The Cat Behavior Answer Book - Arden Moore [88]
Siamese and the Oriental breeds are easily distracted. They react to the teaser and can run fast, but may wander off and sit. They are simply not motivated to finish anything in a particular hurry. Cornish Rex cats also tend to be flighty and inconsistent but can be fast when they choose to be.
Persian kittens are amusing to watch in the agility ring. Typically unafraid and rarely distracted, they concentrate intently on the lure, go through the tunnel, and jump over hurdles. Adult Persians, though, are not as fast as other breeds. They may pose at the top of the stairs, allowing all to see their beauty.
Contributed by Joan Miller, all-breed judge
FELINE FIRST MATES
Cats can make ideal companions for those who live on boats. The best seafaring cats have short hair (easier to keep clean in the salt air) and claws (to be able to climb up a rope ladder in case of falling off the boat). They need to be comfortable traveling in carriers and have easygoing personalities. They also need to be leash trained and to readily accept wearing a harness.
On the Road
Q My husband is completing his medical internship in Boston. When he finishes, we plan to travel by car across the country to live in Seattle. I’m worried about how my cat, Lucy, will handle the long ride. She loves to chat and demands our attention when we’re home. She has ridden in the car inside her carrier to the veterinary clinic and other local trips. Sometimes she meows and other times she is quiet. The thought of spending so many days in a car with Lucy makes me nervous, but we want to see a bit of the country. Any advice?
A A cross-country road trip with a cat will definitely test your patience. If all goes well, however, Lucy could become the poster cat for AAA by the time you reach Seattle.
I know what you are going through, having transported two cats by car from south Florida to eastern Pennsylvania several years ago. Little Guy and Callie rode in separate carriers in the back, with each carrier secured in place with a seat belt. Callie acted like a feline mime, but Little Guy began the journey howling like a singer trying to set a world’s record for belting out tunes. My ears! By day two, I wised up and gave Little Guy some Rescue Remedy, a natural blend of essential oils that calmed him down to the point that he only released sporadic mews for the rest of the ride.
Let’s look at this trip from Lucy’s point of view. A car ride is full of scary or unfamiliar sounds like honking, hissing from the air conditioner or heater, and a blaring stereo. Cooped up inside a carrier, which is the safest way to ride, she has no clue whether she is coming or going — she can’t look out the window, and she certainly doesn’t know how to read a road map. The vibration from the road and the swaying of the vehicle is unsettling and might even make her ill. At night, she’ll be carted into yet another unfamiliar hotel room and expected to settle down and go to sleep.
Then there is the issue of bathroom breaks. I fitted each of my cat carriers with a mini litter box. They relied on their balance and agility to use them, even at 65 miles per hour or on a curvy road.
It’s good that Lucy has made some trips with you in which the final destination was not the veterinary clinic. She needs to develop some positive associations with being placed in a carrier inside your car. I encourage you to continue taking these fun getaway trips with her to build up her “mileage” of enjoyable travels.
Please do not be tempted to coddle Lucy by taking her out of her carrier and letting her sit on your lap during the trip. The best place for a cat to ride in a moving vehicle is inside a carrier. When cats become scared, their first thought is to seek a place to hide — like underneath the brake pedal or car seats. That spells d-a-n-g-e-r!
Don’t be too alarmed if Lucy doesn’t eliminate or eat until you reach your hotel each night. Once she calms down from the ride, she will be more inclined to use the litter box, eat, and drink.
Do not leave Lucy in the car