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About The nugget. (Sisters, Or.) 1994-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 2015)
30 Wednesday, August 5, 2015 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon Paw Prints Jodi Schneider McNamee Columnist unraveling the mysterious behavior of felines Cats are the world’s most popular pets, outnumbering dogs by as many as three to one according to the Humane Society of the United States. This popularity can be attributed to the fact that cats are affectionate and pretty self-reliant. Many people still con- sider felines a mystery. To others, understanding a cat is simply a matter of paying attention, watching her body language and responding accordingly. As you already know, communication is the key to a healthy relationship. For first-time cat pet par- ents, understanding your kitty’s needs may seem as puzzling as the Great Sphinx. Cats lack the facial expres- siveness of dogs, they’re generally quieter, and their behaviors can be harder to interpret. Cats and humans go back a long way, and accord- ing to cat behaviorist John Bradshaw, director of the Anthrozoology Institute at the University Of Bristol School Of Clinical Veterinary Science in Britain, DNA evi- dence identifies the pet cat’s ancestor as the Arabian wild- cat Felissilvestris lybica and places its origins between 10,000 and 15,000 years ago in the Middle East. It is likely that the first people to tame wildcats were the Natufians, who inhab- ited the Levant, a region in the Eastern Mediterranean where Lebanon now lies, from 13,000 to 10,000 years ago and are widely regarded as the inventors of agricul- ture. People who harvest grain usually end up with a pest: a grain-loving mouse. The Natufians most probably encouraged the wildcats to hang around. So they were able to adapt to a human environment while retaining their essential wildness. Cats’ appealing features, like soft fur and the ability to become affectionate toward humans, led them to domes- tication, but with three paws still firmly planted in the wild. In contrast to almost every other domestic animal, cats retain remarkable con- trol over their own lives. Cats can be very affec- tionate, but they are choosy. This stems from their evo- lutionary past: Wildcats are largely solitary and regard most other cats as rivals. However, domestication forced the cat into becom- ing more of a social creature forming bonds with people Superior Escrow Execution Ultimate Service photo by JoDi sChneiDer mCnamee good communication may show your cat actually does care about you. Maybe. and other cats, although retaining much of their inde- pendent nature. At the earliest stages of domestication, cats needed humans to protect and feed them when mice were in short supply. The cats that thrived were those that were able to reward people with their company; yet cats are not born attached to people. If you’ve been a pet par- ent to a cat, you know how special these animals are and how well they bond with people, but they don’t like just anyone and everyone. Usually they choose one per- son to bond with. Whether you have a chatty catty or a strong, silent type, learning to decipher your cat’s signals will lead to a much better understand- ing of Kitty’s emotions and needs. Start by paying atten- tion to her vocalizations, body postures and daily routines. Here are a few examples of cat vocalizations and body language explained: • If Kitty is growling, hissing, and spitting that she’s annoyed — but it can also mean that she is in a defense mode and very frightened or in pain. • If your feline is healthy, most likely when she is purr- ing it means she really enjoys your company; it is a display of affection. And if Kitty starts licking or grooming you, that is an added bonus display of affection! • Watching the position of your cat’s tail is a great way to decipher how a cat is feeling. According to certified cat behaviorist consultant Marilyn Krieger, when your feline friend’s tail is up, it is a sign of a happy, cheerful cat that is most likely approach- able. If you see your cat’s tail down, it may indicate that she is scared or threatened. Award-Winning Home Builder & Renovator And unlike a dog, when you see your cat wagging her tail, watch out because she is agitated and should be left alone. • If you notice your cat slowly blinking her eyes while you are petting her or just near her, it indicates that your feline friend feels safe, comfortable, and trusts you. Whether your cat talks all day or is a feline of few words, becoming more in tune with Kitty can enhance your relationship with her and give you a glimpse of life from another perspective. 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