Rolan Tripp, DVM

Inside the Mind and Spirit of CatsWhy do Cats DO what they DO ???

Rolan Tripp, DVM

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Cat Personality Components• Both predator and prey• Individual personalities• Genetic variation• Prenatal factors• Critical socialization period• Training• Experience• Why do cats do what they do?

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why do cats eat grass?1. Roughage acts as a

natural laxative2. Provides chlorophyll

for digestion3. Source of folic acid

(not in meat)4. Grass eating

increases when nauseous 5. this irritates the stomach lining,

promoting vomiting of noxious material6. Grass binds with foreign material

already moved past the stomach to pass it through.

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why do cats respond to catnip?

About 50% of all cats have

the genetic ability

to react/hallucinate; then only

when > 3mo old

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why do cats play with prey?1. Queen retrieves stray kittens

2. Practice for inexperienced huntersGoal: catch prey while not being injured

3. Adults teach kittens to huntBring live prey to kittensLet it go, and let kittens tryBring it back so kittens can practice

4. Part of hunt instinct – even if overfed

5. This is basis of cat “retrievers.”

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why do cats hiss and spit?• Mimic a snake?

• An evolutionary deceptive strategy

• Ears back, molded into head

• Curving body and tail

• Striped body

• Hiss and spit.

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why do cats knead and drool?1. Mom never taught

the kitten to stop

2. Reminder of happy nursing and milk anticipation

3. Human equivalent of thumb sucking

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why do cats like being stroked?• Cats perceive

human grooming like their mother’s loving tongue

• Best if started young

• Might be related to acupuncture “meridians.”

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why does a cat bury it’s feces?Might attract

predators

Maintains hunt area

Prevents parasites

Dampens smell

Shows subordination.

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why does a cat wag it’s tail?• “Quick Flick”

– In a state of conflict, i.e. mentally balancing options - as if “on the fence”

• “Waving”– Greeting behavior,

to call attention to itself. ..“Here I am!”

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why do cats fight so much?

Fear - lack of socialization

Status- control resources

Hormones - control reproduction

Overcrowding

NOTE: Head wound = going in; Rump wound = leaving

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why does a cat chatter its teeth when watching a bird through the window?

Cat is practicing a special neck bite designed

to kill a rodent or bird

without struggle

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why does a cat sway its head side to side when watching prey?

• With binocular vision, multiple check points help determine exact distance in preparation for an attack leap

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Why do we say, “It’s raining cats and dogs”?

• Saying comes from early England, near Thames river

• Strays lived in poorly built storm drains

• Heavy rains drowned strays which were found strewn over the streets.

Cat CorrectionsCat Corrections

Booby TrapsBooby Traps

(and other sneaky strategies)(and other sneaky strategies)

Cat CorrectionsCat Corrections(that don’t touch the cat)(that don’t touch the cat)

No No physicalphysical punishment punishment (that touches the cat)(that touches the cat)

SoundSound Corrections Corrections Hissing (you, at the cat)Hissing (you, at the cat) Shake canShake can Remote hair dryerRemote hair dryer

ScentScent Corrections Corrections Onion, potpourri, commercialOnion, potpourri, commercial

Motion detector SSScat =>Motion detector SSScat =>

Cat Corrections Cat Corrections (continued)(continued)

Water sprayerWater sprayer Inverted carpet runnerInverted carpet runner Sticky tape (furniture or carpet)Sticky tape (furniture or carpet)

Attached to place matsAttached to place mats ConfinementConfinement

Crate, condo, safe roomCrate, condo, safe room Other CorrectionsOther Corrections

Scat mat familyScat mat family Scarecrow sprinkler.Scarecrow sprinkler.

© Rolan Tripp, DVM

Questions?

• For additional Information

– Pet Perception Management Manual

• Rolan Tripp, DVM 200 pgs, $49

• Contact me at the following:

– Email: RTripp@AnimalBehavior.Net

– Phone/Fax: (800) 372-3706