Cat Fact Files

Unfortunately, neutering a cat will not have any effect on the causes of indoor spraying and problem toilet behaviour. Almost all cats under treatment with behaviourists are house pets and they are usually neutered at around 6 months. This is done at this age to prevent the developing toms and queens from performing spraying or [...]

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Cats love to groom themselves. A groomed fur coat and clean whiskers and paws can enhance a hunter’s ability to stalk in the shadows and undergrowth and surprise unsuspecting prey. However, grooming can become obsessive and compulsive in some cats that are suffering the effects of stress. Causes of stress include competition between home cats, [...]

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It is possible to reduce competition and therefore aggression between cats by examining the aspects where the dispute arise. Research indicates that the main causes of continuing disputes between house cats is over access to owners and to areas in the inner home territory. When one cat is stroked or fussed by the owner, the [...]

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When a kitten is first separated from its litter mother and siblings, plus any associated humans, there is much for it to adapt to and learn about. The owner is sniffed as they undertake the human stroking and petting ritual, in order to ascertain who that person is. The human scents that the cat smells [...]

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Once kittens are on solid food, the litter mother will carry prey back to them on a daily basis throughout her care period. In the absence of a litter to feed, a cat with a hunting personality will use this instinctive behaviour to bring home prey that it rarely needs for itself. Healthy feeding cats have [...]

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Cats in nature have learned the advantages of an elevated position over millions of years. It is ideal for surveying for ground-based and flighted prey, and also offers a place of safety from large terrestrial predators. When house cats are under competitive pressure from others or perceive that there are dangers within their territory, they [...]

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Cats are solitary predators. Domesticated cats can adapt to extended socialization, but those that are content to do so will usually have been kept together as kittens. There are situations when artificial feral groups come together due to scarcity of food or lack of ownership. Kittens brought up together may show mutual socialization and are [...]

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