catmando.blog

My grandpa was born at the turn of the last century.  1903 to be specific.  He was from the farming country of Iowa, but spent the bulk of his adult life on the west coast.  When he moved from the mid-west to the west coast, he not only packed up everything he owned, but he also brought with him myths and other opinions that should have been put to rest many years ago.  If you have an older relative, you might know what I am talking about.

One of those myths my grandpa always told was to put butter on a new cat’s paws so they would remember where their home is.  The theory behind this practice is that it helps the cat adjust to its new environment.  However, let’s dive into the science, or lack of science regarding this myth.

There are several theories as to why this myth began in the first place.  One is that there is a thought that as a cat licks its paws, it is getting a bearing on its new surroundings.  A cat psychologist would have to disagree with this logic.  When a cat is licking its paws, it is only thinking about licking its paws.

Another belief is that the smell of the butter helps remove any trace of their old home.  Again, this is a bunch of hooey since the rest of the cat still smells the same.

Proponents of putting butter on cats’ paws make and argument that the licking of butter helps in reducing stress, but I would have to wonder about that since most cats are meticulous in their grooming, having butter on their paws may only work to annoy them.

Another thought to consider before smothering butter on your cat’s paws, is the mess.  I believe in keeping a very clean house and can only imagine how I would feel chasing butter tracks around my house.

Now let’s talk about some of the science behind all this.

First, there is no science behind putting butter on your cat’s paws to help them remember where they live.  In fact, the butter itself is something that could potentially harm your cat.

If you already own a cat, then you know they are meticulous groomers.  I would imagine that any cat with butter or any other foreign material on their paws, would lick it off immediately.

Lastly, just attempting to put butter on your cat’s paws could easily upset them and cause them to become very angry. 

All in all, the very best way to help your cat adjust to its new surroundings is to simply leave it alone and let it adjust at its own pace.  I would highly recommend placing its bed, food and water dishes in an open area where they would be easy to find.  This alone will do more to help calm your cat than anything else you could do. I would also recommend placing a toy or camera in your house or apartment. The camera may not give your cat peace of mind, but it will help comfort you when you are away.

If you are really worried your beautiful furry friend is going to get away and get lost, there are several things you could do to help have a happy reuinon. The first of these and I’m sure the easiest, is to get a collar that includes a tracking device that you can track with your smartphone. Second and probably a little more invasive is to implant a microchip in your cat. These are also trackabout with your smart phone. Either way, just like have a small child in our house, pay attention to your surroundings and make sure you do not leave doors or windows open which would invite an escape attempt.