09/08/2024
How to have an even happier cat 😍
Things Your Cat Wishes You Knew!
Our cats are perfect in every way, of course, but they are definitely particular in how they like their world to be!
So here are some of the things I think they wished you knew!
🐱 They love hiding!
Our cats are predators but they are also prey, so they prefer to rest in places where they feel safe.
This is why they love boxes so much, the sides keep them hidden! It is also why raised beds on radiators and cat trees, and covered beds are so great.
🐱 They hate sharing!
Cats can be social but they are very selective about this. They don’t need the companionship of other cats to be happy and they definitely don’t like sharing!
Feral cats will live in related colonies, but each cat is responsible for their own hunting and for themselves.
Which means coming together for meals is not something they usually enjoy and can find stressful. If you have more than one cat, even if they seem to get on, you need at least one feeding station each, spread apart so they don’t feel pressured at mealtimes.
These sharing rules also apply to things like litter trays, water bowls and beds!
🐱 They do like water - but it has to be perfect!
Cats have a reputation for not being big drinkers, and while this is true to an extent - they are descended from desert animals so have a naturally low thirst - they are also very particular about how they want it!
In the wild if they catch prey near water, that water can be contaminated with waste, so they are hard wired to avoid drinking close to where they eat. Which is why water bowls near food are often ignored and why many favour moving water like fountains or taps.
They also prefer wide, flat water so their whiskers stay dry and they can see around them while they drink – again because being prey ,they like to keep an eye on their surroundings.
🐱 They love a big scratching post!
Cats scratch to mark their territory, exercise and look after their nails.
They love to stretch to their full height and put all their body weight into it. So the little posts in most pet shops don’t cut it, which is why they are ignored.
To help them leave your carpet or sofa alone you need a tall, solid scratching post, or one on the floor or attached to the wall!
🐱 They don’t like change
Again, because of their independent nature, cats are naturally suspicious of anything new and prefer consistency.
This is why they can be ‘fussy’ with their food. It’s not that they don’t like it, it’s just that it’s new! So offering it regularly alongside their current diet will help them get used to it.
And also why some cats get stressed when you go away or move things around.
🐱 They like little meals often
In the wild cats spend a great deal of time hunting and catch several small prey a day.
This means they are ‘little and often’ eaters. So when you put their food down and they only take a couple of mouthfuls, it isn’t that they don’t like it, they only wanted that much right now.
Leaving a bowl of kibble available is fine as long as they don’t gorge (some cats with disordered eating will) but what is better is mimicking that natural behaviour by using treat balls and puzzle bowls.
What things does your cat do that seems odd to you but probably makes sense to them?!
