Mary Allen
Attention, with our furry roommates, things are not always as easy as they seem. Don’t fall into these ten communication traps.
Meow says it all
You shouldn’t rely on your darling always loudly reporting if he wants something or if something bothers him. The meowing is a clue for us slow-witted bipeds, but actually, cats communicate mainly through their body language. So don’t just keep your ears open, keep your eyes open too: tail twitching or pricked ears can be signs of tension or nervousness that you shouldn’t ignore.
Meowing means begging
Would you prefer to ignore your cat’s meowing because he’s just begging for food anyway? Do not do that. Although body language is the be-all and end-all when it comes to understanding your cat, meowing in different tones and moods is a friendly hint to us humans that you shouldn’t just ignore.
We should be downright flattered that our little furry balls have learned their own language to communicate with us – in nature, they only meow as kittens.
If the cat is loud, it is important
As explained above, meowing can be a signal of a need that you should also address. However, our little house tigers are clever and learn quickly: If the master or mistress always wobbles and fulfills all wishes, if the kitty bawls, she will of course always do so. For example, if she would like a little more food or just some fun. So don’t let yourself be bossed around, but learn to read your cat and recognize when it’s really important.
Whoever purrs is happy
If your velvet paw purrs while being petted, it is usually fine and relaxed. However, purring is a real wonder: cats also use it when they are in pain and need to calm themselves. The purr frequency should even be able to stimulate the healing process, e.g. B. to promote fractures. So if your darling purrs for no apparent reason and is distant, you should consult a vet to be on the safe side.
Showing your belly means you want to crawl
In dogs and most other animals, showing the belly shows submission and humility. Not so with cats: Our fur balls are in the perfect fighting position because they have all four paws free and can dish out properly. But don’t worry, you can still scratch Kitty’s tummy, some cats really like it. However, you should pay careful attention to signals: If your cat seems restless, twitches its tail, or has constricted pupils, this is usually a sign that it has had enough and you may soon be feeling its claws.
No signals at all are good
If the cat doesn’t answer, is everything ok? Unfortunately no, the lack of communication can also be an important signal to you. If your kitty suddenly distances itself or ignores you, it may be that something is bothering it or that it is even in pain and is therefore withdrawing. Fear or insecurity can also be reasons why you should carefully monitor your environment and look for recent changes.
Eye contact gives security
When we like someone, we look them straight in the eye. This gesture of respect is received differently by many animals, including cats. It is therefore better not to look your velvet paw directly in the eye. The direct gaze is perceived as a threat and thus comes across as unfriendly and intrusive. So always look past your cat a bit or lower your eyes a little. By the way, if your house cat squints its eyes or blinks, this is a loving gesture and does not express disapproval.
Sometimes you have to get loud
Cats have very sensitive ears, which is why they find the noise of all kinds very unpleasant. This is one of the reasons why many cats are afraid of vacuum cleaners. For this reason, you should never raise your voice and generally cut back on loud noises when your cat is around. Incidentally, this is also the reason why our stubborn fur balls often choose the person in the room who doesn’t really like cats: all the shouting, whistling, and curling that cat lovers like to unpack is simply exhausting for many cats.
It doesn’t matter how you blame
If you have to reprimand your darling, there are a few things to consider. On the one hand, you should never scold afterward, the little rascal won’t associate that with his offense anyway. It’s more likely that he won’t understand the world anymore. If anything, you need to catch him in the act, or better yet, praise and reward him when he does something well instead. If you can’t avoid scolding, be clear: Choose just one word like “No” or “Aus” and always use this word so that the cat learns its meaning. If you swear in a different way each time, it only creates confusion.
When you cuddle, you want something
It is often misinterpreted when cats seek closeness and purr around our legs. You will probably quickly get the feeling that the cat just wants something to eat again. But that’s not true. Your darling really only wants affection and attention at this moment. But if you give him food now, he will learn this behavior and later actually use the friendly gesture to beg. So it’s better to spoil your little bullies with cuddles before you reach for the treat bag too quickly.