Cat Behaviors Should Be Understood So That You Enjoy Time With Your Cat
If you've just adopted your first cat or kitten, you may find your pet's behavior puzzling at times. Maybe you've never had a cat before, or maybe you've always had dogs. In either case, it is time to learn a little bit about your new kitty's body language, so that you can understand cat behaviors and better communicate with him or her.
Anyone can become an expert in cat psychology if they learn the "tail code". Your kitty uses his tail as a barometer of his emotions. A calm, quiet tail shows you that your cat is feeling comfortable, content, and ready for a snooze. A tail held stiff and high in the air says your kitty is feeling fine and ready for you to pay attention to him.
Cat's tails are their way of communicating with humans in a quieter way than meowing! When your cat's tail has started "ticking" or moving back & forth, kitty is trying to let you know that he or she is done and needs some alone time. Remember, he or she will give you plenty of warning before they scratch or bite you, so always remain wary of their tail-actions.
Now let's examine the general stance of your cat. When your cat is curled up in a ball with a paw over their face, they are sleeping soundly and best left alone. But when you cat is more relaxed and stretched across the floor it could be signaling time to play. Some cat problems can come from not being sensitive to these cues the cat is giving through their body posture about when to play and when to rest.
Flipping onto their backs when wanting to play or interact is a typical example of cat behaviors. Use caution when your cat is in this position, as their bellies are highly sensitive and their response may be reflexive, and as a result you may get accidentally scratched. The wiser choice at that point would be to play and interact with toys, rather than hands.
Watch your cat's posture and tail position as you pet or cuddle him or her. Cats differ from most dogs in that cats often change their minds about wanting to be petted while you are in the act of petting. The cat's posture and tail position often signals this transition. Pressing away with their paws, or a flicking tail, is a good indication the cat is feeling uncomfortable being held. In this way, most cats provide ample warning prior to attacking or lashing out. If you respect your cat's wishes, a strong bond will develop over time. The cat will become more trusting, and you'll develop a wonderful relationship.
For first time pet owners, or people who are used to dogs, a newly adopted cat or kitten's behavior may sometimes appear very puzzling. In order to communicate with the cat in a way that benefits both owner and animal, it is necessary to learn about basic cat behaviors and cat psychology. If your cat is curled up tightly or has a paw over his or her face, she is sleeping and wishes to be left alone. Many cat problems can result from not being careful about observing posture, and playing with kitty when he or she doesn't want to be played with.
Published October 25th, 2007
Filed in Pets
