Jumping Through Hoops. Pastel drawing of a cat
performing agility by Cori Solomon
Photo By Cori Solomon
Everyone thinks of agility as a sport only for dogs but now there also is Feline Agility, a special sport for cats. Unlike dog agility that is usually performed outside, cat agility is always performed inside in a fenced area. Both pedigreed and non-pedigreed cats can participate. There are several competitions located in the Los Angeles area included one held in Santa Monica at the Civic Auditorium.
There are two organizations that put on cat agility competitions. CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) offers Feline Agility Competitions and TICA (International Cat Association) offers ICAT (International Cat Agility Tournaments). Starting this month CFA will be turning the event into one where cats can earn titles.
During timed events, cats negotiate a course designed to display their speed, coordination, beauty of movement, physical condition, intelligence, and training. Cat agility is a unique experience, which demonstrates the quality and depth of their relationship with their owner who trains with them and guides them through the course.
Cats learn to jump hurdles, jump through hoops and run through tunnels. Toys attached to a stick are one of the methods used to lure the cat through various obstacles of the course. Another method is clicker training. A course is made up of various sized hurdles, an A-framed obstacle that cats jump over, one or more tunnels, one or more hoops and poles that the cats weave through. CFA courses have 10 mandatory obstacles, the first hurdle, consisting of one bar, 4 inches high, Second hurdle, two bars, 6 inches high, third hurdle, three bars, 10 inches high and a fourth hurdle, four bars, 14 inches high. There are two hoops, two tunnels, weave poles and stairs.
There are several breeds of cats that are better at agility than others. They are the Abyssinians, Japanese Bobtails, Cornish Rex, Siamese, Tonkinese, Sphynx and the Maine Coon. There is one breed that seems not to be adept at agility and that is the Persian.
For more info about training your cat in agility and competitions check out the CFA and ICAT websites.
Other Training and Agility Articles By Cori Solomon:
The Power of Positive Dog Training
West Los Angeles Animal Behaviorist
Comments
What a great concept! Nice article Cori...
Yes I thought the same thing with I discovered that cats do agility. Cannot wait to see it in person.
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