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Q & A: Ask the Trainer

My cat Homer is almost two years old. I have had him since July. He bites me constantly - not nips, actually breaking skin. I have tried spray bottles which he runs from and then comes back to attack. I have tried yelling NO at him. I am getting very discouraged with my very first cat ever. He does have a visual disability (I don't believe he is completely blind) but I doubt that plays much of a role. What can I do?

The one thing that makes cats and kittens so adorable to us is also one of the things that can be so troubling. We have to remember that cats are hunters, and some will practice harnessing these skills over time, much to the detriment of our hands and feet.

There are some rules that you can live by with your cat/kitten to curb this behavior, or harness it appropriately:

1. In this case, the cat has a disability which may or may not be causing the problem. Either way, this should be taken into consideration when playing with her. Like any behavior problem, a Vet consultation is a good idea to rule out any medical problems that may be adding to the issue.

When an animal has a disability such as an eyesight problem, the way you approach her is going to effect her reaction. Use her other, keener senses to guide the interaction. In this case, since the cat can't see well, I would recommend calling the cat’s name and introducing myself slowly, as opposed to coming up on him suddenly and surprising him; many animals feel vulnerable when one of their senses is missing.

2. Of course, this kind of play is natural and important for survival. Make sure your cat has the appropriate play outlet, such as scratching posts, with or without catnip. Play with a kitty teaser to simulate real-life prey drive behavior. A good template to follow is 15 minutes, 3 times a day of playing/handling, such as: Play with Kitty teaser, allow cat to cool down and "kill" prey, and once cat has calmed down, end with light petting and grooming.

3. NEVER LET YOUR CAT PLAY WITH YOUR HANDS! They are not an appropriate toy.

4. Think about where you are petting your cat. Contrary to some beliefs, most cats do not enjoy belly rubs or hard, dog-like petting (although most dogs tell me they do not like that either). Three areas where cats typically like to be pet are the temporal gland (beneath the ear), the perioral gland (on the chin), or the caudal gland (the base of the tail). I mentioned the gland names to emphasize that where we pet our cat, and where they seem to enjoy it, has much to do with their natural instinct to mark.

5. Some cats will do this out of anxiety and dominant behavior, and although these things can help, it is probably a good idea to call a professional to help you. Bideawee has feline behavior specialists that can assist you if needed.

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Q & A: Ask the Veterinarian

When I woke up this morning and I went to let my two dogs out, I noticed that there were two piles of throw up; both were extremely watery with a little bit of food in it and there was a pool of blood by itself. What does it mean that one of them threw up blood? I have looked it up and got a whole range of answers. I am not sure which one did it, so should I take them both to the vet or watch them to see if it happens again? Please let me know, thank you so much!

Vomiting, with or without blood, is a sign of either primary gastrointestinal disorders, or metabolic disease. Because there is an endless list of possibilities ranging from good to bad, it is best that you seek council of a veterinarian that has the benefit of examining your dog and getting a better history. Of course, you need to know which dog is the one vomiting. Vomiting can be self limiting as in the case of "a stomach bug," but can also be a symptom of a more chronic disease and it is best not to assume either one. Just get him to the vet and work with him to figure out the problem. The blood makes me a bit more nervous. It could be that it is actually bloody diarrhea rather than vomit. Either way, both can lead to dehydration and other problems if not tended to promptly.

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