The Cat's Meow: Feline Behavior

Scratching: 

Everyone knows that cats like to scratch. They can tear up the couch, ruin the chairs in the dining room, and reduce the curtains to shreds. This behavior is instinctive and natural for cats. 

There are several things to try that could stop kitty from destroying furniture. Posts and scratchers have a coarse, nubbly texture that cats are attracted to, because it’s something they can really sink their claws into. Rub a bit of catnip on them to make it even more desirable.

Since cats are all about texture, cover the off-limits spots with things your cat will find unappealing on her paws, like double-sided sticky tape, aluminum foil, sheets of sandpaper or a plastic carpet runner with the pointy side up.

Many cats don't like the odor of citrus or menthol. Try attaching cotton balls soaked in cologne or a muscle rub to the places you want her to leave alone.

Declawing isn’t the solution.   

Scratching is normal cat behavior. It isn't done to destroy a favorite chair or to get even. Cats scratch to remove the dead husks from their claws, mark territory, and stretch their muscles. So many people mistakenly believe declawing is harmless and a ‘quick fix’, but in truth, declawing will cause lasting problems for your cat.

Biting:

We all know that sometimes cats turn on their owners. It’s a common behavioral problem. Here are four reasons that cats bite.

1. She is in pain.

Sudden aggression may be a cover for her true feelings. It’s a natural reaction in the wild to disguise their pain.

2. She is afraid.

A fear response in a cat will cause biting and scratching. If your cat is acting fearful it is best to leave her alone until she calms down.

3.She is playing.

Some kittens who are separated from their litter too soon will not understand how to play. If they do not have this opportunity they may bite you during play and not even realize it.

Head Butts:

Cats have scent glands all over their body and they use them to leave a scent mark. This behavior is reserved for bonding, social, comforting and friendly purposes. When your cat engages in head bunting or head rubbing, she is placing her scent there as a social and affectionate gesture. 

Kneading:

Kneading is the motion cats make by rhythmically alternating their paws, pushing in and out against a pliable, soft object (such as a lap). While not all cats knead, it is a common behavior for young and adult felines alike, so it's likely your cat does it. 

Cats start to knead as kittens while nursing from their mother. A nursing kitten instinctually kneads to help stimulate the mother’s milk production. Even though kneading a soft surface doesn’t yield milk, adult cats forever associate the motion of kneading with the rewarding comfort of nursing.

WHAT DOES PURRING MEAN?

Contented cats often purr, which is why the sound is often associated with happiness. For example, cats frequently purr when their favorite person pets them. You might also notice this common form of purring when you feed or play with your cat, or when she is relaxing in a stray sunbeam through the window.

Sometimes your cat purrs not because she is already content, but because she wants to calm herself down. If you've ever noticed her purr getting louder as you place her on the vet's examination table, you can understand this. 

If your cat is in pain, her purr may actually be helping her heal. Purrs occur at a frequency of 25 to 150 Hz, just the right range for promoting healing and improving bone density. By purring, your cat may be trying to gently stimulate her bones and muscles so she can get back to normal more quickly.

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/destructive_scratching.html

http://ezinearticles.com/?Cat-Biting---4-Reasons-Why-Cats-Will-Bite-You&id=2368015

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/bunting-behavior/

http://www.petmd.com/cat/behavior/evr_ct_why_do_cats_knead

Common Stereotypes and Myths About Cats and Dogs

LARGE DOGS ARE ALL AGGRESSIVE:

No dog is born dangerous. People who own supposedly aggressive dog breeds like Pit Bulls, Doberman, and German Shepherds will tell you this. It is how they are raised that determines their temperament. Unfortunately, many dog owners will raise large dogs to be fighting dogs. Here is something to think about: any dog will lash out at humans if he feels threatened. However, a Chihuahua bite is much less serious than a Pit Bull’s.

In a study published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science came up with the most aggressive dog breeds, and their answer will surprise you. The most aggressive breed was the Dachshund. The study also showed that one in every five of this breed has bitten or attempted to bite their owners.

The least aggressive were identified as Basset Hounds, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, and Siberian Huskies. Pit Bulls and Rottweilers were scored about average, hardly the deadly breeds that society has named them.

DOGS LIKE TASTY FOOD:

Nope. Actually, dogs have very weak taste buds. They eat primarily based on their sense of smell. While they can detect bitter, sweet, salty, and sour, they don’t perceive it the way humans do, and they have only one-sixth the number of taste buds that we do. It is important that, while he may beg for scraps, it is much better for him and you if he is fed healthy, well-balanced meals with high protein and fiber.

DOGS AND BONES:

Another familiar example is the image of a dog snacking on a big, juicy bone. Unfortunately, this practice can be extremely dangerous. Bones, while enticing, can cause many health issues.

Bones are hard enough to crack and fracture their teeth. This can lead to root canals or even tooth extraction. Then there’s the risk of oral injuries. When bone breaks, it splinters. Razor-sharp chips and fragments can become lodged in all sorts of painful places. The digestive system, which includes the esophagus, the stomach, small intestine, and colon, is also at risk of lacerations and punctures due to the pieces of bone that can become lodged inside, any of which can be fatal.

BLACK CATS REPRESENT EVIL:

These poor cats. Long considered to be bad luck and the servants of witches, they have never had it easy. But there is no evidence that the gene for black fur is in any way connected to bad luck. On the contrary; In Japan and the UK, they are prized. Neither are black cats evil. Playful and energetic behaviors, like jumping on your feet or scratching up your armchair, shouldn’t be confused with an attack.

Sadly, what is true about black cats is that they are unwanted. They are only half as likely to be adopted as other cats. It seems that the age-old fear of these felines is enough to overlook such a pet. Every cat, including the black ones, deserve a loving home, because, all superstition aside, they make wonderful pets.

DECLAWING CATS IS HARMLESS:

Imagine if one day a doctor said that, to make sure you didn’t scratch anyone, your nails should be removed— permanently. You’d say no, wouldn’t you? There’s just one problem: that’s what declawing does to a cat. You are removing a crucial part of a cat’s identity, and hurting them in an irreversible fashion.

There are several ways to perform the operation. One, amputate their toes with a scalpel. Two, a laser cuts through bone and tissue, heating the flesh and vaporizing it. Three, cut the tendons that connect each claw, making it impossible for the cat to extend their claws or to even control them.

The truth is, cats scratch. They do it to sharpen their claws, to mark their property, and to calm themselves when they get overexcited. The behavior cannot be stopped by declawing. It often leads to worse problems like aggression or inappropriate urination. Declawing should never be an option. It is dangerous and extremely painful.

CATS AND MILK:

While we have all seen the cute cartoons depicting cats happily lapping up milk out of a saucer, the truth is that, after becoming an adult, cats become lactose intolerant. So, even if you think you are giving your cat a treat, chances are it will make her sick. The lactase in milk often causes a cat to have an upset stomach. 

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www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/the-dangers-and-myths-of-declawing-cats/

The Four Stages of a Dog's Life

PUPPY:

This stage begins when he is born and ends somewhere in between 6 and 18 months, depending on his breed. During the first eight weeks of their lives, puppies should be with his mother and siblings. While a dog is in the puppy stage, he is learning how to interact with dogs and humans alike. This is why it is a good to start training and get him vaccinated at this stage.

ADOLESCENT:

The puppy stage will give way to adolescence sometime between the ages of 6 and 18 months. Smaller breed dogs will go into the adolescent stage earlier than larger breed dogs. This is the stage of the life cycle when hormones start to kick in and, if not spayed/neutered, your dog may begin to act like a moody teenager. Your dog will lose his puppy fur and grow to his adult size, though he may be awkward with his body and appear gawky until he gets accustomed to his new size. At the beginning of this stage of the life cycle have your dog altered and consider obedience training.

ADULT:

Between the ages of 1 and 3 years, your dog enters the adult stage of life. As with adolescence, smaller breeds reach this stage in less time than larger breeds. During this phase of the life cycle, your dog will still enjoy plenty of exercise and playtime, but he likely won't be so demanding of your attention and will not burst with the same amounts of energy that kept you busy during earlier stages. He is likely completely house-trained by now. Consider obedience training or advanced training. Your adult dog will continue to thrive from the mental and physical exercise of learning.

SENIOR:

From adulthood your dog will enter the senior stage of the life cycle sometime between his 6th and 10th birthday. Unlike with adolescence and adulthood, larger breed dogs reach this stage of the life cycle at a younger age than smaller breed dogs. During this stage of the life cycle your dog's muzzle will likely begin to gray. He will move more slowly and, instead of a brisk game of fetch, he'll be more content with a stroll. Your senior dog may eat less and sleep more than he has at other times of his life.

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