Pet Stress and Pet Behavior Problems

Pets like predictable schedules. The ability to predict regular routines and times for meals, attention and exercise reduces pets’ stress by giving them a measure of control over their lives. (Read more at http://www.petstress.com/environment/home.php )

My cat Smokey has a rigid morning routine which requires him to walk on many counters and take over the entire kitchen. He starts every morning by blocking my access to the coffee maker. I measure the coffee around him while getting glossy dense cat fur in the filter and grounds on the counter.

Next he moves along the counter to sit in front of his food and give me the evil eye until I feed him.

He eats, and then does his big morning wash up on the kitchen bench while I wait an eternity for my coffee.

After the cleanup he wants petting, attention and scintillating conversation. I’d need x-ray vision to read the paper through him anyway so we nuzzle, we talk, we get fur in our eyes and I get an occasional sip of coffee.

We both enjoy this quiet time together, and when he tires of my attention, he falls asleep, on my paper. I can listen to the news on the radio later. The day has begun.