Educational Articles
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Cats that are kept for companionship are typically neutered (castrated), unless they are intended to be used as breeding stock. Neutering prevents accidental or indiscriminate breeding and reduces the frequency of undesirable sexual behaviors, such as mounting and marking.
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Training your cat in advance for travel is ideal. Positive reinforcement training helps build good associations and makes travel safer and easier. Veterinary advice is sometimes needed for cats who become ill or are frightened during crate training or travel.
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Indoor cats can life long healthy lives, but many indoor cats are sedentary. Activity is important for a cat's mental and physical health. It is important to enrich the environment of indoor cats by providing outlets for interactive social play, exercise, and mental stimulation. Cats also need quiet places to sleep; placing a perch or cat tree in the main living area is recommended for most cats.
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Appropriate play and exercise are something every cat needs. Cats that have ample opportunities for exercise and play are amazing pets. Learning a cat’s preferences for play requires some observation and attention, but ultimately contributes immensely to the entire family’s quality of life.
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Redirected aggression occurs when a cat is aroused by another animal, person or event, but is unable to direct aggression toward the stimulus. For example, your cat is sitting on a windowsill and sees another cat out on the property.
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The leading causes of aggressive behavior among household cats are territorial aggression, fear-based aggression, and incompatible personalities. There may be more than one type of aggression occurring simultaneously. This explains the common forms of inter-cat aggression and how they may be prevented.
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During exploration and play, cats and kittens may manipulate and chew on a variety of objects. This behavior can be easily treated, but if ignored, can cause property damage and put a cat's safety in jeopardy. Another potentially dangerous oral behavior is sucking fabric. Any cat that excessively chews or sucks objects should have a thorough medical and behavioral work-up to determine the underlying cause.
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Cats that exhibit repetitive behaviors that are difficult to interrupt may be diagnosed with a compulsive disorder. Many of these behaviors have a physical basis and a thorough medical examination is always important. Anxiety and frustration can also contribute to the development of compulsive disorders. Treatment includes addressing underlying medical components and reducing stressors in the physical and social environment.
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Fearful behavior in cats may develop for many reasons. Hereditary and environmental factors contribute to behavioral development. Early socialization of kittens is very important for normal development. Cats and kittens that display fearful behavior should be treated as soon as possible for the most successful outcome.
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House soiling in cats, also called feline inappropriate elimination, is the most common behavioral complaint of cat owners. Problem behaviors can be urine and/or stool deposited outside of the litter box, or marking behaviors.
