Cat Behavior Flashcards
How long are cats pregnant for?
63 days on average
When do kittens typically open their eyes?
About a week from birth
When does cat eye sight improve?
At about 1 month of age their eye sight is very good but it will continue to improve until 3 months
How old are cats before they have good orientation?
About 4 weeks
When do kittens develop complex motor capabilities?
About 10-11 weeks of age
How old are kittens before they can right their body in the air?
6 weeks of age
How old are kittens before they can go potty alone?
5-6 weeks
When do kittens wean? When do they stop?
Start at about 4 weeks and stop at about 7 weeks
When do wild cats begin hunting?
At about 5 weeks
When do kittens begin responding to sound?
10 days after birth
When do kittens begin having mature and defensive reactions to stimuli?
4-8 weeks
What is Social Play? When does it happen?
Social Play is play fighting, crouching and interacting with the environment. Begins at 4 weeks of age and ends around 11-12 weeks
What is equifinality?
The end of development reached by different starting conditions and developmental routes
How often do (unspayed) male cats spray?
2-9 times an hour
What is bunting?
Marking scent by rubbing head on things
What is Allorubbing?
Cats rubbing together, usually head to head but can be other parts of the body as well
What does it mean when a cats tail is upright?
Its a way for cats to affiliate with their colonies
What is Allogrooming?
Cats licking and cleaning each other
How do cats, solitary animals, create bonds with humans?
Oxytocin is released when a cat is pet by a human, if a cat and human have a strong bond the cat will feel safe with the human and ritual behaviors also contribute to bonding
What are some factors that effect bonding?
Cat genetics, some cats are easier to bond with, earlier socialization makes making a bond easier and housing conditions can also effect bonding
What are the 3 cat personalities?
- Bold, confident and easygoing 2. Shy, nervous 3. active/aggressive
What is the difference between spraying and inappropriate urination?
Spraying will usually be on vertical surfaces and is used as a scent marker
