Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cat behavior

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 6/5/2008


Question
Why does my calico cat roll around in the dirt?  Can you wash cat's like you do dogs?  I know dogs but, I don't know cats.  She isn't really my cat, she belonged to the lady I was caring for who recently died (April) and now I care for the cat.  Thank you for response.

Answer
Cynthia,

I have two cats that are "dirt rollers". They spend as much time rolling as they do walking! A lot of times it is to scratch fleas, other times is because they just enjoy doing it...it feels good.

Do not bathe a cat unless it has rolled in something "nasty". I just pat mine to get the dust clouds off, then brush them.

It's normal, so no need to worry.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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