Why does my cat bite his tail?
Here’s the deal: we really don’t know why cats bite their tails in genuine anger and not in play. Cats do play with their tails as if they are toys and as if they are not part of their anatomy. … Continue reading →
Tag Archives: cat mental health
Is it possible for cats to have autism?
I think you could extend the word ‘autistic’ to describe the behaviour of unsocialised cats. I explain why. A couple of years ago I wrote about pet vaccinations and the belief by some cat owners that they can cause autism … Continue reading →
Can domestic cats have schizophrenia?
As I understand it, no authoritative words have been written which tell us that animals can and do suffer from schizophrenia including of course domestic cats. It appears that schizophrenia is a uniquely human mental illness. That is not to … Continue reading →
Can cats get eating disorders?
I’m discussing domestic cats and whether they can get eating disorders, a definition of which is “…a range of psychological disorders characterised by abnormal or disturbed eating habits….’ What are we referring to? I have a feeling that some websites … Continue reading →
Agoraphobia in Cats
Can cats suffer from agoraphobia? It is a condition where the sufferer becomes anxious in places that are strange and where they don’t have control. It usually refers to a fear of wide open spaces. In the case of cats, … Continue reading →
Is it safe for cats to smoke marijuana?
I’m surprised that people ask the question, “Is it safe for cats to smoke marijuana?” Patently it is unsafe. Come on, there are stories on the Internet and in the newspapers about people who smoke marijuana suffering mental health problems … Continue reading →
The Woman Who Refused to Give up on an Angry Cat: Sarah’s Story
Patience and plenty of TLC can turn around an aggressive cat. It has happened many times. Often it concerns feral cats. In this instance a rescue cat became aggressive because of an unfortunate incident. It took patience, wisdom and commitment to get things back on track.
Continue reading →Anti-vaxxers say that vaccinations can cause pet autism
Anti-vaxxers (people opposed to vaccinations) are suspicious about inoculations. They feel that they may cause autism in pets. This is an extension of the long-running debate about the possibility of vaccinations causing autism in children. Scientifically speaking that argument has … Continue reading →
An example of a cat who suffered from PTSD
Ruchi Kumar, a journalist, and her cat Lola live in a house in the centre of Kabul, Afghanistan, near embassies and the presidential palace. On 31 May 2017 a terrorist blew up a bomb, inside a lorry, in the centre … Continue reading →
Cat Urination Problems Likely To Be Triggered By Psychological Issues
The well-known adage, “Curiosity killed the cat” was originally, centuries earlier, “Care killed the cat”. The word “care” meaning to care about something or worry. In the 17th century, people believed that cats could die of worry or anxiety. That … Continue reading →