The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [59]
As for Chandler, it doesn’t look like he has a future as a tightrope walker for Barnum & Bailey Circus. When cats get caught doing something that startles or surprises them, they instinctively turn to grooming as a way to calm down, collect their thoughts, and restore dignity. It is as if they are saying, “What? I fell? Surely you jest. Why, I’m just making myself look marvelous.”
Even though it is hard to resist laughing and pointing at Chandler, try to stifle your giggles. Instead, be his pal by calmly calling him over for a head scratch or a little treat. He will appreciate your gesture.
Groomer to the Rescue
Q My cat Zeus is 18 years old. I’ve had him since he was a kitten. He is a brown-striped tabby with short hair. I’ve never really thought much about his coat because he seems to keep it clean and tidy. But lately, I’ve noticed that my other cat, Venus, who is six, has begun to groom Zeus. She licks his head, inside his ears, and even the base of his tail. I thought cats were solitary creatures. Can you explain why Venus is grooming Zeus?
A Contrary to the popular but misguided notion that cats are loners, they frequently form close social bonds. Zeus and Venus share the same home, the same owner. They are part of a harmonious colony. Touch is an important way in which they communicate with one another.
Venus is displaying her affection for her senior friend in the best way she knows how — by assisting him in keeping his coat clean and healthy. In my home, Callie and Murphy do the same for Little Guy (aka Dude), my 19-year-old tabby. Little Guy is not as agile as he was in his youth, and the two younger cats seem to recognize that he is stiffer. So they team up to keep his hard-to-reach areas in tip-top shape. He doesn’t protest a bit.
Cats who spend a lot of time together, especially indoor cats who get along, will often engage in this type of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” activity. It solidifies their social bond. This social grooming, known as allog-rooming, is common in more than 40 species of animals, including rats, deer, dogs, monkeys, and cattle. In addition to the social aspect, these animals groom one another to treat wounds, tame tensions, and oust bugs such as fleas.
Even though it is sweet that Venus is tending to the grooming needs of Zeus, I urge you to keep tabs on him. If Zeus is not grooming himself at all any more, he may be coping with a medical condition that needs attention. Without Venus stepping in to assist, there is a good chance that Zeus’ coat would become dry, dull, and full of dandruff.
MAT ATTACK!
Conquer mats in longhaired coats by using a wide-toothed comb. Start by carefully pulling apart the mat with your fingers or a mat-splitter as much as you can. Holding the mat at the base, gently but firmly work out the mess by starting at the tip and working in toward the base with the comb. Using scissors sounds like a quick solution, but I advise against it because you risk accidentally cutting your cat’s skin. For any mats you cannot comb out on your own, please seek help from a professional cat groomer.
Create a Glamour Puss
Q Our family recently acquired a lovely new cat named Princess, who has beautiful, long, gray fur. I love the longhaired look, but her coat tangles easily and she has several mats on her flanks and belly. I had been assuming that she would groom herself, but I now realize I need to help. I tried to comb her a few times, but I must have tugged too much and she hissed. Now when I approach her with a brush and comb in hand, she glares, runs, and hides. What can I do to make grooming time a more pleasant experience?
A Cats usually do a good job of grooming themselves, but they can all benefit from the assistance of a person with a brush. Longhaired cats and cats with very fine, fluffy