February 22, 2009

Dear Obie,
My kitty, Jordan, always goes into a corner and sulks if I scold him for something. Why does he do that?
Signed, Beth
Guthrie, Oklahoma


Dear Beth,
Jordan really isn't sulking, believe it or not. Keep in mind, to cats, humans are giants! Humans are big and loud and, well, a little scary at times. When you have to discipline Jordan, or yell at him for something he did, that scares him. In the animal world, when one cat is trying to intimidate another cat, the cat doing the intimidating will stare intensely at the cat he is trying to intimidate. In your home, when you are scolding Jordan, chances are you are staring at him. Back in the animal world, short of launching into a cat fight, a cat that is being intimidated will walk away. That is what Jordan is doing with you. Don't look at his actions as sulking; look at them as surrendering to your dominance.
Your friend,
Obie

*****

Dear Obie,
My human doesn't understand why I run around the house like a maniac all the time. Can you help explain it to her?
Signed, Sadie Cat
Salem, Oregon


Dear Sadie Cat,
Why do you run around the house like a maniac? Because you're a cat! That's what cats do! You see, we kitties occasionally have to burn off excess energy, and what's the best way to burn off energy? A quick little gallop down the hallway, of course. As animals that have descended from predators, we have an ingrained instinct to hunt. And big cats hunt by sneaking quietly up on their prey, then launching themselves forward for a quick grab. A house cat has no reason to hunt, so the energy we would normally burn in hunting builds up within us. When that happens, watch out! And did you know that a typical house cat can reach speeds up to 31 miles per hour, and will cover three times our body length in a single leap while running full speed? So, Sadie Cat, let your human know that a running cat is a healthy cat, and to just sit back and enjoy the show!
Your friend,
Obie

*****

I want to thank everyone who came to PetSmart on Lancaster Drive in Salem yesterday for the Kitty Karnival. It was a lot of fun, and four kitties were adopted into loving homes! There were games, and lots of neat prizes given away, and money was raised that will help Salem Friends of Felines take care of the kitties in their charge. So, again, a big thank you to everyone who stopped by!!

And don't forget to visit the Salem Friends of Felines center on Commercial. There are lots of gorgeous cats there who are anxious to be your friend, and there are also lots of great bargains in the thrift store! Bargains, bargains, bargains!! And in today's whacky economy, who doesn't love a bargain? So go there right now! And tell them Obie sent you!

*****

Remember, folks, I am not a vet! I am a cat! Always talk to your vet before making any medical decisions regarding your cat! Please!