Behaviour & Training

It's not pleasant if you have a cat that always seems to bite you. Learn more about the reasons why cats bite and the best ways to stop it with our guide and tips. It’s not uncommon for cats to bite. There are many reasons as to why a cat might suddenly start biting, seemingly unprovoked. It’s important to understand that cat biting isn’t always done out of aggression. Cats are natural born predators, and as such seemingly aggressive actions such as biting, pouncing and clawing make up a large part of their play. Allowing and encouraging this natural instinct is important for felines, but there is a fine line between engaging in stimulating play and allowing aggressive behaviour. Learn more about the reasons behind why cats bite in order to help to stop any unnecessary biting. Why do cats bite? There are many reasons as why cats bite and it’s important to understand what your cat is trying to communicate by biting. They may be trying to send a message or want you to stop doing something. Figuring out why cats bite can be confusing as many owners complain that cats will bite unprovoked, and out of nowhere. One moment they can be enjoying a stroke, the next moment, the teeth are out! Most often, when cats bite they are trying to tell you that they aren’t enjoying the contact that they are currently receiving. For felines, there is a very fine line between enjoyable handling and irritating petting, so while an owner may think a bite has come from nowhere, for a cat the action is entirely justified. Sudden cat biting when petting One of the most common complaints from cat owners is the sudden change in attitude that can occur during petting: one second a cat may be loving the attention, the next they’re snapping at your fingers! It’s hard to tell when a cat has had enough of stroking, but learning to read your cat’s body language will help you to know when a bite might be coming. Your cat is sending a message in this situation: they’ve had enough. You decrease the likelihood that they will bite again be respecting this, and letting your cat do their own thing, rather than insisting on further affection. Cat biting when playing Cats often bite during play because they are expressing their natural hunting instinct.

Most cats take real pride in their appearance, spending almost half their waking hours preening themselves to perfection. Being independent creatures, cats are keen to look after themselves, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t lend a hand in their pampering routine. Grooming your cat plays a big part in caring for your pet and regular maintenance will mean your cat looks great and feels great too! As well as helping to keep your cat looking beautiful, regular cat grooming allows you to spend quality time bonding with your pet, and gives you the opportunity to check their body condition and spot any unusual signs of health problems, such as lumps or bumps.

Choosing a cat bed can be difficult. And, of course, finding the right cat bed is important. You want your kitten to be cosy, warm and happy when they are sleeping—and you want the cat bed to be a space that they can call their own. All owners must make this decision at some point: the trick is to watch your cat’s habits and choose a bed accordingly. We’ve put together a guide to choosing the best cat bed for your cat so that they feel happy, pampered and can sleep like the royalty they are. Types of cat beds Because cats love to curl up and sleep wherever they can, there are many different kinds of cat beds available in the market. Do not worry about which one is the best – there is no the ‘best’ cat bed. Instead, choose one that would suit your cat’s preferences and daily habits. Below are a few options for the types of cat beds you can find. Pads/Cushions This type of cat bed is a cushion filled with soft and comfortable down. There are various fillings for this kind of cat bed – such as fleece or high-fibre polyester – but as long as it is plush and comfortable, it does not really matter! Pods This new style of cat bed is gaining popularity. Cats seem to like curling up with these egg-shaped pods, which are usually made of plastic or hard fabric and lined with something soft and cosy. Window perches If your cat’s favourite place is the window and they like to fall asleep in whatever sunlight they can find or you find them dozing in front of the view, then a window perch cat bed is the best cat bed. These cat beds attach as perches on the window and allow your cat to sleep in her favourite spot.

Cats don’t usually need baths, but there are some exceptional circumstances. If they’re rolled in something that they can’t wash off themselves, or they have long hair which has become matted, a bath might be a good idea. Most cats really dislike baths and they can find the experience very stressful. If you’re able to, just clean an isolated area, rather than getting their entire body wet. That said, there are rare occasions when bathing your cat is unavoidable, in which case there are ways to make the experience more comfortable for both of you. However, if your cat needs a bath because they’ve come into contact with toxic substances, take them to the vet first. Before you bathe your cat Get everything you need in one place, so that once you’ve started bathing your cat, everything is within easy reach. You’ll need: • A large plastic bucket, sink or bath (lined with a non-slip floor mat) to use as a cat bath. • Specialist cat or kitten shampoo. Find a mild all-rounder with no harsh chemicals or perfumes. Never use human shampoo, as it’s unsuitable for cat hair and skin due to the difference in p H levels. • A cat conditioner if required. Again, don’t use conditioner for human hair. • A towel or two. • A brush to help remove matts and knots. Bathing your cat

Over the years, cats have baffled just about everyone – from owners to behaviourists and even scientists. Because of their mysterious nature, there are numerous cat myths and rumours that are commonly believed, but just how true are they? Cats are enigmatic creatures that many people struggle to understand. Over the years, this has seen our furry friends shrouded in a variety of myths, including some outlandish rumours that even reported that they were in league with the devil! The majority of cat myths have since been debunked thanks to science and lashings of common sense. Keep reading to find out the truth behind the butter on cats’ paws rumour, if black cats are bad luck and more. 1. The truth behind the black cat myth The black cat myth is perhaps one of the most common tales out there and chances are you’ve heard someone telling this story. In the UK, Europe and most of America if a black cat crosses your path, people claim it means bad luck is coming your way. In Germany, however, it’s direction specific and if a black cat crosses from right to left it means bad luck, but if the cat moves left to right it’s actually considered good luck. Additionally, in Japan it’s actually thought to be very lucky, especially for single women as a black cat promises good suitors are on the way. Debunked: The black cat myth is, of course, untrue and likely came about due to the fact that black cats were thought to be the pets of witches in medieval times. Unfortunately, this rumour is still quite widely believed today and black cats frequently find their way to rescue centres or have difficulty finding new homes. 2. Saved by a cat’s whisker A cat’s whiskers almost seem to give them super powers, so it’s only natural that people came to assume that these were good luck charms. So much so in fact, there’s a popular cat myth that if you put a whisker in a white bag and place it in your car it will help to prevent accidents, theft and breakdowns – some people even claim it can help you avoid speeding and parking tickets! Debunked: While we really wanted to believe this one, the cat whisker myth is not true and probably came about because cats so rarely lose their whiskers. 3. Cats were responsible for the plague Yep, you heard that right. In the middle ages people thought that cats were responsible for spreading the plague. This was due to the fact that they thought cats were in league with witches, warlocks and ultimately, the devil. Many people in the middle ages believed that the devil was to blame for all the horror of the black death and they began destroying ‘his loyal servants’ – cats. Debunked: It was actually a type of flea that lived on rats that spread the plague. Funnily enough, the destruction of cats meant that the rat population thrived, and the Black Death spread faster than ever.