they demonstrated a lot of the things the speaker was discussing. With 30 to 40 minutes left in the class, a kitten approached me looking like it might like to be picked up and cuddle. I picked her up, she curled up in my arms and fell asleep. When the class was finished, people were turning to see the kitten that fell asleep and telling me "you have been chosen". When I put her in her carrier, she not only didn't want to go in, but once inside, began sticking her little paws out the carrier door and meowing frantically as she was carried away. Once outside the building, I burst into tears. I know I can't have another- heck, I wasn't looking for another! It was just that this particular cat wanted me, in particular, to be hers- she hadn't been willing to cuddle with anyone else in the room. I have always had an affinity for cats that allowed me to connect with them rather well, and I tried to remind myself of this, but I needed Jason to talk me down from my heartbreak, nonetheless. I called him in tears. This was on top of a certain sadness I felt at seeing the pair of kittens that were second runners-up last week in my own selection- they hadn't been adopted yet. So lovely, and sleeping so peacefully curled around one another. I stroked their heads through the bars and wished them well. It's a good thing they didn't open their eyes, because now I can convince myself that they're content. I mentioned to some of the people standing near me that I had nearly adopted these two in the event that perhaps someone would be inspired to have a look at the sleek, poised, slightly older kittens.
As it was, adopting cats that were NOT black made me feel somewhat guilty, as I am not superstitious, and would be a great candidate for a black cat owner. They just... weren't Dorian and Lydian. The girls stole my heart and were clearly the best match for me.
When I came home this evening, the kittens were their usual follow-you-around-and-be-adorable selves, and I relished that as best I could to soothe my sadness. After dinner, I was sitting on the floor scrubbing down one of my lawn chairs, and Dori came over, climbed into my arms and fell asleep, changing position several times, always pressing her tiny forehead against my chest and purring ever so slightly, except for when she was completely out, and stretched out upside down along my arm. Even Lydian, who doesn't like to be handled, came and curled up beside me. I think they sensed something was not right and that they could make it better by doing that. I felt as if they wanted me to know they appreciated everything I've done for them and that I can be proud of that instead of ashamed that I can't take anyone else.