Are we upsetting our cat?

We might not realize all the ways we actually upset our cat when all we are trying to do is be friends.

Then we get upset because all we are trying to do is be friends.

But it's not enough for us to have good intentions. If our cat does not know we have good intentions, it does not matter, does it? But we can, with the best intentions in the world, try to make friends with our cat, do all the wrong things, and ruin a potentially great friendship.

Are we making these mistakes?

• Using harsh punishment methods
• Not playing with the cat
• Not giving the cat what they need
• Blaming the cat for "being stubborn" about training

We must realize that our cat is a marvelous example of a Supreme Predator, and all their instincts are intact and fully functioning. This is how they got the job in the first place. We said, "Oh dear, all these rats and mice are eating our all food," and the cat said, "I can take care of that for you."

They are, really, super-heroes.

When we get upset about them doing something, we need to understand that "something" is something they have to do: their instincts demand it.

Are they scratching on the couch? They need a sturdy scratching post.

Are they knocking stuff off the bookcases and knicknack tables? It's because they have to look out the window, or have a high perch.

Are they trying to play with our things? They need their own things to play with!

Cats are highly intelligent creatures who have certain needs. We meet those needs; and everyone is happy!

For more about how we can make our cats miserable without knowing that is what we are doing, see The Blame Game.

What are cats like?

Once upon a time, if we wanted to know what cats were like, we had to actually have cats. Who liked us.

This was the reason there was such a divide on the topic of cats. People who lived with cats, who loved them, would have a great time. But people, who did not understand cats, would not believe it.

But now?

Now, it is very different. We don't have to actually have a cat to observe cats doing intelligent, funny, or sweet things. Now, we get to see anyone's cat doing intelligent, funny, or sweet things.

This has been a great boon for cats. People are able to see that people who love cats are not making it up. Their cat really does do funny things, and make them feel happy, and cares about them.

Cats really are great pets!

For more on this topic, see my post, Has the Internet helped cats?

Fit our cat into our life

If we feel we are not getting enough cat companionship, we might not be "letting the cat into our life" enough. The more we involve our cat in daily activities, the more we enjoy time with our cat... without trying.

I know that letting the cat "help" us with changing the sheets, putting groceries away, and assembling our hobby items, is not efficient. But it is: fun. We have to look at our cat's input as something enjoyable.

Because they do.

Cats love doing things with us. We are the Masters of the Universe. We make food appear out of round metal objects. A simple gesture makes fresh water happen. And they love to interact with us, because they love us and want to spend time with us.

All of this gets thrown away when we don't make the small amount of effort required to fit the cat into our life.

We get a pet so we have someone living to share our life with. This is a simple fact. If we want something more complex, we get a life partner. If we want something simple, we get a goldfish.

A cat is the perfect balance between these two extremes. Flexible enough to adapt to any circumstance, yet intelligent and emotional enough to fulfill human needs.

So make room, for our cat, in our life. We will both appreciate it.

For more, see Companionship Timing.