This article has been moved to the NEW blog,
The Way of Cats Blog.
Read it HERE.
Cats and Emotions
In the words of Carole Wilbourn, The Cat Therapist, "Cats have feelings." Cats live a life composed of emotions that are deeply felt and quickly stirred.
This article has been moved to the NEW blog,
The Way of Cats Blog.
Read it HERE.
This article has been moved to the NEW blog,
The Way of Cats Blog.
Read it HERE.
Puzzle the Cat
Does our cat get enough intellectual stimulation? Every cat needs something to puzzle over. For some cats, tiny changes in the daily routine offers enough mental contemplation. (Puffy, I'm looking at you.) But most cats require puzzles with more challenge to them. If we don't offer it, the cat will have to come up with ways to satisfy their need to think.
As always, a need we satisfy is probably going to fit into the household better than whatever the cat comes up with unassisted. The way to better behavior is to take care of the cat's needs in ways that make both of us happy.
In this picture, we see RJ getting his treats out of his puzzle box. To illustrate how much a cat enjoys thinking, we only have to know that RJ prefers getting his treats out of the puzzle box, to the point that he will let treats on the floor just sit there.
A treat outschemed is a tastier treat.
We often underestimate the cat's intellectual capacity because we're conditioned to see animal intelligence as an expression of what we can get them to do. A "smart" animal is one who knows what we want, and then gives it to us.
This is true. But the smart part is only the one where where the animal knows what we want. Whether they give it to us; that's a different capacity.
To get an idea of how much intelligence cats have, consider their status as solitary predators. They don't have anyone backing them up or teaming with them. They have to outwit their prey. There is considerable mental power being exercised when they catch something. They can run fast, but only for short distances. So they must figure out where their prey is going to be; and then be there.
In the home, the opportunities to exercise their mental power must take different forms. A puzzle box, or any facsimile, even a cardboard box with holes cut in it, will simulate prey behavior.
As seen at left, even Puffy now enjoys searching for treats in the puzzle box, and RJ enjoys the camaraderie.
Sharing companionship, mental puzzles, and the joy of the hunt. For cats, it's as good as dinner and a movie.
We should exercise our own intelligence to come up with ways to puzzle the cats. Hiding treats or toys can draw on our own creativity. I often put a treat in my hand, put both behind my back, and see if the cat can guess which hand has the treat. Opening an empty hand makes them think.
That's the goal.
----
Got here from a Link or Search?
There's more to The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my LATEST CAT ADVICE.
As always, a need we satisfy is probably going to fit into the household better than whatever the cat comes up with unassisted. The way to better behavior is to take care of the cat's needs in ways that make both of us happy.
In this picture, we see RJ getting his treats out of his puzzle box. To illustrate how much a cat enjoys thinking, we only have to know that RJ prefers getting his treats out of the puzzle box, to the point that he will let treats on the floor just sit there.A treat outschemed is a tastier treat.
We often underestimate the cat's intellectual capacity because we're conditioned to see animal intelligence as an expression of what we can get them to do. A "smart" animal is one who knows what we want, and then gives it to us.
This is true. But the smart part is only the one where where the animal knows what we want. Whether they give it to us; that's a different capacity.
To get an idea of how much intelligence cats have, consider their status as solitary predators. They don't have anyone backing them up or teaming with them. They have to outwit their prey. There is considerable mental power being exercised when they catch something. They can run fast, but only for short distances. So they must figure out where their prey is going to be; and then be there.
In the home, the opportunities to exercise their mental power must take different forms. A puzzle box, or any facsimile, even a cardboard box with holes cut in it, will simulate prey behavior.As seen at left, even Puffy now enjoys searching for treats in the puzzle box, and RJ enjoys the camaraderie.
Sharing companionship, mental puzzles, and the joy of the hunt. For cats, it's as good as dinner and a movie.
We should exercise our own intelligence to come up with ways to puzzle the cats. Hiding treats or toys can draw on our own creativity. I often put a treat in my hand, put both behind my back, and see if the cat can guess which hand has the treat. Opening an empty hand makes them think.
That's the goal.
----
Got here from a Link or Search?
There's more to The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my LATEST CAT ADVICE.
Cats are fussy about their water.
I explore the reasons a cat's desert origins leads to them being more complicated about their water than say, dogs.
This post has been moved to the new blog, The Way of Cats, and you can read about why cats are like that about water.
This post has been moved to the new blog, The Way of Cats, and you can read about why cats are like that about water.
When to Pet the Cat
When it comes to petting the cat, timing is important. Just like us, the cat might be busy with something when we want to pet them, and this can lead to hurt feelings all around. Look to see if the cat is in the mood to give affection, and then we won't feel rejected.
This is not a time to pet the cat.
RJ is intent on his toy. There's also the positions of his paws and the fact that his tail is twitching. He is up, intent, crouching. If we go to pet him now we are interrupting his concentration.
He won't necessarily mind. I can come over and divert his attention at such an important time, but I should only do it for concerns which are important.
I could be about to start the vacuum cleaner. He wouldn't mind a little advance warning of that.
Or it's treat time; that's always a good time for a break.
But for petting? Done too often, that would be inconsiderate.
Here, RJ is pausing. His body is not alert for action, but relaxed into the floor, and his tail is lying flat on the floor as well.
He's waiting for the next interesting thing.
We could be that interesting thing.
Another important petting factor in whether they have time for us is how we initiate the petting session. One of those lightning blitzes when we decide to pour a big demonstration into a little bit of time is fine when we are leaving the home. But getting scooped up from whatever they were doing without a lot of payoff is not the best way for them to experience our affection.
If we do not want to get into a big production at the moment, we can verbally engage them, or we apply the art of Petting In Place, or PIP. The fact that RJ is resting, but among his toys, makes this an excellent time to rub his face, scritch behind his ears, or whatever little attention he appreciates. Then we part, both refreshed from our affection encounter, yet not diverted from immediate concerns.
When does the cat signal they want to be engaged? When they are taking it easy in one of their favorite places. This is another great time to practice our PIP without dislodging them from comfortable arrangements.
If their special place is in our chair or near our favorite spot on the couch, they are doing this on purpose. They want to know if we are smart enough to pick up this cue. Show them we are by petting them, and if they respond, then pick them up.
It is good to seek out the cat and learn all their favorite places. This lets us seek them out when they need reassurance. We can also give them a verbal acknowledgment that it's okay for them to be there. This "blessing of the place" lets them feel even more secure in their special spots.
Remember that older female relative who pinched the cheeks of all the children in the family? Or would shriek when she saw us, interrupting whatever we were doing to be swept up in a dizzying hug?
Don't be that person in the cat's life.
----
Got here from a Link or Search?
There's more to The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my LATEST CAT ADVICE.
This is not a time to pet the cat.RJ is intent on his toy. There's also the positions of his paws and the fact that his tail is twitching. He is up, intent, crouching. If we go to pet him now we are interrupting his concentration.
He won't necessarily mind. I can come over and divert his attention at such an important time, but I should only do it for concerns which are important.
I could be about to start the vacuum cleaner. He wouldn't mind a little advance warning of that.
Or it's treat time; that's always a good time for a break.
But for petting? Done too often, that would be inconsiderate.
Here, RJ is pausing. His body is not alert for action, but relaxed into the floor, and his tail is lying flat on the floor as well.He's waiting for the next interesting thing.
We could be that interesting thing.
Another important petting factor in whether they have time for us is how we initiate the petting session. One of those lightning blitzes when we decide to pour a big demonstration into a little bit of time is fine when we are leaving the home. But getting scooped up from whatever they were doing without a lot of payoff is not the best way for them to experience our affection.
If we do not want to get into a big production at the moment, we can verbally engage them, or we apply the art of Petting In Place, or PIP. The fact that RJ is resting, but among his toys, makes this an excellent time to rub his face, scritch behind his ears, or whatever little attention he appreciates. Then we part, both refreshed from our affection encounter, yet not diverted from immediate concerns.
When does the cat signal they want to be engaged? When they are taking it easy in one of their favorite places. This is another great time to practice our PIP without dislodging them from comfortable arrangements.
If their special place is in our chair or near our favorite spot on the couch, they are doing this on purpose. They want to know if we are smart enough to pick up this cue. Show them we are by petting them, and if they respond, then pick them up.
It is good to seek out the cat and learn all their favorite places. This lets us seek them out when they need reassurance. We can also give them a verbal acknowledgment that it's okay for them to be there. This "blessing of the place" lets them feel even more secure in their special spots.
Remember that older female relative who pinched the cheeks of all the children in the family? Or would shriek when she saw us, interrupting whatever we were doing to be swept up in a dizzying hug?
Don't be that person in the cat's life.
----
Got here from a Link or Search?
There's more to The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See my LATEST CAT ADVICE.
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