Page 25 - Complete Cat Care: How To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

◁ Getting on well
Other cats can often be seen as competition
and a threat to survival. To reduce stress in
the house, introduce cats carefully and provide
them with separate resources.

When conflict arises, cats cannot
use body language to defuse the
situation. This is why fights can
break out just as easily between
members of the same household as
between rivals from opposite sides
of the garden fence.

Handling your cat
Cats rarely enjoy being picked up—
watch out for lip licking—so only
feel relaxed and spray urine where forward, he is licking his lips, and lift your cat when necessary, unless
they feel threatened. Cats also use his weight is shifted onto his back you are sure he enjoys it. Handle 23
scent to orient themselves in their feet, you should leave him alone him calmly and quietly, stroking
environment, following “scent because these are signs of fear. his head, back, and cheeks to relax
maps” created from scent glands in him. If he rubs or noses your hand
the feet and flanks. Any upheaval Cats in company you know that he is enjoying the
in the home—such as redecorating Cats can happily live together in attention. Never lift your cat by
or moving—can disrupt this social groups, but only under the scruff but pick up him gently
mapping system, causing a cat to specific circumstances. Groups by supporting his chest, behind the
feel displaced and bewildered. largely consist of related females front legs, and hindquarters at Understanding your cat
Although a cat's body language is that hunt independently and do not the same time. Hold him upright,
quite subtle, it is important to learn compete for food and territory. because cradling in your arms can
to recognize when your pet does They show friendly behaviors to increase his sense of insecurity.

“Although many cats enjoy cuddles, they
still appreciate their own space.”

and does not want attention. A cat each other, reserving aggression
will greet you by approaching with for “outsiders” that represent a
his tail up, and may rub against threat to resources. Even though
your legs. Rubbing deposits scent, their owners provide food, cats will
making you smell more familiar still protect their territory from
after you have been outside or in others that are not part of their
the shower. Purring and kneading social group. If you have more than
with the paws in response to owner one cat, watch them to determine
attention are behaviors retained whether they are friends or not.
from kittenhood, when they were Friends rub and groom each other
associated with suckling. Although and sleep together with bodies
purring usually indicates touching. If you do not see at least △ The tactful touch
contentment, it can sometimes one of these behaviors, then it is Although most cats enjoy some attention, many
of them feel uncomfortable or nervous if they
indicate pain. When a cat's ears likely that your cats feel stressed are picked up. If your pet objects to being held,
are flattened, his whiskers bunched by each other. put him down before he becomes stressed.

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