The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [33]
Down on Dating
Q My cat, Bailey, is about six years old. I have had him since he was a kitten. He has every toy you can think of and I dote on him. He loves me, but he seems to hate my boyfriend, Nick. Whenever Nick visits, Bailey spits, growls, and hisses. If Nick tries to approach him, Bailey hisses and swats at him or dashes out of the room. This is causing problems in our relationship. I would never give up Bailey, but I really like this guy. Why doesn’t my cat like my boyfriend? What can I do to get Bailey to at least tolerate Nick?
A Welcome to the new world of dating in which a cat has a big say in your love life. I remember a savvy senior friend named Florence who taught me a lot about dating when I was in college. I rented the upstairs of her house in Crown Point, Indiana. I lived there with my childhood cat, Corky, who was 12 at the time. Corky had the run of her entire house, and Florence would size up my boyfriends by how they treated Corky and how Corky reacted to them. She used to tell me, “If a man can’t love an animal, he can’t love you.” She was right.
In your case, Bailey is feeling a bit threatened by this new guy commandeering so much of your time and attention. He is responding in the only way he knows — by hissing, swatting, staring, and dashing to another room. You didn’t mention how your boyfriend reacts to Bailey’s ill will. If he doesn’t like cats, Bailey is certainly aware of that fact and reacting to these vibes.
But if this guy is willing to make your relationship work, the best strategy is to make him more popular in Bailey’s eyes. Start by asking Nick to display a friendly but nonchalant attitude toward Bailey. In other words, he shouldn’t try too hard to win over Bailey by forcing affection on him. Instruct him never to stare directly into Bailey’s eyes or make any kind of direct approach, as cats view these as threatening signs.
The next step is to have Nick bribe Bailey with delicious, highly aromatic treats. Let your boyfriend be the only one who gives A-plus treats to Bailey so that he associates Nick with something positive.
For the third step, have Nick bring toys or engage in playing one of Bailey’s favorite games while you watch from the sidelines. The two need to develop a relationship of their own. It will take time, but the payoff could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship between them.
Is My Cat Senile?
Q My 17-year-old cat, Sammy, ambles around the house late at night, howling mournfully. Sometimes, he wanders into a room during the day and just stands there looking confused. He used to greet his favorite visitors with a happy chirping sound, but now when they come up to him, he doesn’t seem to recognize them. He used to love jumping in my lap, but now I have to bend down and pick him up. Alzheimer’s disease is so cruel to people; can cats develop this condition, too?
A On the outside, our felines often look younger than their physical years. But cats, sadly, are not immune to cognitive dysfunction. Some do indeed become senile in their senior years.
I have my senior cat (a 19-year-old who exhibits many of the behaviors you describe) examined regularly by my veterinarian, and I encourage you to do the same for Sammy to rule out any possible underlying medical condition. Hyperthyroidism, liver disease, kidney disease, and urinary tract infection are examples of diseases that may cause hypervocalization or confusion. Some cats who become deaf also start yowling frequently.
Some cats start to exhibit certain telltale signs of cognitive dysfunction around age 12. Many animal behaviorists use the acronym DISH to refer to the symptoms and signs commonly associated with feline senility.
FELINE FACT
A cat’s heart beats about twice as fast as a human’s, at a rate of 155 times per minute.
D IS FOR DISORIENTATION. Cats who are disoriented often walk aimlessly, stare at walls, get “stuck” in corners, seem to be lost