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BEHAVIOUR They struggle when we go away!
Q When we go on holiday, we ask a friend to pop in to care for our cats. It’s financially better and means the cats can stay in their own house. However, sometimes we come back to inappropriate toileting and sick on the floors. How can we help our cats cope while we’re away?
A Cats are bonded to their territory so it would seem sensible to leave them in their own home when you are away. However, studies show that cats are easily stressed by small changes in routine, such as a variation in feeding time. So, even when left in their own home, cats can become stressed by the absence of their owner and the predictable events that happen each day.
The last issue is that people, and dogs, unwittingly provide a degree of protection for the cat’s territory. Our mere presence tends to discourage other cats from entering the garden or house. So, when we are away, our cats may experience added stress from invading cats.
Prepare in advance for times when you will be away. Get your cats used to ad-lib feeding and install a microchip cat flap to prevent other people’s cats from coming inside. Also, consider using a feline pheromone diffuser to make the cats feel more at ease.
Make a note of the times when you are typically around and try to get your house sitter to follow a routine that brings them into the home at these times. It is probably best for house sitters not to impose themselves on the cats but instead just to be around, watching TV or reading a book. The idea is to try to reduce the contrast between times when you are at home and when you are away.
BEHAVIOUR She’s over-grooming due to stress!
Q When my daughter was born, my cat started stress induced over-grooming. She now has furless patches on her belly and all four legs. She has been checked by a vet and does not have a skin condition.
I cannot devote as much time to her as I used to do, but I let her sit on my knee when the baby is in bed. She has quiet, private places to sleep. Can you give me any advice?
A The best solution would be to enlist the help of a qualified feline behaviourist It seems unlikely that it is simply a matter of you not being able to spend as much time with your pet as you used to that’s causing her to over-groom, although that may be part of the problem. If she was not used to sharing her home with a baby, your
