Feline language decoded: What is your cat trying to tell you?

(dpa) - Cats speak their own language, not only using sounds, but also gestures and scents that humans don’t understand all that well. 

Sometimes they purr, sometimes they claw at the furniture. What does it all mean?

Feb 6, 2020

Viola Ruedele

When your cat struts, holding its tail in a vertical position, approaching you with the tip of its tail bent while nuzzling against your legs, it's a good sign, experts say.

“This means your cat is feeling friendly, wants to greet you and wants to lavish you with attention,” says Daniela Schrudde, a veterinarian at the Berlin-based Welttierschutzgesellschaft animal welfare society. By rubbing its head against you, your cat is telling you it accepts you as one of its own, she says.

Cats have glands behind their ears that release smells when they want to mark their territory, and they like to do this whenever their owner comes home. But the message gets lost in translation - humans can’t pick up the scent.

Experts also advise you to stand still and talk to your cat, rather than wordlessly approach it.

“This feels less threatening to the cat than when the owner approaches it,” says Schrudde. If the cat comes closer, then you can give it a cuddle. 

Another common scenario is the cat lying on its back or side, blinking or with its eyes closed, cleaning itself. This means the cat is feeling content and relaxed. Cats also take little breaks from cleaning themselves when there is something new for them to discover. And in these moments, they welcome being stroked, says Schrudde.

While many cats love cuddles, there are of course some scenarios in which it is advisable to approach one’s feline with care, according to Schrudde. 

Those wanting to pamper and stroke their cats should approach them cautiously. 

“If the animal sits up, then it is better to pause and talk to the cat, so that it doesn’t feel threatened,” she says. 

“Not every cat wants to be stroked in the stomach,” Schrudde adds. And if your cat sits down on your laptop or your newspaper, this means it is bored and would like to be occupied with something. 

What does it mean when the tip of your cat’s tail swishes back and forth while the rest of its body remains still, spine hunched?

Your cat is feeling afraid or aggressive, and wants some peace and quiet. Schrudde advises that you exercise caution. Cats express their moodiness by wagging their tail, which is sometimes misunderstood by animal lovers who also have dogs.

“If the cat’s aggression is directed at a certain object, then it should be removed,” she added. Otherwise, it is a good idea to wait until the animal's ears have returned to their normal position.

According to Schrudde, when a cat claws at furniture, “they are telling you that the spot belongs to them.” 

She suggests standing firm with your cat, even if it’s a difficult thing to do, and preventing it from scratching furniture from a young age by offering it alternatives. 

“Your cat can sharpen its claws and expend excess energy on a scratching post,” says Schrudde. 

If a cat urinates outside the litter tray, this could mean a lot of things. “Your cat could be having kidney problems, causing it pain when it urinates,” she says. Otherwise, it might also be cat flu.

But it could also be a psychological issue. “Cats are very sensitive,” Schrudde says. Your cat could be protesting about some kind of change they are not happy with, which could be as small a deal as their new bowl being a different colour.  

Schrudde recommends taking your cat to the vet to find out whether its issues are physiological or psychological.

Alongside expressing themselves using a variety of gestures and behaviours, cats also have a wide repertoire of noises.

The famous ‘meow’ sound is mostly directed at humans, says Susanne Schoetz, a professor of phonetics based in Lund, Sweden. Cats, being very smart, have noticed that people communicate with words, and have adapted accordingly. When a cat’s meow is high-pitched, it is usually feeling weak and wants attention, according to experts. 

Meows turn to coos when your cat needs something quite urgently, like food or a toy.

A deep, long growl indicates that the cat is feeling aggressive or defensive. This is how your cat tells foes not to come any closer.

A deep and short growl, on the other hand, means “good” or “thank you!”

Purring can have all sorts of meanings. It can indicate contentment, hunger, fear or pain. To interpret your cat’s purrs, you should consider the circumstances, says Schoetz. 

“If your cat is lying on your lap, then it is feeling content. But on a visit to the vet, it would probably be feeling anxious.” 

According to Schoetz, those who really want to figure out what their cat is trying to tell them should focus more on the quality of the noises they make. For example, a gentle, calm sound indicates that your cat means you no harm. 

To those still struggling to understand their feline friends, the best advice is to patiently listen and make note of behavioural changes, Schoetz adds. 

https://www.dpa-international.com/topic/cat-trying-tell-feline-language-decoded




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Different Types of Cat Languages

Posted on October 18th, 2017 by admin

We don’t exactly know it but our cats speak to us on a daily basis. It’s true. They may seem cold and snobbish on the outside but even the subtlest hint of looking at you says something so much about them. As a cat parent, it’s very crucial to understand cat languages.

http://www.missioncats.net/blog/different-types-of-cat-languages

They can’t speak to us through words but they do express through body movements. There’s a great number of Cat Hotel in San Francisco area that could tell you a few of these body languages since they’re experts when it comes to taking care of your cats. But for a more extensive list of this delicate cat language, read on and see if your cat does any of these behaviors.

1. Peering over the shoulder shows interest.
   Do you ever catch your cat looking over her shoulder whenever you say something? That doesn’t mean she saw a mouse she wants to hunt. It actually means that she’s listening and very interested to whatever you’re mumbling about. Mostly, it’s either because the tone of your voice is really soothing or just plain irresistible.

2. A tail that sticks straight up signals being friendly.
   Aside from showing confidence and contentment, when your cat’s tail is as straight as a flag pole on a Monday morning, it means you can approach her with love and affection because she’s being super friendly.

3. Sitting straight with tails in front displays attention.
   
   Your cat does pay attention to you, and you should be glad. Whenever you see her sitting up straight with her tail right in front of her, with eyes just staring right to your soul, that’s when she’s giving you all of her attention.

4. Lying down carelessly signifies being relaxed.
   
   Most cat parents think that when cats are sleeping, they are relaxed. But sometimes they’re not. Right when you want to caress their fur, they’d go all blades on you and scratch you. But when you see them lying down gently on their back, as if they don’t care, that’s when you can give a little bit of patting on the back.

5. Lying on the back exposing tummy means trusting.
   
   When your cat suddenly lies down on the floor showing its belly to you doesn’t mean that she wants you to rub her belly. Sometimes it just means that she trusts you won’t do anything stupid to her and entrusts her entire life to you.

  

6. Sleeping sometimes means being content.
   
   Some cat parent finds it quite vexing to see their fury babies just sleeping the day away, without making any interactions. In some way, that’s actually good because it means that she’s content with the life you’re giving her.

7. Stiff body with tingling ears means being cautious or conflicted.
      
   This would be all too familiar if you catch your kitty cat in action face to face with a dog. When your cat sees something that frightens her, she usually twinges her ears and acts uncomfortable.

   

8. Reaching for things shows being playful.
   Your cats often climb on to the counter and reach some stuff that you don’t want them to reach. Sometimes you just got to understand this behavior because they’re actually just being playful.

9. Scratching signals being excited.
     
   Being a cat parent means bracing yourself for damaged furniture and tapestries because your babies just love to scratch everything. But little do you know that it actually shows how excited they are to meet you or to know that you’re already home.

10. Rubbing its skin means marking territories.
    If your cat constantly rubs itself against you, that’s when you know you don’t own your cat but your cat actually owns you. You’re her property now so you better do what she wants you to do and feed her generously while you’re at it.

11. Floppy ears displays being anxious.
    Your cat gets anxious probably when you go out of the house and leave her alone. You probably don’t notice that but next time, if you see her tail sagging on the floor, with her ears flopping on its side, then you should probably either cancel that appointment or take her with you.

12. Crouching on the floor shows predatory mode.

If you’re afraid of cats, all you need to do is to see if your cat’s crouching on the ground like a predator sensing a prey and then you’ll know that a mouse is somewhere in your vicinity.

13. Tucked body and tail signifies being worried.

Your cat gets worried to. If you want to know what worries her, just observe what things make her want to crawl into a ball and act all strange.

14. Loud meowing and aggressiveness means being threatened.
    This is a basic cat language that all owners know. It’s not a good idea to threaten cats unless you want to get your face scratched.

15. Arched back and flattened ears shows being terrified.
    
    Whether it’s a loud noise or a stranger she hasn’t met before, when you see your cat’s back arched at a point and looking all confused, that actually means that she’s afraid of something.

16. Wagging tail displays irritation.

You know when your cat irritates you when she wags your tail at you while looking at you in a very judgmental way. So if your cat finds you vexing, it’s a great idea to stay away and let her cool off.

17. Rejection of food means being disgusted.

It’s not that she’s picky when it comes to food or that she’s full. It actually means she doesn’t like what you’re feeding her and basically her liver can’t contain whatever it is that you’re giving her.
 
After reading this list, you should probably be an expert when it comes to decoding your cat’s actions. It really pays off when you get to understand your fur babies because you will know how to act around them and what to do when they’re acting in a certain way.If you couldn’t find your cat’s behavior in this list, feel free to add them on the comments below.

http://www.missioncats.net/blog/different-types-of-cat-languages






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All Black Cats Are Not Alike

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Q & A: A Transmission of Ebola

07 October 2014

This post is on Healthwise

Geneva (dpa) - The case of a Spanish nurse being diagnosed with Ebola after caring for a patient in Madrid - the first incidence of transmission in Europe - has raised concerns about how infectious the virus is, how easy it is to contract it and what precautionary measures should be taken.

The following facts on transmission and prevention are based on information from the World Health Organization (WHO).

Question: Who is infectious?
Answer: Human beings who have contracted the Ebola virus are infectious as soon as they show the first symptoms, which are fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This means they cannot pass on the disease during the incubation period, which lasts between two and 21 days.

Q: What body fluids carry the virus?

A: Blood, faeces and vomit from patients are the most-infectious substances. In addition, the virus has been found in breast milk, urine and semen. In patients in the later stage of the disease, the virus was also detected in saliva. The virus stays in semen for at least 70 days after recovery.

Q: How is the virus transmitted from person to person?

A: The virus enters the body through mucous membrane, for example the mouth and eyes. Wounds and broken skin are also entry points. In addition to direct contact with body fluids, people may also get infected through contact with contaminated objects such as clothing.

Q: Is the virus airborne?

A: No, infections through airborne clouds of droplets have not been observed in this and previous outbreaks, WHO says. However, the UN health agency says that a patient could theoretically pass on Ebola through bigger drops over a short distance if he has an additional health condition, or if he vomits violently.

Q: How do I protect myself while travelling?

A: WHO says that there is a low risk of contracting Ebola while travelling to and from the affected countries in West Africa. However, passengers should not have physical contact with anyone who displays early signs of the disease, or later-stage symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, rash and bleeding from the gums. Travellers should also regularly disinfect their hands with alcohol and wash them with soap if they get dirty.

Q: What key protection measures should health workers take?

A: Doctors, nurses and other health staff must clean their hands before and after caring for a patient, after touching surfaces that may be contaminated, and after removing the protective gear that they are required to wear. In addition, they must take care to dispose contaminated waste and medical equipment safely.

Q: What protective gear should they wear?

A: Protective clothing consists of: Gloves, a disposable and liquid-proof gown; mouth mask; eye protection; head cover; shoe covers or rubber boots. Health workers who are carrying patients should also wear a rubber apron. Putting on and taking off such gear should always be supervised by a trained colleague.

http://www.dpa-international.com/news/international/q-amp-atransmission-of-ebola-a-39827554.html

Go to Healthwise for more articles

Effective Stress Reduction Through Meditation

Aliki Nassoufis, dpa

Posted Nov 17, 2012

Berlin (dpa) - Sitting in the lotus position, eyes closed, murmuring a protracted "om" is what many people picture when they think of meditation. But meditation is more than that - it is an effective way to relax.

"Meditation is a general term for a variety of mental techniques," said Bjoern Husmann, a psychotherapist and chairman of the German Society for Relaxation Techniques. The techniques involve different forms of concentration and reflection, and "in many cultures there's a religious element as well," Husmann said.

Many people use meditation to reduce stress and the stream of thoughts.

"We've never learned to manage our mind and thoughts," said Maren Schneider, a non-medical practitioner of psychotherapy and author of books on meditation. "Our thoughts usually compel us to act." For example: Don't forget the bank transfer. Be sure to call the new client tomorrow. "But you can learn to gain autonomy over your thoughts and decide whether you want to heed them or not."

Meditation is well suited for this purpose, she said. One way is to concentrate, while either sitting or lying down, on your breathing, for example in your abdomen. You should be able to feel your belly expand when you inhale and contract when you exhale.

"It's not easy to hold your attention on your breathing alone, though. Especially in the beginning, your thoughts keep wandering," Schneider said. But this is no problem - you just have to concentrate on your breathing again. "It's like a workout for your mind and as time goes on you'll learn to be less distracted."

Visualization is another kind of meditation. "Instead of focusing on your breathing, you focus on a certain picture in your mind's eye" that conveys tranquility or peace of mind, Husmann explained.

People interested in learning how to meditate can consult books or look for a teacher.

Meditation is suitable for many people, but not all. "Someone in severe pain or with severe depression will hardly be able to relax," Husmann said.

Lutz Hertel, a psychologist and chairman of the German Wellness Association, warned, "There are risks for people who are very anxious and inclined towards brooding and frightful thoughts. Meditation could intensify their feelings of anxiety." Meditation is no substitute for psychotherapy, he added.

Copyright 2012 dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH

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Vegetables - Cooking methods

Maximize Vegetable Nutrition

Nicola Menke, dpa


Vegetables are healthy food bristling with vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates and they should be on everyone's plate everyday.

Each type of vegetable offers its own nutritive substances and people can cover their nutritional needs by eating a variety of them, said Silke Restemeyer of the German nutrition organization. Thus, an A (as in aubergine) to Z (as in zucchini) approach is best for getting the most out of the wide variety of vegetables.

Nutritionists warn, however, that vegetables can lose a lot of their nutritional value when they are cooked. They agree that steaming is the best way to prepare them, but they also note that of the recommended five portions of vegetables and fruits a person should eat, at least one should be raw or in a salad.

"Basically, uncooked vegetables are the richest in vital substances," said Restemeyer.

But of course, people can eat whatever tastes best to them. For some that means lightly steamed, while others would rather have them stewed, braised, grilled or roasted. And while one person likes them well-seasoned, another prefers them in a cream sauce.

Heat is what causes vegetables to lose their nutrients, but there is a big difference between the extent to which they are lost depending on the cooking method used.

 "Among the most nutrient-preserving ways to cook vegetables are steaming, cooking them in their own juices or with just a little bit of water, wine or broth," said Margret Morlo of an association in Germany devoted to nutrition and diet.

The reason is not solely that many vitamins, including C and B1, as well as all minerals are water-soluble and because these methods use little water the vitamins and minerals remain in the food. Usually, they are steamed at a low temperature and only until the vegetables are al dente. Steaming them at a high heat for too long destroys their nutritional content.

Vegetables such as carrots retain a similar amount of their nutrients when they are cooked in water. This can be done in a steamer or in a regular pot with a vegetable sieve. Another way to preserve nutrients is to cook the vegetables in hot oil in a skillet or wok until the vegetables are al dente.

Yet another alternative is to marinate the vegetables and then grill them or roast them in the oven for 30 minutes, said Carsten Voigt of an association for cooks in Germany. "These methods are equally as protective of the nutrients and you obtain a delicious roasted flavour," he said.

The cooking methods that cause the greatest loss of nutrients are slow cooking in a lot of liquid at high temperatures - 75 to 95 degrees Celsius - and classic simmering. Shorter cooking times mean fewer vitamins are lost compared with longer cooking times, said Voigt. In addition, cooking experts recommend using as little liquid as possible because the more liquid in the pot, the greater amount of minerals lost.

For the same reason vegetables shouldn't be cut in small pieces or peeled before being prepared. "Removing the peel is a shame because it contains the highest vitamin content and the most flavour," said Voigt.

There are a few other tricks that can minimize the loss of nutrients. "The lid should be tightly closed and seldom opened when cooking vegetables so that as little of the nutrients as possible can evaporate," said Morlo. The water remaining in the pot, along with any nutrients that it has absorbed, can be used in a sauce or broth poured over the vegetables.

Cooks also should be aware that not every way to cook vegetables is appropriate for every type of vegetable. Firm vegetables such as beetroot are best suited for cooking, while soft vegetables such as broccoli should be steamed. The question of whether to cook a vegetable or eat it raw also depends on the type.

Some vegetables such as cabbage become more digestible when cooked. Raw green beans, for example, must be cooked for 10 minutes at 100 degrees Celsius to neutralise a protein that can be toxic if consumed by humans. In addition there are nutrients in plants that the body can make better use of when cooked. These include secondary nutrients such as lycopene in tomatoes.

Ripeness is another factor in ensuring that vegetables have as many nutrients as possible. They are at their peak in terms of nutrition when they are ripe and fresh. Finally, vegetables should be stored in a cool, dry and dark place.

dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH

The Sun 19 December 2011