With hurdles and a hoop, the Nebraska Humane Society tried to prove Saturday that you can teach on old dog — er, cat — new tricks.
Dozens of cat owners and others attended a cat expo that was part of the Humane Society's “Year of the Cat” celebration. Feline fans had a chance to consult with a pet psychic, listen to a cat behaviorist and participate in cat agility training.
The event's largest draw was the agility course, where people guided cats through various obstacles by enticing them with a toy. Many cats had difficulty at first, but as the day wore on they became more proficient.
“It's fun to learn that cats can do this,” Jean Incontro, 40, said of the agility program. “They do what they want, so I never considered putting them through a course.”
Jill Archibald, feline agility coordinator with Cat Fanciers Association, said cats must be trained differently than dogs.
“Dogs will do things on command,” she said. “Cats will get back to you later.”
She said many owners already have trained their cats, but in a more subtle way. For example, cats might understand they should sit on the couch to get attention.
Humans can learn just as easily from their cats, but owners need to know what to look for, said Kitty Dybdall, a cat behaviorist.
She said cats often communicate with eyes and body language. Blinking conveys acceptance while staring is an assertive posture, and crouching low to the ground displays an attack position.
Dybdall also said it's important for owners to test various types of toys with their cats, as the toys represent different kinds of hunting preferences that depend on the cat personalities.
“Often people don't know how to play with cats,” she said. “Most of the toys should pretend they're prey.”
Cats also can tell owners it's time for a new litter box, Dybdall said.
Although litter boxes don't wear easily, the plastic material absorbs odors and can deter cats from using it over time. Additionally, cats have a keener sense of smell and may reject perfumed litter.
But some cats' problems extend beyond play and bathroom etiquette, which is why 36-year-old Stephany Hynes was waiting in line to speak with a pet psychic.
“All of (my cats) have issues because I have a dog at home,” she said, adding her two-year-old dog requires attention that makes her cats jealous.
Hynes said the exhibits were beneficial because she learned more about cats.
Archibald said the expo helped discredit some of the stereotypes about the notoriously pampered pets.
“(They're) not just beauty queens,” she said. “(They're) also athletes.”
Contact the writer:
444-1545, zack.colman@owh.com
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
