by Nomi Berger
 
If you think you have a shadow that looks remarkably like your cat, you’re not the only one. Our cherished kitty companions seem to follow us wherever we go. Have you ever wondered why?
 
One reason is safety. It’s common for nursing kittens to follow their mothers everywhere, not only learning from them but also feeling safer with them nearby. Attentive owners of adult cats assume the “mothering” role by virtue of feeding them, caring for them, playing with them, cleaning their litter boxes and showering them with affection. For their part, these purr-fectly pampered pets feel protected, provided for and loved. Is it any wonder then that they trail after you – fondly and faithfully – as you move from room to room? And don’t be surprised if they follow you into your bedroom at night. You’re literally and figuratively their security blanket (cats in the wild are especially vulnerable when asleep), and sleeping near you in their cat bed or next to you in your bed assures them that they’re safe.
 
Another is boredom: Indoor cats are easily bored. Deprived of such instinctual activities as exploring and hunting, they require a highly enriched environment to keep them both mentally stimulated and physically satisfied. Without that, they’ll expect you to fill that void. And what happier substitute could there be than “hunting” you? To remedy the situation, provide your stimulation-starved kitty with food puzzles and toys to challenge her, a tunnel to crawl through, a cat tree to climb and paw-lenty of petting, pampering and playing.
 
Cats are territorial: Inordinately fond of routine and territorial by nature, one of a cat’s daily activities involves pacing around any area they consider theirs. Why? Pacing releases their scent and spreads it around to both warn and ward off possible “intruders.” If your kitty continually rubs against the furniture or rubs against you, this means she’s on patrol and marking her territory. And so, as you move, footstep by footstep, through the rooms of your house or apartment, she’s likely to follow you, paw step by paw step because she assumes you’re marking your territory as well.
 
Cats crave playtime: Quality playtime is paramount for cats, particularly when it’s focused on chasing and catching prey. Unlike outdoor cats, free to hunt all day, every day to their hearts’ content, indoor cats must experience their hunting lives vicariously. To release this pent-up energy and drive – while amusing themselves at the same time -- some will spend hours perched on a window ledge or atop a cat tree, swatting at the birds and squirrels outside, viewing feline-friendly videos on TV, or gazing, hypnotized, at the fish in a small aquarium. But when presented with the sight of their owners’ moving legs, it’s game on as they “stalk” those tempting objects, even waiting stealthily around corners to launch a surprise “attack.”
 
Cats love you: Contrary to the belief that cats are aloof and independent, they have, over the years, evolved into more social creatures, growing increasingly dependent on their humans for companionship and care taking, attention and affection. Meow about mutual admiration societies! What more wondrous way for them to show their appreciation, friendship and love than by following us just to be near us?

by Nomi Berger
 
Picture this: you’re brushing your teeth or preparing a meal and your kitty hops into the sink. Competing for the same stream of water from the tap inevitably goes from amusing to annoying.
 
Why, you ask, does your finicky feline prefer the sink to her water bowl? Is it by choice or by something more sinister, such as an underlying medical condition that has her seeking out additional sources of water? 
 
Essential to answering these questions is having your capricious cat seen by the vet for a thorough examination. If she’s happily healthy, the next step is to carefully inspect your home, then make some equally essential changes to both her living space and her daily routine.
 
Begin with the location of her water bowl. Cats who crave high places may prefer a faucet because of its “view” to a bowl that’s placed flat on the floor. If it rests in a raucous or heavily trafficked area (shared with children and/or other pets), a sink may seem like a quieter and more appealing solution to all the unwanted hubbub.
 
Experiment with various locations until you find the purr-fect one. If your cat is happiest with heights, set her bowl on an easily accessible counter. If there are several cats in your household, there should also be several drinking locations. Most importantly, keep kitty’s water bowl far from her litter box. Many fastidious felines prefer not to drink near the place that they potty.
 
Quite often, cats prefer sipping from the sink simply because the water tastes better. It may be due to the sink’s being free of the lingering scents or residue found in a bowl that’s not cleaned regularly, is made of a product whose odor she dislikes (think plastic), or whose sights and sounds are disturbing to her (think metal). Two solutions: clean her current bowl daily with an unscented cleaner that leaves no residue, allowing the water to remain fresh and clear or experiment with different bowls to find the most pleasing material for your persnickety puss.
 
Cats in the wild favor freshly flowing sources of water and turn down their paws at drinking from stagnant bodies of water. Is it any wonder then, that some cats prefer the sink tap’s free flowing water to the still water in their bowl? Replace your kitty’s bowl with a specially designed pet fountain that regularly replenishes its water, thereby redirecting her attention away from the sink. To further tempt her, smear a soft, high-value treat along the edge, and consider putting a flavored additive into the water (consult your vet first, paw-lease).
 
Some cats seek out the sink purely to play with the water – a clear indication that they’re bored. If your kitty’s fascination with the running faucet is all about entertainment, find other ways to keep her constructively engaged – preferably for the entire day. Food puzzles, regularly scheduled interactive play sessions and games of hide and seek work wonders when it comes to both holding her attention and burning up her excess energy.
 
Key to the success of any new routine is reinforcing only the behavior you want repeated. Reward your kitty for drinking out of her bowl or fountain with praise and pets, treats and play: whichever she values most, any combination of the four, or all four. Whenever she reverts to drinking from the faucet or playing with the water, turn off the taps and either look or walk away. With time and perseverance on your part, she’ll hopefully learn to choose the behavior that wins your approval rather than the one that earns her the proverbial cold shoulder.

by Nomi Berger
 
If your cat’s crazy about cuddling, you’re undoubtedly used to waking up and finding a warm, furry body stretched out along your back or chest.
 
Have you ever wondered WHY you’re so often your kitty’s favorite spot to snuggle while she purr, purr, purrs herself sweetly to sleep?
 
If so, paw-lease consider the following:
 
Cats crave warmth. Fond of catching the sun’s first morning rays, whether it’s on a window ledge or on the floor, cats will soak up those rays’ soothing warmth like human sun worshippers at the beach! But once the sun goes down, removing its light and its heat, cats quickly transfer their focus to YOU for the warmth they crave by curling up in your lap on the couch or burrowing with you under the covers in bed.
 
People are particularly comfortable. Because cats can sleep for 15 hours or more every day, they’re constantly searching for plush and peaceful places to settle. Sometimes it’s a baby soft blanket or a basket of fresh laundry, a cozy cat bed or an especially plump pillow. But if you happen to be stretched out on the sofa or lying leisurely on a lounge, your belly will quickly surpass those other spots, becoming, in short order, your cat’s idea of utter bliss.
 
Cats adore attention. If you’re away during the day and return home in the evening, don’t be surprised if you find your cat waiting eagerly by the door to greet you. Second only to being fed is being your shadow, as she follows after you while coyly treating you to a chorus of meows and a series of head butts in the hopes that you’ll reciprocate with a shower of kisses and plenty of pets.  
 
Cats savor safety. Much like people, cats seek out places of safety and security. And so, when your cat’s in search of somewhere to sleep, as warm and supple as it is familiar and comfortable, what more reassuring refuge could she find than your very own body? You’re figuratively her shield against all predators – fearsome or fictional -- allowing her to drift off to dreamland without a care in her kitty cat world.
 
Your sounds and smells can soothe her. When your cat sleeps on top of you, she may find the steady beating of your heart coupled with the rise and fall of your chest as you inhale and exhale especially reassuring and soothing, thereby lulling her into gentle slumber. She may also find your body’s distinctive scent particularly pleasant because she associates it with the care, companionship and safety you provide her, relaxing her own body more deeply and completely.
 
In short, cats are territorial by nature and often “mark” their favorite people as their own. The fact that your kitty sleeps on top of you is indicative of her absolute trust in you and that she considers your body the sweetest, safest spot to be.

by Nomi Berger

While one of the most enjoyable experiences of working from home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic may be the extra time you’ve spent with your cats, the downside may be their separation anxiety when you return to work. This is particularly true for cats adopted during the pandemic because they’ve had less time to accustom themselves to their new homes and new routines.

Animal behaviorists are, therefore, encouraging you to start preparing your feline friends NOW to help them adjust to yet another “new normal.”

Set and keep to a consistent schedule: Cats are creatures of habit and are most comfortable with a fixed routine. If you’ve been free-feeding yours during the day, break that habit immediately. Implement or return to regularly scheduled meal times to reinforce their sense of safety and ritual.

Practice leaving them on their own: Leave them alone for brief periods of time by taking a short walk or going for a drive. As their stress levels decrease, gradually increase the amount of time you’re gone until they’ve adjusted completely and appear unperturbed by your absence. On the other hand, if they become excited or anxious when you show signs of leaving – whether it’s putting on your shoes or picking up your keys -- desensitize them by doing this and NOT leaving the house. Repeat the process until they no longer react. But most importantly, resist the temptation to draw out your “good-byes” when you leave and your “hellos” when you return. Being as intuitive as they are, they will automatically react to your tone of voice, body language and overall energy – both positive and negative. Here, calmness is key.

Create a tranquil environment: To reduce their stress levels, consider the benefits of “white noise” such as the TV, classical music or a sound machine. Diffusers with pet-appeasing pheromones can also be used to provide them with a greater sense of security. Leave out a well-worn shirt or a cozy blanket with your scent on it for them to curl up on or cuddle.

Keep them stimulated and entertained: Establish a daily play schedule for meaningful interaction with your cats.  Have them chase after the laser’s red dot or engage them with various wand toys – activities that help build their confidence and strengthen their bond with you. And be generous with those high-value treats! Ensure that at least one window has a cat tree, perch or bed in front of it to allow them to look out at the world. Then, as you head out the door, put down a puzzle toy for them to work on and hold their attention indefinitely.

If, despite all of these preparations, you believe your cats may be suffering from stress while you’re gone, the most effective way to determine the extent of it is through the use of a home monitor. Capturing their behaviors on tape allows you to work on modifying those behaviors and helps ensure that your cats’ “home alone” environment is as pleasant as paws-ible.

by Nomi Berger
 
Does your kitty suck on blankets – or other “feel good” fabrics -- while purring in pure feline bliss?
 
Have you ever pondered the reasons behind this paw-ticular behavior?
 
If so, consider these five paws-ibilities and wonder no more.
 
1. Kittens suck on blankets if separated too early from their mothers: In a purr-fect world, kittens should remain with their mothers for at least the first eight weeks of their lives. If, however, they’re orphaned and raised instead by humans, these so-called “bottle baby” kittens are more prone to sucking on blankets than those suckled by and socialized by their natural mothers.
 
2. Some cat breeds are more inclined than others to suck on blankets: Siamese and other Oriental breeds are more likely to “nurse” on all things fabric than other cat breeds. While there doesn’t appear to be a genetic cause for this behavior, it’s a well-known fact that Oriental cats require a longer weaning period than most other cats.
 
3. Sucking on blankets is a form of relaxation: Much like thumb sucking in young children, sucking on blankets provides your cat with a sense of well being, safety and comfort. An especially sensitive kitten may mature into a blanket-sucking cat because this behavior is a replication of and a reminder of how secure she felt when she was surrounded by her mother and littermates.
 
4. Sucking on fabrics such as clothing is a demonstration of trust: If your cat settles herself in your lap and begins “nursing” on your clothes, she’s showing you that she has complete faith in your ability to protect her from harm. Why? Because this behavior demands intense concentration on her part and it would be difficult for her to focus that intently if she didn’t feel completely safe with you.
 
5. Sucking on blankets is a way of coping with extreme stress: There is, unfortunately, a negative answer to explain this behavior. How ironic is it that “nursing” can be indicative of either complete trust or extreme anxiety? When a cat initiates a behavior that reminds her of the safety she felt as a kitten to comfort herself when she occasionally feels stressed, it may be considered sweet or cute. But when anxiety pervades every aspect of her life to the point where she’s continually “suckling” in an attempt to soothe herself, it’s a problem.
 
What then should you do if your cat is sucking on blankets or other fabrics and you’re worried about it? Start by assessing her surroundings, make a concerted effort to determine the root of her stress, and do everything you can to remedy it. Enrich her environment by adding vertical and horizontal spaces for her to explore – from multi-tiered cat trees to stepped wall ledges. Spend more time with her engaging in interactive play with an expanded assortment of wands and toys to distract her and help her to rebuild her confidence and trust. If all else fails, consult a cat behaviorist or speak to your vet who may prescribe a short course of anti-anxiety medication for her.

by Nomi Berger
 
Cat tunnels are the purr-fect way to enrich your kitty’s environment.
 
Why? For the simple – and obvious – reason that cats love to hide. Your particular cat may be hiding because she’s frightened or because she just wants to play. Others prefer to be tucked away while they sleep in order to feel safe or to stay warm. But whatever the reason, hiding is an essential part of a cat’s life and it’s equally essential that you provide yours with the opportunity to do so.
 
You can purchase fabric cat tunnels either online or at your local pet products store. They come in many different lengths and styles, depending on your budget and the size of your room(s). Some even have holes cut into the middle of them that allow your cat to poke her head through or to pop her entire body through. You can opt to make your own tunnel by using paper bags. Cut out the bottoms of the bags and tape several of them together. To increase the tunnel’s stability and prevent it from collapsing, “roll” a cuff on each end of each bag before attaching them. For tunnels with greater durability, use long boxes instead. Cats, as every cat owner knows, LOVE boxes.
 
Before you engage your cat in any interactive playtime, place her tunnel on the floor and one of her favorite toys on the floor outside of it. Then watch her “lie low” while she waits for the precise moment to pounce on her “prey.” Alternatively, you can put a toy inside the tunnel beforehand to pique her curiosity and interest. To keep her constructively occupied on her own, place a puzzle feeder or an especially enticing new toy inside the tunnel for her to discover and engage with, hopefully, on and off for hours.
 
If your cat likes being hidden when she sleeps but isn’t fond of sleeping in an enclosed bed, picture her stretched out languidly in a cat tunnel. A tunnel will keep her both hidden and ready to “pounce” should a tempting bit of “prey” (aka toys or shoes) wander past her field of vision.
 
If yours is a multi-cat household with a high degree of tension in it or if your single cat’s particularly timid, set down tunnels in several of your rooms. This way, any cat can walk through any room and not feel as threatened or exposed.
 
If you’ve recently brought a new kitty home and she’s fearful of her strange surroundings, use tunnels to help allay those fears. Place one in the middle of her “designated” room to encourage her to explore her new environment, paw step by paw step, while still feeling protected. If she’s hiding in a closet or under the bed, set down one tunnel leading to her food and water bowls and another to her litter box. To keep from spending money on multiple tunnels, consider using your homemade paper bag tunnels instead.
 
Tantalizingly thrilling for kittens, cat tunnels can provide them with endless entertaining possibilities as they frisk and frolic about in their expanding world. For adults who seem to have lost their appetite for playing, adding a tunnel to your playtime together may be all the incentive they need to put a new spring in their step. For seniors, geriatric cats or those with limited mobility, a tunnel allows them to be tucked cozily away without having to do more than poke out a paw from time to time to bat at a toy being teasingly dangled from the end of a wand.

by Nomi Berger
 
1. It gives your kitty some purrs-onal space: Cats aren’t as sociable as dogs. At times they may curl up beside you on the couch while at others they may choose to be alone -- particularly in a multi-pet household. A cat tree provides them with a safe space that’s solely theirs.
 
2. It’s entertaining: Curiosity is part of a cat’s nature, and being agile and athletic, they will happily jump onto kitchen counters, the refrigerator, and high cupboards – not to mention your furniture -- to satisfy their need to explore and stay active. A cat tree, particularly tall ones, can afford them hours of stimulation and fun as they leap from perch to perch and play with, bat about and swat at the tree’s attached toys.
 
3. It provides exercise: Not only should cats maintain a healthy weight, they must also exercise – and that means frisking and frolicking and jumping around. An elaborate cat tree is the ideal structure to keep them constructively occupied and engaged especially if you’re not home for long periods of time.
 
4. It helps reduce anxiety: If your cat hides beneath beds or underneath furniture when she hears a loud noise or when guests come to call, provide her with a sense of safety, a “go to” place, in the form of a cat tree. As an added incentive, spray some catnip on its perches and dangling toys and watch her fearfulness slowly dissipate, turning her from anxious to appeased, from cautious to calm.
 
5. It encourages sharing: Since cats are extremely territorial and would rather fight than share – whether it’s a couch or a windowsill – a cat tree is the perfect solution. Ensuring that all of the cats in a multi-cat household feel safe and “at home” is vital for their mental health. Put up an oversized tree with various levels and perches, thereby enabling them to “mark” their own area and to co-exist peacefully without treading on one another’s paws.
 
6. It’s a cat’s “castle”: Whatever the breed, all felines feel the need to be kings or queens of their “castles” and the meow-sters of all they survey. In fact, nothing delights them more than climbing onto the highest spot in the room and gazing for hours at their owners below. A tantalizingly tall tower will not only give them a sense of control but also provide them with an attractive alternative to scratching your furniture and covering other high surfaces with their hair. What better place to self-groom in satisfaction while sitting at the highest level of the tree and staring down at the room – and people -- below or gazing out the window at the wide and wondrous world?

by Nomi Berger
 
Like people, cats usually sneeze because their nasal passages are irritated. In most cases, it’s caused by a pollen allergy, chemical fumes associated with various household solvents, inhaled tobacco smoke, perfumes or foreign objects such as pieces of fur or grass.
 
Excessive sneezing, however, may signal a more serious issue. If your kitty sneezes many times in a row or continues to sneeze over the course of several days, bring her to the vet. She may be suffering from a viral, bacterial or fungal infection in her upper respiratory tract.
 
Dental disease can cause sneezing particularly if it involves a root infection. Such infections can allow bacteria to settle in her nasal sinuses resulting in inflammation and sneezing.
 
Feline herpes virus (FHV) may be another cause. Highly contagious between cats, it’s transmitted primarily through saliva, urine or feces, and eye or nose secretions. While there’s no cure for FHV, there are treatments that allow cats to live normal lives.
 
Feline Calicivirus (FCV) is also highly contagious between cats, passed in the same manner as FHV -- through bodily fluids. If your cat isn’t already vaccinated, consider doing so. In mild cases, FCV can be treated at home with prescribed medications. In more serious cases your vet may recommend leaving your cat at the hospital for a few days, and if yours is a multi-cat household, when she returns home, keep her quarantined from the other cats.
 
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is slow acting and your cat may not show symptoms until years after she’s been infected. FIV is typically transmitted through bite wounds or from pregnant mothers to their kittens. Sadly, there’s no cure for FIV, but your vet can treat any secondary infection as it arises, and with treatment, cats can live fairly normal lives. But left untreated, FIV can lead to kidney failure or cancer.
 
Chlamydiosis or feline chlamydia doesn’t require direct contact for infection. Bacteria from a sneeze or a cough can travel across a room or be passed by people through touch if they have the bacteria on their hands. Chlamydiosis can be treated with antibiotics and symptoms are typically gone within six weeks.
 
Because there are many other infections that could be behind your cat’s ongoing sneezing, err on the side of caution and bring her to your vet as quickly as paws-ible.

by Nomi Berger

Head pressing is the compulsive act of a cat repeatedly and relentlessly pressing her head against a wall or any other hard surface for no apparent reason. Different from head butting -- when a cat rubs or bumps her head, particularly against a person, as a sign of affection -- head pressing is usually a sign of damage to her nervous system.
 
Should you notice your kitty engaging in head pressing, it’s essential to pay a prompt visit to your vet. Provide your vet with a comprehensive history of your cat’s overall health, noting when the head pressing began and what incidents may have preceded it. Describe any symptoms that accompany her head pressing, including abnormal vocalization, compulsive pacing and circling, changes in learned behavior, seizures, damaged reflexes, disorientation and visual impairment. Some of these symptoms may have already manifested themselves physically – from sores on her feet due to compulsive pacing to injuries on her face or head caused by pressing her head against a hard surface for an extended period of time.
 
After first examining her thoroughly, your vet will then focus on uncovering the underlying cause of her behavior by performing a fundic examination of each retina (the layer of the eye that receives and processes images) and the other structures at the back of each eye. This may reveal irregularities in her brain, some infectious disease or an inflammatory disease. Your vet will also have blood work and a urinalysis done, which could reveal a problem with her metabolic system or indicate the presence of toxins in her system. Other tests may include taking her blood pressure to determine if she has high blood pressure and ordering a CT scan and/or MRI scan of her brain.
 
Armed with the results of these various tests, your vet should be able to pinpoint the reason behind your cat’s head pressing. Some of the most common are a brain tumor, prosencephalon disease (damage to the forebrain and thalamus), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), liver shunts, disorders of the metabolism, toxic poisoning, an infection (rabies and viruses, fungal and parasitic infections) and acute head trauma, possibly resulting from a car accident.
 
The treatment prescribed will depend on the condition causing the head pressing in the first place. Example: serious issues such as brain tumors or encephalitis may require surgery and hospitalization. Example: if your cat has a metabolic disorder, she may be treated with medications on an outpatient basis.
 
But whatever the treatment, your vet will recommend follow-up neurological examinations to monitor the progress of the condition. If, however, no diagnosis can be made, your cat may continue her head pressing. Be certain, though, to alert your vet as to any new behaviors or symptoms that may appear.

While head pressing is serious, the potential for a full recovery, depending on the underlying cause, is possible for many cats. But sadly, for others, the condition can be fatal.

by Nomi Berger
 
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when a cat’s arterial blood pressure is continually higher than normal. When caused by another disease, it’s known as secondary hypertension, while primary hypertension refers to the disease itself, and it has the potential to affect many parts of a cat’s body including her eyes, heart, kidneys and nervous system.
 
The following are some of the more common symptoms of hypertension: dilated pupils; involuntary rolling of the eyeballs; hemorrhage of the eye; retinal detachment; blindness; bleeding from the nose; circling; disorientation; seizures; a palpable thyroid gland (when she’s hyperthyroid); heart murmurs; blood in the urine; protein in the urine; swollen or shrunken kidneys, and weakness -- on one side of the body or in the legs.
 
While the precise cause of primary hypertension isn’t known, it may have a genetic component. And although studies have varied, one recent study in cats aged from 4 to 20 years old found that 65 percent of those with chronic renal failure and 87 percent of those with hyperthyroidism suffered from mild high blood pressure. On the other hand, secondary hypertension, which accounts for 80 percent of all hypertension cases, may be due to a variety of factors including hormonal fluctuation, hyperthyroidism, renal disease, and quite possibly, diabetes.
 
How, then, is hypertension diagnosed in a cat? The equipment your vet will use is similar to that used in people, with an inflatable cuff placed around one of your cat’s legs or tail. Measuring her blood pressure takes only a few minutes, is pain-free and is extremely well tolerated by most cats.
 
The standards for a cat’s blood pressure are:
150/95 – at this reading or below, there is minimal risk to her and treatment isn’t usually recommended.
150/99 to 159/95 – once again, intervention isn’t routinely recommended at these readings.
160/119 to 179/100 -- treatment IS recommended in order to limit the risk of any damage to her organs.
180/120 – PROMPT treatment is recommended to limit the degree of other more severe complications.
 
Should your cat be diagnosed with hypertension, managing her care has two aims: First, to reduce her blood pressure by using anti-hypertensive drugs -- either a calcium channel blocker or a beta-blocker. As for her diet, your vet will, in all likelihood, recommend she be given foods that are low in sodium. Secondly, to search for an underlying disease that has caused her hypertension by collecting and testing samples of her blood and urine. In some cases, treating the underlying disease may also resolve her high blood pressure.
 
In cats with primary hypertension, it’s usually possible to manage the condition and prevent future complications such as damage to her eyes. In cats with secondary hypertension, the long-term outlook depends on the nature and severity of the disease that caused her high blood pressure in the first place. But whether primary or secondary hypertension, it’s vital to have your vet monitor your cat on a regular basis.