There is no doubt that cats are a very common pet and not just here in the UK, but all over the world. Cats are an intelligent and affectionate animal and despite them being domesticated for a very long time there is still a great deal of myth that surrounds these beautiful animals.
In this latest post lets take a look at a few of them and see if we can dispel one or two once and for all.
- Cats don’t require training and can raise themselves – Just like most other animals, including the human ones, cats have a period of socialisation. With our feline friends it is generally when they are between two and seven weeks old, and it is a time when they are constantly learning about their surroundings and the dangers of their environment. It is also a time that is very important for building bonds with the family and this can help your kitten adapt safely to its new home.
- Cats enjoy being Home Alone because they are solitary animals – Cats are most certainly NOT solitary animals and too much separation from the family can be very stressful for them which can itself manifest itself in various ways which you may not always be aware of and understand the possible cause. Signs such as anxiety when you are trying to leave the home and over excited greetings when you return are possible clues to your cats feelings. Make certain that you limit the amount of time that your cat spends alone, and when you are at home take time out to keep them stimulated with various activities such as play and petting. Most importantly if you do think your cat may be stressed consult with your local veterinarian.
- Not Using the Litterbox is a Behaviour Problem – While in a lot of instances this can be true, it is not always the case and there are times when it could be a medical condition or even linked to stress and anxiety as mentioned in the previous item. As we have already mentioned if you think it is a stress related issue then consult with your veterinarian as soon as is conveniently possible. Of course once the reason for the behaviour has been identified there are ways of dealing with the issues, even if it is indeed behavioural.
- Cats Don’t Like Other Cats – Cats actually quite often enjoy the company of other cats so again this is not true, although there are a few tips that will make this less likely to be a problem. If you want to have several kittens for example it is generally good advice to adopt them from the same litter, siblings are much more likely to enjoy each others company and make the bonds required for a happy relationship.
- Cats that Scratch are Nasty – Cats by their very nature are hunters and as such they have claws, but there are many reasons that cats may make use of them that could be considered malicious and not all of them are nasty by nature. Of course if they are being handled roughly, especially by the younger members of the family then they may lash in out in an apparently viscous manner (in such instances it is of just as much importance to make sure the human factor is addressed as well). There are occasions when cats will scratch when they are being played with and at these times it is generally their hunter instincts coming to the surface, so immediately switch their attention to a toy. As cats get a little older there are medical conditions such as arthritis that can cause them to become more irritable and lash out and if this becomes a common occurrence then again refer the problem to your veterinary practice.
So there’s a few myths connected with our feline friends that hopefully we have managed to shed a little bit of light on and maybe even quash once and for all.
