Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/too cool cats

Advertisement

Expert: Dear Tabbi - 3/26/2009


Question
I have a couple of cats. They never get into fights. Not even close. But what I don't understand is how they can just stand around when other scats are fighting right in front of their face just a couple of feet away. I always run out thinking my cats are in a fight only to find out they are not.  

What I don't understand why they just stand around as if they don't see or hear anything?  Why don't they run inside the house?  I have a doggie door so they are allowed to come and go as they please. One likes to be outside but stays near the house and the other one stays in the house most of the time.

Answer
Jessica,

The obvious question I have is are you SURE your cats CAN see and/or hear? Sometimes it's not obvious by their normal behavior that they have a problem.

Some cats, like some people, are just laid back and don't get much excited about things. And some cats, again like some people, just like to watch the excitement. It's not the same thing, but when one of my cats is coughing up a hairball, any cat nearby comes to watch.

Some cats have weird quirks, and sometimes only the cat knows for sure why he behaves in a certain way.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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).

Education/Credentials
***********

Awards and Honors
* One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.