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Expert: - 7/3/2010


Question
My 13yr old neutered siamese has 2 strange habits. 1: He will put his face/mouth on my cheek and begin to lick, slobber, drool and rub his face around. He then tries to suck all the while purring like mad and kneading my neck. Habit 2: When my husband talks on the phone, the cat will scream as only a siamese can. It doesn't matter where in the house my husband is, the cat will yowl and scream. He only does this to my husband and no one else. He has had both these habits since he was a kitten. Why?

Answer
Hi Maryanne,

The suckling and kneading you describe isn't that strange. Quite a few cats do that. I believe in the theory of cats doing this because they were weaned too young. If it doesn't bother you then don't worry about it. It is semi normal. :)

I believe his yowling with your husband on the phone is a trained response. What do you do when he does this? Do you hold him and pay more attention to him when he howls? If you do, then he has you trained. If you don't do anything to him when he yowls then the only thing I can figure out is that maybe your husbands voice resonates somehow with the phone and this bothers him. Obviously you've had him for 13 years so you've accommodated your life to his quirks.

I hope that these answers may have helped you. You can change these habits if you wish. I would use positive and negative reinforcement. Works great. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

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I have an A.A.S.

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