Category: Behavior

You can be allergic to one cat and not another. It is possible for one cat to trigger severe symptoms while another may cause a reaction that is barely noticeable. Most cat allergies are caused by pet dander, and some cats produce more than others. This means it is possible for someone with cat allergies to not suffer with obvious symptoms if they live with a cat that produces less dander.

Are Any Cats Hypoallergenic? 

In order to be 100% hypoallergenic, a cat would have to produce no dander at all. Since all cats produce some amount of dander, there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic cat. There are, however, breeds that produce dander in very small amounts, making them a great choice for allergy sufferers.

Some of the cats that may work well for those with allergies include:

• Sphynx
• Cornish Rex
• Oriental
• Devon Rex
• Russian Blue
• Siberian
• Bengal 

Again, these cats still produce some dander so, if you have allergies, it’s important to spend time around these cats before adopting or buying.

I’m Allergic, But I REALLY Want A Cat 

You’re not alone, and the good news is that it’s possible to live with cats in spite of allergies. Unless you have a life-threatening allergy, which is rare, your doctor can help you with a plan to deal with the symptoms while still enjoying the company of your pet.

This is good news not just for pet owners, but also for the cats. According to the ASPCA, about 374,000 cats are returned to shelters each year because the owner has allergies.

If you suspect an allergy to cats, visit your doctor to confirm. If the allergies are mild to moderate, treatment and following these tips to reduce allergens in your home may be able to help your four-legged family members remain in your home. 

While there may not be a law that specifies a certain amount of time that you can leave your dog alone, there are animal neglect and cruelty laws—and leaving your dog unattended for too long can put you in violation of those statutes. The particulars of these laws vary by state, but if you’re a reasonably responsible pet owner, it’s not likely that you’ll find yourself on the wrong side of an animal cruelty law.

How Long is Too Long? 

Laws aside, how long is too long to leave your dog? A general rule is that you should try not to leave them alone for more than four to six hours at a time. That doesn’t mean you’re abusing your pet if you have to work late, but it is a good idea to make some sort of arrangements if you know you’ll be gone for the day.

Dogs are social, and being isolated for the bulk of the day can make them lonely, anxious, bored, and depressed. Also, dogs need to be able to relieve themselves and it’s not good to force them to “hold it” for that long.

Since you may not have a job that allows you to spend all day with your pet, consider:

• Hiring a dog walker
• Dropping your pet at doggy daycare
• Installing a doggy door
• Spending your lunch break to let your dog out 

What about Leaving Them for the Weekend? 

This is never a good idea, and it’s really unfair to the dog. Will you be breaking the law? It depends on the circumstances, but leaving your dog alone for several days will certainly be walking too close to the line.

Dogs are usually most comfortable at home, so consider looking for a house/pet sitter that you trust. If not, pet boarding or someone who can host your dog at their house are other options.

Consider your dog’s physical and emotional needs when deciding how long is too long to leave your pet alone. 

If you find yourself wondering “why do my cats hate each other?”, fear is usually the bottom line. Reasons vary though, and sometimes medical issues can be a cause—especially if your cats have lived together for a while and gotten along. Thankfully, aggression issues between cats can often be resolved.

The key, of course, is discovering the reason or, at the very least, using trial and error to discover what works to calm the bad blood between your cats. If the cats have been in the same household for a while without incident, the first step is a visit to the vet to rule out medical issues. From there, you can start to search for the solution that will work for you.

Methods for Preventing Aggression Between Cats 

What may help your cats depends on the reason for the aggression. Note that these methods won’t work for every cat, but if you’re committed to keeping your cats together, you should try as many as you can.

Give Cats Personal Space 

Have two of everything: beds, scratching posts, food and water bowls, etc., so the cats won’t feel like they have to fight to keep what’s theirs. For litter boxes, the best formula to follow is number of cats +1= the total number of litter boxes you should have available in your house.

A Way Out  

Installing a cat door into a room where the passive cat can retreat may be all it takes to calm things down. You can even get a cat collar that controls the cat door – if you only put the collar on the passive cat, he/she will be able to access the room as needed.

Pheromones 

You’ve probably heard of products such as Feliway that helps cats feel calm and relieves stress through the use of pheromones. Many pet owners have had great success when using such products to calm aggression between cats.

What If Nothing Works?

 It’s important to be patient. If you just adopted a new cat, it can take weeks to months for the two cats to get along. Allowing your cats to get used to each other takes time.

The next step is to seek professional help. Animal behaviorists are many times able to help minimize or completely eliminate problems between pets. Consulting a professional will give you peace of mind that you are truly doing everything in your power to make the relationship between your cats work.

In some cases, nothing you try will help your cats get along. If the issues are minor, such as occasional hissing or swatting, you can probably keep both cats in the same household. If the aggression is more severe, it may be kinder to rehome one of the cats. While this is a very difficult decision, it’s one that some pet owners have to make in order to prevent injuries and excessive stress to the cats. Finding a new home can be difficult, but there are tools available to help you find a safe, loving family for your cat. Rehome is a website devoted to helping responsible pet owners find new homes for their pets, and the site features many resources to help you get started.

You can get your older cat to like your new kitten by starting with proper introductions. Older cats are often less receptive to newcomers, so getting your older cat used to the kitten slowly is better than springing this hyper little kitten on her all at once. If you’re able to adopt two kittens the same age, size and energy levels, that is often the best way to help the kittens get along with your adult cat. They will be able to play fun energetic kitten games and your older cat can join in when he’s in the mood, without constantly being pestered by a kitten who wants to play all the time.

The Introduction 

You’re probably super excited about having a new kitten in the home, but your older cat is likely to be a bit less thrilled. Older cats especially like their routines, and an energetic kitten could disrupt that in all kinds of ways. If you’re not able to adopt two kittens the same age and energy levels, it will be up to you to play with the kitten long and hard enough multiple times a day to get out the kitten’s boundless energy on toys, instead of the kitten constantly pouncing on your older cat.

That doesn’t mean there is no chance of them getting along. In fact, some older cats will be happy for the company—but for the best chance of success, introduce them slowly.

Step One

Keep the new kitten isolated and feed both the older cat and kitten close the door. Over a few days, move the bowls closer to the door, so they are eating close together with just the door between them.

Step Two

Prop the door enough that they can see and smell each other. Do this for a few minutes each day for several days. During this time, swap their blankets so they can get used to each other’s scents.

Step Three

Bring your older cat into the room with the kitten. Your cat may hiss and snarl, ignore the cat completely, or be just fine. A little hissing is nothing to worry about, but you’ll need to be there in case things get physical. Let them spend about 10 minutes together during the initial meeting.

Step Four

Increase the time the cats spend together by 5 or so minutes each day. How this next part goes will depend on how the cats seem to be getting along. You may have to take things more slowly or you might realize they are ready to be proper housemates. 

With proper introductions, lots of playtime with you to expend their kitten energy, and a healthy dose of patience, your older cat will likely accept your new kitten—even if they don’t spend every waking moment together.  

The amount of time it takes a Great Pyrenees to get used to a new home will generally be between one and three months. Of course, anyone who has been around dogs knows that they all have their own personality and quirks. This means that some dogs may adjust more quickly and others might take a little longer. Your new dog’s age can play into this, as well. Younger dogs and puppies tend to adjust faster.

Below, we’ll be looking at some of the things you can do to make the process easier for you and your dog.

Make Your New Dog Feel Safe

The most important thing is to make sure that she feels safe when she comes to a new home. This is a big change for her. She’s been accustomed to a different life and different people, and now everything has gone topsy-turvy for her. It’s natural for her to be a little scared when she arrives.

You want to make sure you aren’t bringing a lot of new people over to look at her and play with her until she’s settled a bit. You might want to give this a week or two. However, you’ll want to introduce her to everyone who lives in the house, including other pets, on the first day she arrives.

Provide her with a location in the house, such as a dog bed, that can be just hers. Keep her toys and any other items that are hers in this location. You might even want to get a blanket to put over her crate, so she can use it as a den. Providing her with a safe space like this will help her stay calm.

Create a Schedule

Dogs tend to do well on schedules, much like children. Therefore, you’ll want to set up a schedule for your dog when she arrives. Get your Great Pyrenees onto this schedule for walks and feeding, etc. as soon as possible. Having a routine can help her get used to the house and her new life faster.

Be Ready for Some Setbacks

There will be days where it seems like she’s adjusting quickly and getting accustomed to things with her new family. However, there will also be some days when there seem to be some setbacks. This might include excessive barking or whining, bathroom accidents, or refusal to eat. As long as you keep to the schedule and you’re providing love and care, she’ll get used to the changes.

Remember to Be Patient

You might be lucky and have a Great Pyrenees who adjusts to your home and family in just a few days. However, that’s the exception and not the rule. You need to be patient and work on it a little bit every day. Eventually, she’ll be perfectly at home and will love you and your family as much as she did her previous owner. Just give her the time she needs.

It can take a few weeks to a few months for cats to get used to each other, but this varies based on the cats’ personalities. The answer for your specific situation depends on many factors such as the age and temperament of the cats, whether proper introductions were made, and—as is the case when humans first meet—on whether or not the cats click. While you can’t predict how introductions will go, you can take steps to make the process successful.

Properly Introducing a New Cat Into Your Household 

When a new baby enters the picture, it’s common for toddler siblings to be very jealous and act out. Though many cats would rather not be alone and thrive when they share their space with other cats, some don’t like to share. Parents often read books in order to learn the best way to introduce a new baby into the home, and pet parents should also do some rehome_research when making a new cat part of the family. Here are some steps for making a proper introduction:

• Don’t just toss the cats together and expect them to be besties. Begin with isolating the new cat to one room with a litter box, food, water, and a bed. 
• Put treats or food on either side of the door where the new cat is isolated. This will allow the new cat and the resident cat to hear and smell each other. When doing this for the first time, don’t put the food so close to the door that the cats are too upset by each other to eat. Gradually move the food closer and closer to the door as time goes on until the cats can eat calmly directly on either side of the door. 
• Switch sleeping blankets between the new cat and the resident cat so that they have a chance to become accustomed to each other’s scent. 
• Put the new cat in a carrier and allow the resident cat to smell all around the new cat’s carrier and room. 
• Make the official introduction. Slowly open the new cat’s door and observe. Having a spray bottle and blanket on hand may be helpful in case you need to intervene in a cat fight. 

Don’t be alarmed if the cats hiss and swat at each other – a little of this is normal! Providing each cat with their own bed, litter box (one litter box per cat plus one additional litter box works best!), food bowls, and toys will also help. Since cats can sometimes be territorial, the less they have to share, the better.

There is no simple answer to the question of how long it will take cats to get used to each other, but by following some of the steps above, you can help to further the process along more quickly. 

You can calm an anxious cat by using calming products, providing more playtime, giving him a quiet space that he can have all to himself where he won’t be bothered by any people or pets like inside a nice closet or a spare room, and offering interactive toys to keep your cat’s brain busy. Some are surprised to learn that cats experience anxiety. Some cats may be naturally anxious, while others may develop anxiety following an injury or a change in routine or household dynamic. Since it can be hard to read cats, the only way to recognize their anxiety is typically through their behavior.

Why Your Cat May Be Anxious 

Even the slightest change can cause anxiety for your cat. Common reasons for a cat to feel anxious include a new family member (either human or pet), rearranging furniture, moving to a new house, or other things that are new. When possible, offering slow introductions can help reduce anxiety.

Signs Of An Anxious Cat 

Some cats spend most of their day snoozing under the bed, and that is not necessarily a sign of an anxious cat—although hiding can be a symptom. Others spend hours darting back and forth from one end of the house to other. Again, that doesn’t necessarily mean your cat is anxious, but it could be a sign. The following behaviors are signs your cat may have anxiety:

• Failing to use the litter box
• Aggression towards other household pets or people
• Excessive meowing
• Hiding
• Excessive cleaning (often resulting in bald spots)
• No social interaction
• Destructive behavior 

Note that these behaviors can signal something other than anxiety but, no matter the cause, they shouldn’t be ignored—especially if the behavior came on suddenly.

If you suspect anxiety, the first stop should be to your vet to rule out an underlying medical cause. Once that’s ruled out, you can move on to finding a way to help your pet overcome their anxiety. Methods that may bring success include:

Spending More Time with Your Cat

If your cat is a social cat who enjoys interacting with you, spend time each day brushing your cat, playing with him, and cuddling him. This quality time ensures your cat is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation—both of which may help with anxiety. 

Improve The Cat’s Environment

Does your pet have a kitty condo and other place to escape to either up high or under something, and plenty of escape routes from rooms so he doesn’t feel cornered or trapped? Does he have lots of toys, and his own litter box (rule of thumb is one box per cat plus one additional box)? If not, adding these items can help with anxiety. 

Calming Products

Many pet owners have had great success with calming collars and diffusers, which can be purchased at most pet supply stores.

Medication

In extreme cases and when nothing else works, your vet may suggest a medication to help alleviate your cat’s anxiety.    

You may need to involve your vet or an animal behaviorist, but the good news is that with a little patience and some trial and error, you’ll likely be able to find a solution that works for your pet. 

Studies have been done that concluded that dogs can detect cancer, but only anecdotal evidence exists that cats can smell cancer.

How Is It Possible For A Cat To Smell Cancer?

If it turns out that cats can actually detect cancer, it will likely have to do with their sense of smell. While dogs have a far superior sense of smell than cats, a cat’s sense of smell is nothing to sneeze at – it far surpasses that of a human.

One theory is that this keen sense of smell allows them to detect changes in the body. Some experts believe cats could be trained to detect cancer and use their powerful noses in other useful ways as well.  

My Cat Keeps Pawing At A Spot On My Body – Should I Worry? 

Probably not, but if your cat (or dog) seems particularly interested in one side of your chest on more than one occasion, it wouldn’t hurt to mention it to your doctor. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time a cat helped save their owner’s life by alerting them to a tumor. 

You may be allergic to your cat if you notice symptoms such as swelling and itching around your nose and eyes, congestion, or a rash on your face, neck, or chest. An allergist can diagnose a cat allergy with a skin test. While it is bad news for a cat owner to be allergic to their pet, the good news is that, in most cases, there are simple treatments that will allow you to keep your feline friend in your home.

It’s Not Just The Fur 

You could be allergic to your cat’s fur, but that’s not the only thing that can cause cat allergy symptoms. Your symptoms may also be triggered by:

•  Cat Dander
• Saliva
• Urine 

It doesn’t take a lot of exposure; breathing in or touching pet dander may be all it takes to set off your allergies.

I Think I’m Allergic: When to See a Doctor 

Self-diagnosis is never a good idea, and Dr. Google has led many people astray with either misinformation or improperly applied information. The symptoms of a cat allergy are very similar to those of a cold or other allergies. Rather than rushing to judgement and blaming Fluffy, make an appointment with an allergist. If you are allergic to your cat, the doctor can likely prescribe something to bring you some relief.

If the cat isn’t to blame, the allergist will be able to help you pinpoint what is making you miserable.

Common treatments include:

• Antihistamines
• Corticosteroid Nasal Sprays
• Cromolyn Sodium
• Allergy Shots 

DIY Treatment 

Many people are opposed to taking prescription medication. If your symptoms are fairly mild, it’s possible to treat your cat allergies by rinsing your nasal passages with saline water or taking over-the-counter decongestant sprays.

If you suspect an allergy to your cat, don’t panic. Visit your doctor to be sure that’s what you’re dealing with, and then work on treatments that allow you to keep your pet without suffering with allergy symptoms. For more help, check out Tips to reduce allergies to pets on our blog. 

Your cat may be suddenly chewing on everything due to anxiety, a medical condition, or even just because he realized it’s an activity he enjoys. While adult cats don’t usually chew as much as dogs, it is a normal behavior. Still, depending on what they chew, it can be annoying to you and dangerous to them. That’s why it’s important to redirect their chewing away from harmful objects.

My Cat is Chewing Stuff. Now What? 

If your adult cat was never a chewer and the behavior has manifested suddenly, it’s a good idea to pay a visit to the vet just as you would with any other change in your cat’s habits. Once a medical issue has been ruled out, you can focus on trying to prevent inappropriate chewing.

Redirect the Chewing

When you notice your cat chewing, offer him a toy instead. Many times, the toy will bring out the predator in your cat, and he’ll be happy chewing on their “prey” instead of your belongings.

More Play Time

Your cat could be chewing out of boredom. Try spending more time with your cat playing with and/or grooming him.

Provide Stimulating Toys

Puzzle toys and other interactive options can keep an active cat entertained and prevent boredom. 

Protect Your Pet 

Some items can cause harm to your pet. Until you find a way to curb the behavior, you’ll need to protect your pet from, for example, chewing on wires or items that could cause gastrointestinal upset or electrocution.

Doing so could be as simple as keeping items out of reach, or may be a bit more involved, such as wrapping cords in rubber covers. You can also try bitter sprays and other deterrents (like tin foil) to keep your cat away from items he shouldn’t be chewing.

Also note that if the chewing is obsessive, it could be due to anxiety. In that case, you may try calming products such as collars and diffusers. If that doesn’t help, a chat with an animal behaviorist would be the next step.