BEHAVIOR

The truth is, you can herd cats. You can even get them to jump through hoops, weave around poles, climb ladders and scoot through tunnels. Its called feline agility. Its the most fun Ive had in ages, says Jill Archibald, a retired physical education teacher who is now the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) Feline Agility Coordinator. When you learn feline agility, it really helps you to develop a good relationship with your cat.

Visit the CFA websites feline agility page at: agility.cfa.org/index.shtml Try it at home, and get comfortable with your cat. Theres no need to create an actual course at first. Sit in a chair with a lure on a long stick, and drag it to get the kitten or cat to follow it. Get comfortable with it. Now your cat has learned to chase the toy. …

The goal of feline agility is for your cat to complete the 10-obstacle course, the right way, in the right order, as quickly as...

Q We have three indoor-outdoor cats: Dusty, a 10-year-old male mackerel tabby; Mokie, his sister, and Rascal, a three-year-old male orange tabby. Our yard is enclosed and cat-safe. Each year, we take our cats to the veterinary clinic for their physical exams and shots. Recently, Dusty started jumping, running and then frantically licking himself. Our veterinarian said that he has hypersensitive nerve endings that make him feel like someone is sticking him with a pin. She…

Q I have a five-year-old cat I adopted from a shelter as a kitten. Spruce has been a wonderful companion, with good behavior and...

Q I hope you can help me with this problem with my cat, Tyler. When I moved four years ago to my current...

[From Tufts September 2011 Issue]

I am a new subscriber, and have limited recent experience with cats. I have Grigino (Italian for nice little gray tomcat), a very personable 21-month-old cat whom weve had since he was 2 months old. He has been neutered. Every once in a while, he tries to bite our hands. When he does this, he will hit at the hand with his paw, probably to control the hand or line it up, before he bites at it.

Fortunately, he never bites hard, and he almost always has his claws retracted when he is playing at this or at most other things. He nevertheless will occasionally draw blood with these antics. Should I be concerned? In any event, how might I try to break him? Flicking him in the nose with my finger doesnt seem to work, as it just seems to intensify the game for him.
Al Cavagnaro

[From Tufts April 2011 Issue]

A few years ago, I lured a stray cat into my housebecause I felt sorry for her withwinter approaching.I named her Smokey. I had my veterinarian spay her and give her all the necessary vaccinations.However, there is a problem. My neighbors approached me and told me I have to keep her inside (she was killing chipmunks and birds) or they would notify animal control and have her picked up.

I realize that it is better for Smokey to be inside because she once became quiteinfested with ticks and fleas.Now, she sits in the bay window and watches the squirrels and birds, but when a cat comes into my yard and I approach her, Smokey turns on me.She hisses and growls and a few times, she was ready to attack me.I show her that I am not afraid of her, but her behavior is quite annoying.I tried to spray her with water, but that makes matters worse.

[From Tufts January 2010 Issue]

My cat plays rough. I have limited recent experience with cats. I adopted Grigino, my personable 2-year-old cat, when he was 2 months old. Every once in a while he tries to gently bite my hand. When he does this, he will hit at the hand with his paw, probably to control the hand or line it up, before he bites at it. Fortunately, he never bites hard, and almost always retracts his claws. However, he does occasionally draw blood. He is neutered. Should I be concerned and how can I break him of this habit?
Al Cavagnaro

[From Tufts Febuary 2010 Issue]

I have had my two cats since they were just a few days old. They were bottle-fed until they could eat regular food. They are now 1.5 years old. One is obsessed with rubber bands and the other chews any shoe that has a soft sole. Both chew cardboard boxes.

To try to break this habit, my veterinarian suggested giving them dog chew bones and crunchy food. Neither worked. They still chew on inappropriate objects. Do you think this behavior is because they were not properly weaned? Any advice?
Linda Carlen

[From Tufts June 2011 Issue]

Perplexed by cats protruding tongue
Sometimes my male cat sits around with his tongue sticking out of his mouth. What is the reason for this? I have not noticed my female cats doing it.
Mary Ann Myers

Dear Mary Ann: As a feline practitioner, I have heard many stories and have seen my share of cats who, during the normal course of their day, happen to sit around with their tongue sticking out a little. In most cases, there is nothing to be concerned about. It is simply the cats own personal quirk, and it is actually kind of endearing.

[From Tufts July 2011 Issue]

We have a 2-year-old Siamese mix who we took in as a stray. All of our cats run and hide if the doorbell rings or we have visitors, but Winston is the worst. Recently when our son, wife and grandson came for an overnight visit, Winston dashed outside and would not come in.