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Your cat’s strange behaviors explained
NEW DIMENSIONS Lifelong Learning Institute
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f you share your life with a feline, you’ve probably wondered about strange behaviors. The answer to many of these behaviors lies in the unique history of the Felis catus— also known as the house cat! Our history with cats dates back 12,000 years. As humans began growing and storing grain, mice appeared, and naturally, cats followed. Back then, humans welcomed this method of rodent control, and today, 25 percent of U.S. families share their home with at least one feline. Unlike dogs, which were selectively bred for specific behaviors and physical characteristics, feline DNA hasn’t changed much. The cat that stomps on your face at 5 a.m. requesting breakfast is not much different than the wild cat that expertly stalked mice thousands of years ago.
PERCHED HIGH AND LOW At times, you might find your cat at the highest vantage point in the house on keen lookout for movement. Other times, you might find them curled tightly in a secluded corner under the bed. This behavior is best explained by cats’ unique position on the food chain as both predator and prey. They catch and eat small rodents, bugs and birds, but they’re also prey to animals like cougars, coyotes and raptors. Make your cat comfortable by adding a tall cat tree or cat shelves for high spots, and cozy hideaways like an enclosed, cave-shaped bed.
RUNNING WILD Cats are crepuscular, which means they’re most active at dusk and dawn. This explains why, after spending most of the day sleeping, your cat has “the zoomies” to release pent-up energy. For a more peaceful evening, try adding at least 15 minutes of interactive playtime before your cat’s dinner by mimicking the movement of prey using a toy on a string.
SCRATCHING A common frustration for cat owners is furniture scratching. Scratching is an impulse that all cats have. It’s a necessity for surviving in the wild and is your cat’s way of marking their territory. There are several ways to keep cats from destroying furniture, including furniture covers, double-sided sticky tape and deterring scents. But scratching is an essential behavior, so be sure to provide appropriate scratching outlets for your cat, like a scratching post or cardboard scratcher. Surgical declawing is not a humane alternative to scratching and can cause your cat lifelong pain and additional behavior challenges, like biting and litterbox issues. ■
If you are new to the area, we encourage you to enroll and meet new people with common interests and a joy for learning.
ENRICHING, AFFORDABLE, LEARNING EXPERIENCES FOR ADULTS OVER
50
An interesting assortment of classes is presented each Fall and Winter/Spring Term. Participants may enroll in any number of classes on a space available basis for a $75.00 membership fee each term. Classes reflect an intellectually stimulating array of disciplines such as history, science, philosophy, political science, art, literature, nature study, and performing arts. Outdoor classes include birding, hiking, biking, history walks, geology, gardening and more. Personal enrichment may include yoga, meditation, health issues, bridge, mahjong, cribbage as examples.
If you are new to the area, we encourage you to enroll and meet new people with common interests and a joy for learning.
FALL TERM Classes Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . October 3 Classes End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 11 Online Registration Begins . . . September 23 Registration Ends . . . . . . . . . . September 28 See Class Listings Online Starting September 19th At
PET PERSPECTIVE
BY JENNA KRETSCHMAN Jenna Kretschman is Roice-Hurst Humane Society’s Communications Coordinator. Contact her at jenna@rhhumanesociety.org
www.NewDimensionsGJ.org Email Us At: info@newdimensionsgj .org New Dimensions is a volunteer, non-profit 501c3 organization; all instructors are volunteers who bring their expertise to share with you. Volunteers determine the classes and recruit instructors. A seven member Board of Directors ensures that the New Dimensions program is designed for senior participants.
WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM | AUGUST 2022 | PET PAGE |
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