1. Tummy rubs

1. Tummy rubs
Getty Images

Petting on the belly is generally not welcomed: “Most cats don’t like to be stroked on their tummies,” says animal behaviour researcher Dennis C. Turner, who edited what’s considered the “cat bible,” The Domestic Cat: The Biology of its Behaviour. How can you tell?

“They will (try to) depart the scene or hit you with one of the front paws (with claws extended!),” he says, or they might bite (Turner emphasises that cat bites need to be thoroughly disinfected).

Then again, different cats have different preferences, says Kristyn Vitale, a postdoctoral researcher at Oregon State University, in the Human-Animal Interaction Lab.

“Other cats love when a person pets their belly.” Just be ready to back off if the cat gets annoyed.

Cat behaviourist and author of The Cat Whisperer, Mieshelle Nagelschneider, reveals seven of the most common mistakes cat owners make—and how to fix them.

Advertisement

2. Interacting with strangers

2. Interacting with strangers
Getty Images

Paying attention to your cat’s reactions is also important when an unfamiliar person wants to pet him – especially if that person is a child or someone who hasn’t spent much time around cats.

“One way to see if the cat is amicable to being pet after just meeting them is to let the cat sniff your hand and then watch how they behave,” Vitale says.

“If they want to interact they will most likely approach you and engage in social behavior after sniffing you, such as rubbing on you or trying to sit with you.”

She adds that if they don’t want to interact, they’ll usually walk away or ignore you, in which case it’s best to let them have their space.

Take a look at a few funny and frustrating cat antics and learn more about your cat’s personality.

3. Being picked up

3. Being picked up
Getty Images

“They certainly don’t like being held against their will,” Turner says.

He adds that most cats will forgive you for coming on too strong from time to time if they’re used to socializing with people and they trust you: “My research has shown that they accept most advances by their keepers, giving us the impression that we are in charge.”

But, he adds, for the sake of your long-term human-cat relationship, it’s always better to wait until the cat comes to you for attention.

“Then there’s more time interacting in the relationship.”

Like sleeping with a cat in your bed?

Sleeping with a cat comes with health risks. Here are 8 reasons you should never let your cat sleep in your bed.

4. Having their tails held

4. Having their tails held
Getty Images

For little kids, a cat’s tail can look like a very tempting handhold – but don’t let them grab it!

Turner says cats really dislike having their tails held or pulled.

Instead, show the child how to let the cat sniff his or her hand, and if all goes well, to pet them in their favorite places: “If they’ve been socialised to people as kittens, then they usually like being tickled around their necks or stroked down the back,” Turner says.

Make sure kids are watching for signs that the cat is unhappy, says Vitale: “If a cat does not like the interaction they are receiving, the cat may have dilated pupils, a rapid, fast twitching tail, ears that are flat against their head, fur that stands up on its ends, and may make hiss or growl vocalisations.”

Think your cat is clever? New research published in the journal Frontiers of Neuroanatomy says dogs could be brainier than cats.

5. Being left alone

5. Being left alone
Getty Images

Dogs aren’t the only pets that get lonely and bored when you spend the whole day at work.

Vitale advises cat owners to give their pets food puzzles when they’re alone – they’ll be too busy solving problems for snacks to miss you much.

She also recommends providing a variety of toys and a protected outdoor space (sometimes known as a catio or a window perch).

Some people even consider a second cat.

“Although not all cats will do well with another cat, many will readily accept a companion given a proper introduction,” Vitale says.

“A new owner could also consider adopting sibling kittens or cats, which may already have a well-established social relationship.”

For people, looking after an animal has so many positive benefits.

6. Not enough litter boxes

6. Not enough litter boxes
Getty Images

Is your kitty doing her business in the wrong spots? It could just be that she feels there’s not enough of her smell around your house.

Vitale suggests having more litter boxes: “Cats are typically more relaxed and secure in areas that have their scent,” she says.

“Usually, the rule is you want at least one litter box per cat plus an extra, although some cats may need more than this.”

She says to spread the boxes around the house, and she advises choosing unscented cat litter and cleaning the boxes with unscented products, so no chemical smells keep your cat from being able to adequately detect her own fragrance.

Make cleaning up after your pet less of a chore with these practical solutions for everything from cleaning up fur to keeping pets off the furniture.

7. Cat carriers

7. Cat carriers
Getty Images

It’s no news flash that most cats hate going into a carrier.

But it’s not the box itself that’s the problem – it’s the veterinarian they usually have to visit when they get closed up in there.

Vitale says that, with some work, you can change their negative associations with more positive ones.

For starters, “leave the carrier out with a blanket inside so the cat can explore the carrier and even sit in it at times where the cat is just relaxing at home,” she says.

You can put treats and catnip inside too.

Once he ventures in there on his own, praise him and give him more treats.

If he gets comfortable, try shutting the door for a minute—and then opening it and dispensing even more goodies.

If they dislike confined spaces so much, then why do they absolutely LOVE boxes?

8. Riding in cars

8. Riding in cars
Getty Images

Carriers and car rides usually go together, but the good news is that some cats can be desensitised to cars too.

“One thing owners can do is to take their cat for rides around the neighborhood, while praising the cat for doing a good job,” Vitale says.

She suggests keeping it very short at first (maybe five minutes) and – yes – giving lots of treats, petting and play (whatever your cat loves most) when you get home.

If your cat seems to be getting more comfortable, make the rides a little longer.

Whatever you do, don’t push your cat too far out of its comfort zone as cats never forgive.

9. Other cats

9. Other cats
Getty Images

Lots of cats love having cat companions, but if yours doesn’t, she might act out by showing fear or aggression.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to give one up! “Cats show great flexibility in their social behavior,” Vitale says.

She suggests separating the cats into different areas of the house and slowly reintroducing them to one another using a method called “Scent, Sight, Touch”: Take a toy or blanket from each cat and swap them.

Give each cat the other cat’s scent item along with lots of praise and rewards so they associate the smell with good things.

After doing this a few times, set up a space where the cats will be able to see one another through a physical barrier, like a screen door or gate.

Then feed them, so they start to associate positive feelings (food) with the sight of the other cat.

After a few successful feeding sessions, you can try to introduce the cats without a barrier—distract each cat with toys during their first meeting in the same room, so they have less time to worry.

“If owners go slow and give lots of rewards, many cats can learn to accept a companion cat,” Vitale says.

But make sure the rewards are cat-compatible.

10. Baths

10. Baths
Getty Images

Yes, obviously, domestic cats hate baths. (Tigers and jaguars, on the other hand, have been known to enjoy a leisurely soak, according to Catster magazine.)

The good news is that they don’t usually need to be bathed – regular brushing is enough to remove detached fur and shake out loose dirt.

If, however, your kitty rolls around in something noxious that really needs to be removed with soap and water, it’s not likely to be a fun process for anybody, so you want to make it as quick as possible, Catster says.

Have everything ready and nearby (cat-specific shampoo, towels, a washcloth for his head, and a pitcher if you don’t have a handheld spray nozzle on your kitchen sink) and wear long rubber gloves to protect yourself from any outbursts.

When the deed is done, get your cat as dry as you can with a towel; only use a hair dryer (low heat) if he’s not afraid of it.

Strange they hate baths so much, because they are said to be both liquids and semi-solids.

Never miss a deal again - sign up now!

Connect with us: