E S S E N T I A L C AT T I T U D E

an insight into the feline world

 Joan Judd loved cats from childhood. Her interest developed further when
she became the owner of two Siamese cats. Unable to find answers to a vast array
of cat health problems, she set out to provide cat lovers with information based on
proven facts. In 1958 she founded the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) and the
rest is history. Her determination to generate and disseminate high quality
scientific information to anyone involved with cats, be they vet or owner, has
touched and improved the lives of millions of cats worldwide. FAB is still a unique
organisation and for 50 years has led the field of knowledge about our cats and
what makes them tick.
 Top row from left:

Jon Bowen

THE FAB FELINE BEHAVIOUR EXPERT PANEL Robert Falconer-Taylor

Vicky Halls

Sarah Heath

Kim Horsford

Bottom row from left:

Jenna Kiddie

Daniel Mills

Peter Neville

Francesca Riccomini

Roger Tabor
Edited by Claire Bessant CONTENTS

The words and the pictures 1

What is a pet cat? 5

Claire Bessant is Chief Executive of the Feline A hunter 6

Advisory Bureau and took the picture of ‘Mugi An obligate carnivore 9
and the rose’ on the cover. Mugi is her rescued Territorial 11
oriental tabby and the rose is the new rose Agile 13
(FAB at 50) named after the charity for its Scent sensitive 14
golden anniversary. Self-reliant 16
Highly aware 19
Our thanks to Petplan, our sponsors for our
Emotional 21
golden anniversary, and to MJL Advertising for
Adaptable 23
their generous help with this project and
throughout the year.
Nine views 25
We are also grateful to Boehringer Ingelheim The cat 4 U 27
for sponsoring this book. I want to be alone 35
Through the cat flap 38
When is a cat grown up? 44
Where’s the loo? 47
Food and water from a feline point of view 51
The art of being in charge 54
Can cats be happy indoors? 59
Growing old gracefully 62
Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica is delighted
to be working closely with the Feline
The Society of Feline Artists 67
Advisory Bureau and shares a longstanding
commitment to animal welfare and Help for feline behaviour problems 67
well-being. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica
wishes FAB a very happy 50th birthday! Feline Advisory Bureau 68
THE WORDS . . . In 2006 the Feline Advisory Bureau brought together a group of
feline behaviourists (see earlier for a list of the panel members) to begin to look at issues of
feline behaviour which affect our everyday lives with our cats. Inevitably, as
behaviourists, they are asked to deal with situations where the behaviour of cats may
not fit comfortably with the desires of their owners – where the cat’s natural responses
and reactions to the situations in which they find themselves are not acceptable to that
particular owner. In dealing with situations from the bizarre to the repetitive,
behaviourists have had to think about how cats learn and react, why cats do what they
do and how we influence that. FAB wanted to begin to gauge what the problems were
and what information might enable owners to prevent or overcome such problems.

It very quickly became obvious that, for cats, problems often arise because we, as
owners, do not understand what their natural drives and reactions are, what kind of
environment they prefer to occupy, the companions they keep (or don’t keep) or how
simple things like how we feed them or provide litter trays can make a big difference to
their lives. It is usually not complex psychology but relates to simple needs.The cat is a
successful pet because it is highly adaptable in how it slots into our lives. In living
closely with people, that adaptability can sometimes be challenged to the full and
occasionally the cat naturally turns to behaviours which may be at odds with living
densely with other cats or with people. Occasionally the cat has no natural way to
adapt to the circumstances we place it in.

1
 Understanding just what these circumstances are and just what a cat can and cannot
cope with would help enormously in expectations of our relationship with our cats.
The chapters in this book are written with this in mind – understand where the cat is
coming from and how it is likely to react and you have a much better idea of how to
make it relaxed and less likely to resort to ‘problem’ behaviours. Knowing what we
want when acquiring a cat, understanding how it develops and crucial times in its life,
being sensitive to the basics of feeding and keeping clean beyond the actual food or
litter, having a feel for whether cats need companions or somewhere to get away,
and realising the pressures of living indoors or the challenges faced outdoors will make
us much better owners. In living closer to and with more cats we need to push forward
the boundaries of our understanding – there are some new thoughts in the
pages of this book.

. . . AND THE PICTURES We often say that there are two kinds of people –
those who love cats and those who do not.We asked a series of cat lovers in the public
eye to draw or illustrate their cat and to tell us why they like cats, or even a certain
special cat.We also asked a group of talented self-confessed feline enthusiasts –
members of the Society of Feline Artists (SOFA) – to illustrate their favourite cats and
they very kindly sent us some FABulous pictures.

We have pulled all of this enthusiasm together as ‘Essential Cattitude – an insight

into the feline world’.

2
WILLIAM POUNCING BY CELIA HADDON
 THE behaviour group’s first thoughts turned to actually
defining what a cat is and, true to tradition, came up with
nine points! The question was ‘what is a pet cat?’ but just
as ‘domestication’ is a moot point when it comes to cats,
the cat which makes such a good pet is the same as the
cat which can also live a feral or wild existence with little
or no contact with man at all.

So, when you look at the little bundle of cute fur curled
up on the end of the bed that then so charmingly pats
you awake just before dawn to get breakfast, remember
that this is what your cat really is...

WHAT IS A PET CAT?

‘Fat Ada turned up with her

kitten in the garden shed of my
London house. I moved her and
the kitten into the kitchen and
found a home for the kitten.
As Ada stayed, my husband
said ‘Either I go or the cat
does’. I swore I would find a
home for her and week after
week went by. I wasn’t looking,
of course. Finally, without him
really realising it, we had a
cat. First I liked having a cat,
then I loved having a cat,
then I couldn’t think of not
having a cat. I was hooked.’

Celia Haddon, journalist

5
 A HUNTER
THE cat looks and behaves as it does because it has evolved physically and behaviourally
to be a specialist hunter, motivated and driven by the sight and sound of prey, and is a
top of the food chain predator. In order to be a successful hunter the cat’s natural
rhythms will fit the time when its main prey of small creatures are active and vulnerable
– usually at dawn and dusk.

What does this mean for owners?

Cats come fully armed with claws they need to keep sharp.
They are likely to be physically active and attracted to movement.
They can be especially active at dawn and dusk and during the spring/summer.
They are likely to bring prey indoors. Hunting behaviour probably peaks when cats are
between one and three years old.After that it may decline as cats prefer sitting in the warm!
Cats need the space and opportunity to give the strong motivations for this
behaviour an outlet.
Some cats will wander beyond their gardens in search of hunting grounds;
others may disappear for long periods during peak hunting seasons.

Image by Jane Burton – cat photographer extraordinaire who sadly

passed away at the end of 2007. Jane was a great friend to FAB over the
years – her cat Cynthia is FAB’s logo cat. Jane had a love of animals
that was in no way sentimental. She knew the requirements of each
animal in her care and made sure their needs were met. She had a deep
understanding and knowledge of animals and was always ready to share
her knowledge with other people. For a number of years, she selectively
bred cats to produce a succession of beautiful kittens. Many of these are
now distributed in homes around the country, and have grown into dearly
loved – and much admired – cats.

6
ZORRO HUNTING BY JANE BURTON OF WARREN PHOTOGRAPHIC
SAKKI BY MARIAN FORSTER
AN OBLIGATE CARNIVORE
THE cat has been such a successful hunter that it does not need to revert to vegetable matter to bolster its diet.
A cat is an obligate carnivore and cannot survive or thrive without nutritional components found in meat such
as taurine.

What does this mean for owners?

Cats cannot be vegetarians.

Cats lack some metabolic pathways which process certain drugs.This means that many compounds suitable
for people or dogs may be toxic to cats. Plants not toxic to other animals may be toxic to cats – such as
members of the lily family. Indoor cats and young kittens may sample indoor flowers or plants out of curiosity
or boredom or because they have not been given access to suitable plant material, such as grass, to chew.

‘Sakki was an expert hunter, fisherman and accomplished thief, but often preferred the easy pickings
of neighbouring racing pigeons and Koi carp! Over the years he also brought Sunday joints, and bags of
defrosting meat, including a frozen chicken. Caught one day by the postman dragging a plastic bag
containing a pound and a half of stewing steak out of the neighbour’s house, we sheepishly returned it
to the elderly couple who apologised for leaving it out on the kitchen table!’

Marian Forster, member of SOFA

9
 TERRITORIAL ‘Cats have a superior
intelligence and independent
TERRITORY is the space that a cat would normally defend and which envelops the attitude which delights me.
I prefer the affectionate ones
resources the cat needs to survive, thrive and carry out its normal behavioural repertoire. who purr and clearly adore me,
but I’ve had a few complicated
What does this mean for owners? cats who lie, betray and irritate
me and yet have had complete
Territory is extremely important to cats and they will want to defend it.
power over me.
Cats are often more attached to their territory than to their owners! A friend’s cat used to growl and
refuse people exit from her
Don’t expect cats to get on with other cats in the same house or neighbouring houses. house – more terrifying than a
crocodile.
Cats may feel threatened, fight, or try to hide because of threats to territory. And she would lie centrally on
her bed, taking up all the space
If we limit the cat’s territory we need to ensure that what we provide instead is and clearly did not want to
interesting and stimulating. share any comfort areas.
A splendid, focused selfishness,
Cats don’t enjoy being taken off territory, so when it is necessary owners need to be a cat who wanted life to be led
sensitive to their needs – for example choosing a good cattery or vet who understands on her terms. No wonder the
Egyptians worshipped cats.
cats’ needs and fears.
I have to have them in my life
Cats will use a range of methods to mark their territory, for example, rubbing, and I always will.’
scratching or spraying urine.
MIRIAM MARGOLYES PICTURE BY TOM BOULTING

Miriam Margolyes, actress

11
FREDDIE LEAPING BY JANE BURTON
AGILE
THE cat’s unique combination of balance, coordination, flexibility and strength enables it
to explore and exploit its three dimensional environment, to hunt silently and to get
itself out of trouble. It also allows the cat to maintain its coat in perfect condition with
flexibility to groom itself frequently and efficiently. Cats are sprinters, not marathon
runners – short bursts of activity suit them best.

What does this mean for owners?

Cats will use all dimensions in the house, so provision of the opportunity to climb is
equally important to cats as their floor space.
Cats often get into unusual and inaccessible places!
Owners need to provide opportunities to maintain the cat’s fitness and suppleness with
exercise – this should incorporate vertical as well as horizontal space.
Cats often have a ‘mad half hour’ of intense activity.

13
SCENT SENSITIVE
 THE cat is highly sensitive to odours which we are totally unaware of. Cats use scent
and their acute sense of smell as a private means of communication with each other and
to define their territory – usually to keep other cats at a distance (except when looking
for mates or scent marking members of their feline group). Cats use scents derived from
glands over the face and body, and also use urine and even faeces in different circumstances.

What does this mean for owners?

Be aware that changes to the comfortable and reassuring scent profile of the cat’s home
can be very upsetting, for example, household cleaners and deodorisers, new furniture,
visiting people or dogs, other cats coming in through the cat flap, decorating etc.
Cats will leave scent messages for self assurance.When they are relaxed they mark with
face glands and if they feel insecure in their homes may resort to using stronger signals
such as urine spraying.
DERMOT MURNAGHAN PICTURE BY JACKIE DI STEFANO LOLA BY ALICE MURNAGHAN

‘I am really a cat owner by

proxy. Lola (a nine month old
rescue kitten) is loved by all
four of my children but she is
eight year old Alice’s special
responsibility and friend.’

Dermot Murnaghan,
broadcaster and presenter

15
 SELF - RELIANT
THE cat does not have to have others of its own kind around – the cat can hunt for
itself, find its own den and defend its own territory. It can keep itself clean, its claws
sharp and protect itself by being highly aware of its surroundings and using its agility,
speed and strength to get itself out of trouble. If it feels escape is not an option, it will
use its hunting weapons to defend itself.When it does have to meet other cats for
reproductive purposes it is fertile and has good mothering instincts. Cats have no
biological requirement for companionship like dogs (and humans) – they are happy on
their own. Cats do not form structured packs like dogs and there is no dominance
hierarchy among a group of cats.

What does this mean for owners?

Cats may choose not to be dependent and interactive with people.

Cats may not want a ‘friend’ – they are often content to live alone. Sharing territory
with another cat can actually be stressful.
The need to keep themselves clean and ready to hunt is very strong.
If a territory is not providing what is necessary, a cat may move on to another.
Cats will run away and hide if they feel they are in danger.
Cats are driven to keep their coats in tip top condition; this may mean that they groom
off poisonous substances which they would normally avoid.
Cats are excellent at hiding signs of illness or pain – they tend to stay still and quiet so as
not to attract attention.This is one of the reasons we find it hard to notice when they
are ill or to notice and monitor pain.

‘Here is my cat Fusker, hiding in the bushes outside my front door

and wearing the expression of pure hatred he reserves for my arrival.’

James May, journalist and presenter

16
FUSKER BY JAMES MAY
 HIGHLY AWARE
BEING a lone hunter, the cat needs a highly specialised system which allows it to react
very quickly and successfully to food opportunities and to successfully avoid danger
(perhaps this is where the concept of cats having nine lives is rooted). Being a small
creature without a pack or group to help protect it or simply alert it to dangers, the cat
also has to be highly reactive. It also needs to be aware of signs (usually scent) left by its
own kind.While it may sleep for two thirds of the day, when it is awake it is highly
aware of its environment.

What does this mean for owners?

Cats can be stressed by sights, sounds and smells in our everyday life, especially if new or
sudden, and often things we are unaware of.
Cats may react quickly if disturbed or frightened.

‘Cats are such elegant,

mysterious creatures. They lead
lives which are parallel to ours.
They keep their own counsel.
They watch us, but they don’t
condone us. I think that a cat
ALEXANDER McCALL SMITH PICTURE BY GRAHAM CLARK

completes a home. It provides a

constant presence down at ankle
level. Cats are completely
necessary.’

Alexander McCall Smith, author

19
BRIGHT EYES BY JACQUELINE A GAYLARD
EMOTIONAL
WE may not think of the cat as an emotional creature
because it does not have the facial dexterity which
species such as ourselves, apes or dogs have to convey
how we are feeling. However, just like us, in order to
survive the cat must feel fear, pleasure and frustration, in
order to learn about the quality of its environment and
how to behave, and integrate what it learns into tactics
for survival. A cat’s natural response to threat is to run
away and hide.

What does this mean for owners?

Like all mammals, cats are fast learners.

Emotions and behaviour can change very quickly.
Routine and predictability in a cat’s life reduces stress and
improves the cat’s quality of life.
Changes in routine behaviour (such as sleeping more or
avoiding contact) can occur because of emotional change
or may indicate health problems.

‘Chintz is my 11-year-old cat who inspires me everyday with her

infinite supply of poses. Cats have tremendous therapeutic qualities –
following major surgery on my spine I have really appreciated the
attention Chintz has given me. She has the knack of knowing when
I need a warm, fluffy friend, rhythmically purring by my side, exuding
charm that is soothing and relaxing. I begin every painting with the
cat’s eyes, aiming to project the personality from the very outset.
I trained as a graphic artist but have always been intrigued by cats.’

Jacqueline Gaylard, member of SOFA

21
USELESS BY STEVE LEONARD
ADAPTABLE
THE cat can survive and thrive in a wide range of environmental and social
circumstances. It can live in related groups (where it chooses its own companions) where
food and shelter is abundant. It has adapted to cope with the high densities of cats we
have in our homes and gardens. It has adapted to a lifestyle not necessarily active at dawn
and dusk but to the activity patterns and availability of food when owners are home, and
to a wide range of ‘companions’ from people to dogs and other animals.

What does this mean for owners?

Cats fit into a wide range of lifestyles with us – indeed they often appear to cope very
well. Sometimes, however, we push them too far and they don’t cope any longer and
that is when problems occur. ‘OK, I admit I was really a dog
person growing up and when I
came to get a pet I ‘settled’ for
a cat, or three cats as it turned
out, because they fitted into my
lifestyle. What these three cats
taught me is that cats have as
much personality as dogs.
You only need to meet two cats
before you realise this. They are
all different. They love different
things and interact in infinitely
varied ways with their owners
and visitors. I have taken to
looking at Useless and thinking
I have been so lucky with her.
She has been such a fantastic
companion, yet living her own
life during the day. With a cat
you get home and you ask your
cat how their day was. I love her.’

Steve Leonard, vet and presenter

23
GINGER BY PAUL DYSON
NINE VIEWS
WHEN they live very independent lives alongside us with space and opportunity to just
be cats, ‘behaviour problems’ are seldom seen in our felines. However, we are living more
closely with our cats and controlling their lives more; we are expecting them to be
happy to live with lots of other cats in the house or in areas where there is a high
density of cats outside; we are even looking to them to solve our own emotional
problems. Bless them, cats are very adaptable, but we can expect too much.When cats
are stressed they may exhibit a range of behaviours, such as urine spraying or soiling
indoors, fearfulness or occasionally even aggression, which are all part of their natural
repertoire, but do not fit in with our expectations of them as pets in our homes.
Thankfully there are now feline behaviourists (see contact list on page 67) who can help
us to understand life from the cat’s perspective and put things in place to help restore
the situation or even just help us to improve how we live with them.

So, having tried to capture the essence of the cat, the behaviour group then identified
nine key issues which, if we understood them better, would help to make us more
empathetic owners in tune with our cats, understanding life from a feline rather than ‘Cats, whether domestic or wild,
human perspective. have a unique way about them,
an independence and grace that
appeals to me. My inspiration
for painting big cats is greatly
helped by studying the behaviour
of my own cats – just to look
closely at a paw or run my
fingers through their fur helps
me to understand the texture,
shapes and dimensions of the
animal. My cats Harry, Chip,
William, Pie and Pemba have
enabled me to breathe life into
my paintings.’

Paul Dyson, member of SOFA

25
THE REVEREND WENCESLAS MUFF BY MARTIN LEMAN
THE CAT 4 U
RELATIONSHIPS are tricky, and those between cats and humans can be especially so!
But, although there’s no guarantee, initially weighing all relevant factors, and
choosing carefully go a long way towards ensuring success. Failure of this particular
relationship can result in feline health and behaviour problems, compromised welfare,
and sometimes even complete rupture of the bond between owner and cat.

So, thinking with heads not hearts, what must we consider? Examine your
circumstances. It’s a myth that because domestic felines are diminutive creatures they
don’t need plenty of room. For a species that likes to eat well away from its loo, to
change favoured resting places on a regular basis, and to hide in a variety of different
locations when unnerving things happen, lack of space can make the difference between
happiness and misery.This is especially, but not solely, important for any cat destined to
live indoors or with other cats, no matter how well bonded they may be.These needs
will be magnified if the individual’s characteristics make it unusually sensitive to changes,
small or significant, in the physical environment, or composition of its social group.
In fact, the more individuals, two and four legged, with whom any cat shares a home,
the more privacy and space are necessary to ensure emotional wellbeing. ‘Cats instinctively come to me
as their long lost friend. I’ve
Then, of course, the environment, inside and outside the home (if there’s access to had a succession of great cats
in my life, the Lady Torte de
outdoors), must contain the resources required for each pet to indulge all its natural
Shell, the Revd Wenceslas Muff,
species’ needs.This is something that’s often overlooked, especially in multi-cat William Larkin, Sans Souci and
households. So even for a singleton, a variety of beds, litter trays, feeding stations, activity now Lettice, Lady Laskett and
Perkins, all far more important
centres, scratching posts, additional suitable hiding places, and ‘water holes’ need to be
to me than many of my friends.
accommodated from the feline point of view, not the perspective of human convenience. Each one, when the time comes,
This becomes a particularly important issue in confined cats, who are totally dependent is honoured with a specially
upon us providing them with opportunities to run, jump, chase, stretch, climb, hide and commissioned headstone.
These beloved creatures remain
so on, in addition to the basic requirements of food, company and fun. If for whatever as vivid in my memory as they
reason these can’t be provided, acquiring a cat at all is highly questionable, and more were when living’.
than one is simply not on – see ideas for keeping indoor cats happy on page 59. Sir Roy Strong
But it’s not just physical factors that matter. How much owners are around to interact
with, and care for, the cat is important. Some types of pet – the bright, reactive, emotional
and easily bored breeds like Siamese for instance – or certain age groups, principally
youngsters and senior pets, require a much greater input in terms of time than more
mature, self contained individuals, and they may have increased veterinary requirements.
Long haired cats are only really suitable for people who not only have adequate time to
set aside each day for the task, but the temperament to persist with life-long regular
grooming – a less than enthralling occupation!
27
 Then finance rears its ugly head, as potential illness - dogs, is that we think we will be able to shape the way a
related expenses as well as routine veterinary care must be kitten grows up so that we end up with exactly the kind
accounted for, with contingency funds available for of cat we want. All those niggling little problems we have
accidents and emergencies (insurance is a great idea!). heard about, like furniture scratching and indoor
And all this is before the actual breed, sex, age, or source marking, will be avoided, and we will have a perfectly
of the pet, or pets, even begins to be considered! sociable and confident adult cat.

So what about the cat? We all tend to have particular Sadly, the truth is somewhat different! While there is a
favourites, a breed say, or an especially appealing colour. definite benefit from training and teaching young kittens
Some people prefer kittens, some always have mature yourself, there is only so much that can be achieved because
‘rescue’ cats, while others enjoy co-habiting with cats are highly independent and tend to develop their
numerous animals rather than a lone feline. But whatever own routines and preferences regardless of what we do.
the preference, it’s important to remember that each cat is
Kittens start their lives with a genetic inheritance that
an individual. Despite inheriting genetic material
comes from their parents.The genes each kitten is born
from both parents, which will undoubtedly with will help to determine how large it will grow, the
influence such characteristics as sociability and colour of its coat and, at least in part, what kind of
boldness or timidity, he or she will be unique! personality it will have as an adult. So a kitten that is
So whilst we now recognise different breeds have born to nervous or shy parents may appear confident and
distinct personalities, it’s a mistake to assume that sociable at first, but it is more likely to grow up to possess
acquiring a specific breed means the cat that lives the same traits.The other major factor that shapes
with us will perfectly fit with its type’s description, personality is early experience. From the third to the
or that the current moggie will be a replica of a seventh week of life kittens learn a great deal about the
feline we previously loved and lost. world they have been born into. If a kitten is reared as
It’s a wise owner therefore who researches ahead to be part of a family home with lots of activity, people and
other animals it is likely to understand and feel
sure of acquiring a feline companion with a
comfortable with this kind of environment. All these
complementary not contradictory temperament to his or
factors mean that it may be a year or more before you
her own, but then understands that family characteristics,
discover your cat’s true personality.
and the unique essence that makes an individual different
from any other, no matter how closely related, will combine The advantage of an adult cat is that you can see what
to influence the personality of the cat that comes to stay. you are getting, more or less. Even from 12 months of
age most cats’ adult personality traits will be fairly clear.
Whether to choose a kitten or an adult cat is a dilemma
Even on a first meeting with the cat you can get a pretty
faced by every potential cat owner.There are thousands
good impression of what it is like, although as a rescue
of adult cats in rescue centres waiting for a new home –
centre is not a natural environment, cats may change as
why do people tend to prefer to start with a kitten (apart
they settle into their new home too. So a visit to a rescue
from the cute factor)?
centre can be a good way to find the type of cat that is
One reason, which probably stems from our beliefs about perfect for you.
28
 Being more independent and self-reliant than dogs, adult
cats tend to cope well with re-homing as long as the
home environment is right for them. Cats are rarely
aggressive towards people and tend not to become over-
attached so taking on an adult cat is relatively
straightforward.

With a typical lifespan of about 14 years, kittenhood

really is a very brief period in the cat’s life. Although it’s
a special time, and full of amusement, most cat owners
would admit that the relationship with their cat only got
interesting when their pet grew up a bit. Cats tend to
remain playful throughout their lives, so no cat is dull,
but it is true that some enjoy play more than others.
Once again, it is a question of picking the right cat for
you – it may be waiting for you at your local rescue centre.

So choice is very important as is understanding what you

can and can’t control or change. And nowhere is this
more important than when it comes to the multi-cat
home. Not only should we choose with care the
individuals we expect to live together, but we need to be
aware that even siblings raised together, the ideal choice it
seems, are likely to become more independent from each
other as they mature. ‘Throwing together’ as adults a
group of felines from different genetic stock and
dissimilar backgrounds is a recipe for overt, or subtle and
frequently unrecognised, stress, the development of
problem behaviours, and is as unwise as it is unfair.

So the upshot is – get it wrong and everyone, especially

the cat or cats, can suffer; but consider carefully, research
options, have realistic expectations, make sensible not
emotional choices and the chances are you’ll end up with
the right cat for you, and everyone will enjoy a long and
happy relationship!

Janet Pidoux produces fine and detailed work that is unusual in a

medium such as pastel. She is known for her animal paintings which
often feature her own cats. Janet is a member of SOFA
30
JACK BY JANET PIDOUX
32
HONEY BY LESLEY FOTHERBY
‘Honey is a tortoiseshell Burmese and one of our three cats. We have shared our home with Burmese cats
for over 25 years and find them delightful and exuberant companions as well as being very beautiful.
This picture illustrates one of the things that most fascinates me about portraying cats, which is the way
they move. I paint a variety of subjects, including dancers and musicians, there is much similarity in
portraying a dancer moving across a stage and the fluidity of a cat playing.’

Lesley Fotherby, artist

33
NEWBY BY ELIZABETH EMANUEL
I WANT TO BE ALONE
AS a social species ourselves, we have empathy for people in situations where we feel
they are suffering because they are lonely. We understand the relief which comes from
sharing a problem or the joy of sharing an achievement or emotion. We automatically
think that animals are the same and that they need a ‘friend’. However sometimes
our assumptions are based on poor understanding of how other species live. Do our
pet cats want/need company?

Are cats social or solitary?

Although the domestic cat evolved from the African wildcat, a largely solitary and
therefore territorial species, it has evolved the ability to live in social groups, but only in
specific circumstances. ‘Natural’ groups of cats, as found in feral or farm colonies, are
very friendly, cooperative societies where individuals spend a lot of time rubbing and
grooming each other. By rubbing against each other the cats swap their individual scents
to produce a group scent profile; therefore the cats can recognise each member of their
social group because of how they smell.The cats do not have to compete for resources
as they still hunt independently, consequently there is very little aggression within the
group. However, if cats from outside the social group try to hunt on their territory,
colony members (usually all related females) will show extreme aggression to get rid of
these cats as they represent a threat to the group’s food and other resources. In the
domestic situation, we provide our cats with enough food, but, as we have seen, cats are
still highly motivated to protect their territory and this can include cats that live in the
same household. If two cats have not grown up together from a young age there is a
high risk that they will never accept each other as part of the same social group and will
therefore feel threatened by the other’s presence.

Do cats show their feelings?

Because African wildcats are rarely in close proximity to each other, they did not need
to develop a complex visual signalling system, like more naturally social species such as
the dog. Because our cats have only recently been domesticated, they still have this
inability to show lots of visual signals.This means that they are not particularly good at
reading each others’ moods or dealing with situations of conflict.Therefore, in the
domestic situation where they cannot easily avoid other cats they get into aggressive
encounters, or become stressed by other cats, relatively often.This lack of ability to
express subtle emotions will also affect interactions between cats and humans as owners
may not realise that their cats are unhappy in certain situations. Cats can also be divided
Elizabeth Emanuel, cat lover
into two groups – those which will express their anxiety through behaviours such as and clothes designer
35
 aggression or spraying, and those that tend to seem not to
respond. Indeed they may actually stop doing lots of things
– eating, sleeping or grooming, or even just playing.They
may appear to be less stressed but are actually struggling
hard to find ways to cope with the stressful situation.

Introducing a new cat

Many of us like owning more than one cat but realising

how stressful this can be means we need to be very careful
in how we introduce unfamiliar cats, because of the cat’s
evolutionary history.The new cat should be settled into a
room of its own with all the necessary resources like food,
water, comfortable resting areas and a litter tray. Keeping
the new cat in this room for several days will not only
allow it to settle into its new surroundings more easily but
will also give the owner the chance to introduce the scent
of the existing cat to the new cat and vice versa before
they come face to face; this is essential as scent is the
most important aspect of group recognition in cats.To do
this the owner should start by swapping over the cats’ food
bowls; this way they will associate the pleasure of eating
with the scent of the other cat.Then swap the cats’
bedding and toys.The owner can then simulate the action
of the two cats rubbing against each other and transferring
their individual scents to produce a group scent profile by
alternatively stroking each cat.The next stage is to
introduce the cats visually, but at a distance to begin with,
ears, then the cats need to be separated and the process
perhaps with each cat at opposite ends of a long corridor.
repeated again at the next meal time, but with the cats at a
Give each cat a bowl of food so that they associate the
greater distance from each other. Owners should gradually
other with positive feelings then separate them again after
increase the length of time the two cats are in visual contact
they have finished eating.This can be repeated at every
until they no longer need to be separated. Continuing to
meal time and the cats gradually left in the same room
swap scent all the way through this programme will help
for longer periods while moving the bowls closer together.
the cats identify each other as members of the same social
To increase the duration of the visual contact the owners group. Not all cats will become the best of friends after
can give each cat a fuss after they have eaten but they need following this programme but they will hopefully learn to
to ensure that the cats are enjoying themselves. If at any accept each other and not feel threatened or stressed in
point either cat looks anxious, eg, tensing or flattening each other’s presence.
36
How cats feel about people experience interactions with people during this very
important early learning period; if they do not, they are
Although some cats will never accept living with another
likely to be fearful of people as adult cats and may not
cat in the same household, most cats will enjoy human
settle in a human environment.
company. However, cats have to learn to enjoy interacting
with people at a very young age if they are to accept However, owners may not realise that their cats are only
people in later life. As has been said before, experiences tolerating other household cats or the owners themselves
that kittens have within their first two months of life are as the domestic cat does not have the ability to express a
very important in influencing their behaviour and wide range of emotions through body language like the
expectations right into adulthood. As kittens do not have more naturally social domestic dog.
an inbuilt need to be with people, they need to
37
 THROUGH THE CAT FLAP
THE cat flap is an amazing device that enabled the cat apparently to set its own
timetable and range. Modern flaps allow owners a significant degree of control, from
free access in and out, to entirely shut in, and allowed in but not out. They also come
with magnetic or electronic ‘keys’ which recognise the resident cat’s collar, but keep
others out. Until relatively recently few buildings had glass in windows so cats
travelled from the household part of their range to the outside part without
restriction. Unlike dogs on leashes, or confined behind fences, cats set their own
limits, just like their wild ancestors. True wild cats, including Scottish and European
Forest Wildcats (Felis silvestris), normally range widely, but neither they nor household
cats once through the cat flap just wander without limits. So what shapes those
limits?

We often use the term ‘territory’ quite loosely, but in behavioural terms it is the area
that a cat is prepared to defend.The territory is a bit smaller than the ‘home range’,
which is the area the cat normally uses. For most animals that is the area it needs to
support itself, so for a female wild cat it is the area it needs to hunt over to provide its
food needs. In areas where prey is abundant a wild cat does not need as big a home
range as in terrain where food is sparse.

As our household cats are fed off a plate they don’t need to hunt to survive, but they
still have a strong drive to establish territories and ranges as these are the basis of the
social structure of the cat.

In the centre of towns household cats’ territories and ranges are smaller than those in
the suburbs and much smaller than those in rural areas.While it is true there is less to
hunt in a town centre than more rustic venues, the main reason is us! Our housing is
more tightly packed in urban areas, gardens are smaller and consequently the number of
owned cats is higher.

However, although traditionally we think of the cat as ‘a loner’ social realities are still
relevant. Our cats are ‘loners’ when they do go hunting, as the ancestry of the cat family
is from an enclosed wooded landscape where solitary stealth hunting works best.This is
unlike the dog, whose wolf ancestor hunted in a more open landscape after herds, where
working as a group is more successful.The dog has inherited a ‘pack social mentality’
where it gains its confidence from the group.This is the opposite of our cats whose survival
and hunting success depended on the integrity of their individual home ranges and
territory. Consequently cats are cautious, and concerned about intrusions into their area.

38
RE-PRINTED WITH KIND PERMISSION FROM BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM VETMEDICA, MAKERS OF METACAM®
Understandably for species survival, sex is important and When a cat moves about its territory if it only detects
where social structure overrides territorial exclusivity. Male its own scent its confidence of ownership is reinforced.
(tom) ranges are normally much larger than female (queen) However, when it sees an intruder or detects their
ranges (usually from three to 10 times).Toms (particularly presence by scent its confidence is challenged. It will
unneutered) are larger than queens, but not 10 times cautiously investigate scent marks.The stress can make it
larger, so the larger size is not just for food requirements, mark more assertively, and neutered male cats may ‘spray’
but due to how cat society works.The range of male cats (appearing to spray, but in reality urinating in a spray-like
will generally overlap that of female cats (for wild cats, as manner without the strong scent). It may also leave its
well as the domestic cat).The tom defends a larger area droppings prominently sited rather than bury them.
within which those queens with whom he is most likely
Confrontations can lead to fights, but cats generally flag
to mate are able to rear their young more securely.
up their intentions, whether aggressive or defensive
For the average suburban household female cat her range very clearly.
outside of her house is normally her garden area, and a
However, it can also make the cat more fearful of
bit more. A tom additionally will range across a number of
using its entire territorial range.Territories vary in
adjacent gardens.
size across the year for a cat, because of the changing
However, there is not a ‘set size’ for a household cat’s balance of power with the relationship with other cats
range or territories for it tends to depend on the and with seasonal conditions. Cats generally use a
property density and hence on the local cat density. (In reduced area in the outside world when it is cold than
one study of terraced urban London with small gardens, when warm, and usually spend proportionally more
the external home ranges of the queens was only about time inside the cat flap in a cold winter.
half the size of the floor area of the two storey houses).
The cat flap itself is the transition point
In our homes our cats are fed on a regular basis, so this between the inner safe ‘core’ of the
internal world becomes like the core area of a feral group, cat’s territory and the riskier outside
and seemingly we are like other cats of our cat’s group. world so cats approach with caution. Dogs barge through
doors, cats go carefully through their own cat flaps.
Our cats cannot have a complete view within the house
They will check the scents at the door that may be wafting
and outside at the same time so just like their wild
in from the outside, and with good reason. An assertive
ancestors they scent mark to claim their outer range.
intact neighbourhood tom will note the role of the flap
They mark by an assortment of methods, all of which we
from the scent of the resident cat on the flap and the
can find in the garden.When a tom cat that has not been
sides – and that can induce him to scent mark on or
neutered sprays it leaves a pungent invasive mark. Cats have
around the flap. At such times, washing down the outside
scent glands on their lips and chin, the top of the head and
of the flap can lessen the cat’s anxiety.
along the top of the tail.When a cat rubs around us it is
these areas that it rubs against us leaving their scent, and Owners often overlook how important their presence
similarly they mark in the same way on twigs, branches can be for their cats, outside of the cat flap.The more
and other objects in their territory. Cats will also claw on they sit outside, or garden, then the more confident the
trees and fences leaving both a visual and faint scent mark. cat will feel on its own patch beyond the cat flap!
41
THE BOSS BY DENISE LAURENT
‘Forget the nude! The cat is the
epitome of beauty – one
moment an inscrutable feline
model of elegance and the next
a racing whirlwind chasing an
imaginary mouse and having a
wonderful time – we could
learn a lot from the cat. I’ve
always lived with cats and been
interested in trying to capture
them on paper. Here Cassie is
lying on the kitchen table
(where she isn’t supposed to be)
gazing out of the window
watching the birds. She is
known as The Boss and
maintains a benevolent tyranny
over humans and cats alike.’

Denise Laurent,
member of SOFA
43
 WHEN IS A CAT
GROWN UP?
ONE of the miraculous aspects of cat ownership
is that when we watch a kitten growing up we are
witnessing the development of a genuinely ‘wild’
animal in a domestic setting. Cats, unlike dogs, are
not domesticated, in the sense that selective breeding
has had very little impact on the basic patterns of
the cat’s behaviour.

Due to regular breeding between pet and feral cats,

particularly feral tom cats, there is always a strong
relationship between the animal cosily snoozing in our
living room and others who live a completely
independent free living life outside. Indeed, most pet
cats could at any time revert quite successfully to a
feral lifestyle.

So as the kitten grows up it needs to learn all of the

same skills that any cat possesses, wherever in the world
it may live.

During the early part of kittenhood the kitten learns its

social identity and how to feed itself. Its mother will
wean it from suckling on to eating dead and, later, live
prey.This process gradually introduces the kitten to every
part of killing and hunting the prey it needs to survive.
In a domestic setting the kitten also practises hunting
behaviour using the objects, and other kittens, that are
around it.This is the origin of the amusing batting,
chasing and pouncing behaviour that all kittens spend a
great deal of their time rehearsing.They also need to
learn how to climb, balance and jump; behaviours that
often cause the kitten owner concern, as they look
dangerous and may be destructive. By participating in the
play activities of kittens, using toys and games, we are
taking part in their development in a very similar way to
mum and littermates.
44
Without the presence of a mother to This period in the cat’s life represents the time when
snuggle up with, the young kitten will it truly discovers the value of its territory and its
also redirect some maternally directed capacity to live as an individual. In wild or feral cats this
behaviour towards us.This may be the foundation would also be when male cats gradually move away from
of the somewhat confusing relationship the cat the extended family group in which they were reared.
has with its owners. So, kittens will often use their This can be a worrying and upsetting time for cat owners
front feet to ‘knead’ us, and will also dribble and purr. because the young cat is straying further from home
This is what they would normally do around feeding and entering into conflict with other cats.This is when
times when the kneading is intended to stimulate mum the value of neutering takes effect, because unneutered
to release her milk. As kittens get older, mum would male cats will roam and become solitary. Neutered
normally encourage independence and the value of this males will be content to live within a much more limited
kneading would decline because kittens no longer rely on territory and will not need to seek out opportunities
her milk. However, we encourage and reward kneading, to breed.
by stroking and talking to the kitten. Because we like the
Although all cats are capable of hunting, the pet cat has
close contact and tactility of cats we tend to promote and
less opportunity to learn the full range of hunting skills
maintain infantile behaviours like this, which would
from its mother. It may never be able to hunt very
normally become unimportant to an adult cat. So, as
effectively, and many cats are unable to catch anything
kittens develop we encourage them to have a dual
more difficult than the butterflies and insects that provide
relationship with us as play partner and surrogate mother.
their wild or feral cousins with 20 per cent of their
As kittens approach adulthood they develop an adult set nutrition. Additionally, unlike the villages and towns that
of personality characteristics that are partly determined by cats originally prowled, looking for vermin that was so
their genetic inheritance, partly by their early experience abundant, our modern communities support far fewer rats
and partly by the environment and how we treat them. and mice. So, although the urban pet cat is able to hunt
to a limited extent, its skill and the size and quality of its
On average, puberty in cats begins at around nine months
territory are never likely to provide a secure living.
of age, but can be earlier or later depending on what
time of year the kitten is born.This is because the cat’s This is where we humans step in yet again. From its
reproductive cycle is controlled by the increase in day earliest days we have provided the kitten with a source of
length during spring and summer. From this time until play and comfort. Now, for the adult cat we supply the
full social maturity, which is at around two to four years food the cat needs to make up for its inadequate hunting
of age, we notice gradual changes in that cat’s personality. opportunities and the play that is needed to provide an
The cat starts to take possession of its own territory and alternative outlet for its desire for activity and hunting.
may show changes in personality. In some cases kittens Throughout the cat’s life we provide various forms of
change from being sociable and bold, to become more support that mean that it never needs to become fully
solitary, self-reliant and cautious.The general level of a independent, and we reinforce the comfort seeking
cat’s sociability is very much related to the sociability of behaviours that were part of its kittenhood.
its parents because this trait is strongly inherited.
45
COCO AND LEXY BY DIANE ELSON
WHERE’S THE LOO?
MANY people know that cats are naturally clean
animals, but they can confuse this with thinking that
the cat will naturally agree with them as to where the
loo is. Sure, they may both agree about what makes for
a comfortable loo – somewhere quiet, where you can
have a bit of privacy – but what is good for a human
is not necessarily good for a cat.

Cats will often naturally bury their eliminations, and as a

general rule deeper (within limits) is better – that might
make the big plant pot a better tray than anything else in
the house. For cats a comfortable place means somewhere
that they can easily dig and scrape. Paws are sensitive
organs and so digging in some substances might simply
be unpleasant. If it’s heavy, rough, has the wrong
consistency or smell for a cat, it just might not do;
regardless of how wonderful it says this cat litter is on the
bag. Cats are individuals and while the majority have
been shown to prefer sand or Fuller’s earth as a litter, that
does not mean they all do! So when you first get a cat,
it’s important to offer it a range of litters and see which
one this cat prefers.This can help prevent problems from
arising in the first place.

‘Cats have always been an

important part of my life – my
present cats Coco, a Siamese,
and Lexy, an Egyptian Mau,
are two among many who have
a place in my heart.’

Diane Elson, member of SOFA

47
 Similarly outside, that newly dug bit of the garden or that ‘When ya gotta go, ya gotta go!’ So what happens if you
expensive piece of fine gravel work recently invested in as can’t get to the toilet? You find somewhere else of course!
part of a piece of minimalist gardening to create an oasis There can be many reasons why a cat might find its way
of calm, might be by far and away the best place to dig blocked. If there are other cats, they might monopolise
your doings! Not only is such a place easy to dig, it gives the tray or access to it. Some cats just like to take control
space, and many litter trays are simply too small.Try of such important resources, and will stop others using
placing your cat in its litter tray and then look at it and their private toilet! Some owners, in their desire to give
ask can it really scratch around, turn and walk past its the cat privacy, put the tray in too private a location,
elimination, with ease, in this space? Just as you wouldn’t perhaps somewhere that doesn’t always have the door
want to squeeze past dirty toilets on your way to wash open. Cats are much less likely to adopt a ‘hold it till you
your hands or when leaving the toilet, nor does a cat can go’ philosophy than a dog, and so it is essential that
want to squeeze past these things when it has finished the cat has free access to the litter tray. As a general rule
its business. it’s also worth having one litter tray per cat, plus one;
Let’s face it, cat poo and pee are not the nicest smelling to make sure there is always one free and preferably clean.
things in the house, and so it might be tempting to go for This will only work though if they are scooped out
something that is more fragrant in the litter box. But if regularly and placed in different locations, as a bully might
it’s fragrant to us at about two metres, what is it like end up blocking access if they are all in the same area.
closer to ground level as a cat, especially when you have So what makes a good toilet area? In nature a cat’s latrine
more smell sensitive cells in your tiny head compared to area is away from its hunting, feeding and main activity
a human, and a greater sensitivity to smell in your brain? area and it tends to use different areas for urinating as
If it’s overpowering it’s not very pleasant and so we opposed to defecating. If we want to make things work
shouldn’t be surprised if the cat starts to look elsewhere.
we should try to accommodate this, not only by
The same goes with cleaning agents. Simple is best.
following the number of cats plus one rule, but also by
Fragrant or strong smelling cleaning
making sure that we don’t put the tray next to the food
agents, such as those that contain bleach
bowl or close to a busy thoroughfare, such as the hallway.
or ammonia, may be unbearable.
Rather we should look for somewhere more secluded
Self-cleaning litter boxes can cause
and quiet. So next to the washing machine, dishwasher,
similar problems, concentrating smells, or
tumble dryer or toilet are not the best starting places!
even worse, being activated when the cat is
in mid-flow! Would you ever use a toilet that Litter box problems can also relate to disease. If a cat has
started groaning and grabbing at you while had a painful bout of elimination, it may well associate
you used it? Litter box covers can be a mixed the pain with the place instead of the act, and so start
blessing. For some cats they give a sense of security, trying out other places. Imagine you got electric shocks
but for others, they concentrate smells and stop them off a toilet seat; would you really want to use the seat
being able to see what is going on around them, next time you needed to go? Also as cats get older, their
neither of which is desirable. So again it may be joints can get stiff and their preferences can change.They
necessary to see which your cat prefers. may be less mobile and that previously wonderful high
48
sided deep littered tray may now become an insurmountable some other stressors. Cats can also eliminate as a result of
barrier to climb, and so it’s always worth getting your cat the distress caused by separation from their owners, in
checked over by a vet if it starts having a problem. which case the elimination is more likely to be on items
associated with the owner’s scent, such as clothing and
Finally, cats don’t just wee and poo because they want to
bedding. In such cases it is essential to address the
go to the toilet. Both substances can be used in marking
underlying stress which is causing the problem and not
and can be a response to highly charged emotional
think that they are being spiteful.
situations. Urine marking is not just a sexual behaviour
and often happens when a cat feels threatened. Cats are neither miniature dogs nor miniature humans
This might be because of a new cat or something else in and so see the world very differently. It’s their unique
their environment that they don’t like. Marking is not catty features which make them so endearing so we
necessarily on vertical objects and the volume of urine shouldn’t expect them to necessarily have the same
can be just as great as when going to the toilet, so it’s preferences as we do.We should recognise what they are
important not to assume that the problem is necessarily trying to say and give them the chance to express
associated with the toilet; it might be associated with themselves as a feline individual.
FOOD AND WATER
FROM A FELINE POINT OF VIEW
THE most common method of feeding for our pet cats is probably the provision of
two or three meals per day in a feeding bowl. While such an approach is common
there is simply no basis for it in terms of natural feline behaviour and a better
understanding of how cats search for, acquire and consume food leads us to the
conclusion that fixed meal feeding is simply not appropriate for our feline friends!

There are some very important differences between the feline and human approach to
food, both in terms of the pattern of feeding behaviour and the social significance of food.

The main features of feline feeding are:

the need for exploration to locate a food source

the division of feeding into multiple small periods of consumption throughout the day
the time consuming nature of food consumption over a 24 hour period
the self regulation of food intake
the desire to eat alone
In the feline world feeding is purely a functional behaviour during which cats refuel ‘Pushkin died aged 19 after a
ready for their next bout of energy-consuming activity. As a result they are designed life of old maid hedonism. My
late husband, Jack Rosenthal,
to take in very small amounts of food on frequent occasions throughout the day.
lavished her with love and
When they are faced with 50 per cent of their daily food ration offered in one sitting, affection and home-cooked food
their most likely response is to take a couple of mouthfuls and walk away. and she, unfairly, only had eyes
Unfortunately owners can interpret this as a sign that the cat does not like the food. for me. I now have a Basenji
dog who behaves like a cat and
Owners can react by replacing the food with something more palatable and the cat may I’m her total slave and she only
respond initially by eating more but, after a while, it settles back to a more natural has eyes for others. What goes
feeding pattern and begins to pick at the food again.This can be misinterpreted that the around, comes around...’
cat no longer likes the second food and the process begins again! Maureen Lipman, actress,
pictured with Pushkin
So if we can, we should encourage the cat’s natural tendency to regulate how much it
eats itself. It is helpful for kittens to be exposed to an ad lib supply of food from a very
early age and to be encouraged to actively locate their food by hiding it or by using
puzzle feeders. It is also important to consider the links between highly palatable foods
and the sensitivity of satiation control. If palatable food is only available for short periods
of time in set locations (ie, twice daily meals) then cats will learn to continue eating
past the point of satiation (full and satisfied) and eventually the sensation of satiation can
be overridden.

51
 This can be a problem when changing diet from fixed the same household to come together at feeding times is
meals to an ad-lib diet because cats are unable to restrict often taken as a sign that they get along with each other
their own intake. In such circumstances it can be helpful just fine. However, it is important to remember that food
to use a system of restricted self-service where owners dictate is a vital survival resource and, since food delivery is
the overall amount of food that is given per day but the controlled by owners at certain times and places cats may
cat is able to regulate when it eats it. Supplying small have to suppress feelings of conflict to gain access to
quantities of food more frequently at times when you are food. Cats may suspend hostility for long enough to eat
at home may help to decrease begging for food and avoid their meal but the level of tension between the cats at
the temptation to increase the amount of food. If the cat shows other times may actually increase.
no regulation of its own food intake this may be a sign of
Water is another issue and understanding natural drinking
possible underlying problem or behavioural disorders.
behaviour can help to ensure the cat gets enough. In the
Food is the ultimate survival resource and, for cats, it is wild the cat eats food with a high water content, such as
a private affair. Given the choice they will search, mice, and this provides the majority of its water.The cat
acquire and consume their prey in solitude and, with does not often simply drink. However, pet cats are often
the exception of mothers teaching their kittens to fed on foods low in water content. Less water can be a
hunt successfully, the feeding process is not a socially risk factor for medical conditions such as cystitis.
interactive one.Therefore behaviours such as leg
To encourage cats to drink, water should be sited
rubbing and vocalising are actually signals of
away from food areas. Cats will naturally drink in
initiating social interaction, rather than signs that a
separate locations to where they consume food. In
cat is hungry and wanting food. However, they are
multi-cat households cats are unlikely to override
commonly misinterpreted and many owners will
social tension to get to water. Free flowing water is
offer more food.The cat will quickly learn that it can
often more attractive to cats than water in a bowl.This
use these behaviours to control the supply and, since
relates to a natural instinct to avoid static water which
owners derive comfort from their pet seeking them out
may be stagnant. Running taps or cat drinking fountains
in this way, they will often increase the amount of food can offer convenient ways to provide moving water.
that they offer as a way of rewarding the social interaction. Multiple water bowls that allow cats to drink alone are
We need to understand the meaning of rubbing and important. Avoid materials such as plastic, which can taint
vocalising behaviour, and play or interact rather than the water - use glass, metal or ceramic containers. Provide
feed so that the cat returns to a more natural method the water in a large wide container which enables the cat
of feeding. Risks of overfeeding and obesity will also to lap from the edge. Keep the water topped up so the cat
be reduced. does not need to lower its head into the container and
The fact that cats prefer to eat alone is highly significant. lose sight of the meniscus of the water.
A house with lots of cats needs lots of feeding places so Our pet cats are still very close to their wild ancestors in
that each cat can get to food freely, quickly and on its terms of behaviour. By paying attention to how cats
own. Even when cats enjoy each other’s company they naturally eat and drink we can significantly reduce stress.
will prefer to eat alone.Where there are several groups of We can also reduce the risk of certain medical conditions,
cats in the house the need for separate feeding stations such as obesity and lower urinary tract disease, which can
becomes even more important. A willingness by cats in be made worse if we get it wrong.
52
 THE ART OF BEING fight, or more likely, flight.The cat may initially hide
from the unfamiliar object from the safety of a high
IN CHARGE vantage point, or from a defendable position under the
‘YOU own a dog, but you feed a cat’ so the famous furniture, and watch it from a distance; but once it feels
saying goes, and although the concept of owning any safe to approach, the cat will do so, slowly and cautiously,
animal is now frowned upon and deemed non-PC, head bobbing, neck outstretched, to catch any scent.
the notion that a dog is dependent on us, but a cat If the item shows no signs of danger, it will be examined
is independent, is certainly true. When you share your more closely, and, once it’s been fully watched, examined,
home with a cat, you would be a fool to think that sniffed, and jumped inside of, then the cat will feel
you are master or mistress of the house – that title comfortable enough to relax and snooze with it in the
definitely belongs to your mog. same room, though perhaps initially with one eye open,
to double-check it’s not going to do something unexpected.
The cat is in charge of its own destiny, survival and
wellbeing: it knows that independence is the ultimate This independence, where the cat relies on its own wits
self-protection. If you rely on someone to provide all the for her personal safety and has maintained all the instincts
resources necessary to live, then your future is reliant on necessary for survival, has served the cat well through
the benevolence of another, as many abused dogs have 13 million years of evolution – sharing a home with a
found out to their cost. If a cat is not fed, watered, or loving family that provides for its needs is no excuse to
given shelter, warmth, security and love, then it will soon relax and switch off those well-honed instincts! But the
up sticks and find herself another home, usually hunting cat doesn’t just rule its own destiny – it is very much in
or scavenging for food and well able to get by living feral charge of cohabitees as well. Often the smallest member
in the meantime. A dog, often devoted to its owners, of the house, the cat is a major influence on group
regardless of how little love it receives, would die from dynamics. How many times have you seen a dog sleep on
its misplaced loyalty. the hard floor, squashed into a corner somewhere, while
the cat lies outstretched, luxurious, in the dog’s comfy
The cat maintains independence by living on its wits bed? Or how many times have you found yourself trying
and relying on no one. Familiarity provides security; the to creep your way down into three inches of spare duvet,
unknown does not. Anything new in the home or outside precariously perched on one corner of your own bed,
territory is viewed with caution – it could be a threat. rather than even contemplate shifting the sleeping puss
The adage that curiosity killed the cat might be true in some who has bagsied itself three-quarters of the double bed
cases, but ‘curiosity saved the cat’ is probably a fairer truth. and is snoozing contentedly?
If something new enters the cat’s territory – even if it’s
‘Cat Pester Power is a form of torture. Our champion of
an empty cardboard box – a cat must assess whether it feline/human martial/psychological arts came from a rescue centre.
poses a danger and can only do Little did we know at first glimpse of this elongated moggie how
this by investigating it and by much he would come to eschew feline subtleties for direct action.
No laden table escaped infra-red cats’ eyes and the kitchen had to
going on high-alert. Eyes be off limits to our mafia of one. The painting displays stealth
will focus intently; the body action, a Sherman technique.’
will prepare itself for Lois Sykes, member of SOFA
54
SHERMAN BY LOIS SYKES
 A cat doesn’t just train us to let sleeping cats lie, it is also Put the litter tray in too busy a thoroughfare and you
in charge of all resources. First, food. Cats know what will find poo in a quiet corner under the stairs instead.
they like and how to get it. If not hunting for it, the cat How many accidents does it take for her to train you to
will simply make you hunt for what it wants! If you put put the tray where the cat wants it? Not many! Cat 4, you 0.
something in the bowl that isn’t up to her personal tastes
Ditto the bed. If you put the bed in the wrong place,
and standards, she’ll sniff it, look at you as if you’re crazy,
it will collect dust and the cat will sleep on the pile of
and wait for you to reconsider.You can try to take a stand
freshly ironed clothes instead. Cat 5, you 0.
but it is difficult.The independent feline may march off,
fetch a mouse and crunch it up in front of you to teach And so it goes on: the cat tallies scores on the board daily,
you a lesson; march next door or to some other cat- where you stagnate at zero... In all things, your cat is in
friendly home to be fed; or sit tight and stare at you until charge.You can try to kid yourself that you are top of the
you can stand it no more. Convinced she’s going to food chain – but look above your shoulder, and you’ll see
expire from malnutrition, you’ll eventually give her a a tail hanging down!
pouch of her favourite gourmet cuisine. At your next
shopping trip, would you risk buying anything other than
her preferred food? No – cat 1, you 0.

Freedom is another case in point. Cats are free spirits. ‘I was asked to unveil a poster by Battersea Dogs Home and was
Their independence is vital to them, and they like to persuaded to make a tour! I came across little Saffy, a mournful thin
six-year-old seal-point Siamese cat. She was fastidiously cleaning
come and go as they please. Shut an internal door in the herself with one back leg raised up in the air, toes pointed, like an
house, to keep draughts out in the winter, and a cat is elegant ballerina. Saffy had a reputation for being ‘vicious’,
likely, immediately, to wake and want to go through it. and as a result the Home would not let her go anywhere with children.
I took her out and she hissed at everyone – except me. She lived
It will sit, mewing plaintively until you open it.You put pampered and adored until she was 16 years old. She never bit
the newspaper down, get up from your comfy chair, anyone and allowed my very young nieces to carry her around
open the door and shut it afterwards.You sit down, start however and wherever they wanted without minding a bit. One of
her most endearing traits was to ‘hold hands’. She would come up
reading the paper... and the mewing starts up again. to me, let out that deep meow familiar to her breed and gently tap
Or the scratching. Or the jumping at the door handle. my arm until I extended my hand and she could sit beside me with
You get up, let the cat through. It only takes a couple her paw resting in it. I have tried to capture Saffy’s spectacular
blue eyes in my drawing. I do miss her.’
more of the same to train you to leave the door ajar,
draught or not. Cat 2, you 0. Lynsey de Paul, singer and songwriter

The same applies to the back door, of course – it takes

new owners no more than a couple of weeks at most
to be trained to install a cat flap. At the end of the day,
it’s that or a knee-replacement operation from the endless
getting up and down to let the cat in, out, in, out, in
again, back out, ad infinitum. Cat 3, you 0.

56
SAFFY BY LYNSEY DE PAUL
MODELS BY CELIA PIKE
CAN CATS BE HAPPY INDOORS?
WHEN we keep our cats entirely indoors we are limiting their territory and with this
their ability to carry out all of their natural behaviours. Therefore we have to think
carefully, find out what cats need and then make the effort to keep them challenged
and active. Where safety outdoors is the issue, there are options such as fencing in the
garden or providing an outdoor run which can help provide the cat with stimulation.

The provision of certain ‘cat resources’ within the home will ensure the entertainment,
stimulation and security of the indoor cat.These resources include basic necessities such
as food and water together with other provisions to allow the cat to exhibit natural
behaviour.

Food

The availability of food twice a day, or even ‘ad lib’, in a bowl in the kitchen is often the
norm for the indoor cat.The idea of ‘foraging’, using dry food, works on the principle
that obtaining smaller amounts more frequently in a variety of locations represents a
more natural way of feeding (see page 51). Once your cat is used to obtaining food in
novel locations the acquisition can become more challenging. For example:

Build cardboard pyramids of toilet roll tubes. Place biscuits half way along each tube and
allow the cat to obtain the food by using its paw. Attach the base to a carpet tile or piece
of wood to provide stability.

Place biscuits inside cardboard boxes, egg boxes or paper bags.

Place a couple of biscuits inside a rolled up piece of tissue paper.
Throw some cat biscuits across the floor – some cats enjoy chasing them.

‘I have lived with cats all my life and for me home is not a proper
home without at least one cat. They are visually beautiful, their
marking and the texture of their fur as well as their graceful agility
makes irresistible subject matter for my paintings.’

Celia Pike, member of SOFA

59
 Water should not be neglected in favour of the more popular
stroking. Some cats enjoy the company of their own
A variety of receptacles can be placed away from the
species so the introduction of two littermates initially may
cat’s food to provide interest and encourage drinking.
be useful if cat(s) are left at home alone during the day.
Pet drinking fountains, indoor water features, resin tumblers
or ceramic, stainless steel or glass bowls can all be used. High resting places

Vegetation Cats are natural climbers so the home environment

should reflect this by providing:
A source of grass is essential for the house cat to act as a
natural emetic to aid the elimination of hairballs.This can Areas to rest and observe proceedings from an elevated
be purchased as commercially available ‘kitty grass’ or pots vantage point.
of grass and herbs can be grown indoors specifically for
this purpose. FAB produces a comprehensive list of Tall scratching posts.
potentially harmful plants and flowers to avoid indoors. Free-standing cupboards and wardrobes; place furniture
nearby to give your cat a halfway platform for ease of access.
Litter trays
Shelving can provide sanctuary if a small area is cleared
The ideal number of litter trays in an indoor environment
for the cat’s use.
is ‘one tray per cat plus one’, placed in different discreet
locations.These can be covered with hoods or open Securing a section of closed weave carpet to a wall represents
shallow trays containing a commercial litter with which a challenging climbing frame.
the cat is familiar. Some cats can be averse to polythene A heavy-duty cardboard tube from the inside of a roll of
liners and litter deodorants. carpet can be utilised indoors.
The locations should be discreet, away from busy Private areas
thoroughfares, feeding areas and water bowls.
Cats need ‘time out’ from owners and other cats so there
The trays should be cleaned regularly.
must be a number of places where they can hide without
The type of litter should ideally reflect the cat’s natural fear of being discovered, such as under the bed, inside
desire to use a sand-like substance. cupboards or wardrobes or behind the sofa.These places
Never expect an indoor cat to share a tray with another. are sacrosanct and a cat should never be disturbed or
acknowledged while using a private area.
Social contact
Beds
It is important to allow the indoor cat to dictate the type
and pace of contact with owners. It is best to respond to Cats like to sleep in different places depending on mood
a cat’s approach rather than initiate it as this can be or time of day. A radiator hammock is great in the winter
irritating or, at the worst, distressing for the cat. Predatory but there is little substitute for the owner’s duvet.A synthetic
play, grooming and verbal communication are important thermal fleece can personalise the cat’s area to contain
social contacts between owner and cat so these areas any fur or muddy paw prints.

60
Scratching posts Novel items

Cats need to scratch to maintain their claws and mark Novel items, such as wood, cardboard boxes and paper
their territory; if provisions are not made for this then bags (with handles removed), should be brought into the
cats may scratch furniture. Scratching posts or panels home on a regular basis to challenge the cat’s sense of
should be tall and rigid to allow the cat to scratch smell and desire to explore novel things.
vertically at full stretch. Some cats prefer to use horizontal
Fresh air
surfaces so a variety of scratching areas should be provided.
There are a variety of secure grills that can be fitted to
Predatory play
open windows that will allow fresh air, carrying exciting
Fishing rod toys are ideal to simulate the movement of smells, to enter the house without the risk of your
prey. Laser penlights are popular but can be frustrating cat falling.
toys as the light is impossible to catch. Many cats enjoy
As we saw in the introduction, cats are active, intelligent
retrieval games and this can represent an opportunity for
and sensitive. Providing an indoor environment with
social contact as well as play; towelling hair bands are just
them in mind can improve their quality of life
the right size for a cat to pick up.
considerably.
Toys

It is also useful to have toys that the indoor cat can play
with when it is on its own.Toys soon become boring if
they are allowed to remain motionless in the same place
so a random selection should be brought out daily to
maintain their novelty.Toys made from real fur (as a by-
product of a food source) and feather, of a similar size to
prey animals, are popular.

Rubbish can also be fascinating:

A rolled up piece of paper thrown across the floor
(tin foil works just as well)
A cork
The plastic seal on the top of a milk container
(under supervision only)
A walnut
An empty crisp packet tied into a knot

61
 GROWING OLD GRACEFULLY–
SUPPORT FOR THE OLDER FELINE
CATS are the UK’s favourite pet. The UK domestic cat population is approximately
9.2 million (2003 figures) and more and more of these cats are living longer. In fact
around two million are over eight years old and many are between 16 and 20. And
because of their independence and ability to hide illness, maintaining the wellbeing
and quality of life of these ‘older’ cats can be particularly challenging.

So, how old is ‘old’? The most well known rule of thumb is that one human year
equates to seven ‘cat years’, but it is a little more complicated than that.The cat spends
the first two years of its life racing through childhood and adolescence and on to early
adulthood.Thereafter, the process slows down to a more leisurely four cat years per
human year, as shown in the table.

It is generally agreed that a cat may be classified as ‘senior’

Age Equivalent
at around 11 to 14 years old (60 to 72 cat years) and
of human age of cat
‘geriatric’ at over 14 (over 72 cat years).The term ‘geriatric’ 1 year 15 years
is often used in a derogatory fashion that implies disease 2 years 24 years
rather than the normal ageing process. 3 years 28 years
6 years 40 years
In the preceding chapters we explored ‘what a cat is’ and 9 years 52 years

NEWBY (ELIZABETH EMANUEL’S CAT) AGAIN, FROM THEO’S POINT OF VIEW!

how this information could help us improve the cat’s 12 years 64 years
quality of life. But what additional challenges do older cats 15 years 76 years

present? The stoical cat is remarkably good at masking 18 years 88-91 years
21 years 100-106 years
when it is not feeling well. So it falls upon you to be
aware of the most common problems that can afflict
older cats.The most common chronic diseases of older cats include kidney problems,
thyroid problems, high blood pressure, diabetes, dental problems and arthritis. It is
beyond the scope of this section to discuss each of these conditions in detail, but here
are some facts that will help owners to identify and sometimes prevent potential problems.

62
 Thyroid problems positioned around the house can help (see page 52).
Some cats can be encouraged to drink more by flavouring
An overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) is a
the water with a little fresh fish or chicken stock.
common condition in older cats and the first signs are
often unexplained changes in behaviour such as Feeding
inappropriate elimination around the house, changes in
There is little specific, hard scientific data on the optimal
grooming and eating habits, together with weight loss,
diet for healthy older cats.The best advice is to feed a
vomiting and diarrhoea. It can also be related to high
good quality commercial complete adult maintenance
blood pressure which, apart from damaging vital organs,
could also cause unpleasant effects such as headache, diet. Feline prescription diets formulated for specific
migraine and dizziness. conditions such as diabetes (high fibre), inflammatory
bowel disease (select protein) and renal disease (restricted
Dental problems protein and phosphorus) are helpful.With advancing age
Dental disease is very common in older cats and can be taste is further diminished and cats can stop eating,
extremely painful and unpleasant. Common signs are loss especially if they are unwell, or their familiar routine is
of appetite and weight loss, running away from food, disrupted. So, whatever the diet, owners should choose a
chattering teeth, clicking sounds when eating, bolting brand that their cat likes and readily eats, and that does
down food and bad breath. Surprising as it may seem, not cause vomiting or diarrhoea.The best diet in the
some cats suffer in silence despite advanced dental decay world is useless if your cat won’t eat it!
and painful teeth. Eyesight and hearing
Arthritis
Eyesight of older cats does not deteriorate excessively but
Arthritis is not generally considered a common condition can be affected by high blood pressure or other diseases
in older cats.This is a mistake. Owners should not assume common in old age. Hearing loss on the other hand is
that the reason their cat sleeps more and is reluctant to common and some older cats become completely deaf.
go out, play with toys or jump up on the kitchen table is Blind and deaf cats adapt remarkably well, provided their
just part of ‘getting old’. Joints need to be used to keep familiar routine and surroundings are not suddenly
them working smoothly. Sleeping more and doing less altered. In fact owners might be quite unaware of the
exercise can lead to further deterioration of joints and problem until they inadvertently disrupt something in
muscles and more pain. Appropriate pain relief can their cat’s life. For example by moving litter trays,
transform the cat’s quality of life. redecorating, moving house, or getting another pet.
Blind or deaf cats should never be let outside
Dehydration
unsupervised because they are so vulnerable to everyday
Older cats do not respond so well to being thirsty and so hazards like other cats, dogs and traffic. Unexplained
can become dehydrated – this can be a serious problem if changes in behaviour, such as not using the litter tray,
they are already unwell. Ensuring a good supply of easily reluctance to go outside, and excessive sleeping may be
accessible fresh water in wide bowls strategically clues to impaired sight or hearing.

64
Grooming has been shown to cause senile dementia (Alzheimer’s
Disease), and similar lesions have been identified in older
Older cats spend less time grooming themselves and
cats. Feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) can
keeping their coat in tip-top condition.This renders the
result in a range of behavioural changes including
coat a less efficient insulator. Owners should therefore
increased irritability, aggression, decreased interest in
groom their cats regularly to remove excess hair and
owners, changes in sleep patterns, excessive vocalisation,
debris and spread natural oils. In addition, the ability to
aimless pacing or walking in circles and inappropriate
regulate body temperature decreases in older cats and
elimination. Some vital brain neurotransmitters such as
adequate provision of coolness and ventilation in the
serotonin and dopamine may also be depleted in aged
summer, and warmth and protection from draughts in the
cats and this could result in a depressed mood state.
winter is vital, particularly in thin and frail cats.
With increased owner awareness of some of the special
Dementia
requirements of their older cats, there is every reason for
A gradual decline in the brain’s ability to process them to live long, happy and fulfiled lives. Further
information is a normal part of ageing in all mammals. information on all of the conditions mentioned can be
The formation of ‘senile plaques’ in the brains of humans found on the FAB website at www.fabcats.org
OUT FOR A STROLL BY ALEX JOHNSON
THE SOCIETY OF FELINE ARTISTS ‘I fell in love with my first cat,
Tobbers, when I chose him from
a litter of kittens in a drawer.
THE SOCIETY OF FELINE ARTISTS (SOFA) was founded in September 1994, with the
From autocratic Siamese to
specific aim to promote the work of the best cat artists, whether established or sweet natured tabbies, they have
unknown, and many of their members have been staunch and valued supporters of the all won a place in my heart.
Cats make the most wonderful,
FAB and have used their considerable talent to help us over the years.
if not the most willing, subjects.
As a printmaker, my cats and
Their subjects range from the moggy and the friendly domestic tabby to the more
those of friends have been the
exotic breeds like Siamese, Burmese and Bengals and of course the big cats. From the subject of many etchings and
nobility and drama of the wild cat to the playful kitten – all are painted with the linocuts trying to capture the
mood and the moment.
mastery of artists who know and understand their subject.To find out more about this
Whether it is the look of alert
remarkable collection of artists visit www.felineartists.org anticipation as a bird settles
nearby, or the satisfied sleepy
look of the well fed cat in front
of the fire, each expression and
MORE INFORMATION ON pose provides endless material
FELINE BEHAVIOUR PROBLEMS for my attempts to capture that
elusive ‘essence of cat’.’

Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) Alex Johnson, member of SOFA

The APBC is an international network of experienced and qualified pet behaviour

counsellors, who, on referral from veterinary surgeons, treat behaviour problems in dogs,
cats, birds, rabbits, horses and other pets.The APBC also runs seminars and workshops, both
for its members and others interested in the field of pet behaviour therapy. www.apbc.org.uk

Centre of Applied Pet Ethology

COAPE aims to instil an understanding of the animals’ view of our world and how we
harness this knowledge to improve and develop happy relationships between pets and their
owners. COAPE offers study courses, from Foundation Level to Diploma.There is also a
list of COAPE Companion Animal Behaviour Practitioners and Affiliates. www.coape.co.uk

Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy Study Group

If you are a vet, you may be interested in the Companion Animal Behaviour Therapy
Study Group (CABTSG) which exists to facilitate the exchange of information,
experiences and ideas between its members. As an affiliate of the British Small Animal
Veterinary Association, its members are also involved in producing educational materials
and lectures for the veterinary and related professions as well as disseminating information
and advice to other organisations on issues relating to animal behaviour. Its aim is to
try wherever possible to promote greater understanding of behaviour problems in
companion animals. www.cabtsg.org
67
 WHAT IS THE
FELINE ADVISORY BUREAU?
THE FELINE ADVISORY BUREAU is the country’s leading charity on issues relating to
the care of sick cats and the health of all cats. Established in 1958 FAB seeks to raise the
standard of treatment and care provided to cats – by veterinary surgeons, boarding
cattery operators, those involved in rescue work, breeders and the general cat-owning
public. FAB receives no public funding – it is reliant on membership, donations
and legacies.

In addition to funding feline residents and lecturers at UK veterinary schools, FAB offers
information on a wide range of cat-related health and behavioural issues. Our website
features over 500 pages and tells you everything you ever wanted to know about cats –
www.fabcats.org. Information sheets and advice are available from the FAB office which
can be contacted between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday on 0870 742 2278.

FAB has produced three best-selling manuals which are considered to be the standard in
their field. The Boarding Cattery Manual is full of advice and information for anyone
thinking of opening or taking over an established cattery. It clearly demonstrates how a
cattery can be built and managed to provide cats with a healthy, secure and comfortable
environment.

The Cat Rescue Manual considers every aspect of practical cat rescue work from the
initial establishment of a shelter through to management, staffing, homing, publicity and
fund-raising. It is invaluable for anyone starting out on the road to rescue work and remains
a valuable reference book for even the most experienced and battle-hardened rescuer.

Many people drawn to help feral cats hadn’t planned to do so! They often have the
passion and drive to get involved but not the knowledge or experience to deal with the
inevitable problems. FAB has drawn together people who have valuable and well-honed
experience in this field and together they have written The FAB Feral Cat Manual to
guide people involved or about to become involved in this field.

FAB organises study days and conferences for vets, vet nurses, breeders and pet cat owners.

In the mid 1990s, FAB founded the European Society of Feline Medicine for veterinary
surgeons throughout Europe – which produces a bi-monthly peer-reviewed journal and
is responsible for a major conference in Europe each September.

Membership of FAB is open to anyone who has an interest in cats and full details are
available through the website – www.fabcats.org
68
 Joan Judd loved cats from childhood. Her interest developed further when
she became the owner of two Siamese cats. Unable to find answers to a vast array
of cat health problems, she set out to provide cat lovers with information based on
proven facts. In 1958 she founded the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) and the
rest is history. Her determination to generate and disseminate high quality
scientific information to anyone involved with cats, be they vet or owner, has
touched and improved the lives of millions of cats worldwide. FAB is still a unique
organisation and for 50 years has led the field of knowledge about our cats and
what makes them tick.
 Top row from left:

Jon Bowen

THE FAB FELINE BEHAVIOUR EXPERT PANEL Robert Falconer-Taylor

Vicky Halls

Sarah Heath

Kim Horsford

Bottom row from left:

Jenna Kiddie

Daniel Mills

Peter Neville

Francesca Riccomini

Roger Tabor