What do cats really want?

Around sixty vets, nurses and adoption centre staff from The Blue Cross, RSPCA, Battersea Dogs Home and various private practices assembled recently in Wimbledon to spend a day learning about cats behavioural needs.

The speaker was well-known vet and behaviour specialist Sarah Heath. Sarah, author of numerous books including Why does my cat?, spoke first about how to make visits to the vet more comfortable, and then moved on to particular requirements for households where there are several cats. The day was mainly aimed at people working with cats, but there were also some useful tips for cat owners needing to take their pets to the vets.

Tips on cat baskets
Sarah's advice on choosing a cat basket was particularly useful. She explained that buying one with both a full-size door at the end and a removable lid was best, and the need to get the cat used to the basket from an early age, by keeping it in sight within the house and regularly feeding or offering treats in the basket. Occasional short comfortable trips in the car but not to the vet are also a good idea. Applying Feliway spray to the basket at least 20 minutes before travelling may be helpful.

There were also handy hints for owners with more than one cat. Unlike dogs and people, cats do not crave a social network, although they can be social. Littermates get on best but even they like to spend some time alone. Cats simply don't understand the idea of waiting their turn so it's essential that multi-cat households have lots of litter trays, resting places and feeding stations in different rooms.

The day was generously sponsored by CEVA Animal Health, with funding from NVS and The Blue Cross. As well as providing participants with a fascinating insight into the behavioural world of cats, it will also bring direct benefit to the feline visitors to their practices and adoption centres.

December 2007