The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [25]
Here’s a catty challenge for you. Without making any body gestures, make eye contact with Toto and in a stern voice say, “What a good kitty you are. Let me give you some catnip.” Then make eye contact and say in a cheery tone, “You are such a bad kitty. I hate when you scratch the furniture.” My money is on Toto being more apt to approach you when you speak in a happy voice than when you speak in a harsh, scolding tone.
This exercise demonstrates that it is usually not what you say, but how you say it that counts for your cat. Even though we speak different languages, our savvy felines pay attention to our expressions and our habits. Some quickly associate the sound of their names with their owners wanting their attention.
My cat Callie goes to the screen door off my upstairs balcony when I say, “Callie, do you want to go outside?” Of course, as I am saying that sentence, I am also heading toward the balcony with my hand outstretched to open the door. If I make the same gestures and maintain my happy voice but change the words to: “Hey Callie, do you want to go surfing?” Callie happily follows me to the balcony door to get some supervised fresh air — without a worry of getting a single drop of the mighty ocean on her coat.
COLORFUL CHARACTERS
Joan Miller, all-breed Cat Fanciers’ Association judge, is an expert on feline personality traits. While there is no scientific evidence to validate why cats with orange in their coats can act a little “nuts” compared to their solid black littermates, many cat lovers agree that calicos, tortoiseshells, and female red tabbies often display extra feistiness and spunk.
Miller reports that a “theory of the orange gene” is somehow connected to personality traits. She points out that the Cheshire Cat in the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland was a red tabby. And we know how nuts he was!
The orange gene is sex-linked (X) and not on the same chromosome as all the other color genes. Therefore it is possible only for female cats, because they have two X genes, to have black and orange coat colors at the same time. Males, with their XY chromosomes, can be black or orange, but not both. This means that calico and tortoiseshell cats are always female — and female cats are often not as mellow as males anyway.
Hands Off My Belly!
Q Alexis, my one-year-old calico, doesn’t mind when I scratch under her chin, or give her head pets, but she definitely does not like me to rub her belly. I’ve had other cats and dogs who seem to beg to have their bellies rubbed. Why doesn’t she like her belly touched?
A I am not sure how long you have had Alexis, but calicos tend to be a bit apprehensive and cautious, especially in their earlier years. A veterinarian friend once told me, “Calicos are a lot like chocolate. Sweet on the outside and nuts on the inside.” He said it in jest, but it carried some meaning. Whatever color the cat, however, the belly is one of the most vulnerable places on a cat’s body, and many cats are wary of exposing this soft spot.
All felines need to become accustomed to being handled by people. Trust must be cultivated. For now, respect your cat’s wishes and avoid belly rubs. Give her some time to become used to being handled by you and to learn that you won’t foist unwanted attention on her. If Alexis strikes a belly-up pose and appears relaxed next to you, praise her, but don’t touch her belly until you’re sure she is inviting you to do so.
Instead, treat Alexis to some purposeful touch like massaging up and down her spine, using your finger and thumb (not your nails). Build up her confidence in you by petting her on her head and under her chin and welcoming her on your lap or by your side when you read or watch television.
Alexis may come around and turn into a cuddly love bug who will request that you shower her with friendly petting, even on her belly. If not, just understand that some cats have certain areas where they don’t like being touched.
Howling and Yowling
Q I have two Siamese