Great Trip to the 2016 IAABC Conference
The 2016 International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants conference was April 8-9 in Anaheim, and it was one of the best behavior conferences I have attended in quite a while. I enjoyed every minute of it! I met Dr. Pachel who I am posing with, and I also got to connect with other cat behaviorists from the U.S. and Canada that was fun as well as helpful. The 2-day conference was packed with gems of valuable cat behavior information.
Here are a few things that cat owners should find helpful.
One of the biggest factors with inter-cat aggression is competition for resources, particularly food. If a cat perceives there isn’t enough food, or has to share a bowl of food, a cat can sometimes become stressed and may act out. Competition for water, resting places and indoor hunting activities can also be problematic.
Cats can develop “feline chin acne” not only from plastic water bowls and/or food bowls, but from resting their chin on some types of synthetic carpet. And, using carpet fresheners can also be irritating to the cat’s very sensitive respiratory tract.
Unless your household includes young children or dogs, it is best to provide open litterboxes which are extra-large or jumbo with a high sides. A cat using an enclosed litterbox is like us using a PortaPotty! UGH! Litterboxes should be cleaned at least once a month with unscented soap and water. They should be replaced every 2-3 years. Liners are not recommended, especially scented ones. Automated litterboxes may be nice for you, but not for your cat. Those types of litterboxes are too small and are not built to function with an adequate depth of litter which will allow a cat to “cover” his/her deposits.
The quickest way to start to build, or improve, a relationship with cats is to always wait for them to come to us. When we approach them and try to pet them, it is OUR choice. Letting it be THEIR choice to come to us, to be petted or sit beside us or in our lap will demonstrate to them that we can be trusted and are respecting their boundaries. Always keep in mind how small they are compared to us! When they allow, pet them lightly around their head or rub under their chin. Avoid their flanks and the tail area, especially at first.