Like dogs, cats come in different types of personalities. At PawHootz, the feline regulars range from energetic, social seekers to shy, reserved felines. A staff favorite is a large Maine Coon named Smokey who is described as a “social butterfly” who enjoys cat towers, feather games, and positioning himself on window perches to watch the antics of squirrels and birds outside.

“We have cats here whose families are going away on vacation or business trips that range from senior cats who need to receive medications and feedings on time to shy cats who we provide a safe environment for to help them become a bit more social,” Cindy shares.

For shy feline guests, building trust is key: “A staffer may sit on one side of the room and allow the cat to come to them,” Cindy explains. “We may offer calming treats approved by their pet parents or play soothing classical music to build their trust. We always know that we are on cat time and never force them to do something they are not ready to do.”

All cats coming to PawHootz undergo behavior and health evaluations, and play styles are also identified. Another important aspect is deciphering quirky cat behaviors so staff members are educated about why cats do what they do.

Here are a few examples of some feline-specific behaviors:

• Feline Zoomies. The official term is called FRAP (frenetic random activity periods) by animal behaviorists. These bursts of high energy typically occur one to two times a day. They can be activated by a specific trigger, such as spotting an unreachable cat on a tree branch or discovering a new cat toy on the floor. Keep in mind that cats are hunters with innate needs to stalk, chase and pounce on prey. Some cats can get so revved up that they can bite or scratch, so staff need to be aware of this for their safety.
• The Flehmen Response. Cats have powerful senses of smell. Some will seem to get into a hypnotic state when they sniff something and open their mouths, wrinkle their noses, grimace and curl back their lips. The scientific explanation is that a cat draws in the scent through a specialized sac known as Jacobsen’s organ located in the roof of the mouth to dispatch info to the brain. If staff see such a pose in a boarded cat, it should be a momentary action. If not, the cat may have some underlying medical issue that needs to be addressed by a veterinarian.
• Self-Grooming After Misjudging a Jump. When cats get caught doing something that startles or surprises them, they instinctively turn to grooming as a way to calm down, collect their thoughts and restore dignity. If a staff member witnesses a cat misjudge a jump or a slip and fall, just do a safety head-to-tail check on the cat to make sure he/she is not injured.

Being aware of updates in feline behavior studies is also key. One example is properly playing with a laser pointer with a feline guest. Studies show that cats who chase these erratically moving red dots without given the opportunity to capture a physical object like a toy mouse can become frustrated and even a bit neurotic.

“We attach a feather to the laser wand so cats can capture something in their paws,” says Cindy from PawHootz. “We know the importance of providing a cat with a physical reward after chasing the laser beam.”

Another plus of offering cat boarding to clients is that their cats usually come home contented: “Instead of the cat hanging out at home by himself, he can interact with others, get in a little exercise, and get to explore a new, safe environment,” Cindy concludes.

Arden Moore is known as America’s Pet Health and Safety Coach. A master certified pet first aid/CPR instructor, Arden is the founder of Pet First Aid 4U and director of education for Pro Pet Hero’s pet first aid instructor program. She teaches in-person and interactive classes all over the world. A Fear Free certified speaker, she is the author of more than two dozen pet books. She hosts the award-winning “Oh Behave Show” on Pet Life Radio and “Arden Moore’s Four Legged Life Show.” Learn more at www.ardenmoore.com and www.petfirstaid4u.com