The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [23]
KITTEN-GARTEN
Puppy classes are well known, but until recently, such classes were unheard of for kittens. The first ones were started about a decade ago in Australia by veterinary behaviorist Kersti Seksel.
Kitten kindergarten features two goals: socializing the kittens and helping people better understand the feline mind. The kittens learn to be handled, groomed, and examined, and to explore new places with confidence. Some kittens play with each other, while others prefer to hang out with the people handing out treats.
The ideal time to enroll is when your kitten is between twelve and sixteen weeks of age — the heart of a young feline’s socialization period.
Kitten kindergarten, however, is not without controversy. Some feline experts say that these socialization classes are best suited for orphaned kittens or shelter kittens rather than kittens who have experienced normal kittenhood and learned feline rules from their mothers and siblings.
Dark Clothes, White Cat
Q Every time I put on a pair of dark-colored dress slacks, I can count on my white cat, Toby, to enter the room and start rubbing against my legs. In no time, my slacks are covered in white hair from the knee down. I try gently pushing him away, but he persists. Why does he do this and what can I do to stop him?
A When a cat rubs against your leg or brushes his cheekbone against your hand, he is broadcasting two signals. The first is a form of feline flattery. You are the lucky recipient of his affection. I know, flattery will get you nowhere, except, in this case, to the place where you stash the rolling tape to remove Toby’s hairy signature from your dress slacks.
The second signal is all about turf protection. Cats have scent glands on their lips, chins, forehead, and tail. We can’t smell the oily residue that is deposited from these glands, but other cats (and dogs) certainly can. When Toby rubs against your legs, he is alerting other critters to back off and respect “his” property.
By gently pushing Toby, you are unwittingly reinforcing his behavior. As you shoo him away from your legs, he enjoys the touch of your hand as well as leaving his business card on your slacks. Double victory!
It’s clear that you treat Toby well and that he loves you. Perhaps a little compromise is in order. Create a bit of “Toby time” each day during which you give him some extra affection and sweet talk. Groom him regularly to remove some of his excess hair. Here’s a grooming trick: run your damp hand gently against the direction your cat’s coat. This removes dead hairs better than combing. You not only remove dead hairs (the only ones that cats shed), but also stimulate new hair growth. A full bath or even a dry shampoo once in a while will also help keep the amount of loose hair more manageable.
If Toby is overly insistent on rubbing against your legs, you might consider making your clothes less inviting. Lightly spray your pants with a cat-repellant spray or citronella (read the directions first to make sure they will not harm the fabric). One sniff and Toby will head the other way while you head out the door with clean clothes. But don’t expect Toby to learn that it’s okay to rub against your jeans but not your dress pants — you either have to accept a few hairs or discourage this display of affection entirely.
FELINE FACT
The phrase “the cat’s pajamas” was coined by e.B. katz, an english tailor in the late 1700s. he made silk pajamas for the British elite.
Bounce and Pounce
Q My five-month-old kitten, Rex, often goes up to our old hound dog, Gus, and starts bouncing sideways. Gus looks at Rex like he just arrived from another planet. He does his best to ignore Rex, but Rex persists. He sometimes even paws at Gus’s nose and then races away. What is going on?
A Rex is extending an invitation to play. Kittens often arch their backs, puff up their tails (with the tips pointed down), and do this sideways disco dance to pretend that they are being spooked. Obviously, Rex is in no real danger with