Cat body language & handling + online module

why is learning about cat behavior important for us?

• improved experience & outocomes for cats

• better interactions with owner/vet/people

• improved veterinary care

  • owner less likely to see vet care if seen as difficult for ht ecat

• reduce unwanted behaviors

• safety

  • prevent bites & scratches

  • teaching children about cat communication & how to respond to behaviors

where do cats preferred to be touched?

• the head & neck for physical touch by humans

  • might get upset and/or aggressive if pet in other areas (e.g. gripping onto hands/arms if pet belly)

which parts of a cat’s body can we look at to read their body language (6 parts)

• ears

• eyes

• facial cues

• head & body position

• tail movement

• piloerection

what is showing in a-c, a-e, a-g

a-c: increasing offensive display

a-e: increasing passive subimssion

a-g: increasing defensive threat

describe what you see here, will you continue to approach this cat?

• progressive dilation of pupils

• mild rotation/flatten of the ears

→ increasing fear → will pause, monitor or modify approach

describe what you see here, will you continue to approach this cat?

• slightly narrowed pupil

• ears horizontal

• tense jaw

→ escalating fear → modify approach or stop approaching this cat

describe what you see, will you continue to approach this cat?

• ears: flatten to the side

• eyes: oblong shape

• muzzle: tense

• body posture: body flat on the ground

= early signs of fear & anxiety

what is happening in 2 & 3?

2- ears flatten. piloerection. feet closer to the body. eyes looking up. head lowered. back visibly arched = increased fear

3 - head looking up. face tense. ready to flight = extreme fear

common signs of calm cats

• ears

• eyes

• breathing

• tail

• body posture

• ears: up and forward

• eyes: wide and relaxed. or narrow and content. slow blink

• breathing: calm

• tail: still when lying down. or up when standing.

• body postures: relaxed

why do cats do head rubs

depositing scent

do cats like belly rubs?

No. when it throws itself on the side and show its belly is a greeting behavior, saying that it feels relaxed in your presence. giving a slight head rub is good enough

what are some attributes of a good cat carrier

• sturdy, secure, stable

• easy to carry & lift

• quiet to disassemble/open

• easy to remove cat in low stress manner

  • e.g. removable tops can be useful for fearful, fear-aggresive, limited mobility & ill cats

how to put a cat into a carrier and how to take it out

• in: feet into cafe first.

• out: one hand holding onto front limbs, another hand supporting the belly.

how to safely carry a cat

• right hand: finger under cat’s from legs, to hold both front limbs

• left hand under cat belly, and tuck the cat under our right armpit

• note: this is only food for short distance

describe how the scraf hold is done

• pull one side (preferably the shorter end) and wrap around the cat’s neck

• then do the same with the other end

how to restrain cats for pilling?

where should you NOT put ur fingers at

• holding the cat’s head in the hollow below the zygomatic arches

• left and extend the head so that the head is facing upwards → the mouth should be slightly open at this point

• NOT under the mandible → b/c this way the cat won’t be able to open its mouth

how should you hold a cat for saphenous IV access

• hold cat so that arm is over the head

• cat body is closest to body