Hi guys. I’m sorry to say that I am shutting down Encyclopaedia Felidae. There will be three more articles to round out the year, and the website will stay up for a while longer after that, but I just can’t keep this going anymore with everything else I have going on. And as much fun as it has been, the blog has never made nearly enough money to break even, so it’s a more expensive hobby than I was planning on. I put a lot of work into all those articles, though, so I’m actually going to make a little book of them, plus the two Patreon-exclusive articles that so far only my dad–my only Patron–has ever seen. That’s 106 articles! My friend Emma Sullivan (https://www.deviantart.com/cougartail-31) is contributing her incredible cat photography as well. I’ll have them for sale on my author website and at events. You can find my books, podcast, etc. at the links below. Thank you so much for reading my blog, especially those of you who have been around all four years!
While Sleepwalkers fails spectacularly as a horror movie, it triumphs as a loopy camp comedy. Sleepwalkers gets crazier and crazier as it proceeds, which is saying something, as it starts out batshit insane.
Nathan Rabin, The Dissolve
I identify strongly with the British tradition of Christmas as a time for telling scary stories. I think you’re supposed to tell ghost stories around a roaring fireplace, but I interpret this age-old pastime as reading and watching as much horror as possible. Preferably Christmas- or winter-themed, but this time I picked something cat-related to share with you all. I learned my fondness for Stephen King from my mother, who picked up Carrie when she was twelve and never looked back. Sleepwalkers, released April 10, 1992 [1], is not on Carrie‘s level. But it is very cat-centric, and I had fun with it.
Sleepwalkers was Stephen King’s first screenplay [2] and the only Stephen King movie that isn’t an adaptation of one of his short stories or novels [3]. The titular sleepwalkers are shapeshifting, werecat-like psychic vampires that feed on the life energy of virgin young women [1-7]. They can look like normal people, although their true appearance is revealed in the mirror, and they can become invisible or case their shapeshifting spell onto nearby inanimate objects [4]. Their one great weakness? Cats. As a fictional encyclopedia entry at the beginning of the film tells us, the claws of the domestic cat are fatally injurious to sleepwalkers [2, 4]. Cats aren’t fooled by the sleepwalkers’ illusions, either [4, 5].
As he usually does, Stephen King has a cameo in this movie: he appears as the cemetery attendant [4, 5]. There are a surprising number of other celebrity cameos, too. Look out for Mark Hamill as a cop in the opening scene and Clive Barker and Tobe Hooper as forensic technicians [2, 4].
Plot Summary
In the movie, two sleepwalkers, Charles and his mother, Mary, move to a small town in Indiana after fleeing the scene of their last crimes, leaving dozens of dead cats and a mummified teenage girl in their wake [4]. Within minutes, the film makes it clear that Charles and Mary have a much closer relationship than any mother and son should [1-7]. Also, it’s Charles’s job to go out and seduce a virgin girl to bring home for dinner, while Mary stays home and attempts to fend off the increasing number of cats gathering around their new house [4].
Charles specifically picks out a classmate at his new high school named Tanya that he thinks will be the perfect target [4]. Given Tanya’s terrible choices throughout the film, I think he was probably right. But this little Indiana town is not going to make things easy for Charles and Mary. A local policeman and his mascot, Clovis the Attack Cat (that’s what it says on his collar) are onto Charles [4].
When Charles finally gets Tanya alone, Clovis and his human come to the rescue. Charles kills the policeman, first jabbing a pencil in his ear and then shooting him with his own gun, but Clovis nearly kills Charles [4]. Charles stumbles home to Mary, who decides to leave the house for once and take care of things. She kidnaps Tanya, brutalizing Tanya’s parents and magically stabbing a cop to death with a corn cob in the process (I can’t even) [4].
At Mary’s house, she puppeteers her nearly-dead son and makes Tanya dance with him as he tries to drain her life force, but help is on the way [4]. Outside, Clovis is leading every cat in town to Mary’s house, and all available police units are pulling into the driveway [4]. The police don’t fare that well, but the swarm of cats enter the house, led by Clovis breaking a window–somehow–and they claw and bite Mary until she bursts into flames–somehow [4]. Meanwhile, Tanya gouges Charles’s eyes out, and he finally dies [4]. I think. With her last words, Mary mourns the loss of her son. The cats disperse because their work here is done. Tanya picks up our hero, Clovis, and he starts making biscuits on her arm [4] and it is the cutest thing I have ever seen.
What’s the Deal with the Sleepwalkers?
The sleepwalkers take three primary forms in the movie. They usually appear human, but when threatened or on the attack their faces take on a feline aspect [4]. Their true form, as seen in mirrors and during the climax of the film, is a furless, two-legged creature with a sort of pantherine head [4]. Charles and Mary may be the last of their kind, as Charles laments, “We still haven’t seen another sleepwalker” [4, 5]. The opening credits hint that sleepwalkers may have Egyptian origins [4], but there isn’t really an explanation for where these creatures come from or, perhaps more importantly, why Charles and Mary are the way they are. A lot of things go unexplained, actually. Why are cats their one great weakness, when they seem to be of feline type themselves? They both shrug off bullets, but one cat and Charles was down. Why did Mary spontaneously combust when attacked by a whole army of cats? Have they never thought about, I don’t know, getting a hunting dog to chase off all these cats?
The premise doesn’t really gel, but it was nice to see cats come to the rescue in a horror movie. Usually, cats in horror movies are either scary scene dressing or the evil creature feature themselves. The only other one I can think of right now with a heroic cat is Hocus Pocus, and seeing as that was meant to be a kids’ movie, it’s pretty low on the scare-factor in general.
Sympathy for the Devil
Interestingly, Sleepwalkers focuses mostly on Charles and Mary, as off-putting as they can be. We don’t learn much about Tanya, even though she should be our protagonist. When Charles reads a thinly-veiled autobiography in their creative writing class, Tanya points out how sad it is that “They were always driven away. Because they were such outsiders” [4, 6]. Curiously, Tanya later tells Charles that she feels the same way, but the movie never explains why Tanya feels like an outsider. She is always shown enjoying a perfectly happy, middle-class life. Really, Tanya seems almost incidental to the plot of the movie. The main characters are the sleepwalkers.
Stephen Hoda wrote a great essay about the sympathetic otherness of the sleepwalkers for Sublime Horror. I highly recommend it. I’m not going to repeat everything he had to say here, but Hoda highlights the implicit queerness of the way Charles and Mary live, hiding in plain sight but also behind closed doors [6]. They are portrayed as unquestionably monstrous but also strangely sympathetic [6]. The first on-screen kill in the movie involves Charles defending himself from a predatory teacher, a much more pedestrian sort of monster with a human face [4, 6]. Hoda remarks that the arc of Charles’s death and Mary’s vengeance is an old story, hearkening back to the epic of Beowulf in the monstrous characters of Grendel and his mother [6]. More mainstream horror cinema is no stranger to this dynamic, either. Consider Norma and Norman Bates, Pamela and Jason Voorhees, Debra Salt and Billy Loomis [6].
Mary and Charles are both tragic and revolting. They are a train wreck you can’t look away from. And they only have each other, twisted and toxic as their relationship may be. In a movie that isn’t exactly Oscar-worthy, it gives you a little something to think about in the midst of all the bloodshed.
Cats in Sleepwalkers
Clovis is listed in the credits as being played by Sparks [4]. Alas, none of the other feline actors are credited, but American Humane provides a lot of information about the cats in Sleepwalkers on their Humane Hollywood website [7]. Lots of live cats participated in the filming, including one hundred of them in the scene where every cat for miles around has gathered at Mary’s house [7]. However, in any scenes where violence was done to a cat, mechanical, replica, or even taxidermy cats replaced live ones for all dangerous stunts [7]. In some scenes, this meant doing numerous partial takes, some with live cats and some with fake ones, like when Clovis breaks the window [7]. The cat that breaks the candy-glass window is a fake, but Sparks/Clovis is clearly the one walking through a moment later [7].
As I was watching the movie, I wondered how the live cats were induced to hiss at the sleepwalkers. I don’t think you can train a cat to hiss on cue. Well, I found the answer. Either the trainers would hiss, which made the cats hiss in return, or they held up one of the replica cats in front of the live ones [7]. I would probably respond similarly if a mannequin suddenly popped up in my face.
Final Thoughts
Let’s be real: this is not a great movie. The make-up and prosthetics are pretty good, and I suppose the effects aren’t bad for the early 90s. But the plot is full of holes, the characters are flat, and the dialogue is…well, Stephen King is a brilliant writer, but I don’t think screenwriting is his best medium. And I’m sorry, but you cannot stab a person with a corn cob. Then 100+ cute cats [7] cover a lot of sins, but I know some people will find the gruesome violence against cats too disturbing, even though none of it was real. And let’s not forget the incest. That’s just disturbing, full stop. Then again, I think that was rather the point. It is supposed to be a horror movie.
I personally enjoy a weird, campy horror movie, and I loved that Clovis the Attack Cat was the hero. I give Sleepwalkers three out of five paws. It was entertaining, and I wouldn’t be opposed to watching it again. It definitely isn’t for everybody, though. I wouldn’t say it ever manages to get scary, but it certainly achieves “unsettling.” If you like unhinged, B-movie horror, it’s worth a watch. Pop some popcorn, snuggle up on the couch with your cat, and tell them what a good job they do guarding your house from sleepwalkers.
Ayala, N. (2020, November 23). Stephen King’s sleepwalkers: Why the creatures were afraid of cats. Screen Rant. https://screenrant.com/stephen-king-sleepwalkers-creature-cat-fear-explained-reason/
Nonstop Nerd. (2023, October 12). ‘Sleepwalkers’: The wackiest Stephen King movie. https://nonstopnerd.com/2023/10/12/sleepwalkers-the-wackiest-stephen-king-movie/
Garris, M. (Director). (1992). Sleepwalkers. [Film]. Columbia Pictures.
Sleepwalkers. (n.d.). Stephen King. https://stephenking.com/works/movie/sleepwalkers.html
Hoda, S. (2019, October 19). Sympathetic monsters: Queerness in Stephen King’s Sleepwalkers. Sublime Horror. https://www.sublimehorror.com/film/sympathetic-monsters-queerness-in-stephen-kings-sleepwalkers/
American Humane. (n.d.). Sleepwalkers (1992). Humane Hollywood. https://humanehollywood.org/production/sleepwalkers/
Cat tails can be long or short, straight or bent or curled, and anywhere from nearly furless to luxuriously fluffy. A few cats have no tails at all! Cats use their tails to help them balance and to feel what’s going on behind them [3], but cats communicate with their tails, too. Because cats and dogs send very different signals with their tails, this part of cat body language is a common source of miscommunication between cats and both human and canine family members. So, here’s a guide to what your cat’s tail is telling you.
Your cat can hold their tail anywhere from straight up in the air to tucked all the way underneath their body, and the position they have their tail in gives you a lot of information about how they’re feeling [2-4]. A tail held straight up means that your cat feels confident and safe in their space [2-4]. A cat is more visible to potential predators or enemies with their tail held high, so they only do that if they are 100% certain that there is no danger here [3].
An even more relaxed cat holds their tail up with the tip curved, like a question mark [4, 3]. Cats will often pose their tails this way when they greet a trusted friend, including you [3, 4]! If a cat’s tail is up in your presence, there is a good chance that they’re interested in interacting with you [2].
If a cat is walking around with their tail held out to the back, roughly level with their spine, this is a fairly neutral message [3]. This is a cat who feels pretty comfortable, but they’re being a bit cautious, just in case [3]. When a cat is crouched down with the tail straight out back, that means they’re getting ready to pounce [4].
If a cat is keeping their tail down low, then they are scared or maybe in pain [3, 4]. When cats tuck their tails all the way underneath their bodies, they are terrified [2-4]. That’s their way of trying to get as small as possible to avoid being seen by something they expect to hurt them. If you see your cat’s tail going low, that’s a sign to you to find out what the problem is [3].
Bottlebrush Tail
Image by Kailey Whitman
A different way that cats communicate fear with their tails is by fluffing out their fur [2-4]. Every hair stands up on end, giving the tail a “bottlebrush” appearance [2-4]. This is meant to make the cat appear larger and more menacing to whatever has scared it [3]. It’s a startle response [3, 4], so it comes from a different flavor of fear than tucking the tail. A cat with its tail puffed out is primed to react aggressively, a reflex that helps cats survive in the wild [2], so make sure you give them their space to calm down [3].
How worried you need to be about a bottlebrush tail really depends on your cat. Joon is the perfect specimen of a scaredy-cat, and the slightest unexpected noise makes her fluff up. So if I see her running through the house with her hair on end, I don’t think much of it. But Wednesday has no fear. The first time I took her to the vet, she tried to start a fight with a German Shepherd. On the rare occasions that she gets startled, I go looking for the danger, because maybe I need to be worried about it, too.
Tail Movements
This is probably how the way that cats communicate with their tails causes people–and other pets–the most confusion. Cats may move their tails in similar ways to dogs, but the message is not the same. Let’s start with the tap: just a little, up-and-down motion of the very tip of the tail when your cat appears otherwise relaxed [4]. This means your cat is slightly irritated about something or perhaps lost in thought [4]. A side-to-side flick or swish of the tail indicates some kind of excitation [1-4]. What kind depends on the context. It could be frustration, annoyance, even pain, but it can also be playful, such as when your cat is focused on a bird outside the window [1-4]. Whatever the case, that is probably a cat that is too excited for you to bother right now [1, 2].
While dogs generally wag their tails when they are in a good mood, the exact opposite is true for cats, which can lead to some disastrous miscommunications. When a cat thrashes or wags their tail from side to side, they are telling you that they are most upset, and you need to back off before they have to become aggressive [1-4]. Dogs (and people who expect cats to act like dogs) tend to take it as an invitation to approach instead [2, 3]. If you have dogs or very dog-minded friends, you may have to keep an eye on them around your cat so you can intervene before a tense moment becomes bloodshed [3]. Don’t be afraid to educate your houseguests about feline body language, too, especially if you witness someone misinterpreting your cat’s signals. It will help not only them but any cats they meet in the future.
References
Bailey, A. and Cosgrove, N. (2023, November 23). Cat tail language: The meaning of your feline’s different tail wags. Catster. https://www.catster.com/cat-behavior/cat-tail-language-movements-meanings/
Coates, J. (2021, November 21). What’s my cat’s tail telling me? The Spruce Pets. https://www.thesprucepets.com/cat-tail-body-language-554048
Galaxy, J. [Jackson Galaxy]. (2023, September 9). Quivering, wagging, puffed up: What is your cat’s tail trying to tell you? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLi3Z_Mlshk&ab_channel=JacksonGalaxy
Jordan, C. (2021, November 1). Why do cats wag their tails? Here’s what your feline is trying to tell you. Daily Paws. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/behavior/common-cat-behaviors/why-do-cats-wag-their-tails
I suppose if you don’t believe in ghosts, then the answer to the question “can cats see ghosts?” is “no, ghosts don’t exist.” But that’s boring. We’re here for some spooky season fun! If you have seen your cat staring intently at nothing and wondered what they see that you don’t, this article is for you.
Cats’ Remarkable Senses
Do Cats See Ghosts?
Cats certainly can see and sense things that we humans cannot. Cats’ eyes are adapted to see very well in low light because they are naturally most active at dawn and dusk, when most of their prey is awake [1-5]. Their night vision is six times better than ours because they have so many more light-sensing rod cells in their retinas [3, 5]. Cats also have a reflective layer of tissue behind their retinas called the tapetum lucidum which helps them maximize light absorption [4, 5].
Not only can cats see with just the tiniest amount of light, but they can see wavelengths of light that are completely invisible to us [2-6]! Humans see a lot of colors and a lot of detail, but we cannot see ultraviolet light [5, 6]. However, cats and many other animals can [6]. The list includes dogs which many people also believe can see ghosts [2]. Scientists don’t always know why some animals see the wavelengths that they do, and that goes for cats [6]. Rodents use their ultraviolet vision to follow urine trails [6], so perhaps cats benefit from following their trails, too? Or maybe the extra light simply adds another boost to their dark vision. If ghosts are visible in the ultraviolet spectrum, though, then cats do see ghosts.
Do Cats Hear Ghosts?
Cats can also hear much better than we can. The better to catch little, squeaky mice, my dear. Their hearing is about six times sharper than ours [1, 2]. That includes being able to hear sounds 1.5 octaves higher in pitch [4, 5]. Many people believe that ghosts speak outside our hearing range, but perhaps our cats can pick up on them. Think about that the next time your kitty’s ears perk up, and you didn’t hear anything.
Ghosts in the ceiling?
When I first adopted my cat Joon, I lived in a top-floor apartment with a roommate and her cat. The whole time I lived in that apartment, I would hear what sounded like footsteps or furniture being moved around in the apartment above us–except, of course, there was no apartment above us. Just the roof. I thought maybe my ears were playing tricks on me and the sounds were actually coming through the walls, not the ceiling, until I got Joon. In the evenings, when the noises started, she would stare up at the ceiling for the longest time and sometimes sit up on her haunches like she wanted to swat at whatever was up there. I never did figure out if we had ceiling ghosts or people living in the walls or what, but it was very creepy, that’s for sure. Since I moved out of that apartment, Joon has never shown that much interest in the ceiling. Unless there’s a bug on it, of course.
Do Cats Feel Ghosts?
Perhaps the most remarkable of the feline senses is their ability to feel tiny vibrations and changes in the air. A cat’s whiskers detect changes in temperature and air current around them [2, 4, 5]. This helps them navigate small spaces, know what’s around them in the dark, and feel oncoming danger without having to turn around [4, 5]. Perhaps it also helps cats feel any spirits walking by–or through–them.
“That’s one of the things that truly makes animals better than us, smarter than us. Cats aren’t burdened by a lifetime of belief like us. Cats are worried about what could or couldn’t be. They’re worried about what is.”
It’s hard to figure out what your cat is looking at if you can’t see it. Maybe they hear a mouse in the wall or see a tiny bug that you just can’t perceive with your human senses. Maybe they do see a ghost! If your cat seems to be stressed by something you can’t see, however, do your best to investigate. Make sure a medical problem isn’t the culprit. Cats can behave very strangely when they’re in pain and don’t understand why. Also, check for any sources of stress in the physical realm, like a neighborhood cat whose presence outside is putting your pet on edge. If you’ve ruled out any material causes, and your cat still seems upset by a presence in the home, then it might be time to call some ghost busters. On the other hand, if your cat isn’t bothered by that thing they stare at in the corner, only curious, maybe don’t worry about it too much.
A couple days ago, my friend texted me while they were looking at a black panther exhibit at the art museum and asked me what kind of cat black panthers actually are. I had to break it to them–and now to you–that there really isn’t any such thing as a black panther. The name “black panther” is applied to individuals of several species of wild cat which are all black due to a rare genetic condition called melanism. Most black panthers are actually leopards or jaguars, both of which are normally yellow with black spots [9].
What is melanism?
Many cats come in black [4]
Melanism is a rare genetic mutation that causes animals to have black skin and fur/feathers/whatever when members of their species typically do not [1, 3, 4, 7, 9]. The mutation causes the affected animals to produce an excess of the dark color pigment melanin [1, 2, 7]. Lots of animals can be melanistic, including pigs, cows, mice, butterflies, snakes, lizards, and snails [2, 4, 7]. Melanism is more common in felids than most taxa, however [1-3, 7]. 15 of the 40 species in the genus Felidae are known to exhibit melanism [4].
Melanistic cats have black fur all over their bodies but may still have some of the patterning or their “normal,” or wild-type, brethren. For example, black leopards still have rosettes which are even darker black [7, 9], and some melanistic Asian golden cats have a white mark on the underside of their tails [4].
Melanism mutations have cropped up at least eight separate times in the cat family tree [3]. These different mutations don’t all work exactly the same way. Mutations in the ASIP gene are recessive, meaning that a cat has to inherit the mutation from both parents to be black [2, 7]. The ASIP protein normally inhibits eumelanin (dark pigment) production, and these mutations make the ASIP protein non-functional [2, 7]. Leopards and Asian golden cats inherit melanism as a recessive ASIP mutation [2, 3, 6-9].
Mutations in the MC1R gene are dominant, so a cat can inherit either one or two copies of the mutation to be melanistic [2, 7]. MC1R promotes the production of eumelanin, and the mutations increase its activity [2, 7]. Jaguars and jaguarundis inherit melanism as a dominant MC1R mutation [2, 9].
How many black panthers are there?
In general, the rate of melanism in the felid species that have it is thought to be around 10% [3, 9]. However, the actual percentage varies widely depending upon the species and specific population [1, 3, 4, 8]. Leopards range throughout Africa, up through Asia, and as far north as Siberia. In Africa, they are almost never seen in their black panther form, but in Malaysia, the exact opposite is true–almost all leopards are black [3, 4, 7-9]. Southeast Asia in general has about half melanistic, half wild-type leopards [3]. Servals are more likely to exhibit melanism in the East African highlands and the Tsavo ecosystem of southeast Kenya [1]. While most species have fewer melanistic cats than wild-type, 80% of jaguarundis are melanistic [2, 4].
Melanistic (A) and wild-type (B) tigrinas [4]
It’s difficult to get an accurate count of how many wild cats there are in the world to begin with, due to their stealth and dwindling habitats. Counting black cats has its own particular challenges. Sometimes reports of a “black panther” are ambiguous or a case of mistaken identity [5]. There is still debate about whether or not melanistic cougars actually exist for that reason [5]. Because melanistic wild cats are rare in most environments, people are more likely to take notice of them and tell somebody if they see one, possibly inflating their numbers [1].
Why are only some big cats melanistic?
The evolution of melanism in felids is still up for discussion among biologists. The most prominent theory is that melanism is so common among cat species because it helps camouflage them in dark, forested places [3, 8]. As ambush predators–and sometimes prey for bigger animals–most cats specialize in stealth, so camouflage is important. This would explain why melanism is more common in cats in jungle habitats and very rare in open grasslands where a black cat would really stand out [3, 8].
Researchers have found some other possible benefits to being a black panther, too. Dark coloration may aid in temperature control in high-altitude or cool, moist forest environments [1, 9]. Research in dark-colored birds has shown that they are resistant to feather-degrading bacteria [3], so there is a possibility that melanistic felids have some additional immunity to disease [3, 8].
There may be some downsides to that glossy black coat, however, even in favorable habitats. Black leopard pairs have smaller litter sizes [6], although the melanism mutation itself appears to have no ill effects [7]. Graipel et al. found evidence that melanistic cats in some species may have a disadvantage in communicating with their peers because the lack the white spots behind their ears or on their tails characteristic of their species [4]. Wild cats use these spots to send signals to each other at short distances, silently, without alerting prey or predators [4]. This is more important for some species than others, depending upon their habitat and whether they are more active when it’s light or dark [4]. Some felids don’t have these spots at all [4]. So it’s more advantageous to dress in black for some cats than for others.
Miniature black panthers
One of the felid species that exhibits melanism is the domestic cat, Felis catus [7]. That’s right, you might have a black panther of your very own! Not all black housecats are melanistic, however, because coat color genetics are complicated. Melanistic cats will be solid black, absolutely no white hairs, and their skin will be black as well. Also, fun fact: melanistic kittens often have “ghost” tabby stripes that typically fade with time, like the black leopard’s shadowy spots [7].
Eizirik, E., Yuhki, N., Johnson, W. E., Menotti-Raymond, M., et al. (2003). Molecular genetics and evolution of melanism in the cat family. Current Biology, 13(5), 448-453. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-9822(03)00128-3
da Silva, L. G., Kawanishi, K., Henschel, P., Kittle, A., et al. (2017). Mapping black panthers: Macroecological modeling of melanism in leopards (Panthera pardus). PLoS One, 12(4), e0170378. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170378
Graipel, M. E., Bogoni, J. A., Giehl, E. L. H., Cerezer, F. O., et al. (2019). Melanism evolution in the cat family is influenced by intraspecific communication under low visibility. PLoS One, 14(12), e0226136. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0226136
Schneider, A., David, V. A., Johnson, W. E., O’Brien, S. J., et al. (2012). How the leopard hides its spots: ASIP mutations and melanism in wild cats. PLoS One, 7(12), e50386. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0050386
As our cats get older, they can show a variety of signs of aging. Some, like arthritis and a graying muzzle, you probably expect. But did you know that cats (and dogs) can get dementia, just like humans? Cognitive dysfunction in cats is not uncommon in old age [4]. About 30% of cats 11-14 years old and 50% of cats 15+ have changes in behavior unrelated to another health problem [4-6]. This is called Feline Cognitive Decline or Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) in veterinary terms.
What Does Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome Look Like?
Sordo and Gunn-Moore use the acronym VISHDAAL to help explain the typical indications of cognitive dysfunction in cats. The letters are in order of how common the symptoms are. [5]
V is for Vocalization: excessive meowing or yowling, especially at night [1-5]
I is for Interactions: changes in the way your cat interacts with members of the household, such as an increased or decreased interest in petting and attention, irritability, aggression toward people/pets, or decreased responsiveness [1, 3, 5, 6]
S is for Sleep-wake cycle: changes in the cat’s sleep-wake cycle, particularly being awake during hours of the night when they used to sleep [1-6]
H is for House-soiling: that is, urinating and/or defecating outside the litterbox [1-6]
D is for Disorientation: being confused about place or time, e.g. getting lost in familiar locations, becoming somehow stuck in places they should be able to get out of easily, not remembering that they’ve just been fed, staring blankly into space [1-6]
A is for Activity levels: either decreased activity, e.g. less grooming, lack of interest in food or play, or increased activity in the form of restlessness [1-6]
A is for Anxiety: this can manifest in a variety of ways depending upon the individual cat and may contribute to other symptoms [1-6]
L is for Learning and memory: forgetting routines, commands, and familiar people, pets, or places [2-6]
Not every cat will exhibit every symptom, and CTS is a condition that changes and progresses over time [5, 6]. Some of the first signs of CTS may be subtle, and many cat parents mistake them for a normal part of aging that they can’t do anything about [1, 5, 6]. However, if you notice any of these symptoms in your senior cat, you absolutely should tell your veterinarian [1, 3]. The vet can confirm a diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan to make your cat’s last years as peaceful as possible.
Cara’s Story
Cara was one of my childhood cats. She was born under our front porch when I was five or six years old, along with two sisters and a brother. We kept her and her brother, Milo, and they were with us into my college years. Cara was always sort of an odd duck. She wanted attention only rarely, stuck her head in shoes, and stared down into the floor vents for extended periods of time. But when she got to be maybe eight or nine years old, she started getting weirder.
The garage was the cats’ home base, and when they wanted out there they would stand at the door and meow. But Cara started going up to any closed door in the house and meowing to go out. She started actually rubbing against us and demanding attention. She started peeing in the bathtub. Cara had kidney problems, as many old cats do, but we never could figure out why it was just the bathtub. She became much more vocal, as well, although if she was meowing in the middle of night, we never heard it since they slept in the garage. No one in my family knew that pets could get dementia until we saw it with Cara.
Diagnosing Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome
CDS is a diagnosis of exclusion because many of the symptoms can also be caused by medical problems that are common in senior cats [1-3, 5, 6]. For example, pain from arthritis might cause irritability or decreased activity [1, 2, 5]. Vision or hearing loss might cause a cat to become disoriented [1, 2]. It’s important to rule out other medical causes through testing [5]. Only then can your veterinarian be sure that CDS is the culprit.
What Causes Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats?
No one knows for sure what causes CDS. Just like Alzheimer’s disease in humans, it is still somewhat of a mystery. Veterinarians have a few ideas, however. As cats get older, their brains accumulate certain kinds of age-related damage [4-6]. Their brains eventually shrink and lose neural connections, just like ours do [5]. Toxic beta-amyloid plaques and abnormal tau proteins build up in the brain over time [4-6]. Impaired blood flow and oxidative damage are also age-related changes that contribute to cognitive dysfunction in cats [4-6]. The brain is expected to deteriorate with age, just like the rest of the body [3]. However, handling dementia in your elderly pet isn’t as straightforward as some of the other conditions common in senior cats because it isn’t one-size-fits all.
There is no cure for CDS, but there are things you can do to make things easier for your cat if they are diagnosed with it [3, 5, 6]. A lot of it has to do with adjusting your cat’s environment to make things easier for them [1, 3]. Keeping to a strict routine makes everything easier to remember and less stressful [1, 5]. Avoid major changes, such as introducing a new pet, if at all possible [2, 3]. If your cat is up all night, you can make a point to keep them active during the day and play with them in the evening hours [1]. Cats that are soiling outside the litterbox may be forgetting where the litter box is or how they’re supposed to use it [1]. Add more litterboxes in easy-to-see places [1-3].
Anxiety may be helped by giving your cat more attention, playing the radio at night/when you’re not home, or using a calming pheromone diffuser like Feliway [1, 3, 5]. Every cat is different, though, so expect some trial-and-error. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations based upon your cats specific symptoms [1, 5]. It may help to consult a cat behaviorist, too [1].
A special diet can sometimes help with CDS [2, 3, 5, 6]. Vitamin E and antioxidants are believed to aid an aging cat’s brain [2, 3, 5]. There are cat foods available that are high in these nutrients [5]. Ask your veterinarian or local pet store for a recommendation. You can also buy supplements, but be careful, because they are usually formulated for dogs and may not be safe for cats [5]. Only use a supplement that is clearly labeled as safe for cats!
Medication
There aren’t any medications specifically for cognitive dysfunction in cats yet; nonetheless, there are some that your veterinarian may prescribe. Anti-anxiety medication is one option [1-3, 5]. The drug selegiline/Anipryl is approved for CDS in dogs and is sometimes prescribed for cats [1, 2, 5, 6]. Not all cats with CDS require medication, however, and their needs can change over time. Take your senior kitty into the vet for regular appointments to reassess what their needs are [6].
Kornreich, B. (2022, September 27). Feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CTS). Cornell Feline Health Center Monthly Health Tips. [Email Newsletter]
Sordo, L. and Gunn-Moore, D. A. (2021). Cognitive dysfunction in cats: Update on neuropathological and behavioural changes plus clinical management. VetRecord, 188(1), e3. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.3
Cat scratch fever isn’t just a song by Ted Nugent. Being scratched by a cat is just one of the hazards of having one, but seemingly minor nicks can lead to nasty infections. It’s important to take good care of any cat-induced injuries.
Not only are cats’ claws sharp, but they can carry bacteria [1-5]. So, step one after getting scratched by a cat is to clean the wound [1-5]. Flush the wound with running water [2, 3] and then wash it with mild soap [1-5]. If it’s a serious enough scratch that it’s still bleeding after that, apply pressure with a clean cloth or bandage to stop the bleeding [2, 3]. Then apply a topical antibiotic (like Neosporin) and cover with a sterile bandage [2, 3].
For most cat scratches, that’s all the attention the injury needs. If it doesn’t break the skin, all you have to do is clean any bacteria off, and you’re done. But sometimes, a scratch can get infected and even make you quite sick, so keep an eye on the wound and be vigilant for any symptoms of the infections below [1-5].
Cat Scratch Fever
Cat scratch fever, also called cat scratch disease or CSD, is an infection caused by the bacterium Bartonella henselae [1-3, 5]. Cats become infected with B. henselae from fleas or by fighting with other infected cats [1-5]. Up to 30% of cats carry this bacterium in their blood [1]! But cats rarely become sick from it [1, 3, 5]. When an infected cat scratches or bites a human and breaks the skin, or licks a human’s open wound, then the B. henselae bacteria get into that person’s bloodstream, and that’s what causes CSD [1-5].
Symptoms typically start between 3 days and 2 weeks after the cat scratch or bite [1, 3, 5]. The injury may become red, swollen, warm, and painful; develop lesions; and exhibit pus [1, 3-5]. Later, lymph nodes near the injury may swell and get sore [1, 3-5]. Other symptoms that may develop include fever, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, and joint pain, somewhat like the flu [1, 3-5].
Usually, CSD is not serious and will resolve on its own or with antibiotics [1-5]. However, in rare cases it can cause serious problems with the brain, eyes, heart, or other organs and require intensive treatment [1-5]. Children from ages 5-14 and people with weak immune systems are most likely to have these complications [1, 4, 5]. If you notice any signs or symptoms of CSD after being scratched by a cat, see a medical professional right away, just to be safe [1-5].
Other Infections You Can Get from Being Scratched by a Cat
Other pathogens can be present on a cats claws and be introduced under your skin by a scratch. One example is Staphylococcus aureus, a common bacterium on the skin of humans and other animals that can cause several types of infections when introduced inside the body [2]. Another culprit is Campylobacter [2]. Campylobacter is typically spread through cat feces, but cats bury their poop with their paws, so the bacteria can be on their claws, too [2]. A Campylobacter infection can cause fever, stomach cramps, nausea, and diarrhea [2]. Pasturella bacteria are spread by cat bites and scratches, too [2]. The bacteria attack the joints and tendons, causing pain and swelling, and symptoms can appear within a few hours [2].
Quick Tips to Prevent Scratches
Anything can be a toy, and toys will be destroyed – Image by Birgit from Pixabay
If you have cats, you’re probably going to get scratched sooner or later. There are a few things you can do to make it less likely, however. First of all, DO NOT play with your cat using your hands [3]! Only use toys, preferably ones that keep your hands far away from the action. If you use your hand like a toy, your cat will treat it like a toy. And you’ve seen how they treat their toys.
Keeping your cats nails trimmed can help prevent scratches as well, especially accidental ones [3]. Many cats don’t care for this, but they can usually be accustomed to it over time. You can have a groomer do it for you, but keep in mind that your cat will associate the groomer with the claw trimming. They may learn to resist their grooming appointments like they do their vet visits. There are advantages to doing it yourself at home and giving them their favorite treat when you’re done.
Sources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases. (2023, June 13). Cat scratch disease (Bartonella henselae infection). https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/diseases/cat-scratch.html
Bengal cats are a popular but somewhat controversial designer breed. They are meant to look like little leopards without the dangers of having a wild cat in the house. Their coats are stunningly beautiful, and Bengal enthusiasts say they make delightful and unique pets. However, some people argue that Bengals are wilder than a pet should be because they are a hybrid breed. Today we’ll dive deep on this intriguing cat breed.
Neither Tigers, nor Leopards, nor Just Cats
The Bengal breed is credited to California breeder Jean Sudgen Mills, who crossed a female Asian Leopard Cat–a small, leopard-spotted wild cat–with a male black domestic shorthair in 1963 [2, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13, 15]. She was not the first to create this type of hybrid cat, however. The earliest mention was in 1889 by Harrison Weir in his book Our Cats and All at Them [13]. References to Asian Leopard Cat x Domestic Cat hybrids cropped up periodically over the next half-century [9, 13].
Contemporaneously with Jean Mills, Dr. Willard Centerwall bred these hybrid cats to study their genetics and immune systems [11, 13]. Mills used some of Centerwall’s cats to start a breeding program [11, 13]. Early Bengal breeders also incorporated Egyptian Maus and later added Siamese for more color variation [1, 5, 8, 11]. Mills and other early breeders experienced some challenges, including the unpleasant surprise that the hybrid toms were sterile [1, 15]. But the second generation was all fertile, and eventually there were enough Bengals that these days, most Bengals are bred from other Bengals [13, 15]. In fact, using Asian Leopard Cats in current breeding programs is typically discouraged [3].
Jean Mills petitioned persistently to have the Bengal recognized as a breed, and in 1983 The International Cat Society first accepted the Bengal as an experimental breed [11, 13, 15]. Today, six cat fancy registries accept Bengals, and they are a well-established global breed [11].
Many people think that the name Bengal comes from the Bengal tiger [1, 13]. There is even a myth that Bengal cats are descended from Bengal tigers, which would be impossible [6]. They are no more related to tigers than any other housecat [6]. The name comes from the scientific name for the Asian Leopard Cat, Prionailurus bengalensis [1, 5, 13, 15].
Bengal Cat Characteristics
Bengal cats are assigned a filial generation number (F1, F2, F3, F4….) depending upon how closely related they are to an Asian Leopard Cat [1, 9]. A F1 Bengal is the kitten of an Asian Leopard Cat and a domestic cat [1, 9]. A F2 Bengal has an Asian Leopard Cat as a grandparent, a F3 Bengal has an Asian Leopard Cat great-grandparent, etc. [1, 9]. Bengal cats are considered domesticated from F4 on; only these can be registered and shown [2, 5, 6, 11, 13-15].
Appearance
Bengals are a medium-large breed, with the toms getting up to 15 pounds (6.8 kg) [4, 9, 11, 14]. They have long, lean, muscular bodies [2, 4, 9, 11, 15]. Their long and powerful legs make them incredible jumpers and climbers [4, 5, 9]. They can jump up to six feet–straight up or across [5, 6]!
Of course, their stunning spotted coats are what Bengals are most known for. Bengals come in six basic colors, but the cat fancy only recognizes brown, snow, silver, and sometimes charcoal [1, 8, 11, 15]. Blue and black/melanistic are non-standard colors [1, 8].
Brown is the most common color, with markings that may be black, brown, or reddish-brown [4, 8]. Snow Bengals inherited the temperature-sensitive albinism trait from the Siamese and come in lynx, mink, and sepia varieties [2, 5, 8]. Silver Bengals are white or gray with black markings [8]. The smoky black charcoal trait in inherited independently of coat color, so Bengals of any color may have it in addition to their base color [8].
Blue comes from the dilute trait, which is also inherited independently of coat color [8]. These cats are a steely gray with darker gray-blue markings [8]. Some breeders are attempting to gain championship recognition for blue Bengals [8]. The black/melanistic Bengal looks like a black panther, with black markings nearly invisible on a black background [8].
Bengals can either be spotted or marbled [1, 2, 5, 8, 9]. Their spots can be simple dots or a variety of rosette patterns like those seen on leopards, ocelots, and other wild felids [1, 5, 8, 9, 15]. The marbled coat pattern consists of dark swirls all over the cat’s coat [1, 8]. Some Bengals have both patterns [8]. Bengals can have green, gold, or–in the case of snow Bengals–blue eyes [8, 11].
Personality
Bengals are extremely intelligent and extremely active cats [1-6, 9, 11, 14]. They need ways to keep their minds and bodies active because boredom leads to mischief [1, 5, 6, 9, 11]. These are not cats that do well in home where they will be left alone for long periods of time [3, 15]. They need lots of playtime and attention [3, 5, 9, 11, 15]. However, they are very trainable and often do well with learning to walk on a leash, so they are well-suited to active people who want a cat that’s as adventurous as they are [1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 15].
Additionally, Bengals are very affectionate [1-3, 9, 14, 15]. They tend to have a favorite person who they become attached to and will love forever [9]. If well-socialized as kittens, Bengals are typically good with dogs, children, and people in general [4, 5, 9, 14, 15]. They don’t always like other cats, however [1]. They can be quite territorial, so if you want a multi-cat household, it may be best to get a pair of Bengals who already know each other or introduce the Bengal to a house where other cats are already established [1]. Bengals do not tolerate change well and are prone to stress and problem behaviors if you don’t ease them into big changes [1, 3, 9].
A fun and unusual thing about Bengals is that most of them love water [1-6, 9, 11]! This comes from the Asian Leopard Cat which lives near rivers [4]. Bengals are known for playing with their water dishes, following their people into the bath or shower, and going swimming if they get half a chance [1, 4, 5, 6]. Providing water games can be a good way to keep your Bengal entertained–just be prepared to clean up the splashes after [1, 4, 9, 11].
Welcome to the Jungle
It is important that anyone adopting or purchasing a Bengal or other hybrid cat realize that they have different needs than the typical housecat [3, 6, 7, 14]. Because they are so smart and so energetic, Bengals need a lot of toys, things to climb, and interactive playtime, or they will become destructive [3, 5, 6, 9, 11]. Many Bengals enjoy running on wheels [3]. Also some Bengals don’t digest dry or grain-based cat food very well which is unpleasant for everyone [3, 15]. Bengal Rescue recommends feeding Bengals a grain-free wet food or raw food diet.
Bengals should be indoor-only cats, both because they are likely to be stolen and because they are particularly hazardous to local wildlife [1, 9, 14]. Bengals love the outdoors, though, so taking them for walks and/or providing a catio for outside time is a good idea [9, 14]. It really helps get some of their energy out.
Speaking of the Bengal’s high prey drive and excellent hunting skills, you have to be very careful about keeping small animals (birds, lizards, hamsters, etc.) in a home with a Bengal [1]. The cat doesn’t know those are pets, too; they just see prey. With their love for water, Bengals are especially interested in aquarium fish [1, 11]. So don’t let your Bengal near your smaller pets. Cat-proof extensively, more than you think you have to. These crafty kitties can get into places you wouldn’t expect.
F1-F3 Bengals, also known as Foundation Bengals, are more like wild animals than housecats [14]. The International Bengal Cat Society explains that “owning one of these cats is akin to owning a large parrot or an alligator as a pet” [14]. Only consider taking in one of these cats if you are prepared to make major adjustments [14].
Special Health Concerns
There is a myth that Bengals are immune to Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) [6, 11]. Asian Leopard Cats are immune, but Bengals did not inherit this trait and need immunizations for FeLV like all domestic cats [6, 11]. Bengal cats are also prone to a few illnesses. Bengals have an elevated risk of developing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common type of heart disease in cats [1, 2, 9, 15]. They can have some eye problems as well: progressive retinal atrophy, which causes premature blindness, and cataracts [1, 2, 9, 11, 15]. And there is a higher rate of Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency among Bengals [2, 15]. This metabolic disorder disrupts their red blood cells [2].
Responsible breeders will test their cats for genetic diseases [1, 15]. If you get a Bengal from a breeder, make sure to ask about their genetic testing policy, and have your veterinarian thoroughly examine your new cat for any signs of disease as well.
Bengals are more likely to be sensitive or allergic to anesthetics, so discuss this with your veterinarian if you have a Bengal who needs to be aestheticized for any procedure, including spay/neuter surgery [1, 9]. Allergic reactions to anesthetics can be fatal.
Why are Bengal cats illegal in some places?
Bengals and other hybrid cats are banned in some locations, including New York City and Hawaii [9, 10]. Restrictions in some places only apply to earlier generations of Bengals, i.e. F1-F3 [9]. There are several reasons for these regulations.
Bengals are considered particularly dangerous to native wildlife because of their high prey drive and superior hunting skills [10]. This is part of the reason they are not allowed in Hawaii [10], where the native birds have been severely depleted by invasive species, including domestic cats. The other concern in Hawaii is that cats can carry the parasite toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous for Hawaiian monk seals [10]. That is true of all cats, though, not just Bengals.
Connecticut banned Bengal cats in 1996 citing concerns that the domestic cat rabies vaccine may not be effective for the hybrid breed [12]. Some places ban hybrid cats simply because regulators consider them wild animals [12]. There are also concerns that continuing to breed hybrid pet cats could put strain on populations of threatened wildcats, as some breeders continue to go back to the Asian Leopard Cat to make new lines of Bengals or to the Serval to make new lines of Savannahs [7].
If you are considering adding a Bengal cat to your family, check your local exotic pet regulations to make sure that they are permitted as pets in your area. And remember to always look at adopting first. Organizations like Bengal Rescue (Western US), Bengal Rescue Australia, Great Lakes Bengal Rescue (US), East Coast Bengal Rescue (US), and the Bengal Cat Association (UK) can help you find the living room leopard that’s meant for you.
Fun Facts
The New Zealand Cat Fancy Registry also recognizes long-haired Bengals, also known as Cashmeres. [2]
Bengals are low-shed and low-dander, so while not strictly hypoallergenic, some people with cat allergies find them easier to be around. [3]
Some Bengals have a special trait called “glitter” which makes them sparkle or shimmer in the light. Glitter is caused by scattered colorless hairs throughout the coat that reflect light, giving the cat’s fur a glittery appearance. [2, 4, 5, 15]
Bengals cost between $1,500 and $10,000 USD from a breeder, depending upon sex, generation, and color/pattern. F1 females and snow Bengals are the most expensive. Back in 1990, when Bengals were relatively new, a woman once paid $50,000 USD for one! [1, 5, 14]
It’s the middle of hurricane season, and we just had a line of severe thunderstorms and tornados go through last Monday. Yesterday I saw a picture of someone looking for a lost cat in the ashes of their house on Maui. An emergency can happen any time, so we all need to think about disaster preparedness for our cats. What is the plan in case of a fire, flood, earthquake, or any other worst-case scenario? I hope you and your pets never have to face anything like that, but sometimes it happens. All we can do is be prepared.
“Hope you got your things together…looks like we’re in for nasty weather.”
Be Ready Before Something Happens
If there’s an emergency, you may need to move your cat to a safe room or even evacuate your home. At the very least, you’ll need to know where your pets are. So, step #1: make sure you have a carrier for every animal [2, 3, 8, 9]. A cat (or dog) carrier needs to be big enough for them to comfortably stand, lie down, and turn around in [1, 9]. You’ll also want to get your cat comfortable with being in the carrier [9, 10]. Similar to crate training dogs, you want your cat to feel like the carrier is a safe den and not just the place you shove them when scary things happen.
There’s not a one-size-fits-all method here, but things you can try include: putting a cozy blanket in the carrier, giving treats or feeding your cat inside, incorporating the carrier in playtime, and draping a towel over the carrier to make it cozier. Make sure you leave the carriers somewhere your cats can hang out in them regularly [9]. Label every carrier with your pet’s name, your name, and your contact information [3, 6, 5].
Block the unders to avoid this during a crisis – Image by Alexander Alehin from Pixabay
Even if your cat is used to their carrier, they might still be scared during a real emergency, so expect to have to catch your cat. That being said, it helps to pre-emptively “block the unders,” in the words of cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy. This means under the bed, under the dresser, under the sofa–all those hidey-holes cats can get into that we can’t get them out of easily, if at all. Find a way to block those off so that if you need to quickly grab your cat and go, you don’t have to try to crawl under the furniture looking for a terrified house panther. [9]
Despite our best efforts, our pets still get lost sometimes, especially during the chaos of a disaster. So, it’s important that your pet has identification, too. The best way to make sure that a lost cat is returned to you is to have them microchipped [6, 9]. Get your cats microchipped as soon as possible–most vets will do it during their spay/neuter surgery–and keep your contact information up-to-date with the microchip service [1-3, 6, 8-10]. If your cat will wear a collar, make sure they’re wearing correct tags including your contact info and any serious medical needs [1-3, 6]. Only use breakaway collars with cats.
Make sure you have a pet rescue alert sticker posted on a front window or somewhere near the door of your home [3, 4, 9]. These tell first responders that there animals in the house, what kind, and how many, so that they know to look for them [3, 4, 9]. You can order a sticker for free from the ASPCA. If you evacuate and have time on the way out, write EVACUATED over the sticker in permanent marker so no one wastes valuable time looking for animals that have been safely removed already [3, 4].
Pack Your Cat’s Disaster Preparedness Kit
Having an emergency kit packed and ready to grab and go will save you a great deal of time and stress if disaster strikes. You’ve probably heard recommendations for packing an emergency bag for yourself, but you should have one for your cats, too [1-10]. If you have a car or other reliable transport, pack a tough, waterproof box (like a storage bin with handles) that you can load up and take with you. If not, use something like a duffel bag or backpack that you can carry. Have one of those on hand even if you plan to drive, just in case that ceases to be possible.
Here’s a list of, ideally, everything to put in your pet emergency kit:
Important documents: identification papers like adoption records and microchip number; medical records; contact information for you, other potential caretakers, and your veterinarian; recent photo(s), preferably with both you and your pet
Food and bottled water for at least three days
Food and water bowls (collapsible ones save space), manual can opener if needed
2 weeks-1 month supply of any medications
1 month of parasite preventative
Cat litter and disposable litter trays (aluminum roasting pans and shallow cardboard boxes work)
Remember to periodically replace items in your emergency kit that expire, like food and medications. Below are downloads for pet emergency kit checklists from the Red Cross, American Veterinary Medical Association, and ASPCA, if you’re a checklist person like me. The ASPCA one is specifically for cats.
Having a well-considered plan is key to disaster preparedness, especially with cats. Figure out now what room in your home you will hole up in if you are sheltering in place [2, 6]. Make sure you could close off all the exits and keep your cat in that space with you if necessary [2]. In case you need to send pets away for a while, find out which family, friends, and neighbors are able and willing to care for them [2, 3, 6, 10]. Also look for veterinary clinics, boarding facilities, and animal shelters that will house pets during emergencies [1-3, 6]. You can try asking your veterinarian for suggestions [3].
If you have to evacuate, always take your pets with you [2, 3]. If it isn’t safe for you, it isn’t safe for them [3]. That being said, a lot of places won’t allow you to stay with your pets, including a lot of Red Cross rescue shelters [3, 6, 8]. Keep a list of nearby hotels, motels, and shelters that allow cats [1-3, 6, 10]. If you think an evacuation might be coming, go ahead and make a reservation [1].
During and after a disaster, the environment is likely to be very different than your cat is used to. Familiar smells and landmarks may be gone [2, 6]. There can be all kinds of debris about as well as spilled chemicals and contaminated water [2, 6]. Wildlife can show up in strange places [6]. If your cat normally goes outside, don’t let them out there until you are sure it’s safe [2, 6]. Make sure you check your own space for unexpected hazards, too [2, 6]. Your cat may behave differently from all the stress [2, 6]. They may become more withdrawn or aggressive [2, 6]. Just be gracious with them. Cats love routine, so it helps a lot to get them back to their daily rhythms as soon as possible [9].
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