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| Photo: JRJfin |
By Zazie Todd, PhD
We love our feline friends, but at the same fourth dimension there’s a lot that we, every bit a society, could do to brand cats happier. So I asked several experts on cats to response the question, “What’s the 1 thing that would brand the footing meliorate for cats?”
Read on to reckon what they take away hold to say. And if you're a domestic dog person, there's a related post on how to brand the footing meliorate for dogs to banking enterprise check out next.
This post is also available inwards Japanese. Thank yous to Saramu Momma MSc as well as Risa Yoshida for the translation.
Sebastiaan Bol, PhD
Founder as well as CEO of Cowboy Cat Ranch (Website http://www.cowboycatranch.org/ Twitter, Facebook)
"Cats love plants (but only the ones that are rubber for them)"
“In general, creating a safe, fun as well as challenging surround for cats volition brand them really happy. Environmental enrichment such every bit a catio, truthful cat trees, shelves on the wall, hiding places as well as nutrient puzzles actually brand a huge departure for a cat's well-being. But yous asked me to advert 1 thing that would brand the footing meliorate for cats, I am sorry. Plants. Cats love plants (but only the ones that are rubber for them). Not only do they actually similar to consume the grass from oat, rye, wheat as well as barley seeds, they also love to prevarication on or inwards the grass. Seeding your ain grass is tardily to do as well as volition give much nicer grass compared to when yous purchase truthful cat grass inwards the store. Other plants that deserve a identify inwards each solid amongst a truthful cat are living catnip plants, silverish vine as well as Tatarian honeysuckle. Or, to live to a greater extent than specific, forest sticks or pulverization from the fruit of the silverish vine plant, as well as the forest of Tatarian honeysuckle. They are similar catnip, but exactly a petty different. These plants comprise chemicals non acquaint inwards catnip, allowing cats who do non relish catnip to take away hold a goodness fourth dimension too. Cats who do relish catnip may of course of report notwithstanding love silverish vine as well as Tatarian honeysuckle every bit well. The large pieces of honeysuckle forest (stem or branch) appear beautiful as well as volition lastly a lifetime. So, brand a departure for your truthful cat today as well as invest inwards a huge slice of Tatarian honeysuckle wood, sprinkle some silverish vine pulverization on the carpet, as well as grow some super fresh cat grass! They'll love yous fifty-fifty more!"
Mikel Delgado, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow at the School of Veterinary Medicine, UC Davis as well as Certified Cat Behavior Consultant at Feline Minds (Twitter)
"if everyone who lived amongst a truthful cat played amongst them daily, amongst interactive toys"
“I normally response a query similar this amongst “If everyone recognized that cats are non dogs or humans.” But this time, I’d rather say, the footing would live a meliorate identify for cats if everyone who lived amongst a truthful cat played amongst them daily, amongst interactive toys (e.g. a truthful cat dancer). Many of my demeanor consulting clients tell me their cats don’t or won’t play. But cats are obligate predators, as well as they all (even seniors as well as cats amongst disabilities!) take away hold the capacity for interactive play that mimics the hunting experience! I convey dandy pleasance inwards showing clients how to acquire their cats stalking, pouncing, or fifty-fifty exactly mentally engaged amongst an interactive toy. I think many people don’t play amongst purpose, as well as acquire frustrated when their truthful cat doesn’t respond enthusiastically to a randomly waving feather. But if yous displace the toy similar a prey animate beingness would move, as well as utilization all your cat’s senses, as well as shout back they are a “stalk-and- rush” hunter, yous volition take away hold GREAT SUCCESS (to quote Borat)! So many housecats are leading under-stimulated lives. We give them love, but that isn’t enough. They demand the benefits of physical practice (both for staying fit as well as for reducing stress), as well as playing amongst your truthful cat a few minutes a solar daytime amongst a wand toy is a fun bonding experience for yous both!”
Lauren Finka, PhD
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Lincoln (Twitter)
“an appreciation of the evolutionary history of the domestic cat, as well as how of import this is for a meliorate agreement of this species"
“It would live dandy for owners as well as those caring for cats to take away hold an appreciation of the evolutionary history of the domestic cat, as well as how of import this is for a meliorate agreement of this species as well as their biological as well as psychological needs today. Many of these needs are notwithstanding similar to those of their closest ancestors, the North African/Arabian wildcat; a self-reliant predator which is territorial, spends a large proportion of each solar daytime exploring as well as hunting, as well as values solitude as well as the powerfulness to escape from threats past times hiding or getting upwards high. However, nosotros right away hold off the domestic truthful cat to alive inwards a footing rattling different from that of its relatives – frequently restricting their powerfulness to explore as well as hunt inside a complex surround (i.e. past times confining them indoors), expecting them to alive a much to a greater extent than social lifestyle (i.e. amongst other cats as well as amongst us), as well as to tolerate a lot of physical treatment (i.e. nosotros love to cuddle as well as fuss over cats). Whilst many cats are able to care good as well as alive upwards to our expectations, many may also struggle, either due to a lack of suitable socialisation during their early on evolution (i.e. 2-7 weeks) as well as beyond, other aspects of their temperament, or only a lack of chance to deport every bit they are biologically motivated to. How nosotros tin aid is past times choosing cats that nosotros think volition live able to relish the type of lifestyle nosotros have, supplying them amongst many opportunities for positive cognitive as well as sensory stimulation, the powerfulness to escape from things they notice stressful, as well as also beingness careful most how much ‘social pressure’ nosotros are exerting upon them; providing them amongst many opportunities to take away hold fourth dimension solitary undisturbed.”
Sam Gaines, PhD
Head, Companion Animals Department, RSPCA (Sam's Twitter; RSPCA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
"more realistic expectations exactly about the interactions which cats appreciate: frequent but short."
“Sadly the social behaviour of cats, as well as especially their interactions amongst people, is rattling misunderstood. Most cats typically want high frequency but lower intensity interactions whereas many people want fewer interactions but for a longer menses of time. This mismatch tin Pb to defensive aggression inwards cats amongst some beingness labelled every bit grumpy or spiteful. Having to a greater extent than realistic expectations exactly about the interactions which cats appreciate; frequent but short, volition avoid unnecessary stress, fearfulness as well as worry as well as volition aid strengthen the bond betwixt truthful cat as well as owner.”
Naomi Harvey, PhD
Research Fellow, Itchy Dog Project, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Nottingham (Twitter)
"That people take away hold them every bit individuals, amongst rich personalities as well as complex social needs."
“That people take away hold them every bit individuals, amongst rich personalities as well as complex social needs. People who haven’t had a closed human relationship amongst a truthful cat frequently assume the stereotype that cats are ‘independent’ as well as exactly ‘use’ people for nutrient as well as warmth. This leads some people to consider cats every bit an alternative for a pet that requires less attending as well as responsibleness than a dog. However, every bit I’m sure truthful cat lovers volition live happy to tell you, truthful cat personalities differ greatly, every bit do their social needs. Many cats are capable of dandy affection, as well as if given a alternative would select to live inwards your companionship rather than alone, which tin hateful their welfare is easily compromised when left solitary for long periods or are closed exterior all day.”
Ingrid Johnson, CCBC
Certified Cat Behavior Consultant at Fundamentally Feline (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
“a meliorate agreement of a cat’s environmental necessities."
“I think the unmarried most of import improvement inwards the aid as well as welfare of cats is quite simply, a meliorate agreement of a cat’s environmental necessities. This greater grasp needs to live industry-wide. There is a distinct disconnect betwixt what cats demand as well as what is beingness offered to feline caregivers to aid run into those needs. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 clearer agreement of a cat’s physical as well as emotional needs must live improved across the board from veterinary professionals to pet production designers as well as truthful cat guardians alike. Forcing cats to comply amongst our human footing as well as expectations sets them upwards to fail. Less environmental stress leads to less physical disease as well as fewer demeanor problems. There is a recent tendency to alter the term “environmental enrichment” to a to a greater extent than plumbing fixtures “environmental needs” as well as I comprehend that trend. Many “behavior problems” would never move problems at all if cats were only provided amongst an surround that embraces their inner “catness”. They demand bigger litter boxes (and to a greater extent than of them). They demand taller as well as to a greater extent than abrasive scratching posts, non these ridiculous carpet scraps that hang from doorknobs. Cats demand to live challenged as well as offered a stimulating footing that evokes their inner predator acre simultaneously providing the security as well as security they crave. The motion is growing every bit the populace demand for to a greater extent than cognition as well as meliorate products increases, but nosotros notwithstanding take away hold a long way to move towards making our homes to a greater extent than feline friendly.”
Pam Johnson-Bennett
Best-selling writer as well as star of Animal Planet UK's Psycho Kitty. (Website http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/, Twitter, Facebook)
"if nosotros could finally alter the misconceptions people take away hold most them."
“One thing that would brand a huge departure inwards the lives of cats is if nosotros could finally alter the misconceptions people take away hold most them. Hatred of cats, punishment, neglect as well as callous attitudes develop because people believe myths as well as simulated information most what drives truthful cat behavior. Cats are frequently viewed every bit either sinister plane killers or depression maintenance alternatives when yous don’t want to seat much endeavor into beingness a pet parent. Education tin opened upwards hearts to how wonderful it is to love as well as live loved past times these magnificent animals.”
Kat Littlewood, BVSc(dist) PGDipVCS(dist)
Small animate beingness veterinary as well as PhD candidate amongst Animal Welfare Aotearoa (AWA) at Massey University. (Website https://katwelfarematters.wordpress.com/, Twitter, Facebook)
"I would similar veterinarians as well as owners to move together to brand judgements on character of life - before it is significantly compromised."
“Sooner rather than later: If owners, as well as their veterinarians, considered decease earlier, so character of life would live meliorate for cats. Most truthful cat owners tell us, after they take away hold euthanased their love cat, that they wishing they had done it sooner. It tin live actually hard to brand the determination at the fourth dimension – especially if owners are strongly attached to their truthful cat and/or think of them every bit a fellow member of the family. Owners also adjust to their cat’s declining character of life as well as pitiful welfare becomes the novel normal for their pet. However, for the cat’s wellbeing, it is meliorate to start thinking most ‘how it is doing’ sooner rather than later. I would similar veterinarians as well as owners to move together to brand judgements on character of life - before it is significantly compromised. We demand to intermission downward the taboo of talking most death. When a truthful cat is diagnosed amongst an illness, specially if it’s terminal, its decease should live discussed. When a truthful cat reaches a sure age, nosotros demand to take away hold ‘that’ conversation. What does a goodness life appear similar for this cat? How volition nosotros know when it is no longer enjoying life? By having these frank discussions earlier, nosotros tin aid cut the ‘wish I had done it sooner’ lawsuit as well as improve the character of our cats’ lives.”
Sandra McCune, PhD
Scientific Leader – Human-Animal Interaction, Science Engagement as well as Communications Team, WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition. (Sandra on Twitter, Waltham website www.waltham.com and Twitter)
“owners agreement meliorate the role nutrient plays inwards their human relationship amongst their cat."
“One thing that would brand a meliorate footing for cats is owners agreement meliorate the role nutrient plays inwards their human relationship amongst their cat. For many owners, nutrient is a currency of love. Offering excess nutrient as well as especially highly palatable nutrient non intended for cats tin terms their health. Helping owners to empathize their cat’s demand for the appropriate amount of a consummate as well as balanced diet is key to tackling the work of feline obesity, right away an number for almost 60% of USA cats. We demand to aid truthful cat owners alter their behaviour without diminishing their bond. #ABetterWorldForPets”
Kim Monteith, CTC
Manager, Animal Welfare, BC SPCA. (Kim's Twitter; BC SPCA website: http://spca.bc.ca/, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
"Early socialization volition aid them non live afraid of novel things or changes inwards their environment"
"If nosotros promote as well as learn kitten socialization the way nosotros do amongst puppies the footing would live a meliorate identify for cats. The socialization window - opened upwards from three to vii weeks - is so of import for them as well as what they larn most the world. We demand to provide kittens amongst goodness experiences during this time. Introduce them to different people, environments, objects, animals as well as handling. Think of how different their experiences as well as life would live if nosotros did this. Early socialization volition aid them non live afraid of novel things or changes inwards their surround which are saltation to happen. It's so simple, yet nosotros don't frequently think of the importance of truthful cat socialization similar nosotros do amongst dogs. Maybe that's it, nosotros demand to alter the way nosotros think most cats ..."
Kate Mornement, PhD
Pets Behaving Badly – Solutions amongst Dr. Kate. (Website http://petsbehavingbadly.com.au/, Twitter, Facebook)
"Pet cats, especially those confined to the home, must take away hold appropriate outlets for the human face of normal feline behaviours"
“One thing that would brand the footing a meliorate identify for cats is if truthful cat owners understood that, although domesticated, companion cats retain the instinct as well as want to perform normal feline behaviours. These behaviours include scratching as well as scent marking; seeking, hunting as well as stalking, as well as maintaining a secure territory. Until fairly recently, pet cats were complimentary to roam their neighbourhoods at will. This liberty allowed them to maintain a larger territory, to hunt as well as stem prey, climb, scratch, work solve as well as hold physically fit – inwards essence, to live a cat. This is no longer the norm inwards many cities where truthful cat curfews are right away enforced. Pet cats, especially those confined to the home, must take away hold appropriate outlets for the human face of these normal feline behaviours - without them work behaviour, such every bit destructive scratching of article of furniture as well as aggression towards people/other animals inwards the home, is common. Stress as well as anxiety, especially mutual inwards multi-cat homes where cats compete for access to valued resources, tin Pb to inappropriate toileting as well as territorial marker – a mutual argue for relinquishment to animate beingness shelters. Providing cats amongst appropriate outlets for normal feline behaviours should include: the provision of scratch posts as well as truthful cat scratchers; truthful cat towers or high shelving to provide a rubber identify to retreat to; create access to several litter trays (especially of import inwards multi-cat households); as well as rubber access to outdoor infinite if possible. The chance for daily play amongst toys that mimic prey provides an outlet for hunting as well as stalking behaviour, which tin cut aggression towards people or other animals inwards the home.”
Kersti Seksel, BVSc (Hons) MRCVS MA (Hons) FANZCVS DACVB DECAWBM FAVA
Veterinary Behaviour Specialist at Sydney Animal Behaviour Service. Website: http://sabs.com.au/
"Education of people most truthful cat behaviour is the biggest key to helping cats exactly about the world"
“Education of people most truthful cat behaviour is the biggest key to helping cats exactly about the world. Knowing how cats “tick” as well as what they similar would live helpful. Teaching this at Kitten Kindy classes is the easiest as well as most effective way also beingness lots of fun for kittens as well as owners alike. Cats are social animals but that does non hateful all cats are socialised. Being socialised agency that the private accepts the closed proximity of others – cats as well as people. It does non hateful they take away hold to similar all others – sounds similar us actually doesn’t it? The socialisation menses – when it is easiest to aid kittens larn most their footing – occurs betwixt three as well as vii weeks of age. So the way the breeder raises the kitten is so important. However, socialisation tin occur at whatever age. So what tin brand a departure to cats during as well as after the socialisation period? Many people want cats to take away hold a best friend, but many (most) cats are to a greater extent than suited to beingness an only cat. Some other behavioural needs of cats that are non widely known include: Cats prefer their nutrient as well as H2O to live a goodness distance apart. The ideal litter tray is 1.5 times the length of the cat, as well as rattling few are made this big. Some also take away hold lids as well as flaps to hold the odor out for the owner. Many cats volition care but they don’t necessarily similar them, as well as those cats may develop toileting problems every bit a result. So knowing most the cat's behavioural needs as well as respecting them would actually brand the footing a meliorate identify for cats as well as starting during the socialisation menses is best.”
Jenny Stavisky, PhD
Assistant Professor, Shelter Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine as well as Science, University of Nottingham (Jenny on Twitter; Vets inwards the Community on Twitter)
"for us to take away hold a meliorate agreement of how they reckon the world."
“The 1 thing that would brand the footing meliorate for cats I think mightiness live for us to take away hold a meliorate agreement of how they reckon the world. Unlike us, as well as dissimilar dogs, they aren’t naturally gregarious every bit a species. This agency that whilst some cats similar some other cats, for the most business office (there are ever exceptions…) cats don’t want, similar or demand lots of truthful cat buddies. So when nosotros hold them every bit pets, 1 truthful cat inwards a household is fine, as well as for sure doesn’t demand to take away hold extra friends! Also, cats are nature’s command freaks as well as demand some self-determination. One of the most mutual problems I reckon is when people forget that feral cats are really wild animals and, important well, attempt to tame them. This agency the truthful cat gets guaranteed food, shelter as well as veterinary aid but at the toll of beingness able to brand its ain choices most proximity to humans as well as other animals. For most feral cats, this in all likelihood isn’t overall a beneficial trade-off, whatever to a greater extent than than it would live for a weasel, badger or other wild animal. So, people respecting as well as agreement cats’ key needs to to a greater extent than frequently than non deport every bit solitary psychopaths would I think brand a meliorate footing for cats.”
Malini Suchak, PhD
Assistant Professor, Animal Behaviour, Ecology as well as Conservation computer programme as well as the Anthrozoology graduate program, Canisius College.
"Listen harder when they are trying to “tell” us something."
"Listen harder when they are trying to “tell” us something. Cats are notorious for hiding their emotions from humans, fifty-fifty their closest companions. To some flat this tin live attributed to the fact that they evolved from small-scale wildcats who are predators, but are also prey animals. Prey animals frequently take away hold adaptations which enable them to shroud hurting as well as fear. As a result, they are frequently a chip of an enigma to us. But every bit it turns out, they communicate a lot of information, it’s exactly subtle. The angle of their ears, the motion or angle of their tails, or fifty-fifty the musical note of their purr mightiness communicate information most how they’re feeling. So, if nosotros take away heed actually hard, as well as abide by what cats are “saying”, nosotros tin to a greater extent than accurately translate how they’re feeling as well as provide meliorate care."
Nicky Trevorrow, BSc(Hons) PGDip(CABC) RVN
Behaviour Manager at Cats Protection (Website https://www.cats.org.uk/, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram)
"Having a regulatory torso for animate beingness behaviourists as well as trainers to ensure animate beingness welfare standards are met using up-to-date evidence-based methods."
Elizabeth Waring, MSc
Behaviour Distance Education Coordinator, International Cat Care (Website http://www.icatcare.org/, Twitter, Facebook)
"Having a meliorate agreement of our cats existent needs as well as what really drives their behaviour"
“One thing that would brand the footing meliorate for cats would live for us to meliorate empathize what a ‘cat’ is. Cats are complex creatures which take away hold co-existed amongst us for thousands of years. Yet society is notwithstanding playing grab upwards amongst regard to really agreement their natural drives as well as needs. Compromised welfare is frequently the termination of us misunderstanding their behaviour as well as the ways inwards which cats communicate. Cats are instinctive hunters, territorial, self-reliant as well as yet highly adaptable creatures. Often our modern ways of living hateful compromising on a cat’s natural behaviours. For example, keeping indoor cats without access to appropriate infinite or outlet for their instinctive demand to hunt. One of the biggest causes of stress for cats results from the mutual misconception past times humans that they demand the ‘company’ of other cats. Cats are self-reliant as well as highly territorial. They take away hold no biological requirement for companionship, especially from their ain kind, every bit they are adapted to hunt as well as defend their territories alone. Consequently, the introduction of some other truthful cat into their territory tin frequently live a highly stressful experience. Having a meliorate agreement of our cats existent needs as well as what really drives their behaviour could aid owners to provide cats amongst improved environmental as well as social conditions. In turn, this volition aid cut problems as well as heighten the welfare as well as character of life for pet cats.”
Miranda Workman, MS, CABC, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KSA
Clinical Assistant Professor, Animal Behaviour, Ecology as well as Conservation as well as Anthrozoology, Canisius College. Website: www.mirandakworkman.com
"the 1 thing that would brand the footing meliorate for cats at an private flat would live to improve opportunities for truthful cat owners/guardians to develop them"
"I think the 1 thing that would brand the footing meliorate for cats at an private flat would live to improve opportunities for truthful cat owners/guardians to develop them - give them to a greater extent than information most how unique each private truthful cat really is, but that they all tin live trained which could give them skills that would brand coping amongst our anthropocentric environments much easier for them. What enrichment do they like? Do they prefer treats or toys for training? At a societal flat I think at that spot are few things that could change: 1). We demand to re-think how nosotros care cats at a community flat as well as inwards animate beingness shelters. As long every bit those responsible for caring for cats move on to transportation the message that cats are 2nd to dogs as well as nosotros tin seat them inwards cages much too small-scale for an acceptable life, the populace won't reckon them differently. 2). We also demand to reconsider how nosotros bargain amongst non-human animals, specially cats, inwards our legal system. How nosotros label them (are they companion animals, wildlife, feral…) matters inwards how nosotros CAN process them."
If yous similar this post, delight part it amongst your menage unit of measurement as well as friends. Together nosotros tin brand the footing meliorate for cats!
What’s the 1 thing yous think would brand the footing meliorate for our feline friends?
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Zazie Todd, PhD, is the writer of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy
. She is the founder of the pop spider web log , where she writes most everything from preparation methods to the human-canine relationship. She also writes a column for Psychology Today as well as has received the prestigious Captain Haggerty Award for Best Training Article inwards 2017. Todd lives inwards Maple Ridge, BC, amongst her husband, 1 dog, as well as 2 cats.Useful links:
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