Tag: behaviour

Life as a Cat Sitter

From the Life of a Cat Sitter

In this series of posts I share some anecdotes from my life as a cat sitter. I promise these stories are all true, though the cats’ names have sometimes been changed to protect their identity 😉

Today: the cat that was stuck behind the kitchen cupboards!

It was my very first time looking after these two cats and during the meeting Phil was happy to see me, but Bagheera was very shy and wanted to hide. That is OK. I am patient and it takes as long as it takes for a cat to trust me and feel OK around me.

His owner showed me where Bagheera likes to hide (under the bed, in the wardrobe, but also behind the washing machine).

First visit: Bagheera was nowhere to be found! Impossible, because these are indoor only cats. Still, I did not see him anywhere despite looking everywhere, even inside the washing machine.

Then I heard something. It sounded like scratching. I realised where he was: behind the kitchen.

You might wonder how I knew this: he was not the first cat that had got stuck behind the kitchen. I knew of two others who had got stuck behind the tall cupboards of the kitchen (not on my watch I might add).

As much as I wanted to give Bagheera time to get used to me, I had to make sure he was OK and not injured. I had no idea whether he’d climbed down on purpose or fallen down accidentally. Time to put my DIY skills to use and remove the skirting board (a remarkably easy click-on system). I saw him stuck next to the fridge trying to climb back up but unable to get any grip. I got hold of him and gently pulled him out and checked him over. He was OK, no visible injuries and not showing any signs of pain when I checked him over.

I let go of him and soon the mystery of whether he’d climbed down or fallen was solved: he ran away, jumped onto the kitchen worktop, jumped onto the tall cupboard and went right back down again!

I left the skirting board off so at least Bagheera could come out after I’d left and would not be stuck in his predicament. However, I also blocked off the top of the tall cupboards to make sure they were cat proof.

Lesson learned: I now always ask whether the kitchen is cat proof or whether there are any gaps behind tall cupboards where the cat might get stuck.

Bagheera and I have since become friends 🙂
Research

Research on Cats’ Body and Head Rubbing Behaviour: Initial Findings

For my research, I focussed on identifying whether cats with certain personality types engage in head rubbing behaviour more frequently than those with other personality types. This is a start to try and understand why cats display this behaviour inside the home.

For example, is this purely friendly behaviour? Or is it more territorial? Or perhaps anxious cats display the behaviour more often because they feel a need to reassure themselves?

The personality types I analysed are based on research by Litchfield et al (2017). I analysed head rubbing behaviour in three categories: people, permanent fixtures in the home and new items in the home.

The initial findings:

  • Agreeable cats (relaxed, friendly and affectionate) head rub people significantly more often than other personalities, both people they live with as well as visitors to the home;
  • Neurotic cats (shy, insecure and tense) most frequently head rub furniture or other permanent fixtures in the home after a visitor has left;
  • Dominant cats (independent, sometimes bullying) engage in head rubbing new items in the home most often.

Similar to findings on cats’ grooming behaviour of other cats (allogrooming) (see Curtis et al (2003) and van den Bos (1998)), there seems to be a duality to head rubbing behaviour. This would require further research and ideally observational studies in order to assess body language during rubbing behaviour in order to establish whether this behaviour can indeed be regarded as friendly as well as neurotic or dominant depending on the circumstances.

Research

Research on Cats’ Body and Head Rubbing Behaviour: Help Needed!

In one way or another, our cats all leave their marks. Some cats urine mark, especially if they haven’t been neutered or they scratch. These behaviours are well-researched, mainly because they are natural cat behaviours but many humans find them problematic.

A lesser researched area is the behaviour of body and head marking. I’m sure you’ve seen your cats do it as well. If your cat has a favourite spot then perhaps you’ve seen brownish scuff marks on it. They may also rub their bodies along your legs.

Partially, it may just be that it feels nice for cats to give themselves a bit of a chin or cheek rub. However, it is also a more subtle form of communication between cats that we can still learn much more about.

As a cat behaviourist I am interested in all forms of communication between cats and have decided to focus on the subtle form of body and head rubbing specifically.

My first piece of research will focus on cats’ personalities and body or head rubbing behaviour.

If you want to participate then please click here. The survey will open in a new window.

 A few cats ‘caught in the act’

Research

Bonding with your cat: slow blinking

* Adapted from Anna Ford’s article for the University of Sussex’s News Broadcast

A team of psychologists at the Universities of Sussex and Portsmouth have shown for the first time that it is possible to build rapport with a cat by using an eye narrowing technique with them.

This eye narrowing action by humans generates something popularly known as a cat smile – the so called “slow blink” – and seems to make the human more attractive to the cat.

The study found:

  • Cats were more likely to slow blink at their owners if their owners had slowed blinked at them, compared to when the owner was present in the room but not delivering a slow blink stimulus.
  • Cats were more likely to slow blink when an unfamiliar experimenter slow blinked at them, compared to when they had maintained a neutral expression.
  • Cats preferred to approach an experimenter after they had slow blinked at the cat than if they had maintained a neutral expression.

To read the full article, click here.

Breed info, Health & Welfare

Bengal Cat Profile: Everything You Need To Know About Bengals

* Originally published by ProtectaPet

History of the Bengal

“In 1963, Jean S. Mill crossed the domestic cat with the Asian Leopard Cat, a spotted, five to twelve pound, shy non-domestic cat species from Asia. This was the first effort to use hybrid offspring to create a breed of domestic cat with the loving nature of the best fireside tabby and the striking look of Leopards, Ocelots and Jaguars.”

Cat Fanciers Association.

It wasn’t until the 1980’s that the modern bengal cat we know and love today emerged thanks to Jean S. Mill in the United States. This newer breed then became regonised by the GCCF in 1997.

Appearance of the Bengal

The Bengal takes on many visible characteristics of it’s wild ancestors. Bengals are muscular in stature and they carry their tails low like an undomesticated cat would. Females are significantly smaller than males but both feature beautiful broad wedge-shaped heads and friendly expressions. With cheek bones to die for, the cutest whisker pads and a strong broad muzzle all contributing to their wild appearance.

The Bengal coat is short to medium and very soft. Bengals come in a wide variety of patterns and colours, one of the most popular being the “Rosetted Bengal“, where their spots are a contrasted two-toned colouring.

As well as spotted bengals, they can also have a marbled, swirly pattern.

© 2018 Laurent Jaccard

Temperament of the Bengal

If you’re looking for a companion you can pick up and stroke for hours on end then the Bengal is not for you.

Bengals can be quite mischievous and they love to play. They need lots of toys and entertainment to keep their intelligent brains occupied. Bengal cats have a good set of lungs and they love to be vocal. You’ll be told if they’re hungry, if they’re not happy with the state of their litter tray or anything else that might not be pleasing them. They can be quite fussy and they are not shy in conveying their feelings through meows.

Bengals Form Close Bonds

While they are vocal and love to play, Bengals are very affectionate. Playing with your cat will help to form a close bond but don’t be surprised if they select one of the family to form an extra special friendship with.

Many people think Bengals are more aggressive than other breeds, but this is false. Bengals are the same as other domestic breeds. They need to be socialised from a young age in just the same way as other cats to avoid behavioural problems.