Some may say they wish they could understand talk to their animals, but there is a way to “listen” to them. Cats have personalities just like humans do, so theirs usually a reason for their actions and behaviors; positive or negative. Health is always priority when we see a change in animal behavior. Once see verify our pets are in good health, then we can look at other reasons for behaviors. This page is for educating individuals seeking information on understanding feline behavior in hopes of working with their natural instincts.
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Declawing:
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Declawing has been in and out of the news and social media for many years and it’s began to stir up some heavy debates. This is a topic we feel at Purrfect Additions that requires more education on what is involved in the decision and surgical procedure called Onychectomy.
Let’s begin with the reason behind scratching. Felines scratch for many reasons and it’s completely natural. A few reasons would be to stretch & flex their entire body, remove the outer layer of their claws, and to mark their territory visually and scent.
The surgical procedure called Onychectomy is the removal of the third phalanx that renders cats unable to scratch. The most common method of onychectomy is disarticulation and removal of the third phalanx (P3) by laser, scalpel, or nail trimmer. A human way to look at this is the removal of the tip of your finger up to the first knuckle. This is a procedure that will remain painful for the cat and can alter their personality.
We don’t share this to upset anyone, but to educate. There’s power in knowledge and our feline friends trust us to make educated decisions on their behalf. Here at Purrfect Additions we always advise to speak with your veterinarian and research alternative, nonsurgical methods to address destructive clawing, including referral to an animal behaviorist.
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Feline Behavior Education
Inappropriate Elimination:
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Inappropriate Elimination is a topic no one wants to talk about or have to deal with, but it’s one of the top three reasons families relinquish their feline pets. Pets only want to please us, and this is one that could hinder their pride. Again, our priority is friend’s health, so begin with a clean bill of health. From here, we can begin to look at behavior and other possible causes for the negative action.
There are usually 2 possible reasons for the inappropriate elimination. These include litterbox aversion and stress-related misbehavior. Cats with emotional or environmental stress, live in multi-cat households, or who experience sudden changes in their daily routine, are more susceptible to stress-related misbehavior. Providing mental and environmental enrichment is the best way to prevent inappropriate elimination.
Making sure a cat likes its litter box and doesn’t have any negative associations with it can also help to prevent inappropriate elimination. This includes providing plenty of litter boxes placed in a relatively quiet area that’s easily accessible.
These are some of our key suggestions, but just like humans, cats all have their individual personalities and may require some specific recommendations.
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https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/stop-feline-inappropriate-elimination/
