Are cats attached to their human?
Regarding pet owners bonding with their pets, many people assume dogs are more likely to show affection than cats, but that isn’t necessarily true. According to research conducted at Oregon State University, cats can form both secure and insecure bonds with humans.
This study mimicked previous human attachment behavior studies involving babies reuniting with a parent or caregiver after a short absence. The study's results revealed that 65% of babies have a secure attachment while insecurely attached babies either avoided their parents or clung to them. Similar tests have been conducted using primates and dogs, but the same research has only recently been conducted in cats. The researchers found roughly 65% of cats and kittens were securely bonded to their owners, and once that bond was formed, it remained relatively stable over time.
Not only can cats form strong bonds with their human caretakers, but they also can experience separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is commonly diagnosed in dogs, but research suggests more than 1 in 10 cats have separation anxiety as well. In a study of separation-related problems in pets, researchers found cats affected tend to come from households with either no women or more than one woman living in them. Other factors that influenced separation-related behavioral issues include not having access to toys and not having other pets in the house.
An in-depth analysis of the study results revealed that 13.5% of sampled cats displayed at least one trait that had been associated with separate-related problems. Destructive behavior was the most frequently reported issue, observed in 20 or 30 cats. Other issues included excessive vocalization, inappropriate urination, agitation, and inappropriate defecation.
Symptoms of separation anxiety in cats include:
-
Destructive behavior
-
Excessive vocalization
-
Eating too quickly
-
Loss of appetite
-
Vomiting
-
Depression or apathy
-
Lack of energy
-
Aggressive behavior
-
Compulsive grooming
Treating separation anxiety in cats can be tricky, and it may take time to see any difference. One of the best things you can do is create an environment in your home that allows your cat to exhibit normal feline behavior including hunting, foraging, and scratching. Provide your cat with vertical structures to climb, scratching posts to use, and regular playtime with interactive toys.
A cat tree that incorporates vertical structures to climb as well as areas to nap and toys to play with could be the perfect solution.
Cats and Houseplants. Cats or Houseplants?
Houseplants are a simple way to decorate your living space and they provide several unique benefits. Studies show that having houseplants can reduce stress, boost productivity, and may even speed healing and recovery in addition to improving your indoor air quality. There’s a lot to enjoy about houseplants and your cat would probably agree. Unfortunately, some houseplants are dangerous. Others are safe but a little bit too appealing to cats.
It’s fairly common for cats to chew on houseplants and, if the pot is big enough, they may even use it as a litter box. This combination of destructive tendencies makes it difficult to successfully grow houseplants in a home with cats, but there are a few things you can do to keep your plants safe.
First and foremost, try growing plants your cat won’t be interested in or that can defend themselves against your cat’s attention. Rosemary, for example, is a highly aromatic plant which is good news for you, but the scent is strong enough to deter cats. Cacti and roses are great as well because they have a built-in defense system that your cat need only encounter once before he learns to keep his distance. There’s even a plant called the scaredy cat plant (Coleus canina) which has a skunk-like smell animals hate.
When it comes to defending your houseplants against your cat (and vice versa), there are a number of things you can do. One option is to make the plants smell bad. Try sprinkling cayenne around the leaves of your houseplants or place orange and citrus peels in the pot. You can also try spraying the leaves with a diluted solution of water and lemon juice or orange juice.
A second option is to make the plants less accessible to cats. Placing large pebbles at the base of your plants may help prevent digging and could deter cats from using the planter as a litter box. Other offensive textures like crumpled aluminum foil or pinecones might work as well. You could also try covering the base of the plant with mesh or chicken wire to create a physical barrier that won’t prevent you from watering the plant normally.
Your cats urine
As a cat owner, you’re pretty familiar with your pet’s bathroom habits. After all, you spend plenty of time scooping the litter box. While this task may not be pleasant, it’s a good way to keep tabs on your cat’s urinary health. Changes in litter box usage can be a sign of an underlying issue - potentially a urinary health issue.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder stones, and blockages can sometimes be difficult to identify in the early stages but the signs are often right there in your cat’s litter box if you know what to look for.
Lower urinary tract issues can develop in cats of any age. The lower urinary tract includes the bladder and the urethra - if either becomes infected or obstructed, it can prevent your cat from urinating normally.
In cats, UTIs are typically caused by a bacterial infection in the bladder or urethra and can be treated with antibiotics. Common symptoms of UTIs include passing only small amounts of urine, straining to urinate, pain while urinating, blood in the urine, and urinating outside the litter box. Irritation of the lower urinary tract not related to infection is called feline idiopathic cystitis and it is often a reaction to a change in diet or a symptom of stress.
Bladder stones are another fairly common urinary issue in pets. Also known as uroliths or cystic calculi, bladder stones are formations of minerals that accumulate in the bladder. Common signs of bladder stones include straining to urinate and blood in the urine.
While any cat can develop lower urinary health problems, certain issues are more common in male than female cats. Male cats have longer, thinner urethras than females which makes them more prone to urethral obstructions.
With any urinary health problem, prompt diagnosis is essential. In the early stages, urinary tract infections and bladder stones may only cause minor discomfort. Left untreated, however, these problems can progress to become very painful. Urethral obstruction can even become an emergency situation if it prevents the bladder from emptying properly.
There are some simple steps you can take to protect it:
-
Increase your cat’s moisture intake. Proper hydration helps dilute the minerals, toxins, and irritants in your cat’s urine. Provide plenty of fresh water and consider including canned or fresh food in your cat’s diet.
-
Make adjustments to your cat’s diet. If your cat has had urinary health issues in the past, it could be related to diet. A diet formulated with restricted amounts of minerals like phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium could be beneficial.
-
Remove stress from your cat’s life. Cats are just as prone to stress as people are and it can have a negative impact on their health. Environmental stress has been linked to feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD) and inappropriate elimination.
-
Give your cat plenty of enrichment. Mental stimulation is essential for indoor cats to prevent boredom and stress-related urinary issues. Provide plenty of cat perches, scratching posts, interactive toys, and food puzzles to keep your cat entertained.
Even if you’re taking steps to protect your cat’s urinary health, it’s also wise to keep up with routine veterinary appointments. Healthy adult cats typically do fine with an annual visit. If your cat has chronic health issues or is over 8 years old, however, your vet might recommend increasing the frequency to twice a year.