Why did you get a cat? To please and serve, of course! But the only way you can be the best human subject to your royal feline is if you can actually understand what she’s trying to tell you.
Let’s Decode Her Highness’ Various Purrs, Meows, & Behaviors
“I own you, human.” When our cat rubs himself on our leg or nuzzles our face, purring softly, eyes closed, as if it makes him feel so good to be forming this connection with us, don’t mistake his behavior for genuine affection! We already know what it means when our cat does the same thing to every piece of furniture in the house, right? He is leaving behind his scent to mark us as his property. That, or he is demanding our attention - again because he owns us. Okay, maybe, it’s also his way of being affectionate. Just maybe.
“A new rug! I’ll pee on it!” Shame on you if you think the real queen of the house is disgusting! Cats are territorial animals, just like their wild cousins. They pee or spray on things, usually new or unfamiliar ones with foreign smells, to leave their scent. Other times, it’s not just about marking their territory, but also about remedying their anxiety when they encounter an unfamiliar scent within their secure environment.
“You can’t ignore me.” Only a totally heartless human will be able to resist their biological instinct to respond to a baby’s cries. Well, domesticated felines have perfectly mastered this vocal sound! They can purr and meow in a frequency that’s very similar to a baby’s cries. Even if we know it’s just our cat, kitty is also aware that the sound can be annoying enough to get us to respond to his calls. So, we can ask ourselves this: Who’s the trained pet?
“Oh, does that hurt?” Many of us have had a kitty on our lap, in a tolerant and affectionate mood, purring with pleasure as she lets us stroke her back. And then she starts kneading our legs, pushing in and out of our thighs with her front paws, as if she’s giving us a massage of her own. Then her claws come out. She doesn’t mean to hurt you, of course. In fact, she’s not aware that her show of affection hurts. Some cats knead when they’re pleased. Others recreate the comfort of nursing from their mother, or they may just be doing some yoga stretches. If our cat is in a petting mood, we can simply place a blanket on our lap for when her claws come out.
“I’m swishing. You’ve been warned.” If we see our cat’s tail swishing, he’s highly aroused and is either eager to play, or is angry. This is usually the precursor to a pounce, especially if he also lowers his body. We can help him release his energy by giving him his favorite toy that he loves to chase and pounce on.
EcoTreats will satisfy her cravings for a snack and a little attention, but won’t ruin her appetite. Plus, they’re all-natural and low-calorie, so we won’t negatively affect her nutrition or inflate her caloric intake. They love the taste and crave more. Buy a bag and give them a try today.
Our Cats Own Us
No use in denying it. If we know how to read our cats properly, we’ll know that most times, what they’re telling us is that they’re the boss. Understanding their every quirk and fancy, their ways and demeanors is our obligation, and we should be so pleased that they deem us worthy of their demands and attention.
Further Reading:
- “Why We Think Cats Are Psychopaths,” The Atlantic
- “Cat chat: Understanding feline language,” The Humane Society of the United States
- “Decode Your Cat’s Behavior: 17 Things Your Cat Would Love to Tell You,” Reader’s Digest