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60 results for “feline behavior”
5 Things to Prepare Before Bringing a Cat Home
Bringing a cat home is a long-term commitment, so before you do, make sure you are truly ready to welcome a new life into your care. Preparation makes all the difference to your cat's smooth transition. First, learn the basics of feline care and, above all, prepare yourself mentally. Understand your cat's usual diet from the previous owner and avoid sudden food changes that can cause diarrhea or vomiting. Set up a quiet, cozy sleeping area, a generously sized litter box with the litter your cat prefers, and plenty of scratching posts and toys to prevent furniture damage. Choose a sturdy, well-ventilated carrier for trips. When your cat first arrives, give it time to adjust to unfamiliar smells—never force it out of hiding, and if it refuses food for more than three days, see a vet.
Why Cats Get the “Poop Zoomies”
That burst of speed and chaos right after a cat uses the litter box has a name: the "poop zoomies." It is just a behavior, not a disease, and is common in cats but not dogs. No treatment is needed — though if it knocks things over, move the box somewhere safer. Watch for look-alike conditions: hyperthyroidism in older cats (hyperactive at other times too, eating more but losing weight) or pain on elimination from cystitis or blocked urethra. The zoomies likely trace to a wild instinct — the litter box is the most vulnerable moment, so run fast afterward.
What Every Pet Owner Should Know About Vaccinations
Vaccines are a core part of protecting your dog or cat. A vaccine is a weakened virus that trains the immune system to fight real infections, guarding against deadly diseases such as distemper, parvovirus, adenovirus, rabies, feline panleukopenia, calicivirus, and rhinotracheitis. Puppies can be vaccinated from 45 days old and kittens from 63 days, after weaning and a short settling-in period. Even with proper vaccines, immunity can fail due to maternal antibodies, immunosuppression, stress, or infection during the incubation window—so follow your vet's timing.
How Cats Recognize Their Owners
Cats identify their person through several senses at once. Their vision is poor and near-sighted, so they rely more on motion than on faces. A keen sense of smell lets them remember your scent, and sharp hearing picks out your unique voice. Sensitive paw pads register the vibration of your footsteps, and memory of your habits and gestures seals the recognition. Building the bond takes daily feeding, play, and reward-based correction rather than punishment.
Cat Grass vs. Catnip: What Is the Difference?
As carnivores, cats occasionally need to eat grass too. Here is how cat grass differs from catnip, and whether they are safe to feed often.
Common Oral Diseases in Cats and Dogs
Many pets suffer oral disease; most is controllable by daily brushing and dental care, yet many pets lack it, causing disease. How to care daily?
What to Do When Your Cat Is Depressed
Cat depression can be hard to diagnose and may arise from many causes. Here is what to know.
How Long Can a Cat Remember a Person?
After you return from vacation, will your cat still remember you? You helped your friend care for their cat for a week; will that cat remember you when it sees you again? A cat's short-term memory lasts about 16 hours (for things it considers important), and its long-term memory is uncertain.
Desensitization Training for Cats with Phobias
Desensitization is a good way to treat phobias in cats. The key is to identify the fear source, control the trigger at low intensity, and slowly increase exposure in a random, stepwise manner—always ending each session on a positive note. Generalized fear and medication are also covered.
How to Prevent Cats from Fighting Each Other
Understanding the underlying cause of feline aggression and addressing it early is key. Cat aggression falls into five types—territorial, fear-based, pain-related, play, and redirected—and each responds to specific environmental changes. Spaying/neutering, pheromones, and enough resources also help.