Fear or Sedation at the Vet?

Posted on by felinepurrspective_u3q4o6

Acute severe stress triggers the body’s “fight-or-flight response”. Your heart beats faster, your blood pressure increases and you breathe harder. Your muscles become tense, you may feel nauseous. Wild animals can actually die of stress during capture and relocation as a result of a condition known as “capture myopathy”. Muscles are damaged as the animal struggles to escape; the damaged muscle releases toxic substances into the bloodstream, causing kidney failure, high temperatures and sometimes death or a subsequent deterioration in health (Reference 1).

While few cats have been documented as suffering from “capture myopathy”, restraining a struggling, terrified cat for a procedure at the vet clinic has a potential to cause physical as well as emotional damage.  If pre-visit medications aren’t enough, the cat owner has a choice: fear or sedation at the vet?

Fear or sedation at the vet?

Sedation can be a gift for a fearful and/or fractious cat. Sedation can (Reference 2):

  • provide comfort and analgesia while reducing anxiety and stress
  • prevent injury to veterinary staff
  • promote a better hospital experience for cats undergoing minor procedures

When properly done, sedation can be a safe procedure for most cats. On the other hand, general anesthesia may be more appropriate for cats with neurological problems, cardiac or respiratory disorders (Reference 2).

sedation vs general anesthesia

Sedation is similar to general anesthesia: the drugs used can cause unconsciousness, amnesia and loss of protective reflexes such as gagging and swallowing (if possible, the cat is fasted prior to the procedure). The risks to the sedated cat are similar to those encountered by the anesthetized cat: the most common issues are cardiovascular and respiratory (Reference 2).  

Sedation is chosen for minor procedures where the cat will be only be under the effects of sedative drugs for a short time. A cat may be sedated to acquire blood and urine samples, have x-rays of painful limbs, or have an abscess flushed and stitched up. In such brief procedures, typically an airway is not established with an endotracheal tube nor is an intravenous catheter placed. The goal is to finish the necessary tasks and wake the cat up, returning them to a normal physiologic state as soon as possible.

Good practice dictates that the veterinary team be prepared to transition to general anesthesia if necessary, providing oxygen, intubating the cat and placing an intravenous catheter for fluid therapy if needed.

Monitoring (Reference 2) during sedation is not as comprehensive as that of general anesthesia due to time constraints. An abbreviated protocol follows the cat’s physiologic status.

  • monitor depth of sedation – eye blink reflex
  • measuring oxygen saturation in the blood (pulse oximetry)
  • measuring pulse rate and blood pressure

Comfort and Pain Relief

Sedation protocols for cats are typically a combination of a pain medication (usually an opioid) and a sedative. The combination of the two drugs produces a greater sedative effect compared with either drug given alone. Lower doses of the drugs can be used when they are given together (Reference 2), reducing adverse cardiac and respiratory side effects.

The drugs can given intramuscularly (IM) or intravenously (IV) depending on the drug combination. IM protocols are popular because is often easier to give a frightened, struggling cat an injection in the muscle compared with trying to inject drugs in a vein.

Pre-visit medications can be an adjunct to the sedation procedure, reducing the dose of sedative drugs needed and making administration of these drugs less stressful.

recovery

A warm, dark, quiet area allows cats waking up from sedation or anesthesia to be monitored to ensure a smooth recovery. Additional pain medication may be administered and food may be offered if appropriate.

returning home

  • Watch your cat closely once they are home. Consider confining them to a room with all their resources so that they can safely settle back into the home environment and routine. Be sure to check in on them until the effects of the sedative drugs have worn off.
  • Cats identify each other by smell. In multi-cat homes, a cat returning from the vet clinic has picked up the smell of the hospital and may be “shunned” by their housemates. Keeping the returning cat separate from their housemates followed by a reintroduction is appropriate here.
  • See “Aggression Between Cats After a Vet Visit”

 

The choice: Fear or Sedation at the Vet?
In cats with fractious temperaments or showing fearful behavior, sedation can replace moments of sheer terror with a better hospital experience. Gone is the struggle, muscle tension, and fear associated with full-body restraint. The gift of sedation can help cats live longer and healthier lives due to better veterinary care.

references

  1. Breed D, Meyer LCR, Steyl JCA, Goddard A, Burroughs R, Kohn TA. Conserving wildlife in a changing world: Understanding capture myopathy-a malignant outcome of stress during capture and translocation. Conserv Physiol. 2019 Jul 5;7(1):coz027. doi: 10.1093/conphys/coz027. PMID: 31304016; PMCID: PMC6612673.
  2. Simon BT, Steagall PV. Feline procedural sedation and analgesia: When, why and how. J Feline Med Surg. 2020 Nov;22(11):1029-1045. doi: 10.1177/1098612X20965830. PMID: 33100168; PMCID: PMC10814218.

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Tactics to Make the Vet Visit Better for Cats

Posted on by felinepurrspective_u3q4o6
A relaxed, calm cat approaches a veterinary staff member.

Veterinary medicine has markedly improved for companion animals – we recognize that cats and dogs experience pain and suffering, which in turn affects their quality of life. Routine checkups, vaccinations,  and dental cleanings reduce disease and improve the health and welfare of our pets.

Cats are becoming members of the family and not just valued mousers.  There is a trend away from brute force handling of cats to “get it (blood sample, vaccination) done” to trying to make the vet visit better for cats, avoiding fear and arousal as much as possible.

make the vet visit better for cats

Some of the programs in place to help veterinary staff address the feline patient include:

  • Cat Friendly Practice (Reference 1)
  • Fear Free Program (Reference 2)
  • Low-Stress Handling (Reference 3)

All of these initiatives have the same goal – to deliver medical care to animals without the complications of fear and arousal. We want to avoid the trauma that can result from an unpleasant or frightening event. We want to avoid overwhelming an animal’s ability to cope and triggering survival mechanisms such as fight, freeze or flight.

How can we make the vet visit better for cats? When they arrive at the veterinary clinic, the cat has been taken out of his home environment and transported to a strange place – it smells of other animals, many of whom are afraid; it may be cold and noisy. The cat is most likely scared and anxious, not knowing what will happen next.

How we handle cats in the veterinary hospital has direct consequences on the cat’s welfare. To reduce stress and bad memories, we start with a quiet exam room and an assessment of how kitty is doing today.

the behavior traffic light – Go? Caution? stop!

green – go?

  • The “green” cat is relaxed and may approach veterinary staff.
  • Handling may include petting if the cat solicits it.
  • Exam can be in the cat’s carrier, on the owner’s lap, or wherever the cat is comfortable.
  • Restraint is minimal – handling focuses on stabilizing the cat.
  • Food/toys may be used to distract the cat and keep them happy.

yellow – caution?

  • The “yellow” cat shows early signs of anxiety or fear – they are tense, ears flattened, the tail may be tucked under.
  • Handling may include a towel to give the cat a place to hide and feel more secure.
  • Position or location may change as needed to gain the cat’s cooperation (see “Preparing for the Cat Friendly Exam”).
  • The visit should be prioritized, with the exam number one on the list.
  • Optional procedures like a nail trim may be put off for another day.

Some cats will freeze and seem easy to handle but they are fearful and may “explode” with aggression.

red – stop!

  • A “red” cat may hiss, growl, bite or swat at someone trying to handle them.
  • They actively resist handling.
  • These cats are fearful and defensive and may try to hide.
  • Handling should be stopped immediately to avoid injury to the cat or the handler.
  • If the cat calms down after a break, a limited exam can be attempted.
  • Sedation or anesthesia will be recommended instead of force for urgent procedures.

Can “stop” make the vet visit better for cats?

It is important to realize that the cat learns from traumatic handling. They are likely to repeat the same behavior in a similar situation; they will associate the room, the people, the type of touch with the traumatic experience.  “STOP” allows us to do a “reset” to that point before things started to go wrong and try to make the vet visit better for cats.

Sedation

Sedative drugs cause a state of calmness or sleepiness. Sedating cats who are fractious or fearful allow us to provide them with pain relief and reduce their anxiety and stress, while performing diagnostics and minor procedures.

In urgent cases, sedation is an option for the “red” cat who does not have a history of health issues, or if a limited exam is possible and does not present any red flags.

In non-urgent situations, the owner may consider trying pre-visit medication for a repeat visit, with the option of sedation if needed. 

What are the risks of sedation? These questions will be answered in the next post.

references

  1. Cat Friendly Practice ® Program. © Copyright 2012 – 2025 International Cat Care and Feline Veterinary Medical Association. https://catvets.com/cat-friendly/cfp/. Viewed 9/2025
  2. Fear Free®. © 2025 Fear Free. All rights reserved. https://www.fearfree.com/. Viewed 9/2025
  3. Dr. Sophia Yin’s Low-Stress Handling. ©2025 Veterinary Information Network. All rights reserved https://cattledogpublishing.com/ Viewed 9/2025

 

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Medication Can Help a Cat Relax at the Vet

Posted on by felinepurrspective_u3q4o6
Going to the vet can be an otherworldy experience for a cat!

Going to the vet can be like a scene from a science fiction movie for your cat. He becomes anxious the moment the “spaceship” (carrier) comes out. He boards his spaceship and then launches into the unknown. When his craft lands on the alien surface (the vet clinic), he is met by aliens who make strange noises and poke and prod him with exotic instruments.

You have been working to make this experience not so frightening – you have carrier trained your cat, introduced him to the car, and practiced cat friendly handling with him (see Preparing for The Cat Friendly Exam). While training sets the stage for a good vet visit, sometimes a little medication can help a cat relax at the vet, reducing his anxiety just enough to make the visit a good one.

Pre-Appointment medication can help a cat relax at the vet

Two of the more common drugs used to reduce cats’ anxiety at the veterinary clinic are gabapentin and trazadone.

gabapentin

  • developed as an anti-convulsant
  • has anti-anxiety properties – reduces the release of excitatory neurotransmitters
  • is a pain reliever

The typical dose is 100 mg given 1.5 – 2 hours prior to your cat’s vet visit. Frequently, a dose is given the night before. Doses can vary for individual cats – some cats may do well with a 50 mg dose while others may need 150 mg

Gabapentin is available in capsules; it can also be compounded in small tablets or made into a liquid.

  • capsules: The capsule is opened and the powder is mixed in a small amount of tuna fish or canned cat food. Gabapentin is bitter and some cats may not eat it in food. In these cases, it may be better to give the capsule directly to the cat.
  • liquid: The liquid may result in foaming at the mouth.
  • tablets: Gabapentin can also be compounded into flavored small tablets.

Your cat may be a little sleepy or wobbly after taking gabapentin. You may want to watch kitty near the stairs or jumping up on things!

Trazodone

Another drug used with cats is Trazodone. Trazodone is an antidepressant that is commonly prescribed for insomnia and depression in humans. Like gabapentin, one of its side effects is drowsiness and possibly anxiety reduction. Trazodone can be combined with gabapentin if your vet feels that gabapentin does not provide enough sedation.

Typical dose is 50 mg given by mouth 90 minutes before the stressful event. Trazodone does lower blood pressure in cats (Reference 1) and may have a higher risk of serotonin syndrome if used with other anti-depressant medication such as fluoxetine (Reconcile). Trazodone is available as a tablet or can be compounded into a liquid or capsule form.

bonqat – just for cats

In November 2023, the FDA approved Bonqat, an oral solution of the drug pregabalin as a previsit medication specifically for cats. Like gabapentin, pregabalin is also used to treat seizures and nerve pain by reducing the influx of calcium ions into nerve cells (Reference 2).

Calcium coming into the cells is a trigger for neurotransmitter release, so less calcium decreases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters that carry messages of anxiety and fear. Pregabalin has been found to be more potent than gabapentin and is absorbed more predictably.

Bonqat is the feline friendly formulation of pregabalin. It is given to your cat about an hour and a half before they have to get into the carrier. It is a flavored liquid and can be mixed in a small amount of food. The amount given is small – 0.1 ml/2.2 lbs.

Bonqat typically causes less sedation and wobliness than gabapentin but be sure to keep outdoor cats inside when on either drug until the effects of the drug wears off.

Supplements

If you feel your cat is fairly calm and you are not ready to go the drug route, a calming supplement in place of medication can help a cat relax at the vet.  Supplements may help reduce a cat’s anxiety but do not expect them to work as well as gabapentin or pregabalin.

Zylkene contains alpha casozepine, a bioactive peptide. Alpha casozepine promotes the action of the main inhibitaory neurotransmitter in the brain, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) (Reference 4). It is recommended to start the supplement about 2 days prior to the vet visit. Most cats like Zylkene and will readily eat it sprinkled on their food. 

L-theanine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in green tea leaves. L-theanine also promotes the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and has been shown to keep cats and dogs relaxed (Reference 5) and comes in a tasty chew tablet. Solliquin (Nutramaxx) and Anxitane (Virbac) are two veterinary-labeled supplements containing L-theanine. Start the supplement per manufacturer’s directions 2-3 days before the vet visit.

Supplements or medication can help a cat relax at the vet and complement the training you have done to reduce your cat’s anxiety at his vet visit. Your cat will be less anxious and more willing to draw on what he has learned before and to accept new experiences.  Given under your veterinarian’s supervision, these drugs and supplements are safe and effective.  While the supplements and Bonqat are palatable, gabapentin and trazodone are bitter, which some cats may find aversive.  In the next post, we will see what we can do to encourage your cat to take a bitter pill.

references:

1. Fries RC, Kadotani S, Vitt JP, Schaeffer DJ. Effects of oral trazodone on echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables in healthy cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2019;21(12):1080-1085. doi:10.1177/1098612X18814565

2. Pregabalin – Veterinary Partner – VIN https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspxpid=19239&catid=102903&ind=735/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102894&id=12105407&ind=2276&objTypeID=1007.  Viewed 9/2025

3. Makawey A, Iben C, Palme R. Cats at the Vet: The Effect of Alpha-s1 Casozepine. Animals (Basel). 2020 Nov 5;10(11):2047. doi: 10.3390/ani10112047. PMID: 33167443; PMCID: PMC7694447.

4. Benoit S, Chaumontet C, Violle N, Boulier A, Hafeez Z, Cakir-Kiefer C, Tomé D, Schwarz J, Miclo L. The Anxiolytic-like Properties of a Tryptic Hydrolysate of Bovine αs1 Casein Containing α-Casozepine Rely on GABAA Receptor Benzodiazepine Binding Sites but Not the Vagus Nerve. Nutrients. 2022 May 26;14(11):2212. doi: 10.3390/nu14112212. PMID: 35684011; PMCID: PMC9182760.

5. Dramard, V., Kern, L., Hofmans, J. et al. Effect of l-theanine tablets in reducing stress-related emotional signs in cats: an open-label field study. Ir Vet J 71, 21 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-018-0130-4

 

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The Right Touch Can Relax Your Cat

Posted on by felinepurrspective_u3q4o6

Cats have a reputation of being difficult to work with, particularly when it comes to giving medications. Some cats will take medication using treats but what about those cats who don’t care about treats?

Did you know that the right touch can relax your cat? Is it easier to medicate a relaxed cat?

the right touch can relax your cat

Recently, I watched an older cat – we’ll call her Bella – while the owner was away. Bella is an older female cat with diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic rhinitis. She needs two insulin injections a day, oral blood pressure medication, oral allergy pills and nose drops. The owner gave the oral medications in capsules using a pill gun.

Giving the injections did not present an issue but oral medications were challenging. Bella has a reduced sense of smell due to her congestion so pills in treats were not appealing to her. The standard way of giving a pill by tilting her head back and trying to drop/slide the pill down resulted in Bella struggling and scratching me as she tried to get her paws up to keep that pill from going into her mouth. It took several tries to get the capsules into her.

Having been a veterinary technician in a cat hospital for over 10 years, my first thoughts were that I would need to towel wrap Bella to control her paws and then give the medication. I even briefly considered an old cat bag (no, no, no…) that I had used once or twice in the past.

Then, it struck me – if I could get Bella to relax and be calm, giving the medication should be much easier. I had been working with my cats trying to teach them to identify a state of calmness and it had helped my youngest cat manage arousal. Miso would get so aroused from petting that he would bite! Now I give him a verbal cue to be calm, coupled occasionally with some shoulder and back massage (see below), and it works!

what kind of Touch is relaxing?

Cats of the same social group greet each other by touching noses or rubbing against each other; some also twine their tails together while rubbing against each other. Some affiliated cats groom each other. These touches release pheromones which are thought to activate the “feel-good” neurotransmitters, oxytocin and dopamine (Reference 1). 

Studies conducted at the California Institute of  Technology on mice found that there are specific neurons that respond to stroking. These neurons can be activated by gentle but firm stroking (Reference 2). Deeper compressive touches like those used in massage therapy are also found to be calming (Reference 3). Both types of touch can relax your cat.

With cats, I start with some long, firm strokes of the upper spine, stopping at the end of the rib cage. I follow with gentle circular motions on the shoulders, then firm compressive touch of the muscles along the upper spine (for more detail, see “Touch can Relax Your Cat and Reduce Anxiety” ).

success – the right touch can relax your cat!

 

Using this massage, Bella willingly laid down on her side. I was able to trim front nails and give medication with the pill gun. I followed each procedure with some more touch/massage.

In the following pilling trials, I added Churu paste on the pill gun tip to help lube the capsules for easier swallowing. Again, I started with massage before offering the capsules and ended with massage after giving the capsules.

After a few trials with the Churu being used as lubricant, Bella wanted more of the treat and we progressed to having her lick the treat off the pill gun, then sliding the pill gun in from the side as she swallowed the capsule. As before, I sandwiched procedures between sessions of touch/massage.

The net result was a cat that would come over and lay down for her capsules after three trials – no fighting, no defensive front paws. So, much easier.

When I had take care of Bella in the past, I had tried to use brushing as a reward. Using the right touch to relax her before medicating, was much more effective.

The right touch can relax your cat. Teaching your cat to relax on a mat or blanket has so many benefits. It can make giving medications, trimming claws or even shaving mats so much easier. And it also gives you and your cat time to relax together.

references

  1. Michael Gliksberg, Gil Levkowitz, Smells Familiar: Pheromone-Induced Neurotransmitter Switching Mediates Social Discrimination, Neuron,Volume 95, Issue 6, 2017, Pages 1229-1231, ISSN 0896-6273,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2017.08.044.
  2. Vrontou, S., Wong, A., Rau, K. et al. Genetic identification of C fibres that detect massage-like stroking of hairy skin in vivo. Nature 493, 669–673 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11810
  3. Leah J. Elias, Ishmail Abdus-Saboor, Bridging skin, brain, and behavior to understand pleasurable social touch,Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 73, 2022, 102527,ISSN 0959-4388, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2022.102527.
  4. Bradshaw, J. and Ellis, S. The Trainable Cat, pp 78-82, ©2016 Basic Books, New York.

 

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Is That Kitten a Fraidy Cat – Fear Behaviors in Kittens

Posted on by felinepurrspective_u3q4o6

Kitten with adult cat

It’s hard to resist those cute little balls of fur. If you are smitten with a kitten, how do you know if a kitten is a fraidy cat? It is unlikely that you will know the details of how they were raised. What can you do?

that kitten is a fraidy cat

Kittens that are fearful at intake into the animal shelter are more likely to remain fearful of unfamiliar people and objects when they are old enough to be adopted (Reference 1). This makes them less likely to be adopted. How do you identify the fraidy cat?

A recent study observed the responses of 46 kittens 5-8 weeks old when they were confronted with 1) a stuffed dog 2) a stuffed cat and 3) a vacuum cleaner. The researchers found that fear behaviors in kittens are similar to those of an adult cat (Reference 1).

Many rescues will adopt out kittens at 8-10 weeks of age although recent research favors adopting kittens out at a later age, 12 weeks or more (Reference 2). Many rescues will allow you to visit with an adoptable kitten. How do you know if the kitten is fearful or not?

If a kitten is a fraidy cat, watch for the fear behaviors listed below (red box). You will often see these behaviors while the kitten backs up or runs away from a person or object.  The green box lists behaviors of relaxed kittens.

that kitten is a fraidy cat

  • Crouching: the kitten’s body is close to the ground with all four legs bent and their belly close to or touching the ground
  • Tucked or lowered Tail: Tail is tucked under the body or wrapped around the hind legs
  • Ears back or sideways (airplane ears)
  • Hair on End – “Halloween cat”
  • Freezing – like a statue for 2 seconds or more
  • Slow Movements: walking slowly, cowering
  • Flinching: kitten suddenly jumps or jolts
  • Aggression: Kitten bites, swats, hisses

Fear Behavior in Kittens

that kitten is relaxed

  • Standing up – belly is held up and legs are naturally extended
  • Tail up or straight out behind them
  • Ears up and facing forward
  • Eating – this is a sign of the kitten being relaxed
  • Grooming – the act of grooming indicates that the kitten is relaxed

Positive Behaviors in Kittens

making your kitten comfortable

Whether the kitten you adopt is shy and retiring or bold and confident, it is important to provide them with an environment that the kitten feels safe in. Often, kittens are fostered in the homes of rescue volunteers to reduce their exposure to illness. A recent survey of foster care of kittens found that (Reference 3) :

  • Kittens who spend most of their time in the social areas of the home (free access indoors or in the living room) are more friendly to people
  • Kittens do better in quieter social areas
  • Kittens who spent some time alone seem happier and more interested in playing with toys

what to do

  • SET UP A SAFE PLACE: Set up a space for the kitten with a cozy place to sleep, some toys, water, and a litter box. This can be a spare room or walk-in closet in your house or apartment. You will use this area for quiet time and when there is too much stimulation for the kitten. 
  • IF THAT KITTEN IS A FRAIDY CAT: Keep the kitten in that safe place (spare room, walk-in closet) for the first few days after you bring them home. Supervise them as they first start to explore the house.
  • IF THAT KITTEN IS A FRAIDY CAT:  Visits to the social areas should be short at first.  Start with a quiet room and work up to a normal noise level; start with one or two people and work up to a full house. Your “thermometer” is the kitten’s body language (see above) – if they seem anxious, return them to their “safe place”.
  • KITTENS NEED QUIET TIME: Just like human children, kittens need to spend some time alone, away from housemates and people. Think of “quiet” time in kindergarten. The “safe place” gives kittens an opportunity to sleep and to play with toys on their own. 

Be sure to handle the kitten in a gentle, predictable way.
The international cat rescue, ICatCare, recommends  following a “five second rule”, where you play or handle the kitten for 5 seconds than assess if the kitten is still enjoying the interaction (Reference 4).
You can count slowly to 5, then see how the kitten is doing. Watch your kitten’s body language!

Experts recommend several weeks for animals to acclimate to a new environment – zoos and animal parks may take up to 30 days to allow animals to adjust to their new home, surroundings, and interactions with other animals (Reference 5).  Plan to give your new kitten time to settle into your home – a gradual introduction to the household works best!

It is important to identify when that kitten is a fraidy cat and adjust socialization appropriately. Consider printing and posting the infographic of fear behaviors in kittens  to refer to.

 

references

  1. Graham, C., Khalife, S., Pearl, D. L., Mason, G. J., & Niel, L. (2024). Tell-tail fear behaviors in kittens:Identifying the scaredy cat. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 11(4), 361-392.https://doi.org/10.26451/abc.11.04.03.2024
  2. Finka, L.R. Conspecific and Human Sociality in the Domestic Cat: Consideration of Proximate Mechanisms, Human Selection and Implications for Cat Welfare. Animals 2022, 12, 298. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030298
  3. Gemma R. Campbell, Elizabeth R. Arnott, Courtney Graham, Lee Niel, Michael P. Ward, Gemma Ma, Impact of early socialisation in foster care on kitten behaviour, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 276,2024,106306, ISSN 0168-1591,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106306.
  4. the icatcare-kitten-booklet for care, feeding and housing of your new kitten. See https://icatcare.org/resources/icatcare-kitten-booklet-2024.pdf
  5.  DeGroot, Jen. “Ask the Expert: How do you acclimate an animal to a new habitat?”, Cleveland Zoological Society, September 27, 2021. https://www.clevelandzoosociety.org/z/2021/09/27/ask-the-expert-how-do-you-acclimate-an-animal-to-a-new-habitat

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Cats Playing with Toys – Predatory Play?

Posted on by felinepurrspective_u3q4o6
cat with wand toy
Zelda plays with a toy mouse on a wand toy.

One of the 5 pillars of a healthy feline environment is the opportunity for predatory play. Experts recommend 5-10 minutes of such play daily. When is cats playing with toys – predatory play?

Cats playing with toys – predatory play?

Play in domestic cats is commonly categorized as social, locomotor, predatory, or object play (Reference 1). Social play refers to the wrestling, chasing and pouncing that you see sometimes with cats who are affiliated (see social groups of cats). Object play is play with objects such as balls and catnip mice. Locomotor play involves running, jumping – the “zoomies”. Predatory play incorporates features of both object and locomotor play.

When is cats playing with toys – predatory play? Predatory play can be part of an actual hunt or a play session with inanimate objects (Reference 2).

  • Part of the actual hunt: instead of immediately killing the captured prey, the cat “plays” with it, letting the prey escape and recapturing it, tossing it up into the air…
  • Play session with toys:  the cat “goes through the motions” of hunting/killing on a toy or other inanimate object

In the wild, a “hunting sequence” can mirror the preferences of the individual cat and/or be determined by the prey they are hunting. Often, the cat will stalk the prey, hide in wait for the prey to come out, then pounce at an opportune moment. The hunting sequence ends with the cat catching and eating their prey.

benefits of predatory play

Taking the recommendation of the experts that the kind of play our cats need is the “predatory” kind, what are the benefits of this type of play?

Pet cats are increasingly kept indoors; some cats live exclusively indoors. Wild or feral cats spend most of their waking hours in search of food. Our indoor pets do not have this outlet for their energy and curiosity and this can result in boredom and problem behaviors.

Recent studies show that play is associated with improved welfare. The more play and the more variety of games initiated by the cat or their owner improves the relationship between the owner and the cat. When play is absent, cats suffer distress and behavioral problems such as overgrooming, house-soiling, scratching furniture, and aggression (Reference 3).

Cats playing with toys – predatory play

Predatory play focuses on those skills the cat would use when hunting. How can we mimic predatory play indoors? Which toys are effective at stimulating hunting behavior?

Wand/Chasing toys: 

These are a perennial favorite, allowing the owner to vary the speed and location of the toy to mimic the behavior of a mouse or insect moving along the floor. Some cats enjoy jumping and catching the toy while it’s in the air.

A recent study found that 5-10 minutes of daily play with wand/chasing toys reduced the numbers of mammals (mice, rabbits, voles…) captured and brought home by indoor-outdoor cats (Reference 4). The study participants also provided the cat with ‘mouse’ toy filled with bubble wrap to catch and bite and kick after the play session to complete the hunting sequence (Reference 4).

Laser light toys

Many cats enjoy chasing laser light toys – stalking, chasing, and pouncing can be part of this. However, being unable to complete the “hunt” can give rise to frustration. Give your cat some needed reinforcement intermittently to keep them playing the game – use the laser pointer to point to a treat when ending the laser tag session.

Using a laser pointer to target a treat
The laser guides Gus to a treat at the end of the play session.

 

GAMES WITH FOOD – FEED THE NEED TO HUNT

Treat toss

A fun way to feed the need to hunt is to toss your cat his dry food or crunchy treats and watch him hunt them down. This game works best with larger kibbles like those from dental foods, where 10-15 pieces of kibble are about 30 kcal. Tossing the kibble allows your cat to use their senses of hearing and smell, like they would when chasing live prey. See Your Cat is a Born Hunter : Feed the Need to Hunt

Food Puzzles

Food puzzles can mimic the foraging behavior shown by cats in the wild. Although a study aimed at reducing predation in outdoor cats found that food puzzles increased the number of prey animals brought home (Reference 4), these puzzles can keep cats mentally engaged, reducing boredom and controlling food portions to help with weight loss. See  Cats at Work : Cats Using Food Puzzles

ELECTRONIC TOYS

As Artificial Intelligence enters the pet market, there are more and more adaptive toys aimed at entertaining your cat. Take a careful look when deciding to purchase these toys:

  • Does the toy stimulate hunting type behaviors – stalking, pouncing, chasing?
  • Are there elements of frustration embedded in the toy – will your cat be able to complete the hunting sequence?
  • How repetitive is the motion? How quickly will your cat become bored with the toy and stop playing with it?
  • Can you easily rotate the toy in and out of the daily play sequence?

When is cats playing with toys – predatory play? In predatory play, indoor cats carry out the hunting sequence on toys.  Current research shows that daily predatory play can impact your cat’s welfare positively and improve the cat-human bond. The need to hunt defines who your cat is – this is what they were born to do.  We need to provide our cats with an opportunity to hunt – whether it is fishing kibble out of a food puzzle or chasing a stuffed mouse at the end of a wand toy.

references

  1. Mikel Delgado, Julie Hecht. A review of the development and functions of cat play, with future research considerations.
    Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 214, 2019, Pages 1-17, ISSN 0168-1591,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2019.03.004.
  2. Muhzina Shajid Pyari, Stefania Uccheddu, Rita Lenkei, Péter Pongrácz. Inexperienced but still interested – Indoor-only cats are more inclined for predatory play than cats with outdoor access, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 24, 2021, 05373, ISSN 0168-1591, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105373.
  3. Henning J, Nielsen T, Fernandez E, Hazel S. Cats just want to have fun: Associations between play and welfare in domestic cats. Anim Welf. 2023 Jan 27;32:e9. doi: 10.1017/awf.2023.2. PMID: 38487456; PMCID: PMC10936385.
  4. Cecchetti M, Crowley SL, Goodwin CED, McDonald RA. Provision of High Meat Content Food and Object Play Reduce Predation of Wild Animals by Domestic Cats Felis catus. Curr Biol. 2021 Mar 8;31(5):1107-1111.e5. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.12.044. Epub 2021 Feb 11. PMID: 33577746

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Do Cats Have Emotions? Do Cats have Feelings?

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Do cats have emotions? Do cats have feelings? Although the words emotions and feelings are often used interchangeably, emotions strictly refer to neurological responses to an event. Feelings on the other hand, are a conscious recognition of these physical sensations; feelings are generated from our thoughts.

do cats have emotions? Do cats have feelings?

Neuroscience shows that all mammals experience 7 basic emotions: SEEKING, RAGE, FEAR, LUST, CARE, PANIC/GRIEF and PLAY. Cats being mammals certainly experience these. But do they respond like we do to emotions? There will be differences in the types, durations and intensities of feelings experienced by cats and humans. We can’t know exactly what cats feel but we certainly can observe the emotional event and see whether it results in a positive or negative response.

“…affective neuroscience strategies now provide the needed “weight of evidence” indicating that animals do “feel” although, admittedly, we cannot be very precise about the experienced nature of their feelings, above and beyond several distinct forms of good and bad emotional feelings” (Reference 1).

How does this affect how we treat our cats? Traditionally, animal welfare has been focused on negative states such as pain and suffering, with the goal of keeping animals healthy and treating illness. This one-sided approach ignores the importance of positive experiences and emotions on health and longevity (Reference 2).

Recognizing Positive and Negative Emotional States in Your Cat

We can recognize positive and negative emotional states by observing cats’ body posture and facial expressions. These can be challenging to sort out. A cat with half-closed eyes may be painful, fearful or starting to relax.

Actions sometimes give us a better idea of what a cat is feeling.  “Obviously, we can only ask if animals experience something by seeing if such states matter to animals. Will they choose to turn these states on or off? Will they return to or avoid locations where such states were artificially evoked (conditioned place preferences and aversions)?” (Reference 1).

If a cat approaches and rubs against you, he has made a choice to come to you. Presumably, his emotional state is positive. In contrast, when you bring the cat carrier out, your cat may hide, choosing to avoid the negative emotional state associated with going in the car to the veterinarian.

Do cats have emotions? opportunities for positive emotional states

Research conducted at the Battersea Dogs and Cats Home tested a simple set of guidelines (CAT) that aims to make cats more  comfortable when they are interacting with us (Reference 3).

C – Allow a cat to CHOOSE whether or not to interact with you
A – Pay attention to the cat’s body language and behavior
T – Think about where you are touching the cat

C is for CHOICE:

Provide cats the opportunity to exercise some control over their environment and make pleasurable choices when possible. For example, if you need to move your cat, consider using a target or some treats to direct them to another place instead of picking them up.

A IS FOR ATTENTION:

How we handle animals has direct consequences on their welfare. Pay attention to to your cat’s body language when handling them. Get your cat’s attention before interacting with them. Start with a brief interaction and see how your cat responds. If they accept it, go for a bit longer. Be attentive to your cat wanting to end the interaction – turning their head or moving way from you.

T IS FOR TOUCH:

Consensual touch between individuals can communicate safety; such touch activates neurotransmitters such as oxytocin and ultimately dopamine. Oxytocin and dopamine are primarily associated with positive emotions, thus social touch is rewarding to the participants (Reference 4).

Friendly cats usually prefer being touched at base of their ears, around their cheeks, and under their chin. Watch for signs that your cat is done with being touched.

Collaborating with your cat

We can go one step further with these guidelines – start a conversation with your cat. Studies have shown that cats recognize their owners’ voices and learn the names of their companion cats. A recent study found that cats associated verbal words with pictures faster than human infants (8-14 months old). This study suggests that like apes, parrots and dogs, cats can learn human vocabulary (Reference 5).

Vocabulary for Your Cat

It is useful for your cat to know the words for the parts of his body, particularly those that may be touched. My cats learned the words “head”, “chin”, “cheeks” and “back” in 2-3 sessions. This allows you to ask, “Can I pet your head?”, giving the cat the choice to accept stroking to the head or to avoid it by turning their head aside.

Do cats have emotions? feelings?

Do cats have emotions? Feelings – the answer is yes. 

In James Cameron’s movie “Avatar”, the sapient inhabitants of the planet Pandora, the Na’vi, greet each other with the phrase “I see you”. In the movie, this simple phrase is more than just physically seeing the person in front of you – it is also a spiritual kind of seeing – recognizing, seeing into, and understanding each other.

Your cat can learn much more than names of the parts of their body – they can learn to collaborate in their medical and physical care and become a treasured and valued companion. But, first, you must “see” them as having emotions, and able to mentally process (think about) those emotions, to have feelings.

references

  1. Panksepp J. Cross-species affective neuroscience decoding of the primal affective experiences of humans and related animals. PLoS One. 2011;6(9):e21236. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0021236. Epub 2011 Sep 7. PMID: 21915252; PMCID: PMC3168430
  2. Browning H, Birch J. Animal sentience. Philos Compass. 2022 May;17(5):e12822. doi: 10.1111/phc3.12822. Epub 2022 Mar 17. PMID: 35859762; PMCID: PMC9285591
  3. Haywood C, Ripari L, Puzzo J, Foreman-Worsley R, Finka LR. Providing Humans With Practical, Best Practice Handling Guidelines During Human-Cat Interactions Increases Cats’ Affiliative Behaviour and Reduces Aggression and Signs of Conflict. Front Vet Sci. 2021 Jul 23;8:714143. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.714143. PMID: 34434985; PMCID: PMC8381768.
  4. Ellingsen Dan-Mikael , Leknes Siri , Løseth Guro , Wessberg Johan , Olausson Håkan. The Neurobiology Shaping Affective Touch: Expectation, Motivation, and Meaning in the Multisensory Context. Frontiers in Psychology, Vol. 6, 2016, http://10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01986
  5. Takagi, S., Koyasu, H., Nagasawa, M. et al. Rapid formation of picture-word association in cats. Sci Rep 14, 23091 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74006-2)

 

 

The Pros and Cons of Owning a Robotic Cat – Are Robotic Cats Part of Our Future?

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What are the pros and cons of owning a robotic cat? Are robotic cats part of our future?

Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly and among the applications are robots that can walk the dog, cook dinner, and teach the kids (Reference 1). So, it is not a surprise that robotic pets are being offered as companions.

Consider the MarsCat made by Elephant Robotics:
“You will never know what MarsCat will do next because it is like a real cat, fully autonomous. MarsCat acts independently without any instructions. MarsCat walks, runs, sleeps, sits, stretches, bites nails, kneads, and even buries litter although she won’t produce any waste. It may express different emotions by different meows or gestures” (Reference 2).

The Pros and Cons of Owning a Robotic Cat

We’ve all heard about the benefits of owning a pet. Pets provide companionship, keep us from being lonely, reduce stress and anxiety, give you unconditional love, lower your blood pressure, and increase the survival rates from heart disease and cancer.

But what if you are not able to own a live pet? Perhaps your mobility is compromised or you suffer from memory loss or you are living in a care facility?

I get it – owning a robotic cat, there are no litter boxes to scoop, no worries about feeding your cat and him eating too much, no worries that he will scratch you because you mishandle him.

Robotic pets have been found to reduce agitation and aggression in older adults with dementia. Conversations and social interactions are easier for older, compromised adults when they have a robotic cat – after all, the cat would be a conversational icebreaker.  Studies have found older adults feel less lonely with a robotic cat, that they can hold and pet (Reference 3).

One of the popular robotic cats for the elderly is the Joy for All Cat. This kitty features hypoallergenic fur and responds to touch by purring. You can actually feel this cat “purring”. The cats contain touch- and light–activated sensors so that they can respond to a person by vocalizing or moving. For example, the robotic cat will roll over to have their tummy rubbed. These pets come with a standard program and cannot be reprogrammed.

Of course, before caregivers use one of these robotic pets, they need to consider the preferences of the individual user, the older adult or person with dementia who will receive the pet. A robotic pet may not be appropriate for a person who did not like animals when they were young and not compromised. Or maybe the recipient would prefer a robotic puppy or seal as opposed to a cat (Reference 3).

Artificial Intelligence and the Robotic Cat

Artificial intelligence (AI) can look for patterns in data (input), uncover insights, and improve the results of just about any given task.

The MarsCat mentioned above does have some adaptive learning capabilities. The more you play with it and interact with it, the more it will adapt its behavior to be more responsive and seemingly “attached” to you. (Reference 2)

It is interesting that AI seems to mimic how biological organisms learn. Robotics labs have found that robots learn faster with positive reinforcement, similar to the way you can train a live cat or dog.

At Johns Hopkins University, Spot the robot learned to focus on constructive actions. It earned “points” instead of treats for stacking blocks; when it knocked over a stack – it was not awarded any points.  Researchers found that reinforcement accelerated learning – what used to take Spot weeks to master, would now happen in days (Reference 4).

At Stanford University, robo-dogs with vision-based programming were able to scale objects, leap across gaps, crawl under things and squeeze through crevices that they had not seen before. The robo-dogs got rewarded  (numerical “points”) for actions that allowed them to accomplish the challenge (Reference 5).

The pros and cons of owning a Robotic Cat – is a robotic cat right for you?

These pets are increasingly popular in Japan particularly among the elderly. If you are busy or have other conditions that would preclude owning a live pet, robopets can fill the gap.

However, as cute and charming as they are, owning a robotic cat differs from owning a real, live cat in a number of ways. In addition to needing to be fed, have the litter box scooped and going to the vet from time to time, live cats are sentient creatures with emotions. There will be times your live cat will not want to be stroked or sit on your lap and you might get scratched if you persist. Petting-induced aggression will not happen with a robotic cat, making these cats more suitable to the elderly and people with dementia.

Although live cats like their robotic counterparts learn through reinforcement techniques, their emotional state can complicate interacting with them. This makes the interaction changeable from day to day.  This is another reason that robotic cats may be more appropriate for dementia patients.

Working with your cat and helping them manage their emotions forms a bond that is unique to you and your cat. Although the more advanced robotic cats will adapt to you and your style of doing things and seem to be attached, your live cat will have their own plans that can change daily. Until your robotic cat becomes not just autonomous but sentient, it will in a sense, be a mirror of you.

references

  1. Optimus (Tesla Bot). Robots:IEEE Spectrum, ©2025. https://robotsguide.com/robots/optimus, viewed 3/25
  2. Companion Robots in the Post-Pandemic Era – Marscat. The World’s First Bionic AI Pet Cat. 3/17/2022.  Elephant Robotics. https://shop.elephantrobotics.com/blogs/news/companion-robots-in-the-post-pandemic-era-marscat-the-worlds-first-bionic-ai-pet-cat. Viewed 3/25
  3. Koh WQ, Ang FXH, Casey D. Impacts of Low-cost Robotic Pets for Older Adults and People With Dementia: Scoping Review. JMIR Rehabil Assist Technol. 2021 Feb 12;8(1):e25340. doi: 10.2196/25340. PMID: 33497349; PMCID: PMC8082946
  4. Rosen, Jill. Dog training methods help JHU teach robots to learn new tricks. HUB Science + Technology. 10/26/20, https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/10/26/positive-reinforcement-for-robots/, viewed 3/25.
  5. Myers, Andrew. New dog, Old Tricks: New AI approach yields “athletically intelligent” robotic dogs. Stanford Report. 10/04/23. https://news.stanford.edu/stories/2023/10/ai-approach-yields-athletically-intelligent-robotic-dog. viewed 3/25.

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Feeding Your Cat in 2025 – Trends in feeding cats

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Finicky cat with food choices

Cat ownership is on the rise. The pet food industry sees the cat food market as a place for potential growth. How will trends in the pet food market affect feeding your cat in 2025?

feeding your cat in 2025

How do cats owners choose cat food?

A survey done by the market research company Packaged Facts found that cat owners primarily choose foods that their cats will eat. 

  1. My cat likes it 64%
  2. I trust the brand 51%
  3. Price 38%
  4. Veterinarian recommendation 26%
  5. packaging nutritional information 25%

(Cats:US Pet Market Trends and Opportunities, 2nd ed. Packaged Facts; September-October 2023 (numbers do not add to 100% as multiple responses were allowed.  (Reference 1))

Feeding Your Cat in 2025 – My Cat Likes It

The old dry food stand-by is not as popular with us and our cats these days. Sales of dry cat kibble have dropped from 93% in 2021 to 79% in 2024  (Reference 2).

Cat owners value variety in their cats’ diets and are more likely to feed both canned and dry foods to their pets. Canned cat food sales have increased by several percentage points in the past 2 years (Reference 1). Look for increasing varieties and formats on both canned and dry cat foods.

Feeding your cat in 2025 – health concerns

Fresh Cat Foods

In spite of the limited choice of fresh refrigerated or frozen cat food (products for dogs outnumber those for cats), sales of these foods are increasing as cat owners worry about the healthfulness of highly processed pet foods (Reference 2).

Senior Cats

Senior cat diets may be next in line for an update. Many of these foods were formulated before recent research showed that age-related physiological changes such as immune function and cognitive changes can respond to nutritional intervention (Reference 3).

Energy requirements increase as a cat passes the 12 year mark. Reduced gastrointestinal function, dental disease, and cognitive changes can affect a cat’s food intake. Digestibility becomes paramount. Look for foods designed for senior cats  featuring highly digestible protein, increased calories per serving and added supplements including antioxidants, B-vitamins, carnitine, and specific amino acids such as arginine (Reference 4).

Feeding your cat in 2025 – keep him busy and happy

Cat experts recommend using food puzzles to mimic the foraging behavior of wild cats, keeping the indoor cat busy and portioning out his food.  A brief Internet search will turn up a plethora of puzzles and remote feeding systems.  Food puzzles range from silicone slow-feeding mats and  treat balls the cat rolls around to fleece snuffle mats and puzzles cats have to manipulate to uncover the food.

However, food puzzle use has remained unchanged from 2018 to 2024 – a survey in 2018 (Reference 5) found about 30% of cat owners surveyed used food puzzles; a 2024 survey found that 29% of participants used food puzzles while 21% hid food around the house for the cats to find (Reference 6).

Keep tension low in your household by preventing competition for food. The survey done in 2024 found that most owners (60%) provided the same number of food bowls as cats (Reference 6). Go one step further – give each cat his own food bowl and feed him separately.

Feeding Your Cat in 2025

  1. Look for high-quality and healthful foods for your cat in 2025. But before you buy, check the food label to see if the food is complete and balanced or just intended for supplemental feeding!
  2. Replace that bowl of kibble you leave out when you’re gone with some food puzzles.
  3. Give each cat a separate place at the table.

 

references

  1. Landry, Shannon. Why it’s time to pay attention to cats. Pet International Magazine, November 2024, pp. 57-58. https://view.publitas.com/pets-international-1/pets-international-magazine-november-2024/page/58-59
  2. Phillips-Donaldson, Debbie. Feeding of alternative cat foods rises with cat population. petfoodindustry.com/blogs-columns/adventures-in-pet-food/ February 12, 2025. 
  3. Bermingham EN, Patterson KA, Shoveller AK, Fraser K, Butowski CF, Thomas DG. Nutritional needs and health outcomes of ageing cats and dogs: is it time for updated nutrient guidelines? Anim Front. 2024 Jun 20;14(3):5-16. doi: 10.1093/af/vfae008. PMID: 38910950; PMCID: PMC11188961.
  4. Molier, Sarah-Jane. Nutritional needs of geriatric cats – time for a change? Pet International Magazine, November 2024, pp. 63-64. https://view.publitas.com/pets-international-1/pets-international-magazine-november-2024/page/63-64
  5. Delgado M, Bain MJ, Buffington CT. A survey of feeding practices and use of food puzzles in owners of domestic cats. J Feline Med Surg. 2020 Feb;22(2):193-198. doi: 10.1177/1098612X19838080. Epub 2019 Mar 26. PMID: 30912700; PMCID: PMC10814572
  6. O’Halloran C, Cerna P, Barnicoat R, Caney SM, Gunn-Moore DA. How and why pet cats are fed the way they are: a self-reported owner survey. J Feline Med Surg. 2024 Feb;26(2):1098612X231209894. doi: 10.1177/1098612X231209894. PMID: 38381461; PMCID: PMC10911312.

 

Your Cat Lives in a Noisy World – What do Cats Hear

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Your cat lives in a noisy world. What do cats hear? Cats have some of the best hearing of all the land mammals. They can detect sounds in a range of 50Hz to around 80kHz (Hz measures the frequency or pitch of sounds). In contrast, we humans detect sounds of 20Hz to 20 kHz – the cat clearly can hear much higher pitched sounds than we can (Reference 1).

 

Usually, larger animals are better able to hear low frequency sound due to larger sound-receiving structures like outer ears and inner ear components. However, unlike other mammals whose middle ear has a single chamber, the cat’s middle ear has two. This increases the range of frequencies over which the eardrum can vibrate, giving the cat one of the widest frequency ranges of hearing. The cat’s hearing is most sensitive between 500 Hz and 32 kHz (Reference 1).

Cats can hear the lower pitched human male voice at 90-155 Hz as well as women’s higher pitched voices at 165 -255 Hz.

your cat lives in a noisy world – what do cats hear

Henry’s Pocket is thought to help with detecting high frequency sounds. It allows the cat to fold his ears flat against his head.

Sound enters your cat’s outer ears or “pinnae”.  Most cat have cone-shaped ears that funnel sound into the middle and inner ears, amplifying the sound.  Each “pinna” has 32 individual muscles that move and orient it.  The pinnae move independently of each other and can rotate 180 degrees (Reference 1).

Distance between the ears allows the cat to pinpoint the location of his prey. Sounds reach one ear before the other, allowing the cat to compare time and intensity of the signal. The cat turns his head to orient toward the prey and his ears then move up and down to further fix on the location (Reference 2).

The nooks and crannies (corrugations) in your cat’s pinnae also are used to obtain information. Incoming sounds reflect off these structures in the ear, intensifying the sound frequencies. The cat is able to gauge the elevation of the sound source and whether it’s coming from in front or behind (Reference 1).

Being able to hear in the ultrasonic range (greater than 20 kHz) helps cats hunt small rodents. Rats, for example, communicate using ultrasonic vocalizations at frequencies exceeding 19–20 kHz (Reference 3). The pinna go into action, helping the cat find his dinner.

Your cat lives in a noisy world – health concerns

Like humans, cats can suffer damage to their ears and hearing loss from illness, toxic drugs and exposure to loud noises. (Reference 4).

Here are some loudness levels of typical appliances in the home. These levels refer to frequencies that people can hear (20 Hz to 20 kHz).  An upper limit of 70-80 dB is considered safe for humans.   In industrialized society, cats often show a significant amount of changes in the ears thought to be due to street noise, around 70 dB (Reference 4).

Loudness is measured in decibels. Decibels compares a sound with a reference sound, the threshold of human hearing. It is a logarithmic scale: 10-decibel sound is 10 times the intensity of the reference sound; a 20-decibel sound is 100 times the reference intensity, and so on. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/decibel)

from: https://www.captel.com/2019/10/noise-levels-household-sounds-infographic/

ApplianceLoudness (dB)
TV70
Vacuum Cleaner60-85
Dishwasher55-70
Food Processor80-90
Washing Machine50-75

These noise levels refer to frequencies that people can hear (20 Hz to 20 kHz). What about the intensity of sounds above 20 kHz?

Your cat lives in a noisy world – ultrasonic noise

There is an increasing interest in the loudness of sounds that we humans cannot hear. Current regulations only address human-audible sound. But many human engineered devices produce sound in the ultrasonic range, including cells phones, smart TV’s, and security cameras. Some studies have started to measure ultrasonic noise in our environment. High levels have not been found at this time but as more and more devices come online, it is important to monitor levels of ultrasonic sounds, particularly in our homes (Reference 5).

Our cats hear at these ultrasonic frequencies and  their health may be at risk.  “Inaudible sounds” (those we can’t hear) have been found to affect endocrine and cardiovascular function, sleep-wake cycles, seizure susceptibility and behavior in laboratory animals (Reference 6).  In particular, ultrasonic noise has been linked to Feline Audiogenic Reflex Seizures (Reference 7). Cats develop this syndrome around 15 years of age, it is more likely to occur in cats that are deaf or partially deaf.  Protecting our cats’ hearing may put them less at risk of developing this syndrome.

Protecting our Cats from Noise

Be aware that loud, sustained noise of any frequency can damage the structures in cats’ ears. Although there are hoods that cover cats’ ears on the market, it is wiser to set aside a quiet room for your cat in the event there will be sustained loud noises; this room should be free of electronic devices.  If you see the cat preferring to spend time in this “noise refuge”, you may want to take some extra steps to reduce electronic noise in your house (Reference 8).

  1. Switch off devices at the plug when practical (and save on phantom power draw). 
  2. Locate home media equipment in a closet or garage to isolate ultrasound as well as whine and fan noises you can hear.

Your cat lives in a noisy world.  Some of this noise we may not even hear, although our cats do. Be sure to monitor your cat’s behavior.  Take steps to protect your cat from potentially damaging levels of sounds.

references

  1. Heffner RS, Heffner HE. Hearing range of the domestic cat. Hear Res. 1985;19(1):85-8. doi: 10.1016/0378-5955(85)90100-5. PMID: 4066516.
  2. Populin LC, Yin TC. Pinna movements of the cat during sound localization. J Neurosci. 1998 Jun 1;18(11):4233-43. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.18-11-04233.1998. PMID: 9592101; PMCID: PMC6792787
  3. Boulanger-Bertolus J, Mouly AM. Ultrasonic Vocalizations Emission across Development in Rats: Coordination with Respiration and Impact on Brain Neural Dynamics. Brain Sci. 2021 May 11;11(5):616. doi: 10.3390/brainsci11050616. PMID: 34064825; PMCID: PMC8150956.
  4. D.K. Ryugo, PhD1 and M. Menotti-Raymond, PhD. Deafness in Cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2012 November ; 42(6): 1179–1207. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2012.08.008
  5. Grimshaw-Aagaard, M., Bemman, B. Ultrasonics and urban greening: an exploratory study on ultrasound presence in urban spaces. Pers Ubiquit Comput 28, 677–692 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00779-024-017]
  6. Turner JG, Parrish JL, Hughes LF, Toth LA, Caspary DM. Hearing in laboratory animals: strain differences and nonauditory effects of noise. Comp Med. 2005 Feb;55(1):12-23. PMID: 15766204; PMCID: PMC3725606
  7. Feline Audiogenic Reflex Seizures. https://icatcare.org/articles/feline-audiogenic-reflex-seizures-fars, published 6/8/24, updated 7/18/24
  8. Cooley, Brian. Your home electronics could be driving your pet nuts. https://www.cnet.com/home/smart-home/is-technology-driving-your-pet-insane/ 11/23/21

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