Current Events > Ask me anything about cat/kitten development, behavior, etc.

(+) Yeah! (+)

I work in animal welfare.

What is a flavor that humans can taste , but cats can not?

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Allogrooming is a behavior seen across many different animals, and aside from purely functional uses, its simply a way to increase/reinforce social bonds and build companionship. Cats learn to groom one another as kittens, so will do it with their people because we are a part of their clan.

cjsdowg posted...

What is a flavor that humans can taste , but cats can not?

Cats can't taste sweet, likely because they are obligate carnivores so have no need to detect those types of food.

How far can a cat fall and be okay ? Can I give a cat bacon?

GranolaPanic posted...

I took in a stray cat last year. He is so thirsty that I have to refill his water bowl at least 4 times a day. My vet said that hes healthy, but it doesnt seem normal for him to drink that much.

How old is the cat and does he eat wet food? Cats get most of their fluids from wet food, so cats that eat mostly dry will tend to drink more water. I would definitely be concerned about hyperthyroidism or kidney issues. Did the vet run full blood panels?

cjsdowg posted...

How far can a cat fall and be okay ? Can I give a cat bacon?

There's not really specific studies on this but I think it can be as high as like 20 stories, which is roughly 200 feet? Bacon is safe for cats to eat, but obviously not too much given the salt and fat content.

why did one of my previous cats love to eat bread so much

Why does my sweet boy have a little squeak instead of a meow?

C_Pain posted...

Cats can't taste sweet, likely because they are obligate carnivores so have no need to detect those types of food.

My family used to have a cat who would straight-up steal Twinkies and eat them if you left them unattended and not in a container, but, as you said, he shouldn't have been able to taste them. He did the same thing with hazelnuts as well, for some reason, and IIRC, cats shouldn't be able to taste those either. Is there some possible reason why he might have done that?

Is it okay to give a cat a whole fish to eat if it's fresh? I've seen conflicting information on that online.

I understand that it's best to have two cats so that they can hang out together and groom each other. The local shelter doesn't seem to have any specific listing for bonded pairs, so aside from getting two cats that are listed as a bonded pair, what is the best way of adopting two cats who will get along together?

GranolaPanic posted...

Hes 5 and mostly eats dry food. The vet did blood tests and said that there werent any reasons to worry.

It could just be due to him eating a lot of dry food then. If the blood work looks could I would trust the vet.

GuerrillaSoldier posted...

why did one of my previous cats love to eat bread so much

Cats don't need carbs so it's likely just a quirk! Every cat is different so that's just part of his personality. Something about the texture or smell maybe appeals to him.

lilORANG posted...

Why does my sweet boy have a little squeak instead of a meow?

Cats have up to something like 15 or 20 different types of vocalizations, and individual structural variation in vocal chords, etc. will result in meows sounding differently.

SpawnShadow posted...

My family used to have a cat who would straight-up steal Twinkies and eat them if you left them unattended and not in a container, but, as you said, he shouldn't have been able to taste them. He did the same thing with hazelnuts as well, for some reason, and IIRC, cats shouldn't be able to taste those either. Is there some possible reason why he might have done that?

Something else in the food appeals to them, like the oil, preservatives, amino acids, etc.

UnsteadyOwl posted...

Is it okay to give a cat a whole fish to eat if it's fresh? I've seen conflicting information on that online.

I'm actually not sure about this. I would think the concern would be about bacterial contamination. I believe cats can safety eat fish bones but there is still a risk of choking so I would probably say no.

Giacomo_Hawkins posted...

I understand that it's best to have two cats so that they can hang out together and groom each other. The local shelter doesn't seem to have any specific listing for bonded pairs, so aside from getting two cats that are listed as a bonded pair, what is the best way of adopting two cats who will get along together?

Generally cats do better together, and are less work for a person because they can entertain themselves, especially when you're at work or asleep. However, this is not a hard rule, and more so applies to kittens.

If you're adopting kittens, then littermates are great and wouldn't be called a bonded pair. Bonded pairs refers to a specific behavioral designation, usually for adult cats, in which one thrives much more when in the presence of the other. If you are adopting two separate adult cats, then just google cat-cat introductions. The most important thing is to go very slowly, and at a pace they dictate. When you first bring them home they should be fully separated.

Why does my cat love my armpits? Why does my wife's cat love bare soles?

SpawnShadow posted...

My family used to have a cat who would straight-up steal Twinkies and eat them if you left them unattended and not in a container, but, as you said, he shouldn't have been able to taste them. He did the same thing with hazelnuts as well, for some reason, and IIRC, cats shouldn't be able to taste those either. Is there some possible reason why he might have done that?

NOT TC and don't know about cat, but he could like how it feels eating it. Like the texture .Like the foam out side and creaming part could have good mouth feel too them?

-What are the biggest acts of Negligence or ignorance from Human Owners, that tend to lower Cat Lifespan/make them not as healthy as they should be?

-What are the most common sicknesses or diseases that Cats go through?

-What are some things that humans should do more for their cats, that most tend to overlook?

-What animals do Cats tend to have a natural fear or be afraid of, the most?

-A human has a male and female cat. the female cat gives birth to a bunch of kittens. How do father cats typically act around their young in the same household?

-How do mother cats typically react to their children once they have fully grown and live in the same household? Can they still get along relatively well, or do they typically become very distant?

-A scenario occurs where a cat witnesses it's owners demise. Lets say, Human B caused the owner's demise. The cat doesn't get harmed and is rehomed to a loving family , but a few months later the cat sees Human B. How is the cat most likely to react?

-Do Cats act any different if they see that their owner is severely sick? Like if the owner has a degenerative disease, cant move as much, etc.

-Often times in social media or tiktok, you see people take feral cats or stray cats into their home and "adopt them" for good. . What are the actual downsides to doing this, compared to getting a cat from a pet store/shelter/breeder

-What are generally the most common reasons that human owners tend to put their cats or return them to animal shelters?

-What are some signs that a cat is actually being mistreated , or severely neglected? Assuming the cat doesn't have any visible bruising.

-I once saw a video where two cats started fighting. NSFW WARNING/GRAPHIC DETAILS WARNING. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. Lets call them Cat A & B. Cat B got it's neck broken/injured to the point suddenly to the point where it started having spasms. Cat A decided to immediately run away upon seeing this. Are violent fights like this common with cats to the point where it usually leads to severe injury or death? Or was this likely just a freak accident? Since Cat A didn't attack B anymore and ran away

C_Pain posted...

cat/kitten development

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/c/c10b12c1.jpg

on topic: is it okay ot have 1 cat

mazingetter posted...

Why does my cat love my armpits? Why does my wife's cat love bare soles?

Don't kink shame. But most likely due to the scents/salt that they're attracted to.

MyBirthRight posted...

-What are the biggest acts of Negligence or ignorance from Human Owners, that tend to lower Cat Lifespan/make them not as healthy as they should be?

-What are the most common sicknesses or diseases that Cats go through?

-What are some things that humans should do more for their cats, that most tend to overlook?

-What animals do Cats tend to have a natural fear or be afraid of, the most?

-A human has a male and female cat. the female cat gives birth to a bunch of kittens. How do father cats typically act around their young in the same household?

-How do mother cats typically react to their children once they have fully grown and live in the same household? Can they still get along relatively well, or do they typically become very distant?

-A scenario occurs where a cat witnesses it's owners demise. Lets say, Human B caused the owner's demise. The cat doesn't get harmed and is rehomed to a loving family , but a few months later the cat sees Human B. How is the cat most likely to react?

-Do Cats act any different if they see that their owner is severely sick? Like if the owner has a degenerative disease, cant move as much, etc.

-Often times in social media or tiktok, you see people take feral cats or stray cats into their home and "adopt them" for good. . What are the actual downsides to doing this, compared to getting a cat from a pet store/shelter/breeder

-What are generally the most common reasons that human owners tend to put their cats or return them to animal shelters?

-What are some signs that a cat is actually being mistreated , or severely neglected? Assuming the cat doesn't have any visible bruising.

-I once saw a video where two cats started fighting. NSFW WARNING/GRAPHIC DETAILS WARNING. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. Lets call them Cat A & B. Cat B got it's neck broken/injured to the point suddenly to the point where it started having spasms. Cat A decided to immediately run away upon seeing this. Are violent fights like this common with cats to the point where it usually leads to severe injury or death? Or was this likely just a freak accident? Since Cat A didn't attack B anymore and ran away

Damn man, really giving me a huge assignment.

1) Biggest things to avoid: Don't let a cat outside. Don't feed low quality food. Try to not just feed dry food. Don't let them play with string. Don't feed them cow milk. Research if the plants in your home are toxic to cats.

2) Most common illnesses are upper respiratory infection, parasitic infection, eye infection, ear mites, and diarrhea. Other more serious illnesses are congenital or come with age like FeLV, FIV, kidney disease, gum/tooth disease, FLUTD.

3) Cats aren't the opposite of dogs in that you can leave them to their own devices. They enjoy attention, stimulation and enrichment.

4) They can be scared or apprehensive around any strange animal. Ecologically they are both prey and predators, so anything larger than them is probably frightening.

5) Fathers (also called toms) generally are not involved in the raising of kittens in the wild, but if they're in a home they may participate. There is some risk that they will sometimes kill even their own young though.

6) Mom cats usually get sick of their kittens around weaning time, but as they age past that they should be totally fine cohabitating.

7) How did they cause the demise? I don't think cats would be able to understand murder.

8) Cats can detect illness through scents/hormones, so a cat could be sweeter if you're ill. After all, we have cats as ESAs.

9) Taking in strays is great, both for their own sake and the environment. Strays will die on the street or go to a shelter anyway so it helps the shelter system regardless. The only risk I can think of is not knowing their behavioral or medical background.

10) Put their cats down? Illness for sure, or inability to treat illness. That also goes with returning them. Other reasons are moving, changes in behavior, or a new baby in the home.

11) Their body condition would be the main physical sign of being under or overfed. Then you would want to look at their haircoat quality. Is it shiny? Are there mats? Is it dirty?

12) I don't think a cat would really have the strength to break another cat's neck tbh. Their jaws are not that powerful. Cats that are in the same household can get into squabbles, but it's rarely super violent. The most violent fights, ie. blood being drawn, would be probably amongst strays/ferals in one another's territory. Cats can definitely damage one another's eyes.

@MyBirthRight Acknowledge me
Doe posted...

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/c/c10b12c1.jpg

on topic: is it okay ot have 1 cat

Of course! Being only able to take in one cat is not a reason to deny a needy animal a home

Why does my mom's cat come up to be petted and lay there all nice, then suddenly attack for no apparent reason?

cjsdowg posted...

NOT TC and don't know about cat, but he could like how it feels eating it. Like the texture .Like the foam out side and creaming part could have good mouth feel too them?

Huh, I suppose that makes sense. I always thought he had some rare mutation that allowed him to taste sweetness (and whatever it was in hazelnuts that he liked). I suppose it doesn't matter now, though, seeing has he's been gone for quite a while.

Why is my grandma's cat so mean? She's very nice to my grandma and likes cuddling up beside her but everyone else she hisses and claws at if they get anywhere near her.

tag

Why is Wisp so crispy?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lSeazIO7Hw

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Lol wym? Diff cats prefer diff areas touched but chin and head are good spots.

LeoRavus posted...

Why does my mom's cat come up to be petted and lay there all nice, then suddenly attack for no apparent reason?

Are you able to pet before that? Could be overstimulation or just conflicted.

UnsteadyOwl posted...

Why is my grandma's cat so mean? She's very nice to my grandma and likes cuddling up beside her but everyone else she hisses and claws at if they get anywhere near her.

Cats can have anxiety like people, so depending on her background, if she's only used to your grandma, other people are scary strangers.

I have seen cats and dogs mom both do this. Like the mom would take the kitten to the owner. Whats that about. I have a few idea but you seem to the cat Person of the CE. So your take would be nice.

What is the world record for the longest fart ripped by a cat / kitten?

cjsdowg posted...

I have seen cats and dogs mom both do this. Like the mom would take the kitten to the owner. Whats that about. I have a few idea but you seem to the cat Person of the CE. So your take would be nice.

Probably just showing off their babies!

C_Pain posted...

Probably just showing off their babies!

So animals have pride ?

cjsdowg posted...

So animals have pride ?

Nah more like they're showing you them because you're part of the family. You can help care for them. The cat knows you care for it so you'll help them too.

How come the cat I have now isn't nearly as nice and personable as my previous cat that I saved as a kitten?

Like is that likely the only reason or could there be something else going on?

Do you think this is real ?

https://twitter.com/scienceandphto/status/1724289586409488886

Is it ok to play tug of war with kittens using shoe laces? They won't grow up to be hyper aggressive if I do this, will they?

Why is my cat losing her hair on her lower body? She's completely bald now on her belly and hind legs. Took her to the vet and they couldn't find anything wrong with her.

itachi15243 posted...

How come the cat I have now isn't nearly as nice and personable as my previous cat that I saved as a kitten?

Like is that likely the only reason or could there be something else going on?

What do you mean? That's like asking why your second child isn't like your first. They're different creatures with personalities determined by nature and nurture.

This new cat was adopted as an adult?

cjsdowg posted...

Do you think this is real ?

https://twitter.com/scienceandphto/status/1724289586409488886

Da fuck, must be some weak walls for the kittens claws to sink in so easily.

uberl33tpro posted...

Is it ok to play tug of war with kittens using shoe laces? They won't grow up to be hyper aggressive if I do this, will they?

It might teach them to attack all shoe laces so probably not the best toy, but tug of war itself is fine. As long as they aren't seeing your hands as part of the game.

Robert_T_Pooner posted...

Why is my cat losing her hair on her lower body? She's completely bald now on her belly and hind legs. Took her to the vet and they couldn't find anything wrong with her.

Wow you were the guy with the famous hot girl photobucket. Anyway, medical stuff like that is a bit above my paygrade. How old is the cat? Is it just hair loss? No crusting, redness, irritation? Any other symptoms?

Thanks for this TC. You have made a wonderful wholesome topic .

Are cats scared of pickles because they actually think it's a snake? Or are they just scared because a random unknown object suddenly appeared behind them?

When you say to not let cats outside, what exactly is the risk? I let my cat out for 15ish minute breaks so he can frolick/dig around in the dirt. I keep watch and I have a brick fence so he doesnt venture out of sight.

Why caracal always hisses?

I love kitties. Meow?

cjsdowg posted...

Thanks for this TC. You have made a wonderful wholesome topic .

Wow, thanks man. I actually have you tagged as a nice man who gets humor lol.

SkittyOnWailord posted...

Are cats scared of pickles because they actually think it's a snake? Or are they just scared because a random unknown object suddenly appeared behind them?

They're not inherently scared of them. I feel like it's just because it surprised them randomly. I don't know if the snake theory has been confirmed.

Ricemills posted...

Why caracal always hisses?

LMAO First of all, quaint way of asking. Secondly, that's funny because I've been seeing caracal shorts on Youtube a lot and wondered that as well. Apparently hissing for caracals is the equivalent of meowing in domestic cats, it's just a vocalization not necessarily related to stress.

MorganTJ posted...

When you say to not let cats outside, what exactly is the risk? I let my cat out for 15ish minute breaks so he can frolick/dig around in the dirt. I keep watch and I have a brick fence so he doesnt venture out of sight.

I'm actually not really against cats being outdoors, which is controversial, but generally not letting them outside means no free roaming because anything can happen to them. If they're enclosed that's very safe. That's also really sweet of you to allow them that.

Why are cat ears so nomable, if they don't want them to be nommed?

I have a couple of longhair cats, senior adults, one m and one f. They get really bad mats and hate being brushed. At least twice a year, I have to get leather/welding gloves to come at them with scissors and cut out those mats. Usually one mat at a time, over a course of days or longer because of their attitude.

They're sweethearts and like pets and skritches any other time, and one of them lets me head butt him... but they loathe being brushed.

I've tried a variety of brushes and tools, but they won't tolerate it for more than like 30 seconds at a stretch before they turn and scratch or nip. They have been like this as long as the family has had them (adopted at different times from different litters/rescue efforts), which is now 6+ years, I think.

How can I normalize them to being brushed in order to prevent the mats? Or even get them to like it?

If it's not the shape, form, bristle, or whatever from the tool, then it must be in the methodology?

Cool, as a follow-up question, he sometimes likes nibbling on tall grass and then throwing up. Is that normal? I don't notice any hairballs, so I don't really know what's he's trying to clear out, if anything.

I have two adult cats both male and fixed, littermates, that we've had since they were kittens. One of them has been displaying uncharacteristic aggression, and will occasionally act very territorial towards my girlfriend when she heads to the bathroom. When this happens, if either of us get anywhere near him, he'll attack with teeth/claws. He seems to be particularly bothered by movement during these spells, since he only attacks once we try to move forward/away, but he doesn't calm down if we stand still, so there's no options.

Any thoughts on what we could be dealing with? We use fel-away diffusers and vets haven't found anything wrong with him.

C_Pain posted...

Apparently hissing for caracals is the equivalent of meowing in domestic cats, it's just a vocalization not necessarily related to stress.

Dang, not only high maintenance, they're also hard to understand.
Caracals are not fit as a home pet.

Hey, this is exactly the kind of topic I should be posting in!

We have a stray that we're kinda trying to make ours, because we got tired of getting attached to neighborhood strays only for them to suddenly die or disappear. This one in particular is pretty spooky, though. We're thinking he's probably always been feral. Our big roadblock right now is trying to get him to come inside without forcing him. He seems curious, but we can't usually get him more than a couple feet in the door before he turns and runs back out. Got any tips for helping him warm up to being inside?

@Ricemills

Dang, not only high maintenance, they're also hard to understand.
Caracals are not fit as a home pet.

Yeah, but I think cats in general can find us hard to understand. Especially wondering why we do our business in what would otherwise be a good drinking area. And we call them animals.