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.
Wishing everyone joy and happiness during the Holiday season.
It will be a special season for us as Dirk has not been doing too well. We’re extra grateful to still have him with us and cherishing our time with him.
* 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.
“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.”
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.
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.
French research published in Animal Cognition has found that your cat recognises when you are talking to them. Most people use a different tone or pitch when speaking to their cat as compared to speaking to other people. Cats recognise the difference, but this does not necessarily mean they will listen…
The researchers found that cats respond to their owners’ cat-directed speech; they don’t respond to a stranger’s cat-directed speech.
This implies that the bond a cat has with a person influences their behaviour and highlights the importance of relationships between cats and their owners.
To find out more click here to access the full article.
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