Universal Press Syndicate
The Jekyll-Hyde turn some cats make when being petted has their owners convinced they're crazy. But that's not the case: Some cats need to be taught to accept the loving attention of their owners.
The conversion takes time and patience, but it's worth it for all.
Both genetics and social factors contribute to how likely a cat is to bite or claw while being petted. Some cats are born with short fuses; others are made that way (or made worse) through a lack of early socialization or proper training in their kittenhoods. That's why it's important to never let a kitten come to believe fingers are for chewing on, even in play. Redirect your kitten's playful energy to toys instead. And never hit a kitten or cat for biting, since you'll make it more likely, not less, that your pet will strike faster in fear and self-defense the next time.
Natural activity levels also play a part in how much petting a cat will tolerate. Cats from large-breed backgrounds (think Maine coon) are generally mellow in temperament, willing to sit quietly while being petted. So-called Oriental breeds or mixes (think Siamese or Burmese) are usually more interested in being on the go.
But no matter how hair-trigger the setting on your cat's attack mode, you can work to increase your pet's tolerance for petting by paying close attention to his body language as you slowly increase the amount of time during which he'll calmly accept your attention.
You should also be aware that some areas on a cat are more sensitive than others. For a highly reactive cat, restrict your caresses at first to behind the ears, under the chin or the base of the tail. A long stroke down the back is too much for some kitties, and you're really taking chances when you decide to tickle your cat's tummy. The cats who enjoy it are outnumbered by the cats who'll seek to stop it with teeth and claws.
Work to build up your cat's tolerance to touch over time. When you pick up your cat for a petting session, don't surprise him. Come up on him slowly and pick him up gently, making sure his whole body is supported with a hand under his chest and one beneath his legs.
Pet him in less-reactive areas on his body, watching for the first sign of a tail twitch. When you get that early warning sign, stop petting and let your cat leave if he wants to. The idea is to work up to just short of the point where your pet becomes uncomfortable and then stop, so you can gradually increase his tolerance for petting. For some cats, the addition of treats during petting can also help the reconditioning process.
If you miss the signs and end up in your cat's non-affectionate embrace, just freeze. Providing no resistance will help calm your cat so he'll just let go, usually in a few seconds. If you fight back or physically punish your cat, you are more likely to get bitten or scratched in the short run and damage your relationship with your pet in the long run.
Be patient, and be satisfied with small improvements as you go. As any cat lover will tell you, teaching your cat to tolerate petting is well worth the effort -- for both of you.
Q&A
Check the vitals on your pet cat
Q: We used to have dogs, but now that we're retired we don't anymore. We sadly lost our last German shepherd five years ago, and that's it for us. But we were adopted by a stray cat, and he's a joy.
Since we had dogs for decades, we knew a lot about their care and how to know when they were ill. Can you offer advice on how to know if our cat is "off"? -- C.P., via e-mail
A: With a little practice, you can easily learn to take your cat's vital signs.
A cat's heart normally beats between 140 and 220 times per minute, with a relaxed cat on the lower end of the scale. It's not unusual for their heartbeat to be high at the veterinarian's, since cats don't like being away from home, and they certainly don't like being poked and prodded by strangers.
To take your cat's pulse at home, you need a watch that clicks off the seconds. Put your hand over your cat's left side, behind the front leg. You'll feel the heartbeat pulsing beneath your fingers (if you can't, you might talk to your veterinarian about getting some of the fat off your cat). Count the beats while 15 seconds clicks off your watch. Multiply by four to get the BPM, or beats per minute.
While you're at it, check out your cat's respiration rate. Step back and watch your cat when he's relaxed and standing. Count the number of times the abdomen and chest wall moves in 60 seconds. A normal cat takes 15 to 25 breaths per minute.
Normal feline body temperature is between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, read from a thermometer inserted where the sun doesn't shine. -- Dr. Marty Becker
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books.
On PetConnection.com there's more information on pets and their care, reviews of products, books and "dog cars." Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.
PET BUZZ
Study tracks trends on which dogs bite
-- About 15.8 people per 1,000 are bitten by a dog every year, with about 3.1 of the same people needing medical attention. In a study for the journal "Injury Prevention," researchers conducted telephone surveys and compared the results from a decade ago. People were most likely to be bitten in their own homes by known dogs. As the number of dogs rose above one in the household, the bite occurrence also increased. The study found that dog bites in children had decreased in number, while older adults showed an increased number of bites. The increase in older victims may be linked to the popularity of smaller dogs, more likely to be owned by seniors and statistically more likely to bite.
-- Horses and donkeys burned in Australia's wildfires are getting help from across the globe. The University of Melbourne has been treating the animals, but has been getting much-needed help from the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. UCD has sent medications and has paired up the Melbourne team with Dr. John Madigan, a professor of veterinary medicine and head of UCD's Veterinary Emergency Response Team.
-- The smallest dog on record was a Yorkshire terrier, who was 2.5 inches tall at the shoulder, 3.75 inches long from the tip of his nose to the base of the tail, and weighed 4 ounces. According to "The Book of General Ignorance," the dog died in 1945. For the smallest dogs living today, the current world record is shared by a Yorkshire terrier (shortest in height) and a Chihuahua (shortest in length). Whitney, the Yorkie, lives in England and is 3 inches tall at the shoulder. The Chihuahua, called Danka Kordak Slovakia, is 7.4 inches long and lives in Slovakia. Extremely tiny dogs are known for their frail health, so we hope others won't be trying for this dubious record. -- Dr. Marty Becker and Mikkel Becker Shannon
PET Rx
Cats, dogs need blood donors just as people do
Every day, sick or injured pets require blood transfusions as part of their treatment. That blood comes from feline and canine blood donors.
The use of blood products for treating sick and injured pets has increased so dramatically that there is a growing shortage of canine and feline blood. Several commercial blood banks have opened in response to this need, and many veterinary practices, schools and colleges have developed their own blood banks.
The donated blood is used in the same way that blood is used in human medical facilities: as whole blood, plasma and packed red cells. The blood is collected in sterile plastic bags and is handled and stored in the same way as human blood.
Cats and dogs don't get to volunteer for duty, but the ones who do give are generally pretty mellow about it. To be considered, they must be healthy adults, current on vaccinations, with no health problems and no medications. They may be given a mild sedative for the blood draw, and they can donate usually every three months.
Many serve as in-house donors for a while and are then placed into loving homes. -- Dr. Marty Becker
BY THE NUMBERS
Big dogs have the edge
Although small dogs seem all the rage these days, canine popularity isn't influenced much by size. According to the American Pet Products Association, dog lovers like their pets no matter the size (multiple answers allowed):
Own small dogs 43 percent
Own medium dogs 34 percent
Own large dogs 44 percent
THE SCOOP
For felines, up is faster than down
The structure of a cat's paw and claws is one reason these animals have such an easy time going up a tree but such a difficult time coming back down.
A cat's paws have claws curved for fast forward motion, which makes rapid ascent easy for the average cat -- grab higher with the front claws, kick higher with the back, and repeat.
Not so easy coming back down, which at best is an ungraceful maneuver of (hopefully) short falls, with a safe but embarrassed landing at the end.
Most cats do find their way back down in time, which is a good thing these days. With municipal budgets being what they are, few fire departments are allowed to respond to "cat stuck in tree" calls anymore. -- Gina Spadafori
Pet Connection is produced by a team of team of pet-care experts headed by "Good Morning America" veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker and award-winning journalist Gina Spadafori. The two are also the authors of several best-selling pet-care books. Contact Pet Connection in care of this newspaper, by sending e-mail to petconnection@gmail.com or by visiting PetConnection.com.