	AllExperts > Cats
	Search

About Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.

Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Cats > Cats > Bengal cat behavior

Cats - Bengal cat behavior

Expert: Norman Auspitz - 11/6/2009

Question
My cat is a bengal/maine coon mix, male, about 2yrs old. His behavior is everything that is described as Bengal cat characteristic from love of water, bizarre range of vocalizations including barking, huffing sounds, much more. He is intellegent, endlessly inquisitive, determined, chews cardboard, on and on. Still, he is a big sweetie, loving and affectionate on his terms.
Here is the one thing he does that I have not found mentioned. He is a frequent 'smergler' meaning he suckles things. I thought perhaps he was separated too young from mom but now I question this assumption as his smergling can be quite aggressive. He will latch onto your hand and hold on like you are prey but all the time suckling. He has not broken skin but definitely will hold on tight and sometimes put ears back in an aggressive expression, all the while sucking. Help! He is more like a Vampire than an overgrown kitten seeking comfort. I've had many cats and am familiar with play aggression and smergling as separate behaviors but this is my first encounter with aggressive suckling. Any thoughts or insights on this? Thanks.

Answer
Carla,

I have seen and heard of domestic cats that exhibit this rather uncommon behavior, so, my guess is thta it is more of a cat thing than something peculiar to Bengals. I have seen kittens go through this with other kittens, neutered males, etc., almnost like a human sucking his thimb, only much more aggressively.

At age two years, he is unlikely to outgrow it. You may be able to break the habit with a behavior modification technique called clicker training (see Keren Pryor's web site at:

www.clickertraining.com )

Best regards... Norm.

Add to this Answer Ask a Question