Whiskers and Wisdom!
Have you ever questioned your cat's lack of friendliness or doesn't hang out with you often? While it's true that some cats are indeed friendly and won't let you be alone, many quietly don't appear to like people and exhibit the well-known feline aloofness to the fullest.
While you may want your kitty to sit next to you or perform a task for you, cats are complex animals with a wide range of personalities and behaviors.
Following the do's and don'ts outlined here may help strengthen your relationship with your cat, increasing the likelihood that they will be less stressed in general and more likely to relax and play or hang out with you. And that is good for both of you because physical interaction with a cat can improve your overall health.
DO'S AND DON'TS
DO: BLINK SLOWLY
"How quickly you blink can affect your cat," says M. Leanne Lilly, veterinarian and clinical assistant professor at Ohio State University. Cats can feel more at ease and help you develop a stronger bond by slowly opening and closing your eyes. A 2020 study published in Scientific Reports defined slow blinks as "a series of half-blinks followed by either a prolonged eye narrow or an eye closure." The researchers determined that cats are more likely to approach the experimenter who does this. It is like a smile.
DO: ASK FOR CONSENT WHEN PETTING
"Pet the cat a couple of times and then stop," says Melissa Bain, a clinical professor of animal behavior service at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. "If the cat appears to want more attention, it should approach you." If not, "Respect that and stop petting," Bain added. It can lead to the cat wanting more attention because it realizes it "can signal to the owner to stop petting whenever," she notes. Lilly also recommends "offering a hand" and seeing if the cat rubs against it.
DO: WATCH THEIR BODY LANGUAGE
If your cat approaches you with its tail up, as if it were a question mark, it is likely to be friendly or at least comfortable with the interaction so far. However, if the cat moves slowly and has a low-to-the-ground posture, pretending that the cat does not exist can help increase comfortability before interactivity. Similarly, pinning the ears behind the head, "the cat is unhappy," says Marina Jaworsky, associate veterinary at Green Tree Animal Hospital in Libertyville, Illinois.
DON'T: REPRIMAND YOUR CAT
If you pet your cat or try to get them to come near you and it becomes scared or uncomfortable, it may decide it has already had enough. Even if you think your pet is being mean, do not act out against them. Yelling, scolding, or even spraying water on them will break the bond. Try to be patient with your cat. Research has proven that petting a cat causes a release of the "love hormone" in humans, so it's worth tolerating their attitude sometimes.
DON'T: USE LASER POINTERS
Playing with your cat can help you form a stronger bond, but laser pointers, which many cats seem to love, may not be the best toy. The caveat? When cats are constantly chasing something they will never catch, it can create or worsen OCD and obsessive tendencies, where your kitty is always looking out for this thing because they don’t get the satisfaction of catching it at the end. When cats are unable to nap, they become stressed, which can lead to health and behavioral issues. According to one 2021 research study, using laser light pointers caused more reports of abnormal repetitive behaviors.
HAVE FUN WITH YOUR CAT
Play hide and seek
An old childhood sleepover favorite can now become you and your fluff ball’s favorite pastime. Just hide a toy or an object that interests them under a blanket, and watch your cat scavenge.
Blow bubbles
One of the greatest joys of cat ownership is their never-waning interest in the ordinary. Blowing bubbles might seem like an activity you left back in the schoolyard, but your cat will be so taken with the floating balls of mystery, it could reignite your interest. Cats love to try to catch and pop bubbles. Just be sure to always use a non-toxic bubble solution.
Set up a food treasure hunt
Cats love the excitement of a challenge that keeps their minds sharp and their stomachs full. Place treats in hard-to-reach spots in your home and watch as your cat works to retrieve them. Cats are so agile that you can even set up obstacles for them to navigate. It might even inspire you to be more active.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAT?
Fresh litter box
- Most house cats are indoor cats, which means you will need a litter box. A litter box is convenient, but needs to be cleaned every day to avoid unpleasant odors. Pet stores offer litter formulas that make it easy to scoop out waste and control the smell.
Scratch pole
- Many cats have a tendency to scratch and paw at drapes, furniture, and just about anything else that takes their fancy. Investing in a scratch pole or post will not only provide your cat with the scratching outlet they need, but also save you lots of money and frustration.
Well-balanced diet
- Work with your vet to ensure your feline is getting a nutritional diet. Avoid overfeeding that can lead to obesity and other serious health issues. Also, be sure to keep their food and water bowls far away from their litter box to prevent any risk of contamination.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAT?
Safe environment
- Cats are small, delicate animals that do well living mostly indoors. Although many cats love to roam free outside, other predatory animals and traffic, for example, can threaten their safety. Always monitor your cat’s whereabouts and keep an ID tag on its collar. Having your pet microchipped will allow shelters and veterinarians to easily identify you as the owner should your cat get lost.
Consistent grooming
- Although a cat might not need the same amount of grooming as a dog, it still takes work to prevent your house from turning into one big hairball. Grooming helps rid the coat of shed hair and dead skin while spreading natural oils. A weekly cleaning is usually enough, and you can find easy-to-use cat grooming tools at most pet stores.
WHO IS THE CAT?
Hey! My name is Ronron. I am a two-year-old cat who is a mixed breed of Persian and Siamese. I am afraid of going to the vet clinic, but my furmom managed to have me fully vaccinated for safety, and I am a healthy cat that has been spayed. I love playing with my furmom by making me catch things. I get to run and jump all over the place as if I am in the wild. My fur color used to be white when I was a kitten, but as I grew older, it turned dark. That's why my furmom titled this website Toasted Cat, as if I were about to be roasted.
My furmom made this site since a blog is an excellent way for her to share her love and knowledge of cats with the world, and it’s also a great way to connect with other cat lovers. Not only will she get to express her thoughts and feelings about cats, but she can also provide valuable information and advice for other cat owners and those who are planning to adopt a cat.
CONTACT
General Trias City, Cavite, Philippines
For any inquiries, please contact here: yanagleighnix@gmail.com
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