Cat Care: Understanding Signals

Cat Care at Home: Watch your cat for signals?

Being aware of your cats moods

Many people believe that cats don’t care much for mutual interaction with humans, but often this ‘cat care factor’ is confused with ‘assertiveness’.

My cat Malikai loves attention and pampering when he’s had a chance to be active for a while. He will often vocalize that he ‘requires’ my undivided attention and give a quick few brushes around my legs. I’ve named it his affection call.

Now I know that his motivation for seeking attention will vary depending on the time of day or if he is hungry, but I do know that sometimes it’s simply because he is feeling lonely or ’smoochy’. The time that he sits with me varies between two to ten minutes and will usually involve a good amount of ‘muzzle stroking’ with clear visual signs that he enjoys it.

Pay attention to visual signs

At some stage in the pampering process I will notice that his tail starts to move in slow sweeping motions. I have learned that often this is due to me ‘patting’ his back or lower body section which he finds uncomfortable and confronting. If I move back to his head and upper body region his tail will usually stop. But If this swishing becomes more assertive, he is letting me know that he would like to leave.

Cats are often labeled many things, but one thing they ‘are not’, is dependent. They have clear boundaries for what is acceptable and safe in their own eyes. Be aware of what your cat likes and dislikes then monitor your mutual interactions for signs of when he’s had enough.

Remember that cats and humans communicate in different ways. You need to learn to identify what language he is speaking and reply accordingly.

Try to identify what makes your kitty tick and you will enjoy a life time of understanding, affection and respect.

Many Happy Days with You and Your Kitty