17 things your cat actually wants from you

Getting to pet your kitty is one of the best parts of being a cat owner, but if you really want your feline friend to be comfortable, you need to pay attention to the signals they’re giving you about what kind of touch they like, says Dr Ochoa. “The truth is, most cats only like to be petted on their face and neck and do not like their feet, tail or body touched,” she explains. “Your cat will let you know if it is OK to pet them elsewhere.” And remember: just because their belly is showing, it’s not an invitation to touch it.

Your fluffy house cat may not look like a lethal hunter, but don’t be deceived: all cats are predators, and nothing brings them more joy than the opportunity to hunt, says Stemcosky. “Actively engaging with your cat in interactive play provides mental and physical enrichment,” she explains. “Using a quality ‘lure’ toy can make all the difference, as they move and feel like the real thing.”

Scratching is a basic feline instinct, so your cat needs you to provide appropriate things to scratch, Kavanaugh says. The trick is to make the scratching items different from your decor so your cat doesn’t get confused. “Don’t give them a carpeted cat tree and then not let them scratch your carpet,” she says. Instead, she recommends scratching posts or mats made from corrugated cardboard or sisal, as they are not items typically found in the home.

A common mistake that cat owners make is assuming that a cat’s ‘wagging tail’ means they are happy – it can actually mean the opposite, Hartstein says. “A cat’s body language is very subtle, but their tail is very expressive and will let you know if they are enjoying your pets or if they’ve reached the ‘I have had enough, please stop now’ stage,” he explains.

Another mistake us humans often make is believing a lot of myths about cats. Discover 14 common ‘facts’ about cats that are actually false.

OK, so this might not be something your cat really wants from you, but it’s definitely something they need, Dr Ochoa says. Regular vet visits will help ensure your pet is healthy, free from infestation or infection, has clean teeth, is properly spayed or neutered, is microchipped, and is up-to-date on vaccines. This is also a good time to ask questions about things your cat does that you may not understand.

This may sound gross, but you need to pay more attention to your kitty’s pee. A cat’s urine and urinary behaviours can tell you a lot about their physical and mental wellbeing, Kavanaugh says. “For example, if your cat who always uses the litterbox urinates on the floor, instead of getting angry, realise they are trying to tell you something,” she says. “Perhaps the litterbox was not clean, or they might have an illness or injury. Cats do not pee inappropriately for spite.”

As much as humans love to tote their feline friends around, the truth is that most cats really do not enjoy being held and carried, at least not for long, Kavanaugh says. Instead, allow your cat to sit on your lap or rub against your body. This allows you to pet them while still giving them the freedom to leave when they’re done.

Humans tend to want to indulge their cats’ bad behaviour, often seeing it as funny or evidence of their ‘diva’ personality. But eliminating this isn’t just about you (though you shouldn’t have to put up with it). Your cat doesn’t want to be behaving badly either. “Contrary to popular belief, cats can and do like to be trained,” Hartstein says. Teaching them rules and proper behaviour gives them consistency and comfort in the long run. Not sure how to do that? He recommends looking for a trainer versed in operant and classical conditioning.

Now you know what cat’s would like to tell you, learn how to decode your cat’s behaviour.

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Source: RD.com