The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [35]
Face the feline facts. Cats do the darndest things, but they do not provide explanations. They might be puzzling and mystifying but they are never boring. In this section, I help you think more like a cat so that you can better understand and appreciate the need to knead, the attraction to water faucets, the zest for catnip, and more.
Perplexed by Tail-chasing Cat
Q My cat, Peanut, an eight-year-old domestic long-hair, has what seem like major arguments with her tail. She growls and hisses at it, sometimes bites it, and occasionally runs in circles after it. She also has been grooming herself to the point that she has bald spots on her coat. If I intervene and pick her up, she gets agitated, wiggles out of my arms, and flees to another room. Do you have any ideas as to what may be causing this? What can I do to stop Peanuts from bothering her tail and pulling out hair?
A Tail chasing may result from physical problems causing pain or discomfort in the tail area or it, more rarely, can be a behavioral problem (and yes, a weird one at that). In either case, this is a problem that requires professional intervention. Book an appointment with your veterinarian to rule out any possible injury to the tail, infection in the anal sac area, spinal cord problem, or neurological disease before regarding this as a behavior problem.
From your description, Peanuts may be suffering from feline hyperesthesia. According to Alice Moon-Fanelli, a certified-applied animal behaviorist, this complicated condition includes some compulsive and neurological behaviors. Typically, a cat with this condition will display dilated pupils, excessive skin rippling, and frenetic self-directed grooming that results in hair loss. The cat often targets the tail and flank area with this over-the-top grooming. Some cats become vocal and aggressive and may appear to hallucinate by acting afraid of their tail, sporting an excited, manic look, and fleeing the room. These cats are extremely sensitive to touch when they are experiencing these symptoms and may lash out at people trying to restrain them.
For unknown reasons, feline hyperesthesia episodes tend to occur more often in the early morning or in the evening. Aggressive behavior may appear spontaneously and for no seemingly apparent reason. Following an episode, the poor cat will appear confused.
Initially, some owners regard such behaviors displayed by their cats as cute or eye-catching. But when the problem starts to occur more frequently and for longer duration, it becomes a cause for real concern. Work with your veterinarian or behaviorist to pinpoint the situation that may have triggered Peanut’s tail chasing.
Earlobe Lover
Q I have had Smokey, a two-year-old cat, since he was seven weeks old. He is very affectionate, but sometimes he insists on climbing up on me and licking my earlobes. He will even wrap his paws around my neck to get a better grip and then use his rough tongue on my earlobes — it hurts! I like cuddling with him, but I have to push him off me to make him quit. Why does he do this and what can I do to make him stop?
A Seven weeks is very young to be separated from the mother cat, so it might be that Smokey’s behavior stems from being weaned too early. Whatever the reason, Smokey is grooming you. Keep in mind that mutual grooming is a normal behavior among feline friends. It doesn’t matter if it is cat to cat, cat to dog, or in your case, cat to favorite person. Smokey adores you to the point of performing this obnoxious action. This earlobe fetish may also provide Smokey with a calming outlet.
You did not mention how long Smokey has gotten away with licking your earlobes. A lot of undesirable feline habits start in kittenhood. And a lot