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Learn to tune in to cats'
social needs
September 13, 2007
I recently celebrated a birthday and received the greatest card from my
three cats: Buddy, Sylvie and Pepper. The note on the card read, "We
know you love us as much as those other two smelly, noisy creatures, so
. . . happy birthday Mom."
The "other two" are the dogs in our "family," and my cats' adroit
message was their way of reminding me that cats can be just as
entertaining and social as those "noisy creatures" and deserve equal
attention.
Traditionally, animal lovers are either cat people or dog people,
although a mix of pet companions is not uncommon. So, when it comes to a
mixed household, do the canines really rank as "top dog" to the dismay
of their feline roommates?
I've often heard people say that dogs are more demanding and that cats
don't require much attention beyond keeping their litter box clean and
providing regular feedings. But I know of at least three demanding
felines that would meow to differ.
Our domesticated felines may have a quieter way of expressing their
demands, but just as our canine friends are deeply enriched with a good
dose of socialization, cats are equally social creatures. If you've ever
had to nurture a kitten that no longer has its mother or litter mates,
you quickly learn that it's crucial to their development that you
socialize them. It's beneficial to their health and happiness.
Cats that are not adequately socialized can exhibit behaviors such as
biting or scratching, tearing up furniture with their claws or repeated
litter box mishaps. Sadly, it's under-socialization rather than problem
behavior that too often results in cats being surrendered to animal
shelters.
We know that taking our dogs out for walks and letting them enjoy the
wonders of a dog park are great tools for socializing them, but how can
we socialize our meowing four-legged companions?
Taking time to share a moment and simply relax with our cats is a great
way to bond and communicate with them. Greeting them when you arrive
home at the end of the day and taking some time to just kick back and
gently stroke them is very reassuring to them and a great stress
reliever for us. They may not wiggle and bark when you enter the door,
but they've been waiting and are excited to see you arrive home.
Being tuned in to their style of communication, which is more subtle
than that of a dog, is also helpful in bonding and socializing with
them. They do exhibit different types of meowing, letting us know
whether they want to snuggle or would prefer a game of playing in the
paper bag. Many basic cat care books also describe their various body
languages and what they're communicating based on the position of their
ears, whiskers or tail, for example.
So beyond feeding them and cleaning their litter box, taking the time to
interact with our felines is important and necessary to their
well-being. Unlike dogs, cats are not "pack" animals - hence the label
"independent." But they are dependent upon the world we create for them.
My three kitties are quick to remind me of that every time I become a
little too "doggone" focused on something else.
- Gloria
Dauphin
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