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Ask A Vet Why Does My Cat Follow Me To The Bathroom?

We all snicker at the images and videos of cats prying the bathroom door open or perching inside pants gathered around the ankles of the wearer when they are on the “john”.

Cats are curious and playful and we know that our cats like to be with us, but seriously…do they have to attend our potty breaks? Your cat does not like for you to stare at her in her litter box, but she clearly feels welcome whenever you attempt to take some “alone time”.

The answer to this question may lie in who cats really are instinctively. Your cat is a predator driven by the instincts of a hunter. But because of her size, she knows that she could also be prey. As her guardian or parent substitute, she may feel vulnerable in your absence.

Cats are “micro-managers”. Everyone knows that curiosity killed the cat and when you slip into a room and always close the door, you are doing something mysterious. Your home is your cat’s territory and the bathroom is within the boundary of his sphere of influence. How dare you shut him away from his own territory? You might be hoarding resources or making friends with other cats. He can only know if he checks.

Animals must place value on resources in order to prioritize their actions. High value resources are ones that are immediately desired and strong enough to motivate an action. Animal behaviorists utilize this trait to motivate animals for training purposes, using reward systems. When there is competition for a resource, its value increases. That is what you do every time you close the bathroom door. You elevate the value of the space by choosing it for yourself and denying her access.

Vulnerability, curiosity and resource value can all be explanations, but really, everyone with a cat knows the real answer. Cats are contrarians. It is in their DNA to want what they cannot have. Let a cat in and he wants out. Fill his bowl and he is quickly bored, but let it become even partly empty and get ready to hear about it. It is a “cat thing” and we love them for their silly and fun antics. The next time you go to the “reading room”, you can ponder which of these reasons is why your cat is knocking at the door!

 

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4 Proven Ways To Keep Your Cat Off The Counter

Cats are naturally inclined to climb and jump, and sometimes they jump on the countertops. Given that this is the place where we often prepare food and eat meals, it’s not only inconvenient, it’s unsanitary. Keep reading to learn some of the methods you can use to keep your cat off of the counter.

Here are some methods to keep your furry friend away from the countertops.

1. Provide More Interesting Alternatives

Cats seek countertops because of their natural instincts to climb and jump. They generally enjoy high places because they’re warm and comfortable. These instincts are natural, even healthy for your cat, so it’s best not to discourage them completely. However, not only is it unsanitary to have your cat on the counter, it’s potentially dangerous. Your cat could eat food that’s unhealthy for him or burn his paws on the stove.

Instead of discouraging your cat completely from jumping, find him a better place to jump and climb on. Some great options might be a cat tree like Armarkat Cat Tree or a cat condo like Go Pet Club Condo House. Look for something that has material your cat might like, such as carpet or bark, and more comfortable, warm places for your cat to sleep.

2. Don’t Leave Food On The Counter

Some cats like to peruse kitchen counters and tables for food and leftover scraps. To remove this temptation, it’s a good idea to keep any food out of your cats reach. Keep counters nice and clean so your cat can quickly realize that he’s not even going to find a crumb there.

Dishes should be kept clean and free of food. Wash them immediately, or keep them in the dishwasher where your cat can’t access them. Be sure to feed your cat on a regular feeding schedule so he’ll have no reason to scour the counters for food.

3. Remove Other Attractions Off The Counter

In addition to keeping the countertop food free, it’s a good idea to try your best to keep anything off the counter that might interest your cat. This could include:

  • Running water from the tap.
  • Loose items your cat can play with.
  • Plants.
  • Food items and clutter.
  • Hanging items, such as pots or pans.

Observe your cat and if she seems particularly attracted to something on your counter, try to remove it or make it less appealing.

4. Discourage Your Cat From Jumping On The Counter

If the countertop alone is enough to attract your cat, you may have to find ways to deter your cat from jumping on it. Cats are sensitive animals, so you’ll have to take care during the training process. Avoid negative reactions to your cat in training him; he could develop negative associations to you or begin to fear you. Instead, it’s best to find environmental solutions.

Many cats learn quickly not to get on countertops if you place some sticky tape on the surface of the counter until the cat is trained. I like Sticky Paws.  It is intended for furniture but I find it works well on countertops as well.

You can also try scents. Cats dislike citrus scents. A strong citrus smell might be just enough to keep your cat away from the counters. Try buying a citrus air freshener like this natural citrus air freshener, or making a homemade citrus spray.

A good spray can be made by combining about 2 cups of water and 1 cup of citrus peels (lemons, limes, or oranges work best) in a sauce pan. Let the mixture simmer over the stove for about 15 minutes. Once it’s done, filter the liquid into a spray bottle to create a potent citrus spray. You can add lemon juice or citrus soap to the mixture for an even stronger scent. Spray the mixture onto the countertop after cleaning each day to fill your kitchen with a nice citrus scent and to discourage your cat from jumping on the counter.

Another thing you can try is placing aluminum foil over the surface of the counters. Most cats dislike the way foil feels on their paws, so they’ll likely turn around and jump off.

Caution: Avoid Training Methods That Could Hurt Your Cat

Many people use squirt bottles to keep their cats off the countertops. While this shouldn’t hurt your cat, he could become fearful of you. He may also only associate the method with you being around, doing nothing to prevent him from jumping on the counters when you’re gone. Though it may do the trick, it’s probably not the most effective method available.

When your cat does jump on the counters, remember never to hit or yell at him. Don’t push him off the counter, he could slip and get hurt. Lift him off instead.  If you’re using environmental methods to keep your cat away from the counter, avoid using devices that could cause physical harm to your cat.

With these 4 proven methods, your cat will be off of the counter and jumping in more appropriate places. Remember to always reward your cat for good behavior. Then, you and your cat can be happy together.

 

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7 UNMISTAKABLE SIGNS YOUR CAT LOVES YOU

Ever wonder if your cat loves you?

Like, really loves you and doesn’t just think of you as a good source of food?

While your kitty may not be able to say the words, there are signs that prove cats really do get emotionally attached to their owners.

Today, we’re going to explore seven signs that your kitty is trying to say “hey, I really do love you!”

Let’s check them out!

ARE CATS REALLY AS ALOOF AS WE THINK?

Cats are often considered to be aloof and independent.

In fact, many people who say they don’t like cats cite this as the reason why.

In my own experience, cats – like people – run the whole gamut of personalities.

We have a formerly feral cat who loves to lay in my arms as I work on my writing (makes it challenging, but I adapt), an old, long-haired calico who hates everyone but me, and a massive tuxedo who likes to sleep wrapped around my head at night.

We also have a smaller, older tuxie who loves kisses on the head and would be carried everywhere if you let him, and a tortie who must be in contact in some way whenever possible.

Five for five – not one of my cats is what I would call aloof.

Some of the cats I grew up with were a little more independent – not lap cats, at the very least – but none of them expressed any interest in striking out on their own or avoiding us for any extended period of time.

SIGNS YOUR CAT LOVES YOU

There is some evidence that, unlike dogs, we did not domesticate cats – they decided that they would benefit from our company, and moved into our homes and barns of their own accord.

This makes sense, and does contribute a little to their reputation as independent – and maybe a little bit selfish, but I believe they have grown to love and appreciate us, and they show it.

1.  THEY WANT TO BE NEAR (OR ON) YOU

Your cat wouldn’t want to be near you if they didn’t care about you!

Cats aren’t worried about being polite and pretending to be interested in you, they either are, or they aren’t.

If your cat follows you around the house, curls up next to you on the couch, falls asleep in your lap, or fights you for your spot in bed, they are showing their affection for you quite clearly.

2.  THEY CARRY ON CONVERSATIONS – OR ARGUE – WITH YOU

Feral cats don’t meow at all as a rule, and domestic cats don’t meow at each other.

From a survival perspective, staying quiet makes sense.

Feral cats – unlike wild cats – still need to be cautious of predators, and drawing attention to themselves by making a lot of noise tends to be a bad idea.

Cats don’t need to communicate verbally with each other – pheromones and body language are more than enough for their needs as a colony.

Meowing is a language cats have essentially developed strictly for speaking with humans.

I always imagine them rolling their eyes when they meow, and sighing inwardly at the fact that we humans are still so dense that they have to spell everything out for us.

3.  THEY BRING YOU GIFTS

Sometimes it’s hard to be appreciative of the gifts our cats bring us.

Dead animals (or, almost worse, not dead ones) are common gifts, although I know at least a few cats that have brought toys instead.

Much more pleasant to receive, as they don’t involve chasing an injured animal around the house for hours on end, followed by disinfecting every surface they may have touched… but I digress.

Gifts are your cat’s way of taking care of you, as they would their young or a weaker member of their colony (take that as you will).

Yes, it’s their way of saying “I don’t think you can provide for yourself, so I’ll help you out,” but would they do that if they didn’t care?

4. THEY BITE YOU

This one may not sound much like love, but cats have different types of bites.

Sometimes, a cat will nip at your chin or nose while snuggling with you to show its affection.

These are referred to as “love bites”, and while some cats bite a little harder than they should, they won’t usually bite hard enough to break the skin.

Sometimes a cat will start out by licking you and get carried away, others go straight for the bite.

You can discourage this if you wish by firmly telling your cat “no” and pulling away from them.

They will usually get the gist of it pretty quickly – or you will learn to modify your own behavior to prevent it – cats are quite good at training us.

5. THEY MARK YOU

Cats are very territorial creatures.

They have a number of scent glands on their bodies, and will rub these on you at every opportunity.

They will twist around your legs, pressing against you as they do, or rub their chin and cheeks on you when you get close enough.

As sweet as this gesture may seem, what your cat is doing is actually marking you, and claiming you as their own.

Any other cat will smell this, and know you belong to someone.

Even knowing the origin of this, it’s still nice to know that your cat loves you enough to want to make sure everyone you’re theirs.

6. THEY TRUST YOU

Cats are always aware of their surroundings.  While some are friendlier with strangers than others, they usually don’t fully trust anyone they don’t know or care about.

If your cat rolls onto their back for a belly rub, or lifts their chin so that you can scratch under it, they are demonstrating affection and a great deal of trust, as those are two of their most vulnerable spots.

​7. THEY TELL YOU

I’ve already covered “verbal” communication from cats, but they have another clear way to show they love you.

If you have ever noticed them slowly blinking at you, that’s as close to saying those three words as your furry feline family member can get.

It’s a sign of trust (see above) as their eyes are closed for that moment, and it is one way you can tell them you love them too.

Slow blink at your cat, and watch what happens – there’s a good chance they will respond.

Cats may be more independent than dogs (then again, maybe not), but they are as capable of love and companionship as any pet, and they will happily show you if given the chance.

HAVE YOU SEEN ANY OTHER SIGNS THAT YOUR CAT LOVES YOU? SHARE BELOW!

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9 Signs Your Cat May Be Sick

Do you know how to tell when you cat needs to go to the vet? The earlier you detect a health problem the better; your cat will get better faster and it can save you lots of money on expensive vet bills. Brent Lotz, a certified veterinary assistant, says to keep an eye out for these signs that may mean your cat has a health problem. And if you see any of these symptoms in your cat, it’s time to book an appointment with your cat’s vet ASAP:

1. Change in Appetite

If your kitty is not wanting to eat, or always seems hungry, this can be a sign of several diseases that a vet should look into. Also, if you cat is trying to eat but it seems painful, this could be a sign of a tooth problem.

2.  Sudden Weight Change

A sudden or drastic weight change, either gain or loss, can mean something is wrong with your cat’s health. Knowing what a “good weight” is on your cat is the key to recognizing this sign.

3. Lethargy

While cats are known for being lazy, there is a difference between a cat napping, and a cat not feeling well enough to move. If he/she no longer runs when they hear you getting their food ready, or if their normal “Zoomy time” has been replaced with curling up on the couch, something may be wrong. Many feline diseases and illnesses have lethargy as a telltale symptom, so a trip to the vet is a good idea if you spot an overly tired cat.

4. Vomiting & Diarrhea

Both of these are a clear sign that something is wrong. If there is blood in either the vomit or diarrhea, do not hesitate and contact your vet immediately.

5. Coat Quality

You cat should have a nice, soft clean coat. If you notice your cat’s coat is flaky, dry, greasy, falling out or your cat is not grooming properly, they may have developed a disease or an allergy. Though it may be as simple as switching foods, it’s a good idea to go to the vet to make sure nothing more serious is happening.

6. Not using Litterbox

If your kitty always uses their litter box and then suddenly stops, they may have a problem. It could be any number of issues, including a urinary infection or incontinence.

7. Obsessive Licking

If your cat is obsessively licking herself, than that could be a sign of several skin diseases, allergies or parasites, including fleas. If you notice your cat is licking excessively (some will even make bald patches) then there is definitely an issue at hand.

8. Mood Swings

Is your friendly cat suddenly taking swipes at you when you try petting them or picking them up? Resisting their owner’s advances for affection is often a sign that your cat is in pain. A cat with a sudden change in temperament and behavior is often a trigger of a health issue.

9. Bad Breath

For this sign, you have to know what your cat’s breath normally smells like. Obviously, because, your cat’s breath isn’t going to be “minty fresh” like a human’s, but their should never be a foul smelling odor coming off of it. Bad breath can definitely mean something is wrong in your kitty’s mouth. Whether your poor cat may be suffering from an abscess, tooth decay or an infection, bad breath is the first sign of any of these conditions.

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7 Ways to Make Your Cat Happier

Everyone wants their cat to be healthy and happy. Besides providing for all their main needs for food and water, along with shelter and medical care, you can do several other things that will make your cat think you are the cat’s meow. Here are seven things to do to make a cat happy:

1 Warm Areas

Cats adore staying warm. It doesn’t matter if it’s due to a toasty fireplace, a stove or the sunshine shining in the window. If you make sure your cat has places of warmth like a nice snuggly cat bed or a sunny window bed it will definitely make them purr with happiness. You can also place a cat bed or a scratching post near a source of heat like next to the window or near the heaters. Your cat will love these spots for napping, grooming or just hanging out.

2 A way to the Great Outside World

The majority of cats adore the outside world, as all the exciting smells along with the birds and other kinds of stimulation the outside world brings. It is heaven to your cat. But a lot of cat owners don’t want to put their pets in danger so they don’t allow them outside. Even though cats have claws and can fight or climb to get away from trouble, just being outside can put them in danger against things like cars they can’t fight back. If you’d like your cat to be able to go outside but not be in danger then you must go out with them via putting them on a leash, or putting them inside an outside catio enclosure. If you can’t do that, at least put a scratching post next to a doorway or a window for them to look outside.

3 Speak their Language

Many cats are talky cats such as the Siamese breed. However, any breed of cat can “talk” to their owners using their own specific language. You can cause your cat to be happy if you make some of those same specific noises they use when they are happy. You can copy meows, purrs and other noises your cat uses. Do you know? You could even begin a long talk with them using a language you both will understand.

4 Reading A Cat’s Body Language

If you understand your cat’s body language, it doesn’t just keep him happy, it helps you protect yourself too. A happy cats struts around and carries its tail held straight up as well as it may slightly curve its tail so it looks like a cane. She will rub on you, as well as a purr or slowly blink her eyes at you if she truly loves you. All these things tell you the cat is happy and healthy. If a cat is frightened or mad, it flattens its ears tightly against its head. Then it hisses, growls, or puffs up its body so it looks bigger. If you see a cat acting out with any of those revealing symptoms, it is time to back away from it and let it go somewhere to calm down. Don’t push interaction or you are liable to get a scratched arm or even get bitten.

5 Have a “Spa” Day

Though, cats are well-known staying quite clean, times are when your cat deserves a spa day. That could involve a long deluxe brushing session, as well as clipping their nails and if your cat likes baths, then, by all means, give them a nice warm bath. Taking the time to groom your pet makes them feel wonderful, and it also ensures there aren’t any matts, plus it can invoke true bonding between you and your cat. To truly finish your special spa day, end things by giving your cat some catnip.

6 Interactive Entertainment

Even if you may own two or more cats, getting some interactive entertainment with their human is something your cat will love. Cats love a  thrilling hunting session via some dangly, bouncy toys or a string or other thing you drag in front of them. Give the cat lots of fun by playing with them with the toys they love best or run around the room with them. That improves the cat’s mood as well as helps to ensure they stay happy and healthy and in shape. Cats additionally like all variety of stimulating things, so give them lots of different toys, as well as some boxes or paper sacks. Nothing perks up a cat better than playing with them all afternoon and letting them explore new playthings.

7 Love them, love them and love them some more

It’s very sad to hear about cats that are being abused and that are spiritless and unhappy. To fight that wrong these poor animals had to endure, you should give them tons of your love, as well as praise them and give them lots of positive interactions. That will work wonders for assisting them in trusting people once again. If you show your cat you love them, they will be very happy and respond in kind. If could take some time, but be patient and keep on loving your cat and it will reap huge benefits eventually.

Contented cats are fit and amusing animals for you to have in your home. So do what you can to keep your pet comfy, happy and stimulated and love them forever, then you’ll forever have the satisfaction and joy to know you are helping at least one cat have a happy and good life.

 

 

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