One of the complaints about cats is how they are "manipulative."
What does this mean? Seems like it's based on the way cats get us to do stuff. Oh, isn't that terrible!
Yet, when a dog brings his ball over and stares at us, it's just, "The dog wants to play! Isn't that cute!" Yes, it is. Dogs like to chase things, and we are excellent at throwing things. Thus, love.
But cats are the same way. It's just that their "play" is different. In the wild, cats don't get dinner by chasing it, the way dogs do. Cats get dinner by outwitting it.
So when they play, that is what they do.
Cats learning how we work is just, you know, how they work. Cats put their intelligence on the line, every day, as they work on their understanding of how others think. This is what makes cats so fascinating and fun.
Of course they try to get us to do what they want! Isn't that what we are doing to them?
The more we play the cat's game, the more they will respect us. And, then...
Up their Game.
Learn more about the way cats work our levers with Willing to Be Manipulated.
Does our cat want a kitten?
Let's get our cat a kitten! It's a very attractive idea. But it's not, necessarily, one our cat would endorse.
Some cats would love a kitten. Some cats would love two kittens. How can we tell which kind our cat is? I'm glad to tell you.
Because I'm the last person on earth to talk anyone out of a kitten.
However, as much as we all enjoy a bumbling little beanhead spreading cuteness throughout our home, this is might not be our existing cats' dream scenario. We should remember that our cats, especially past the age of three, are not as thrilled with having their heads tackled as they once might have been.
If the real reason we are getting a kitten is because we want a kitten, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But we should keep our existing cats in mind. If they are past the age of kittenhood, or low energy, or laid-back... we are not getting a kitten for them. We are getting a kitten for us.
If we are getting a kitten for us, we should get two kittens. Because they can play with each other and stay out of our own, and our older cat's hair and fur.
So to speak.
For more tips on how to tell, see the post, Dear Pammy, Should I get my cat a kitten?
Some cats would love a kitten. Some cats would love two kittens. How can we tell which kind our cat is? I'm glad to tell you.
Because I'm the last person on earth to talk anyone out of a kitten.
However, as much as we all enjoy a bumbling little beanhead spreading cuteness throughout our home, this is might not be our existing cats' dream scenario. We should remember that our cats, especially past the age of three, are not as thrilled with having their heads tackled as they once might have been.
If the real reason we are getting a kitten is because we want a kitten, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But we should keep our existing cats in mind. If they are past the age of kittenhood, or low energy, or laid-back... we are not getting a kitten for them. We are getting a kitten for us.
If we are getting a kitten for us, we should get two kittens. Because they can play with each other and stay out of our own, and our older cat's hair and fur.
So to speak.
For more tips on how to tell, see the post, Dear Pammy, Should I get my cat a kitten?
Keep our cat guessing
While I'm not in favor of teasing the cat, we can play with a cat's schedule to increase our communication, and our cat's ability to adjust to the unexpected.
No matter how hard we might try, we are going to sleep late, come home late, or stay up late sometimes. If our cat is too dependent on regular schedules, this will upset them.
Are we doing this on purpose? Don't we love them?
If this happens when we are already rushing, and stressed, our cat will pick up on our distress. Then they will worry.
It is far better to play with our schedule when we have some control over events. That way, when we don't have control over events, our cat will still have a pattern to follow.
It's okay. They will still take care of me!
Our cat is used to making their own schedules in the wild. Partly based on the movements of their prey, and partly based on their own efforts and choices. Once living with humans, in their home, cats will adapt to our schedule.
They just need to know that if things get messed up, we will fix them again.
Find out more with Keeping our cats flexible.
No matter how hard we might try, we are going to sleep late, come home late, or stay up late sometimes. If our cat is too dependent on regular schedules, this will upset them.
Are we doing this on purpose? Don't we love them?
If this happens when we are already rushing, and stressed, our cat will pick up on our distress. Then they will worry.
It is far better to play with our schedule when we have some control over events. That way, when we don't have control over events, our cat will still have a pattern to follow.
It's okay. They will still take care of me!
Our cat is used to making their own schedules in the wild. Partly based on the movements of their prey, and partly based on their own efforts and choices. Once living with humans, in their home, cats will adapt to our schedule.
They just need to know that if things get messed up, we will fix them again.
Find out more with Keeping our cats flexible.
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