What Have I Learned About Cats in 24 Years of Feline Practice?

 Cats are sneaky. Lovable, but sneaky!
Cats may “blame” physical problems they have on external factors.
Cats don’t like big changes. They love routine.
Cats know us a lot better than we know them.
Inter-cat relationships are complicated!
First of all, cats are ridiculously sneaky. They like to pretend everything is ok, even when it’s not. Evolution rewarded their ancestors who hunkered down and hid under a bush when sick rather than calling attention to themselves. The lessons I’ve learned from this are: 1. If your cat’s behavior changes, even subtly, pay attention. 2. Don’t be afraid to call your vet’s office to see if you should be concerned. Common signs you might see
are change in appetite, activity level, upset stomach, weight loss, increased thirst and so on.
Cats are prone to blaming any physical problems on their environment. If it hurts to urinate or defecate, they may look for a new place to eliminate. If eating is painful due to dental disease or gastrointestinal problems, they might blame their food and refuse to eat it.
They can also stop eating a certain food they were eating when they became ill, even if their illness was unrelated to that food. If your cat is suddenly finicky, please don’t put down six different cans of food, trying to tempt them. It’s ok to try one new food, but a visit to the vet is in order.
In my opinion, cats prefer a consistent routine. Unpredictable mealtimes and owner work schedules can contribute to a cat’s stress level and even trigger illness in more sensitive cats. There are automatic feeders if your work schedule is not as consistent as your cat would like, and spending time with your cat every night before bedtime can help. Some cats can even be stressed by the sudden appearance of new furniture. Temporarily placing a familiar blanket or sheet from your bed on your new couch can help.
Cats know us much better than we know them. It seems to me that they spend their awake time eating, grooming and analyzing our body language. How else would they know when we are intending to put them in a carrier for a vet visit? I think we walk more purposefully and cats pick up on that. Make sure to allow plenty of time to catch your cat before scheduled vet visits or traveling. Keeping the carrier out year round with treats in it may help.
Intercat relationships are complicated and fascinating to witness. That’s why I always have at least two cats. It’s my favorite soap opera! I’m running out of space, so I’ll address kitty relationships in a future article.
If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, please call 661-259-5288 or go to our website, www.catdoctor.com for a virtual tour and the ability to request an appointment online. We are located at 26055 Bouquet Canyon Road between Magic Mountain Parkway and Cinema Drive.