by Nomi Berger
 
Have you noticed your kitty drinking water from her water bowl, not with her tongue but with her front paws, using them like a tiny furry paddle or cup? A common sight, purr-haps, and yet, have you ever wondered WHY she’s behaving this way?
 
If so, paw-lease consider the four following paws-ibilities.
 
The water bowl is too small: Since our feline friends favor having easy access to a large supply of water, and that supply, i.e., their bowl is too small, they may have difficulty drinking from it properly and comfortably. Enter ingenuity! How clever of them to dip their paws into the water as their way of getting several cool and refreshing sips from the bowls to their mouths. If your kitty is drinking water like this, check the size of her bowl and replace it with a larger one.
 
She may be experiencing “whisker fatigue”: As odd as this phrase may seem, truth, as they say, is often stranger than fiction. Cats have extremely delicate and sensitive whiskers on their faces that can be easily irritated by rubbing against the unforgiving sides of their water bowls. It makes purr-fect sense then, for them to drink their water by using one or both paws and avoid irritating their whiskers even more. And so, if your kitty is getting her water in this manner, replace her current bowl with one of the many available commercial bowls designated as being “whisker-friendly.”
 
She may simply be playing: As naturally curious, not to mention, creative, animals, kitties enjoy experimenting and doing things differently. Case in point: they LOVE “playing” and engaging with various parts of their bodies, such as chasing their tails and grooming themselves. Therefore, when your “meow-meow” uses her front paws to splash around in her water bowl, she may “see” this as another form of experimenting, exploring and engaging in play.
 
Cats turn up their noses at tepid water. Finicky about what they drink, felines tend to avoid any water in their bowls that fails the “fresh” test. And because they LOVE moving water, they’re never shy about sipping water from the sink faucet or attempting to drink from the toilet bowl. By using their paws in their water bowls, they’re literally “stirring” the water up to create more movement and flow. The solution: invest in an automatic pet fountain that will allow your purr-ecious puss to either drink from the fountain’s bowl or from its continual stream of clean and fresh falling water.

by Nomi Berger
 
From body language to vocalization, cats use various signs and signals to communicate – with other cats and with humans. And although we may not be able to detect them, pheromones rank highest on that list. What, then, ARE pheromones?
 
Pheromones are a form of chemical communication that felines employ when engaging with each other, with the world around them and with their pet parents. The “messages” they send are released from special glands located throughout their bodies, and they produce a wide assortment of pheromones that influence many of their behaviors, emotions and interactions. Different pheromones send different “messages” or signals to other cats, both indoors and outdoors cats, which all cats, young and old, will understand.
 
Many of the glands that release pheromones are located on cats’ faces -- on their foreheads, lower ears, cheeks, chins and around their mouths. They’re also located in their paw pads to help them “mark” their territory when they scratch and/or knead, and around the nipples of females. To share or deposit these messages, your own cat will engage in a range of behaviors – the most positive of which is rubbing her head on you, on various household objects’ surfaces, even doorways, throughout your home, and bumping heads with you and, when applicable, with her feline friends. These are clear signals that your kitty is happy, relaxed and content in her environment, and that by putting her scent on them and on you, she’s marked them and you as being “safe.”
 
Pheromones are used, among other things, to help mother cats and kittens bond, identify and be in harmony with each other, to self-soothe as well as to signal discomfort, stress or fear. All cats use a special organ called the vomeronasal organ (VNO) that’s located in an opening on the roof of their mouths to recognize pheromone messages throughout their environment. When detecting them, your cat will open her mouth slightly and pull back her lips, exposing the roof of her mouth. If you witness your cat standing still with a strange expression on her face, she’s clearly detecting and receiving a single “message” or more.
 
On the other hand, many cats may suffer from anxiety or stress caused by changes in their environment such as adding a new cat to your household, decorating, moving and visiting the vet. Their anxiety will most commonly manifest itself in such negative behaviors as biting, excessive scratching, hiding, refusing to eat, urinating and defecating outside of the litter box, fighting with the other kitties and/or spraying. Should your kitty exhibit any of these behaviors, try using artificial pheromone products.
 
The most popular ones are plug-in diffusers and sprays. Cat calming plug-in diffusers and sprays can help with general anxiety in individual cats and promote harmony in multi-cat households by emitting a synthetic version of the feline facial pheromones given off by mother cats while nursing their kittens.
 
In instances where such measures have little to no effect, animal behaviorists encourage worried pet parents to contact their vets. Hopefully, with an appropriate behavior modification program, including positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior and desensitization along with counter-conditioning, these ‘fraidy cats can overcome their fears or anxiety regarding certain situations and live calmer, happier lives.

by Nomi Berger
 
Curious about the amount of time cats sleep, and why they seem to sleep so much? Consider then, the following comfy, cozy feline facts.
 
Cats are fundamentally predators and being crepuscular creatures, are most active between dawn and dusk. Why? Because their ancestors, who lived in the wild millions of years ago, realized that hunting during those hours enabled them to avoid predators and maximize their chances of catching prey. They, therefore, developed a unique sleep cycle to support that lifestyle.
 
Our domesticated cats sleep, on average, between 12 and 16 hours a day, an extensive period that’s essential for their overall health and general wellbeing. They’re designed, anatomically and physiologically, to “hunt” for their food even if it’s provided for them in a bowl or involves them, their toys, tunnels and cat trees. Not only is the effect the same, they employ the same energy-intensive techniques such as stalking and pouncing, running, chasing and climbing. And since they use high levels of adrenaline to keep their body fueled during these relatively short periods of time, the result is, understandably, the need to re-charge their batteries by curling up for a long, satisfying snooze.
 
Like humans, cats experience different stages of sleep, including rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM sleep. During REM sleep, cats will very often be seen twitching their whiskers, paws and tails, possible indicators of the fact that they’re dreaming. Non-REM sleep, on the other hand, is a deeper, more restorative sleep, so essential for both their physical and emotional health.
 
Kittens and older cats tend to sleep more than adult cats – up to 20 hours a day. Additionally, any changes in their usually familiar environment as well as various, assorted health concerns can impact both the duration and quality of their sleep. Unusual sleep or excessive wakefulness patterns, however, may indicate an underlying health condition that pet parents don’t know about. If they’re ill, they may exhibit other symptoms such as changes in their “bathroom” habits, signs of disorientation and/or unusual weight gain or loss.
 
Any changes at all in their sleep patterns, any symptoms that are out of the ordinary, are red flags for conscientious pet parents to promptly arrange a visit with their vet.

by Nomi Berger
 
While the average lifespan of our feline friends is 13 to 17 years, many can live to be 20 years old or more. With such a long life, ensuring that your cats receive the proper care for each stage of their lives is essential, especially when they enter their senior years.
 
According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), cats are considered seniors after they turn 10. Many veterinarians, however, may begin treating cats as seniors at the age of seven, thereby increasing your own aging kitty’s wellness exams from yearly to every six months.
 
Some of the health conditions that senior cats can develop include:
 
Cancer: intestinal, mammary and oral cancers are all more common in seniors.
 
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome: 80% of cats suffer from cognitive dysfunction syndrome or dementia at 15 years of age and older. The telltale signs include disorientation, having accidents in your home, hiding, poor grooming, sleeping more than usual and vocalizing, particularly at night.
 
Dental disease: 80% of cats over the age of five suffer from dental disease. Daily toothbrushing at home coupled with annual dental cleanings at the vet’s can help keep your cat’s teeth and gums healthy and her breath fresh.
 
Diabetes: extremely common in older cats, especially those who are overweight, makes a concerted weight management program on your part vital in preventing this disease and its myriad complications.
 
Hyperthyroidism: increased appetite, weight loss and vocalization are classic characteristics of feline hyperthyroidism.
 
Inflammatory bowel disease: diarrhea, vomiting and weight loss are three of IBD’s typical symptoms in both middle-aged and senior cats.
 
Kidney disease: 20% of all cats suffer from kidney disease. Symptoms of this condition can be either subtle or overt and include increased drinking, lack of appetite, larger clumps of urine in your kitty’s litter box and slight weight loss.
 
Osteoarthritis: over 90% of cats 10 years of age and older suffer from arthritis, a degenerative joint disease.
 
Ensuring that your purr-ecious kitty’s senior years are truly “golden” begins with consistent and considerate in-home care.
 
Since senior cats sometimes forget to eat and drink or find it difficult to climb up and down the stairs in a house, make certain that your kitty always has easy access to fresh food and water. As for litter boxes -- keep one on each floor, although low, large litter pans will be easier on her joints.
 
All cats love warm places, especially seniors. Consider keeping yours comfy cozy by providing her with a heating pad or a heated cat bed.
 
To keep her looking – and feeling – her best with the least amount of effort on her part, groom and brush her every few days.
 
Because senior cats should be fed a senior-specific diet to meet their unique needs, most veterinarians recommend transitioning them to a senior diet by the time they’re seven years old. When it comes to choosing between over-the-counter diets and prescription diets, dry kibble and canned food, consult your vet who knows your cat best and make this all-important decision, based in part on her health and weight, together.
 
Purchase a high quality scale (one that weighs accurately to an ounce or less) to monitor her weight, allowing you to catch any sudden weight loss early and easily.
 
As mentioned before, bring your beloved senior kitty to the vet every six months for a basic wellness exam that includes a complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, urinalysis, thyroid hormone testing, and blood pressure assessment.
 
In between these visits, observe her closely for any physical or behavioral changes, making note of them and contacting your trusted vet for guidance.

by Nomi Berger
 
Does your kitty put her paw on your mouth? Have you ever paw-ndered the reasons behind this behavior? If so, consider the following explanations.
 
Affection: Blissfully unaware of “invading” your personal space, your cat may be putting her paw on your face as a show of true and tender affection. It’s one way of getting as close to your body as possible (faces and chests are also feline favorites), and because you use your mouth when talking to her, consider it the equivalent of a seal of approval, or in cat-speak: all paws up in acknowledgment.
 
Attention: If you aren’t paying enough attention to your cat, she may place her paw very strategically on your mouth: purr-haps as her way of asking you to “listen” to her silent request. If this gesture inadvertently achieved positive results in the past, it’s likely she’s learned that putting her paw on your mouth is the best way to get your attention: whether she wants an empty food bowl re-filled or she wants to cuddle up with you and take a nap.
 
Comfort: Should your kitty companion be nestling cozily against your chest and putting her paw on your mouth, accept this as a coveted and highly desired sign of comfort on her part, particularly if she punctuates it by purr, purr, purring.
 
Playfulness: If your favorite feline is feeling especially frisky, she might crawl up on you and put her paw on your mouth as her way of enticing you to play with her. Should her eyes be dilated, her tail whipping around and/or her body tensing, grab her favorite wand toy, a feather teaser or a laser pointer and allow her to romp and frolic through the room to constructively burn off some of her excess energy.
 
Trust: When your cherished cat puts her paw on your mouth, this is not only a very intimate action but one that demonstrates how much she trusts and adores you with every feline fiber of her being.  
 
And yet … Your mouth is an entryway to your digestive system with links to your respiratory system. What then, does this mean? It means that your cat’s paw is capable of transmitting various kinds of bacteria, fungi and viruses into your body. And although she may appear to be as fresh as the proverbial daisy, in reality, as she makes her way through her litter box, she often comes in contact with her own urine and feces.
 
In short, by putting her paw on your mouth, she’s depositing tiny eggs there carrying anything from e. coli and parasites to salmonella that can be transmitted into your system and infect you. To prevent this from happening, it’s essential to keep up with routine parasite prevention. But, even if you do, it’s always best to err on the side of caution and keep your precious puss from putting her paw on your mouth.

by Nomi Berger
 
Did you know that the position of your cat’s tail affords you a valuable insight as to her frame of mind? But do you know the various positions her expressive tail can assume and what they may mean? If not, paw-lease read on …
 
When your cat’s tail is upright, this indicates that she’s feeling social and confident. Should she approach you in a friendly manner with her tail up, it’s an open invitation for you to pet her or play with her.
 
When your cat’s tail resembles a hook or a question mark, standing upright with a curl at the end, this again indicates that she’s happy and is approaching you amicably for attention. Although you may be tempted to pet her curly-tipped tail, most cats prefer being petted around the facial glands on their cheeks, next to their ears and under their chins.
 
When your cat drops her tail below the level of her back, she’s either anxious or frightened. If, however, her tail is tucked between her legs, she may be truly terrified or in terrible pain.
 
When your cat assumes that iconic “Halloween” pose with her back arched and her tail puffed, she’s clearly been startled or frightened by a sudden perceived threat such as the sight of other animals outside, visitors to your home or an unexpected, loud noise. A cat’s hair stands on end (piloerection) in order for her to appear larger than she is. Should she assume this defensive position around you, she’s letting you know that she wants to be left alone. Should you attempt to interact with her while her back is arched and her tail is puffed, she may perceive your approach as a threat and become aggressive.
 
When your cat is sitting or lying down with her tail wrapped around her body, she may be either frightened or defensive, in pain or feeling ill. Rather than trying to interact with her, look around you for any possible sources of stress. If you find none, and she sits or lies down with her tail curled tightly around her body for more than a few days, bring her to your veterinarian for a thorough examination and evaluation.
 
When your cat thrashes her tail or thumps it on the ground, she’s clearly annoyed, irritated or angry because this is known as a distance-increasing behavior. Example: if you’re petting her and she begins thrashing her tail or thumping it on the ground, she’s “telling” you to stop. If you don’t, this can lead to her hissing, growling, swatting or even biting you.
 
When your cat swishes her tail from side to side slowly, she’s most likely focused on a toy or some other object in your home and is preparing to pounce. Since “predatory” behavior such as stalking and pouncing is an excellent source of enrichment for her, sit back and allow her to “pursue” the object of her fascination.
 
When your cat quivers her tail, it indicates that she’s especially excited to see you or one of her feline companions. If, however, she quivers her tail while holding it straight up in the air and backing up against a vertical surface like a wall, a door or a piece of furniture, she may be urine marking.
 
When your cat wraps her tail around you, it’s her way of “hugging” you and letting you know that she’s extremely eager to interact with you. Could any gesture be more paws-itive or more purr-fect than this?

By Nomi Berger
 
Are you familiar with the sight of your favorite feline rubbing her face against corners here, there and everywhere in your home?
 
Despite being one of life’s little “meow-meow” mysteries, many cat behaviorists and experts do share a few common theories about the reasons behind this behavior.
 
Marking their territory: One of the most widely accepted theories is that cats rub their faces on corners to leave their scent on objects. Cats use scents to communicate (they have scent glands located around their cheeks), and so, when they rub their faces on objects, they leave behind a scent for other cats to detect and decipher when they sniff those scents. Because rubbing their faces against flat walls may be uncomfortable for them, cats will opt for rubbing their cheeks against the corners of walls and pieces of furniture which provide them with the best, most secure grip.
 
A form of greeting: When your cat feels purr-fectly at ease around you, trusts and likes you, she will characteristically begin rubbing her cheeks against you as soon as you return home after being out – whether for a few minutes or a few hours. This leaves her scent on you, in the same way that all cats mark their territory. Meow about a wonderful way to be greeted! What more paws-itive gesture could there be than having YOUR favorite feline let you know that you’re HER favorite person.
 
Asking for attention: Always keenly observant, kitties are astute enough to know what behaviors most attract their owners’ attention. It therefore makes purr-fect sense that if you pay attention to your cat whenever she rubs her face against you, she’ll continue doing so, reinforcing the feelings of reciprocal affection. She may even begin rubbing her cheeks against you when she’s bored, hungry or lonely.
 
Relieving stress: The simple act of rubbing their faces against corners, objects or people feels both comforting and relaxing for cats in search of stress reduction. If your kitty’s feeling anxious and chooses to calm down by this form of self-soothing, she’ll rub her cheeks against you, her person and protector, acknowledging that your home is her home as well, where she’ll be safe and secure -- fur-ever.

by Nomi Berger
 
Did YOU know that some felines fancy treats more than their food? Have you ever wondered why? If so, consider the following suggestions for this purr-ticular passion.
 
Taste: Not only do the flavors in cat treats make them more appealing than their regular food, commercial treats usually contain flavor enhancers, thereby giving them a stronger, more tantalizing smell. Treats also vary nutritionally from cat food. Because they’re often made with more fat and calories, they’re ever so much tastier, appealing to most felines’ instinctual desire to feast on nutrient-dense foods. Think cakes, cookies and chips for people and you’ll get the picture!
 
Texture: Designed to paw-lease even the most finicky feline when food textures are involved (some cats only eat kibble or wet food while others eat everything), the texture of treats varies from liquids and mousses to chewy and crunchy. If your cat is highly selective about what she puts in her mouth, experiment with various textures of treats until she’s not only satisfied but is happily raising her paw for more treats, paw-lease!
 
Relationships: Many cats relish offering a treasured toy to their owners as a token of their affection. Think of it as your favorite feline’s form of “gift giving,” reinforcing the fact that she feels safe and comfortable in your presence. Therefore, when you feed her treats, you’re not only strengthening the bond between the two of you, you’re giving her something deliberately designed to appeal to her senses in return.
 
Treats, however, aren’t formulated to meet the nutritional needs of any cat and they certainly aren’t meant to be a major part of your cat’s diet. In fact, treats shouldn’t make up more than 10% of her daily caloric intake although keeping that level closer to 5% is ideal. Therefore, when given to your kitty in moderation, most treats can be considered safe for her.
 
If your cat is on a special diet or suffers from some medical condition, she may need special treats. Before giving her any treats, always speak to your veterinarian first. And NEVER overfeed treats, even to a healthy cat. Why? Because overfeeding your cat on a daily basis will ultimately lead to obesity. It can’t be stressed often enough that obesity is linked to such serious conditions as arthritis, diabetes and heart disease.
 
Understandably, most commercial cat treats can negatively impact your cat’s weight if she’s on a vet-prescribed diet to shed some excess poundage. Once again, speak with your vet about the most appropriate treats for her. Vegetables low in calories and high in fiber, such as broccoli and green beans, can serve as healthy alternatives provided that your cat will eat them.
 
Should your cat need to lose weight but turns up her nose at the vegetables, ask your vet to help you calculate the appropriate caloric intake for her each day. This way, you’ll know how many treats she can have in combination with the food that she’s eating. Then, before you purchase any packages of treats, check their labels to determine how many calories each treat contains. A three-calorie treat allows you to “treat” your cat to more of them throughout the day than a single treat that contains, e.g., a fattening 45 calories.

by Nomi Berger
 
Toe tufts, sometimes known as toe “floofs,” are bits of fur that grow between a cat’s toes. Typically found on cat breeds with medium to long coats (examples: Balinese, Cymric, Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest Cats, Persians, Ragdolls and Somali), these bits of fur extend past the cat’s paw pads.
 
As to the purpose of toe tufts: It’s posited that historically they helped provide cats in the wild with much-needed traction and protection. And similar to the hair on the rest of their body, long hairs between a cat’s toes help to protect their feet from the cold and any harsh surfaces that may cause painful abrasions on their paw pads.
 
In most cases, you don’t have to trim your cat’s toe tufts unless these errant wisps of fur are causing her such problems as:
 
Irritation: The tufts are too long and are making your cat uncomfortable. Sometimes the fur tickles, irritating her and forcing her to lick or pull at the hair in search of relief. This behavior can escalate into a compulsion that may cause other issues, in which case, the wisest course of action IS to trim those tufts.
 
Debris collecting: A guaranteed “magnet” for such things as kitty litter and human hair, dirt and dust, your cat’s toe tufts should be trimmed to keep her from tracking any and all unwanted debris throughout the rooms of your home.
 
Slipping and sliding: Overgrown toe tufts may cause your cat to slip and slide as she makes her way across whatever kind of flooring you have in your home: from vinyl and linoleum, stone and hardwood to ceramic tile, porcelain tile, marble and laminates. Not getting the proper traction on the floor is a safety hazard, and a slight fur trim is highly recommended.
 
Matting: Because mats are particularly painful and can lead to skin infections if not addressed in a timely manner, trim your cat’s toe tufts to help keep her healthy and happy. Using a pair of scissors, carefully snip the longer hairs until they no longer cover her paw pads. You won’t have to shorten them further unless there’s obvious irritation between her toes. In that case, consult your vet on the best way to treat her.
 
Alternatives to trimming your cat’s toe tufts include:
 
Carpeting: While not to everyone’s taste, and especially problematic if you suffer from allergies, carpeting, or at the very least, area rugs are excellent anti-slip and slide options for cats with toe tufts.
 
Grippable furniture: If you have tall cat trees or wall-mounted shelving, jumping onto and off them can be particularly dangerous for a cat with toe tufts. To reduce the risk of her slipping and falling, add grippable pieces of furniture like a strategically placed cushioned stool or covered chair close to those areas to literally act as cat “safety nets.”

by Nomi Berger
 
Paws-itively.
 
For most cats, the passing of a cherished feline companion can be an extremely emotional experience. The intensity and length of their relationship, coupled with the circumstances – sudden or gradual – surrounding their furry friend’s demise will usually determine their response: ranging from no reaction whatsoever to utter and easily recognizable despair.
 
In fact, many animal experts describe three distinct stages of kitty grief.
 
The first stage is known as “activation.” Immediately after the loss of her pussycat playmate, the “survivor” will start looking for her missing companion. She will pace your home, searching here, there and everywhere, often vocalizing or crying out as she attempts to locate her lost friend.
 
The second stage is depression. This phase is characterized by one or more of the following: lethargy, withdrawal (loss of interest in her surroundings, playing and socialization), clingy and needy behavior or its polar opposite, separation anxiety, and loss of appetite. The latter is the most serious with the potential to be life threatening. Because anorexia in cats can lead to hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), contact your vet immediately if your cat refuses to eat.
 
The third stage is acceptance. This is when many cats exhibit permanent “character changes.” Some will become chattier, friendlier and more approachable. Shy cats in particular may appear to “blossom” without their more assertive counterparts by becoming more outgoing and more active in general.
 
As a concerned cat guardian, there are numerous ways to help your mourning “mouser” as she moves through the grieving process. Keep her routine as normal as possible while lavishing her with extra affection in the form of more cuddles and pets, grooming and playing. Provide her with a quiet and private spot where she can spend time alone should she want it or place a cozy new cat bed close to a sunny window. Offer her some tasty new food to encourage her to eat and warm it slightly to more fully release its aroma. Present her with a new interactive toy to spark some fresh interest in playtime.
 
While some think adding a new cat to their diminished household is the cure for their current cat’s distress, most animal experts caution against it. They consider it a distraction not a cure and that a new pet won’t stop yours from grieving her lost companion. They suggest waiting a few months until both you and your kitty have fully healed. 
 
As with humans, felines differ not only in the way they grieve but in how long they grieve. Your particular pussycat may return to behaving “normally” after only a few days. On the other hand, it could take weeks, even months. If, however, yours seems stuck in the grieving process, speak to your veterinarian and ask to be referred to a veterinary behaviorist or other certified behavioral expert.
 
It may not seem so at the moment, but it will get better in time.