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YOUR CAT AT CHRISTMAS
Make sure that your cat's christmas is as happy as that
of everyone else in the family. Your cat doesn't understand what all the fuss is about and sensitivity is needed on your part.
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Christmas is a season of much
merriment and celebration for all the family, but your cat may be of a different opinion. For the household cat, it can be
a time of great disruption and upheaval, with plenty of visitors coming and going and a lot of loud and unwelcome noises.
However, there are a number of things you can do to make sure that your cat's christmas is just as enjoyable as everyone else's.
If christmas day in your house is as quiet as any other day of the year, your cat won't have much to complain about. But if
you're planning one long party, with an endless stream of guests popping in and out and invading the cat's territory at least,
that's how the cat will see it and a lot of noise, your cat might prefer it if you were to count him out of all the celebrations.
Forget that silly present that you bought for the cat and tied with extravagant bow under the christmas tree what he really
wants is a bit of pice and quiet.
PARTY NOISE
If you're having a party and there are likely to be a lot
of sudden loud noises champagne corks popping and christmas crackers for example your cat is not likely to enjoy this. Cats
enjoy the company of people whom they know and trust, but they prefer their social interchange on a quiet one -to-one basis
and ther're not usually keen on strangers. It would therefore probably be better in this case to shut him securely in another
room, where he will feel safe and out of the way of any loud and intrusive festivities. Give your cat plenty of reassurance:
you don't want him to think that this new atmosphere is a permanent state of affairs, especially if you are partying at the
new year as well.
You should always keep your cat away from the decorations,
as they may seem particularly tempting.
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Christmas trees can be a particular hazard
at this time of year.
DID YOU KNOW ?
?According to myth, a mother cat gave
birth to her kittens in the manger where the infant christ was lying
?If you're planning any indoor fireworks
at your christmas party, remember that your cat might be alarmed by them so make sure he's out of the room when you light
them.
?Many children will beg their parents
for a kitten as a christmas present. If you are going to grant their wish think again about the timing as christmas is not
the best time to introuce a new pet to the household. It can be a very noisy and chaotic time, and this will not help the
kitten feel safe and able to settle in
SO PLEASE NEVER GIVE A PET AS A CHRISTMAS PRESENT
Q Is it alright to let my cat out in the snow ?
A Some cats enjoy snow and find it fun trying to catch snowflakes.
But if your cat is old and sensitive to the cold he may be reluctant to go out in this case provide a litter tray until the
snow has gone.
Q Next christmas will be the first in our home for a new
cat how will he react to the tree ?
A Some cats will try to climb the tree or play with the
baubles. Exercise a little patience even if some of the decorations get broken christmas should be fun for cats too, so don't
lose your temper. Pine needles can hurt a cats paws so clear them off the floor regularly.
Q Is it alright to give my cat turkey as a treat ?
A Yes, but make sure you do not give any bones, which splinter
easily.
THE CURIOUS CAT
The cat's natural curiosity may place it in dangerous situations
from time to time, especially when it is free to wander outside. Cats seem to find derelict outbuildings particularly attractive.
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One of the great fascinations
of cats as pet is there innate curiosity. They are alert and interested in the world around them whenever they are awake,
and watch closely what is happening in their home. Bring in a shopping bag or even a piece of furniture and before long, your
cat will surreptitiously sniff the new article. A cat never rushes up to investigate items the way a dog would, but approaches
anything new in a quiet and cautious way. A cat's liking for being alone allied to its natural curiosity, may expose it to
danger. Sheds, garages and outbuildings are all places of interest to a cat. If a cat becomes accidentally shut in, it may
be days or even weeks before it is found. As well as lacking in food and water, buildings may contain paint ot toxic chemicals.
There are also many potential hazards inside the home for curious cat. Cats have been know to jump into washing machines and
tumble dryers, climb onto hotplates, fall into a bath of water, or jump out of windows that are many floors high. The cat's
curiosity is such that if it sees an open door or window it will investigate, no matter what is on the other side. To safeguard
your cat try to foresee problem areas.
THINK AHEAD
Inquisitiveness and wish to be involved in all human activities
often drive cats to jump up on tables. If you allow this to happen, he will grow up expecting this to continue, but it is
no fun being pestered by an adult cat jumping on the table. A way of dealing with this behaviour is just to put the cat outside
the room. Simply saying no and lifting the cat down on to the floor may be seen as a game by your pet. The best practice is
to start as you mean to go on, and not allow your cat to get into bad habits.
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As well as its liking for anything
unusual or mysterious, a cat also enjoys the secure feeling of being concealed in a warm olace.
DID YOU KNOW ?
?The superstition that a cat has nine
lives probably began in Egypt, where number nine had magical properties. In the 17th century, cats were associated with witchcraft.
It was thought a witch could take on a cat's shape nine times and that a cat could also be reincarnated nine times.
?Curiosity can be painful. Cats are
often stung but soon learn to avoid bees and wasps.
?Your inquisitive cat will investigate
visitors and rub against those who own a cat, to try to mask the other cat's scent.
Q Whenever we play a board game as a family, our cat always
comes and sits right in the middle of it. Why is she doing this ?
A There are a variety of reasons for this. First, she's
curious about what's going on. Second, your cat considers herself to be part of the family, too and wants to be included if
she's not invited to take part, she'll take the initiative. Third, cats like to play with little things because they use them
to practise their hunting skills. Your cat probably finds the dice and counters irresistible.
Q My cat won't leave me alone when i want a quiet time reading
a newspaper. He jumps up and seems to want to tunnel his way under it. What does he find so attractive ?
A Your cat likes it because it's snug and dark. Such places
help to make cats feel secure.
STROKING YOUR CAT
It has been proved that stroking a cat is a highly therapeutic
activity from which the human protagonist benefits as much as the cat in terms of relaxation and calm feelings that it induces.
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Stroking a cat is a great pleasure
for both humans and cats alike. It's also an important way of bonding with your cat. Stroking reminds cats of being licked
by their mother as kittens and evokes the feelings of security associated with this. But the cat isn't the only one to benefit
from this exchange. Stroking a cat is also beneficial for you, inducing feelings of relaxation and well-being. So strok to
your heart's content it's good for both of you.It is virtually impossible to resist the urge to stroke a cat and in turn,
most socialised cats love to be stroked. If a cat knows you, it will love you to stroke it. If it doesn't know you, it will
probably want to sniff your hand and only then decide what it wants you to do. It is therefore best to wait until it allows
you to stroke it. This is because cats like to be in control.
WAYS OF STROKING
Exactly how a cat likes to be stroked is something that
it will teach you and that you, by trial and error, will learn. In general, most cats like to be stroked on the head, behind
the ears and around the neck. Some enjoy being stroked harder than others. Most cats prefer to be stroked in the direction
of the fur and not against it. And cats often don't like to be stroked on the abdomen, because it is such a vulnerable part
of the body. Generally, a cat will give as good as it gets. If it is merely fed and given minimum attention, it will keep
itself to itself and use the house in which it lives as little more than a dormitory. If, on the other hand, you regularly
stroke it and make a fuss of it, it will respond by becoming an equally affectionate companion.
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A stroking session is mutually
rewarding for both cat and owner.
DID YOU KNOW ?
?A contented cat will also stroke you
by rubbing against you. This is not only a sign of affection but also an act of scent marking, which all cats make towards
superior members of their social group. If your cat does this to you, it shows that it sees you as an intimate and important
part of its social structure. You should therefore be flattered.
?When you are stroking a cat it will
often change its position so that the bit it wants you to stroke is lying uppermost and closest to you whether its ears its
tummy or whatever.
?While most cats enjoy being stroked
they can suddenly react in a rather aggressive manner before coming back for more stroking. This is because stroking is a
learned rather than a natural adult behaviour.
Q I have heard that stroking a cat is good for you. Why
is this ?
A The act of stroking a cat is very relaxing and it has
been show to reduce blood pressure and to promote good health.
Q My cat prefers to go out in the evening rather than sit
with me when i would like to be stroking him. Can i change this ?
A Observe your cat's routine. You may find that he stays
in more on winter evenings, for example. If you take the opportunity to stroke him then he may continue this habit through
the year.
Q I want to get a cat for my recently widiwed mother to
stroke. Does it matter whether i get a long-or shorthaired cat ?
A Some longhaired cats prefer having their coats ruffled,
which may be less soothing than stroking. So a shorthaired cat is thus probably the best option.
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