Cats and Eye Contact

Why do cats avoid direct eye contact?
I have been asked this many times, during my time watching other people’s cats or while helping with hand raising kittens. Direct eye contact with any cat as I learned from veterinarians and cat specialists, is a dominance or sense of threat issue. Most cats if not all dislike direct eye contact.

Cats in some aspect are a solitary species, in most cases they are the dominant thinking animal in a household. There are techniques that can be used to win over your cat, one of which, many know since the show “My Cat From Hell” came out on Animal Planet. Is blinking very slowly, if the cat should return your stare with the exact same slow blink, then they love you.

However, as I have written previously – Cats show their affection in other ways, such as head bunting or nibbling your nose, ears and or toes. Avoiding direct eye contact is a normal behaviour for many cats.

Yet, there are other quirky things about cats. You ever notice when a friend or family member who dislikes cats is staying over and your cat automatically seems attracted to this. Generally, it is because those that dislike cats will not make eye contact, so the cats see this as non-threatening and non-dominant behaviour.

Cats love being dominant in their own way.

Yet cats, like with any companion animal are there as a friend. They may not be as loyal as a dog, yet they can sense when things are going awry in your life and will comfort you. When many people take cats for granted by disregarding them as nothing but pests, it breaks my heart to see or even hear how some humans just abandoned them at shelters.

Companions or any animal are not something you give as a “present” during holidays or birthdays. Remember this next time you go out to buy or even adopt a companion animal for someone else.

However, as an advocate I am more for ADOPTING than buying a companion, especially when there are shelter animals dying on a daily basis.

Adopt don’t shop.

Cats and You: Interesting Facts about Cats

Cats are an interesting species; they come in variety of shape, color, and pedigree. Cats first domesticated in Egypt around 2000 BC and brought to Britain by 300 AD by the Romans. In Egypt as everyone may well know cats were worshiped as gods and goddesses. Although, in today’s society we do not worship them as such, we do cater to their whims.
I have been asked quite a few times to write an article on cats. I have been asked many questions about cats including their behavior of nibbling on noses, chins and licking of faces.
Nibbling on noses or chins is a way for your purr box to show affection. It is considered love bites. If your cat by chance starts nibbling on your nose or chin do not fret – their showing you that they love you. You should not discourage this behavior as it can have repercussions into something negative. Believe or not animals do have self-esteem issues – although, these love bites can be annoying at times. We should respect how they show affection towards us.

Why does my cat lick my face?
Being licked to them is providing a good cleaning that also speaks volumes in their language. It is showing they care for you and in sort a sense of belonging. As many know cats groom each other to cats, licking is a comforting, soothing sensation and feels just like petting.
Yet there is a downside to licking – many times, if a kitten is weaned to early from their mother and or litter-mates they develop behaviors such as suckling and licking habits. If this should occur and you find that, they are licking strange items and not just your face, toes or hair. If they start licking excessively on objects like walls, plastic bags or other then this is a clear sign something may be wrong. It would be wise to seek a specialist.

Why does my cat bring me dead animals?
Hunting is a natural instinct for our felines, even for our indoor cats. When your cat brings you a dead animal – he or she is presenting it to you as a “gift”. Your cat may think he or she is doing you a great favor by depositing a dead mouse, bug or other at your feet, bedside or on your couch. Scolding your cat should never be the answer when she or he presents you with this gift.
This is how animals communicate and show their appreciation for you.
Think of how you would feel if someone yelled and showed horror at a gift you gave. You would feel like you were worthless wouldn’t you? That is exactly how your cat would feel if you did that to them.

Why does my cat keep pawing at me?
Simply put – your cat is asking for attention. On the other hand, your cat is asking to be let out of the room to use the facilities.
Why does my cat sleep near my head or on my face?
Some specialists speculate that they sleep there for warmth, as many people lose most of their heat through their head. Cats can feel this so they tend to cuddle up next to your head or face.
There is also the possibility that they love the smell of your hair. It may make your cat feel comfortable or safe to sleep there.
Being that close to you – allows them to pick up your scent, which gives them a sense of comfort. Alternatively, your pillow just may be that comfortable to them. Possibilities are endless when it pertains to this certain issue.

Cat Rolling
I am sure many people have seen their cat “roll” or go onto their back. This is showing a loving greeting and a solicitation for affection. Do not rub their belly, for most cats this breaks the bond and trust they have with you.
Cat Bunting or Head butting
Another way for a cat to show their affection toward you while marking you. As it is known, cats have scent glands even at their forehead. Consider this as your cat is laying claim to you. You are theirs you belong to them.

Finally yet importantly, the Cat Tails – How they speak with you through their tail motions. The high-held tail pointed straight up is a cats equivalent of a “Hi” and means your cat welcomes attention. A relaxed cat’s tail curves down and back up in a gentle U position. The more the cat feels interest the more the tail will be held higher. Confident cats also hold their tails high and again when the end barely tips over like a waving “hello”, it means he or she wants an interaction with you.
A wagging tail tells you to back away, when your cat thumps the floor with his or her tail it means she or he is ready to attack. A moving tail in cats generally indicates arousal of some sort—excitement, fear or even aggression. Watch also for fur standing straight off the body otherwise known as Poofy or poofing, clear sign of highly upset or ready to pounce/attack/fight.

I will be writing more about cats very soon, I hope this has cleared some confusion and answered many questions about cats’ unique language.

Declawing Cats Should Be Outlawed

Declawing of cats should never be an option. Scratching objects and or trees is a natural instinct for cats. The Medical drawbacks to declawing include pain in the paw, infection, tissue necrosis (tissue death), lameness, and back pain. Removing claws changes the way a cat’s foot meets the ground and can cause pain similar to wearing an uncomfortable pair of shoes.

Those who declaw are basically torturing cats for a lifetime. Some cats, even big cats in zoos go through life never placing full weight on paws, some even developed a mental disorder.

Think of it like this:

Not to mention if cats should escape outside how would they ever defend themselves against other cats or wildlife? They wouldn’t and due to that inability to defend or climb a tree, they would most likely die.

There are many alternatives to declawing that doesn’t leave a hazardous effect. Such as having professional clip nails as they do for dogs. Nail caps that can be adjusted to their size. And then there is double-sided tape to protect walls and door frames. Bumpers to protect furniture and non-toxic apple bitter to deter them from scratching up surfaces.

There’s also an environmentally friendly cat tree. Made of hemp, cardboard, dead tree bark and sea rope. All of which is biodegradable and reusable.

Please think before declawing and if your landlord requires declawing of cats, just give them the facts and tell them you will use caps. Usually, they will have no issues with you having a cat with claws then.

Our petition for the outlawing of declawing cats is currently being worked on. We will post it as soon as it is finished.

Have a relaxing Sunday everyone 😺