There are some key signs to look out for if you suspect your cat is not happy. Firstly look at their coat – if it’s dull and unkempt the cat isn’t grooming which is a telltale sign that he is down in the dumps. It is also unusual for your cat to be inactive, sleeping more than usual or to have suddenly changed his routine. Another sign is loss of appetite.
Cats are staunchly territorial creatures and this doesn’t just relate to places and objects. It can also relate to their owners. This has never been so highlighted than over the past six months with my own cat who has really made a point of showing all the members of my household who is boss.
My partner shook his head in disbelief last night as I drew up a list of presents and there at the bottom were a selection of cat names – that of my friends cat’s Cleo and Oliver. ‘You must be joking!’ he cried incredulously. ‘Not at all,’ I responded with a serious look. ‘I buy them a present every year. And Tikka (my cat) get’s one from them!.’ With another bemused look my partner walked away shaking his head muttering something about ‘madness’ and ‘he’d ‘heard it all now.’
It’s the time of year that I love – Christmas time! I had duly put my tree up by 1st December skilfully decorated with baubles and twinkling lights. Christmassy nik naks adorn the house and I have my stock of mince pies and brandy sauce stashed in the kitchen.
Cats love their freedom and are often upset and indignant about shut doors and barriers to them being able to roam in and out at their leisure. The invention of the cat flap is indeed one of the greatest in the cat world. I have lived with my cat, Tikka in situations where we have been unable to have a cat flap and quite frankly I was reduced to being his doorman for the duration. He was moody and demanding and more inclined to stay away from home for long periods of time.
I was watching The Dog Whisperer on Sky 3 recently and my favourite dog training guru Cesar Milan was weaving his magic with a dog AND a cat. The two adversaries were driving their distraught owners to distraction. The dog when it arrived had immediately gone into hunter mode and spent every opportunity hunting down the poor cat. The cat had started to hide away and skulk around the dark corners of the house to avoid being chased. Obviously this was no life for the cat and it was understandably upsetting the owners.
Every year it is a sad fact that many thousands of cats are killed on UK roads each year. For cat owners when this happens it is extremely distressing and even more so for the many cat owners who will not be able to find out what the fate of the much loved cat is.
It has long been a campaign for protecting dogs at Christmas time with the slogan ‘dogs are for life not just for Christmas’. However this is relevant to cats also.
Its that time of year when organisations such as Cat’s Protection start to send out the message that cat ownership should not be taken lightly and that by taking on board the responsibility of a cat or kitten you are taking on a loving relationship that will span many years – not just the Christmas period.
With the onset of some real wintry weather to get everyone in the Christmas mood spare a thought for your cat if you let him out and about. With the temperature dropping you need to make sure your cat has access to the warmth when it gets too cold.
I am pregnant at the moment and have recently suffered a few people telling me I need to get rid of my much beloved cat, Tikka. I have to admit to be completely enraged and somewhat bewildered by the way cats have been demonised regarding babies and felt compelled to research the subject to get make facts completely straight.