Cat Scratch Fever

[Louie'sDad]

Brigitte, Rascaldad,

I'm scratching my head, because the little ratatouille feller doesn't scratch anything (yet?). I don't want to get him started; I'm just waiting, with catnip, compressed air foghorn, and coin jar in hand, for him to start.

 

[admin]

My kittens started at a very young age because they saw their mom doing it.

If kittens are not running free and seeing other cats scratching, I'm wondering if that has any bearing on their behavior.

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[Louie'sDad]

I got him at 9 weeks, so I'm sure he saw plenty of scratching from his mother in the cattery. It's interesting and I could take it that the seed is planted, either from wiring, observation of parents/siblings, or a combination of both. It's certainly a matter of time, as to when the proper circumstances occur which will cause the instinct to emerge and grow. Cats are so very intriguing! If you look at things from their point of view, if possible, then certain behaviors can be explained.......somewhat.

Why does Louie give all of his favorite toys a bath in his water bowl before playing with them? I can't even hazard a guess at that one.

Why does he try to climb into his water bowl sometimes? Dunno.

Why would he rather splash water all over the floor and then lick it from his paws rather than drink directly? Good question.

Why does Louie turn his nose up at dry kibble sometimes, but when I add some water to it, he eats? Either he was thirsty to begin with. No. That makes no sense because he has a bowl of fresh water just 12" away. The water in the bottom if the dish triggers an ancient licking instinct which is reminiscent of wild ancestors licking blood from their kill while eating, and then licking their chops to clean up? Maybe. This second scenario sounds more plausible.

There are tens of other behaviors that are seemingly inexplicable, for me, yet that's what makes owning a cat so much fun, and funny as well.

 

[admin]

Yes, I don't know...I cannot figure out cat behavior for sure...well, some of it I know is instinctual...others...who knows?

Nine weeks is very young for a kitten to leave a mom, IMO...they are still learning certain behaviors at that age from their moms...that is why we have an entire thread on the subject...

But I'm sure Louie will use his scratching posts when he feels like it

 

[SV Dad]

Some observations....
1. Why does Louie give all of his favorite toys a bath in his water bowl before playing with them? I can't even hazard a guess at that one.? There are multiple threads discussing this imponderable behavior. It seems to be very common for this to occur. Most likely, "because he can."
2. Why would he rather splash water all over the floor and then lick it from his paws rather than drink directly? Sending a message. Most likely, "because he can."
3. Why does Louie turn his nose up at dry kibble sometimes, but when I add some water to it, he eats? Either he was thirsty to begin with. See answer to #1 and 2.

As far as scratching, many of us encourage appropriate scratching on appropriate objects at a young age to start a good behavior pattern. This of course is wishful thinking as we all have learned the training is of the human. Some cats have discovered that an easy way to get the human attention is to scratch on a nice piece of upholstered furniture.

So, by now, you should be more confused about Savannah behaviors.

 

[Louie'sDad]

Some observations....
1. Why does Louie give all of his favorite toys a bath in his water bowl before playing with them? I can't even hazard a guess at that one.? There are multiple threads discussing this imponderable behavior. It seems to be very common for this to occur. Most likely, "because he can."
2. Why would he rather splash water all over the floor and then lick it from his paws rather than drink directly? Sending a message. Most likely, "because he can."
3. Why does Louie turn his nose up at dry kibble sometimes, but when I add some water to it, he eats? Either he was thirsty to begin with. See answer to #1 and 2.

As far as scratching, many of us encourage appropriate scratching on appropriate objects at a young age to start a good behavior pattern. This of course is wishful thinking as we all have learned the training is of the human. Some cats have discovered that an easy way to get the human attention is to scratch on a nice piece of upholstered furniture.

So, by now, you should be more confused about Savannah behaviors.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
To heal a wretch like me.
I was cursed by the heartbreak of OCD.
But now I'm cured.
It's a miracle!
Say hallelujah!
Say amen!

 

[ScottKelly911]

Joe, Louie's not the only one. Shelby hardly ever scratches anything also. I'm not counting climbing or simulated climbing (he does this thing to tease me like he's going to climb, so he grabs the sisal on his cat tree and stands up like he's about to climb up it, but doesn't. he doesn't scratch at it tho. He gives me lots of biscuits (kneading) and even though technically it's scratching (if you haven't trimmed their nails in a while), it's for a different reason. My other cat doesn't really scratch too much either, but she does scratch on occasion, thankfully only on appropriate items like her scratching posts. But my friend has a cat that her couch and rug are shredded from her cats. She does all sorts of things like sprays with a water bottle, shakes a soda can with a rock in it, sprays "anti-scratch" stuff in those areas. All to no avail, so I'm happy that things like that's not an issue with Shelby. But I agree, it's kind of weird how some cats have no interest while others seem to always be scratching at something. Let's count ourselves as being lucky!

 

[Louie'sDad]

Joe, Louie's not the only one. Shelby hardly ever scratches anything also. I'm not counting climbing or simulated climbing (he does this thing to tease me like he's going to climb, so he grabs the sisal on his cat tree and stands up like he's about to climb up it, but doesn't. he doesn't scratch at it tho. He gives me lots of biscuits (kneading) and even though technically it's scratching (if you haven't trimmed their nails in a while), it's for a different reason. My other cat doesn't really scratch too much either, but she does scratch on occasion, thankfully only on appropriate items like her scratching posts. But my friend has a cat that her couch and rug are shredded from her cats. She does all sorts of things like sprays with a water bottle, shakes a soda can with a rock in it, sprays "anti-scratch" stuff in those areas. All to no avail, so I'm happy that things like that's not an issue with Shelby. But I agree, it's kind of weird how some cats have no interest while others seem to always be scratching at something. Let's count ourselves as being lucky!

You bet'cha Scott!
BTW, that was a great hack job that Shelby did to grab that neat giveaway picture.

 

[Sunny]

I think that you should count yourself lucky. I wager part of this is due to his age and it's all his territory. If you introduced another cat, I'm certain that they would demonstrate to you and each other what objects are their favorites to mark and leave their smell on it.

This is the origin of why Ra is sometimes called Stinky Pink; not just because of his tush, because his big pink paws are quite effervescent and he adores using them to stretch towards me as part of his greeting.

My step-brother who rents a room bought the couch so I wanted to protect it. I literally had heavy duty painters canvas from home depot cut into sections and formed around the couch back, sides, arms and under the cushions. For the top edge of the couch and tops of both arms, I layered it three layers thick! And you know what, I had a tan couch instead of dark brown covered in painters canvas. But they could scratch full force and not get through.

He removed the layers one day after 9 months and the couch was pristine. I told him there will be zero punishment or retraining involved and now the couch is au naturale. The next one will be made of hardwood. :D

 

[Louie'sDad]

I think that you should count yourself lucky. I wager part of this is due to his age and it's all his territory. If you introduced another cat, I'm certain that they would demonstrate to you and each other what objects are their favorites to mark and leave their smell on it.

This is the origin of why Ra is sometimes called Stinky Pink; not just because of his tush, because his big pink paws are quite effervescent and he adores using them to stretch towards me as part of his greeting.

My step-brother who rents a room bought the couch so I wanted to protect it. I literally had heavy duty painters canvas from home depot cut into sections and formed around the couch back, sides, arms and under the cushions. For the top edge of the couch and tops of both arms, I layered it three layers thick! And you know what, I had a tan couch instead of dark brown covered in painters canvas. But they could scratch full force and not get through.

He removed the layers one day after 9 months and the couch was pristine. I told him there will be zero punishment or retraining involved and now the couch is au naturale. The next one will be made of hardwood. :D

In anticipation of Louie, I replaced all of my chairs with church pews. I'll sell them to you, cheap.