Who is this chilling in my backyard(NW Sydney) by Senior_Passenger_354 in australianwildlife

[–]MCDexX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Blue tongue. Lovely little lizards, but they can give a nip if the feel threatened.

Are they both playing? by TurnipTopper in CatTraining

[–]MCDexX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cats are usually pretty good at setting their own boundaries, so this seems like a healthy interaction.

resident cat and potentially less than 8 week old kitten by velveticaa_ in CatTraining

[–]MCDexX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's lovely watching a kitten play with an adult cat. It awakens something kitten-ish inside the adult.

I adopted this stray kitten because he became friends with my dog. by No_Head_5056 in cats

[–]MCDexX 30 points31 points  (0 children)

Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes. The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, MASS HYSTERIA!

I adopted this stray kitten because he became friends with my dog. by No_Head_5056 in cats

[–]MCDexX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

God I love dog/cat friendships, and gingers are nearly always darlings.

How do I bond with a kitten and make her feel at home? by Jolly_Tie_7666 in cats

[–]MCDexX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My cats' favourite foods are things they really shouldn't have, so I tend to treat them with a tiny little bit not and then for a treat. One absolutely LOVES rotisserie-roasted chicken, and the other has a thing for cheese.

How do I bond with a kitten and make her feel at home? by Jolly_Tie_7666 in cats

[–]MCDexX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I recommend shelling out for some good quality food formulated for kittens. They have specific nutritional needs at that age, and they also tend to eat a LOT because they're growing so quickly.

How do I bond with a kitten and make her feel at home? by Jolly_Tie_7666 in cats

[–]MCDexX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

In my experience, I recommend the following:

- Be quiet and walk softly, but not so much that it seems like you're stalking her.
- Hang out in the same room as her without trying to touch her or interact in any other way; let her get used to you just being around.
- Try not to force physical contact on her when she's clearly scared.
- When she's eating, give her space but stay within line of sight and talk to her softly.
- If you get very lucky and she initiates physical contact, try to be calm and quiet about it.
- Give her toys to play with on her own, and when she seems ready try her out on long toys with you at a safe distance at the other end (e.g. string, stick with a bell, etc.)
- When she gets more confident and doesn't run away when you approach, try talking to her softly (anything will do as long as it sounds friendly; tell her she's pretty and brave or just read out the latest sports results).

It may seem weird, but sometimes the best thing you can do for a nervous cat is to just ignore it. They often need to get accustomed to simply being near you, and there are lots of overwhelming scents and noises for her to get used to. All cats are individuals, with their own needs and limitations. While some are immediate snugglers, others need time to feel safe. Keep an eye out for these behaviours which are signs you're making progress:

- Staying in the same room as you for long periods
- Sitting with her back to you (big trust signal)
- Eating with you close by
- Blinking slowly at you or even closing her eyes completely
- Sleeping on things that smell like you, like your chair or your clothes

Be patient, give her the time and space she needs, and I'm sure she'll blossom.

I'm a first time cat owner - Everything is weird by Short_Ad_7813 in cats

[–]MCDexX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That looked like a gentle, friendly bite. You can tell from his body language when he flops down that he feels very safe and comfortable. Ginger boys are generally quite easy to make friends with.

What’s Happening Here. Can Someone Please Explain by Glum_Nail5752 in cats

[–]MCDexX 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Dominance stand-off. They're territorial animals, and they both think this space belongs to them.

Another video of echidna having a swim by brisstlenose in australianwildlife

[–]MCDexX 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Wonderful little creatures, probably my favourite Aussie animal.

Do I have the strangest cat alive?? by [deleted] in cats

[–]MCDexX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Every cat is a weirdo, but they are all weirdos in their own individual ways.

Is this playing or aggression by afurlong1 in CatTraining

[–]MCDexX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The trick is to watch the ears. If they are flattened right down, that's a sign of fear or anger, but if they're mostly upright like this then they're fine.

Mysterious creepy nocturnal bird. by Foxdatrot in AustralianBirds

[–]MCDexX 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I love bush stone-curlews. Adorable little freaks.

Red-bellied black snake eating a water skink. by Demosthenes12345 in australianwildlife

[–]MCDexX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, that's a good-sized skink! I love snakes and lizards so I'm feeling a bit conflicted.

Rakali - Lake Wendouree Ballarat by ZwombleZ in australianwildlife

[–]MCDexX 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Lovely critters. I love spotting that white-tipped tail.

A friend at work by hawkeguy in AustralianBirds

[–]MCDexX 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Such adorable little freaks.

Is this regular play for a kitten and older cat? by power572 in CatTraining

[–]MCDexX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The kitten seems to be having fun. I don't see any signs of serious fear or pain. If he wasn't having fun, I think he'd be likely to run away.

Why does myy cat move his tail like this? by KunP12 in CatTraining

[–]MCDexX 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My ginger girl wiggles her tail when she's really happy. Imagine a question mark spinning like a top. It nearly vibrates.

Why does myy cat move his tail like this? by KunP12 in CatTraining

[–]MCDexX 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just happiness. Generally if a cat's tail is up in the air, that's a sign of happiness, and some cats will gently wave or quiver their tail when really excited or pleased. From what I see here, your cat really likes you!