Cat cafes are wildly popular among animal loves, but the business model is nuanced when it comes to treating resident felines right.
Are cat cafes good for cats?
Since the first cat café opened in in Taiwan 1998, the concept has become popular among feline aficionados across the globe. While customers flock to these establishments for an interactive experience with the shops’ feline residents, some animal rights activists question whether the business model is truly humane for its four-legged fellows.
Cat cafes marry traditional coffee shops with the experience of interacting with cuddly cats. Behind most of cafes’ business models is the underlying goal to help shelter cats get adopted by moving animals out of the shelter and into a temporary space in which they can thrive and interface with potential pet owners. However, opponents of the businesses argue that business and philanthropy can create opposing goals and, in some cases, lead to an unhealthy environment for the cats and customers.
Not all cats are suited for a cate café. Felines must be well-socialized, as well as up-to-date on all of their vaccines. Routine health checks are a key component of maintaining a healthy group resident felines, as cats live together in a group and any illness can easily spread between them in the café environment. Likewise, the café itself must be well-managed to ensure a sanitary experience for its customers. Though many cat cafes run a scintillating business, feeding, watering, cleaning litter boxes, and maintaining an overall clean space for a dozen or so felines can be a true labor of love for cat café staff.
The cafes navigate health codes by keeping kittens and coffee separate, such as in two distinct rooms with a large glass pane between them. This allows business owners to separate animals from food and beverages, and typically involves two separate entrances for the two sides of the business. A well-run cat café also requires provision of a suitable space for the cats themselves. While the concept can prove great for socializing shelter animals, cats naturally need alone time and tend to rely on small groups for stability. Strangers may stress even the friendliest felines, so cat successful café owners must find a way to balance their animals’ needs with the desire to socialize and adopt them out into loving homes.
One sign a cat café has its feline residents’ wellbeing at the core of its business model is the provision of spaces for cats to hide when they need a break from strangers’ affection. Another mark of a responsible establishment is clear rules posted about how to interact with the cats, such as refraining from picking up, chasing or roughhousing the animals. Conscientious customers should avoid cat cafes that tout pure-bred companions, as this removes the benefit of helping shelter cats find homes. The presence of healthy elderly cats is another sign of a humane business, as this help improve chances that these animals are adopted.
As with any business, cat cafes can be run well or poorly. In this case, however, the wellbeing of animals is at stake along with the businesses’ success. Look for signs of healthy, well-cared-for resident felines when choosing to patronize a cat café.
Protecting territory comes naturally to dogs, but some overly protective pets can prove dangerous. Here are ways to train a defensive pet.
Tips for training a territorial dog
In the wild, dogs must protect their resources to ensure their packs have plenty to eat, but when pets at exhibit this same behavior at home, the results can range from socially unacceptable to downright dangerous. This type of resource guarding is typically related to dogs that guard their homes or owners, but can also occur when pets defend their food, toys, or beds from other people or animals.
Telltale signs a dog is about to display aggressive territorial behavior include barking in rapid succession or in a low, threatening tone; running along his fence or property line; raising his tail high in the air; growling or baring his teeth; or lunging at a perceived offender. In more extreme cases, dogs may even try to bite anyone who approaches their territory. To begin addressing these problematic behaviors, it is important to understand why your pet is acting in a territorial way. Even well-socialized dogs often bark as strangers walk by, but the increase in a pet’s arousal or anxiety can intensify into aggression in some situations. Addressing territorial behavior is easiest if caught early, so begin training your companion as soon as you see signs he is becoming territorial.
Starting by desensitizing your companion to his territorial triggers. If your pet becomes agitated when a stranger passes your home, for example, enlist a friend who your dog does not know well to help him conquer his fears. Have the friend walk by your property while your dog is in a safe, controlled environment such as on a leash, starting on the opposite side of the street from your pet. Gradually, your friend can pass closer to your property as your dog becomes comfortable with the new situation. Any time your pet becomes reactive, have your friend return to the previous distance and practice from there again before moving closer. Over time, this “stranger” should be able to walk by the edge of your property without eliciting a strong reaction from your pet.
Other ways to help train a territorial dog include obedience training. Asking your pet to perform a trick not only distracts him when a potential territorial threat arises, but refocuses his attention on you. Start by practicing the “stay” command at home in a quiet environment and, once he has mastered this, ask your dog to perform the command when he is confronted by a new person’s presence. If he remains calm and follows the command, reward him with plenty of treats and praise. Eventually, a stranger should be able to approach your pet after you’ve given the command without eliciting a reaction. You can practice this with an unfamiliar friend, asking the friend to reward your dog with a treat if he or she is able to approach without any barking or other excited behavior.
In some cases, territorial behavior becomes so extreme that it requires assistance from a professional animal behaviorist. Possessive pets tend to be highly anxious, so helping your dog overcome his guarding behaviors will also boost his confidence, improving his quality of life and the bond you share with your companion.
Many pet owners have never considered the benefits of walking their dogs off-leash, but roaming freely can benefit well-behaved pets.
Should I walk my dog off leash?
Walking on a leash is so common it’s hard to remember it does not come naturally to our pets. Though some proponents argue that allowing dogs to roam freely creates a safety hazard, there are benefits to walking a well-trained canine off his leash.
Those who have never considered the subject may wonder why some pet parents are such strong supporters when it comes to allowing their dogs to walk without a leash. Roaming freely allows dogs to sniff and explore their surroundings at their own pace, which comes naturally to our pets. Some leashed dogs experience what is known as barrier frustration as they can become exasperated with the lack of freedom to greet passing pets or otherwise explore their surroundings. Because leashed dogs are confined to a relatively small area beside their handlers, it can lead increased defensive behaviors in some protective pets, too.
To help Fido learn good off-leash manners, he must master the “come” command in a highly distracting environment before being allowed to wander freely. Practice at home, gradually increasing your distance on a long leash and then, if possible, off-leash in a controlled environment such as a dog park. Establish a clear plan for what you will do if your dog does run away while walking freely. Remain calm in this situation, shaking and showing your pet a bag of treats, if possible, to entice him to return as you firmly give the “come” command. Though it may seem counterintuitive, you may also try walking away from your pet so he thinks you are heading to your car or home. When your dog does return, lavish him with praise even if you are frustrated by the process. Be sure to tag or microchip your pet, too, so that in the worst-case scenario, you are more likely to find a runaway pet. It is also important to research how to safely split up a dog fight, should one break out while Fido is walking freely.
There are, of course, disadvantages when it comes to letting Fido walk without a leash. Free roaming dogs can more easily run into oncoming traffic and run the risk of encountering an aggressive animal while outside of your immediate purview. Even the best-natured pets can bite when provoked, increasing the safety risk to other pets and people when you allow your dog to run without a tether. Other risks include the chance your dog may eat something poisonous or that contains parasites harmful to pets while walking without a leash. Other less serious, but still important, considerations include that your pet may use the bathroom in inappropriate places and that you may be fined for allowing him to run freely in some areas.
If you want to allow your four-legged friend to frolic free of any tethers, but within some boundaries, you can take him to a local dog park. You can also consider fencing in your yard or using a long-line leash to allow him to explore more freely when you are on hiking trails or in other less-trafficked areas.
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